Red- veined Darter again on Gunton Burial ground

On Friday 21st June, in the early evening I went back to the Gunton Burial ground and along the planted strip of Cornflowers, 1 fine male Red- veined Darter was again seen alighting on flowering cornflowers. he was initially quite wary but after a while he got used to me and I managed some shots. he would fly short distances and was sometime difficult to refind, but eventually was spotted again.

Red- veined Darters at Gunton burial ground

On Thursday 20th June, a tweet from James W to said Nick had found 2 Red- veined Darters at Gunton Woodland burial led me to ringing James W who was still there and agreed to kindly wait ten minutes so I could drive over. Ten minutes later, just on the east side of the burial field, James was crouching down by a lovely strip of Cornflowers and I saw my first Male Red- veined Darter of the year, perched on the top of a Cornflower, the sun came out and it whirred its wings and then flew a short distance to another Flower. James went further down the line and saw 1, whilst I saw a definite 2 Male Red- veined Darters almost together, so probably 3 Male Red- veined Darters in all. Nick B arrived with his scope and we had great views of 1 male in particular, usually perched on the far side of the Cornflower strip. It was really nice to see both Alan & Edwina B and we all managed get a few shots of this fine insect from the Mediterranean. We left it as it was clouding over but as I was walking back to the car, brilliant sunshine illuminated the field and I went back, the obliging male Red- veined Darter was still there and very carefully, without disturbing it, I took several pictures of it, sadly a sudden totally unexpected shower (it was really sunny and seemingly not a cloud in the sky) forced the fine Male Red- veined Darter to fly a little way north where it perched in a shrub, I left it there, as it may have been going to roost.

Garden & work bits and bobs

On Sunday 16 June, a Painted Lady butterfly was seen in the garden and on Wednesday 19th June, Jenny discovered incredibly a second Southern Marsh Orchid flower in one of flower tubs this time in the back garden. This is one of 3 now growing naturally in the garden, s On Monday 17th June a Painted Lady butterfly flew past the Library and south over the Hospital. On Thursday 20th June, a Moth (yer to be ID'd but I have a pic on my phone) was seen on the back window of the Library, I also saw another Painted Lady flying south.

Swallowtail Safari at Strumpshaw Fen

On Saturday 15th June, Swallowtails butterflies were out in force yesterday with an incredible 14 Swallowtail butterflies seen in all- best ever visit for numbers and showiness of 4 of their number (2 at the nettle path before the Cottage, 2 showing well and well appreciated by a small crowd on Sweet Williams at the (Mrs George’s Cottage), 10 by the Fen walk with 2 showing superbly on thistle) also 2 Brimstone- 1 by hedge by the car park, 6 Common Lizard- 2 by the Boardwalk and 4 on a log by the side of the path, 20 Painted Lady (10 alone on Sweet Williams by the Cottage) , 2 Scarce Chaser (Dragonfly) males- 1 hidden in vegetation & Norfolk Hawker (Dragonfly, green eyes brown abdomen) flew by briefly also a Male (at Reception Marsh) and female Marsh harrier (along the Fen walk) plus 2 adult Mute Swans and 2 cygnets the female came out on the path for a preen and hissing at passers by defending her 2 remaining cygnets, around 10 Southern Marsh orchids seen and 1 hybrid Spotted X Southern Marsh (darker pink flowers and Spotted Leaves- pure Southern Marsh Orchids have pure green not Spotted leaves) - all at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. Driving someway, we eventually stopped at this location, my usual spot to check Turtle Doves..... we heard a purring Turtle Dove and saw it purring from a distant bare tree it flew and showed the distinctive white along the side of its tail, another Turtle Dove bird seen briefly in flight, too. Going up the entrance to a setaside field, 1 then 2 Speckled Wood butterflies seen both swirling up in flight. Turtle Doves are declining dramatically due to the lack of seed rich fields, set aside land funded by the government is essential to ensure food for this quintessential British bird which is commemorated in popular culture in Christmas carls such as “Seven days of Christmas” the birds are summer migrants and winter in Africa.

Flowering currant bush wildlife

On Friday 14th June, it was 3 (or even 4) cheers for our Flowering Currant bush. A Painted Lady was the latest butterfly on this bush 5.30pm today at Parkhill, Lowestoft, had 2 Red Admirals on there this early am & a Diamond-back Moth on same bush last night!

White Chlorantha Bee Orchids & Pyramidals

On Tuesday 13th June, a trip in to deepest Suffolk revealed 3 excellent Chlorantha Bee Orchids (behind the southern fence line) and 7 Pyramidals (1 just behind another fence 2 posts before the sign, the rest around the area grass just south and west of the road including 2 fine individuals flowering in close proximity of each other), also I saw around 24 Bee Orchids.

Frog Orchids in the rain

On Monday 12th June, I took Josh C. to see the Frog Orchids in deepest Suffolk. The weather had been appalling with constant rain showers (although much needed for the garden) but asa we drew up the rain had stopped and as we walked to the meadow, although the sky was heavily overcast it ws dry and we managed to find 5 lovely Frog Orchids as well. there were also a Bee Ochid and 3 well over Early Purple Orchids too. Nice to hear a Yellowhammer singing too.