Wyre Forest 2/6/2013

2.6.13

Staying in the West Midlands, the western side of the country opens up and the promise of new butterflies comes closer. So I did a little research, and found that the Wyre Forest has both Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, two species I've never seen before.

So being the ideal time of year, we headed there and had a very nice walk in lovely weather. The woods are very beautiful, being quite hilly and having a stream running through. The bluebells were still out and in quite good condition here, and a very good spread in the main clearing. This main clearing, near the new butterfly trail which follows the route of the railway, is the main site for the PBFs, and we saw about 20 individuals at one time near the entrance, feeding on Bugle and basking, and occasionally performing a fluttering mating display on the ground. No SPBFs were spotted as far as I can tell.

Throughout the rest of the wood, we spotted individuals in three other smaller clearings. There were also many Speckled Yellow Moths flying throughout the wood, but curiously very few other butterflies. A few whites and one Speckled Wood were all that were seen. 

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Wyre Forest Bluebells

Mating display

Totternhoe Knolls and Quarry 27.5.13

 Duke of Burgundy

 Totternhoe Knolls and Quarry

Hoverfly in flight

27.5.13

Another beautiful sunny day, a little windy but still hot. So I took the chance to see the Duke of Burgundy, one of our rarest butterflies, and was rewarded for the long journey - hurrah! A lovely little butterfly, the males are very territorial, chasing off anything that comes near, many times a Brimstone was seen off. They are quite happy to sit on their perch until disturbed, so getting close and some good photos wasn't too difficult. 

I also saw while I was there - Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Large and Small White, either Holly or Common Blue (saw two - quite early for Common but couldn't be sure). Plants - lots of Cowslips - important for the DoBs, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Common Twayblade, Clustered Bellflower (fed on by a Dingy Skipper). 

Over at the cliff edge I only saw two Small Blues, it was quite windy and wasn't set to change, so gave up. Also saw two Peacock there.

Very pleased to finally meet his grace :-)

Barnack Hills and Holes 26.5.2013

Green Hairstreak 

Burnet Companion

Green Carpet 

Common Heath

Dingy Skipper

Pasque Flower

26.5.13

Fantastic sunny day today, and Barnack Hills and Holes had lots to see. There were lots and lots of Green Hairstreak which were my main intention for coming. I also saw Orange-tip (m&f), Dingy Skipper, Brimstone (m&f), Small Whites, Large Whites, and my first Small Heath and Small Coppers of the year. Didn't see any Brown Argus, had one unsure sighting so may too early.

I also encountered some lovely day flying moths - Common Heath, Green Carpet and Burnet Companion. 

Many Pasque Flowers were still fresh, and some of the Early-purple Orchids weren't too bad either. Didn't see any Man Orchid, though due to the slow start may be too early. 

Woodwalton Marsh, Ravely Wood, Upwood Meadows Evening 21.5.13

21.5.13

A nice end to the day, which had been quite chilly, with the sun coming out for brief periods about 5pm. 

Saw an interesting Hoverfly, either Syrphus torvus or ribesi. Also had a brief visit from a Brimstone. After searching out Grizzled Skippers, I was all set to leave when my foot moved some grass and I saw one, they are so well camouflaged. 

Woodwalton Marsh, north end looking south. 

Then on to Ravely Wood, to see some roosting Green-veined whites and Orange-tips. The Early-purple Orchids had another good year, but they were past their best. 

Then on to Upwood Meadows, to see the Green-winged Orchids, which were of lesser number this year compared to last, but some had a lovely dark purple colour, and I saw one pink one too.

Monks Wood 24.4.13

24.4.13

Warm day with nice sunny spells, I had a long bike ride out to Monks Wood, out to Spaldwick, Kimbolton, Grafham and then to Brampton Wood. 

At Monks Wood I came past 12 Peacock Butterflies, 1 Brimstone, and 1 suspected Orange-underwing Moth at the western cross roads. I saw what I thought was a Peacock chasing a bumblebee which was interesting, I think more in amour than territory. 

I just went to the beginning of the main ride in Brampton Wood for a rest on my ride, and spotted 3 Peacocks and 2 Commas. Lots of Wood Anemone were flowering at that patch. 

Woodwalton Marsh and Fen 10.4.13

10.4.13

Lovely sunny day, hazy, little wind. Cycled to Woodwalton Marsh, saw Colts Foot, lots of Violets and Lesser Celandine. Also a beautiful fresh Small Tortoiseshell, a Bee Fly, and an unidentified Bee which landed on my arm and hand when I held it out. 

Then onto Woodwalton Fen to see if there were any newts in the ponds, but couldn't see any. Did see another Small Tortoiseshell, a Peacock, and a fresh Comma. Also saw a Heron and a couple of pairs of Canada Geese. 

Malvern Hills 6/4/13

Had a fantastic walk up the Malvern Hills, taking in the Worcestershire Beacon and North Hill peaks, lovely hills and great views. Also saw my first Butterfly of the year, which is very late for me. A Small Tortoiseshell was racing along at the top of North Hill, over the snow, which was great to see. Also saw a Kestrel (M I think) perched up surveying his domain. Looking forward to a repeat trip in the summer for the High Brown Frit and other butterflies.