Wayne Bull's Wildlife Blog.: June 2013

Sunday 30 June 2013

Black Beauty 30th June

I've been visiting Whitecross green BBOWT reserve quite regularly over the last couple of weeks hoping to see some Black Hairstreaks but to no avail. I decided to try again this morning as the reserve is just down the road from me. As I didn't see a single one last year I was pleased to see that they had finally emerged. 4-5 were seen flying around at the top of the Blackthorns up near the pond but none of them came low enough to get any shots. After watching these for a while I decided to go to a different area of the reserve where I had seen them in the past. Another 3 were seen here with one coming low enough to get a few shots.

Black Hairstreak

Other Butterflies seen today:-

Large Skipper
Green Veined white
Large White
Peacock
Small Tortoiseshell
1 Silver Washed Fritillary
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown

Dragonflies/ Damselflies:-

2 Emperor Dragonflies were seen hunting along the main ride.
1 Hairy Dragonfly
Four Spotted Chaser
Broad Bodied Chaser
Common Blue Damsels
Blue Tailed Damsel
Large Red Damsel

Common Spotted Orchids in flower.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Radley Gravel Pits, 24th June.

Had a walk around radley yesterday to see what dragonflies were on the wing and what orchids were in flower.
I found quite alot of Bee Orchids including the variant "Belgarum". Lots of Common Spotted Orchids and Southern Marsh Orchids were also seen with possible hybrids of the two amongst them. A few Early Marsh orchids "incanarta" were still in flower but past their best. Four Pyramidal Orchids were also seen.

Bee Orchid

Bee Orchid var. Belgarum

Bee Orchid

Bee Orchid var Belgarum

Common Spotted Orchid

Pyramidal Orchid

Despite the wind Yesterday there were still quite a few damselflies and Dragonflies to be seen but not many opportunitys to photograph any.

Banded Demoiselle
Blue Tailed Damsels inc.both Rufuscens and violicea forms of females.
Common Blue Damsels
Azure Damsels
Red eyed Damsels
Black Tailed Skimmer ( my 1st of the year!)
Teneral Common Darters.

Red Eyed Damselfly

A few spikes of common Broomrape were around but most had past their best.The only Butterflies that were seen were a few Speckled Wood, A Common Blue and a Meadow Brown!

Common Broomrape

Thursday 6 June 2013

Orchid Extravaganza 4th and 6th June

On Tuesday I went along to Hartslock BBOWT reserve to take a look at the Monkey Orchids and their hybrids with the Lady Orchid. As I walked up the hill to where the orchids grow I could see loads of Monkey X Lady hybrids in flower. 2 Lady Orchids were also seen next to the hybrids and the Monkey Orchids were seen scattered in the grassland nearby. It's strange how the hybrids are doing much better than their parent plants. A few Twayblades were also seen,aswell as some White helleborines near the steps going through the wooded area.
Butterflies:-
2 Green hairstreak, 3 Dingy Skipper, 8 Common Blue, 10+ Small Heath, 2 Brimstone, Orange Tip, Small White, Green viened White.

Monkey X Lady Orchid

Monkey Orchid

Lady Orchid

Monkey X Lady Orchid

Close up of Monkey

Close up of Hybrid

Reserve Sign

Today I visited Homefield Wood BBOWT reserve for more orchids. Before getting to the reserve I stopped off near marlow common for Bird's Nest Orchid.

Bird's Nest Orchid

After looking at the Bird's Nest Orchid I headed off to the BBOWT reserve.

Reserve sign

7 Species of Orchid were seen in the reserve. Military, Common Spotted, Fly, Twayblade, Bird's Nest, White Helleborine and the Greater Butterfly Orchid which were still in bud in the woodland
.