Castor Hanglands 27.07.13

A quite astonishing amount of insects here, superbly managed by Natural England. The little compartments creating exactly the right types of habitats at different rates of density, it was literally swarming with insects and is a throw back to how things used to be. Having said that I came to see Silver Washed Frits and only saw a few, but I think its usually good for them. Also only a glimpse of a White Admiral, they are being elusive, at least to me, this year. 

On the thistles there were so many Peacocks it was fantastic. Also some of the walks are so dense but open at the top, so you can wait right by a flower and have a Butterfly feed just centimetres away. 

Species seen - 

Silver-washed Fritillary

Peacock

Gatekeeper

Small Skipper

Large White

Small White

Green Veined White

Common Blue Damselfly

Xyphosia miliaria Fly

Striped Hoverfly

Syrphus torvus Hoverfly

And some friendly Horses, one of which ate my apple :-)

Common Blue Damselfly

Small Skipper

Gatekeeper