Blog

29 May 2022

Swallowtail

While in the area for the Chequered Skipper, well within 100 miles I went to see the Swallowtail at Hickling Broad.

Having parked up and the nice lady in the visitor centre said at least 5 had been seen this morning in between the showers off I went, trying not to get side tracked by the Bird Life that was everywhere I eventually tracked one down then a couple of others.

When the sun went in they settled in the reeds and like a switch as soon as the sun came out and it reached a certain temperature they started to fly.

They were necturing on the Flag Iris that were about, eventually saw 4 in the end but always with foliage in the way!

Now seen 32 species so far, 31 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, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Brown Argos, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Glanville fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Swallowtail, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

28 May 2022

Chequered Skipper

Went up to Nottinghamshire to see the new Colony of Chequered Skipper which had been reintroduced back to its old strong hold.

Parked up in the car park of Fineshade Woods and then walked the short distance to Westhay Woods and seeing happy faces walking back meant they were out!

Sure enough along the rack there was one performing for the appreciative crowd, I had seen on social media that areas had been flattened and enthusiasts were not behaving as they should, well I found that was rubbish! There was a very small piece of grass flattened, everybody was polite and everybody got a chance for a close up, the butterfly hardly moved and when it did it flew almost back to the same area.

After having a good view, pictures and a chat to others walked back to the visitor centre where there was a Butterfly Conservation Officer, she said that 15 had been seen, whether any of these were repeats was hard to tell also she said they seem to be doing very well by the paths because thats were the Brambles are.

Well worth the trip!

21 May 2022

Painted Lady

While at Bindon Hill I was lucky enough to meet up with this beautiful Butterfly the Painted Lady.

Very Mobile and this was the best photo I could do, right along the Dorset coast there had been reports of them and it was a case of being in the right place at the right time.

21 May 2022

Small Skipper

While at Bindon Hill today in Dorset I saw a few of freshly emerged Small Skippers buzzing around the place.

21 May 2022

Lulworth Skipper

Went to Bindon Hill in Dorset which is on the South Coast, normally lots of Butterflies here and today was no exception. Looking for the Ludworth Skipper where this is a strong hold and sure enough by the lower coastal path there they were.

The smallest and darkest of the Olive Skippers, the female is generally bolder marked with the crescent of pale rays, here seen on the right, the male on the left.

19 May 2022

Wood White

Went to Meath Quarry today hoping I will have better luck than last year were I saw a couple but they never came to the floor or settle anywhere.

Today I saw 4 in the end, all great views, infact there was many other butterflies and other flying insects around. I know they have a new Warden here and there has been plenty of work going on to clear areas to allow things like Vetch to grow.

So a good session, now seen 27 species so far, 26 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-Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Wood White, Brown Argos, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Glanville fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

18 May 2022

Glanville Fritillary

Went to Compton Down today in Dorset, so many Butterflies, a real joy!

At the bottom of the Down is a track, just past the style that goes into the Down is two banks and several Glanville Fritillary, its quite warm here as its south facing and out of any wind so I can understand why they are here, obviously released but some locals told me they have been here for 3-4 years but they weren't sure if there is extra released each year? I was told they seem to be flying towards Fontmell Down than to Compton Down which is over the hedge?

I saw 4 in the end and some like other Butterflies were on the path sucking up minerals.

18 May 2022

Adonis Blue

Went to Compton Down today which was full of Butterflies, found several of these Adonis Blues on the side of the hill which was my first of the year.

17 May 2022

Alysbere

Originally went here to look around the ponds looking for Dragonflies or signs of but sadly nothing, possibly early but i know they are around other places.

Still managed to see plenty of other stuff especially birds including Dartford Warblers, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Wren, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Robin, Linnet, Swallow and a Buzzard just gliding around!

Met lots of friendly people about which is always a plus!

15 May 2022

Dartmoor

Went up on Dartmoor today early, the weather was great at the start but became cloudy with the odd spit of rain.

While I was out looking for various things plenty of Birds about especially in song early on.

Birds seen today are Raven, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Pied and Grey Wagtail, Yellow Hammer, linnet, Meadow and Tree Pipit, Stone and Whinchat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Skylark, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wheatear, Chaffinch, Swallow, House Martin, House Sparrow, Starling and Great Tit.

The Moor was unusually quiet for a Sunday but still to many who cant reverse!!

15 May 2022

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

While on Dartmoor today went to Aish Tor, plenty of PBF flying around and starting to look a little worn and dull in colour, making the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary easier to see as they were brighter. I think this one is a female.

Seen 24 species so far, 23 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-Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Brown Argos, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

14 May 2022

Marsh Fritillary

At Cerne Abbas on the "Giants Hill" today, managed to see a couple of Marsh Fritillaries, quite mobile but managed to get a few shots off before it flew.

Found these close to the "Giant" in their usual spot.

14 May 2022

Duke of Burgundy

Went to "The Giants Hill" in Cerne Abbas for the second time this year, the weather was great so very hopeful of seeing the Duke of Burgundy, bit of a slow start but by the end of the session I had seen 6 individuals and all along the bottom hedge line.

Did see a couple come down from the trees where they had been roosting waiting for the sun to come out, great session here and worth the journey!

06 May 2022

Small Heath

Went to Aish Tor today on Dartmoor and found a few of these flying around.

That makes 21, did go to see if I could find a Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary but none seen only PBF and plenty of them.

Good excuse to come again but not for a week as its all work for the next 7 days!

04 May 2022

Common Blue

I saw one of these at Berry Head yesterday but managed to get a picture at Dawlish Warren today of this beaut on the back meadow this morning.

Seen 20 species so far, 19 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-Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Wall Brown, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Brown Argos, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Pearl-boarded fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and Peacock.

03 May 2022

Wall Brown

On the way up from the Quarry at berry Head saw several of these, basking in the sun.

This is a male.

03 May 2022

Small Blue

Found 8 of these stunning little Butterflies at the bottom of the slope, close to the Quarry at berry Head.

According to the book there is little difference between the male and female so not sure what sex these are.

01 May 2022

Corn Bunting

Part of my time spent in Dorset yesterday was at Maiden Castle around the Car park in the afternoon, spent a couple of hours trying to locate some Corn Buntings, I could hear them but couldn't see them, the fields have recently been cultivated and I just couldn't pick them out on the ground.

Thankfully a couple sat up on the fence and I moved my car closer and sat in there with fantastic views, they didnt seem to mind me or people walking past especially one of them who was singing at the top of his voice.

I think Maiden Castle is the furthest west these birds are and its such a treat to hear them sing.

01 May 2022

Dawlish Warren Beach

Typical Bank Holiday weather with rain and grey clouds, took the opportunity to walk along Dawlish Warren Beach to see what was there.

The tide was out and the sea was calm, the beach relatively deserted of humans but got busier as the afternoon went on.

A bit of seaweed on the beach that had lots of goodies trapped, several clumps of Squid Eggs ( top left )as well as Whelk and Cuttlefish eggs found ( Top right.

Plenty of shells, all that you would normally find although this is the first time I can remember finding a "Pelicans Foot".

It was nice to find a relatively clean beach with very little rubbish which was refreshing.

All the usual Birds plus a single Whimbrel on the beach was a nice finish to the day.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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