Mainly Moths and Butterflies

For the last few days a bright orange butterfly has been seen flying in front of the Field Centre, across the moor, near Spigot Mere but it has never settled even for a second!  However it was 'caught' yesterday when it stayed still for two seconds and caught on camera by Tim.   It is a Dark Green Fritillary.  The caterpillar feeds on Common Dog Violet.

Ringlet butterflies can be seen all over the reserve.  Meadow Browns are not in such great numbers.  An oak leaf was the resting place for this Meadow Brown.

The portable moth trap, placed away from the Field Centre is catching some moths we do not often see.  This Garden Tiger is a stunning moth.  The larvae feed on a range of herbaceous plants including Common Nettle, Broad-leaved Dock and Burdock.

On flying it off this moth decided it was best to land on the path so it was rescued, and although we prefer to not to show moths in the hand, this head on shot shows some beautiful markings around its head and face.

A red flash of wings, almost hidden behind vegetation was a burnet moth.  The photo shows that its abdomen has a definite blue sheen, but this is not shown in the picture used for ID.  It is a Narrow-bordered Five-Spot Burnet Moth.  It is a rather worn specimen which could account for the blue sheen.

Not to be left out of the Moth and Butterfly blog, a Figwort Weevil was found, as its name suggests on Water Figwort.

In sunny glades across the reserve damselflies can be seen, sometimes quite a way from the water.  This Large Red Damselfly was sunbathing on a fern frond.

And finally we know we have many Bullfinches on the reserve, but CES ringing today caught a total of 184 birds of which 110 were Bullfinches and of them 89 were newly ringed. 

Thank yous go to Andrew and Tim for the photographs, to Peter for strimming many net rides and to the bird ringers who started their day at 0415.  (Hopefully a later start next week, 0430, weather permitting.)