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.