Week 32

Another quiet week due to the weather only managing again two lunch times out due to the rain once again.

The birds were few and far between, bad news on the Swallow front, with second brood failing we presume predation. Other bird highlights this week included Great Spotted Woodpecker and the Nuthatch was also heard

Butterflies this week included a smart-looking Peacock along with a few Commas and Gatekeepers which were fewer this week, Green veined White which increased in number, Meadow Brown were still around, Small Skippers showed up again although in low numbers, and Speckled Wood have reappeared

Speckled Wood

Week 31

Another disappointing week with only Monday being anything like summer giving rise to 9 species of butterfly being seen. New arrivals of Red Admiral, Comma and Peacock were good to see although the Admiral was only a brief fly thru. Gatekeeper, Green veined White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Skipper and Small White were amongst the other addition.

Also about was a Hawker Dragonfly sp. of sorts, as it gave me a brief look as it flew by.

A chiffchaff was seen feeding amongst the  umbeliferous flowers  and heard contact calling most of the week. The Swallows are once again feeding young within the nest, and a few Swifts were seen flying around the site

Comma

Week 30

Back on base and to a British summer, wet and grey so it was that there was little going on on site. Tuesday was the better day when Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard Swallows and Swifts were seen along with a Common Buzzard passing thru

Butterflies this week included 3 whites (Green veined, Small and Large), Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, and Gatekeepers could also be found around the Brambles and Thistles mainly.

Moths this year have been scarce to find but four Narrow Bordered 5 Spot Burnets Moths were found enjoy the thistle patch.

We need a summer soon 🙂

Small White

Week 28

Two days of rain and two days of sun so did manage to get out and about 50% of the week heres what was about.

Birds a Common Buzzard flew thru the site, House Martins and Swifts were also about along with the Swallows, Chiffchaff and Blackcap in the woods along with Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Bullfinch was heard.

Butterflies included a couple of Commas this week, Ringlets and Meadow Browns still plentiful, and a nice build up of Small Skippers. Others included a fresh appearance of Whites...Green Veined, Large and Small. Gatekeepers have started to increase in numbers and a Speckled Wood was seen last thing

Comma

Week 27

Noisy in the wood again with chiffchaff and Blackcap coming alive again, Nuthatch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and a male Pheasant around the birdtable, Goldfinch could be found at various places around the site.

Butterflies this week have included plenty of Ringlet and Meadow Brown, a handful of Small Skippers also seen most days, at the end of the week the Gatekeeper butterfly had started its flight season

Small Skipper

Week 26

Lack of time on my part this week thanks to the British Summer, Monday was dry rest of the week turned to rain.

Monday however was good with new Butterflies on the wing these were Red Admiral which didn’t stop and Small Skipper which was very active. Other butterflies this week were Large Skipper, Meadow brown, Speckled Wood and Ringlet

Birds of note were calling Great Spotted Woodpecker and plenty of young birds around the bird table, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, end of the week saw plenty of Swift and House Martins going thru after the rains

Lets hope better weather conditions return next week

Large Skipper

Week 25

Most of the birds are quiet now, busy feeding young, the Swallows have left the nest and now can be seen flying around the site along with the adults who will soon be starting a second brood.

There has once again been a good movement of Swift thru the site again this week and if you look closely you may be able to pick out Swallows and House Martins.

Out in the woods Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Chiffchaff were all heard but now difficult to find due to the foliage.

Insects have been plenty this week highlights been Leafhoppers (always a little favourite), Butterflies included Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Meadows Browns and Ringlets in good numbers.

Moths have include the return this week of the Narrow bordered 5 Spotted Burnet

But the highlight of the week has to go to the Popular Hawk Moth, which was found in the factory. The commonest of the Hawk Moths which are on the wing from May to July

Poplar Hawk Moth