No more than a few millimetres. A perfectly formed Heath Snail.
Posts Tagged ‘wildlife tours and education
31
Aug
21
Small but perfectly formed
23
Aug
21
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.
11
Aug
21
Leporids
A few Leporids around on tours the other day.
06
Aug
21
A few More
A few more butterflies from the last couple of weeks.
23
Jul
21
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 …
Twyblade – Beds 
Hobby – Hickling 
Chillingham Cattle – Northumberland 
Cuckoo – West Runton 
Wood Warbler – Ardnamurchan 
Bee Orchid – Cambs 
Birds Nest Orchid – Norfolk 
Tree Sparrow – Yorkshire 
‘Bridled’ Guillemot – The Farne Islands 
Black & Red Froghopper – Northhants 
Black Hairstreak – Northhants 
Wood White – Northhants 
Heath Fritillary – Essex 
White legged Damselfly – Cambs 
Yellow Birdsnest – Holkham
12
Jul
21
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
Large Blue 
Purple Emperor (and Emma) 
Purple Emperor (and Emma) 
Purple Emperor
02
Jun
21
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.
24
Aug
20
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.
22
Jul
20
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.
29
Jun
20
Legs
White-legged Damselflies have one rather annoying habit. If you do inadvertently disturb one when lying prone on the ground trying to take it’s photograph, it immediately flies up into the nearest tree. Still, I managed to get a couple of shots.
