Robin Stamp Wildlife

Well this was a new one for me, found in my back garden today.
The yellow faced or giant tachinid fly.

At around 2cm it really is, as the name suggests) rather big and round, certainly eye catching!

Reading up on it, I discovered it’s rather gory life cycle in which the females lay their eggs on the caterpillar’s of Oak Edgar or fox moths (the caterpillars of these two moths are common on the Quantocks and look very similar, large and hairy). After the fly egg hatches the young then eat the living caterpillar from within, lovely eh!

The Swifts will be leaving our shores any day now, and that really heralds the end of summer. But we don't have to go without them altogether! Join Charles Foster in Stogursey, 23rd September, when he'll be talking all things Swift (amongst many other wild creatures).
Info from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cry-of-the-wild-with-author-charles-foster-tickets-950803317317
Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme Quantock Hills National Landscape

Lots of lovely butterflies and Roe deer around in Vinnicombe, Quantocks today

Lovely fresh Dark Green Fritillary butterfly, Vinnicombe, Quantocks today

Bring your geological treasures - rocks, minerals, fossils - to the East Quay Courtyard on the 1st of August 11am - 3pm and see if you can stump our experts! Find out what it is. What’s it made of? How old is it? What’s it worth? Our Geologists will be on hand to scrutinise your curios and expect a visit from Dino the Velociraptor and Mary Anning the world-famous Victorian Palaeontologist. Entry Free!

Probably the most beautiful and majestic large UK butterflies, the Silver washed fritillary is out and about in the woodland glades and paths on the Quantocks and Exmoor at the moment. well worth a walk over July/Aug to see it!

Whilst numbers seem low, glad to see a good crop of butterfly species over the last few days on the Quantocks.

Quantock Nursery was open today! (sorry its not a better picture I was quite a long way off in poor light)

Bugs life! Lovely walk up Vinnicombe and through Staple Plantation, Quantocks, this afternoon, what a marvellous selection of wonders to see

Just found this photo from 40 (ahh did I say 40!) years ago in Hertfordshire. The one and only time I have seen fighting (dancing) male Adders, quite a sight, which I fondly remember.

Lovely female adder on Staple Plantation, Quantocks this afternoon , just managed a pic before she was off !

Amazing colouration on this (sadly deceased) common Lizard this morning. Staple plantation, Quantocks.

I have just found what I assume to be a musket ball (shot) it is roughly 10mm and weighs 11gm, it was on the path on West Hill Quantocks. Can anyone confirm or put me right on what it is?

Starting to see more lone dear around at the moment as the mums go off to have theirs babes away from the main herds. This (2nd pic) is the first of this years calves that I have seen (even if was from quite a distance) Quantocks

I find Skylarks such joy bringers, as the sing for you over your head as you walk th hills, Weacome Hill Quantock Hills National Landscape

Willow warbler singing its heart out to me yesterday in Weacombe, Quantocks. It seemed to be strangely interested in me, following me from tree to tree, lovely.

Not the best pic in the world but happy to catch this Hobby zooming past at speed! Nr Bicknoller post Quantocks

EMERALDS ON THE HILL

Today looks to be great day to look for the beautiful Green Hairstreak butterfly on the Quantocks.

I spotted at least 15 this morning around 7.30 on the gorse and bracken around Bicknoller Post. These are small at under 30mm wingspan but always rest closed winged, so look even smaller.

Happy spotting, they really are joy bringers.

Lovely to see some beautiful Green Hairstreak butterflies on Beacon Hill this morning (and yesterday at Bicknoller post)

Lovely days walk on the Quantocks, walking from Staple Palin to Halsway Hill Combe, then along the bottom, lunch at the Bic and then back up Bicknoiller Combe and home. Great to see four Red Kites three times thoughout the day (all around Bicknoller Hill) and a Peregrine, plus a beautiful poser of a yellowhammer and my first Green Hairstreak and small Heath butterfly of the year.

Rescued this May bug or cockchafer from drowning in the dogs water bowl yesterday, glad to say it seemed none the worse for it!

I didn’t realise they had so many names, Wiki suggests it’s other names include: Billy witch, bracken clock, bummler, chovy, cob-worm, dorrs, dumbledarey, dumbledore, humbuz, June bug, kittywitch, may-bittle, , may beetle, midsummer dor, mitchamador, oak-wib, rookworm, snartlegog, spang beetle, tom beedel!

Lovely colourful Stonechat, Weacombe Hill Quantocks

There were so many Dartford warblers about on Beacon Hill Quantocks today I think I lost my count but certainly at least 20 within 30 mins, they just kept on coming! They were sadly too busy collecting food to stop and pose!

Just got it! Meadow pipit, Weacombe Hill, Quantocks