Thursday, 25 June 2009

Druridge butterfly & moth bonanza

Our visit to Druridge Bay, Northumberland provided a butterfly bonanza. Walking to and from the Druridge Pools Hide & meandering through the dunes I virtually doubled my annual tally of butterflies in one day, outstanding!

First up Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui) on red clover, a long distance migrant from Africa.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) is the most widespread blue butterfly in UK and found in a variety of grassy habitats. Feeds mainly on Common Bird's-foot-trefoil.

Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae), a day flying moth, wingspan 32-42 mm. Favours well drained grassland habitats, where the caterpillars feed on ragworts & groundsels.

Latticed Heath moth (Chiasmia claratha) wingspan 20-25mm.

Small Heath, (Coenonympha pamphilus), widespread, flies only in sunshine, generally stays near to the ground & its wings are kept close at rest. Found in grassland habitats where its foodplants are fine grasses.

Lots of Pipits flying to and fro & settling on shrub tops.

Thanks to Nigel K for identifying this as a Meadow Pipit Anthus Pratensis.


Northumberland Diversity have a really useful brochure to help find your way around Druridge.

4 comments:

  1. I'd like to find a Latticed Heath - I haven't seen one yet on the IoW.
    Our Painted Ladies are looking quite frazzled now.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Painted Lady are spot on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ellooo your Bunting of some description is Anthus Pratensis - Meadow Pipit.

    Ace Blog

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you all for your comments.
    Rob, I agree the Painted Lady was looking a little worn & faded. I haven't seen many, in fact I think its only my second Painted Lady this year.
    Nigel, thank you that's really helpful & thanks for your comment.
    Dad, thanks, I thought it was a great day out.

    ReplyDelete

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