Broad-bodied Chaser

My latest pond is still not looking very good - the water is a muddy brown colour but that didn't stop a Broad-bodied Chaser patrolling it relentlessly. Whether there is sufficient prey for any young it sires is an open question. I'm guessing they know what they are doing having been around for many millions of years. Old photo.

Greater Butterfly Orchids

Our first GBO appeared in 2022, and we had two in 2023 but none in 2024. 2025 saw a single one again and this appeared to be the case for this year and the specimen in question is now in full flower. However yesterday I spotted what appeared to be a single GBO leaf and then two more close by. I checked Sean Cole's great book on UK orchids and it turns out that GBOs can send forth a single leaf if they are not going to flower that season. For me that means we now have four GBOs and I look forward to them all flowering next year! Photo is from last year - it's a bit wet outside today.

Waxcap #1 for 2026 - Fibrous Waxcap

Pretty early this year but there has been a lot of rain over trhe last ten days! Found in the West Field. We might see the other 'early' species Dingy Waxcap and Citrine Waxcap soon.

Southern Marsh Orchids

A second SMO has apperared - this time in the West Field. Meanwhile the Monmouthshire Meadows Group open day yesterday featured a site bursting with SMOs - see photo above!

New species - Cucumber Green Orb Spider

One of the many invertebtrates found when the expert visited was this spider (Araniella cucurbitina sensu lato). I have always struggled to identify spiders so it is good to add this one to the list. It feeds mostly on aphids and midges.

Soprano pipistrelles provide nightly entertainment

Feeding on insects at high speed around the house - much better than the Red Arrows. Sometimes very close to each other. Video on link below. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nFgS3OFJJzHv4JIg7zLrqGTMfs51kZrH/view?usp=sharing

New Species - Ant Woodlouse

Until my recent time spent with a local invertebrate expert I had no idea of how many species of woodlice there are. Perhaps the oddest one is the tiny white, blind Ant Woodlouse (Platytarthrus hoffmannseggii) which basically lives in Ant Nests feeding of ant faeces and any other detritus in the nest so they are tolerated by the ants. Once I get the list of woodlice species I'll record them here.