Butterfly 47 plus a Osprey from Shapwick

Date: 11/08/2016

Location: Fontmell Down + Shapwick Heath

Weather: Very Windy 15 mph at Fontmell cloudy then overcast Shapwick

Other Species: 
Fontmell  Butterflies: 
Small Blue,Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Chalkhill Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Silver Spotted Skipper, Small White.
Birds Fontmell :
Linnet, Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Redstart.
Bird Shapwick:
Osprey, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Great White Egret.

Observation: 
Weather forecast looking good for Silver Spotted so headed down to Fontmell down, but as i drove down weather turned very windy with gusts to15 mph not good also cloudy !!! But made the effort and after 2 hours it paid off, just !

The Silver Spotted takes my yearly total to 47 Butterflies, need one more this year 
Clouded Yellow for 48.
Next year i'm 50 years young, so going for the 59 butterflies in the uk i hope !

Here a close up of the Dark Green Fritillary which kept flying past me until it landed in a very brief period of sunshine .

Only saw one of these, but Small heaths 3 or 4, 1 Small Blue a few Whites but Butterflies not really showing well on Fontmell today.

The ones that were showing well were covered in red parasitic mites. These parasites Trombidium breei feed on the blood of the Butterfly, seen them before on Chalkhills and Marbled Whites, apparently more common on the males.

Anyway after 2 hours up and down the hills time for a change but on way out the Linnet's were posing nicely in bushes so a few shots of these and decided to head to Shapwick in Somerset .

Went to Meare Heath hide first and saw some very distant Marsh Harriers in fact saw 2 plus a squabble between 2 Marsh Harriers and the reason i came the Osprey ! Nice to watch but distant.

The Osprey had just caught a fish from Meare Heath side as i arrived in Noahs hide.

While watching caught view of i think a Sandpiper in middle of lake ,distant but thought weird as no shallow water for it to feed ?

Any hoo but to the Osprey and light was terrible but target acquired !

After watching for some 20 minutes it decided to go catch another fish so took flight.

I also left after it disappeared but as i joined main track back to car Park spotted it flying to Meare Heath !

Still distant for my 400mm but better light and a cracking view as a Marsh Harrier decided to join it for a while then it disappeared over the back of Meare Heath, i Also left at this Point. 

A nice day was had and talked to some nice people : )

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Brown Hairstreaks at Alners Gorse

Date: 04/08/2016

Location: Alners Gorse / Fontmell Down

Weather: Cloudy with Sun, turning very Cloudy to Rain.

Other Species: 
(Alners Gorse) 
Birds: Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Marsh Tit, Buzzard
Butterflies: Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Peacock, Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown - 16 Species.
(Fontmell Down) 
Birds:Common Redstart,Yellowhammer
Butterflies: Chalkhill Blue, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White - 5 Species

Observation:

Third trip to Alners Gorse to find the Brown Hairstreak and after a rather long trip down 2 hours!! Diversions everywhere and my cheap TomTom device not keeping up with it!

But on getting there just me and one other car belonging to Martin Warren, headed down track and about 50ft from entrance Brown Hairstreak!!

Didn't spot it straight away as was looking at this excellent Southern Hawker.

But what a cracking butterfly!!

Few birds about as well, this I think Chiffchaff Juv?

Lovely Marsh Tits feeding happily on Marsh Thistle.

Managed 16 species of Butterfly, Brimstone not really keeping still.

Lots of Red Admiral about a really great butterfly from any angle!

And a family of Spotted Flycatchers, this one posing nicely.

Really wanted to catch up with Silver Washed Fritillary, Valencia ab. but all the Silver washed I saw just wouldn't settle this one a bit tatty.

Still a fair few Purple Hairstreak around to perched up on Alder Buckthorn, coming to end of flight season soon.

A number of Dragonflies charging about this Common Darter female looked stunning!

Then a Painted Lady landed in front of me! This a male I think as Female Butterflies have a larger, more rounded abdomen than males. :)

While taking pictures of above noticed I was being observed!

After about 2 hours of wandering around site I think I saw 6 Brown Hairstreaks and O so nearly got the open wing shot! 
So close but no cigar!!

Almost on way out of reserve and iPhone video was in order!!

So apart from the Black Hairstreak all Hairstreaks done! 

My total now is 45 Butterflies for the year 3 more to get, Silver Spotted Skipper, Clouded Yellow and think I've missed them but Wood White. 

(Anyone know of a good site still on the wing? ) 

So Fontmell Down on way home but weather now on the change but stopped anyway. 
Was rewarded with a Common Redstart briefly and distantly.

Weather conditions not good but Red Admiral, Meadow Browns and a few Small Heath still about but no Silver Spotted Skippers, Aston Rowant I think, Monday?

Counted around 10 Chalkhill Blues but probably more hiding in grass as it's now raining and time to leave! But in all a lovely day spent in some great spots!

3 more Butterflies to add next week I hope.

