Struggled to count 12 males in territories along Three Oak Hills Drive in Savernake this afternoon. They weren't very active, perhaps because it was actually too calm (a bit of breeze disturbs them into flight). They are just past peak now in Savernake.
Good to be shown a trio of hatched pupal cases. All 11 pupae found by UV torching in Savernake successfully hatched. The pupal cases can last for months, depending on storminess, and they continue to flouresce under UV light.
Also good to see the first eggs of the year. The 'egg lay' should be very good indeed -
Incidentally, we have a record of an egg being found on the leaf underside in Savernake! That's a first, nationally, and backs up my sighting last week of a female seemingly laying on a leaf underside, but too high up in a sallow in Sav. Think trolley, off; think shopping trolley upside down in some concreted urban culvert, in Swindon where the shadows lie...
There are 1st instar larvae in Savernake Forest too, already.
Elsewhere, Patrick's Tree is still producing the goods at Knepp.
Thurs 10th Update. Succumbed to exhaustion and heatstroke. Failed to get out. Reduced to counting butts in my garden (30 year record counts of Comma and Peacock). Very interesting to see Ladybirds Stop Play at Lords...
No comments:
Post a Comment