Neil Freeman
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4496
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Thank you for your comments Goldie
Tuesday 12th June
The stands of Garlic Mustard in my back garden have taken a bit of a battering in the weather lately.
Earlier this evening I put my wellies on and squelched over the soggy lawn and went to see if I could see any of the Orange Tip caterpillars that I found last week.
The stems of the plants that they were on are now all over the place making it difficult to tell if I was even looking at the same plant. Nevertheless I managed to find 2 caterpillars out of the original 4 which is more than I really expected
Looking around I found an attractive little spider sitting in its web over a depression in a dock leaf.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Tuesday 12th June
The stands of Garlic Mustard in my back garden have taken a bit of a battering in the weather lately.
Earlier this evening I put my wellies on and squelched over the soggy lawn and went to see if I could see any of the Orange Tip caterpillars that I found last week.
The stems of the plants that they were on are now all over the place making it difficult to tell if I was even looking at the same plant. Nevertheless I managed to find 2 caterpillars out of the original 4 which is more than I really expected
Looking around I found an attractive little spider sitting in its web over a depression in a dock leaf.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
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Re: nfreem
What a lovely little spider.
Debbie
Debbie
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- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4496
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- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Hi Debbie,
I thought it was rather cute
I have just seached for 'small green spider uk' in google images and think it is Araniella curcurbitina
cheers,
Neil.
I thought it was rather cute
I have just seached for 'small green spider uk' in google images and think it is Araniella curcurbitina
cheers,
Neil.
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Re: nfreem
Hi Neil,
I had it down as a Araniella Cucurbitina, i posted three photos of the same spider in my personal diary on page 8.
All the best,
Nick.
I had it down as a Araniella Cucurbitina, i posted three photos of the same spider in my personal diary on page 8.
All the best,
Nick.
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- Neil Freeman
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- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Hi Nick,
Thanks for the confirmation on the spider.
I have just looked at your photos, super images
I do remember seeing them but did not make the connection of it being the same species.
Cheers,
Neil.
Thanks for the confirmation on the spider.
I have just looked at your photos, super images
I do remember seeing them but did not make the connection of it being the same species.
Cheers,
Neil.
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Sunday 17th June
Not a good weekend weatherwise here in the West Midlands.
Yesterdays grey day with heavy showers was followed today with clouds and light showers. Everthing is very wet and my lawn is the soggiest that I have ever seen it at this time of year.
A brief five minute spell of sun this morning lasted just long enough to bring a single Speckled Wood out before another shower sent us both back into cover.
There are still a couple of Orange Tip caterpillars on the garlic mustard.
It looks like we will have a few days of good weather next week, think I will have to try my luck at work and see if I can book a days holiday at short notice and have a day out somewhere.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Not a good weekend weatherwise here in the West Midlands.
Yesterdays grey day with heavy showers was followed today with clouds and light showers. Everthing is very wet and my lawn is the soggiest that I have ever seen it at this time of year.
A brief five minute spell of sun this morning lasted just long enough to bring a single Speckled Wood out before another shower sent us both back into cover.
There are still a couple of Orange Tip caterpillars on the garlic mustard.
It looks like we will have a few days of good weather next week, think I will have to try my luck at work and see if I can book a days holiday at short notice and have a day out somewhere.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
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Re: nfreem
Good luck there Neil, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Thanks Wurzel.
Day off successfully sorted out for tomorrow weighing up options on where to go.....
Neil.
Day off successfully sorted out for tomorrow weighing up options on where to go.....
Neil.
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Wednesday 20th June - Salcey Forest
I spent a good portion of Tuesday night checking various regional BC sites for sightings before I made my final decision on where to go on Wednesday. I finally decided on Salcey Forest as I particularly wanted to see Wood Whites and had not had the chance so far.
Salcey Forest lies just south of Northampton, right next to the M1 and along with Fermyn Woods and others in the area is a remnant of the old Royal Forest of Rockingham, a medieval hunting forest. On a good day I could get there in about on hour and a quarter from my house but unfortunatly I hit some congestion on the M6 going past Coventry and it took me a good hour and three quarters before I arrived.
