Saturday, July 27, 2019
Two days ago: The large ichneumon wasp with her whopping ovipositor was in Longart Forest, probably the same species as the one I saw egg-laying nearby on July 29 2017.
It flew across the track and landed in an awkward place, eventually flying further into the trees. I don't think it has the bright white markings of the largest ichneumon wasp in Britain (Rhyssa persuasoria) but I'm not sure either of the ID I mentioned as a possible last time - Dolichomitus imperator. Another species that seems to fit is Ephialtes manifestator.
A female common hawker was the only other sighting of note. All the birds seemed to have gone to sleep in the hot midday sun. Yesterday we cut back an out-of-control willow tree in the garden, and did some sunbathing. A speckled wood butterfly floated through.
Today we're back to normal. Only 17˚C and rain. And midges.
// posted by Christine @ 10:12 AM 
