6 of us headed out in good temperatures to record the butterflies in the west of the parish. Wandering from the village hall to Westland Green and returning via the grasses of Ash Valley Golf Course. In all 10 species were found, with meadow brown being an ever present, with well in excess of 100 specimens being noted. Over 25 ringlets were seen and at least 9 small tortoiseshells.
Over 25 small skippers, just 1 essex skipper, 1 speckled wood, 2 large whites, 1 small white, and 1 small heath were also observed.
However, the highlight was a fly past clouded yellow, only the 2nd parish record, following on from 1 in October 2009.
Also seen, again, 2nd parish record, was an immature broad bodied chaser dragonfly and several narrow bordered 5 spot burnet moths were feeding on clover and bird's foot trefoil.
Birds were very scarce with several buzzards, whitethroat, and swift being noteworthy.
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| bee orchid |
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| broad bodied chaser |
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| meadow brown |
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| narrow bordered 5 spot burnet |
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| ringlet |
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| small skipper |
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| speckled wood |
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