Tuesday, August 15, 2017

πŸ“– Diary Update #44

23C Tuesday 15th August 2017 ~ I was inches away from damaging a Muntjac Deer, which ran out in front of me as I was entering RSPB Otmoor, Oxfordshire this morning.

Sadly ~ My best effort for Brown Hairstreak!
Although it was a little early in the day I decided to begin my search for Brown Hairstreak butterflies walking north along the bridleway adjacent to the MOD land. I spent around a half hour with no luck, most of the movement, Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker, Darters and  Speckled Woods. Jim and Carol Timms arrived a short while later and we decided to check out other areas of the reserve, before returning mid-morning. Although successful on our second attempt with two, they remained pretty elusive!

An excellent visit during the remainder of our stay with at least 20+ Red Kites, mainly following a tractor cutting the grassland on 'Big Otmoor' and around a dozen or so Buzzard. Two Common Cranes were across on 'Greenaways' to the north and a Hobby hunting along with at least four Kestrel. Not many waders to be found with Greenshank heard Curlew and a flyby Green Sandpiper. Taking the bridleway west past the hide towards Noke and turning left at the pump station produced the amazing sight of five Whinchats along the farm fence! Although just looking at my grainy distant images one, in fact, could well be a Stonechat!! On route back for the hairstreaks, Carol picked out the first of two Clouded Yellows seen today, as it whizzed past in their normal fashion!

Excellent numbers of Adonis Blue at Yoesden!
After Otmoor a drive out to Yoesden Nature Reserve in Buckinghamshire. This was my first visit here, a wonderful little gem of chalk grassland slope filled with wild flowers. Almost immediately we were into several Adonis Blue butterflies, along with similar numbers of Chalkhill Blue.

♂ ♀Chalkhill Blue
The second of two Clouded Yellows while here and other species noted during the visit included: Brown Argus, Small Heath, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Common Blue and Meadow Brown.

Stunning blue of the Adonis!

*Apologies for the slight focus issues on my images today which appear to look slightly off!