Empress Of Harry's Park

 I'd hoped to get over to Fineshade Wood to look for the Chequered Skippers that have started to perform but a lack of a lift prevented that plan from taking off. Instead I had to settle for an excursion to Harry's Park Wood where I wanted to see if any Wood Whites might be present. There were not which suggests that the record of 2020 may well be an isolated occurrence. In truth the weather was not really helpful though with the sun being restricted to a few brief spells making insect watching a difficult business.

Painted Lady and Speckled Wood.

Best butterflies were a trio of Painted Ladies seen as I walked around, 2022 may well turn out to be decent for them which is good news after the last two poor years. Speckled Woods were the commonest species but there was not much competition as only Orange-tips and Green-veined Whites were also on the wing. My best ode today was a first for the year Emperor or perhaps that should be Empress as I found a female hawking along one of the rides during a brief sunny spell. I couldn't get a picture as she wouldn't land in view but some of the dozen or so Broad-bodied Chasers present were far more cooperative. The only other species showing were Common Blue Damselflies though only a few were noted. Little else to report apart from a calling male Cuckoo and a croaking Raven. 

Broad-bodied Chaser, Sloe Shield bug and Buzzard