10th August 2018
A trip out to Fingringhoe Wick E.W.T Nature reserve.
July and August are
fairly quiet months for birdwatching, so what I do is make up the time before
the Autumn migration begins, is look for other wildlife. There is plenty to
find, Bee’s, Butterflies, Dragonflies and other interesting aspects of the
countryside. Here’s a few things sighted on the walk.
A couple of female
Pheasants hiding in the long grass. Hard to see them sometimes, can you see
them ? click on photo to enlarge.
A Small Copper Butterfly
( lycaena philaeas ) enjoying a feed.
Robin's pincushion.
The Robin's Pincushion is a gall caused by the larvae of a tiny gall
wasp, The gall is widespread and common,
and can be found developing on the stems of Dog-roses during late summer; it
acquires its reddish colour as it matures in autumn. Each gall holds many
grubs, which feed on the gall tissues throughout the winter and emerge in
spring as adults.
How to identify The Robin's Pincushion is a
spherical, red, fibrous growth on the stems of Dog-roses. You are more likely
to see the galls than the adult gall wasps or the grubs.
Dragonfly, I believe it to be a Common Darter ( sympetrum striolatum ).
