Lunch at Swaddywell

Katie Bogbumper Fuller and I had a quick lunchtime dash around Swaddywell pit (not far from Peterborough) today (4.8.04). Of the butterflies, Small Heaths were present in good numbers, and we also saw Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small Copper, Holly Blue and Essex Skipper.
Other insects included Ruddy Darter, Migrant Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer among the drags, plus Blue-tailed, Emerald and Common Blue Damsels.
Birds included a family of Goldcrests and a few Blackcaps (enjoying the blackberry crop) plus a calling Tree Sparrow (this site is one of the best in the area for this locally-scarce species).
I only came away with a couple of satisfactory pics.

Small Heath butterfly.


Male Ruddy Darter. This insect had been attached to a female for some time, and soon after this shot darted at lightning speed to follow the female when she returned to the vicinity.