Friday 25 May 2012

The ''Tree Nursery'' a wildlife haven...............for now.
This morning on the way to work there was a mix of Geese on the paddocks at Migrant Alley, 26 CANADA, 20 GREYLAG, the feral BARNACLE GOOSE and the feral RED BREASTED GOOSE, an unusual sight on this part of my patch! I also saw the SPOTTED FLYCATCHER and a nice male BULLFINCH in the College Grounds.

This afternoon it was hot and sunny, but with a refreshing breeze, and I headed of to the Tree Nursery for yet more Butterfly action, ( see top photo) I'm getting quite addicted to these little jewel like creatures, well, this weather wont last forever, and when it goes, so will the flutters, so get 'em while you can I say  :-)

I didn't find anything out of the ordinary, but I did see my first Common Blue of the summer, the 15th butterfly species of the year, and 18 days later than last years first record. I also noted Orange Tips, Small White, Holly Blue, Small Copper, and Brown Argus, which are far more abundant than last year, I was finding one every ten paces along the hedgerow! I also got to see my first White Legged Damselfly of the year ( I hope i'm right this time!) a Large Red was also recorded.

In the two hours I spent ''butterflying'' in the Tree Nursery I only noted a few birds, GREEN WOODPECKER, WHITETHROAT, GOLDCREST, BULLFINCH, CHAFFINCH, GREENFINCH, GOLDFINCH, LINNET, BLACKBIRD, WREN, DUNNOCK, HOUSE SPARROW and ROBIN were about it, I also noted a COMMON BUZZARD and 2 KESTRELS up hunting, a few HERRING GULLS went high over, but the day was again mainly for the flutters, tomorrow i'll be out early for a full patch walk to catch up on the birdlife.
Here's a few of todays flutter photo's  :-)
Small White
Orange Tip
Brown Argus - a stunning little butterfly, you dont notice the irridecence on the wings when in the field
Holly Blue
Small Copper - these small flutters look like red hot lumps of coal, that have jumped from the fire into the grass
Large Red Damsel
White Legged Damsel
Unknown moth  :-) It was very small, and had a tiny orange dot on the bottom of each hindwing.

8 comments:

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Good day for flutters & damsels by the looks of it - nice one.
Don't know your mystery moth - sorry

Cheers

Davo

Chris said...

A red breasted goose! Wow what a sigh for your patch!!! It occurred only once over here and then all birdwatcher were driving 600km to see it ;-) Beautiful pictures with a nice light Warren...

Marc Heath said...

Another nice set Warren. Seems we will be butterflying and dragonflying tomorrow then.

Pete Woodruff said...

Obviously a good 'macro' day Warren....well done you.

Anonymous said...

Your moth is the day-flying Small Yellow Underwing, Warren.

Greenie said...

Warren ,
Nice selection of butterfly shots today .
Sorry , can't help with the moth .
Re.Sm.Heaths , they were probably there in small numbers , but seem to be having a really good year .
My numbers are well up on previous .

Jason K said...

That 'Tree nursery' looks absolutely great for the flutters Warren.

Fanatastic Brown Argus shot by the way

ShySongbird said...

Beautiful flutter and Odo photos Warren!! I saw my first Common Blue of the year yesterday too, too fast for a photo though. Have a great weekend in the sun :-)