Blashford was busy with another Wild Day out again today, the subject was bugs so we were hoping for a good catch in the moth trap, sadly a cool night meant we were disappointed. However a day with often very warm sunshine did bring out the insects. Around the Centre Pond the usual butterflies were joined by a hornet and Britain’s largest hoverfly, the hornet mimic Volucella zonaria.
Volucella zonaria
Although I was largely desk bound today, I did go out to see if I could locate a mute swan reported with fishing line caught on it on the water-ski lake, I did find it but I don’t think it will be easy to catch. On the way I came across a very large fallen tree that came down in the winter, it was a large oak and has fallen in one of the non-intervention areas where we are letting nature take its course as much as we can. It certainly shows how a large clearing can be created by the falling of one large tree. The gap will soon be filled with young trees and in the meantime the sunlight can get through and make a sheltered clearing for insects.
fallen oak
For anyone visiting tomorrow morning, I should mention that we will be clearing the vegetation from in front of the Tern hide, this will improve the view in the long term but disturb the birds for a couple of hours whilst we are working.
Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve 