July started well for insect spotting, but as the month progressed it became obvious that numbers are down. Very worrying. There are lots of theories in the media as to why, but the very wet spring seems to be the favourite.
July 1st. A beautiful morning so we headed to the local Ouse Washes reserve, just for a wander to see if there was anything around. The footpaths at the reserve were boarderd by a fantastic show of wildflowers. A few Warblers were singing but we did not see any sign of Bitterns or Bearded Reedlings this time.
Ruddy Darters were darting everywhere . This is a female on an Ox Eye daisy.
Everywhere you looked Blue Tailed Damselfies were busy pairing up.
A morning walk around Wood Walton Fen drew a blank on butterflies but we did see lots of Four Spot Chasers.
Ruddy Darters
Waresley Wood is a Wildlife Trust reserve not far from us. Brownes’ Piece was farmland that the Trust bought and have started a regeneration programme, planting it up with long term plans to add it into the main woodland, thus extending the size of the wood. At present it has wide paths bordered by wild flowers, and young trees and shrubs.
Red Clover, Betony and Self Heal with spires of Rosebay Willowherb in front of the newly planted trees with the mature woodland in the background.
Common Centaury growing amongst the long grass.
Think this is Betony - Hedge Nettle growing throughout the reserve and was proving very popular with the insects.
Walking along the rides we were pleased to see Marbled White Butterflies everywhere. These were the best views we have had of this lovely little butterfly and they were loving the Clover.
Marbled White on Betony.
Large Skipper on Selfheal flower.
Gatekeeper Butterfly.
We usually visit Waresley Wood in the spring as the Bluebell show is lovely. Oxslips can been seen in abundance and Celendines turn some of the woodland floor into a carpet of yellow. After this show of butterflies we will now visit in the summer more often.
This time of year we visit Brampton Wood. The wide rides are alive with Silver Washed Fritilliaries, Red Admirals and White Admirals, and Dragonflies of various kinds. How disappointing that this time we did not see any and only a few Peacock Butterflies. We thought that maybe we had timed it wrong, but no, the wood this year has been very quiet.
The end of July and time for the Big Butterfly Count. Well, we tried but as the month progressed Butterflies became very thin on the ground. This Comma was the only butterfly on our Buddleia. The Lavender and Hibiscus should be humming with all types of bees and insects, but the garden is strangely quiet this year. Very concerning and sad.
When visiting our Son and future daughter in laws house to water the plants whilst they were on holiday, out flew this Jersey Tiger Moth. A new one for us, and stunning when in flight showing off red and yellow underwings. Historically this is found around the Dorset coast area but is another species that is moving in land.
A heatwave and even the Hares needed to find a shady spot.
Its been really hot, and the best thing to do is just lie in the pool with a friend to cool down. ……..