Ladybirdfest and more at Cranford Park

Initially I was at Cranford Park today to try to locate suitable woodpecker nesting sites. I had a little success with two Green Woodpecker sites, but nothing for the Great Spotted Woodpecker. Despite hearing both birds calling on and off throughout the couple of hours I was there, I only managed fleeting glimpses of three Greens and just one GSW, and no photos at all.

 

A pair of Common Buzzards were soaring quite low over the woods making that fantastic 'mewing' call. I say a pair but thinking back I'm wondering if one was a juvenile. The way it seemed to 'follow' the other rather than soar together made me think that. Again no photos as I was already in the woods and could only follow their progress through the trees canopy.

 

Just like yesterday the majority of the bird song heard today were Wrens and Blackcaps.

 

I managed one half way decent photo of a calling Wren....

 

 

and one poor heavily cropped photo of a male Blackcap.....

 

The Common Whitethroats that return from Africa to breed at Cranford Park are back.

I counted five calling birds today, but managed just one distant photo......

 

It was reasonably cool when the sun hid behind the clouds, and any ladybirds out and about just hid until the sun re-appeared. I counted five 14-spot, three 7-spot and twelve Harlequin....

 

14-spot

7-spot

7-spot

Harlequin

newly emerged Harlequin

Sitting on the log in Bluebell Dell, I found my first Cardinal Beetle of the year. This is the Black-headed Cardinal (Pyrochroa coccinea). He/she was very happy to pose for me in the dappled woodland sun....

 

 

There were quite a few hoverflies about but I resisted losing too much time photographing them today. This little fluffy one was by Frog Ditch near the grain field.....

 

Leucozona lucorum - male

 The wild Honeybee hive in the stable block (the bricked up arch one) was very active today......

 

 

Love was still in the air for some of the shield bugs. These photos are especially for my mate Paul P who wanted more 'insect porn'.....

 

mating Green Shield bugs

These ones were in exactly the same position as the four I photographed yesterday afternoon. Mating Dock Bugs.

Last but not least a photo of one of our native Bluebells....

 

 

Not long now until the bluebell season is over. As always Cranford Woods put on a great display.