Thursday 28th June 2018
Butterfly Species: Small Tortoiseshell (2) Comma (8) Small White (2) Green-veined White (1) Large Skipper (8) Meadow Brown (30+) Marbled White (17) Ringlet (19+) Silver Washed Fritillary (2) White-letter Hairstreak (5+)
Its a week since my last walk along the path and the weather is still fine and sunny with temperature reaching the high 20'sC.
Last week was a high in butterfly numbers and the species list is lengthening as the summer progresses. Last week I spotted a number of Hairstreak butterflies high in an ash tree canopy, so this week I was primed with a pair of binoculars and a determination to pay more attention to the tree-tops!
The stretch of path between the end of the Two Tunnels and Midford Station proved to be the most interesting once again. The Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns were seen in profusion massing around the Brambles as before. These were joined briefly by a single female Silver Washed Fritillary which glided along the path and into the shadows of the trees. Further along the path near Midford, I came across the male of the species nectaring on the bramble blossom. Silver-washed Fritillary had been spotted here previously by another Sustrans Volunteer.
Towards the end of the path nearing the Wellow Riding Centre, I also spotted a rather worn, small brown butterfly. I am pretty certain this was a Brown Argus. I'll have to be on the lookout for a less worn second generation example in August to confirm this though.
Its a week since my last walk along the path and the weather is still fine and sunny with temperature reaching the high 20'sC.
Last week was a high in butterfly numbers and the species list is lengthening as the summer progresses. Last week I spotted a number of Hairstreak butterflies high in an ash tree canopy, so this week I was primed with a pair of binoculars and a determination to pay more attention to the tree-tops!
The stretch of path between the end of the Two Tunnels and Midford Station proved to be the most interesting once again. The Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns were seen in profusion massing around the Brambles as before. These were joined briefly by a single female Silver Washed Fritillary which glided along the path and into the shadows of the trees. Further along the path near Midford, I came across the male of the species nectaring on the bramble blossom. Silver-washed Fritillary had been spotted here previously by another Sustrans Volunteer.
Along the section of path that passes beneath Midford Castle there is a large Wych Elm tree and several other saplings. Looking up to the canopy of the large tree I could clearly see the typically erratic flights of several Hairstreak butterflies. Utilising the binoculars and a far degree of patience I was able to see one well enough to determine that they were indeed White-letter Hairstreaks. They lacked the distinctive silvery undersides that are a hallmark of the Purple Hairstreak.
Notable amongst the rest of the days sightings were the increased numbers of Large Skippers and the appearance of the summer brood Commas (Var. Hutchinsoni). It was also nice to see a number of day-flying Scarlet Tiger moths along the way having spotted a caterpillar feeding on Comfrey earlier in the spring.
Towards the end of the path nearing the Wellow Riding Centre, I also spotted a rather worn, small brown butterfly. I am pretty certain this was a Brown Argus. I'll have to be on the lookout for a less worn second generation example in August to confirm this though.
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