Species Recording

Weather and a nesting Blue Tit have curbed the moth trapping so far this year.  Butterfly surveys have been carried out when the weather has been warm and sunny.

On Friday five species were recorded.  Twenty Orange Tip butterflies were counted, nine Green Veined White and two Brimstone.  Some of the Peacock butterflies are looking a little worse for wear as they have spent the winter in hibernation.  Others look pristine as they sunbathe.

Speckled Wood butterflies have recently taken their place on the observation board.

Monthly flower walks continue throughout the seasons, only a good covering of snow curtailing these walks.  A recent addition to the monthly list is Cuckoo Flower, known also as Milkmaids and Ladies Smock.  It is beginning to show its delicate pink/purple flowers throughout the Scrapes.

Barren Strawberry has been in flower for several weeks and as its name suggests it does not produce a fruit.  Wild Strawberry, on the other hand, does.  They are just beginning to bloom. For some reason a close eye is kept on the places where these flowers are.  I wonder why?

Jack-by-the-hedge was growing near the Field Centre three year ago but has never been seen there since.  Several stems have been found around the Bullet Catcher area.