Heath Fritillaries in Essex

A new species for me yesterday - the Heath Fritillary. It is restricted to a few key habitats:  coppiced woodland or sheltered heathland. It is confined to a small number of sites in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Kent, and has also at reintroduction into sites in Essex. Although very local in its distribution, this butterfly can be seen in large numbers in good years and certainly there were probably 50 plus individuals in three different areas of the wood. The main foodplants are Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), and occasionally other speedwells (Veronica spp.). Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is reported to be a secondary foodplant and my mating pair were taken on foxgloves. The best lighting conditions were just before a short rain spell.

Kingfisher Boxes at Paxton Pits

Yesterday, we installed the first 2 of 20 kingfisher boxes that are to be situated in strategic areas at Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. The aim is to provide more suitable nest sites especially in areas where banks created by quarrying have collapsed.

Dorset - Minterne Gardens

On our last full day in Dorset, we spent the afternoon in Minterne Gardens - a study in greens, dappled sunlight and magnificent plants and architecture.

Lakenheath - Great Crested Grebe Family

What a delight on our RPS/CCC Nature Group outing to watch a Great Crested Grebe pair with their three exotically striped youngsters at close range for an hour. At first, we thought there were only two young but a third ones emerged from the adult's feathers when it decided to have a vigorous shake.

Dorset - Cerne Abbas Butterflies and Moths

A walk up the Long Man Hill at Cerne Abbas produced all the target species  - Forester moth, Burnet moth, Grizzled and Dingy Skipper,  Marsh Fritillary, Common Blue and Adonis Blue. The first image of the Forester in quaking grass is one of my favourites of the holiday.