When we went to the Isle of Wight last week we looked for Glanville’s Fritillary. It’s a butterfly that neither I, nor of course Tani, had seen before. It took us quite a while to find our first. Numbers were not in the realm of those conjured up in my imagination by others. Perhaps they are having a subdued year.
We did the Essex Tour this week to see Heath Fritillary. In the books it appears some consider the Glanville’s and the Heath Fritillary easily confused. I’m not too sure about that but take a look at this composite photo I’ve put together and tell me what you think. I think those dark spots towards the rear of the hindwing on the Glanville’s are quite distinct.
You may be interested in joining one of a couple of Butterfly Walks I will be doing for ‘Friends of Train Wood’ in Norwich over the next few months. Both are free to join but require you to apply for a ticket.
Broad bordered Bee-Hawkmoths were around the Valerian the other week. We had three hovering around one plant all at once. So fast these things. We decided to give them honorary bird status!
I’m often asked before a tour what we might see. My answer is always the same
‘Rule nothing in, rule nothing out’. You never know what you might see or find.
Tania and I were on the Isle of Wight last week. We were seeking out Glanville’s Fritillary … but more about butterflies in a later post. Tania pointed out a hillside of Broomrape. Broomrape are parasitic plants with particular species having a particular association with various host species.
Now those of you that know me will know I’m no botanist, but I could see this species of Broomrape was not one I knew. A quick text to friend Tony revealed we were stood amid a host of Oxtongue Broomrape (Orobanche picridis), a parasite of Hawkweed Oxtongue. A rare plant indeed.
However, it’s what we saw next which was so incredible.
Amid the throng of spikes was a very pale one. Now I’ve seen the pale form of Purple Broomrape previously, but this was subtly different. Another text to Tony took a few days to generate a reply. Tony had referred the find to ‘Mr Broomrape UK’ Author and botanist Chris Thorogood.
Here’s what he had to say:
“How intriguing, it’s a pigment-deficient form of O. picridis – forma rather than variety (but I don’t believe the official combination e.g. ‘forma lutea’ has ever been made for this species). Nice find 👍🏻
Golden Ringed Dragonflies are just the biz aren’t they? There’s something about them that makes them quite enigmatic. Maybe it’s because they patrol along shady peaty rivers at speed making them difficult to photograph. We were lucky to find this individual hung up resting in the sun this week on a trip to Hampshire.
One of the rarest orchids in the UK is the Late Spider Orchid. At the beginning of this month Tony, Tania and I stumbled among a hillside full of them. The yellow tongue on the lower lip of the flower instantly distinguish it from the Bee Orchid with which you will no doubt be familiar. Orchids are such beautiful flowers.
Letter From Norfolk 