I parked in the horse box car park in the southern part of the forest and started off along the tracks, heading in the general direction of the meadow alongside the M1 described in David Newlands 'Discover Butterflies in Britain'.
After about 10 minutes I saw my first Wood White, a female, fluttering amongst the vegetation at the side of the main ride.
Continuing along I soon saw half a dozen more, mostly males patrolling along the rides. It was a nice sunny morning with the occasional passing cloud that gave me the opportunity to take some photos as they settled and waited for the sun to reappear.
I also saw a couple of Red Admirals along here, my first this year.
By the time I had walked through to the meadow it had clouded over and for about an hour or so it went quite dull until the sun started breaking through in the afternoon. Apparently Black Hairstreaks may be found along the treeline in this meadow where there is a lot of blackthorn but I had noticed that only a couple had been reported recently from elsewhere so I was not that hopefull. Nevertheless I had a good look around the blackthorn but without success.
I did find my first Large Skippers this year, four of them, all males.
I think that is enough for this post, I was going to post photos of other stuff, Dragonflies etc plus a few more butterflies but will save them for my next entry.
Edit; Location photos of rides and meadow added.
Bye for now
Neil F.
I spent a good portion of Tuesday night checking various regional BC sites for sightings before I made my final decision on where to go on Wednesday. I finally decided on Salcey Forest as I particularly wanted to see Wood Whites and had not had the chance so far.
Salcey Forest lies just south of Northampton, right next to the M1 and along with Fermyn Woods and others in the area is a remnant of the old Royal Forest of Rockingham, a medieval hunting forest. On a good day I could get there in about on hour and a quarter from my house but unfortunatly I hit some congestion on the M6 going past Coventry and it took me a good hour and three quarters before I arrived.
I parked in the horse box car park in the southern part of the forest and started off along the tracks, heading in the general direction of the meadow alongside the M1 described in David Newlands 'Discover Butterflies in Britain'.
After about 10 minutes I saw my first Wood White, a female, fluttering amongst the vegetation at the side of the main ride.
Continuing along I soon saw half a dozen more, mostly males patrolling along the rides. It was a nice sunny morning with the occasional passing cloud that gave me the opportunity to take some photos as they settled and waited for the sun to reappear.
I also saw a couple of Red Admirals along here, my first this year.
By the time I had walked through to the meadow it had clouded over and for about an hour or so it went quite dull until the sun started breaking through in the afternoon. Apparently Black Hairstreaks may be found along the treeline in this meadow where there is a lot of blackthorn but I had noticed that only a couple had been reported recently from elsewhere so I was not that hopefull. Nevertheless I had a good look around the blackthorn but without success.
I did find my first Large Skippers this year, four of them, all males.
I think that is enough for this post, I was going to post photos of other stuff, Dragonflies etc plus a few more butterflies but will save them for my next entry.
Edit; Location photos of rides and meadow added.
Bye for now
Neil F.
Last edited by Neil Freeman on Fri Jun 22, 2012 11:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: nfreem
Great to see that you managed to get out and get some cracking shots - can I uncross my finger for you now?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Thanks for crossing your fingers Wurzel, I hope they are uncrossed now
Photos of rides and meadow added to the previous entry.
Neil.
Photos of rides and meadow added to the previous entry.
Neil.
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Some more from Salcey Forest
Continuing on from my day at Salcey forest on Wednesday.
Making my way slowly along the meadow previously mentioned, I came to a small pond near the far end. As I approached it I saw a grass snake slide into the water and swim across to some rushes on the far side. Getting closer I also noticed that the water was teeming with tadpoles and there were a number of newts just hanging at the surface of the water. I tried taking some photos but didn't get any good ones against the reflection off the water.
There were three male Broad-Bodied Chasers that were busy 'chasing' each other across the pond and were occasionally joined by a Four-Spotted chaser. The resulting dogfights were brilliant to watch with each individual breaking off for a quick rest before rejoining the melee.
Also in this area were a number of Cinnabar Moths and I finally managed to find one that was not settled at an angle deep amongst the grass.
