Spring is having a few technical difficulties at the moment in persuading winter to relinquish its hold and give up on the North and South Westerlies that have been predominating in recent days. However in sheltered spots in the occasional patches of sunshine there has be some non-avian activity with a variety of insects as well as a few hardy Marsh Frogs and Common Lizards to be seen.
Marsh Frog - Linda Peall
Butterflies have been fairly scarce so far with a handful of Small Torts, Peacocks and sulphur yellow Brimstones to be found but it will not be long before Orange Tips, Speckled Woods and Holly Blues join them.
Brimstone - Andrew Rodger
Peacock - Mike Miles
There have been quite a few honeybees and bumblebees around including this fine Bombus terrestris captured mid hover.....
Buff-tailed Bumblebee - Lawrence Rogers
Only one hoverfly species so far - the hardy Drone fly - Eristalis tenax - has been seen on the willow flowers and the first Sheildbugs and Ladybirds along with one or two flies are now out and about. Soon insects will be everywhere once again.
Eristalis tenax - Linda Peall
It would nice to have some warm still weather over Easter so that more of these integeral elements of life on the marshes can spread their wings.....
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Howard Vaughan, Information Officer