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Hi! Janet, your shots are okay at least your seeing MB's, I've still not seen any yet but I've been out looking, mind you, when you find them their usually hidden in the grass so well done with the shot.Goldie

I haven't written anything since 8th June so there's some catching up to do.

13th June: Carrington Moss. After worrying that there were so few butterflies this year, I saw over 50 on my walk round the Moss. 23 of them were Small Tots; the rest were Meadow Browns and a few Large Skippers. There was also the most glorious Banded Demoiselle, and the biggest fungus I have ever seen - a Dryad's Saddle, in which the largest plate was over 20 inches across. A couple of days later I was pleased to see several Red Admirals - last year I saw only one.
Next up on the 17th it was the day of the Commas and Peacock caterpillars - dozens, maybe hundreds of them. Also the loveliest Small Tort! Speckled Woods along the woodland edges and the occasional Cinnabar moth. 22nd June: More Red Admirals, more Peacock cats, more Commas, more Large Skippers. Also a number of Small Whites settled long enough for me to identify. I remember reading in BC's report that the Whites appeared to have done less well but I would imagine that's due to lack of reporting, with the difficulty of identifying them. 23rd June; a trip on the Metrolink - first since lockdown - to St Werbergh's station where in the past there has been a bounty of Common Blues, but there were none. Nor were Meadow Browns or Skippers in much evidence - a surprisingly poor showing. Did the Blues caterpillars hatch out during the hot dry weather and starve to death? There was very little vegetation growing. The Peacocks, Commas, Small Torts and Red Admirals all hatched just before and after the rain so they have had plenty to eat.

Today I was back on the Moss and found a lovely little moth - and as usual I can't identify it. Possibly a Swift?

Lovely set of images Janet Thanks as well for the fungus ID - I saw one a few years back, bigger than a serving platter and now I can give it it's name - cheers

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

What a delightful series of shots to return with, Janet.

This is the time of year when a considerable array of species are at their peak so let's hope the weather improves and we can all get out to see the best of this country's flora and fauna.

Hi Janet,

Just seen your Large Skipper with the spread wings, what a cracking shot

A nice series of catch-ups too.

Your little moth is Epiblema foenella.

Cheers,

Neil.

You do find some interesting fungi Janet and very nice image of the Banded Demoiselle

Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 7:01 am Your little moth is Epiblema foenella.
Neil.

Thank you for that ID, Neil. It's not on BC's checklist so I have now recorded it on their moth section.

Wurzel and Pauline, that fungus was amazing! I really thought it was a pile of brown paper when I spotted it through the hedge, and was about to litter-pick it

David M - It's certainly been a case of dodging the showers lately!

After a windy and showery morning yesterday I was forced out of the house to collect a parcel in the afternoon and realised the sun was shining. It was still quite blowy but I decided to take a chance and go to Rixton Clay Pits - I had to recce a walk anyway - and was pleasantly surprised how sheltered it was. I wandered round and apart from dozens of nitrous oxide canisters where clearly there had been a 'happening', it was a glorious couple of hours. My first Gatekeepers of the season were flitting by the wayside, and eventually I was able to observe one male which had settled in a sunny corner. Then a different brown shape shot up out of some undergrowth and after much stalking to the point where I wasn't sure where I was, I managed to get a couple of not-too-brilliant shots of it - turned out to be a Shaded Broad-bar. At one point I emerged into a sunny, sheltered glade with splendid stands of Rosebay Willowherb and tall grasses, and was entranced by several dragonflies chasing back and forth. One was a Southern Hawker, another was a large brown dragonfly, probably the female hawker and a third was possibly a darter of some kind but I didn't get photos of any of them. This was quite a small party by the looks of it! But I live quite close to where there was an illegal rave and the litter left behind there was incredible.

Janet Turnbull wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 11:32 am - turned out to be a Shaded Broad-bar.

A Shaded Broad-bar in the shade no less

Cheers,

Neil.

20200707 Return to Rixton - in the rain.
The walk I sussed out yesterday and enjoyed so much, had to be done again today with friends. 'Light rain' according to the forecast, and it was, but persistent and wet nevertheless.
I was surprised to see a couple of white butterflies and a Meadow Brown flying in the rain; I also knocked a Green-veined white off its perch and it flew off, disgruntled, but settled again where I could see it properly. One of my friends was really chuffed to spot a Silver Y moth and the other noticed a Meadow brown tightly closed against the weather. I was tickled and very pleased how delighted they were to have seen them before I did, even though they did not know what they were. A tall Monkshood plant - aconitum napell - which apparently is highly poisonous, was growing against the hedge by the footpath, and down in the grass were some very fresh young Blackening Waxcap fungi, sometimes called witches' hats.

That second Meadow Brown looks thoroughly drenched and peeved, Janet....much like the rest of us!

I see you are still using your alert senses to sniff out those mushrooms though.

That second Meadow Brown almost looks as blue (well grey) as it must have been feeling Janet - lovely shot

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Thank you, David M and Wurzel - the butterflies are much happier today with a bit of sunshine!

I called in at Rixton this afternoon and my first Small Skippers of the season were flying. A rather battered Red Admiral was soaking up the sun on the warm path and was very obliging for a snap.

Love the last shot Janet - brilliant capture with the perfectly formed shadow - wish I'd taken that one

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Nice to see you've got Small Skippers round your way, Janet. Have Essex Skippers reached that part of the world yet?

Wurzel wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 5:50 pm Love the last shot Janet - brilliant capture with the perfectly formed shadow - wish I'd taken that one

Thank you, Wurzel - he seemed to be sitting up to admire his shadow!

David M wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 8:22 pm Have Essex Skippers reached that part of the world yet?

I haven't come across an Essex yet David - that's not to say they haven't reached us but I have seen no reports of any.

Today I was out before dawn to see the comet, but I was already too late. However, seeing as I was up I watched the sun rise, and as it warmed up the butterflies woke up. It was Gatekeeper day, and I saw several as I walked round Carrington Moss but the biggest concentration was in the same area as the Orange-tips had been earlier, with 7 fairly close together. Small Skippers were also about. Later we visited Rixton Clay Pits and there was a scattering of Large Skippers as well. A very handsome Peacock settled himself on the sandy steps and I felt obliged to apologise for disturbing him

Janet Turnbull wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 9:10 pm...I haven't come across an Essex yet David - that's not to say they haven't reached us but I have seen no reports of any.

Keep searching, Janet. Your area is just like mine - a little bit outside the known zone but ready for infiltration very soon!

This is a species that seems to be spreading and it's worth an occasional check just to be sure.

A walk through fields along a stream where the grass and wildflowers were taller than me today. There were many Gatekeepers, Small Skippers and a few Red Admirals, very fresh Peacocks and my first Ringlets of the year. I took David M's suggestion to heart and looked closely at the Small Skippers but did not find any stray Essexes. There was also a very hairy caterpillar (Fox Moth?) and I was quite pleased to capture this Wren which was scolding me for being there!

Lovely set of shots Janet Especially like the 'odd eyed' Ringlet

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Nice Ringlet, Janet, and fairly fresh looking - most of those round my way are looking pretty worn out.