Bumblebee flight

For a long time, bumblebee flight was considered to be aerodynamically impossible. We know better now and are beginning to understand how such fat furry creatures can take to the air. Here is a video about their surprising flying skills:

There is a problem and we doubt that we will be able to post today. Our apologies.

Scarlet pimpernel

This is Anagallis arvensis or scarlet pimpernel which grows among the grass in the set-aside at the top of Kestrel Field. It is a tiny annual plant more usually found growing in bare ground under arable crops than among the reserve’s lush grasses and, like so many of our wildflowers species, it is now in serious decline due to modern intensive agricultural practices.

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Red-headed cardinal beetle

Ian has sent us a picture of a red headed cardinal beetle, whose scientific name, Pyrochroa serraticornis, translates roughly but appropriately as fiery-shelled thing with serrated antennae.

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Beautiful demoiselle

Clive Knight has sent us stunning pictures of a female beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo), one of the six species of damselfly on our lists. Beautiful demoiselles like clear running water and their presence in the reserve is a testament to the water quality of Lambrok Stream.

Thanks Clive.

Cockchafer

by Ian Bushell

This is a Common Cockchafer – Melolontha melolontha – photographed in the reserve last week. It is also called Maybug, Maybeetle or Doodlebug.

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The extraordinary flowers of white dead nettle (Lamium album); find them in our hedges and edges, besieged by pollinators.

Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum) is one of our most common wildflowers, growing anywhere it can find a damp footing and a little shade. Nobody seems to know who Robert was, though – but there are theories.

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