Mint moth

You don't always have to go far to observe wildlife.
This lovely little mint moth  (Pyrausta aurata )   flew in through the bedroom window last night so I was able to capture it and release it in the garden.

Harvest

Many of the fields in our area are already harvested but some are still standing and wet weather on Friday means this barley will have to dry out a bit before harvesting.

Juvenile Buzzard

This recently fledged buzzard is flying near our house and constantly calling and it's sound is very familiar to us recently.
Presumably it is not yet able to feed itself and still calls to parents for food.

Cinnabar moth caterpillars

The black and red Cinnabar moth has an equally striking orange and black larva which feeds mainly on ragwort  as was this one on the canal bank in Stroud.

Coltricia

Autumn seems to be on the way as more fungus appears in the woodlands.
We are not experts but think this is Coltricia growing on an old tree stump, and performing a useful function breaking down the stump and returning nutrients to the soil.

Swallows on wire

What do swallows do on a wet Sunday? Just sit on the wires and think of Africa!

Gatekeeper Butterfly

Gatekeepers emerge in July and early August.They like damp areas near woods so no surprise to see them in our garden,
The rather strange name is thought to be due to their habit of resting with wings open often on vegetation near gateways.

Large Emerald Moth

Large Emerald Moths mostly fly at night but can be found resting in the daytime as is this one on a door. The adults fly late June to August and larvae freed on Birch,  Hazel, Alder and Beech.

Marbled White Butterfly

Marbled White Butterflies are enjoying the sunshine on Coaley Peak's limestone grassland. There were many of them flitting quickly about recently and eventually we managed to photograph this one on a Knapweed flower head which seemed to be the favourite flower.

Orchids

Midsummer brings a profusion of orchids to the limestone grassland of the Cotswolds. Today we saw pyramid and spotted orchids in flower on Coaley Peak