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July full patch walk

Date: 26/07/2016

Location: Patch Walk- Newton St Loe

Weather: Cloudy and grey

Other Species: 
Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Raven, Nuthatch.36 sp.
Butterflies
Gatekeeper,Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Ringlet, Small White, Large White, Peacock, 
Red Admiral, Holly Blue,Comma.11 sp.

Observation: 

Started out through Bath Mill with very little along brook a few butterflies on dog track mainly Gatekeepers and Ringlets but number low.

Walking up on to fields a few Yellowhammers about, but no skylarks or Whitethroats heard.

Swifts buzzing overhead, farmer was harvesting far fields lots of Wood Pigeons and 2 Buzzards also.

Just before Seven Acre saw a couple of Skippers Essex and Small.

While standing watching Red Admirals around 5 on edge of Seven Acre saw at least 3 Holly Blues on Bramble, 2nd brood.

Red Admirals looked fresh saw around 7/8 on the full walk. Sun was trying to come out but not long enough so most butterflies didn't stop for long.

Out through village Martins and Barn swallows zooming in skies, 

just after church saw 2 Green Woodpeckers feeding in grass.

At lake nout new Mute Swans still with 7 Cygnets, plenty of mallards and this inquisitive Grey Wagtail juvenile. 

But also no Grey Herons ! But the return of 2 Black Headed Gulls not seen on lakes since 07/03/2016 breeding i suppose ?

Out past second lake saw this feather ? anyone ID ?

On Ponds by Football pitches 2 Emperor Dragons and 2 Common Darters, Little else but this pale Buzzard calling for mum or Dad.

As you can see very pale against the equally pale and grey skies !

That ended walk with the walk up over hill to Park Farm and along 12 O'clock lane with nothing to add. 

Ended on 36 bird Species and 11 Butterflies.

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Bentley Wood + Alners Gorse

Date: 14/07/2016

Location: Bentley Woods + Alners Gorse

Weather: 18-21 Temp, Sunny with some Cloud

Other Species: 
Purple Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary, Ringlets, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, White Letter Hairstreak, Large Skipper.

Observation:

In my pursuit of Butterflies headed to Bentley Wood in search of the Purple Emperor, but apart from a tree top pass, silhouetted which I just can't count I drew a blank!

Stayed for 2hrs 30mins, Donkey Corpse best hope as others had all the gear, Shrimp Paste and alike but nothing, in fact not alot Silver Washed Fritillaries and some high level Purple Hairstreak the best.

Gatekeeper

So sun still shining headed across to Alners Gorse, on arriving saw White Letter Hairstreak perched in Brambles but head buried and didn't move, apart from higher up into bush.

Headed on round to Buckthorn and must have been 20 Purple Hairstreaks at least in small tree.

Got a few nice shots and lots of nice people there full of information!

Got plenty of closed wing shots had to wait for a few individuals to open up and show the 

Purple.

Walked around reserve a couple of times Marbled Whites and a few Silver Washed Fritillaries, Meadow Browns making up the majority.

On the Buckthorn bush saw this Brimstone Caterpillar, a first for me!

So monday morning weather permitting its the 2hr 50min drive to Fermyn wood for the Purple Emperor! Fingers crossed

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13 Species of Butterfly, Plus Close-Up Little Owl!

Date: 11/07/2016

Location: Patch - Newton St Loe

Weather: Cloudy + Windy At Times

Other Species: 
Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Skylark, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Blackcap, Treecreeper, Little Owl - 35 species
Butterflies:
Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Marbled White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Red Admiral, GateKeeper, Green Veined White, Comma

Observation: 
A wet weekend for me so Monday morning and no rain I had to go for a wander round patch! Opened front door and Male Bullfinch looking splendid on tree. Out through Bath Lodges and it was very quiet not much until fields although a few butterflies despite weather. On fields usual stuff Whitethroat still dwindling numbers only 1 bird heard. Village normal's here as well .

Then crossing Bath Spa Drive and on to Butterfly Alley! 

I know it finally lives up to its name a single Essex Skipper!! 

Not sure a fly species answers on a postcard please! 

But the Essex Skipper first of the year on patch.

On to Lakes lots Mallards, seem to be doing very well this year, normal Coots and Moorhen also Mute Swan still with 7 Cygnets although they were on Lower Lake today but moved up to Upper while I was munching my Apple. Carried on, no Spotted Flycatcher today but Bonus! As I was going through kissing gate turned around to close gate and.......

A Juvenile Little Owl! 

Never seen them here before but made my day as he sat about 2 meters from me! 

A real surprise.

Look at those feet, amazing very large for such a small chap.

Carried on around towards Park View Farm still smiling and heard a familiar noise a Greater Spotted Woodpecker appeared from around pole, and Blue Skies now! Whoohoo

Down past Pennsylvania Farm not much on his feeders but a few House Sparrows, Then at bottom of lane a Gatekeeper also a first of year and taking Butterfly patch list this year to 21.

 2 more to see, Small Copper and Clouded Yellow on patch. Finished walk with 13 species of butterfly and 35 birds. Plus some cracking shots of our Little Owl!

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