Great Sptted Woodpecker, Damselfly Emergence, Newt and Broad-bodied Chaser - Day 73

My last day of protective isolation, 10 weeks and 3 days since I last attended work. A strange time, a frightening time, but also a fantastic chance for me to connect to the natural world around where I live. I certainly feel that I have changed.

An early visit from a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Hopefully it will return.

Dozens of Large Red Damselflies emerged from the pond early in the morning

Large Red Damselflies

Female Broad-bodied Chaser

Newt in the pond! The spots on the neck suggest it is a male Smooth Newt.We have also spotted what we think are Efts.

Reed Warbler, Brown Argus and Broad-bodied Chaser - Day 72

Early morning visit to Hampden Park to listen to the birdsong

Reed Warbler, one of two males on the island

Brown Argus, visiting our garden

Corn Cockle, Ox-eye Daisy and Salsify on the wildflower lawn

Broad-bodied Chaser at Winchester Pond, Lullington Heath. One of at least two. There was also an Emperor Dragonfly, a Darter and mating blue Damelflies.

The view west coming down from Lullington Heath

Part of a fantastic area of set-aside near Lullington Heath

Chalkhill Blue, Large Red Damselfly and Common Frog - Day 71

Walked at Went Hill, then down to the cliffs. Came across a very battered Chalkhill Blue

Chalkhill Blue

Back at home, I was delighted to glimpse a good sized newt in the pond.

Large Red Damselfly

Common Frog

Beautiful Demoiselle, White-legged Damselfly, Meadow Brown and Common Spotted Orchid - Day 70

Visited Lord's Piece, near Penhurst, an ancient meadow.

Beautiful Demoiselle

Small Heath

Common Blue

Meadow Brown, my first of the year

Ox-eye Daisies

Common Blue

Common Spotted Orchid

Female White-legged Damselfly

Ox-eye Daisies

Common Spotted Orchid

Hardhead Thistle

Large Red Damselfly - back in the garden

Burnt-tip Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid, Pyramidal Orchid, Common Blue, Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue and Hobby - Day 69

Walked up to Caburn NNR on a very hot day. Four species of orchid and four species of blue butterfly.

Hound's Tongue, with Carder Bee

Common Spotted Orchid, just starting

Yellow Shell

Common Blues

Fragrant Orchid

Chalkhill Blue

Adonis Blue

Burnt-tip Orchid

Burnt-tip and Fragrant Orchid

Pyramidal Orchid, just starting

Yellow-wort

Hobby