Searching the Horsefield for Red Clover and Coluded Yellows

 Although warm at 25C I was somewhat thwarted by overcast skies when I set out to search Gooseman's Field for the possibility of clouded yellow and red clover, the butterfly's larval food plant. Unfortunately there was none of either. In fact the field is now tinder dry and with very few flowers left other than ragwort. Blackberries and sloes, however, are fruiting amazingly well, and very early.

There were quite a few butterflies about, especially when the sun came ot at 5.00 pm.

Brown Argus

Brown Argus

Brown Argus

Large White

Speckled Wood

A Butterfly Conservation Open Day and Rimac

 An excellent day again, organised by Butterfly Conservation and Natural England. First up was several wasp spiders right next to the car park, more than last year and yet more evidence of climate change as these are a southern European species. There were two walks: one south through the dunes and one north to Sea View. Despite the brisk  westerly breeze there were good numbers of butterflies in the 24C temperatures. There were very large numbers of common blues and I was pleased to get shots of brown argus and small copper as well as wall brown, a speciality of the reserve. The highlight, however, was a clouded yellow. Quite a few of these beautiful butterflies have appeared this year; climate change in action as they also are a southern European species.

Brown Argus

Common Blue

Common Blue

Common Blue

Curious Lincoln Red Cattle

Small Copper

Small Heath

Wall

Wasp Spider

An Excellent Day Out at Gibraltar Point.

 Heather and I decided on a day out to Gibraltar Point Lincs Trust Nature Reserve today, partly to make use of the annual parking we had bought in January and partly just for a day out.

We began with the ritual cup of coffee in the cafe even though The Historian wasn't with us. We followed the usual route visiting all of the roadside hides. We were amazed at how prolifically the various species of cherries were fruiting, especially cherry plum. There were also good numbers of butterflies on the wing in the sunny 24C weather. The lagoons were very dry so we concentrated on the second two hides. Spoonbills were the highlight (about 30). At one point a marsh harrier put them all up which provided opportunity for some flight shots. Little grebes were present in large numbers as were black-tailed godwit and avocet. On the mere were more godwit and, at last, a pair of green sandpipers. A walk along the edge of the dunes and salt marsh took us back to the centre and lunch - pie chips and beans for me!

Once victualled we headed down to the beach and picked up a few more species before heading back to the Haven and Lill's Hut at the Wash Observation Point before setting out for home.

Willow Emerald Damselfly

Willow Emerald Damselfly

Large White

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Spoonbills

Juvenile Shelduck

Common Darter

Common Darter

Common Blue

Cherry Plum

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Avocet

Avocet