#30DaysWild – Day 22 – Doorstep bug hunt!

I decided to mark the beginning of National Insect Week with a bug hunt on my doorstep. It’s amazing how much life you can find with just one step outside!

I saw the ant nests busying along the step, several species of wasp (including a ruby-tailed wasp) sunning themselves on the warm house bricks, caterpillars and beetles resting in amongst the garden greenery. I even saw a leaf-cutter bee fly into a nest right at the edge of the door frame, it was the first time I’d seen it, I hope it won’t be the last.

I spotted more than just insects, I watched mites wandering around the white of the door itself, spiders poised in out-of-sight corners waiting for prey, and a solitary snail hidden away in the shade of leaves.

I was only outside for half an hour, but I could have stayed and watched all day.

 

#30DaysWild – Day 24 – Bug hunting

With it being the last day of National Insect Week, today I went on a bug hunt!

Taking a stroll around farmer’s field, I saw an amazing array of insects. A wonderfully relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

#30DaysWild – Day 20 – National Insect Week, recording ladybirds

Continuing the insect theme for National Insect Week, I have decided join in with some citizen science and record some Ladybirds!

I had a great time hunting for Ladybirds, though I didn’t find many! I found a 2-spot and 14-spot ladybird. I also found what I believe to be my first ever Water Ladybird!

I used an app called iRecord Ladybirds, but if you don’t have a smart phone you can still have a go by visiting the website: UK Ladybird Survey You can find out lots more about Ladybirds there too!

#30DaysWild – Day 19 – National Insect Week, Beetles

Continuing an insect theme for National Insect Week, I went on a bug hunt today. I examined the long grass, inspected bramble bushes and peered into hedgerows that line the farmer’s fields where I walked.

My search was not in vain! I was lucky enough to find 2 longhorn beetles in less than a square foot. I found a few other stunning beetle species along the way.

Such a broad spectrum of colours, sizes and shapes, I never tire of admiring beetles. There’s no such thing as “just a beetle”!

Day 22 #30DaysWild

In honour of National Insect Week I went out bug hunting today, equipped with my pooter!

Day 4 #30DaysWild

One of my favourite jobs at work was my first duty of today, an invertebrate survey in the Nature Reserve! The place is so beautiful and teeming with life! Everywhere I looked there was something to see!

Invert survey or a bug hunt, looking for those little gorgeous creatures is always rewarding!

My 30 Days Wild: Part 3

Here is the last 10 days of my 30 Days Wild!

Day 21 – Who knew that an old dry log would be so interesting!

Day 22 – Today I spent time watching a Goldfinch investigating the bark of a tree!

Day 23 – Popped by my local Kestrel nest … I’m not sure who was watching who today!

Day 24 – I was given the choice between doing the books or counting the bugs!

Day 25 – Stuck in traffic? I decided to do a long distance plant survey! I counted 19 different species between two junctions!

Day 26 – Today I rescued a bee from the office, two beetles from the classrooms and a bush cricket from butterfly house!

Day 27 – Paused to admire this beautiful fungus growing at the base of dead tree!

Day 28 – Today I enjoyed blue skies, green fields and wild views along the Severn Valley Railway!

Day 29 – I got to enjoy the flutterings of these stunning Scarlet Tigers!

Day 30 – On the last wild day of June, I found this old tractor being reclaimed by the wild!

I have really enjoyed doing 30 Days Wild. Being with the wild is something I naturally do every day, so I will be staying wild! I hope that you all will be too!

My 30 Days Wild: Part 2

Here is the next 10 days of my 30 Days Wild!

Day 11 – Today I spent an hour staring at a stone wall! – This has been my favourite day so far!

Day 12 – Wet weather wildlife watching!

Day 13 – It’s was pouring down with rain, so I decided that on my long commute I would count all the birds I saw along the M42! Wood Pigeon and Crows won!

Day 14 – On the patio area outside the office, I found evidence of nesting Starlings!

Day 15 – I watched this little beauty buzz about the grass, it was so quick in its investigation of the area that I only got this one photo!

Day 16 – I stood and watch a gorgeous sunset over Market Bosworth!

Day 17 – Today I admired the colours, patterns and textures found in nature!

Day 18 – Today I did some bug hunting!

Day 19 – Lying back on the grass, enjoying the warm blue sky and the gorgeous greens of an old oak tree!

Day 20 – Walking through a covered walk way at work, I had two Swallows fly around my head. I paused to watch them and then I noticed this nest in a dark corner! I took one (poor quality) photo before leaving the new family in peace!

You can find my 30 Days Wild Part 2 here.