Monday was too good a day to miss. The weather can be good during September, but maybe we won't get another day quite as nice as Monday again this year.
So I did a circuit Glasson - Conder Green - Glasson along the canal towpath, a pretty good idea if only because finding this Painted Lady at Scalestone Pond, puts me amongst a small band of butterfly enthusiasts having done so this summer, with just ten records found on the Butterfly Conservation Lancashire Branch website over three months since the end of May, also here 2 Silver Y moths.
Along the towpath, I found this female Migrant Hawker, obligingly it came to rest on the hedgerow, also seen 6 Brown Hawker.
I had a look in on Conder Pool to see if any high tide roosters had taken up there, to find 6 Greenshank, a lone adult Avocet, and Common Sandpiper. Probably saw up to 80 Swallow on the circuit, and a few House Martin still around the renamed and now called Greenfinch Cafe. At least 40 Small Tortoiseshell and a Red Admiral seen.
Thirty seven seconds of a never still and busy Silver Y moth at Saltcote Pond.
Tower Lodge.
Following on from my concerns about the tree felling at Tower Lodge in my last post. I made some enquiries and am assured the clear out was the result of much needed maintenance due to storm damage, resulting in the loss of nest boxes. Not a major concern for me, but I learn these boxes are to be relocated at a suitable location to be decided in time for next years breeding season.
40 Small Tortoiseshell!! That's more than what I've probably seen in the past 5 years. Another excellent variety of wildlife on your doorstep. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI have had 2 sightings of Painted Lady this summer in my garden in Bowerham Road, the most recent last week end. 14 Small Tortoiseshell on one bush last Monday they seem to have exploded over just this last week in my garden. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteIan Mitchell
Marc....Interesting comment you made about the 40 Small Tortoiseshell more than you have seen in the last 5 years in Kent.
ReplyDeleteIan....Thanks for your record of 2 Painted Lady in your Lancaster garden, though certainly no 'explosion' this year. About this time last year, I had seen 405 Painted Lady by late August mostly around the Lune Estuary area.
Great stuff, Pete, and I love that header. Seen a few Migrant Hawkers this year, but not had the luck to find one perched yet. Not seen a Painted Lady yet this summer. Silver Y moths seem to be having a very good year, and I'm rarely in the garden without seeing one - getting them come into the house too!
ReplyDeleteI too was surprised by Marc's comment about Small Tortoiseshells. We had a spell without any this summer, but we've been doing well for them recently in the garden with a count of 8 one day last week.
Keep taking good care - best wishes - - - - Richard
Well at least your not seeing a Painted Lady this year adds some credence to the claim they are in short supply in 2020 Richard.
ReplyDelete