15 May 2021

 

Went down in between rain showers this afternoon to have a look at the pond on the 3rd Blue.  This is one of the least productive parts of the course for me golf-wise,  but one of the most productive spots wildlife-wise.  Today there were a few different insects around, albeit some more attractive than others.

Orange-tips are attractive butterflies - there were 3 or 4 flying around the pond.  Only the males have orange tips to their wings.  They feed on Cuckoo Flower - such as the one this female has landed on.

Orange-tip [3rd Blue]

Common here and around much of the course are Small Coppers.  They have rather erratic flight and copper-coloured upperwings.

Small Copper [3rd Blue]

Mayflies only live for a day or two after changing from nymph to fly, giving them limited time to find a mate and reproduce, hence their latin name Ephemera. These two at least seem to have succeeded - although I hope that my pointing a large camera at them from 12 inches away didn't spoil their moment.

Mayfly Ephemera vulgata [3rd Blue]

Following a similar life cycle are Alder Flies, whose nymphs also live at the bottom of ponds and live as adults only for a few days.

Alder Fly Sialis lutaria [3rd Blue]

There were quite a lot of these shiny purple beetles.  There are around 4000 species of beetle in the UK.  I haven't checked them all, but I think that these are Alder Leaf Beetles.

Alder Leaf Beetle Agelastica alni [3rd Blue]

The birds were enjoying this insect emergence.  A pair of Reed Bunting nest on the far side of the pond and were picking off the slow-flying Mayflies.

A Kingfisher was also showing well, hovering over the pond at one point.  This seems to be the best spot on the courses to see them at the moment.

Kingfisher [3rd Blue]

Goldfinches were collecting nesting material on the margins of the pond.  This one looks in need of a shave.

Goldfinch [3rd Blue]

One of the characteristic plants of this hole is Common Comfrey, which grows along the stream and in the fen.  This one was growing on the bank behind the pond.

Common Comfrey  Symphytum officinale [3rd Blue]