A quick dash to Anglers CP, for a couple of Migrant Dragonflies, a few of these species had turned up across the country, Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor
Dragonflies Seen : Black-tailed Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Emperor, Lesser Emperor, Red-veined Darter
Common Blue Damselfly
Red-veined Darter
Red-veined Darter
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Homeward bound, via Kiplingcotes Chalk PIt, and today started off with cooler conditions, eventually getting hot again as the day went on.
Arrived at Kiplingcotes in warm weather, cooler conditions lifting as I travelled. It took me a while to hit the reserve, has I was enjoying the walk to the entrance, butterflies were taking up my time, species seen were Marbled White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Large White, Small White, Green veined White and a moth species, that turned out to be a Dusky Sallow.
Entering the reserve, I went up on to the top of the banking, seeing what I’d mostly seen on the trial , a small addition were Six Spot Burnet Moths and a quick fly thru Common Blue Butterfly.
I took my time walking back to the car, sitting and watching to see what was about, the only addition being Essex Skipper.
Car Park Location, what3words ///tent.cascaded.keys
Video of the day can be seen HERE
Complete Butterfly List : Comma, Common Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Essex Skipper, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Siler-washed Fritillary, Small Copper, Small Heath, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Speckled Wood (21)
Complete Dragonfly List : Beautiful Demoiselle [NFC], Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Keeled Skimmer, Southern Hawker (4)
Two-banded Spearhorn Hoverfly (Chrysotoxum bicinctum)
Common Blue Butterfly
Dusky Sallow Moth
Marbled White Butterfly
Essex Skipper
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Today I travelled on to Forge Valley, for the Beautiful Demoiselle, parking at the Old Man’s Mouth Car Park (MAP) (report.narrowest.apples). I walked to the nearby bridge, from the car park, walked over the bridge and turned right, up the valley. I found no Demoiselle’s Banded or Beautiful, I did find a Silver-washed Fritillary, as a bonus, it was hot today, about 80°. I walked back down to the car to get some more water and rest for ten minutes.
I then decided on walking down the river, navigating the broken boardwalk in places, lots of butterflies and hoverflies on the walk down. After much searching I found two male Beautiful Demoiselle’s, resting on the ferns on the riverside, the light was harsh now, which made photography difficult.
After Forge Valley, I decided on trying finding Ellerburn Bank Nature Reserve, Dalby Forest area, what a nightmare to find, see video. I eventually did find it, I saw Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Heath, Small Copper, Marbled White, Large White, Small White, Meadow Brown. Birds seen or heard Robin, Buzzard and Garden Warbler
Video of the day can be seen HERE
Forge Valley Birds : Blackcap, Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove. Woodpigeon
Forge Valley Butterflies : Comma, Green-white White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White
Forge Valley Dragonflies : Beautiful Demoiselle (NFC), Southern Hawker
Ellerburn Bank Birds : Buzzard, Garden Warbler, House Sparrow, Robin
Ellerburn Bank Butterflies : Large White, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Silver-washed Fritillary, Small Copper, Small Heath, Small Skipper,
Beautiful Demoiselle
Silver-washed Fritillary
Small Copper
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Three days in North Yorkshire, looking for Dragonflies and Butterflies
I started my few days away in Leeds first at the Wex store, dropping off the OM 150-400mmmPro Lens, Yes, I’ve sold it, it was becoming to heavy for me to carry around now at 2.9kg, I was feeling it. It wasn’t an easy decision, giving back one of the best lenses I’ve ever used, I would undoubtably say this is the best wildlife out there, what I’ve got now will have to wait until the video comes out on You Tube.
I left wex behind and headed out and up to Fen Bog (Website), arriving at about 10:30am, it was already hot, sun was out and why I was here was for the Keeled Skimmer Dragonfly, which would be a lifer for me, if I found any.
My first encounter was with the Small Heath Butterfly, no Large Heath (don’t think they’re here now) lots of White Butterflies about as I made my way down the track, Small, Large and Green veined, and then a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary got my attention for a while, then I found a Common Blue Butterfly along the path, there were also a few Small and Large Skippers.
I then went along the top path to look for the Keeled Skimmers, I didn’t find any , but there were Stonechats and Linnets to be seen. I then made my way down towards the railway track, crossing the bog area, seeing plenty of Butterflies around here, I added Peacock, and Small Tortoiseshell to the day, a Golden-ringed Dragonfly zipped past, took me by surprise, but there was no mistaking it. Around by the railway line were Willow Warblers and Latticed Heath Moth, but very little else, so I made my way back to the car, more water needed. More of the same was about as I made my way back , but a Dark Green Fritillary was zooming all over the place and not settling.
After I picked my water up, I decided on going back along the top track again for the Keeled Skimmers, it didn’t sound good as people kept passing me and saying they hadn’t seen any about, but on I went. I arrived at one of the puddles which is fed all the time by water, Keeled Skimmers like this kind of area, and there they were, two male Keeled Skimmers, just goes to show , things can turn up, and it was quieter now, I enjoyed the moment watching these Skimmers batting and resting up in the vegetation around the puddle.
I then headed off back to the car, after I got a few photos, and also managed a few photos of the Dark Green Fritillary, as it was settling a bit more
Car Park at ///campus.memory,wished
Video of the time in North Yorkshire , Press HERE
Birds seen : Blue Tit, Stonechat, Swallow, Whitethroat
Butterflies seen : Common Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Large White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Ringlet, Small Heath, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White
Dragonflies seen : Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Keeled Skimmer
Common Blue Butterfly
Dark Green Fritillary
Small Heath Butterfly
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Keeled Skimmer
Keeled Skimmer
Back to Old Moor again for another Dragonfly/Insect day, turned out to be a great day for Butterflies
Odonata seen : Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Darter, Red-eyed Damselfly, Ruddy Darter, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, (7)
Butterflies seen : Brimstone, Comma, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Large Skipper, Large White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Small Copper, Small Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Small White, Speckled Wood (17)
Other Highlights : Four-banded Longhorn Beetle, Spotted Longhorn Beetle
Comma
Common Blue
Gatekeeper
Holly Blue
Large Skipper
Large White
Small Copper
Speckled Wood
Four-banded Longhorn
Ruddy Darter
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Huddsbirder 