The little things

Here with a mini update, about mini flying things, due to minimal energy for being out and about this week, unfortunately. The day before my ill-considered, strength-sapping yomp over Albury Nowers, I’d checked the A41 Small Blue colony. Conditions weren’t ideal but I’d counted at least 12 Small Blues, including a mating pair. Also risking life and wing by the dual carriageway was a fresh Burnet Companion moth.

On Sunday, still unaware of quite how drained I was, I visited Bovingdon Brickworks briefly. The teeny weeny Adela fibulella day-flying moth had just emerged and was enjoying a rare glimpse of sunshine, fluttering on/around its foodplant, Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys). In the same scrubby meadow, nestled down amongst the grasses and nettles, near one of the many stands of Bugle (Ajuga reptans), I found a brilliant Small Copper. I only ever see a handful of this species throughout the season so I make the most of each one.

Adela (cauchas) fibulella. The smallest of the British Adelinae moths at approx 5mm long. Scarce in Herts

Small Copper. The little fibulella moth is probably as long as its antenna!

Finally, today, after what has basically been 4 days of complete rest, I went out for a very gentle stroll. It was cold and drizzling but worth it for chancing upon a pair of dishevelled Great Spotted Woodpeckers, weary in their quest to satisfy a nest-hole full of squawking babies. If I have the energy and opportunity, I’ll head back to them soon and see if I can get some video/photos, obviously without causing any intrusion/disturbance.

Spring butterflies at last!

Just a few photographs and notes from this week so far…

Monday, it was “yes” to the best bird in Watford, a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, drumming and calling in Cassiobury Park. I’d not seen this species since 2012 and had forgotten just how tiny it is. Unfortunately, it was “no” to the mega rare Roseate Tern that dropped in, half dead, at Wilstone reservoir early that evening. I think I felt a bit like the Tern but I was lucky enough to be tucked up in the warm, about to dig in to a hearty meal. The Tern was not so fortunate, stuck out in the cold and rain, hundreds of miles from where it wanted to be. It was taken in to care the following morning and later, sadly, died (for a first-hand account, see Roy's sharply observed write up, here).

Tuesday marked the start of BMT staff and volunteers getting stuck in to a really exciting new conservation project: we're working towards the introduction of the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly to Trust land in Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon. As far as anyone is aware, there isn’t a single Duke of Burgundy butterfly anywhere in Hertfordshire. Nationally, it is one of the most rapidly declining species, with its distribution concentrated in central-southern England and a few isolated colonies in the southern Lake District and the North York Moors. Over the coming months and possibly, even, years, the Trust is going to be gathering data and developing land management strategies to support an application to Natural England & Butterfly Conservation for a (re)introduction programme. When I have a bit of time and brain power, I’ll put together a new page with all the details and outline one of my first tasks.

Today, it finally felt like Spring and I had to make the most of it. Grey Wagtails are nesting by the River Bulbourne: a pair on eggs and a third adult also in the area. The Small Blues haven’t yet emerged at the A41 colony but, over in the chalk dell at Roughdown Common, I had my first Green Hairstreaks (3) [two weeks later than last year] and Small Copper (1) of the year. A male Orange-tip, Holly Blue, Small & Large Whites and a Brimstone also fluttered by. Blissful sunshine...and more of it tomorrow...

Upperwings of Green Hairstreak

Green Hairstreak, nectaring (an unusual sight in general) on Forget-me-not

Who stole the sunshine?

Bovingdon (BMT): My word, it’s been a cold, grey, windy, wet week. It’s a good job I’ve had more than sun-loving invertebrates to adore. This Summer has been a bumper year for baby birds at the Brickworks. I’ve not managed any photographs worth sharing but the experiences have been special. Nuthatches, Whitethroats, Linnets, Mistle Thrushes, Blackcaps, Robins and all the Tit families have courted, created and encouraged their noisy and nervous youngsters out into the woodland and surrounding scrub. I’ve loved running into them.

The little flock that is holding my interest at the moment is a party of 4+ freshly fledged, belle-of-the-ball Bullfinches (I really rather love Bullfinches...). Each time I arrive at the Brickworks, there they are, in the woodland, right by the entrance. If I approach quietly, and stay hidden, I’m able to watch the youngsters flit through the branches, sighing softly and occasionally finding buds or grubs that are actually worth eating. They don’t seem to stray far from this area except when I have to unlatch the gate and take the footpath past it, unfortunately. Then, they zoom off, scattering like Red Arrows breaking formation, a trail of white rumps, all making for the more dense woodland on the opposite side of the path. Still, they stay close by, giving themselves away with frequent calling. And, it isn’t too long before they’re all back in that same small area from which they fled, finding comfort and safety in its familiarity, and harvesting food and experience for life outside the nest.

Secrecy and sensitivity are part of this species’ charisma. There’s also the male’s peachy red, black and handsome grey colouring with that bull neck, neat little bill and glossy black head to attract the discerning eye. Smart, stout and enigmatic, it’s always special to see these birds. I’m making the most of the youngsters whilst they stay faithful to this one small pocket of woodland. Although they won’t move far, I guess they will spread out a little as they mature and find mates of their own.

The sighing of a Bullfinch…

Returning to the subject of sunshine, if there’s anything that can brighten up a cold, blustery day it’s the dazzling yellow of Ragwort and the burning orange of a Small Copper butterfly. The two combined this morning at Roughdown Common. It was only my second Small Copper of the year too, so, really great to see.

And, a couple of sunnier photos (below) from last weekend at the Brickworks. A 6-Spot Burnet (with photobombing hoverfly) on Rosebay Willowherb and a migrant moth, a Silver Y, in amongst Bird's-foot Trefoil. That reminds me, I read a very interesting article on moth migration recently. Stop sniggering. It really was interesting. It turns out that moths don't just fling themselves into the air willy-nilly, hoping they end up somewhere hospitable. Oh no, these canny little flutterers know exactly when to stay put and when to ride the wind-streams. There is serious precision involved….and…the research was carried out by Rothamsted Research, based just up the road in Harpenden. Oh…so now you're interested….ok, well the article is HERE, if you fancy a look.