The Solway Firth

 The Solway Firth is a firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria (including the Solway Plain) and Dumfries and Galloway. It stretches from St Bees Head, just south of Whitehaven in Cumbria, to the Mull of Galloway, on the western end of Dumfries and Galloway. 

The firth's coastline is characterised by lowland hills and small mountains. It is a mainly rural area, with mostly small villages and settlements  Fishing, hill farming, and some arable farming play a large part in the local economy, although tourism is increasing.

The northern part of the English coast of the Solway Firth was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, known as the Solway Coast, in 1964. Construction of the Robin Rigg Wind Farm in the firth began in 2007.

Within the firth, there are some salt flats and mud flats that can be dangerous, due to their frequently shifting patches of quicksand.

We walked along the beach from Allonby taking the view across the Solway firth.   

Venus Pools Shrewsbury

Great to be at Venus Pools but a bit of challenge after an eye injection as my focus was not very good. Thank goodness for auto-focus but when I can see I may see that I have not quite got these sharp.

 

Lackford Nature Reserve

Lackford Lakes is a wildlife oasis with a landscape of lakes, reeds, meadow and woodland.  Today we had a Royal Photographic Society Nature group day out and we were blessed with sunshine that brought out the butterflies.  We saw a Harrier pass food to its partner, sadly it was a little chick.

Fermyn Woods

Called in to Fermyn Woods en route to the Global Bird Show but as the weather was unfavourable cold windy and below 16 degrees C there were no butterflies.  Even the gliders at the Gliding club had not tried to fly.  Fermyn Woods Country Park, Lyveden Rd, Brigstock, Kettering NN14 3HS

Willington and Sandy Pinnacle

Geranium Bronze Butterfly

The geranium bronze butterfly is native to South Africa. The butterfly was first introduced to Europe in the late 20th century, where it has quickly spread to many southern and eastern European regions. Since its introduction to Europe, the geranium bronze butterfly has become a pest to cultivated Pelargonium and Geranium plant species. Currently, efforts are being made to contain the spread of the geranium bronze butterflies as well as to determine the most effective pesticide for the species.

After hatching, the geranium bronze larvae feed on the flower buds, young leaves, and soft stems of their host plant, typically from the genera Pelargonium and Geranium. In order to eat the stem of these plants, the larvae drill into the stems, causing damage to the plants.

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Lycaenidae
Genus:	Cacyreus
Species:	C. marshalli