Orange-tip – Kenworthy Wood, Northern Moor (opposite Chorlton Water Park) A quick catch-up from St George’s Day and a sunny weekend. Despite a cool breeze a surprising number of butterflies on the wing. In addition to the Orange-tips, several Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstones, Peacocks and even an Read More …
Category: Insects
Reed all about it
Great to find a bit of time to call up to the RSPB’s Leighton Moss Nature Reserve. At least 7 Bearded Tits showing really well on and around the grit trays close to the causeway. Plenty more calling from deep within the reedbeds along with several Water Read More …
Bucking the Trend
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 …
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 …
Here’s looking at you, kid
The amazing compound eyes of a Common Darter at Higher Hyde Heath. Must be very strange being able to see in every direction all at the same time. Common Darter enjoying a few rays of sunshine. Sand Lizard (female). Although Higher Hyde Heath has 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 …