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Blog
28 June 2022
Chasing Butterflies
Went away for a couple of days chasing Butterflies, went up to Oxford to try for the Black Hairstreak at Bernwood Meadows but unfortunately the weather was against me, not the rain but the wind, the bushes were blown out which was a big disappointment as not sure I can get up there again.
I walked around Bernwood Forest which is next door and plenty to see here although nothing was settling, White Admiral and Silver-washed Frits along the rides but also a couple of Purple Emperors flying around the tops of the trees, never settling while I was there anywhere near me.
On the way back I popped into Mottcombe Meadows in Dorset which was quiet and then finally Alners Gorse which had Butterflies everywhere as well as Dragons and Damselflies, Hornets, Bees and numerous other insects so lots to see.
Managed to get some good pics as well as White-letter Hairstreak at a distance making the total for the year at 46 species so far, 43 caught on Camera and although I have seen a Holy Blue numerous times now, I haven't been able to see one settle, a flying Clouded Yellow and Purple Emperor, so the list is-Chequered Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Green Hairstreak, White-letter 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, Silver- washed Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Swallowtail, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Purple Emperor, Speckled Wood and Peacock.
27 June 2022
White Letter Hairstreak
Alners Gorse is a great place to see these Butterflies, it was a showery day, but when the sun came out you could see them dancing about the tops of the tree.
Because of my shoulder I did struggle with this because they were high in the tree but luckily not moving! Hopefully on my next trip one might come lower down for a pose!
27 June 2022
Silver-washed Fritillaries
Saw a couple of these flying at Bernwood Forest going along the Forest Ride and again at Alners Gorse and none settling.
I did though find several on Bramble just outside the reserve at Alners, for some reason they historically have used this bush.
27 June 2022
White Admiral
Saw a nice fresh one of these at Bernwood Forest and several more at Alners Gorse, but the only one I saw long enough was this rather worn specimen, great to see though and as normal Alners comes up trumps!
25 June 2022
Dartmoor
Had a few hours spare so went up on Dartmoor, weather wasn't brilliant, plenty of rain and wind but still found plenty to see.
Still having problems with my shoulder, I tried to take some pictures of some Red Kites but couldn't keep the camera up long enough to follow them to get them in focus which was a bit frustrating.
Great to see some Fledgling swallows by the road at Challacombe Farm, my first of the year. Plenty of moorland birds about, all the usual stuff.
A few Raptors seen apart from the Red Kites there were Buzzards, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk seen. As normal plenty of Corvids and large Gulls seen sat on the moor.
A few hours well spent, my arm continues to cause problems but it is getting better day by day!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
01 June 2022
Heath Fritillary
Went to Lydford Gorge for the second time, the weather was much better but still the odd Grey cloud, when the sun came out must have been double figures of heath Fritillaries on the Oxide Daisy's, just a stunning combination.
Sadly didn't see any other butterflies other than some Speckled Wood.
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