Waterford Heath, Hertford, 25th May 2023

It has been a while since I was last up at Waterford Heath and this time of year is good for flowers and Butterflies including Grizzled Skipper. While it was warm, for the most time the sun stayed hidden behind cloud  so not ideal conditions! The plants were doing well including Wild Strawberry and Stonecrop.

The Oxalis looked stunning.

I didn't take a macro lens but the Canon RF 100mm - 500mm was a good substitute for this Ashy Mining Bee.

Also this small, bright green Beetle which I think is Cryptocephalus aureolus.

And a small Hoverfly likely Dasysyrphus species.

Damselflies were at a premium with just one Large Red Damselfly.

When the sun did come through it was quite hot and caused some Butterflies to come out, including Small Heath and Brown Argus.

Mother Shipton is a stunning day flying Moth and this shot shows how it got its name, after the infamous Yorkshire Witch.

A female Holly Blue was a good find, especially as it opened its wings to show the black marks on the front wings.

By far the most numerous species was Common Blue, and with some of them posing on the wild flowers, it made for some beautiful images.

No sign of Grizzled Skipper, so another trip will be required when the sun decides to shine!