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Tuesday 12 November 2013

November still buzzing

Still plenty of life and interest on the patch, despite reaching the penultimate month of the year ( already !)
First off, I found a Northern Wheatear on the 9th November on the paddocks, a nice late record from a brief foray.
The sun came out the following day, complete contrast, warmth and inverts aplenty. The Ivy blossom was teaming with various Diptera and Wasps, hundreds of individuals, a marvellous November sight !.

Noon Fly  ( Mesembrina meridiana)
Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis Pertinax)

Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria )
Vespula vulgaris ( probably ! )



A Peacock and a Comma Butterfly were noted.

The nettles and posts were teaming with Ladybirds, and 4 species were seen, 2 were patch lifers, Pine Ladybird and 16 Spot Ladybird. There were very big numbers of 7 Spot and Harlequins on the wing.

16 Spot Ladybird
Finally, a subject I had started to read about recently, and it was nice to get acquainted with my first galls, these two occur on the underside of Oak leaves, and house a wasp that hatches in late winter and early Spring.

Silk-Button Spangle Gall

Common Spangle Galls


Many thanks to Brett Westwood, who supplied  fine company and great information on some hitherto unfamiliar flora and fauna during our walk.

2 comments:

  1. A fine collection of inverts there Mark. It just show there are still a few things to see on a sunny day even at this time of year!

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  2. Thanks mate, it does indeed. The more we can do to shorten the "invertless" months the better !

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