Butterflies

Once the morning's rain had moved on I visited Harry's Park Wood near Weldon to see whether any of the summer butterflies had survived all the forestry work that had been conducted during the winter. Happily it seems that at least a few did and I was able to add two new species to my county year list though I'd already seen both of them yesterday in Bedford Purlieus.

White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary.

During sunny spells of varying length I managed to see three White Admirals and these included a very obliging individual around the little car park at the Brigstock end of the wood. I always enjoy seeing this understated species and it's always nice to get a photograph too. My second year tick was a male Silver-washed Fritillary taking a pitstop on some bramble blossoms. Aside from the two stars there were quite a number of butterflies on the wing with several Red Admirals showing well and some pristine looking Commas matching them in the looks stakes. Plenty of Meadow Browns were present in the wider and grassier rides and they were joined by a small number of Ringlets. The other species noted here were Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Small and Green-veined White.

Comma and Red Admiral.

A Southern Hawker was menacing the other insects in one of the rides and there were a few Common Blue Damsels about. The regular male Cuckoo is still about though he had to cede second place today to a Crossbill that flew over calling loudly. Also calling loudly was a Muntjac barking away in the depths of the wood.

Large Skipper and Marbled White.

Bears Lane held very good numbers of Small Tortoiseshells, they seem to be having a great year. On the way home I stopped at the pocket park in Weldon where a male White-legged Damselfly was the highlight. Few other species were noted as it had become a little cloudier at this point and only banded Demoiselles, Common Blue and Azure Damselflies were observed. The woodland park held good numbers of marbled Whites, this recent colonist to the area continues to do well. Another new species for the day was Small Heath as several joined the Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns flitting around the grasses in the park.

Ringlet, White-legged Damselfly and Goldfinch.