Nan Whin Woods, Tong

Nesting Thrush

On our visit to Nan Whin Woods in Tong we first dropped by Goodalls Ice Cream Parlour on Tong Lane for pre-walk refreshments. Two scoops of Chocolate and Hokey Pokey (honeycomb & caramel) in a sugar cone later we set off on our woodland wander. We caught sight of this Mistle Thrush constructing its mossy nest high up in the fork of a tree. Thanks to Phil (Another Bird Blog) for his ID.  Chiffchaffs sang from the Hawthorn tops. 

Chiffchaff

An elusive pair of Jays were appeared on our return where we spotted them near the banks of the stream.

Jay

Sunlight filtering through banks of Anenomes flanking the beck.

Having read Midmarsh John's post on Midmarsh Jottings  earlier in the week I recognised this straight away asa Bee Fly (bombylius major), thanks John!

Bee Fly

A Comma, one of 4 seen during the visit, along with Peacock (6) Small Tortoiseshell (8).

Comma

Headingley Station Allotment Butterflies

A few more hours on the allotment today brought out more butterflies with two new species making an appearance thanks to the glorious sunshine. This Comma spent a bit of time on the Gooseberries (not a great pic, but needs must), and a male Orange Tip passed through briefly. The single Small White that's been around for the last two days was joined by another, and two Small Tortoiseshells visited a variety of spots around the allotment, a Peacock made an appearance later in the afternoon.

I've started a butterfly sightings list for 2012 with the aim that it'll encourage me to be a little more organised about recording my sightings for the year. Thanks to a week off work I've made a good start so far.

Allotment and garden sightings

After the excitement of the Kirkstall Festival, we popped over to the allotment to weed, water and harvest, returning home with broad beans, turnips, gooseberries and raspberries. Lovely to see a Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) in the herb patch, feeding on Marjoram flowers.

The broad beans were lightly steamed and served alongside a nice piece of Salmon, the gooseberries transformed into a gooseberry cheesecake, the raspberries sat on top of a generous dollop of fresh cream on top of a fruit scone purchased earlier at the festival. Yum!

Back in the house, from the back door I spotted this Comma sunning itself on a potted hosta in the back garden.

Nan Whin Woods, Tong

We visited Nan Whin Woods at the weekend, near Tong. Once we headed out of the woodland and into the valley I was amazed at the number of butterflies on the wing. Approximately 8 x Orange Tips, 12 x Peacocks, 5 x Small Tortoiseshell, 7 x Comma, 5 Whites and my first Brimstone of the year, I'm guessing a male because of its bright yellow colouring.

The only ones that stood still for a moment were this Comma.

A dainty White on a dandelion

This striking Comma in profile, the white comma visible on the underwing. Yes it is sat on a piece of poo.   

We heard a few familiar 'chiff chaffs' throughout our wander and eventually spotted two birds in a hawthorn, its not a great pic but enough to show that its a ChiffChaff, we watched it fly up into the air and floated down on spread wings which I read is common behaviour for courting males.

Having underestimated how warm it was, at this point we were a little parched, and made our way out of the valley and headed towards Goodalls ice cream parlour on Tong Road. Due to our in built foody sat nav we ended up joining the main road a mere 10 metres from the entrance to the farm! Kerching! Andrea had Chocolate and Pannacotta and I had Chocolate and Hokey Pokey then we turned around.

Otley Gallows Hill

On a visit to Otley Gallows Hill Nature Park patchy sunshine brought out plenty of Comma butterflies with over 10 spotted during our walk, feeding on thistles, resting on brambles, foliage and basking on paths.

From the bridge we glimpsed a flash of electric blue as a Kingfisher shot upstream and waited patiently to watch it zip back downstream a few minutes later. Far too quick for a pic so instead here's the view from the bridge.

Andrea spotted these caterpillars, close inspection revealed over 20 of them feeding on nettles. They're Peacock caterpillars, thanks to Dean for his help with identification.

As you can see Ive been messing around with a new template and have tried again to get the hang of the new editor, and to be honest both are pretty infuriating, because there are so many inconsistencies, borders on photos no borders on photos blah blah blah, I'm even boring myself. Anyway I'm sticking with this until I can summon up the patience to have another crack at it, which may be never. grrrrrrr.

And relax.......phew!

Beckett Park woodland sightings

Yesterday, during a lunchtime wander through Beckett Park woodland I spotted a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Great Tit, Jay, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. Around campus I caught sight of another Nuthatch on a Beech tree adorned with emerging buds and still bearing last years fruit.

The most exciting sighting of the day was a Comma on the wing, it made off too quickly for me to get a pic, so Ive included a photo of a Comma feeding on a Verbena that I took up at Goldenacre Park last October. It appeared in a boggy area of woodland which apparently is a preferred habitat for the species. The Yorkshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation has a recent sightings page and I noticed that a Brimstone and Peacock were also seen in Headingley yesterday afternoon. With good weather on the way this weekend perhaps we can look forward to more appearances, fingers crossed.

Goldenacre Park butterflies

I enjoyed a sunny Saturday afternoon up at Goldenacre Park, Leeds. The tall stems and nectar filled flowerheads of Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle) and Verbena bonariensis attracted three different species of butterfly all from the Nymphalidae family.

My first spot was this Comma on the round heads of the Globe Thistle, one of my favourite plants. I didn't expect much butterfly action today, so was delighted with this one & pleased with myself to have caught it backlit with mid afternoon sunshine. Although this one looks as if its been heavily edited its pretty much as it came out of the camera.

Then moving onto a larger border of Verbena situated just behind the cafe I noticed more butterflies. 4 Commas, what fantastic outlines.

This one really stood out against a darker background, both bee and butterfly appeared happy to share the flowerhead.

Then I noticed 4 Painted Ladies in pretty good nick. The orange ground colour more subtle than the Comma. How well they pose.

And the third species of the day Red Admirals, 4 of them, what striking colours. I saw one last weekend on Kirkstall Lane near the leisure centre and then another earlier in the day on Kirkstall Lane near the train station. Previously I'd only seen two all year, up in the North East, so I was really pleased to have the time to observe these ones. An unexpected butterfly bonanza!

Teeside visit

Whilst enjoying the sun in Maureen's garden in Billingham we spotted a Silver Y moth Autographa gamma. Its apparently 'one of the great migrants of the insect world'. Distinguishing features are the Silver Y on forewing and the double crest on the thorax. A widespread moth it flies both at night & day although it was at rest when we saw it in on a potted ivy. It feeds on a variety of both wild & cultivated plants.

At Billingham Beck, a Comma Polygonia c-album, the underwings are a dull brown colour, with a small white 'C' marking, which gives the butterfly its name.

A Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Likes shady areas with dappled sunlight, deciduous, coniferous & mixed woodland. This one was partially obscured by the canopy, and backlit with sun illuminating its forewings. Dragonfly, a Common Darter, thanks to Emma for help with the identification.

A Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina

Hogweed, not sure which variety but I was drawn to sculptural qualities of the plant especially the flat winged seedheads of the compound umbel.

Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum)Most widespread of dragonflies and damselflies throughout much of Britain

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense