This afternoon Tony and I decided to make the most of the warm weather and pay a visit to the Postensplain area of the Wyre to catch up with the Fritillary butterflies. This turned out to be a good move as we saw good numbers of both Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary during the visit. The other notable butterfly species encountered was Dingy Skipper.
The walk was also productive of the day-flying moth front with many Speckled Yellow encountered, as well as 2 Burnett Companion, 1 Mother Shipton and 1 Common Heath. Three Brown Silver-line moths were also noted. These night-flying moths are easily disturbed in the daytime and these individuals were put up whilst walking through the bracken.
Other interesting invertebrates recorded were a single ♀ Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly, 3 Green Tiger Beetles and an Ashy Mining Bee.
One of the highlights of the visit for me was seeing a ♂ Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting a nest hole with mouthfuls of food. Every time the adult left the nest there was the constant chatter of the juveniles calling...a really great sound, superb!
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
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Pearl-bordered Fritillary
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Broad-bodied Chaser (♀)
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Sounds like a good haul of species there Jason.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to admit that I've never seen a Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Did you squirt that knee of yours with the WD40 too jase :-0
ReplyDeleteLike Phil, Ive never seen PBF of any species!
Wow, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary takes the biscuit, beautiful Jason.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the fritillaries Jason and good to see them together for comparison. I was hoping to see them for the first time this year but things have conspired against me so far and it's probably too late now.
ReplyDeletePhil - it was a good day mate. As for the PBF's both species are very muched declined and the Wyre Forest near where I live is one of their strongholds so I'm lucky on that score. I do believe however that there has been a re-introduction program in Kent so you guys may see them in a woodland in those parts one day in the not to distant future
ReplyDeleteWarren - It could bloody do with a squirt! I'm having to see a physio at the mo for it!
Bob - Many thanks mate...they are stunning
Jan - Thankyou. They are still on the wing in reasonable numbers in the Wyre due to the emerging late...so there is still time if you get chance