☀️
32C Tuesday 23rd May 2019 ~A drop off at Heathrow airport this morning gave me the perfect opportunity for a quick visit to Aston Rowant Nature Reserve on route home.
 |
| Silver-spotted Skipper ~ From last years visit to Aston Rowant NR |
Perched high on the Chilterns escarpment, the reserve contains flower-rich chalk grassland, woodland and juniper scrub. There are fantastic views over the Oxford plain (which unfortunately includes the busy M40 motorway) and it's a great place to watch
Red Kites soaring overhead. However, it's also an excellent place to see
Silver-spotted Skipper Butterfly and during last years visit on July 25th they were plentiful with 32 recorded.
 |
| One of a good number of Chalk-hill Blue |
Similar to last years visit it was a sweltering and cloudless day with the temperature around 32C. The hill looked stunning with an array of wildflowers including great clumps of
Oregano, plus
Pyramidal and
Common Spotted Orchids. I spent a good 90-minutes enjoying the many
Chalk Hill Blues but unlike last year I only managed two
Silver-spotted Skippers, both in my binoculars and flying off as I approached before I managed to secure a photo. There were a dozen
Common Blues and although I didn't complete more individual counts I'll list all species noted at the end of the journal.
 |
| Originally ID'd as Chalk-hill Blue could this be Anonis Blue? |
When I tweeted my sightings on the day I'd noted that there were no Adonis Blue's but on reflection one photograph in particular maybe a female Adonis? I'll check this out with my goto guys (they know who they are π) However, with no images of the upper hind wing this may prove difficult, plus males are usually out first and there was no sign today!
Butterfly Species Noted:
Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Chalk-hill Blue, Common Blue, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Essex Skipper, Small Skipper, Silver-spotted Skipper (2)
Other Images Of The Day...
 |
| Lots of beautiful Oregano at the lower end of the escarpment |
 |
| I think this is Small Scabious ~ Scabiosa columbaria |
 |
| Clustered Bellflower ~ Campanula glomerata |
SITE INFORMATION
