First 2019 Lizard Sighting (for us) at NT Wicken Fen

We had another good day out at NT Wicken Fen last Saturday, and this time the reserve was a bit quieter.

You never know what you will find in the water around the reedbeds: we have watched Grass Snakes and Caddisfly larvae in the past. But on this occasion it seemed to be the turn of the snails, as you can see from the photo above - snails and what I think is a Water Strider. I know virtually nothing about freshwater snails, but I think the two small flat ones, at the end of the penultimate yellow line, may be some kind of Planorbidae or Ramshorn snail. As ever, please let me know in the Comments if you can confirm this or correct me.

Aside: the difference in size between the tiny snails and the large central one brought to mind the giant sea snail in Dr Dolittle!

Strangely, and with the exception of House Sparrows, we didn't see many birds. We would probably have missed the female Mallard below, but the drake's iridescent plumage caught my eye. It is always a joy to hear the yaffle of the Green Woodpecker.

We had hardly arrived in the car park before a male Brimstone butterfly started flying up and down along the edge of the hawthorn hedge. We saw several more during the course of the afternoon, largely in the area of the Woodland Walk. Sadly, these beautiful Brimstones were too quick for my camera. The Peacock butterfly below was not in such a rush... 

We noticed it perching on a reed. You can just make out the wind pump in the background.

Further into the reserve, in the Woodland Walk, we encountered more Brimstone butterflies, fluttering up and down the hedgerow. We also noticed a resting Comma, one of the first I have seen this year...



Ladybirds, largely 7-spots, were showing well throughout the reserve (and in the car park).

We noticed a couple of Bee-flies, but, as usual, they rarely stayed still long enough for a photo...

The trees were showing wonderful signs of spring...

... and there was new growth in the reedbeds, too.



Do you think these are fresh stems of phragmites?

I love the watery reflections and the contrast between the dark peat (you should see the molehills!) and the golden reeds.

I apologise for the quality of the spider photo above, but I include it because I am intrigued by the bundle the spider is bearing (prey or offspring?), and also by the abdominal marks: are these marks meant to look like eyes, to warn off predators? You would, of course, only see them when the spider was dangling. The shape on the left is a reed.

Zoom shot of Common Lizard camouflaged against the bark of a tree

Our greatest thrill of the afternoon came when we noticed our first Common Lizard of 2019.  These lizards, despite a name that might indicate otherwise, need protection. You can read about their status here.

All too soon the light started to fade, but we weren't quite ready to leave.

Above: David enjoying a spot of reedbed relaxation!

Below: Lesser Celandine emerging from dead leaves.

*

Muntjac in evening sunlight