A Short Walk Today

After dropping Bo off at school, I really wasn’t sure if I could be bothered to go for a walk, I have a lot I need to do, but the sun is still shining and as the saying goes “Make hay while the sun shines” and so I decided I would go out, but I wasn’t sure for how long when I left (It wasn’t long either I think a few hours at most).

I decided Id skip the lake this morning, there is seldom anything on there and I was looking for bugs and mini beasts rather than birds (I only took my macro set up). and so I headed into Wymbush to inspect the bushes and paddocks. Alas there was little about. Heading on I quickly ended up in my favourite wild grass field and it was alive as usual with nature.

As seems to be the case at the moment there were plenty of Ringlets and Meadow Brown Butterflies flitting all across the waving grasses, but the wind was keeping most low (a stiff breeze is pleasant in the heat of the sun but can be a pain when it comes to looking for winged beasts, they tend to stay low or sit still). The usual Small Skippers were dancing in and out of the tall stems, and good numbers of Small Tortoiseshell were on the wing in good numbers.

Odonata

It was not long till the Emperor Dragonflies were making their presence known, taking off to hawk over the meadow. And while wandering through the grasses I stumbled across good numbers of Black-Tailed Skimmers as they fled my approaching steps. Fortunately one did put n a good show for me allowing me to get within a decent distance to photograph this enigmatic ode.

Black-Tailed Skimmer (Immature Male) – Loughton Valley Park, Milton Keynes

Open Glade

After having my fill (and to avoid a drunk who was wandering aimlessly, I know shocking at 10:30 in the morning!), I left the grass meadow and headed into the Hills and Hollows and to the small open glen that I always approach with anticipation. There was little of note in here, a few more butterflies (Ringlet mainly) and 6 Spot Burnet, Cinnabar Moth and 5-spot Burnet (and/or Narrow-bordered 5-spot Burnet not sure which), were the only highlight.

If you are looking for tips on Moth photography check the link.

5 Spot Burnet (I think) – Loughton Valley Park, Milton Keynes

Narrow-Bordered 5 Spot Burnet (I think) – Lodge Lake, Milton Keynes

Heading home

I didn’t stop for long but headed home via the lake. Once I had arrived at the lake I thought I would take a quick jaunt up to the rough ground above the car park (the location of Bee Orchids last time). And again it was a nice stop. There were Small Skipper and Marbled White butterfly on the wing again. And again non settled. But I also saw my first Gatekeeper of the year and found another Bee Orchid deep in the waste land. Little else kept my attention and I headed home for real this time, stopping only briefly to check on the Mute Swan family.