Worcestershire Butterflies,Moths and Dragonflies (1 Viewer)

[Jason K]

Thanks for posting Terry's sighting Jase.

Is this the best count in Worcestershire at the moment?

I believe so Phil, although I'm not sure how many Keith R has had at his site near Bittell....I think he has been getting good counts there

 

[keithr]

Hi ...I did not do a specific count but at least 30 in the fields off Groveley Lane towards Bittell.
Was told by 2 brilliant youngsters ( about aged 12) that they had seen "blue ones " as well.These lads spend all their time walking these fields and do not miss a thing.....I always learn something when we meet.
Keith :t:

 

[israel]

I believe so Phil, although I'm not sure how many Keith R has had at his site near Bittell....I think he has been getting good counts there

Hi Jase,
A few of us at Bittell have had circa 20 Clouded Yellows in the far North Fields.Difficult to be more precise as they're highly mobile.

Chris. T.

 

[Jason K]

Hi Jase,
A few of us at Bittell have had circa 20 Clouded Yellows in the far North Fields.Difficult to be more precise as they're highly mobile.

Chris. T.

Cheers for the info Chris...it's turning out to be an exceptional year for them!

 

[Jason K]

There were 2 Clouded Yellows present again at Shenstone this afternoon, plus Migrant Hawker & Brown Hawker dragonflies nearby.

Earlier today I saw a Painted Lady on a Buddleia at Hartlebury

 

[woodwolf]

Connected with more Clouded Yellows today and found a second colony of Purple Hairstreak on my patch.

Also my first Painted Ladies of the year, one near Lineholt, and 1 on my patch.
Nice to see a few more Common Blues about too

 

[Woodchat]

Two Clouded Yellows on my patch today plus at least 4 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral and lots of Small Torts. Best of all was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - the first I've ever seen in Worcestershire. In fact, the first I've ever seen outside of Cornwall / Scilly Isles I think.

 

[woodwolf]

Two Clouded Yellows on my patch today plus at least 4 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral and lots of Small Torts. Best of all was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - the first I've ever seen in Worcestershire. In fact, the first I've ever seen outside of Cornwall / Scilly Isles I think.

Very envious Dave, would be thrilled to see one myself

 

[Snow-Bunting]

Two Clouded Yellows on my patch today plus at least 4 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral and lots of Small Torts. Best of all was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - the first I've ever seen in Worcestershire. In fact, the first I've ever seen outside of Cornwall / Scilly Isles I think.

Just for the record, had one in my garden a couple of summers ago

 

[Jason K]

Two Clouded Yellows on my patch today plus at least 4 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral and lots of Small Torts. Best of all was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth - the first I've ever seen in Worcestershire. In fact, the first I've ever seen outside of Cornwall / Scilly Isles I think.

Hummingbird Hawk...Nice one Dave, you lucky man!!!! I can only dream of that on my patch!

They are coming in now though...a friend of mine who works at Lower Smite Farm had one there in the week too

 

[Jason K]

The number of Clouded Yellows at Shenstone has increased and I counted 4 on my walk around the fields yesterday.

Also of interest was 1 Brown Argus, 1 Common Blue and 5 Silver Y

 

[keithr]

Hi Jase,
A few of us at Bittell have had circa 20 Clouded Yellows in the far North Fields.Difficult to be more precise as they're highly mobile.

Chris. T.

Hi Chris...how far north were the fields....could be the same location....mine is as far as you can go along from Cofton Richards on the path that leads to the back of the old rover site and onto Groveley Lane.

Only connected with about 10 Clouded Yellow yesterday evening but now there is a colony of Common Blues...most I have ever had in these fields.
Also a Small Copper-1st ever sighting.

This is probably a Female Blue but would love it to be a Brown Argus....lol
Keith :t:

 

[Jason K]

This is probably a Female Blue but would love it to be a Brown Argus....lol
Keith :t:

It is a female Common Blue I'm afraid Keith...it's still a looker all the same!

This is quite a useful id guide showing the differences between Brown Argus & female Common Blue...it's def worth a read:

http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/components/downloads/cb-ba-id-guide-high-res.pdf

jase

 

[keithr]

Thanks Jase....I use the http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/ site and it does not go into it as much as your great link.

I did learn off my link beforehand that the Argus has the black spot on the open forewing and try as hard as I could I could not see it on mine...lol
I still wanted it to be an Argus to have another 1st for me and probably for the site (in modern times anyway).

As I think I might have said before it is virtually a new site as it was totally cleared in the winter and is re-establishing itself....first will be all grasses and weed flowers etc but some trees are sprouting already.....interesting times ahead I think.
I do not know the who's and why's of the site but it would be nice if it could have some management in the future.
Thanks
Keith :t:

 

[John Layj]

Please could someone id this caterpillar, seen on the boardwalk at the East end of the Salwarpe this evening. Thanks!

 

[keithr]

Is it some kind of Tiger Moth....we used to call them Woolly Bears.....supposed to be poisonous.
Keith :t:

 

[Jason K]

Please could someone id this caterpillar, seen on the boardwalk at the East end of the Salwarpe this evening. Thanks!

Nice one John. It's the caterpillar of a White Ermine moth

 

[Jason K]

Attached is a photo of the rather stunning ♂ Southern Hawker that was working the track to the East Hide at the Moors Pool at Upton Warren yesterday:

 

[Jason K]

♂ Southern Hawker, Upton Warren - 19th August 2013 (close up):

 

[John Layj]

Is it some kind of Tiger Moth....we used to call them Woolly Bears.....supposed to be poisonous.
Keith :t:

That's what I thought Keith, and thanks for replying, but it didn't line up with any Tiger Moth caterpillars in my (very limited) references. See below.

Nice one John. It's the caterpillar of a White Ermine moth

Thanks Jason

Great shots of the Southern Hawker btw.