Tuesday 28th August 2012 - Shenstone

This morning I took advantage of the sunny weather and spent a few hours on the patch. 

I started my visit at Stanklyn paddocks where one of the juvenile Whinchats was still present. Nearby a Common Redstart (♀/imm.) was present on the adjacent hedgerow.  Also of note were 2 Ravens that flew over heading West.  Two Small Copper butterflies were also observed as they started to mate.

Whilst at the paddocks I was joined by my old mate Jared (aka Bellamy).  His botanical knowledge really is exceptional.  In fact he pointed out that there was a fairly rare plant right under my nose!  Across the lane from where I was parked is an area of verge containing a couple of hundred Tower Mustard (Arabis glabra) plants.  Tower Mustard is classed as vulnerable in the UK and only occurs at a handful of sites in Worcestershire.  For more info on this species click on the below link:

http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uploads/documents/Brief%20sheet%20-%20Tower%20mustard%20Arabis_briefing_sheet.pdf

Also of note along Stanklyn Lane were a single Purple Hairstreak butterfly and a Migrant Hawker dragonfly.

I drew a blank at Heath Lane so I headed over to Butts Lane to undertake my regular walk.  This proved more successful with 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Stock Doves, 3 Sky Larks and 2 Linnets recorded.

The highlight of the day though came in the form of a butterfly, a ♂ Common Blue.  I know...Common Blue? I hear you cry.  Well, this year they have been in fairly short supply locally (probably due to the wet Spring) and believe it or not this is the first one I have recorded on the patch for 2012!  Other butterflies noted during this walk were1 Essex Skipper, 1 Small Copper, 1 Peacock, 2 Meadow Browns and 2 Green-veined Whites.

Also of interest on the insect side of things was a single ♀ Common Darter dragonfly, a Meadow Grasshopper and a Roesel's Bush Cricket.

Whinchat (juvenile)















Meadow Grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus)















Tower Mustard (Arabis glabra)




Click on image to enlarge

Tower Mustard (Arabis glabra) flower
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8 comments:

  1. Bob Bushell28 August 2012 at 14:27

    Nice one or four.

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  2. StourbridgeRantBoy28 August 2012 at 19:48

    Tower Mustard is a nice find, well done....

    Laurie -

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  3. ShySongbird29 August 2012 at 07:57

    I'm ashamed to say I've never even heard of Tower Mustard Jason :-( I shall go and follow your link next.

    The Common Blue is distinctly uncommon this year in my experience!

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  4. ShySongbird29 August 2012 at 08:01

    I've just thought, should you contact English Nature or someone in case they are not aware of it growing there?

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  5. Jason K30 August 2012 at 01:55

    Ha...Cheers Bob!

    Laurie - I didn't even realize that it was there (flora is not my forte)

    Jan - Your so right on Common Blue! As for the Tower Mustard, I thought the same so I have submitted it to the worcestershire biological records centre, who are also forwarding it to the county plant recorder

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  6. Pam30 August 2012 at 03:29

    Interesting with the Tower Mustard find Jason! A new one for me too! I shall keep my eyes peeled for it!
    Another good patch walk for you and an interesting post! I am so pleased that you have seen a Common Blue at last...I haven't yet!

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  7. Jason K30 August 2012 at 03:38

    Thanks Pam...so am I, I was getting really worried about the patch common Blues this year

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  8. StourbridgeRantBoy30 August 2012 at 23:20

    I shall check a couple of sites near Cookley over the weekend where i have recorded Tower Mustard a few years ago now that your sighting has spurred me!

    Laurie -

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