Blog

13 July 2025

Dartmoor

As it was going to be hot today I started early and even though early at around 9am it was starting to get hot.

A few birds about and most had lost their Breeding plumage and were looking quite dull, plenty of young birds about especially Stonechats.

Did my normal round and saw all the usual stuff you would expect for this time of year, the only raptor seen was a lone Buzzard soaring in the sky, with the heat and Thermals I thought I would see more.

Went for a walk in Soussons but that was very quiet except for some Ravens making a racket, a few Butterflies and Dragons flying around.

By midday time to leave as everything had gone in the shade, cant blame them!

08 July 2025

Yarner and Ashclyst Forset

I have been doing a bit of walking around the countryside and as normal for this time of year not a lot going on.

Well except on the insect front, the birds are still bringing up this years crop but everything will be on the move again soon.

Had two lovely walks around Yarner and Ashclyst Forests and lots to see, apart from the Butterflies and other insects it was great to see a good mix of Mammals, Rabbit, Grey Squirrel, Fox, Roe and Fallow Deer.

Really impressed at Yarner with the Reservoir and the artificial Islands that have been there a few years now and look excellent with the planting, attracting lots of insects such as Dragonflies, saw a few Emperors, Darters and others.

Plenty of Wood Ants and Butterflies, the most notable was a new one for the year, a Silver Washed Fritillary, in fact several, beautiful insect!

Also seen a few Hornets and many Bees, Hoverflies and beetles.

To Ashclyst Forest and a lovely walk with Butterflies everywhere, 2 new ones for the year with Ringlet and Gatekeeper, 2 proper woodland species!

Also seen Red and White Admirals, Holly Blue, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and many White Sp including a few Large White plus more Silver Washed Fritillary.

So a good couple of sessions and that makes the total so far is 37, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Painted Lady, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Wall, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Dark green Frit, Duke of Burgundy Frit, Glanville Frit, Heath Frit, High Brown Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver washed Frit, Small Pearl-bordered Frit, Pearl-bordered Frit, Small Copper, Brown Argos, Large and Small Skippers, Ludworth Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Blue, Holly Blue, Adonis Blue and Comma.

© Simon Thurgood 2025
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