I spent over an hour watching the goings on around this pond and by the time I started to make my way back down the meadow it was mid-afternoon. Along the treeline I saw what at first I took to be another Wood white but when it settled it turned out to be a faded female Orange Tip which surprised me a bit as I had thought that they had finished flying for this year.
Walking back through the rides towards the car park I saw a few more Wood Whites, or the same ones again that I had seen earlier, and also a Peacock which again surprised me a bit. I can only assume that he was a late survivor as I cannot imagine that any of this years have emerged yet and he certainly did not look fresh.
Arriving back at the car park, I was walking up to my car when a glimpse of something white moving in the vegetation to the side attracted my attention to a female Wood White busy ovipositing deep amongst the vetch.
A nice end to a good day
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Continuing on from my day at Salcey forest on Wednesday.
Making my way slowly along the meadow previously mentioned, I came to a small pond near the far end. As I approached it I saw a grass snake slide into the water and swim across to some rushes on the far side. Getting closer I also noticed that the water was teeming with tadpoles and there were a number of newts just hanging at the surface of the water. I tried taking some photos but didn't get any good ones against the reflection off the water.
There were three male Broad-Bodied Chasers that were busy 'chasing' each other across the pond and were occasionally joined by a Four-Spotted chaser. The resulting dogfights were brilliant to watch with each individual breaking off for a quick rest before rejoining the melee.
Also in this area were a number of Cinnabar Moths and I finally managed to find one that was not settled at an angle deep amongst the grass.
I spent over an hour watching the goings on around this pond and by the time I started to make my way back down the meadow it was mid-afternoon. Along the treeline I saw what at first I took to be another Wood white but when it settled it turned out to be a faded female Orange Tip which surprised me a bit as I had thought that they had finished flying for this year.
Walking back through the rides towards the car park I saw a few more Wood Whites, or the same ones again that I had seen earlier, and also a Peacock which again surprised me a bit. I can only assume that he was a late survivor as I cannot imagine that any of this years have emerged yet and he certainly did not look fresh.
Arriving back at the car park, I was walking up to my car when a glimpse of something white moving in the vegetation to the side attracted my attention to a female Wood White busy ovipositing deep amongst the vetch.
A nice end to a good day
Bye for now,
Neil F.
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Re: nfreem
stunning wood white, fantastic wing detail. the dragonflies are pretty darn good too
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Re: nfreem
Lovely photos of Wood Whites Neil, especially the egg-laying. Isn't it just so hard to get a clear view and you have to be so quick!
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- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4496
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- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Thank you Chris and Pauline, your comments are much appreciated
Saturday 23rd June.
Last week my oldest son Chris had mentioned that driving home from work he passes Babbs Mill Park and LNR and asked me if it was worth a visit.
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/parks/babbsmill.htm
I told him that although I knew of the place and that it formed part of Kingfisher Country Park in Birmingham I had never actually been there.
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/kingfisher
To correct this lack in my local knowledge we decided to go and have a look this afternoon, not expecting to see much due to the blustery wind and grey overcast, but to have a recce to see if it was worth further visits.
We were pleasantly surprised to find a large lake at the side of the River Cole with good paths around that went past the lake and through some good meadow areas with plenty of shrubs and mature trees.
We had a good wander around, at one point enjoying a very low flyover from a pair of Herons on their way towards the lake
As mentioned we did not expect to see much in the way of Butterflies due to the weather and so were well pleased to see a Painted Lady in one of the meadows albeit one that had seen better days. This was a first for us this year, in fact I only saw one Painted Lady during the whole of last year.
Shortly after, the sun made a feeble attempt to break through the clouds but it was enough for us to see our first Meadow Brown of the year
Despite only seeing the two butterflies, it was a very pleasant couple of hours and we will certainly be back there again.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Saturday 23rd June.
Last week my oldest son Chris had mentioned that driving home from work he passes Babbs Mill Park and LNR and asked me if it was worth a visit.
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/parks/babbsmill.htm
I told him that although I knew of the place and that it formed part of Kingfisher Country Park in Birmingham I had never actually been there.
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/kingfisher
To correct this lack in my local knowledge we decided to go and have a look this afternoon, not expecting to see much due to the blustery wind and grey overcast, but to have a recce to see if it was worth further visits.
