Andy Goodey

Some of the range of habitats noted at Knettishall Heath NR, Suffolk at the weekend

An abundance of fungi noted at the excellent Knettishall Heath NR, Suffolk.
Any help with correcting id if possible from these photos would be appreciated:
Armillaria mellea, Amanita muscaria, Amanita excelsa, Hygrocybe conica, Chlorophyllum rhacodes and Hypholoma fasciculare

An unseen small flock of ‘chipping’ Crossbills temporarily interrupted my search of a largish tit flock among the damp, birch woods at Knettishall Heath at the weekend

Woodlarks showed well at the weekend at Knettishall Heath, Suffolk. The cloudy conditions did not deter several singing birds
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Knettishall Heath NR, Suffolk: a dull, cloudy visit to this fine reserve with some great habitats. At least 4 Woodlark, 2 Stonechat, 5 Marsh Tit, an unseen flock of ‘chipping’ Crossbills overhead and several each of Siskin and Redpoll
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These 5 Whooper Swans were present for a few days near Messing. A very scarce visitor to this part of Essex
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Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...

👍 rivals Batman Hoverfly as interesting English names for hoverflies

Footballer Hoverfly presumably bears allegiance to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Didn’t realise Willow Tits were still clinging to The Brecks. They were (are?) in Cockley Cley area until fairly recently

Rare visit to Hanningfield Res. Very windy so not at its best but single juvenile Black Tern and Hobby plus a few Ruff and Black-tailed Godwit present. Time spent viewing Ruddy Darters share a log pile with Common Lizard.
Earlier, Hobby hunting martins over Leez Res.
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Congratulations for all your efforts at this fine reserve

I’ve not observed this behaviour before though I suspect it’s commonplace

…egg-laying Small Copper on Sorrel, some fresh looking Common Blues and a Migrant Hawker
2/2
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Great Holland Pits reserve, Essex: with brother Brian and Marion. Great visit to this excellent site with highlights, pair of Wall Brown by sand bank where several Sphecodes bees observed in and out of holes. Hobby seen throughout visit hunting over reserve, Willow Emeralds by pond….
1/2
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I’ve seen this group of Foxes twice recently at Pincey Brook, Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex. On both early morning occasions, they spread out singly across the grasslands, presumably to hunt in much the same way as wild dogs in Africa

neis iawn hefyd!

😂

Yes, I can only see a rabbit now, the Stegosaurus has disappeared!

Not a Stegosaurus then?

Nice to see you Daryl and 👏 for your parking duties

The Naze, Essex: a fair few each of both Whitethroats and Blackcaps moving through. Otherwise, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear seen with Bar-tailed Godwit and Sandwich Terns on beach
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Slightly surreal watching this Black Tern at Abberton Reservoir whilst a few feet away a posse of noisy motorbikes were zooming back and forth along the causeway. To say they were speeding would be an understatement.
A cracking bird though
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Congrats to the finders of the Gt Wigborough church’ Arctic Warbler. Apologies for poor quality video
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Local gravel pits near Coggeshall this evening, 2 Spotted Flycatchers the highlight plus this Ruddy Shelduck having a preen having no doubt just flown in from south east Europe (well, a bit of doubt maybe)! Otherwise, LRP family group noted
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Did it call? Can’t remember if call is much different than yellow. Shows blue on ear coverts

I rather liked seeing this on a wall in Thaxted, Essex this morning