Lindrick Common - 20th June 2020

This spring has seen a lot of warm, dry weather and above average temperatures. As a result, butterflies seem to have been emerging earlier than usual, so I decided to go to Lindrick Common a couple of weeks earlier myself.

When I arrived, it was obvious that they vegetation hadn't kept pace with the butterflies and there were only a few flowering plants. The butterflies, however, were all present in good numbers, with 10+ Marbled Whites, 15+ Dark Green Fritillaries and at least 15 Silver-studded Blues (all but one being male). The temperature was around 20 degrees, so the Whites and Fritillaries were all pretty active. The blues, on the other hand, were the most confiding I've ever known, and posed, beautifully, with open wings.

Marbled White

Dark Green Fritillary (underwing)

Dark Green Fritillary 

Silver-studded Blue

Other species seen whilst there included my first Ringlets of the year, along with several Meadow Browns, 1 Large Skipper, and, best of all, a day-flying moth called a Burnet Companion, which was a lifer!

Burnet Companion

Three species of orchid were out, namely Bee (1), Pyramidal (c.15) and Common Spotted (c.10).

Summer Butterflies - 29th June 2019

We haven't yet had a great deal of decent sunny weather this summer, so, with the sun out, and a very decent temperature of 25 degrees today, I thought it was time to head over to Lindrick Dale near Worksop, to have a look at  the butterflies there.

I arrived at about 10am and straight away saw good numbers of Marbled White (15+), Dark Green Fritillary (c.20) and Silver-studded Blue (10+ males, no females).

Marbled White

Dark Green Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary (underwing)

Silver-studded Blue (male upperwing)

Silver-studded Blue (male underwing)

Other butterflies seen were: Small Heath (2), Ringlet (10+), Meadow Brown (c.10), Large Skipper (1 male), Painted Lady (1 - my first record here) and a day flying moth, the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moth.

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet Moth

Flowers seen were: Bladder Campion and 3 types of orchid: Bee (3), Common Spotted and Pyramidal.

Return to Lindrick Dale

Last year I discovered a really great butterfly site that held 3 species that are very uncommon in this area, namely Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled White and Silver-studded Blue. I visited a couple of times and managed to catch up with all three species (click on the label Lindrick Dale below to see these posts). Last weekend (28th June) I had another visit and managed to see the first two species.

Last year I managed to get some really nice shots of the upperwing of the Dark Green Fritillary, so this year I was really keen to try and get some photos of the green underwing. Here are my efforts.

Dark Green Fritillary

The other species, Marbled White, was also present, but in quite small numbers, (fewer than 6 were seen). I got a nice photo of a pristine male.

Marbled White

As well as the key species, there were also a couple of Large Skippers, one Small Heath and dozens of Ringlets present. 

Ringlet

Finally, there were some nice flowers present too. Here are pictures of Pyramidal, Common Spotted and Bee Orchid.

Pyramidal Orchid

Common Spotted Orchid (I think)

Bee Orchid

Now I need to get back to try and find the Silver-studded Blues!

RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

I've been keen to see Swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk Hawker dragonflies for several years now, but both species have a very restricted range in Britain, being restricted to just a few sites in East Anglia. So, with a free day, and a reasonable weather forecast, I drove down to one of these sites, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk, to try and catch up with these 2 species.  Although it was slightly overcast when we (Jayne and I) arrived we still managed to see both species and get a few photos.

The Norfolk Hawkers were quite easy to see, patrolling the numerous dykes that crisscross the reserve. We managed to find one that was close to the path, and kept returning to a favourite perch time and time again. I got a few photos, which I've cropped down. Note the green eyes- gorgeous!

Norfolk Hawker

The Swallowtails were much more difficult to see, and we very nearly came away empty handed! As I said, the weather wasn't great, a bit too overcast for this species, but thankfully, the staff at the reserve spotted this individual fly into the reeds, just before we left! The butterfly was about 10 metres away from the reception hide, but I managed to get a few shots, one of which I've cropped. Quite pleased with the outcome.

Swallowtail

Whilst looking for the insects we came across 4 Common Lizards that were sat on the boardwalk. They were very easy to approach and we managed to get shots of this pristine individual and a less than pristine one! I think the second picture shows an individual that has lost its tail after being attacked by a predator.

Common Lizard

Common Lizard

As well as the insects we also managed to see several Marsh Harriers hunting over the reedbeds, hear Cetti's Warblers and see this stunning Bee Orchid (1 of at least 6 present near the reception).

Bee Orchid

Afterwards we went for a short drive to Thorpe St Andrew for some lunch, and saw a pair of Banded Demoiselle damselflies and a family party of Egyptian Goose (year tick) on the river.

Banded Demoiselle (female)

On the drive home we saw a Hobby (year tick) flying by the A17. Not a bad day!

Year List update:-
140 - Egyptian Goose
141 - Hobby