Tandem
R and I both had eye tests this morning, which got us out to Stratford early, and after we’d finished at the optician’s and then had coffee, there was still time within our parking slot for a quick river walk. … Continued
Supervision
This afternoon I spent ten minutes watching in fascination as a female Banded Demoiselle laid her eggs in the floating and submerged vegetation close to one of the fishing pegs at Cleeve Prior Mill. I knew from reading my Brooks … Continued
Featherlegs
At round 3.5cm long, the White-legged Damselfly is one of the UK’s largest damselflies. It’s also not readily mistaken for any other species: the pale, feathery legs with expanded tibiae, the paired thoracic stripes, the chestnut wing spots and the … Continued
Final moult
When I caught sight of this Drake Mackerel Mayfly on a bank of bramble and nettles down at Cleeve Prior Mill this afternoon, I wondered what on earth she was doing sitting out in the open like this: they’re usually … Continued
Chasing Chasers
We’ve moved into what looks as if it might be quite a tricky period of weather. It was stormy overnight, which didn’t help me catch up on my rest after a tiring day, and this morning dawned dark, windy, and … Continued
Freshly Scarce
I worked my local Odonata beat today, starting at Cleeve Prior Community Orchard, then dropping down to the Avon at Cleeve Prior Mill, before swinging round to the Heart of England Forest section of the river near Barton. My field … Continued