Female common darter
Despite all the blustery weather, it has remained mild, and in sheltered spots there are still some insects about. At the weekend we saw red admiral and comma butterflies, and quite a number of common darter dragonflies in the sheltered parts of the woods. A small white butterfly was also on the wing, and there are still plenty of bumblebees, wasps, hornets and hoverflies in places, enjoying the late autumn fruit. There are also quite a few plants still in flower, providing nectar for these insects – notably still some ox-eye daisies in flower in our meadow, together with clover, sainfoin, some late buttercups and late willowherb.
These are a few photos taken at the weekend.
Comma Butterfly (pictured with point and shoot camera)
Male Common Darter basking on a log
Male Common Darter basking on a log
Alvecote Wood 