Draycott & Priddy Mineries

Date: 28/07/2015

Location: Draycott Sleights then Priddy Mineries

Weather: Windy some sunshine later

Other Species Butterflies: Silver Washed Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Copper, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Chalkhill Blue = 12

Observation: 

Sunny spells forecast but wind not good for butter-flying :( but headed to Draycott Sleights anyway saw around 6/7 Chalkhill Blues all hiding in grasses not really posing so headed up slope came to this Silver Washed Fritillary had another wander round but still to windy, wind was gusting at 15mph.

Thought maybe Priddy Mineries would be better, it was a bit,so headed into Stockhill Wood first and saw this lovely looking Large White.

Bit further on surprised to see this large skipper in the woodland .

Dark Green and Silver Washed Fritillary's Soaring through the glades. Also birds saw Goldcrest and Coal Tit and unknown bird of prey calling thought maybe kestrel.

Out on to the Mineries path, windy again. But this Small Copper stopped briefly.

Lots of mostly Small Skippers with Marbled Whites, Burnet Moths, Meadow Browns making the numbers

I really liked this shot, thought he was smiling I was as well ! :)...I'am now ! :)

Last thing of the day Common Darter landed on path, Nice :)

Thanks For Looking :)

The Levels - Westhay, Shapwick & Ham wall

Date: 09/07/2015

Location: Westhay, Shapwick, Ham wall 

Weather: Started bit cloudy,Afternoon sunshine and blue 23c 

Other Species: Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Hobby, Bittern, Great White Egret + Grass snake

Butterflies: Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Green Veined White, Comma, Silver washed Fritillary, Ringlets

Dragonflies & Damselfly: Four Spotted Chaser, Ruddy Darter, Black Tailed Skimmer, Blue Tailed Damselfly, Small Red Damselfly

Observation:

Headed down the the levels today and first Westhay, lots of Black Tailed Skimmer about all landing on drove, bit of sun then up again.

Ponies doing a good job down there roaming wherever they like, got about 30 ft from them and they disappeared into wooded bit. Few Brimstones about.

Then my first of year Green Veined White almost on Black Background !

Further along drove spotted this great looking Red Admiral, Stunning. Seemed to pose as I took some more shots, spinning around on flower head !

Birds not many seen, Reed Warblers, Whitethroat and this Chiffchaff catching flies.

Next headed to Shapwick from car park went round new path, Board-walk. Had a fleeting glimpse of a Silver Washed it never stopped :(

Walk across road to Ham Wall and up to View point 2, Saw 2 Great White Egrets, Bittern at distance and 2 Hobbies. Walked back along Waltons Loop heard a splash and saw a grass snake! Unfortunately disappearing into Grass Bank. But Cool !

On heading back to car park there were a few Marsh Frogs in the newly dug ponds this the male the female is 3 times bigger.

Also in ponds were these Small Red Eyed Damselflies laying next years crop !

And finally a  Four Spotted Chaser and home .

Thanks for looking, If you did  :)