Predators

Today I am posting a couple of shots of wildlife in the New Forest and I know that lots of people won't be too keen and some may be surprised that I have even posted them. If you are squeamish then look away now. Alternatively scroll down, you have been warned...

So both of these shots were taken during my first afternoon away in the forest. I had gone for a short walk and first of all spotted this female slow worm crossing my path. It really is a beauty and I couldn't resist taking a closer look. It was a bit tricky to get the shot because I had to hold the lizard in one hand and take the shot one handed. I think I did alright.

The second image is of a Labyrinth Spider. I had gone over to look at the massive web which was spread out over the grass and bracken and I spotted a grasshopper trigger the web and this spider pounced from it's funnel at the base of a plant. On this occasion it wasn't quick enough to catch its prey and he didn't hang around very long before scurrying back into his hideaway.

Labyrinth

When I saw these spider webs in the dry stone wall along an English country lane I was firstly impressed by the fantastic structures and then curious as to what type of spider had built them.

Peering in it was impossible to see anything lurking inside but as I don't really like spiders too much I was cautious about getting too close.  I left the research until I got home.

Looking for similar nests on the web (pun intended) I saw reference to funnel web spiders and there certainly is a real similarity to the nests.  But I know that Funnel Webs are native to Australia and it was highly unlikely they would be hiding out is a damp moss covered wall in Derbyshire.

So what spider lives in a "house" like this?  Well as it happens its a Labyrinth spider, which it turns out is quite a small and unassuming creature and really quite common.