Blog

13 September 2024

Grounded Manx

You dont see this every day, on the way back from the pub I found a grounded Manx sat on the road between some buildings, before it got run over I picked it up and took it to the beach at Dawlish and it flew off into the darkness.Great way to end the day!

10 September 2024

Butterflies

Its been a pretty poor season for me on the Butterfly front with the very poor weather, ive had a change of job and everytime I get time off its rained. With only 40 species seen its been a poor year if not my worst!

So that makes 40 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, Gatekeeper, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Small Tort, Ringlet, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Comma.

Lets hope for better next year!

25 August 2024

Dartmoor

Spent this last couple of weeks on Dartmoor, lots of changes with everything moving to Autumn mode even in August.Probably the biggest move is the amount of Rowen Berries amongst others, some leaves starting to fall and already a bit colder although that is everywhere.

Very little if any bird song, some summer migrants still about the most notiable is the House Martins and Swallows, this year is the first year I havnt seen any Swifts on the moor but others have told me they have seen the odd one.

Noticed that some species such as Chaffinch are starting to flock together and there seems to have been a good breeding season for the Stonechat.

Looking forward to the Autumn proper and getting out more, my new job doesnt have the best rota for doing the things I love but cant have it all as they say!

06 August 2024

Out and About

Not been on here for a while due to my computer going down, all sorted now and hopefully no more problems.

Spent some time on Exminster Marshes this last week, didnt see the Purle Heron but did see the Garganey, although at a distance, Wood and Green Sandpiper, and some Ringed Plover, others did say they were Little Ringed plover but not convinced.

Snipe as well as a few ducks but otherwise very quiet, no bird song, looks like all the summer migrants have gone, plenty of Swallows and House Martins over head.

The estuary by Turf was clear of birds apart from some Black-headed Gulls.

The only Raptor seen was a Kestrel which was a suprise.

On my way home through the back lanes over 100 Swifts hawking over a crop of Field Beans which was great to see.

Also to add to the list of Butterflies Gatekeeper. It continues to be a very poor year for them and the weather hasnt helped.

Lots of humans about enjoying the sunny break in the weather.

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.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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