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
Huddsbirder 