SEARCHING FOR SMALL PEARLS AT UBLEY WARREN

 I drove down to the Mendips in Somerset this morning to join a field trip at a place called Ubley Warren, organised by the Somerset local group of Butterfly Conservation. The target species for the day was small pearl bordered fritillary butterflies, a species I have seen before at Priddy Mineries, a short distance away. However, I thought I'd give another area a visit, particularly as a guided walk had been arranged for BC members, 

The site itself is a former lead mining area, and there are plenty of dips and hollows amongst piles of rocks which have been left to be colonised by wild flowers and bracken.  

I arrived an hour or so before the walk started, in order to avoid the traffic and found  a space in the layby close to our meeting point. The walk had attracted ten participants plus the leader, although it seemed as if many knew each other from previous walks and some  had roles within the local BC group. However, I was made welcome and we started to follow the path into the reserve. 

One of the group had done a quick reccy and had already found a small copper down in a hollow which she pointed out to us. We also saw a large skipper nearby. 

We climbed up a slope where gorse and bracken was all around, and I spotted the first of half a dozen green hairstreaks. Suddenly I noticed an orange butterfly flying past and over the gorse bushes out of site, a fritillary possibly? Then a member of the group pointed to a butterfly sunning itself near the ground, a small pearl bordered fritillary. We all had a chance to photograph it before if flew off, a good thing as it happened as these were the only two of our target species that  we saw on the entire walk! 

Although sunny when I had arrived, a bank of cloud swiftly caught us up, and with a bit of a breeze, it wasn't ideal butterfly spotting weather. However, it didn't seem to deter the small heath butterflies which were quite numerous, when the sun  appeared from time to time, a few common blues and meadow browns showed up. 

We made a circuit of the site, and  worked out we could reach a popular area for SPBF just about the time when the next area of blue sky would be above us. However despite splitting into groups to scour the area, no small pearl bordered fritillaries appeared and we had to concede that either they were late this year or only few had emerged. 

Towards the end of the route, I found  Red Admiral although it preferred to shelter down in the vegetation.

After our two hours were up, other members of the group decided to remain and have their picnics, whether they had a further look for species after lunch I don't know. I decided that I would make my way home, as I had quite a journey ahead of me.

small copper ( and friends!)

large skipper

green hairstreak

small pearl bordered fritillary

SILVER STUDDED BLUE OF SILCHESTER COMMON

I paid a  short visit to the heathland site at Silchester Common, near Tadley to look for my target species, the silver studded blue butterfly.  It is handy to have this area of heathland so close to my daughter's home, so when visiting her today, I was keen to see if this species was on the wing as it is still fairly early in their flight season. 

Parking at my usual spot in Impstone Road, I took a footpath out on to the heath where there are gorse bushes and some low heather plants. There were a few clouds about so I waited for the sun to appear before scanning the area close to the ground. It wasn't long before the first blue butterfly appeared. Not being able to get close enough to check , I wondered if it might be a common blue which are   also found at this site, but then several more appeared together which  indicated to me that they were silver- studded blues. It took ages before any would settle, but eventually some did and I was able to take some photos. They were mostly the blue males but I did see one brown female. 

During my visit  I also saw a few stonechats, an emperor dragonfly and a golden ringed dragonfly although  the dragonflies didn't settle. 

LARGE BLUE

After having to postphone my visit to Daneway banks yesterday due to extra work committments, I made the journey to this Gloucester Wildlife trust reserve straight from work today after finishing at lunch time. The morning had been a sunny one but by the time I left, cloud had increased with little blue sky to be seen. However, it was still quite warm I was hopeful that the butterflies would still be flying, and in fact the large blues are often seen with wings open on cloudy days as they tend to shut them when sunny.

After walking uphill to the reserve from the layby where I'd parked my car, I arrived at the reserve entrance just in time to notice a couple of photographers looking intently into the grass ahead of me.  It transpired they had found the first large blue butterfly of the day!  The butterfly flew up then settled again, wings open,  allowing for some photos. A cluster of photographers gathered and  pointed their cameras towards it, some said that they had been there all morning searching with no success until now, a great relief especially for someone who'd travelled two to three hours to get there. For me, however, it was success  straightaway!  

