 | ||
| My Cuckoo, Arthur |
The latest BTO bulletin on my Cuckoo, Arthur.
Arthur nudges west
The only other Cuckoo to make any significant movements over the last 10 days is Suffolk Cuckoo Arthur. Having spent a few weeks in Senegal, Arthur has flown 250 miles east, taking him over the border into neighbouring Mali. He is now close to the River Boule in Kongassambougou nature reserve of south west Mali.
It was a pleasure yesterday to walk along the stream at the western end of the village where the section between West End house and the old water mill site is showing a number of species that have been lost in recent years in the village itself through the mistaken 'Speed the Flow' policy, which has led to very little growing except the very poisoness Hemlock Water Dropwort. In addition to a small amount of that there was the blue/pink of Comfrey, the bright blue of Brooklime, which is making a good comeback in the stream. A few rather small spikes of Purple Loosestrife, which only used to appear in small numbers further down in the village, also appeared.
Most exciting was the appearance of a single Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly.
 |
| Beautiful Damoiselle. Photo. John Elliott. Click to enlarge. |
Also seen yesterday were three Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the Buddlia by the Village Hall. There have only seven reported so far in the whole of Dorset, so a significant increase in the county total.
Missed by the moth trap but arriving through the bathroom window last night was the rare Jersey Tiger Moth. Thought to be an imegrant which only occurs along the south coast, my last record was in July 2020.
 | |||
| Jersey Tiger Moth. Photo. John Elliott. Click to enlarge. |
There have been a number of records so far this year, it is thought to be having a good year.
When I came to Dorset fifty years ago there was a magnificent avenue of Elm trees as you entered Dorchester along the Bridport Road, now all gone having succumbed to Dutch Elm disease. For a while a Witch Elm by the old
 | |
| Dying Wiley Croft Elms. Photo. John Elliott. Click to enlsrge. |
Every time I report Beautiful Demoiselles in my garden I am told it is scarce in the South West, with the field guide showing it no further west than Hampshire. First found down the Weymouth Road three years ago it is now a frequent visitor to the village and seen almost daily. It only breeds in running water so likely to be working its way up the South Winterborne rather than breeding in my small pond. Three of the bright, metalic blue males were present in my very overgrown front garden today, as also was a single Southern Hawker Dragonfly. These rarely settle so no picture I am afraid.
My new Cuckoo, Arthur, flies south.
|
