What have you seen

Stenocornus Meridianus-

PS-not me, I consulted a big Poster on the GK’s bedroom wall😊

I have just looked in my insect book and agree with Rocky. have seen some strange beetles here and our friends have had some very large Longhorn Beetles on their wooden planks outside their place afraid they do not stay alive as they do a lot of damage to their wood.

Thanks all, will have a good look through the relevant insect web pages when I get time. At least I know where to start now.👍

High easterly winds along the East coast and really cold.  Decided to take a chance and visit Minsmere.  Didn’t go further than the Island hide but had a couple of cracking hours.  Spotted 3 times Bitterns, a Purple Heron, multiple Reedlings.  Cuckoo calling in the background.  Now back in the van with warming cuppa 

Nellies photo doesn't show any black on the insect. Does GK's chart show male/female as otherwise that looks about right. If not that one then it must be a close relative.

Our SW weather is a strange mixture of biting north easterly winds with high overhead sunshine reaching 22C this afternoon! We saw some orchids on our walk today. 

We had a good spot last week, I forgot to post this. Our local Sparrowhawk checking out our big rose, which is full of sparrows. Sorry about photo quality, it was taken through door window, sticker is on to stop birds flying into glass….

A lovely old Wing Nut tree at Clarks Outlet, they have a lot of specimen trees because the outlet was built in the old family gardens. OH collected seeds from the tree previously and we have a few saplings at home. The strange spiral round the trunk is due to fairy lights which I presume can be removed. Nice shady spot to sit whilst wondering if you've spent too much!? 

These two orchids I found last June on a walk some 15mins from home. Tomorrow I’m on a hunt to see if any are to be found a year on. Let’s hope so, 

I think one is a marsh orchid and the other a heath orchid but I may well be wrong! Like so much of our wild flora and fauna orchids are under threat. Good to see Brue’s orchid photos too!

Out on a coastal walk today. Saw a Sparrowhawk chasing its "elevenses", and Sandwich Terns and Shags and a family of Bullfinches so not too shabby considering it was primarily a walk.