A
bitterly cold north wind sweeping across the higher areas of Black Down
meant that there was little insect life in evidence on a walk round
today until I reached the lower, more tree sheltered area, of Benecke
Wood. There the butterflies started to appear patrolling up and down the
path, some nectaring on the Bluebells which are
in full bloom at the
moment and covering an increasingly large area.
First to appear and most numerous were Speckled Woods, chocolate brown with yellow spots. The unmistakable Red Admiral came next in numbers, though as it makes a habit of patrolling up and down the same length of path it is difficult to avoid counting it more than once. A couple of Brimstones supplied a splash of bright, sullphureous yellow. Both male and female Orange Tips appeared, the former easilly identified as it lives up to its name, but the female has greyish wing tips and can easily be mistaken for a Small White unless the delicate green and white mottleing of the underwing can be seen. A single Small Copper, a butterfly that seems to be having an unusually good year, made up the total.
Birds were keeping low in
the very windy conditions, but two House Martins passing over high up
were a welcome sight. There was only the briefest glimpse of a Common Lizard as it dashed across the path.
This is one of the species that over winter as adults, this one has lost several bits from the rear edges of its wings, probably due to bird attacks.
Red Admiral nectaring on Bluebells and Greater Stitchwort.
Welcome heralds of Spring.
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