There were very large numbers of fly agaric in Stockhill Wood today - more than I've ever seen before.
Tags: fungus mushroom toadstool fly agaric Amanita muscarea Stockhill Wood Mendip Hills Somerset UK red white
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There were so many scarce chasers at a local wood that double parking was a common sight!
The lower of the two has dark wing tips which are a characteristic of the female scarce chaser - but it's quite variable as the top one, also a female, demonstrates.
Tags: insect dragonfly scarce chaser Odonata Anisoptera Libellula fulva Somerset UK
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The light was fading and we were talking about heading for home when Graham spotted movement in the rhyne right next to us. It was a mink, which seemed completely unfazed by our presence even when four long lenses were aimed at it.
I've never seen one this colour before.
Tags: mammal mustelid American mink Neovison vison fish roach rudd Tealham Moor Somerset levels UK
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The most common large dragonfly on my visit to the north-east of Scotland was the (I now realise!) inappropriately-named "Southern" Hawker. I saw them in a number of places but this one was taken in the wonderful Culbin Forest.
Tags: insect dragonfly southern hawker Odonata Anisoptera Aeshna cyanea Culbin Forest Kintessach Moray Scotland UK
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The rarest dragonfly in Somerset! This southern migrant hawker, first spotted by Cosper Wosper a few days ago, is the first and only one ever to be recorded in Somerset. It's a beautiful mature male, with the most incredible blue eyes - it's no wonder its alternative name is blue-eyed hawker, they really are something special.
Tags: insect dragonfly southern migrant blue-eyed hawker Odonata Anisoptera Aeshnidae Aeshna affinis Priddy Mineries Mendips Mendip Hills Somerset UK
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