A walk round the pond - Week 36
Suddenly it is autumn, and it feels like it. The weather hasn't been a very insect-friendly this week but some of them were out and about. Migrant hawkers (Aeshna mixta) aren't migrants at all (although they were a long time ago when given the name). In Ireland they are known as autumn hawkers, which is a much better name. The few I saw were mostly at rest, low down to keep out of the breeze and try to catch a bit of sun, with only one on patrol.
The only other dragonflies around were common and ruddy darters, also sheltering from the wind. This is a male ruddy darter.
The damselflies didn't even try flying in the strong breeze.
Butterflies are surprisingly strong fliers, even in windy weather. Amongst others I saw common blue,
speckled wood,
and small tortoiseshell.
This queen common carder bee was fattening up but will soon be hibernating.
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