Blog

14 July 2024

Dartmoor

I have been several times to Dartmoor to see what I can find, to Aish Tor, Challacombe Farm, Yarner, Soussons and all the other places I normaly visit.

Some such as Yarner where unbelievably quiet, plenty of young such as Stonechat and Wheatear around Challacombe.

Bird species seen Stonechat,Whinchat, Wheatear, Swallow, House Martin, House Sparrow, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Skylark Blackcap, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Willow Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Wood Pigion, Collard and Stock Doves, Raven, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker and the only Raptors seen was Buzzards and a treat was to see 4 Curlew do a fly bye!

Butterflies, nothing new, Meadow Brown, White sp, Large Skip, Large Frits, Ringlet and Red Admirals.

Also seen a few Dragons with Emperor and Broad Bodied Chasers.

01 July 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Spent the weekend on Dartmoor, Aish Torr and Dunscombe meadows, seen lots of butterflies but very few landing for me, especially on Aish Tor, saw quite a few "Large Frits" which could have been High B or Dark G, as they didnt land for me I have no idea.

Did see a few Ringlet about and I saw a Small Tort at work in Dawlish Warren.

So that makes 39 species + (2 Large Frits) so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Small White, Large White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver-washed Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tort, Ringlet, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Comma.

25 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

On this rare day of sun and heat I went for a return to Alners Gorse. Due to road works it took a lot longer than expected but arrived at the reserve to clear skys.

Frustratingly lots seen but many failed to settle to allow me to take a pic, new ones for this year where Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admral, Large White, Marbled White and White-letter Hairstreak.

Also seen Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Large and Small Skipper.

So that makes 37 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Small White, Large White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver-washed Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Comma.

19 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Another depressing day looking for butterflies.

Did a circuit of Dorset, first stop Alners Gorse which was very poor, nothing new here, the locals expect it will all kick off next week.

Then to Higher Hyde Heath where I managed to find a few Silver-studded Blue.

So that makes 32 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

11 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

This last two days I have taken advantage of the good weather and managed to get another 6 species of Butterfly to add to this years list.

Visiting Green down in Somerset and Bindon Hill in Dorset, Large Blue, Painted Lady and Meadow Brown at Green Down, most butterflies here looking a bit beaten up! At Bindon Hill all Skippers, Large, Lulworth and Small Skippers.

So that makes 31 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

07 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

A rather depressing day with visits to Holden Butterfly walk with NO butterflies and Aish Tor with a Small pearl- bordered Fritillay save the day!

To me the Butterfly walk looks just overgrown and uncared for?

So that makes 25 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

03 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Had a mixed bag today, starting off at Meeth Quarry, walked around for about hour and half and not a thing seen, so off to Lydford Gorge to see if I could find a Heath Frit and again no Butterflies except a Speckled Wood.

So back to Meeth on my way home and after another hour a single Wood White to add to a Speckled Wood, Holy Blue and a GVW. A bit deppressing!

So that makes 24 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

31 May 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Went to Compton Down in Dorset today, always a great place and plenty of Butterflies to see as well as flowers and other insects.

Just concentrating on the Butterflies with 4 new species for the year with Glanville and Marsh Fritillaries, Small Heath and Adonis Blue.

Also saw Brimstone, Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Small Blue and Brown Argus.

Met a few nice Humans and good time had by all except I forgot my trusty flask!

So that makes 23 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

21 May 2024

Chasing Butterflies

With the weather being so changable, its been difficult to get out on a sunny day, luckly this day off although changable, was good enough to get out to Berry Head to look for Small Blue.

Lucky enough I managed to find 4 along the path going down the hill and also lucky that they stayed long enough for a picture. Unlike the Wall Browns I saw that seemed to be in continual flight, saw also Common Blue but little else.

So that makes 19 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

17 May 2024

Bempton Cliffs

I left work at 4pm on Thursday and started my journey to Bridlington to stay at the Premier Inn which is on the seafront,but first stop for the night is Bromsgrove just south of Birmingham and then northwards to Bempton Cliffs.

Good job iam staying for more than one day because the place was covered in sea mist, although I still got to see and hear the birds on the cliff.

Great to see Tree Sparrows around the visitor centre and the sound of Whitethroats and other Warblers and Skylarks singing in the mist.

Spent a couple of hours here, tea and cake before going to find my hotel.

Staying in the Premier Inn at Bridlington and very nice too!

The weather not doing me any favours with the sea mist rolling in and taking time to burn off so decided to pop down to Spurn Point for the morning as its only an hour away, cant believe I have never been here before, timing wasn't brilliant as the tide was coming in so couldn't walk to the point, so looked around the Canal area and Kilnsea Wetlands. For some reason surprised to see several Avocets in the pools, not expecting to see them here. After spending the morning here I went back to Bempton Cliffs and the sun was burning off the mist so was able to see out to sea and better views of the cliffs, great to see Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbills, Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwakes and Gulls.

Sunday morning, late start and full English breakfast before arriving at Bempton, clear of mist but still a cool breeze, plenty of people here to enjoy the weather and wildlife.

Saw all the Auks and wildlife this place is famous for, later on sat in Cafe and the Barn Owl flew by giving everyone some great views, I had a cuppa in my hand and not my camera so sadly no pics.

Bird species seen over the weekend- Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Gannet, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Fulmur, Kittiwake, Herring, Greater-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Skylark, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Tree and House Sparrows, Starling, Swallow, House and Sand Martins, Barn Owl, Buzzard, Peregrine, Kestrel and Red Kite.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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