Orwell View

Grayling on Sutton Heath

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 18:06:00 +0000

We spotted six grayling on the edge of Sutton Heath. Their camouflage blended well with the dead bracken and the heather.

Hungry Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 17:45:00 +0000

I spotted this Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar on some Rose Bay Willow Herb close to our home.

Wasp Spider

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 11:10:00 +0000

This morning we noticed three wasp spiders had made webs in our wild garden. There are new arrivals in the UK.

Wasp Spider (Wildlife Trusts)

Brown Argus

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 15:09:00 +0000

Last year we were prompted by the Suffolk Wildlife Summit to commit ourselves to make some changes for the benefit of wildlife. We decided to let some of the grass in the garden grow and see if it would encourage more insects. Today we were rewarded with a Brown Argus that very obligingly stayed in one section of the lawn.

Flying Ant Day

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 22:28:00 +0000

Flying ants emerging in Suffolk on 30 July 2020.

Kiteboarders at Shingle Street

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 17:54:00 +0000

Shingle Street © David Gill

There was a gathering of kiteboarders at Shingle Street this afternoon.

Flooding at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 22:14:00 +0000

Minsmere © David Gill

The result of Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge in February 2020.

Caddisfly larva at Fingringhoe Wick

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 21:53:00 +0000

Caddisfly larva © David Gill

We spotted a Caddisfly larva at Fingringhoe Wick run by the Essex Wildlife Trust near to the river Colne.

Caddisfly larvae

Waxwings near Woodbridge

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 17:38:00 +0000

We spotted a number of Waxwings near Woodbridge this afternoon. The light was fading.

Digger Wasp at Sutton Hoo

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 20:37:00 +0000

Digger Wasp at Sutton Hoo from David Gill on Vimeo.

We observed this Digger Wasp making a nest on the estate at NT Sutton Hoo.

For more on the Digger Wasps at Sutton Hoo see Caroline Gill's Wild and Wonderful.

Minsmere: Bluebell Show

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Mon, 16 May 2016 15:00:00 +0000

The carpet of bluebells at RSPB Minsmere were stunning this weekend.

Bittern at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 15 May 2016 21:14:00 +0000

One of the bitterns was showing well at RSPB Minsmere this weekend. I wasn't quite fast enough to catch it during flight.

Minsmere: Water Vole

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 21:16:00 +0000

This water vole was enjoying a quiet nibble of reeds at Minsmere at the weekend.

BBC Springwatch at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 25 May 2014 18:39:00 +0000

The new BBC Springwatch "Studio" overlooking the RSPB Reserve at Minsmere was a hive of activity. There was a little bit of filming on the balcony (with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan) that overlooks the extensive reed beds. We look forward to what the programme will share. We can probably expect bitterns, marsh harriers, marsh tits, avocets, sand martins ... and ...

Minsmere in May

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 18 May 2014 21:40:00 +0000

Damselfly at Minsemere © David Gill

We visited Minsmere at the weekend. There were a few dragonflies around and one large red damselfly at the pond (which we also had at home). The sand martins were very active in their "cliff". And a bittern even landed in the reeds by the sluice. (For bitterns from last year.)

And there was plenty of evidence of activity in preparation for BBC Springwatch ... read more here.

Castle Acre

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 21:56:00 +0000

Castle Acre © David Gill

Castle Acre in Norfolk has impressive remains of the medieval castle and bailey. Restoration is being undertaken on the keep to reverse the work that had been done in the 20th century.

Ladybird at Leiston Abbey

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 22:33:00 +0000

#StSecrets ladybird at Leiston Abbey #Suffolk pic.twitter.com/o1r3e1BArs
— David Gill (@davidwjgill) July 2, 2013

Ladybirds are few in number this year. Caroline Gill spotted one at Minsmere and I spotted one at Leiston Abbey while visting the Dig Venturers excavation.

Bittern at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 21:40:00 +0000

A single bittern emerged from the reed beds at Minsmere this afternoon. It disappeared and later reappeared further the pond.

Norfolk Hawker at Carlton Marshes

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 22:11:00 +0000

Yesterday we spotted a Norfolk Hawker at Carlton Marshes. Note the distinctive green eyes and the 'yellowish triangle' on one of the abdomen segments.

Burnet Moths at Carlton Marshes

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:58:00 +0000

Yesterday we spotted numerous pairs of Burnet moths in the meadow at Carlton Marshes.

Bitterns at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 21:47:00 +0000

I was thrilled to see two separate bitterns at Minsmere this afternoon. We had heard them before ... but never caught sight of them.

Swansea over Oulton Broad

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Mon, 27 May 2013 21:50:00 +0000

A pair of swans crossed above us at Oulton Broad.

Lizards at Minsmere

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Mon, 27 May 2013 21:40:00 +0000

The (late) May sunshine brought out the lizards at Minsmere.

Arger Fen Bluebells

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sat, 18 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

The carpets of bluebells in Arger Fen (owned by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust) were magnificent today. There was also a cuckoo calling out among the trees.

Norfolk Cranes

noreply@blogger.com (David Gill) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 21:32:00 +0000

It was a thrill to see nine cranes flying together over NWT reserve on the Norfolk Broads earlier this weekend.