July 2023

[David M]

Tuesday 25th, Rhossili Head, Gower:

Meadow Brown 1,500+
Hedge Brown 400-600
Common Blue 40-50
Brown Argus 30-40
Large White 30-40
Wall Brown 25-35
Small White 20-30
Small Copper 20-30
Peacock 5
Red Admiral 4
Grayling 4
Dark Green Fritillary 4
Small Skipper 4
Painted Lady 3
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Green Veined White 1

[millerd]

I've been seeing fresh Jersey Tigers in several spots lately, but today was the first time one actually stopped moving within reach.

Seen at Denbies Hillside with a gentle drizzle falling (though it was quite warm enough for the Chalkhills to be sitting on the Marjoram with their wings open).

Close to being honorary butterflies in my book...

Dave

[millerd]

Finally, I was able to track down two or three Silver-spotted Skippers up at Aston Rowant. It was very breezy up there and the sun was a bit hit and miss to start with, but the worn sheep tracks as usual provided that little bit of shelter that these butterflies like.

Dave

[zigzag_wanderer]

Green netting placed over the roof of one bay of House #5 at work may provide desired shade for ferns, but it has also created two excellent butterfly/moth (and other insect) traps at either end of the house, where the netting sheet is anchored on string to breeze blocks on the ground.

I'm spending lunchtimes freeing as many as I can. They fly up the gap between the wall of the house and the anchored netting, but seem unable to work out they need to turn round and fly out of the same gap to exit. I've strategically placed ladders at both ends of the house to aid the process.

I did spot this Mocha flying "safely" inside House #5 though. There are a lot of spiders and visiting robins and wrens in there,but with 1/4 of the roof open to the elements, they have a better chance of finding their way out at least.

[zigzag_wanderer]

I've strategically placed ladders at both ends of the house to aid the process.

I should note that even if I did leave them up after use (which I don't), they're for me to use in trying to rescue them rather than for the insects to climb down to safety

[Allan.W.]

Been looking at the local (Orlestone forest ) Gatekeepers quite a bit of late ,with the weather being so unpredictable haven,t really travelled much further from home . The Gatekeepers seem to have had an exceptional season with huge numbers on the wing ,and as i said in a previous post ,so much variation ...............heres 3 more.

The male with the double spots on each hindwing ..............had another spot (on each hind-wing ) just covered by the forewings .
Been watching the Dragonflies as well in Orlestone ................. heres a male (imm; below ) and a female ,top .Migrant Hawker.

Also seeing quite a few Whites now ,after a slow start .

.
Just lately in Orlestone there seem to be more and more Deer being seen ,mainly Fallow and the occasional Roe . They seem to be getting bolder by the year .........this group appeared back down the ride ,where i,d been about 5 minutes previously.

Allan.W.