....and a piece about the Common Tern and the Red Grouse.
Red-tailed Bumble bee. Pete Woodruff.
Green Lacewing. Pete Woodruff.
A recent hunt in our garden for insects turned up one or two of interest, including this smart Bombus lapidarius, commonly know as the Red-tailed Bumble bee, which I found on our Elecampane Inula helenium. Quite a large bee easily recognised by its long jet-black coat and pollen baskets, and red rear.
Green Lacewing. Pete Woodruff.
If only for its bright green colour, red eyes, and delicate wings, another good find was the appropriately named Green Lacewing Nothancyla verreauxi. Despite their fragile appearance these insects are carnivorous, with both the adult and larvae devouring large numbers of aphids and other small insects. Rather bizarrely some species of the lacewing larvae camouflage themselves by fixing the drained skins of their victims to the backs....'Clik the pik' to enlarge.
Despite having not seen the Conder Common Terns on my last visit five days ago and suggesting we may have seen the last of them having moved on, they were reported seen on the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock on Sunday, and also the same day at Cockersands.
Grouse shooting for 'sport' is dependant on intensive habitat management which in the main damages protected wildlife sites and is directly to blame for the disappearing Hen Harriers. This land management also includes practices which increases the risk of flooding, water pollution, and also increases greenhouse gas emissions.
The Conder Common Terns.
Common Tern Martin Jump
Despite having not seen the Conder Common Terns on my last visit five days ago and suggesting we may have seen the last of them having moved on, they were reported seen on the Lune Estuary at Glasson Dock on Sunday, and also the same day at Cockersands.
Grouse Shooting.
Grouse shooting for 'sport' is dependant on intensive habitat management which in the main damages protected wildlife sites and is directly to blame for the disappearing Hen Harriers. This land management also includes practices which increases the risk of flooding, water pollution, and also increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Red Grouse Simon Hawtin
If you have'nt signed the Ban Driven Grouse Shooting petition yet, would you consider signing it Here
Thanks to Martin and Simon for the excellent images.