Sunday 4 October 2015

Geese, Figs & Fighting Admirals

A nice skein of around 100 Pink-footed Geese flew south-west over Ainderby this afternoon, the first I've seen in the parish this year. Three Golden Plover and around 40 Pied Wagtail were in one field down Back Lane along with a smattering of Meadow Pipits.


Back at home a Migrant Hawker was in our garden and one of the figs on our neighbour’s tree must have split as it was the focus of a number of insects. A Red Admiral on it was shuddering with the apparent effort (or ecstasy?) of feeding. 


A second admiral landed on the tree and then surreptitiously crept towards the fruit.

Every time the ‘resident’ insect made an aggressive lunge towards the newcomer it would freeze with its wings closed but after a few moments carried on

Eventually it reached the fruit and a ‘battle’ ensued with the victor eventually driving off its rival. 

Presumably Figs must be virtually irresistible as there were a number of apples and other fruit around in various states of decay.

A Speckled Wood also landed on the fig but the Admiral didn’t react to this butterfly (or to any of the wasps and flies on here).

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