A distant shot of a distinctive insect, the Eyed Hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellata). Only the hawkmoths have those wide triangular wings, hooked at the tip and indented beside the abdomen; and only this species has the large eyespots on the hindwings. The adults don’t feed; the larvae eat Willow, which is certainly plentiful at the Wetland Centre!
Yellow Bartsia (Parentucellia viscosa) was growing in a broad mass all around the islands and along the channels. It’s a curious plant, semi-parasitic, living in damp sandy places and dune slacks. It has the lipped flowers of the Figwort family (like the garden Mimulus or monkey flower).
The English seem unemotional … except for their passion for nature
