Reptiles
More Spring
12/04/12 15:50 Filed in: Wildlife
Here is a selection of images taken on site this spring. Lots of new life about everywhere, including some migrant birds, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps. Also Orange-tip Butterflies.
Violets
Brimstone Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Twayblade Orchid
Mating Grass Snakes
Comma Butterfly
Green-veined White Butterfly
Cowslip
PV
Violets
Brimstone Butterfly
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Twayblade Orchid
Mating Grass Snakes
Comma Butterfly
Green-veined White Butterfly
Cowslip
PV
Springing Into Life
01/03/12 14:37 Filed in: Wildlife
A late morning walk on a beautifully warm sunny day showed many signs of spring being just around the corner. Two lovely Brimstone butterflies were flying around the south-facing slopes of the Rifle Range, and quite a few Celandine already in flower, as were some primroses around the pond.
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
The first Common Lizards of the year were sunning themselves making the best of the warmth.
I can’t remember the Upper Pond being at such a low level at this time of year before. A sure sign of the lack of rainfall this winter.
Lots of birds about including Jay, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tits, Buzzard overhead, Mallard, Coot.
Also, near Mouse Lane, a pair of seemingly amorous Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
PV
Butterflies
15/08/11 15:09 Filed in: Wildlife
Had a very good walk on the Rifle Range this morning seeing a good range of butterflies, 13 species in all, but not in large numbers:
Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Brimstone, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood & Brown Hairstreak.
Also saw a Grass Snake & some Slow Worms under a felt. Swallows & House Martins were flying above.
The popularity of our Brown Hairstreak Reserve is again apparent as there were at least eight people watching & taking photographs of a couple of females as they laid eggs on blackthorn growing around the perimeter.
Slow Worm
Brown Hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak laying Eggs
Brimstone
Wall Brown
Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small White, Large White, Small Heath, Brimstone, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Brown Argus, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood & Brown Hairstreak.
Also saw a Grass Snake & some Slow Worms under a felt. Swallows & House Martins were flying above.
The popularity of our Brown Hairstreak Reserve is again apparent as there were at least eight people watching & taking photographs of a couple of females as they laid eggs on blackthorn growing around the perimeter.
Slow Worm
Brown Hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak laying Eggs
Brimstone
Wall Brown
Marbled White
11/06/11 18:28 Filed in: Wildlife
Saw my first Marbled White of the year today. A beautiful butterfly.
Also several Large Skippers, this one, I think, a female.
There were Small Heaths & some pristine Small Tortoiseshell about as well, but hardly any Blues.
Also this fine specimen of a Viviparous Lizard.
PV
Also several Large Skippers, this one, I think, a female.
There were Small Heaths & some pristine Small Tortoiseshell about as well, but hardly any Blues.
Also this fine specimen of a Viviparous Lizard.
PV