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Re: Willrow
Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 9:03 pm
by David M
Not quite sure that I was so extreme in my eagerness to 'push you out of the way', Bill, but I confess that Adonis Blue is an almost heavenly insect in my opinion, and well worth yomping up and down sheer slopes to get close too!
Sixteen species in mid-May is decent going, and I was particularly pleased with the numbers of Dukes flying. Clearly, this area is a strong one for them and long may that continue!
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 7:10 pm
by Willrow
Aberbargoed Grasslands NNR, Gwent (Monmouthshire.) Having the morning free I decided it was a good opportunity to check my local nature reserve for the latest on the
Marsh Fritillary and although cloudy it was less breezy than of late
and I managed an approximate count of 30, ony half a dozen of those seen were actually flying, the remainder stayed down in the moor grass conserving energy, one did nectar on a Heath-spotted Orchid and I managed a few shots.
- Marshy on Heath-spotted Orchid
- Marsh Fritillary resting on lush grasses...
Among those photographed was one with a deformed upper-wing, I did'nt disturb the unfortunate critter to see if it could fly properly
but I've seen loads over the years with such problems that hardly seem to affect them
- Note the deformed wing on the above Marshy
I was delighted to note my first two
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary of the year, these two were happier down in the grasses, I was hoping they would nectar on the adjacent Bluebell's, it was not to be on this occasion - perhaps next time!
- Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
There were more
Common Blue on the reserve today than I've seen for several years, I counted 10+ in a small area that had very little in the way of food plants apart from a small patch of Bluebells and one briefly posed for me on this appropriately coloured plant
- Blue butterfly on blue flowers...nice!!!
Not all Bluebells are blue...here is a photo of a white Bluebell...
- Blue & White
- Male Common Blue having a rest...
Its still too soon in the Marshies flight season to predict what type of season they will have, the fascination of butterflying is often about the success or failure of habitat management, fortunately at Aberbargoed we have a very good warden who manages the reserve to a very high standard and recent years have proved the habitat management works; the
Marsh Fritillary have thrived here at Monmouthshire's only remaining location for the species! Lets hope this is yet another successful year
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 7:37 pm
by Maximus
Smashing photos Bill. My favourite has to be the Marsh Frit. on the Orchid
Mike
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:10 pm
by Neil Freeman
Hi Bill,
Another couple of great reports with some cracking photos that really give a good feel for the places described
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:12 pm
by David M
Excellent stuff, Bill.
Nice to know SPBFs are starting to emerge. Hopefully by next weekend the ragged robin will be in flower so I can find a spot and let them come to me!
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:58 pm
by Wurzel
Great Marshies Willrow and at last the Small Pearls are out - yay
Look's like a trip to Bentley is on the cards
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Willrow
Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 1:18 pm
by Goldie M
I also love the shot of the Marsh Frit on the Orchid best although the Common Blue on the Blue Bell will take some beating Goldie
Re: Willrow
Posted: Tue May 26, 2015 8:57 pm
by Willrow
Your all very generous with your comments
and I'm feeling a bit guilty about falling behind with viewing all of your wonderful PD's...but I will - does'nt time just fly by when your having fun
Maximus wrote:Smashing photos Bill. My favourite has to be the Marsh Frit. on the Orchid
Mike
Lots of Heath-spotted Orchid appearing at the reserve now Mike and the Marshies luv' em
Neil Freeman wrote:
Another couple of great reports with some cracking photos that really give a good feel for the places described
The beautiful critters help too don't they Neil
David M wrote:
Nice to know SPBFs are starting to emerge. Hopefully by next weekend the ragged robin will be in flower so I can find a spot and let them come to me!
Of course they will David...by the dozen
Wurzel wrote:at last the Small Pearls are out - yay
Look's like a trip to Bentley is on the cards
Bentley Woods...I just love the place...go for it Wurz
Goldie M wrote:I also love the shot of the Marsh Frit on the Orchid best although the Common Blue on the Blue Bell will take some beating Goldie
Yeah Goldie...two lovely flowers, always hard to chose
Kind Regards,
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
Re: Willrow
Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 7:31 pm
by Willrow
With the sun shining and little or no wind I decided I had to go back to the
Aberbargoed Grasslands NNR yesterday afternoon and do another count (see earlier post above) of the
Marsh Fritillary and my efforts were amply rewarded with a very healthy 100+ butterflies counted, this improved my last count (on Monday) by more than 60% - what a difference the sunshine makes
I also saw at least 4
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary that are always hyper in warmth, yet I still got a shot of one resting deep in the grasses, the species is as much at home in marshy conditions as it's relative.
- One of many Marshies counted yesterday
- Marshy sunbathing in the open...
With masses of bluebells available to nectar-seekers I was able to take advantage and get some of
Marsh Frits having a snack
- Marshy at lunch...
My apologies if this image has been seen on the Sightings thread but I had to put it here in my Personal Diary because I doubt I'll ever get another of a male
Common Blue on a white bluebell, a solitary white among countless thousands of bluebells...one single shot and the insect was off onto bluebells
just about managed to get at least a reasonable record shot
- Lucky to get this shot...!!!
