Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia)

Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia), a photo by Peter aka anemoneprojectors on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I saw this Grass Vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia) in Shackledell Grassland, Stevenage, on 31 May 2013. I've done some volunteer work in Shackledell in the winter time, and had only heard about the wide range of flowers that grow there, so I decided to pay it a spring-time visit. This is a flower I'd never seen before, but I just thought it was one of the prettiest flowers I've ever seen. In fact, the pea family (Fabaceae), of which this is a member, is my favourite flower family.

Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi)

Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi), a photo by Peter aka anemoneprojectors on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I spotted this Muntjac Deer (Muntiacus reevesi) in a field between Holwell, Hertfordshire and Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire on 27 May 2013. At first, it was quite far away but it didn't run when it saw it. It just calmly walked along its path while we stayed completely still and I took photos. It didn't seem at all bothered and it walked by fairly closely. It wasn't until it had fully passed that it (probably) caught a smell of human in the wind and ran away! A bit late! But I think I have the wind direction to thank for this amazing shot, only my second of a Muntjac.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

Jay (Garrulus glandarius), a photo by Peter aka anemoneprojectors on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
I was photographing some Speedwells in District Park, Great Ashby, Hertfordshire, on 26 May 2013, when I got up to look at a Scorpion Fly. As I stood up, I saw this Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and then spent a good six minutes photographing it. I was so pleased to get a shot of a Jay because I think they tend to be quite shy. My book says they're "wary" and they are more often heard than seen. I was surprised by how close I could get.

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), Large White (Pieris brassicae) and Green-veined White (Pieris napi)

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), a photo by Peter aka anemoneprojectors on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This year I signed up to survey butterflies at two sites in Stevenage for the local council and the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. These butterflies were seen on one of my sites on 25 May 2013. Above is the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria), which flew into trees where I was able to get this shot.

Here is a Large White (Pieris brassicae) that was feeding on some Hawthorn. I was able to get closer to this one.


And this one is the Green-veined White (Pieris napi).

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), a photo by anemoneprojectors (through the backlog) on Flickr.

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I've had a Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) visiting my garden since February 2013 (at least that's the first time I ever saw it), and it has become a semi-regular visitor. On 16 May 2013, this one was spreading its wings on the fence and also when I saw it on the ground. Someone on Twitter suggested it might be a juvenile.