Insects after rainfall.

There was no ringing on the reserve today as, unfortunately, the weather intervened, but as the sun came out later in the afternoon there were many insects to be seen in the more sheltered areas around Risedale Beck.

The male Orange-Tip Butterfly is feeding here on Herb Robert, but can also be seen on other cruciferous plants such as Garlic Mustard and Cuckoo Flower.

This Soldier Beetle (so named because of its black and red colours) is a predator and hunts mainly on flowers but was seen basking on the Nettle.  Also on the Nettles was a Vine Weevil. This is a well known garden pest as it eats vast amounts of vegetation.

The ringers have been out on the training area near the reserve and initial results indicate Pied Flycatchers are in better numbers than they have been for years, and also the size of the Great Tit clutches are bigger than they have been for some time with many exceeding 10 young.  Some Jackdaws were ringed today as well as the first of the Kestrels.