Monday 29 June 2020

Beetles - magical blustery tour

There was a bit of an ID mystery hanging over last week's beach and clifftop walk, the leaf beetle found in a buttercup flower. I thought it might be worthwhile going back for another look to see if I could find another one to help with the identification of the species. Our Lass was just keen to be out in the fresh air. And, by heck, was it fresh. Rather than a westerly, the wind was now more of an easterly, coming straight off the sea and gusting across the clifftops. Only the Fulmars seemed pleased with this arrangement, as they performed ludicrous aerial manoeuvres and hung in the blustery air, trying to score maximum points from the judges. Posers.

You will probably remember the route: a mile of sand and surf, a gentle climb to the clifftops, seabird colonies, moorland and a disused quarry.

A clump of Oysterplant

A feather trying to look inconspicuous amongst the Sea Sandwort

Oysterplant close-up
From the southern end of the beach, we walked through swathes of buttercups, but although they were teeming with hoverflies and this sawfly, there was nary a beetle to be seen.

By the shore, a family of Shelduck took to the water. These four ducklings are quite well-grown now and have lost their humbug stripes.


Because of the blustery wind, we were rather glad of any shelter the disused quarry could provide. One small corner in particular seemed to be in occasional sunshine and be sufficiently protected from the weather. And, inevitably, this was where all the insects were hanging out. 

A Five-banded Potter Wasp

Eyebright sp.

Eyebright close-up

One of two female Blue-tailed Damselflies

Common Blue butterfly being incognito

Common Blue butterfly

Blue-tailed Damsel and friend
Back out on the moor, the only caterpillars we could find were still those of the Emperor Moth, but these were of an even later instar, and were now sporting the more familiar green livery with black stripes and yellow spots.


And right at the end of the walk, as we climbed through the dunes to leave the beach, some Yarrow was just coming into flower. I had not previously looked this closely at a head of Yarrow, they are rather pretty.


4 comments:

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Such a varied landscape - with plants and insects I am completely unfamiliar with.

Imperfect and Tense said...

The potter wasps are new for me this year, I had not previously noticed them although they have been here all along. I guess this is a benefit of having the time and 'to stand and stare'.

biobabbler said...

Good Lord, have you always been this good at photography? So much loveliness! A delightful tour--thanks for that. =D xobb
p.s. I cannot yet figure out how to reply to people who comment on my blog (things changed in the last 2 years w/the software, apparently), so the lack of response is due to absence & ignorance. Pardon.

Imperfect and Tense said...

bb, thank you and it's lovely to hear from you. No, there's been no change to my skill level, the improvement is due to a small compact camera that can fit in a pocket. I wanted macro shots of small insects, and with this ability has come the bonus of close-ups of flowers. It's fair to say that my eyes have been opened!