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
Leafhopper.
New Forest
A working Forest.
#Wordless Wednesday
Common Blue.
The Common Blue is one of the most common damselflies in the UK.
The Male is blue and black with a button-shaped mark on the segment below the wing base. The female is less colourful – she is dull green /light yellow with a thistle-shaped mark below the wing base and black bands.
Golden Ringed Deagonfly.
A master of flight, and a fairly commonly spotted dragonfly along many of the small streams at this time of year. Appearance – striking black body with distinctive yellow bands. Green eyes.
Common Lizard.
#Wordless Wednesday
Alone.
I watched a commotion: a mother duck flying at a Herring Gull. It was sad to see her give up, and the gull fly off with a duckling in its mouth. Walking the other side of the pond, I found her again with only one lone duckling trying to keep it in the water lilies for safety.
New Forest ponies taking a drink.
Magpie
Spiders nest.
Looking for Raft Spiders again in the New Forest, we found a good population in the usual place. Some 16 adult spiders along the stream were viewed. along with several nests which were full of baby spiders. The spider in the 1st picture was eating a “Daddy Longlegs”.
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.
Dragons & Damsels.
I spotted these dragonflies and damselflies in the New Forest on yesterday’s walk.
Keeled Skimmer (female)
Keeled Skimmer (male)
Large Red Damselfly.(mating Pair).
Beautiful demoiselle Damselfly.
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.
Continued Reflections from my World. 