Twywell Hills and Dales

-
Having read that there were a few butterflies to be seen at Twywell Hills and Dales I decided to make the 25 minute drive down the A14 to see if I could locate any of them.  It was sunny but slightly breezy and there were quite a few cars in the park, mainly people walking their dogs.
Not much to see along the path edges but once in the grassy field I soon spotted quite a few small heaths which were a first for this year.  No skippers visible but at the far end of the field, just before I turned round a small blue butterfly flew across in front of me, I waited a few moments to see if it would return which it did, and I was able to confirm it was a common blue,  another tick for this years list.  One brimstone and probably a large white were also noted but no green hairstreaks although the habitat looked quite suitable with the warm sun on hawthorn bushes and brambles. 

 small heath




 common blue

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Warblers at Ouse Fen

-
Image
 A sunny morning, free day and reports of a Great Reed Warbler seen at Ouse Fen found me visiting the reserve this morning. The carpark was busy which was a good indication that this rare visitor was still there and I soon got into conservation with a gentleman who was also about to walk down to where it had been seen.  It wasnt long before we saw a group of birders ahead of us on a viewing mound which had been trampled down and a kind person offered me a view through his telescope as as we arrived where it was in full song.  I was soon able to locate  in my binoculars and camera and noticed its  striking red throat when singing.   Once I was satisfied with photos I headed off round the reserve where reed buntings, sedge and reed warblers and whitethroats were very visible and I also saw my first painted lady butterfly of the season.  Great Reed Warbler Can you see me? Reed Bunting Whitethroat Sedge Warbler
Read more

three counties butterflies

-
Image
 A few weeks ago when the weather was warm and sunny I made a few trips looking for the summer butterflies in Norfolk, Northampton and Cambridgeshire. Our Norfolk trip was to Strumpshaw Fen where for the past few years we have tried, to spot the beautiful but elusive swallowtail but only managed short glimpses due to cloudy or windy conditions or being too early or too late in the season!  However on 16 June this year the weather and flight window seemed perfect so we were very hopeful  of success this time. On arrival we checked in and immediately saw a group of people with telescopes at the reception hide where they had spotted a bittern amongst the reeds, Someone kindly offered us the use of their telescope where we had a quick sighting before it disappeared into the reeds again. We then made for the area known as the 'Doctors garden' where swallowtails are most often seen nectaring and several people standing in the area told us they had just had a close up of one on nearby
Read more

Group visit to Therfield Heath

-
Image
 I have been to Therfield Heath a few times over the past years but I received an email notification that a guide led visit was scheduled for last Tuesday - at a time I was free so decided to book and see what I could learn from others.  The starting point was at the main Therfield Heath carpark, which I didnt know existed as I always parked at the other end of the Heath so that was a new place for me. As I waited for others to arrive, I saw a good number of meadow browns,  ringlets and large skippers amongst the grasses near where I parked my car. Soon I spotted a few others arriving so  I went over and joined the group where we were introduced to our leader, Nick who said he only lived a few hundred yards away and was a Conservateur of Therfield Heath.  He lead us round the edge of the eastern side of the Heath, an  area I hadnt explored before, we saw all the usual grass loving butterflies including a good number of Marbled white and skipper butterflies including the Essex skipper. 
Read more