The Magpie's Hoard

Spider Season

It's that time of year when the house is invaded by spiders.

So far this week I've had to evict three huge Tegenaria that had become trapped in the bath. I'm not sure whether they climb up the plug-hole or fall in from above!

Sundew

I took this photo yesterday afternoon at Rocher Bog, near High Bradfield. It's one of the best sites I know for round-leaved sundew. The species was first recorded there by Jonathan Salt around 200 years ago and is still thriving today.

Apparently the larvae of some insects (plume moths?) actually feed on this insectivorous plant, nibbling away at the stalked glands. When I looked closely at this photo, I realised that there appears to be a tiny grub on the surface of the leaf blade and some of the stalks seem to be missing.

Common Darter

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum).

I saw dozens of these dragonflies when I visited the Shire Brook Valley earlier in the week. The warm sunshine also brought out a few butterflies, including a beautiful male brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni). Sadly he stayed just out of camera range!