I only saw two large blue butterflies on my visit, but not for long before they flew off and out of sight in the reserve. However, I was told that there were a good number of marbled whites in an area further along where they were nectaring so I went along to find those as I hadn't yet seen any this year. I also found a common blue, large skipper, a few meadow browns and a possible ringlet which I couldn't identify as it didn't settle.

Despite the lack of butterflies, which some said could be due to all the rain we've had earlier in the year,  I did get chatting to others who were able to give me some further sites where I might find the butterflies I have still yet to see 

looking up towards the banks of the reserve

marbled white

large blue

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER IN FOD

With 15 more species of bird to find to make my target of 175, I headed over to the Forest of Dean to look for a summer migrant -  a spotted flycatcher. They arrive later than the pied flycatcher and hadn't yet arrived on  my last visit  to the rspb Nagshead reserve in April. I left home slightly later than usual as the weather forecast was for early rain, and I did drive through some showers, but the sun came out  just as I arrived at the reserve. 

 My usual place to look for spotted flycatchers is at the Lower hide  but a returning visitor told me he hadn't seen any flycatchers there but had seen a  couple of male redstarts and a kingfisher.  I did go and look but after waiting over an hour, I failed to spot one, although I did see a kingfisher and a jay. With rather cloudy and breezy weather, I questioned my decision to come as I was unsure if there would be sufficient insects around for the flycatcher anyway.  

After a sudden heavy downpour,  I returned to the car park and then walked the short distance to the Campbell hide where yesterday there had been reports of  hawfinches feeding juveniles in front of the hide. I was told that yes the hawfinches had been present until twenty minutes ago and stayed for about twenty minutes. But I was also glad to hear that a spotted flycatcher was 'around' but rather flighty.  After ascending the wooden steps into the hide, I found a place to sit and started to wait. It was quite overcast and there was nothing much around apart from a couple of blackbirds. Occasionally I caught sight of a little brown bird, but it was gone too quickly to identify. Later I saw a juvenile robin and a couple of song thrushes. A buzzard landed on a bare branch of a distant tree and a siskin pecked for insects from the surface of the edge of the pond, even continuing in the rain.

Another heavy shower ensued  but after that the sun emerged and the forest was bathed in  sunlight.   Bird song seemed to increase and I thought I saw a brown bird fly out from a bush and return but I couldn't locate it. Later I noticed a bird drop to the floor then fly up, again remaining out of sight. It was rather frustrating as I was almost certain that it must be the flycatcher. Eventually I could just make it out between some branches -  definitely a spotted flycatcher. Then all of a sudden it flew out and landed at the end of a broken branch and I could see it clearly and get a few record shots. It flew off and that was the last I saw of it as the rain returned. If the weather had been better I might have taken the 'short trail' around the woodland  to see what else was about, but  I was not keen to get caught in the rain! 

I had also intended to visit another area of the Forest where it is sometimes possible to find small pearl bordered fritillaries but with the showers frequent and quite heavy I decided it wasn't butterfly weather!

WOOD WHITE AND BLACK HAIRSTREAK

 I'd arranged a trip to stay with my sister for a couple of nights in order to make a third attempt at seeing a chequered skipper butterfly, introduced a couple of years ago at Fineshade Wood, Northampton. 

As I passed close to Silverstone on my way up, I stopped off at Bucknell Wood to hopefully see some wood white butterflies along the  track.  I parked in the small car park and went through the gate heading up to an open area where some paths meet at a 'crossroads'.  It had been overcast on my journey but the cloud seemed to breaking up and as I progressed along the track the sun did come out eventually. I don't usually find any wood whites until at least half way to the cross roads, at a point where it curves round to the right. And today this was where I saw the first sign of wood whites- low on the grassy edge I could see a fluttering white butterfly ahead of me. I caught it up but it never settled, but gently fluttered  along  until it flew up and over some bushes at the side. Meanwhile  a second individual had appeared    and  eventually settled, just for a few seconds, delicately suspended from its chosen flower.

