A Mixture

Sunday, October 1st 2017

When the seasons change it is easy to say on the blog - ' At this time of year ....'  Well, at this time of year, early autumn, the species to be seen around the reserve depends on the weather.  (We have said that before too!)  If it is dull and cool then some flowers, seeds and the birds on the lake are the species to photograph.

The flower group recorded Honeysuckle in flower as well as its red fruits.  Some fruits and seeds are readily eaten by birds and small mammals but I must admit I am not sure if anything eats these fruits.

There are still some Hardheads showing their purple heads and quite often an accompanying fly or bee is holding tight until it warms up a little.

 Once the sun comes out and the temperature rises, so the invertebrates wake up to make the most of the warmth.  All the ripples on the pond surface were caused by Whirligig Beetles doing their whirling around!  One of these days I will get a good, in focus, photo of one of these beetles.

A bit more investigation is needed to find out more about this rather large wasp, that was enjoying the sunshine.

Over 2600 species have been recorded on the reserve and it still amazes me that we can find more.  Whilst photographing the moths, in the sunshine, a shout to come and look at a ladybird like beetle.  Well photographed, we ID'd it  as a False Ladybird, Endomychus coccineus.  Bob Marsh, the beetle specialist for the NYU, replied 'It is bit scarce these days but there are Yorkshire records - usually in fungi on cut ends of logs - that sort of habitat.'  We were standing next to the large log pile outside the Field Centre.

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