The scourge of gardners…

…but they are very photogenic.

Jump for joy

Grass head

From caterpillar to chrysalis

In just 24 hours. 

Amazing.

I think what will emerge is a Comma butterfly - see the post on 26th April.

Starlings

More of a pattern than a picture. A huge flock of starlings in the park. When they landed in the long grass they all but vanished from view. Just the occasional one popping up to keep a look out. I tried to get closer but it was like chasing the wind. 

Sugar Kelp and Wagtails

Fine Feather Press had another grand day out. We went to West Wittering near Chichester. A lovely sandy beach with beautiful shells, cuttlefish bones, interesting seaweed and plenty of drizzle. 

We picked up a lot of stuff which I should have cleaned properly last night. My studio smells very unpleasant this morning. 

Here is some Sugar Kelp - wonderfully transparent and intestinal.

There were also several juvenile Pied Wagtails bobbing about in the sand after insects. They looked rather sodden, not unlike us.

Black-veined white

These beautiful butterflies could once be found in the UK though the last reliable record was in Kent in 1922. Attempts to reintroduce them have all failed. This one was spotted in the Aveyron in France a couple of weeks ago.

Spawning carp

The big carp in the ponds in the park are spawning. 

They are very late this year. In 2011 they were spawning in April.

I may be mistaken but this one looked very full of eggs.

They make tremendous splashing and I've seen up to six fish involved.

Wasp mimic

Goslings, cygnets and something rather ugly

Now is the time of year (albeit a tad later than normal) to see baby animals. It is almost impossible to see tree nesting birds as their nests are so well hidden by foliage. Water birds are easier to look out for. Over the last few days I've been lucky enough to see Canada geese chicks:

Egyptian geese chicks:

cygnets:

and I can only say I've been unfortunate enough to see a grey heron chick too - not very attractive. At least I was some distance away.