Blog

20 June 2022

Ringlet

Went to Dawlish Warren for a walk around the Back Meadow to see whats about, had heard there was a Gatekeeper and Ringlet there, saw Steve one of the Wardens and he had seen the Ringlet which I soon picked up but no Gatekeeper seen by me.

Now seen 42 species so far, 40 caught on Camera and although I have seen a Holy Blue numerous times now, I haven't been able to see one settle and a flying Clouded Yellow, so the list is-Chequered Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Clouded Yellow, Brown Argos, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Small Blue, Silver Studded Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Dark Green Fritillary, Glanville fritillary, Heath Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Swallowtail, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

17 June 2022

Clouded Yellow

While walking on Bolbery Down with family a Clouded Yellow flew by and then sat for a while, typically no camera with me.

Probably has been brought over on the warm southerlies.

15 June 2022

Dartmoor

Not what was planned for today, ive had to cancel the next couple of days trips as I have damaged my shoulder, I did this at the beginning of the year by falling with my 30lb of camera equipment on my back while walking on Dartmoor, at my age I dont bounce as well as I used to, had real problems holding the camera while I was out in Dorset so seeing a specialist tomorrow as the problem keeps coming back.

So it was doing some bird watching from the car and there was plenty to see, Corvids everywhere on the moorland digging stuff up and on other fields plenty of Large Gulls doing the same thing.

Plenty of small birds about the hedgerows with watching a family of Bullfinch a real treat. Another welcome surprise as I was sat in my car enjoying a cup of tea a Grasshopper Warbler started to "reel" I've been sat in this spot for years and never heard one here before, couldn't see it but defiantly heard it.

Wheatears, Stonechat, Whinchat, House Sparrows, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Meadow and Tree Pipit, Skylark, Wood Pigeon, Stock and Collard Doves, 3x Cuckoos, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Robin and Wren.

A few Raptors seen with Buzzards and Sparrowhawk not to mention Red Kites!

Several Humans about and on the whole all behaving themselves!

14 June 2022

Large Skipper

While at Bradbury Rings in Dorset, in the Brambles at the top there were several Large Skippers, all very mobile and today this was the best picture I could do.

14 June 2022

Dark Green Fritillary

On my trip to Dorset I spent the afternoon at Bradbury Rings, so much to see here, plenty of Dark Green Fritillaries along side Marbled Whites, Small Tort, Small Heath and Common Blue.

They seem to like the Pyramid Orchids which meant they were always in the long grass but a joy to watch them flutter along the banks.

14 June 2022

Silver-studded Blue

Went to Dorset today and in the morning I visited Higher Hyde Heath Nature Reserve which is close to Bere Regis. Always a good spot to see these butterflies.

Plenty of other things to see such as Dragonflies, Slow Worms and Grass Snakes so a good little session here.

11 June 2022

High Brown fritillary

Went up to Aish Tor on Dartmoor today, while the weather wasn't brilliant and very few butterflies about, this beaut was seen flying and gave some good views.

Now seen 37 species so far, 36 caught on Camera and although I have seen a Holy Blue numerous times now, I haven't been able to see one settle so the list is-Chequered Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Small Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Brown Argos, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Small Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Glanville fritillary, Heath Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Swallowtail, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

06 June 2022

Large Blue

Came to Green Down looking for these, had heard that they were out but the weather was very changable and it moved from sun to grey cloudes and the temp dropping very quickly, begining to think I was going to miss out when I came across an area on the top slope at the far end were there was several Blue Species, Common, Adonis and Large Blue, saw 3 of the latter in the end and one sat with its wings half open showing the pattern which was great.

06 June 2022

Meadow Brown

While looking around Green Down today saw this lone meadow Brown on some Bramble, the weather was very changeable from bright sun to dark and grey, did see others flying in the sun and then they disappeared when the temperature dropped.

06 June 2022

Marbled White

I went to Green Down in Somerset today, its a site run by SWT and is basically two strips of land by a dissuaded Railway line.

Saw this single marbled White Butterfly today on the higher section and was the only one of this species seen today.

© Simon Thurgood 2022
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