All Shapes and Sizes Continued

Sunday, August 3rd 2014

Yesterday it was plants today it is invertebrates.  Invertebrates cover everything from snails and slugs, to butterflies and moths, to bees, wasps and centipedes to name but some.  They are not everybody's favourite animals, but some are beautiful. This is the best time of year, in the warmth and sunshine, to see many of these tiny creatures.  

Many Cinnabar moths were seen flying earlier in the summer and now we have their caterpillars eating their way through Common Ragwort.

Cinnabar moth caterpillar on Common Ragwort

Hoverflies are just beginning to make their appearance around the flowers. This one was found inside a Large Bindweed flower.

Hoverfly in Large Bindweed flower

When pond dipping, children are told the differences between dragonflies and damselflies.  One of the main points is that damsels hold their wings parallel to their body, just like this Emerald Damselfly - is not doing!

Emerald Damselfly

Often the moths caught in the moth trap are never seen as you walk around the reserve.  It was therefore a great surprise to see Pyrausta purpuralis flying during the day.

Pyrausta purpurralis

Moths themselves come in all shapes, sizes and furriness, as this Drinker Moth shows.

Drinker Moth

It is always assumed that insects will be where you expect them to be.  However they are always able to give you a surprise.  This Southern Hawker was hanging around the boundary fence early one morning.  The wings held at right angles to the body, just as they should be!

Southern Hawker


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Access to the Reserve: OPEN with limited access

Monday 18th March 2024 |

The reserve is now open, although again with limited access.

Visitors will be able to access the reserve with the use of key fobs provided at the pass office upon entrance to the camp, or will be provided entrance and exit through the access gate by an officer from the camp Guard Room. In this case visitors will need a mobile phone to call the Guard Room when they wish to exit the reserve.

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