Grayling on Sutton Heath

 

© David Gill

© David Gill

© David Gill

We spotted six grayling on the edge of Sutton Heath. Their camouflage blended well with the dead bracken and the heather.

Hungry Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar

 

I spotted this Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar on some Rose Bay Willow Herb close to our home.

Wasp Spider

 

This morning we noticed three wasp spiders had made webs in our wild garden. There are new arrivals in the UK.

• Wasp Spider (Wildlife Trusts)

Brown Argus

Last year we were prompted by the Suffolk Wildlife Summit to commit ourselves to make some changes for the benefit of wildlife. We decided to let some of the grass in the garden grow and see if it would encourage more insects. Today we were rewarded with a Brown Argus that very obligingly stayed in one section of the lawn.

Flying Ant Day

Flying ants emerging in Suffolk on 30 July 2020.

Kiteboarders at Shingle Street

Shingle Street © David Gill

There was a gathering of kiteboarders at Shingle Street this afternoon.

Flooding at Minsmere

 Minsmere © David Gill

The result of Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge in February 2020.

Caddisfly larva at Fingringhoe Wick

Caddisfly larva © David Gill

We spotted a Caddisfly larva at Fingringhoe Wick run by the Essex Wildlife Trust near to the river Colne.

• Caddisfly larvae

Waxwings near Woodbridge

© David Gill

© David Gill

We spotted a number of Waxwings near Woodbridge this afternoon. The light was fading.

Digger Wasp at Sutton Hoo

Digger Wasp at Sutton Hoo from David Gill on Vimeo.

We observed this Digger Wasp making a nest on the estate at NT Sutton Hoo.

For more on the Digger Wasps at Sutton Hoo see Caroline Gill's Wild and Wonderful.

Minsmere: Bluebell Show

© David Gill

The carpet of bluebells at RSPB Minsmere were stunning this weekend.

Bittern at Minsmere

© David Gill

© David Gill

© David Gill

© David Gill

© David Gill

One of the bitterns was showing well at RSPB Minsmere this weekend. I wasn't quite fast enough to catch it during flight.

Minsmere: Water Vole

© David Gill

This water vole was enjoying a quiet nibble of reeds at Minsmere at the weekend.

BBC Springwatch at Minsmere

© David Gill

The new BBC Springwatch "Studio" overlooking the RSPB Reserve at Minsmere was a hive of activity. There was a little bit of filming on the balcony (with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan) that overlooks the extensive reed beds. We look forward to what the programme will share. We can probably expect bitterns, marsh harriers, marsh tits, avocets, sand martins ... and ...

© David Gill

Minsmere in May

Damselfly at Minsemere © David Gill

We visited Minsmere at the weekend. There were a few dragonflies around and one large red damselfly  at the pond (which we also had at home). The sand martins were very active in their "cliff". And a bittern even landed in the reeds by the sluice. (For bitterns from last year.)

© David Gill

© David Gill

And there was plenty of evidence of activity in preparation for BBC Springwatch ... read more here.

Castle Acre

Castle Acre © David Gill

Castle Acre in Norfolk has impressive remains of the medieval castle and bailey. Restoration is being undertaken on the keep to reverse the work that had been done in the 20th century.

Ladybird at Leiston Abbey

#StSecrets ladybird at Leiston Abbey #Suffolk pic.twitter.com/o1r3e1BArs
— David Gill (@davidwjgill) July 2, 2013

Ladybirds are few in number this year. Caroline Gill spotted one at Minsmere and I spotted one at Leiston Abbey while visting the Dig Venturers excavation.

Bittern at Minsmere

© David Gill

A single bittern emerged from the reed beds at Minsmere this afternoon. It disappeared and later reappeared further the pond.

Norfolk Hawker at Carlton Marshes

Norfolk Hawker at Carlton Marshes
© David Gill, 2013

Yesterday we spotted a Norfolk Hawker at Carlton Marshes. Note the distinctive green eyes and the 'yellowish triangle' on one of the abdomen segments.

Burnet Moths at Carlton Marshes

Burnet Moths at Carlton Marshes
© David Gill, 2013

Yesterday we spotted numerous pairs of Burnet moths in the meadow at Carlton Marshes.