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Blog
30 July 2022
Brown Hairstreak at Netherclay Reserve
I went to Netherclay Reserve in Somerset this morning to see some Brown Hairstreaks as there had been reports that they were out, I went here last year and while I did see some no Photographs which is the same story this year.
But I was quite shocked over the level of dead Ash Trees caused by "Die-back". The Master Tree which was close to the seat was almost dead, while they had started to remove some dead Ash as you can see from the picture there are still plenty about.
The total for the year at 51 species and one Variant so far, 47 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, Purple Emperor and Brown Hairstreak, so the list is-Chequered Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Small Heath, Comma, Brimstone, Brown Hairstreak, Green Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, White-letter Hairstreak, Gatekeeper, Greyling, 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, Chalkhill 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.
29 July 2022
Dartmoor and the Teign Valley
Early doors start on Dartmoor before it got busy, good walk around Soussons Forest and plenty to see, the Redstarts seem to have done well with 6 individuals seen, also lots of bird song heard but NO Crossbills seen or heard, not sure why?
Plenty of Butterflies and Dragons seen not only at Soussons but around the hedgerows around the lanes, a few Squirrels but surprised not to see any Deer especially after the early start in the Forest?
All the Corvids seen with some especially noisy Raven flying around, talking of noise there was some Juvenile Buzzards who also were quite vocal shouting for parents.
Other Birds seen included Swallow, Blackbird, Song and Mistle Thrush, Stonechat, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff Willow Warbler, Robin, Wren, Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits.
Another nice encounter was with some Grasshopper Warblers, I had said in a previous post that while having stopped for a cuppa I could hear some Reeling, had stopped in this place several times since and nothing but today there was two birds, I could identify the scrub but no sign which is typical of a Grasshopper Warbler.
On the way home I went to Dunsford Woods and walked around the area from the bridge, the water level was right down and plenty of small fish could be seen, on the water Moorhen with chicks as well as a few Mallard, the electric Blue flash of a Kingfisher while it flew up and down the river but no Dipper seen.
Around the woods all the birds you would expect, the resident Tits , Nuthatch and Robin but no summer migrants seen or heard, have they already gone?
26 July 2022
South Devon
Went down to Slapton to look for Gulls and Terns on the line but very few seen, lots of disruption both on the Ley and Beach from Humans and Dogs, the Ley had lots of Boats and the beach had many Dog walkers so nothing settling, the weather was good so everybody out and who can blame them, several Black-headed and Herring Gulls sat on the Sea with a few Cormorants.
The ley was fairly quiet with Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Farm X Ducks and 2 White farm Geese, Coot, Moorhen, Little Egret, Cormorant, Great-crested Grebes, Kingfisher, Carrion Crows, Jackdaw, Long-tailed Tits, Robin, Blackbird and the odd Black-headed Gulls..
I then went to Beesands Ley which was very quiet Human wise but plenty to see of the Bird front with Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Sedge + Juv, Reed and Cettis Warblers, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Blackbird, Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher hunting flies on the back path and about 30-40 Swallows and House Martin high above hawking for flies.
Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks on the ley, looked like the Tufted Ducks had done well on the breeding front with 4 with Chicks. Unfortunately all on the far side of the Ley so distant pictures.
Moorhen, Coot, Grey Heron and Mute Swans, all with young.
Excellent day!
23 July 2022
Dartmoor
Plenty of Birds seen all sat down on the ground or low bushes, nothing much flying with Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Stockdove, Linnet, Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Skylark, Swallow, Magpie, Blackbird and plenty of Gulls sat on the open moor, from what I could see all Herring Gulls.
22 July 2022
Powderham to Turf and back
Had a nice leisurely walk to Turf and back to Powderham church.
Very little to see actually on the river which I suppose is normal for this time of year, plenty of Gulls with Great-black Backed, Herring, Black-headed and Mediterranean Gulls.
The only waders I saw were Curlews, good numbers of Mute Swans, a few Cormorants and Little Egrets and that was about it on the river.
Along the river bank plenty of Linnet and Goldfinch getting seeds from the Thistles.
All the usual crows around the fields with the odd Wood Pigeon.
