Shieldbugs

I have seen more Shieldbugs in the past week or so than I did in the whole of Spring and Summer. It’s great to see them on the autumnal colours of the brambles and other leaves. These images were all taken in the Burdon Moor area and once again I am quite happy to be corrected on the identification of any of them.

Hairy/Sloe Shieldbug.

Spiked Shieldbug (there were more of these around than anything else).

Green Shieldbug.

Gorse Shieldbug.

Spider waiting for something to come along,

Burdon Moor (again)

Yesterday I had another walk around Burdon Moor checking to see if any Redwing or Fieldfare had arrived (not so far). What I didn’t expect to find were five Shieldbug enjoying the afternoon sun (I am happy to be corrected on the identification of them). A Kestrel was out hunting and a small flock of Goldfinch were flitting about the trees.

Female Spiked Shieldbug (thanks Alan for the correct ID)

Sloe/Hairy Shieldbug (once again thanks Alan).

Another Common Green Shieldbug.

Once again, I think this is a 5^th instar Common Green Shieldbug.

Another Spiked Shieldbug.

Ladybird.

Kestrel out hunting.

Crow.

Dunnock.

Goldfinch.

This RAF plane did a couple of fly overs.

Burdon Moor

A few days ago, I had a slow walk around the loop at Burdon Moor. It was nice to find a pair of Stonechat still hanging around and a couple of Buzzard although one of them was always distant. A couple of male Common Darter, which I didn’t expect to see, were patrolling up and down the path. 

Male Stonechat.

The female Stonechat was always at a distance.

One of the Buzzards flew over my head.

A distant Meadow Pipit.

Male Common Darter

Another male Common Darter.

Far Pastures

 A few days ago, I had a drive down to Far Pastures. Quite a few Teal were on the pond but I did not see any Mallard which is unusual for Far Pastures. Along the lane were the usual suspects darting in and out of the bushes. It was a canny couple of hours.

The Water Rail was always too far away for any decent shots.

Two Water Rail. I could them long before I saw them and in fact there were more than two calling.

The Snipe were, again, too far away for decent shots.

Along the lane a Jay did a fly pass carrying an acorn.

Another Jay was sitting on a fence its feathers ruffled by a…

…Pheasant sitting above it.

The Pheasant jumped off the fence when the Jay flew off.

Also along the lane were this Dunnock

And this Bullfinch.

Three Red Kites were flying above the field.

Including H5 a male fledged at Sunniside Gateshead in 2014.