Peacock Butterfly caterpillars on nettles. Something so black becomes something colourful!
Caterpillars.
Close Up
Large White.
It seems to be a good year for white butterflies.
Leafhopper.
Leafhoppers are small, sap-sucking insects that feed on leaves and stems. Nearly 300 species have been recorded in the UK. This leafhopper, I believe, is a Cicadella viridis. It is more commonly known as a Green Leafhopper, Size 6-8mm
Frogs.
In the UK, the most well-known amphibian is the common frog. It is a regular visitor to garden ponds across the country, and it hibernates in pond mud or under log piles.
The marsh frog, a non-native species, was introduced to the UK in the 1930s, with populations establishing in Kent and spreading to other parts of southern England. While most common in the southeast, isolated populations have been recorded further north. Unlike our native frogs, they never stray too far from water. They either are in it, or sat close to it. They are alert and wary as you approach, they will launch themselves into and plop into the water. Last August, we watched a New Forest population.
Today we returned the the same area and spotted them again.
Raft Spider.
I was glad to see many raft spiders back in a stream where we had seen a good population last year. The raft spider is a large, chunky spider that lives around the edge of ponds and ditches, and on wet heaths and bogs.
Toad pool.
Today was the best nature spot of the year so far. Nature never fails to surprise me. Even today, new sightings of events or species are thrilling. I have been viewing nature and the environment for a long time. Since drawing my pension, I have more time to conduct my observations.
I have only ever seen single Common Toads in the wild in the past. Today, we took a chance walk around a New Forest pond. It was off the beaten track. We came across a mass of mating toads.
Several 1st :- mating toads, toad spawn, toads in a pond, toads calling, frog mating with a toads
Toad spawn is in long strips rather than clumps as seen with frog spawn.
A Common frog mating with a Toad! Records show this happens but they can not hybridize.
On the downside of this event was seeing probably a hundred toads. The same amount piled up dead. It seems a Heron stabbed and then fished them out, not fully consuming them.
Big Bucks.
A few big Fallow bucks gave me the eye. They seemed to be without any obvious care in the world. Then they wandered off deep into the forest. It is always a treat to see these animals at close quarters and have eye contact with them.
Swarm!
Today in rained!
A few hours walking in the New Forest between heavy rain showers.
Dragongfly spotting.
I spent a couple of days concentrating on getting pictures of dragonflies, both at Titchfield Haven and in the New Forest, it will not be long before they are gone until next year they do not survive the fall in temperatures as we move into autumn.
Southern Hawker [female.]
Migrant Hawker.
Southern Hawker [male.]
Continued Reflections from my World. 