I decided to mix it up a bit today and spend some time looking at what butterflies and other insects were around Stanklyn Lane.
I started by walking the footpath around the 'gallops field' where I counted 9 Skylarks all up in the air at one point. Another Skylark was seen on the ground with a beak full of insects. I also recorded 14 Meadow Brown butterflies here.
I then went and checked out the set-aside at the edge of what was the 'carrot field'. This strip of set-aside runs the whole length of the field and is at least 3 to 4 metres across. It is incredibly rich with lots of Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisy and Red Clover. In the area that I checked I counted 11 Meadow Browns, 2 Large Skipper, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Green-veined Whites. There were also 6 Cinnabar Moths and 5 Burnett Moths (6-Spot and Narrow-bordered 5 Spot).
I then walked back across the diagonal path through the gallops field. In the small field between the gallops and Stanklyn Wood were 3 Mistle Thrushes and a Green Woodpecker. 2 Common Buzzards were soaring overhead.
Stanklyn Lane set-aside
Six-Spot Burnett Moth
Narrow-bordered Five-Spot Burnett Moth
Green-veined Whites
They are superb, good photos moths and butterflies.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Bob - much appreciated
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