David

Towards the end of last month, finally a few days with clear blue skies. In West Park, groups of people settled themselves on the grass to catch some sun. Several of the park’s resident population of pigeons had the same idea.

Another cultivated escapee, an atlas poppy growing from the gap between the pavement and a garden wall.

Moorhen chick, now grown to full size or thereabouts, and big enough to be allowed out without close parental supervision. strolling around near the West Park lake.

Another banded demoiselle damselfly, this time resting on a nettle flower. It was only a few yards away from where the other male was resting.

This is a forest bug on a bunch of rowan berries. Forest bugs are described as common, but as far as I’m aware this is the only one I’ve ever seen. The picture was taken back in 2010, but I’ve only just got around to posting a copy on the iNaturalist website to get a proper ID.

Demoiselles (sometimes called agrions instead) are the most flashy damselflies. Their bodies come in various shades of electric blue, green or bronze. The males can be seen mush more often than the females. Sometimes flying near the edges of rivers, canals and ponds, often resting on nearby leaves, hoping to attract the attention of a female.