Saturday, August 5, 2023

Sawfly Summer

 Spotted these caterpillars on the birch in my garden in June. Turns out they're a species of Sawfly which are related to bees and wasps (Hymenoptera)

When alarmed they assume a defensive posture where they all hold their bodies in an outward curl.

Very cool.

Species is Pristiphora testacea

Phone shots


Friday, August 4, 2023

A Snipe Fly

Found this little chap on a rusty sculpture on West Park. I didn't know what it was but I got a broad ID from a Facebook insect group- its a Snipe Fly (Rhagionidae)

Taken with my Oppo phone

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Couple of garden volunteers

 Noticed this poppy plant had appeared near the back of the shed.

 
Then when putting the bin out I spotted this tiny fern growing in the gap between the slabs

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Bramble flowers

Usually the flowers of bramble (Blackberry) are white, but often I see ones with a pink or purplish tinge, like these.

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Hogweed

 Some snaps of Hogweed  (Heracleum sphondylium) from a walk with the dog. 



Saturday, June 11, 2022

Buttercup

 Growing amongst Wood Avens 

Friday, May 27, 2022

Couple of snails

 Spotted while out on the walk the other day.