I saw at least half a dozen wood white butterflies, a few more appearing as the sun came out but  none settling until at last when the sun disappeared, the butterfly I was watching  stopped conveniently on the top of a stalk where it stayed long enough for some photos. 

s

Reaching my destination  ahead of time, I decided to   drive a bit further on to Ouse Fen, an old quarry which is being developed into  large wetland site, and where a certain Great reed warbler has been singing lustily from the reed beds for the last few weeks. An rare visitor to the UK, I felt it was an opportunity I should not miss. Having visited the reserve on several previous occasion, I knew the layout  and realised that it probably would not be too far to walk from the car park. I asked some returning photographers who pointed me in the right direction and I headed that way. The bird could be heard well before I reached the viewing point, much louder than its neighbours the reed warblers. It was difficult to spot amongst the reeds, as it had chosen to stay at the back, but you could just make out its shape and  obvious red throat as it sang. Although previous visitors had seen it at the front of the reeds, I didn't have a lot of time to stay, and it certainly did not seem in any hurry to move from its chosen spot. 

As I turned to leave, I noticed a small brown shape huddled up against the edge of the grassy path ahead of me, and on getting closer I could see that it was a small animal - a fawn. It turned towards me and I realised it was a young chinese water deer,  a species which I have seen on this reserve previously. Its spotted furry coat almost made it look like a cuddly toy! I took some photos from a respectable distance then walked passed it, it stood nervously  before slowly retreating into the long grass. 

 

 

The next morning I was up fairly early, these light mornings always ensuring that I am awake by 6 am. My aim was to drive up to  Fineshade wood, where back in 2022, the public were first invited to visit to see the chequered skipper butterflies which had been introduced there a few years previously. The population was  considered self-sustaining, though  in very small numbers and in both 2022 and 2023 I had visited with no sightings. Sadly 2024 was to prove a 'no sightings' year for me too, despite spending  over  two hours searching. I walked the recommended circuit of Westhay wood,  which was suggested as being the best area to look, especially along the grassy verges. I did see three dingy skippers but nothing else of note. It was fairly early in the day ( 930 -  1130) so I don't know if that would make a difference, However, someone later told me that although one had been seen the previous week, nothing else had been reported.   One wonders if the introduction is either failing or getting off to a very slow start. It doesn't help that chequered skippers  sightings are not reported on any website that I can find. However, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' so at least I did try! 

In contrast, my next port of call was to Glapthorn Cow pastures, a small woodland where black hairstreaks are almost guaranteed, and easy to photograph on top of the bramble bushes which occur in a small clearing along the 'third ride'. This was a return visit from two year ago, and once more I was able to  photograph these butterflies as they spin slowly round as they nectar on the flowers. 

 

 

TRIP TO DORSET 3) LULWORTH COVE AND MORE BUTTERFLIES

 Seeing as I'd  found  some Lulworth skippers, I felt I ought to pay a visit to Lulworth cove itself so as it was  bright sunny morning on my final day, I packed up early and was at the Cove by 8am where it looked  beautiful with the water shining in the sunlight. I didn't go down to the beach itself, as the tide was in, but instead took a route up to the cliff top overlooking the bay from its western side. There was hardly anyone about, some of the shop owners were setting up and I saw a a few swimmers brave the cold waters and swim out towards the cove entrance. 

I did see a couple of butterflies but no Lulworth skippers which would have been an exciting bonus. Maybe if I'd had time to wait I would have found one but I wanted to get on and visit the national trust  site at Fontmell Down. It was a site I'd visited last year and found good numbers of butterflies, but the one I was particularly hoping for was the Glanville fritillary, as this is one of the few places it can be seen outside of the Isle of Wight. From my visit last year I knew exactly where to look and took a route from the carpark down a fairly steep track until the hedgerow opened up into a  sheltered grassy embankment.  A couple of people were already there, cameras poised at the bank. Butterflies were in good numbers, the first I saw was a small blue, followed by some Glanville Fritillaries which posed nicely. I also saw marsh fritillaries, dingy and grizzled skippers, brimstone and  the odd white species which didn't settle. Further back up the track I climbed over a stile onto the area known as Compton downs. Keeping close to the hedgerow where it was sheltered I found several Adonis blues, both male and female. 

