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Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:09 am
by NickB
..there are in fact a series of doppelgänger Neil's working round the country.
How else is he everywhere at the same time...?
He does move in mysterious ways.....
N
Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:14 pm
by Dave McCormick
admiral halsey wrote:MikeOxon wrote:I can start by confidently stating: definitely not a dragonfly.
This insect has only two wings, which places it firmly in the Diptera. I think I can see one of the halteres, which are the little balance weights that hind-wings evolved into in the diptera (true flies).
The abdomen shape indicates a female and the long legs and short antennae point to Crane Flies (Tipulidae). The commonest, and most likely is T. oleracea but I am not sufficiently expert to state that with confidence. The larvae of these are the notorious "leather jackets", which cause much crop destruction.
Mike
Thanks Mike. I had my doubts about it being a dragonfly, though I'm sure you can understand my difficulty when seeing the Club tailed Dragonfly. The markings are quite similar. With your information, I think it points to a member of the Tiger Crane Fly family.
Rich
Hi,
Your crane-fly is a Spotted Crane-Fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata). There is a similar, related species with a dark smudge on wing, N. quadrifaria.
Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:27 pm
by millerd
MikeOxon wrote:millerd wrote:An extra point of interest was an orchid: there are none of any sort anywhere nearby - can anyone I/D from this photo?
Your orchid is a Bee Orchid (
Ophrys apifera) Where was it? They tend to thrive on rough waste grassland on chalk soils, often at the side of paths where the ground gets compressed.
Mike
The orchid was in the middle of a path, where the surface is compressed rubble with a thin carpet of grass and low-growing plants (cranesbill, rock rose). However, it's definitely not chalky. The underlying soil is gravel, which I believe is part of the Thames river terrace system. I was surprised to see it, to be honest.
Thanks for the I/D, Mike!
Dave
Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:56 pm
by dilettante
MikeOxon wrote:
Your orchid is a Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) Where was it? They tend to thrive on rough waste grassland on chalk soils, often at the side of paths where the ground gets compressed.
What a great evolutionary strategy: I'm a delicate flower and I'm only going to grow in heavily-trampled areas
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 5:11 pm
by andy brown
Had the Afternoon a Magbalene amazing amount of Marbeled whites, meadow browns, Ringlets, a couple of hangers on here are a few pics with a couple of nice surprises
Re: june 2011
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:39 pm
by Dave McCormick
dilettante wrote:MikeOxon wrote:
Your orchid is a Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) Where was it? They tend to thrive on rough waste grassland on chalk soils, often at the side of paths where the ground gets compressed.
What a great evolutionary strategy: I'm a delicate flower and I'm only going to grow in heavily-trampled areas
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Well plants are more stronger than they look, case of "Beauty beats the Beast" for this one
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: june 2011
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:04 pm
by Hugh Middleton
Spent the last few days of June at Blakeney in North Norfolk culminating in our 39th wedding anniversary on July 1st. Wanting to ensure we get to our Ruby I tried to control my birding/butterflying
Saw the usual 'good' Norfolk birds but no mega rarities about.
Lots of butterflies esp Meadow Browns, Ringlets, 'Whites', Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, Skippers, etc
Highlight was the Wednesday when I was allowed to spent most of the day butterflying.
The morning was spent at Kelling Heath. I had found the site for Silver Studded Blues last year but was too early for them and couldn't get over when they were about. This time i was spot on and saw over a dozen. Was nice to verify the report that they had crossed the road to the car park area and saw several there. Especially enjoyed watching a female egg laying. A real treat!
The afternoon was spent searching for Chalkhill Blues - Thanks ericY for the directions. Alas was too early - no blues of any kind. Lots of meadow Browns,Whites and Skippers and a lovely Banded Demoiselle.
A very pleasant relaxing holiday with some happy 'nature memories'.
Hugh
Re: june 2011 my Cumbria trip Part 1 jun29 & 30
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:58 pm
by EricY
Re: june 2011
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:12 pm
by GOLDENORFE
they both appear to be hbs, the concave rear edge of front wing as opposed to convex in dg.
spotted quite a few hbs at arnside today, the dgs are looking a bit pale in comparison. mostly on the second tier below carpark, although a few on top and 3rd levels. very hot and all flying constantly!
grayling everywhere also
phil
Re: june 2011
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:26 pm
by Hugh Middleton
Having been away on holiday spent a few hours on the local patch of the Lincs Limewoods.
The place was alive with Ringlets - 137 in total.
3 White Admiral
8 Marbled Whites
2 Essex Skippers - my first positively identified this year.
Plus Large Whites, GV Whites, Small Skippers, Red Admiral and Meadow Browns.
And lastly the best - one White Letter Hairstreak. Sadly, only seen and identified through binoculars, so no change of a photo even with my usual pathetic attempts at photography
Hugh
Sorry this should be in the July section if anyone is clever enough to move it
Re: june 2011
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:31 pm
by Essex Bertie
[quote="admiral halsey"]The pics below are of two Skippers. One of these clearly has the orange underside of the antennae denoting a Small Skipper. In the other it is not clear. Can anyone id it please?
Rich
I think the second one is a Small Skipper as well, Richard. You can just see orange at the very end of the antennae which will continue around the underside. Essex Skipper antennae look as if they've been dipped in black ink, you should see more of these locally in the next week or two as the Small Skippers fade away. Unfortunately, the Small Skipper antennae uppersides can be quite a dark tan so you have to crouch down and sneak up on them from the other side if poss -not an exercise for your Sunday Best.
Cheers
Rob
Re: june 2011
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:21 pm
by EricY