Sad to see NO House Martin nests on the "Vergers Cottage" anymore, ever since the owners put spikes up to stop the nesting on certain areas they seem to have not nested on the buildings at all which is a sad state of affairs!
19 July 2022
Dartmoor
After a day of extreme heat I went for some fresh air on Dartmoor, much of the livestock had come off the moor and were taking shade by the hedges and trees close to the road, while it was great to see all the foals,lambs and calves, I was angered by all the selfish idiots in the cars trying to force their way through my blowing their horns causing alarm and distress to the livestock. I did have a go at one driver, they were all over 50 and should have known better.
Like the livestock, plenty of birds around the hedges and very little on the open moor, Buzzard, Kestrel, Blackbird, Stonechat, Whinchat, Linnet, Swallow, House Martin, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Starling, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Great and Blue Tit and plenty of Wheatear, especially Juveniles.
Apart from the idiots a good day ou!
15 July 2022
Crabs on Dawlish Beach
Went for a walk on Dawlish main Beach and a good selection of Crabs found.
Plenty of Shore Crabs by the rocky area, a single Angular Crab found on the shore line ( picture Right ) and 20+ Masked Crabs ( Picture Left )on the Beach, some half in and half out and some on the move.
Several Hermit Crabs also found close to the shoreline.
14 July 2022
Dragons at Aylesbere
Came across plenty of Dragonflies and Damselflies at Aylesbere, especially around the ponds.
Main two species seen where the Keeled Skimmer and 
the Emperor Dragonfly, many were egg laying in the ponds.
14 July 2022
Greyling and other Butterflies at Alysbere Common
Double figures of Greyling which were the first of the year for me also Large, Small Skippers, Large White, Brimstone, Peacock, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Gate Keeper and a Holly Blue.
12 July 2022
Chalkhill Blue
Went to Portland in search of these and found several at the "High angle Battery" at the north of the island.
12 July 2022
Purple Hairstreak
Saw several of these flying around the tops of the trees at Alners and I got lucky with this one that came down and settled in one of the bushes at almost eye level.
12 July 2022
Valezina and Alners Gorse
Started the day early and first stop Alners Gorse which as normal was full of Butterflies, the only thing I didn't see was White Admiral but plenty of Hairstreaks, Gatekeepers, Marbled Whites and Silver Washed Fritillaries. Managed to see 4 of the Valezina on the Brambles.
Also saw Skippers, Comet, Peacock, Several Whites, Brimstone, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and a rather tatty red Admiral.
Plenty of Humans about all enjoying the place!
10 July 2022
Gatekeeper
Went to Soar and Bolberry Down looking for Greyling but couldn't find one which was a surprise.
Plenty of other Butterflies out and about including these Gatekeepers, the heat starting to effect them and like this one, hiding in the Bramble.
All the usual stuff seen as well as another Clouded Yellow flying past and a couple of Painted Ladies.
09 July 2022
Dartmoor
Went up on Dartmoor, originally for a couple of hours as I had stuff to do but ended up most of the day.
So much to see, Birds, Butterflies, Dragons and Flowers but yet again no mammals seen, not seen things like Deer, Fox or Badgers for ages, or any road kill?
I did walk down a stream and the life along this little river was staggering, plenty of small fish here in the pools which was great to see.
Plenty of fledgling Birds about including some very noisy Buzzards so all in all a great day out, not many humans about as all on the beach!
04 July 2022
Dawlish Warren Beach
Went for a walk this afternoon along Dawlish Warren Beach as the tide was going out, while not expecting much as no eastly storms lately i was pleasantly surprised by the number of items on the beach such as "Many-ribbed Jellyfish" often known as 
"crystal Jellies" unlike the picture on the right which had some sand on it there was many others that where clear and stunning in the sunlight, unfortunately difficult to pick this up with the camera.
Also found the remains of a "Blue" Jellyfish and several clumps of Squid Eggs.
All the usual Shells, Crabs, Sea Potatoes and Whelk eggs. Seaweed littered the beach which in turn attracted the Gulls looking for food, nice to see a few Sandwich Terns along the beach as well.
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