The Natural History Of Staffordshire: Fauna and Flora (1 Viewer)

[Adam M]

Just got sent this from my lecturer (who is on the board/committee of Butterfly Conservation).

One years free membership for Butterfly Conservation! As long as you haven't been a member before. Simply click this link http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/free-membership.html#cr click the join now button/link and it should automatically put the promo code into the box to allow you to join for free for a year.

You will be asked for payment details, but no payment will be taken until next year if you don't cancel your membership. They will send you an e-mail a month before it is due to be renewed just to remind you.

I have been a member before, so don't qualify. But my membership is up for renewal, and at just £28, it's a bit of a steal. Plus they do some great work, so money well spent. The Midlands branch magazine is really good, and well worth the fee on it's own.

You can also get half price membership as a gift for Mothers Day.

Adam

 

[minkstone]

Done that, cheers Adam.
First butterfly of the year a small tortoiseshell on mossfield landfill today.
Stu.

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

small quaker and 2 common quakers caught last night

 

[minkstone]

Four small tortoiseshell mossfield landfill today.

 

[NickPomiankowski]

Silverdale Colliery

Red Admiral present today :t:

 

[Adam M]

The first cuckoo flower is just coming into flower in the garden.

It's a great plant if you want to attract butterflies as it is the larval food plant for 2 species; the orange tip and the green veined white. Interestingly though, they use seperate parts of the plants. The green veined white feeds on the leaves, while the orange tip feeds on the developing seed pods and flower heads. Plus of course it provides a nectar sources for many other species. So well worth planting up, or of course not pulling up with other 'weeds.'

Adam

 

[ladybee]

The first cuckoo flower is just coming into flower in the garden.

It's a great plant if you want to attract butterflies as it is the larval food plant for 2 species; the orange tip and the green veined white. Interestingly though, they use seperate parts of the plants. The green veined white feeds on the leaves, while the orange tip feeds on the developing seed pods and flower heads. Plus of course it provides a nectar sources for many other species. So well worth planting up, or of course not pulling up with other 'weeds.'

Adam

That's good to know - I have lots of it in my garden.

 

[minkstone]

Parkhall Wetland Walk good show of comma butterflies today, at least five seen, lots of toads on the move you really have to look where you are walking, Stu.

 

[minkstone]

finely took the the plunge and ordered a moth trap a 125 mv skinner trap, dont expect to catch much behind my terrace house but a friend up the road as a large garden, so i expect to be on here a lot asking for id help until i get the hang of it, it comes with some pots a book on moths & butterflies all for £125, Stu.

 

[minkstone]

First butterfly for my yard today a small tortoiseshell, red admiral on mossfield landfill, cowslips coming into flower over on Parkhall wetland walk, Stu.

 

[dwe]

finely took the the plunge and ordered a moth trap a 125 mv skinner trap, dont expect to catch much behind my terrace house but a friend up the road as a large garden, so i expect to be on here a lot asking for id help until i get the hang of it, it comes with some pots a book on moths & butterflies all for £125, Stu.

Good for you! Do get in touch when you have some records to send in or indeed have any queries. Remember that you have more chance of adding a new moth to the county list than a bird - sorry Nick!

Dave

[email protected]

 

[minkstone]

Good for you! Do get in touch when you have some records to send in or indeed have any queries. Remember that you have more chance of adding a new moth to the county list than a bird - sorry Nick!

Dave

[email protected]

Thanks Dave.

 

[minkstone]

Parkhall wetland walk, two peacock and first brimstone of the year for me.

 

[RetroDude]

A blue sp. in my garden yesterday which I assume from my Hamlyn guide must be a Holly Blue - is this notably early?

Jonathan

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

Holly Blue

A blue sp. in my garden yesterday which I assume from my Hamlyn guide must be a Holly Blue - is this notably early?

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,
Your Blue would be a Holly Blue, an early sighting, on Butterfly conservation a Holly Blue was recorded on the 9th of March Hertfordshire.

Regards, John

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

had my first brimestone yesterday near holden lane

moth trap last night
7 small quakers
2 clouded drabs
2 common quakers
2 hebrew characters

 

[dwe]

Despite a frost I had 50 moths last night including a Grey Shoulder-knot which is always nice to see.

Dave

 

[dwe]

Just heard of a Hummingbird Hawk at Redhills, Stafford 26th March; also Small White - both very early records.

Dave

 

[Rob1991S-O-T]

had a white butterfly yesterday near city general pretty sure was green veined white or large white as only saw it in flight distanly which was my 5th butterfly sp of the year

 

[minkstone]

While doing a bit of butterfly watching over on the wetland walk with CS we came across a white butterfly in a clearing, it was about 20 mm and almost ghostly white with oval wings but wot made it different was very weak fluttering flight and going back to the same spot but did not land, i know its early for a wood white but CS was sure it was a butterfly.
Stu