Easter Weekend

No eggs, but a brood of Mallard chicks was being led through the shadows at the edge of the pond.

On Friday I managed to snag a hover which I believe to be Melangyna lasiophthalma.

Singing Siskin below the pines and feeding on Salix catkins

Easter Monday was the most productive day with a number of vascular plants added and a couple of hovers snagged. Eristalis pertinax were active in wind-sheltered spots. Another Cheliosia fraterna was also captured. A Syrphus was picked up for a final identification but not done yet and another small hover is refusing to be keyed out so far. Hopefully a night in shining armour will come to the rescue on that one.

The 'flower meadow' is now covered with Field Wood-rush, and many other things become apparent when you get down closer to the ground, including emergent Tufted Vetch and some orchid leaves.

Field Wood-rush