Just Made It

Some species just made it onto the observation board for April.  First it was St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci).  These were flying around the Hawthorn tree and Gorse bushes on the moor.  Although I have seen them on plants and flying, I have never seen them in such numbers.  You can see their long hind legs hanging down behind them, in flight.

The larvae live in soil feeding on roots, grasses and rotting vegetation.  The adults feed on nectar and are important pollinators.

Next was Bogbean.  The buds were visible during the flower walk but not a flower.  Today one had opened its lower buds.

Out on the moor one Tormentil flower was open.

Barren Strawberry has been observed for several weeks but Wild Strawberry flowers much later. 

Marsh Valerian was seen on Wednesday but it was not fully out, so did not pass the 'flower test'.

And this is just for Jennifer, Roger, Stacey and all the volunteers, as I know how they love Silver Birch!  It is in flower and all those lovely seeds will be ready in the autumn!

Several species of butterfly have been recorded.  I chased Peacocks several times today, but only managed to look at vegetation.  An Orange Tip fluttered by, but finally a Speckled Wood came to rest and I was able to photograph it.

Tomorrow is the start of a new month and the observation board is clean and waiting for species to be added.