Saturday 10th. May 2014

On a wet and very windy day , a picture catch up on recent outings . 

 

At Hutchinsons Bank , 8/10 Glanville Fritillary on the wing during sunny periods , including at least 2 females , like the upper specimen pictured . 

 

Still lots of Brimstone around , more males than females .

 

This male managed to go to ground with a female , but with her abdomen pointing upwards , he had no chance of mating with her , after 10 minutes , he gave up . 

 

Found on the same visit , Cream-spot Ladybird , with the brilliant name Calvia quatuordecimguttata . 

 

On the way home , Martin showed me the larva of the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly feeding on Elm at Chapel Bank . A first for me , thanks very much Martin . 

 

An afternoon transect at High Elms LNR , produced nine species including my first Common Blue , a male , 

 

 and 4 Green Hairstreak , 2 of which were egg laying females .

 

In Beech woodland , 5 Birdsnest Orchids / Neottia nidus-avis , another first for the year . 

 

 On the Orchid Bank , many of the Common Twayblade are in full flower ,

 

also another Fly Orchid / Ophrys insectifera , but no sign of the 2 Man Orchids , no doubt eaten by the local rabbits , 

 

and in the woodland above the Orchid Bank , my first White Helleborine /Cephalanthera damasonium of the year , yet to come into flower . 

 

Walking back alongside the golf course , several newly emerged Red and Black Leafhoppers / Cercopis vulnerata . 

 



Along the bridlepath , lots of Common Vetch / Vicia sativa , using it's tendrils to raise itself above the surrounding vegetation .

And finally , one of the proud parents from the bottom of the garden , waiting it's turn to pop in and feed the family .