Adonis blue m

Adonis blue f

glanville fritillary

brimstone

Glanville fritillary

marsh fritillary

grizzled skipper

I had one more site to visit before continuing on my journey home, which was Martin Down, 

Martin Down is a 350-hectare area of chalk grassland and scrub with rich wildlife and archaeology. It is managed by Hampshire County Council and Natural England. I'd heard of it  so decided it was worth a visit although I didn't have any species in mind to look out for. I  quickly got chatting to an elderly gentleman who showed me some of the best places for butterflies. I found a marsh fritillary in good condition which he admitted he would not have spotted,. Being quite cloudy now, it preferred to settle down among the grass but it did crawl onto my finger tip so I was able to see its beautifully patterned underwings, allowing a couple of people  to obtain photos, but obviously I couldn't take any myself! Other species seen included Common blue, brown argus, peacock, grizzled and dingy skipper. We had some interesting conversations about butterflies ( of course) and he told me that several years ago he'd managed to see all the UK butterflies in one year, inspired by the author Patrick Barkham who had done so in 2010. He didn't recommend it though! Interestingly he had not yet seen the Long tailed blue which has   only recently become numbered amongst the annual migrants to the Uk, a species which I saw for the first time last year in Lancing, Sussex. Another thing he told me was that turtle doves can be heard on the reserve, best heard from another entrance point but sadly I didn't have time to look as I had arranged to call on some friends on my way home. 

TRIP TO DORSET 2) CORFE CASTLE AND SWANAGE

One reason I had booked this trip to Dorset was to look for a particular butterfly which is only found in this area, and one  which I needed to add to my list of UK butterflies seen. This particular species, the Lulworth skipper is named after the village of that name and is found only in an area stretching from Portland to Swanage. One of the places where it is easiest to see, happens to be in the car park for Corfe Castle so I was in good time on my second day and drove the short distance to Corfe Castle. Being a NT member I could park in the car park for free, so looking around the car park I  opted to park next to a large bank of grassland which looked the sort of place that butterflies might be found.

As it was still only 9. 30 am. l poured some coffee from my flask and was half way through a bun when I looked out of the window and noticed a small butterfly flying about on the bank. It seemed as if I had found my target species already! 

Getting out of the car to have a closer look, I realised that there were in fact several  more  in the area too and as soon as one settled I examined its wings closely. This one seemed quite dark and I couldn't really make out much of a wing pattern but another was easier to identify - most likely a female which has a clearer ' sunray' pattern on its forewing. They were favouring the vetch flowers and I attempted some photos from standing in the car park. I could see the grass had been quite well trodden so I was evidently in a popular spot.  Altogether there were probably at least a dozen in the small area I was  looking in so probably there were  quite a few more higher up the bank. 

Lulworth skipper

Having satisfied myself with  some good sightings, and a definite tick for my UK list, I decided to cross the road and visit the castle ruins. The castle is situated on a high hill over looking the village and gives some lovely views, including the Swanage steam railway. Up on the castle walls, some peregrines have nested but sadly I didn't see any activity around the nest or any peregrines.

 

From Corfe, I drove over to Ballard downs  for some butterfly spotting, and found small heath, dingy skipper, and Adonis blues and brown argus, then on to Durlston country park where I followed a couple of  walks, around the coast path and across some fields. There were sea birds  down on the water below the cliff, mostly guillemots but with a few razor bills mixed in.

I'd booked an evening boat trip around the coast from Swanage pier, so made sure I was there in good time and bought fish and chips for my tea which I ate overlooking the bay and pier. The wind was quite brisk, but from my visit to Durlston I knew that the water would be calm under the cliffs.  The boat left at 7 pm, filled with passengers eager to spot some sea birds, although many seemed to be pensioners out on a pleasure trip rather than bird watchers! Some didn't even have binoculars and were lent some by the organisers.

The boat  firstly took us east, out to Old Harry rocks where we were shown the spectacular rock formations which were shining brightly in the evening sun. We  were  shown cormorants nesting on the cliffs as we returned across the bay and then west towards Dancing Ledge. Here we saw guillemots, a few razor bills, and some gannets, kittiwakes and fulmars. We had been told there was a possibility of puffin sightings but sadly not this time. There is only a very small colony of puffins at this location so it was unsurprising that none were seen. 

We returned to the pier at just after 9 pm, and I drove the half hour trip back  to my cottage, enjoying the fact that it was still light at almost 10 pm. 

Old Harry rocks

guillemots

kittiwake

razorbill

razorbill and guillemot

gannet