We were pleasantly surprised to find a large lake at the side of the River Cole with good paths around that went past the lake and through some good meadow areas with plenty of shrubs and mature trees.
We had a good wander around, at one point enjoying a very low flyover from a pair of Herons on their way towards the lake
As mentioned we did not expect to see much in the way of Butterflies due to the weather and so were well pleased to see a Painted Lady in one of the meadows albeit one that had seen better days. This was a first for us this year, in fact I only saw one Painted Lady during the whole of last year.
Shortly after, the sun made a feeble attempt to break through the clouds but it was enough for us to see our first Meadow Brown of the year
Despite only seeing the two butterflies, it was a very pleasant couple of hours and we will certainly be back there again.
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: nfreem
It's great when you find somewhere new, I'm always on the look-out for places to call in for 10 minutes on my way home from work
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4496
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- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Sunday 24th June
Spent the day at home today and tried to do a bit of gardening but kept getting interupted by regular but brief showers, just enough to keep everything a bit wet.
I checked on the Orange tip caterpillars and was pleased to see that there are now three again, one of them had been hiding lower down on its plant and was munching on the leaves instead of the seed pods.
There was another recently emerged male Speckled Wood flittering about between the showers. Thinking about it, I have not seen a female in the garden yet this year.
Bye for now,
Neil.
Spent the day at home today and tried to do a bit of gardening but kept getting interupted by regular but brief showers, just enough to keep everything a bit wet.
I checked on the Orange tip caterpillars and was pleased to see that there are now three again, one of them had been hiding lower down on its plant and was munching on the leaves instead of the seed pods.
There was another recently emerged male Speckled Wood flittering about between the showers. Thinking about it, I have not seen a female in the garden yet this year.
Bye for now,
Neil.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- Gothic_dreams
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:10 pm
- Location: Solihull-West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Nice to see the caterpillars doing so well despite the bad weather of late
Chris
Chris
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- Neil Freeman
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Re: nfreem
Saturday 30th June
My son Chris said he was popping in to his work for a short while this afternoon and probably going to drop in to Babbs Mill on his way home. I made a last minute decision for him to drop me off at Babbs Mill on his way past and then he could meet me there later as he was only going in to sort some rotas out for his work next month and wouldn't be long.
It was reasonably sunny with the odd cloud but there was a strong blustery wind that made me wonder if there would be anything flying. As it turned out, over the next couple of hours, including when Chris joined me later, I saw a total of 7 Large Skippers, 5 Ringlets, 4 Red Admirals and a single Speckled Wood.
There were also loads of 'blue damselflies' that when checked closely turned out to be a mixture of Common Blue, Azure and Blue-Tailed Damselflies.
The females of Blue-Tailed Damselfies may occur in five colour forms of which we identified two today.
http://british-dragonflies.org.uk/speci ... -damselfly
An enjoyable couple of hours, especially as it was a last minute decision
Bye for now,
Neil F.
My son Chris said he was popping in to his work for a short while this afternoon and probably going to drop in to Babbs Mill on his way home. I made a last minute decision for him to drop me off at Babbs Mill on his way past and then he could meet me there later as he was only going in to sort some rotas out for his work next month and wouldn't be long.
It was reasonably sunny with the odd cloud but there was a strong blustery wind that made me wonder if there would be anything flying. As it turned out, over the next couple of hours, including when Chris joined me later, I saw a total of 7 Large Skippers, 5 Ringlets, 4 Red Admirals and a single Speckled Wood.
There were also loads of 'blue damselflies' that when checked closely turned out to be a mixture of Common Blue, Azure and Blue-Tailed Damselflies.
The females of Blue-Tailed Damselfies may occur in five colour forms of which we identified two today.
http://british-dragonflies.org.uk/speci ... -damselfly
An enjoyable couple of hours, especially as it was a last minute decision
Bye for now,
Neil F.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- Gothic_dreams
- Posts: 64
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- Location: Solihull-West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Some more lovely photos father, Especially the Large Skipper and the second Ringlet underside shot
Chris
Chris
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