6 August 2022 - Hollingworth Lake
« Newer | Older »Great Egret, Little Egret, Spotted Flycatcher, various insects
As I was walking along the path from the gate this morning, I noticed a flat green beetle-like insect that I've not seen before. After investigation it turned out to be the 4th instar nymph of a Common Green Shieldbug, (Palomena prasina) but rather an attractive insect. Nearby were a couple of reddish-coloured Het bugs, which after a little research appear to be Deraeocoris ruber.
From the hide, the Little Egret had turned up again to join the Great White, and there were several Grey Herons, all on the reserve pool and visible from the hide. At one point the Great Egret walked in front of some Roe Deer feeding just beyond the water's edge, but there's a lot of foliage in front of the hide just now, so the results are let's say artistic.
I carried on up Turnough Lane where a Speckled Wood was flitting around in the dappled shade of some oaks, and at the top of the hill I encountered a few interesting things. A Yellow Shell kept flying up from the undergrowth but wouldn't settle in a convenient spot to photograph. A patch of Juncus was riddled with Coleophora alticolella/glaucicolella larvae, and a Stigmella mine on a small Rowan has evaded determination thus far.
On reaching Shaw Moss, I found a spinning of Ancylis badiana on red clover, almost in the same exact spot as I'd photographed an adult a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I fluffed the focus somewhat. In the same area, a Common Green Grasshopper flew up from my feet and landed nearby. I met Andrew a little further on who said that Simon had seen a Spotted Flycatcher. We went for a look and after five minutes or so, Andrew picked it up in the trees opposite, a bit too far for a decent photo, so this is just (about) a record shot.
Common Green Shieldbug 4th Instar, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 320 (view full size image)
Deraeocoris Ruber, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 250 (view full size image)
Three Herons, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 472 mm, ISO 800 (view full size image)
Great Egret And Roe Deer, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 400 (view full size image)
Speckled Wood (view full size image)
Yellow Shell, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 1250 (view full size image)
Coleophora Cases On Juncus, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 1600 (view full size image)
Stigmella Mine On Rowan, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 2000 (view full size image)
Ancylis Badiana Spinning On Clover, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 800 (view full size image)
Common Green Grasshopper, 1/640 sec, f/11.0, 500 mm, ISO 1250 (view full size image)
Spotted Flycatcher, 1/500 sec, f/7.1, 500 mm, ISO 2500 (view full size image)