There was an intriguing and potentially very exciting report of a possible Vagrant Emperor being seen at Pitsford Reservoir yesterday. The view was fleeting unfortunately and the sighting could not be confirmed, I'm sure if it is there will be more than a few people popping in to see this county first. Although this species is a very rare visitor to the UK there was an influx of this species into the country last month with multiple records from the east coast, inland records are not unknown and one was recorded several years ago in Buckinghamshire.
 |
| Silver-washed duo |
My after work ramble around Brookfield Plantation unsurprisingly did not feature anything of this magnitude though it did provide some entertainment. My diversion on the way there did not produce any sightings of the local Peregrines though they may have been off hunting. The wood itself was alive with butterflies with Ringlets being far and away the commonest species. July is the prime time for browns and other species haunting the rides were Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods. This current brood of Commas are doing very well and they are also looking rather striking, joining the Commas are an increasing number of Peacocks, these are a stunning butterfly when fresh. Even more striking were two pristine looking male Silver-washed Fritillaries, happily for me both posed beautifully as they nectared on bramble. Other species seen on my travels included the three common whites and both Small and Large Skipper.
 |
| Brown quintet |
Normally Brookfield is often quite good for dragonflies and at this time of the year I'd have expected to see some hawkers or an Emperor or two. For some reason the rides were dragon free today and the only ode that I did see was a male Azure Damselfly, it was rather cloudy for most of my walk around and perhaps this explains the lack of activity. After a little over an hour I was beginning to wilt in the heat and decided to call it quits and walk home.
 |
| Comma, Peacock, Small and G-v White and Small Skipper. |
