My Local Wood

Hardwick Wood was looking great yesterday in the strong dappled sunlight and well worth the long hot walk to get there. Butterflies everywhere with this Green-veined White taking centre stage for a time flitting among the bramble flowers but I soon found my target species, the Silver-washed Fritillary, in a sunlit glade along with  Large Skipper, Comma, Speckled Wood, Marbled Whites and impressive Pied Hoverfly and Hornet Hoverfly.

Garden Species 28th July

Great to see a second Silver-washed Fritillary in the garden this year though near the end of its flying time (their breeding area is over a mile away. Other favourites are the one-legged Dark Bush Cricket, the two Speckled Bush Crickets and the Spiders with their prey (ID sheet at end)

Hardwick Wood Butterflies

Great to see several Silver-washed Fritillaries in my local wood feeding on the Bramble along with Large Whites, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma and Brimstone. I hoped to also see the Purple Hairstreaks but the sky clouded over just as I reached the area and they magically disappear into the oak trees when the sun disappears.

Summer in Hardwick Wood

Most of  the mud of the winter has dried up in Hardwick Wood with many of the paths now filled with grasses taller than me and everywhere vibrant green with mosses and foliage. I went to check on the butterfly population - certainly there are Silver-washed Fritillaries but not in abundance and they are looking fairly worn. Plenty of Whites, Red Admirals and Ringlets but didn't locate any Hairstreaks -  I am sure they will be there high in the Oaks. I took a macro lens - not the best for recording flying woodland butterflies so big enlargements but hopefully gives of feel of this very beautiful and wild place.

Life in an Ancient Wood

I eventually found time to walk up to my local woodland at Hardwick - a bit more strenuous than previous seasons as the field verges have not been cut which is very good for the wildlife but makes heavier going for walking. I was rewarded with sunny lit glades full of butterflies enjoying this year's abundant bramble flowers!! Not a lot of Silver-washed Fritillaries about but getting late in the season. Also Ringlet, Comma, Green-veined White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small Skipper (also seen Large and Small Whites). Dragonflies flies - Southern Hawker and Common Darter, and Band-Eyed Brown Horsefly.