Monday, July 11, 2011

berks/bucks/oxon interim report II

I've divided these reports into 8 day periods: 20th June [1st seen in our region on that day in W. Berks] to 27th June. After that 1st emergence, nothing much happened, and we had a total of only 18 individuals during these first 8 days. We were worried that we were in for a poor season. I'm delighted that we were absolutely wrong, because, from the 29th June [was the weather poor on the 28th? I've no records from anybody for that day]it really took off; 29.6 is the 'normal' 1st appearance time for us northerners. The next 8 day period: 29.6 to 5.7 yielded 117 individuals in 21 different woods.
The female ovipositing in a 'NW Bucks' wood, photographed by Matthew,was on 30th June. The first time I've seen a June female, and, it follows, the first time I've seen ovipositing in June. That day, on the same small Sallow, we found another egg which was several days old! A female was even seen 23rd June in Bernwood Forest.
Note: 21 woods; we have a lot of keen observers scouring these counties for new habitats. Because of these efforts we have been able to build up a useful landscape picture of iris habitats across this region.

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