Willow Emeralds

 Normally at this point I'd be bitching about only having a one day weekend but I have the next three days off so am feeling more relaxed about it. In cloudy though warm conditions I opted to walk to Deene by way of Deenethorpe and see what I could find. The X4 duly and punctually dropped me off at Weldon but from there on it was down to good old fashioned shank's pony.

Six of the best.

Skylarks and Yellowhammers soundtracked my walk along the A427 whilst I made my way towards the airfield. Once I'd got there I was struck by how many butterflies were active despite the dreary conditions. Six species of brown and three of white provided some early entertainment and I also saw several Small Skippers. At Deene the first of several Painted Ladies were noted though most seem to be a bit on the bedraggled side unlike the many new brood Peacocks which were looking pristine. Between the church and the dam I noted many teneral Willow Emeralds, there were at least thirty and possibly more. Other damsels in the same area included Blue-tailed and Common Blue.

Small Skipper, G-v White and Peacock

At Deenethorpe village on my return wander I found an immature male White-legged Damsel maturing in grass some way from the Willowbrook, I didn't find any at the brook itself where Banded Demoiselles were the dominant species.. Walking back across the airfield I had a Yellow Wagtail which was far and away my best bird of the day. A year first Brown Argus was another welcome discovery and Holly Blue and Red Admiral were also observed. My meander along the public footpaths on my way towards Weldon did not add much to my list and it was a couple of pints of cider in the George that brought my spotting to a reasonable conclusion.

Most of a Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Scarlet Tiger and Willow Emerald.