A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Brown Hairstreak Highlights from a recent visit to the Butterfly Conservation Society managed Alners Gorse on one of the hottest days of the year. Purple Hairstreak amongst the Alder Buckthorn Despite a long wait this particular one just wouldn’t open its wings. Fortunately the purple Read More …
Marbled White nectaring on Greater Knapweed in the early morning sunshine at Corfe Castle. Surprising to see them on the wing at 7am. Unfortunately by mid-day they’re so active its difficult to approach them with a camera. Musk Thistle covered in early morning dew Read More …
A superb evening out on the Dorset heathlands. Nightjars at dusk close to Arne followed by Glow-worms at Hartland Moor. Unfortunately the photograph of a Nightjar will have to wait for another year. In late May/early June we normally see 2 or 3 male Nightjars Read More …
The unmistakeable, male Keeled Skimmer catching the morning sunshine at Higher Hyde Heath. Aggressive and strongly territorial eventually I managed to approach it without spooking it. Fortunately in common with many other insects they do have a tendency to return to a favourite spots for Read More …
Ringlet, Higher Hyde Heath A quick trip up the road whilst staying in Dorset to Higher Hyde Heath. Mid July 28C we didn’t expect to see a lot however there’s always something to be found. Gatekeeper The sheer number of Butterflies was astounding with the Read More …
Ivy Broomrape, Sorrento The parasitic Ivy Broomrape in the hills above Sorrento. Amazing how common this particular Broomrape is. It can even be found growing within the centre of Sorrento outside one of the more exclusive hotels. Naturalised Prickly Pear and Morning Glory, Capri Prickly Read More …
Italian Wall Lizard – Sorrento, Italy Strange to recall that the last Wall Lizards we’d seen were on the outskirts of Bournemouth. Great to finally catch up with their Italian relatives. In actual fact it was difficult to avoid them. Every wall and patch of Read More …
Fireflies in the Olive groves between Sorrento and Masa Lubrense, Italy Recently returned from a couple of weeks on the Sorrentine Peninsula. With it being our first visit to Campania we weren’t really sure what to expect in the way of wildlife. On the 2nd Read More …
Dark Green Fritillary Dark Green Fritillary nectaring on Hawkbit at Ainsdale Dunes Kidney Vetch A classic plant associated with dry grasslands. Although more common on the chalk downs and cliffs the high lime content of the sand dunes allows it to thrive at Ainsdale. Meadow Read More …
