MSQ And Big birds again.....

Final instar Forest Shieldbug nymph.

Large-elephant Hawkmoth.

Pond Skater.

Digger Wasp sp. Argogorytes mystaceus.

A full day at Msq today and a second visit to see the Crane's,made up for a very good day despite the poor weather continuing,the highlights were as follows.At Messingham bird highlights consisted of mainly the resident breeding successes,with now 3 broods of Shelduck on the main lake,9,5 and 5,the pair of Great-crested Grebe still with 2 chicks and the Great-spotted Woodpecker chicks now hatching,while on the sheep fields at the back of the reserve,several Lapwing chicks,displaying Snipe and Redshank were observed.Other birds seen around the reserve included a couple of Common Buzzard,adult male Marsh Harrier and Green Woodpecker.Insect highlights included a cracking,freshly emerged Large-elephant Hawkmoth found by Dave,which allowed Dave,Colin,Teresa and myself to get some superb views and photo's.Other moth species observed today included a couple of Silver-ground Carpet,Common-white Wave and Clouded Border each and a Hebrew Character larvae,while micro moth's were represented by Scoparia ambigualis.Other interesting insects observed included my first Forest Shieldbug of the year and Digger Wasp sp. Argogorytes mystaceus.After enjoying our time around the reserve we all decided to pay the Common Crane's another visit and when we arrived they were again feeding in the same field,giving superb views of this majestic bird.We also saw them in flight briefly,showing off that huge flight profile,superb stuff and a big thanks to Teresa for taking us.Another great day out.