Cotley Hill Butterflies

Date: 08/05/2017

Location: Cotley Hill

Weather: Blue Skies, 15c
Butterfly Species: 
Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Marsh Fritillary, Red Admiral, Peacock, Green Veined White, Small White, Orange Tip, Small Blue, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Brimstone

Observation:
With my Butterfly season in full swing another trip to Cotley was required hoping for Marsh Fritillary or Small Blue.
On arriving only a couple of cars in car park so boots on and headed on to hillside Orange Tips & Peacock on path up through and a couple of Common Lizard scurrying from path into undergrowth. Plenty of Green Hairstreaks I'd estimate at 20+ 

 Dingy Skippers also into the 20's 

A few less Grizzled Skippers. 

Good Numbers of Brown Argus also 20+

Followed on around to Horse Chestnut tree also a good spot and lots of Small Heath chasing each other. Met Andy (Plant Man) and got some great info for my other trips, Scotland & the Lakes, Spot on cheers! 
He also mentioned he'd saw Small Blue's further round so headed that way. After a few minutes of looking Species number 18 perched up on forget-me-not!

Only saw one so headed on back around scanning grass and bushes suddenly a Small Copper appeared. Species number 19 only let me get a few snaps and disappeared at speed as they do.

Yellowhammer 

And Linnet calling from trees also, mustn't forget the birds!

Time ticking on thought 
I'd quickly check other side of hill another Butterflyer stood checking something out Marsh Fritillary he said! I chatted keeping my eyes peeled when he said "Its behind you!"

20 Species! Very happy. 
Got a few nice snaps of this stunning Butterfly before it was time to go.
Such a Great place and 16 species seen today.
My target was 20 Species before I head off to Mallorca 10 days to go and 
20 hit..............what next?

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Butterfly Hunting

Date: 05/05/2016

Location: Draycott Sleights - Crook Peak - Priddy Mineries

Weather: Blue Skies, 14-19c, Some Wind Speed 9/10 mph

Other Species: Brimstone, Peacock, Small White, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper.

Observation: 
Draycott Sleights was first destination last year went there 16th May so bit earlier, only second day of pure sunshine and only 2 Grizzled Skippers & 5 Dingy Skippers seen with around 2 Small Whites and 2 Brimstones and this Speckled Wood.

Grizzled Skipper looking good perched also so this and another doing the dance !

More Dingy Skippers around 5 on lower slope near gate.

Dingy but beautiful !

Couple of Tiger Beetles mating.

Crook Peak almost nothing, walked to top checking all normal spots Brimstone was only butterfly. Wind was fairly strong around 10 at least. Lastly popped in to Priddy Mineries even less here. I will try again in a week or so .

Thanks For Looking !

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter
Facebook

Badbury Rings, Dorset

Date: 03/05/2016

Location: Quick visit to Portland & Badbury Rings, Dorset

Weather: Blue skies, 13c, some cloud

Other Species: 
Kestrel, Stonechat, Whitethroat, Buzzard, Linnet.
Butterflies: 
Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Peacock.

Observation:
First blue skies and good forecast for my butterfly season this year so thought I'd try a new spot Badbury Rings in Dorset. But first dropped into Portland Bill a quick wander round most birds seem to be hiding from me! Many Blackcap's, Whitethroats, Willow Warblers I saw, but didn't hang around this Wheatear about it! Didn't stay too long as temperature was rising and was on a mission for Butterflies today, did see a few Small Whites on wing at Portland.

 On arriving lots of cars and dog walkers so my hopes dropped but needn't have worried on entering the rings spotted a Dingy Skipper almost instantly !

Above me this Kestrel hunting seemingly not worried I was below.

Lots of Whitethroat on slopes happily singing away, perfect light for a change.

Really showing why it's called a Whitethroat !

Also many Stonechats this mate with a beak full of caterpillars and flies.

After taking far too many shots of the Stonechats as usual! This Grizzled Skipper landed making mission complete as these two were my targets today.

Oops another Stonechat, they just seem to pose all the time!

These Linnet seemed to be annoying the Stonechat, a pair kept landing close and the Stonechats would chase them off.

Leaving the rings and entering the woodland a few Bluebells carpeting the floor.

And this Beetle, a Black Oil Beetle.

Beech Avenue or the B3082, a hidden Dorset beauty for sure !

Thanks For Looking !

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter
Facebook

Cerne Abbas & Weymouth

Date: 12/05/2015

Location: Cerne Abbas, Radipole, Portland Bill & Lodmoor or Lorton 

Observation: Butterflies! 3 new for me :) My new total 35 !! Started at Cerne Giant Hill, Dorset.

 After leaving van Dingy Skippers everywhere on hill

Following along hill apart from Dingy the odd Brimstone not much else then spotted the tiny Duke of Burgundy, second target species on a roll.

After spending some time here headed on down to Radipole RSPB at Weymouth. Not much very quiet here apart from Cetti's very loud but always hidden! This House Sparrow making hay !

Getting near tea time so headed to Swallows rest campsite £23.00 a night with hook up but within walking distance of Ferrybridge. So after Chunky Chicken headed along to Ferrybridge quiet here too few Common Tern. Morning came with blue skies and hope for the walk round Portland Bill, was up 5.30 AM ! Any one who knows me, knows this is unheard of!!

With the early start headed through the Hump and Suckthumb Quarry very quiet saw a Stock Dove first time for me,I know !!

On Coastal path Raven's and Peregrine did a flypast cursing cause I missed Peregrine a Kestrel appeared on cliff brief hovered then off.

Walked on round to Bill the odd Wall and Common Blue butterfly but not many birds :(

At nesting cliff Guillemots, Shag's and Fulmar's .

Top fields Meadow, Skylark, lots of Crows, Jackdaws and Raven checking out any unintended nests. Next headed towards to Lodmoor, whats with that is it Lorton, Lodmoor ???

Quiet here too apart from the Tern Colony ! 

A quizzical Tufted Duck

 Great dragonfly a Broad Bodied Chaser

After 3 hrs wandering around time to head back but not before stopping at Cock Hill Cerne Abbas again. The Marsh Fritillary was spotted after I left so target species. Walked along hill again with more butterflies about Copper, Grizzled Skippers, Dingy, Brimstone, Holly Blue and just before I was about to go a Marsh Fritillary ! Whoohoo ! 

After a hot pot in van headed home happy with 3 new butterflies and even a new bird tick !!

Weather: Tuesday blue but windy + Wednesday a better day but becoming cloudy as day went on.

Butterflies First: Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue, Small Copper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh  Fritillary, Wall, Holly Blue and Small Tortoiseshell.

Birds: Raven, Kestrel, Buzzard, Peregrine, Fulmar, Guillemots, Razorbill, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Linnet - Others but thin in air and on ground !

Cheers For Now :)