A fantastically warm day again, even tempting a Common Lizard into one of the strawberry punnet trays at work. We've had also sorts of damage to strawberry fruit in the past including from Linnets and Badgers, but Lizards...! However the best sighting of the day was a Silver-washed Fritillary in Oaken Wood, Barming. I'd been hoping to see one, and sure enough on a lunchtime ride looking for White Admirals, I noticed what looked like a large Comma on a buddleia. It fed for short periods before gliding around the clearing and occasionally chasing a Brown Hawker. Unfortunately it favored the highest, most obscure racemes so didn't pose particularly well for any photos (but notice the underside of a Comma alongside on the left , didn't notice it until looked at the pics on the PC!). Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.
5 comments:
Adam ,
Well done on the male Silver Washed Fritillary , and in good nick as well .
That Comma is almost completely lost on the Buddleia .
Nice one .
One to savour there Adam. Nice one.
Thats fantastic to hear about the SWFritillary, welldone!! I have never been to Oaken Wood, is it easy to get to/park.
Thanks for the comments boys.
Simon in answer to your question - Oaken Wood is quite accessible from Maidstone. Directions: follow A26 Tonbridge Road out of Maidstone, just as your about to leave Barming (and maidstone) then take North Street on your right (opposite The Bull Inn). Carry on up the hill, past The Redstart pub and Heath Road and then park up anywhere on the right. Walk up the hill and take the first track on your right, past the allotments and then when you reach the converted water tower take the main track(over a placed log) on your left. This will lead you on a circular track aroud the wood (it's not public footpath, but I think it's a permissive path - Woodland Trust?). The SW Frit was seen approx TQ713556 on a buddleia where the footpath out of Oaken Wood to Luckhurst Farm emerges.
Ad
brilliant adam...you have pulled some good butterflies out of the bag this year! have you gone for the purple emperor yet?
Post a Comment