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

Woodwalton Fen 30.07.13

This is still my favourite local site, the range of things to see and the unique landscape, it really is special. Its hard to identify everything seen, some things are just too quick! But I did see for myself something reported by others and which I'm really surprised at - Purple Emperors near the Rothschild Bungalow. Exciting to think they might be resident next year. 

Species seen - 

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Common Blue Damselfly

Black-tailed Skimmer

Ruddy Darter

Purple Emperor

Red Admiral

Peacock

Green-veined White

Large Skipper

Gatekeeper

Meadow Brown

Dark Bush Crickets

Hornet

Several types of Bee

Blue-tailed Damselfly

Gatekeeper

Bee

Black-tailed Skimmer (thought this was impressive as it flew about completely fine)

Ruddy Darter

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

Fermyn Wood 13/07/13

A superb trip to Purple Emperor central in these parts. Tried a new section of the woods and we saw easily 10 individuals, and had lots of really nice interaction with them swooping around us (and landing on my sweaty shoes ;-) Such a magnificent insect, I recommend tracking them down if you've never seen one. Long reign Iris. 

The day before my birthday, and having a pub lunch and swim at Wadenhoe later, it was a fantastic day!

Purple Emperor (male)

Purple Emperor (male)

Ringlets pairing

Devil's Dyke (July Course) 11/07/13

An early start (arrived at 7:30am) provided a great chance to see roosting Chalkhill Blues, and see the orchids in good light. I got some nice shots of the Lizard Orchids, which has just peaked but still found some in OK condition. It was also lovely to see the Marbled Whites roosting and slowly waking up and stretching out their wings as the day warmed. And I had a stroke of luck when a sleepy Chalkhill found it great fun to sit on my finger and probe for salts, he was there for ages and it was lovely experience to see him up so close :-) He also had a bit of grass stuck to his proboscis which was funny.

Pyramidal Orchid

Lizard Orchid and Tiger Crane Fly

Lizard Orchid

Marbled White

Marbled White

Chalkhill Blue (male)

Chalkhill Blue (male)

Monks Wood 26/06/2013

After a couple of years trying to see Black Hairstreak at several sites, this year the waiting finally paid off. I had been a few times to the wood in the days preceding, but then saw a report on the local Butterfly Conservation site that they had been spotted, so I went early on the 26th hoping to finally see them. 

I was met there by local enthusiasts and experts Phil, Rosalyn and Nick, and they patiently showed me the most likely spots and pointed them out when my eyes couldn't locate them first off. I am really grateful to them for all the help and advice they gave, and it was really great to spend time with people who share a passion for Butterflies. 

Reasonably early on I caught my first glimpse, but getting close and ready for a photo was very tricky. I eventually got a few shots but not of great quality, but I was still really pleased to have something to show I'd seen them! Also I was interested to see that when they bask on leaves, they often lean right over almost horizontally to gather as much heat as they can, which also makes photographing them even harder!

Also Monks has a few Greater Butterfly Orchids which I was really pleased to see for the first time.

Species seen - 

Meadow Brown

Speckled Wood

Black Hairstreak

Comma

Large Skipper

Common Spotted Orchid

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Black Hairstreak

Black Hairstreak lying down

? Caterpillar any suggestions welcome

Greater Butterfly Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid

Fulbourn Fen 25/06/13

A quick trip in the morning to see Marsh Orchids at Fulbourn Fen. There were good numbers, along with a few Southern Marsh Orchids, including one massive one! The June butterfly lull was in effect, as the meadows there are really full of flowers, but I hardly saw anything. 

Marsh Orchid

Southern Marsh Orchid