A Small Copper on some late flowering Hemp Agrimony. On the back of a disastrous summer for Butterflies on reflection I think we must have been lucky. Certainly plenty around Durlston Country Park in mid September. Great to see the sun really bringing out the iridescence of the Small Read More …
Category: Flora
Sika at Arne
Hmmm…..storm clouds gathering just after dawn. Not a good sign. Silver Birch dominated woodland at the RSPB’s Arne Nature Reserve. Sika hinds (female) and a calf amongst the heath. A more unusual white Sika hind. Normally associated with domestication and inbreeding the white variation appears Read More …
Norden Heath
Common Lizard Enjoying a few rays of sunshine at Norden Heath close to the boundary with Kilwood Nature Reserve. Sand Lizard Great to see the lizard taking advantage of a south west facing banking recently cleared of Gorse. Young Common Lizard Silver Y Moth Common Earthbumball Read More …
Durlston Country Park
A young Peregrine on the sea cliffs at Durlston Country Park waiting for one of the adults to return from hunting. With many migrants passing through or leaving the park to depart across the English Channel the wait is likely to have been a short Read More …
Little and Large
Broad-leaved Helleborine A surprisingly common Orchid found throughout the Mersey valley. One of those plants that unless you know what you’re looking for is easily missed. Also known perhaps harshly as the weed Helleborine. This one was found in Northern Moor growing in heavy shade. With it being a relatively Read More …
Bringing It All Back Home
Turning out to be a good year for the Holly Blue. This one appeared in the back garden feeding on Hemp Agrimony before flying off into the Ivy climbing up the garden fence. With plenty of mature Ivy in the neighbouring gardens hopefully the start of Read More …
Blues, Bladderworts and Hawkers
A male Silver Studded Blue at Morden Bog, Dorset one of several seen around the heathland. Normally hyperactive and difficult to approach on this occasion a large cloud drifted across the sun resulting in this one taking a rest. Great to see the carnivorous Read More …
High Summer
Unimproved grassland at Durlston Country Park in mid-July. With at least 578 species of flowering plant recorded along the cliffs, limestone grasslands and woodlands this is one of the best areas in the country for wild flowers. In mid July its spectacular. With such a rich variety of Read More …
Studland Bog
Another scorcher and a wander around Studland whilst the family were enjoying the beach. The dry, sandy heathland combined with the scents of the various flowering plants and the sea are strangely reminiscent of the Mediterranean. Further down the slope and a shallow valley open up to a number of Read More …