Good Year/Bad Year

This is just my opinion based on observation of the fauna seen in the Moat House grounds.

Good Year - Butterflies, Ducks, Song Thrushes

Butterflies - see earlier posts regarding species and quantities seen this year. I don't know whether this has been a good year generally or whether it is factors peculiar to the site. One difference this year is that the small field next to the church has not been cut. Even today (2 Oct) I saw three species just on one patch of ivy (Peacock, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood)

Ducks - there was not the quantity of mallard ducklings born this year that there was last but even so there were several broods seen on the moat. However the first brood born, who stayed on site, were a joy to watch, being both well-behaved and spending time on the lawn which seemed almost friendly. Also to have the new species of Tufted Ducks just turning up and staying was brilliant.

Song Thrushes - whereas there have been a few thrushes on site before there just seemed to be young thrushes all over the place this year and lots of singing which is the best bit with song thrushes........

Bad Year - Bees, Ladybirds, Dragonflies

Bees - there have been pieces in the press regarding problems with honey bees and diseases but I noticed a distinct lack of bumble bees this year.

Ladybirds - Very few have been seen this year.

Dragonflies - I only have two species that have in past years been definitely identified and regularly seen - the Southern Hawker and the Common Darter. However this year I have only seen Southern Hawkers on three or four days and then only one individual. No Common Darters have been seen. Being away for ten days in August and then two weeks in September may mean this is a false view of the prevalence of dragonflies. I wonder whether the glut of mallards over the last couple of years, the appearance of the kingfisher last summer and then the presence of the four tufted ducks mean that anything that moves in the moat, such as a dragonfly larva, gets eaten.