Reedbed Pingers

As we watched the reedbed last week a party of Bearded Tit came ‘pinging’ over the path.

Small but perfectly formed

No more than a few millimetres. A perfectly formed Heath Snail.

Adonis in the rain

It’s no coincidence that probably the most stunning butterfly we have in the UK carries the name of the god of desire and beauty.

We were once again up against it with the weather. This time in our search for Adonis Blue Butterflies. A gun metal grey sky and occasional drizzle didn’t put us off taking a small group to Hertfordshire on Saturday. The day was brightened considerably by us finding about 20 males and a few females of this metallic blue beauty.

Here’s Tania showing off the finer points of a male Adonis Blue which took to her hand for the warmth. Even the underside of the wings on this creature go above expectations.

Leporids

A few Leporids around on tours the other day.

A few More

A few more butterflies from the last couple of weeks.

Silver Washed Fritillary

Dark Green Fritillary

Gate Keeper showing some additional spotting and a blemish on the left wing

Wall Brown

Small Copper showing unusually long ‘tails’ on the hind-wing – tails are not unusual on males of second broods but these are quite long.

Odds and Sods

A few photos from this spring and summer, taken on tours around the county and country, that I haven’t had time to post previously …

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  Twyblade – Beds

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  Hobby – Hickling

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  Chillingham Cattle – Northumberland

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  Cuckoo – West Runton

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  Wood Warbler – Ardnamurchan

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  Bee Orchid – Cambs

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  Birds Nest Orchid – Norfolk

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  Tree Sparrow – Yorkshire

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  ‘Bridled’ Guillemot – The Farne Islands

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  Black & Red Froghopper – Northhants

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  Black Hairstreak – Northhants

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  Wood White – Northhants

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  Heath Fritillary – Essex

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  White legged Damselfly – Cambs

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  Yellow Birdsnest – Holkham

A butterfly fest

This last weekend saw us firstly taking a group to Gloucestershire on Saturday to see a formerly extinct British butterfly; the Large Blue. An insect inscribed in India ink. A unique upperwing among our blue butterflies makes this insect quite unmistakable. They took a little finding in cloudy weather but as soon as the sun sent a shaft of light our way several showed well.

On Sunday we had no such difficulty with a different group in finding Purple Emperors. In fact they found us. Guest Emma even took to wearing one as a hair slide! This large vibrant butterfly is difficult to find in some years … not so at the weekend. We saw around a dozen and each one was ‘just out of the box’ perfect.

If you would like to join us for another butterfly day around Norfolk this coming Saturday 17th July when we’ll be searching for hairstreaks and fritillaries see the following link and let me know. https://mailchi.mp/e813641f05ca/norfolk-butterfly-day

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  Large Blue

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  Purple Emperor (and Emma)

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  Purple Emperor (and Emma)

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  Purple Emperor

Whale Whispering

Just finished the penultimate day of our UK mammal tour. We went whale whispering to the East of the Isle of Staffa. Managed to call up three separate Minkes feeding in what was obviously a food rich area.

The Bluest of Blues

Think of the Bluest sky you’ve ever seen. Think of the bluest sea you’ve swam in. That’s the intensity of the colour of the Adonis Blue Butterfly. Vibrant.

We took a trip across the county border to see these flying jewels recently. Even in the strong winds we found sheltered spots where they were nectaring. Plenty of Brown Argos and Small Heath’s too. A great day out.

Book your place on a day trip to see these beauties next year on Saturday 21st August 2021. Full details here.

Camo-gear

We’ve done quite a number of Butterfly Tours in the last couple of weeks. Despite the weather being a bit topsy-turvy I think I’m right in saying we’ve managed to get twenty or more species on each day. On some days it could have been more and and some days I’m surprised we didn’t get less.

There is one particular species I’m always pleased to see. It’s not a dramatic hit you between the eyes Swallowtail or Silver Washed Fritillary. It’s not even cute like the two species of Hairstreak’s that have graced the tours to varying degrees. It is a species which is very low key in all respects. This is a butterfly that loves the open heath and stony ground where it can wallpaper itself into its environment in a very cryptic way. Subtle beautiful scaling and a low inobtrusive flight are the signature of the Grayling.