Gasteruption jaculator, RW

A small parasitic Hymenoptera, who's larvae live in the nests of solitary bees. It appeared to be feeling for vibrations inside the wood with its antennae

Brown Hawker, RW

When you see Brown Hawkers flying around you often forget about the stunning electric blue on their bodies. Click on photos for bigger image.

Brown Hawkers ovipositing, RW

A very common but stunning dragon.

No ordinary wheat field, Rutland

Whilst driving past this wheat field yesterday evening, i noticed an odd shape sticking up out of the wheat. A quick scan revealed the odd shape to be 3 pairs of Fallow Deer antlers. I sat for the next 3 hours watching and wishing that it would stay light for the whole of the night.

Fallow Deer, Rutland

The deer obviously felt safe and invisible whilst sitting down in the wheat field. However, i don't think it had crossed their minds that their entire head wear was sticking up above the wheat. They might as well have waved a white flag.

Buff-tip moth, Rutland.

A master of disguise.

Chocolate-tip

Black Arches

Brown Hawker ovipositing, RW

Click on photos for a bigger image.

Southern Hawker, RW

The inquisitive behaviour of this dragon still makes it one of my favourites.

Banded Demoiselle, RW

Banded Dem's are usually quite scarce nomadic visitors to the reservoir, but this year they seem to be everywhere.

Rudd

Roesel's Bush-crickets

I found the first record for leic/Rut back in 2002 on the Egleton nature reserve, a single singing male. Just five years on and a quick stroll around the reserve can now produce 150+ on a hot day. Click on photos for a bigger image.

Dark Bush-crickets

Upper photo shows a male and lower two a female.

Speckled Bush-cricket

Usually found sitting inconspicuously on nettles and brambles.

Pisaura mirabilis carrying egg sac

Passing Rain

Banded Demoiselle, RW

Ruddy Darter, RW

Mediterranean Gulls, RW

House Martin killer

Last year we had trouble with a Great-spotted Woodpecker that use to come and attempt to predate the House Martin colony (25 pairs), by drilling through the bottom of the mud nests. This year however, it or another has reached a new level by killing both adult and juvs. Many of the juvs have their heads missing and the adults have peck marks on their napes. The death toll is now about 16 and rising.

Phasia hemiptera, RW

The female lays her eggs straight in to certain species of bugs, the larvae living inside its host. Not pleasant !!!.

Migrant Hawker, RW

Red-eyed Damselfly, Rutland

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Rutland

Pied Wagtail, RW

Fallow Deer, Rutland