Moths and Butterflies

I had the moth box out in the back yard overnight on Friday 19th June and unfortunately on checking it out early the next morning it was rather soggy following a surprise heavy shower. There were a few moths in the trap though with the highlights being a Scalloped Oak, Yellow-barred Brindle, Common Plume, Dark Arches and Celypha striana.

 Scalloped Oak

 Common Plume

 

Celypha striana

 Dark Arches - a typically dark individual

Dark Arches - a pale individual

It was a warm and humid and sunny day and so in the afternoon we walked over to Central Park to check out the elm trees for White-letter Hairstreaks which have already been sighted here this year but there was no sign of any. A smart Comma and a Large White were seen while in nearby Ford Park Cemetery I found a few Ringlets amongst the Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and 6-spot Burnets.

 Comma

Ringlet

Before heading out we had a look through the gate of the builders yard and could see Birdy 2020 sleeping peacefully in the sunshine on a pile of roofing tiles. The adults were still noisely in attendance and we presumed the builders would again place him back on the flat roof on Monday when they returned to work, and at least he was OK.

Sunday 21st June and with sunshine forecasted for mid morning we headed off early in grey skies and showers to Upton Towans near Hayle for a walk, arriving at around 11am and still with grey skies and showers and a strong breeze. There was loads of dog shit lying around as usual for this site even though it is a nature reserve but we had a good (and careful) walk around , me enjoying the wildlife and David enjoying the remains of the dynamite workings hidden in the dunes.

I quickly found Silver-studded Blues flitting about in the ground vegetation and managed to get some lovely views of them in the cool conditions. It did eventually brighten up and although the breeze picked up too there were Silver-stuudded Blues everywhere sunning themselves and fluttering about low to the ground.

 Silver-studded Blue - Male

 Silver-studded Blue - female

 Silver-studded Blue - mating pair

 Silver-studded Blue 

 Silver-studded Blue 

 Silver-studded Blue

 Silver-studded Blue

Silver-studded Blue 

 Silver-studded Blue 

Silver-studded Blue 

Also seen were Ringlet, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Small Skipper along with a few Yellow Shell moths.

Ringlet

Pyramidal Orchids were in flower across the site along with a few Southern Marsh Orchids.

Pyramidal Orchid

Southern Marsh Orchid 

Whitethroat and Stonechat were vocal and showy and a few Gannets were picked up distantly offshore.

A female Emperor Dragonfly was seen egg laying in a small water filled concrete bunker which also contained quite a few Newts, one of which I was able to catch and on having a good look at it I realised it was a Palmate Newt, the first one I have positively identified.

 Emperor Dragonfly

 Palmate Newt  - webbed back foot

Palmate Newt

Palmate Newt - filament end to tail

We stopped off at Perranporth on the drive home for a quick look at the view from the beach and to enjoy an expensive but tasty ice cream and arrived back in Plymouth at around 4pm after a very enjoyable day out in these weird COVID-19 lock down times. A nice day out to end a mixed and interesting week of wildlife.