Grafton Wood 31.8.13

Another new butterfly for me! I was very fortunate to catch Brown Hairstreaks in their flight period, and at a great wood. The management here is absolutely spot on to my untrained eyes, so hats off to everyone involved with looking after the wood. Its also in beautiful surrounding countryside, so I heartily recommend a visit! I was actually fortunate to see the ones I did, as a friendly fellow enthusiast found one along the hedgerow on the west side, and we then spotted some others. 

Species seen - 

Brown Hairstreak
Small Copper
Large White
Green-veined White
Small White
Peacock
Comma

Common Darter
Striped Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus)
Tachina fera Fly

Brown Hairstreak

Striped Hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus)

Monks Wood 23.8.13

A quick morning visit to see what was flying in the meadows on the South side of the wood, and also check if the Violet Helleborines were out. I just caught them before they went over, so no further chances to get them in better lighting conditions, but I still like the effects I got. Also observed what I took to be parasitic wasps visiting them frequently, but could have been a type of fly. I also saw a Hornet have a nectar from them. 

Species seen -

Common Blue

Meadow Brown

Silver Washed Fritillary 

Common Blue

Violet Helleborine

Violet Helleborine

Arnside Knott 10.8.13

A place I had wanted to visit for a long time, for its rare butterflies and for the beautiful views of the Lake District and the Coast. It is one of only two places in England where Scotch Argus flies, and luckily was able to visit with family and get photos of a new butterfly. It was great to walk about with family and enjoy the butterflies and views, and there are so many trails to explore all over the hill. 

Species seen - 

Scotch Argus
Grayling
Gatekeeper

Scotch Argus

Grayling

Arnside Knott

Godmanchester Riverside 7.8.13

I had some time to wander around the riverside in Godmanchester, haunt of my youth, and see how the Demoiselles and other things were doing. Also saw an interesting Hoverfly, Myathropa florea, which was very tame and kept coming back to the same leaf to sun itself in the late afternoon warmth. 

Banded Demoiselle

Myathropa florea Hoverfly

Myathropa florea Hoverfly

Bedford Purlieus 1.08.13

A late afternoon cycle ride from Wansford over to Bedford Purlieus was rewarded with a new Butterfly for me, the White-letter Hairstreak. I got really lucky with the timing as there were loads flying about on the Ragwort, Marjoram and Hemp-agrimony. The activity of the Silver-washed Fritillaries was superb also, the looping over each other as they race down the ride is so impressive. 

Species seen - 

Brimstone

White-letter Hairstreak

Purple Hairstreak

Silver-washed Fritillary

Comma

Ringlet

Pyrausta aurata Moth

Volucella inanis Fly

Phaonia tuguriorum Fly

Oak Bush-cricket

Brimstone

Pyrausta aurata Moth

Silver-washed Fritillary

Comma

White-letter Hairstreak

White-letter Hairstreak

White-letter Hairstreak