Spot Fly and Lily Beetle

Today started with a tour of the new roof work at Elton Church. Interesting but more important for me was the return of a Spotted Flycatcher to the traditional site of the graveyard. Unfortunately the bird was mainly singing from high in a tree in the adjacent field so photos were very distant.

Back at home raptors were finding thermals over the village and at one point there were 6 Buzzards, 3 Red Kites and a Sparrowhawk all in the same kettle. We also had a Hobby fly through. A less welcome visitor to the garden was the first Lily Beetle of the year. These adventive beetles are a major pest if you grow lilies.

The rest of the day was spent canoeing the Nene from Wansford back to Elton. The river was very quiet, apart from a noisy Kingfisher near Wansford lock, but in the warm sun we saw the first Banded Demoiselles of the year despite the still chilly northerlies.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii

Canon Powershot SX50 HS