My other good fortune was managing to find the fast declining micro moth
Anania funebris the White-spotted Sable for the third year running...but its like trying to pin down a 'whirling-dervish' to get a photograph and the image produced here can never really do this little beauty justice...cos' it's a really stunning little moth
- The rather flashy named White-spotted Sable...
Just after my adventures outlined above I noticed a male
Brimstone come down to rest, he was probably knackered after chasing a determined female for miles
and getting absolutely nowhere...and we've all been there ain't we lads
and I crept up on him and took a few shots, he recovered his strength and resumed his amorous intention, seeking out her scent trail among the grasses and bluebells
- One knackered Brimstone...!!!
Finally my day concluded with the discovery of a resting
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary that allowed me the pleasure of a side-view shot...a nice ending to a very rewarding afternoon
- Side portrait of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
Re: Willrow
Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 7:49 pm
by bugboy
You're jealous of my Glanvilles, I'm very jealous of your Small Pearl Bordered!
Re: Willrow
Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 8:11 pm
by Neil Freeman
Willrow wrote:...and I'm feeling a bit guilty about falling behind with viewing all of your wonderful PD's...but I will - does'nt time just fly by when your having fun
Tell me about it Bill...I am trying to read a couple each time I log on but the time just disappears on me
.
I love the Marsh Fritillaries and that Common blue on the White Bluebell is an unusual sight for sure
Cheers,
Neil
Re: Willrow
Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 9:07 pm
by David M
Great stuff, Bill.
It appears that the forecast for this Saturday has gone from being very ordinary indeed to highly promising.
If things stay that way, I hope to be catching up with my local Marshies (and maybe SPBFs too).
I noticed the first blooms of ragged robin this afternoon on my way home from work so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that conditions hold until the weekend.
Re: Willrow
Posted: Thu May 28, 2015 6:38 am
by kevling
Bill,
Oh to be living in South Wales right now. I'm not jealous, really
I love the Marshie on the Bluebell and the earlier Common Blue too.
Regards Kev
Re: Willrow
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 3:36 pm
by Willrow
Thanks for the comments Kev, David, Neil and Buggy, as always -
much appreciated
Kind Regards,
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
Re: Willrow
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 4:24 pm
by Willrow
The past week has been happily spent at the
Aberbargoed Grasslands NNR, Gwent (Monmouthshire) which as I may have mentioned here before is my local patch
the
Marsh Fritillary numbers are edging towards a peak, I would think the middle of next week or thereabouts, yesterday 70+ were counted in breezy conditions, I discontinued the count and moved on to check some of the other types of habitat in less well trodden parts of the reserve, I was very pleased
to 'rediscover' a colony of Chimney Sweeper macro moth and by happy coincidence having spoken about (their loss from the reserve) only a couple of hours earlier with the Monmouthshire (Vice County 35) Butterfly and Macro Moth Recorder - Dr Martin Anthoney - I know he will be absolutely delighted to know it's still to be found on the reserve.
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are also making their presence felt with at least 8 individuals on the wing, one of them tired of fighting the breeze and decided to get down on the freshly emerged bracken, I think that the plant at this stage of growth and the fritillaries compliment each other perfectly...don't you
...whatever, I took advantage and some of the shots taken can be viewed below.
Other species seen in order of appearance excepting those previously mentioned were as follows:-
Dingy Skipper, Large & Green-veined White, Small Heath, Common Blue, Brimstone and Peacock. The day-flying moths were represented by:- Mother Shipton, Latticed Heath, Burnet Companion, Common Carpet, Brown Silver-line and of course the rediscovered Chimney Sweeper
- Bracken and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
- S P-b Frit
- Open winged pose S P-b Fritillary
- S P-b Frit
- The elusive Chimney Sweeper
- Marsh Fritillary on Heath-spotted Orchid
- Happy to pose Small Pearl...
- Another happy to pose Pearl shot....
So June now beckons and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for
Silver-studded Blue on the Great Orme in North Wales...just need the sunshine now
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
Re: Willrow
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 5:14 pm
by bugboy
Those SPBF pictures are gorgeous Bill, making me envious
.
And yes I do love Marshies now, they are just full of character, lovely little things. So glad the weather played ball with me
Re: Willrow
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 10:11 pm
by David M
That penultimate SPBF image is probably the best you've ever posted on this site, Bill.
Superb effort.
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:56 am
by Goldie M
Fantastic photos Willrow, I really couldn't pick which I like the best
I also saw the White Spotted Sable Moth at Gait Barrow so it's not doing too badly, I got a glimpse of it last year as well. Goldie
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:03 pm
by Pauline
I have to agree with David - again!!
(you keep taking the words out of my mouth
) That's also a great shot of the Chimney Sweeper moth - I am not really 'into' moths Bill (tho I could be persuaded by shots like that) but that is one I would love to see - not even sure if they are in Hants.
Re: Willrow
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2015 8:40 pm
by trevor
HI Bill,
Two more Red Admirals today. I live near the South Coast so i am sure that the RAs. in this area
have flown in from the Continent. None are in pristine condition, so they are not fresh specimens,
nor could they be ex. hibernators by now,surely too late for them.
Hope you get to see some soon. Lovely images in your diary.
Best wishes,
TREVOR.