And the prize for this weeks juiciest animal goes to...............
The Poplar Hawkmoth caterpillar feeding on the willows at the entrance to the Wildlife Watchpoint Hide. The spike is on the rear end of the caterpillar and is meant to confuse birds into thinking it is a horn on the head. A bird pecking at the rear end of the caterpillar will do less damage. This juicy individual will carry on feeding, getting a little larger, until September, so no that much larger. When it is fully grown, it will descend to the ground and pupate over winter just under the soil close to the food plant. And if all goes well, an adult Poplar Hawkmoth will emerge next May.
You'll have to look closely to find it though, even though it is 6cm long, and very juicy, it's surprisingly hard to find.