Amazing what wildlife will tolerate!

The local patch was really quiet this morning as far as birdlife was concerned. But for the first time this year there was a real 'buzz' around the place as far as insects were concerned. There were numerous Speckled Wood butterflies on the wing, plus Small Tortoiseshells, andLarge and Small Whites. There were plenty moths as well, but without a net to catch them I find most of them impossible. Unfortunately I didn't see many bees, which is, I suppose, a common theme these days. On the positive side though I never cease to be amazed by the ways wildlife will adapt to exploit any opportunity. This unattractive looking stream (below) is actually little more than a field drain. Upstream it is ocherous, where the cattle get in its just silted up and almost stagnant. But today there was a stunning pair of Black-tailed Skimmers on it. First I've ever seen on this site!