Photography walk

Today, I was booked to lead a walk for local ramblers and photographers. Meeting at the village hall we set off up Brick Kiln Hill past Muggins Wood. This was after I had shown a selection of the moths trapped overnight at home. Sadly, due to the torrential rain as from 9pm there were only 24 moths of 13 species in the trap, so not too inspiring, as many were micros and only a straw underwing showed any real patterning and colour.
Common buzzards were calling and to the east, in the distance, a red kite. Some good butterflies and dragonflies on the edges of the wood, with common darter, southern hawker, migrant hawker along with small skipper, green veined and small white. Green woodpeckers were heard and a possible purple hairstreak sighting, at a known sight for them. I shall return to check.

common buzzard (taken earlier in the week, a 1st year bird)

common darter

recently emerged common darter

migrant hawker

We then wandered over the polo fields, seeing and hearing yellowhammers before heading along Hoecroft Lane. Birds were all along here, but tricky to see as they hid away in the canopy. Robin, great tit, blue tit, blackcap, great spotted woodpecker, chiffchaff, blackbird, wren and chaffinch were all heard and glimpsed briefly, along with speckled wood butterflies. On local buddleia both peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies were recorded, before we arrived at the war memorial. Here we set off over a field and then returned to the village along the River Ash. Along this stretch plenty of horse radish and wild majoram was growing and plum trees showed signs of good fruit to come. A common blue butterfly was also seen, roosting on the barley.

All in all, a good walk with plenty of nature on hand, some lending itself to reasonable photos. I trust the ramblers enjoyed the 3 hour saunter and saw creatures that they may not have observed before.

small white

speckled wood

small tortoiseshell

peacock

common blue.