Saturday 31 August 2013

Shellingford Pit 31 August

Clouded Yellow (1)
Migrant Hawker (c. 10)
Common Darter - many

Migrant Hawkers (c) Stephen Burch

Friday 30 August 2013

More Otmoor Flora

The interesting carnivorous plant Utricularia vulgaris (Bladderwort) is flowering in the ditch along the South side of Greenaways, East of the cattle pens:


Thursday 29 August 2013

Otmoor.A.M. 29th August.

Just a few pics of flora.
.                                                                 Purple Loosestrife
 
                                          Gipsywort 

Wednesday 28 August 2013

Aston Rowant NNR, 28th Aug

Second brood Adonis Blue are now flying, and plenty of Silver-spotted Skipper are still around


Male Adonis Blue


Silver-spotted Skipper

All photos taken on north side of M40
3 more Clouded Yellow also seen
Like Peter Law, I was also photographing the Clouded Yellows at Aston Upthorpe, Juniper Valley, this afternoon (27th).  Inevitably, one flew just as I pressed the shutter but this did provide a view of the upperside, if rather blurred even at a shutter speed of 1/750 sec - they move fast!


Tuesday 27 August 2013

Aston Upthorpe Downs SSSI, 27th Aug

Up to 20 Clouded Yellow were seen again this afternoon through the length of "Juniper Valley"


2013's frequent butterfly migrant

Clouded Yellow

Some individuals were quite worn

Monday 26 August 2013

Aston Rowant 26th August

Meadow Grasshopper


 Chiltern Gentian

Juniper Valley 26 August

Clouded Yellow - many (c. 20+) in upper part of valley
Chalkhill Blue (1m):
Chalkhill Blue (c) Stephen Burch

Buff-tip Moth caterpillar Rushey Common 25th Aug

 
Buff-tip Moth Caterpillar along the path between the car park & hide.

 


Saturday 24 August 2013

Local Mega

A Passenger Moth was trapped overnight in Oxford (per RBA)
 
Adult
Woodford Green, Essex
(Photo © Robin Barfoot)

This is a continental species, occurring in southern Europe and Africa.
 In Britain it is a rare vagrant, and has only been recorded about six times,
all in the southern counties. Abroad, it has two generations, flying in
May and June and again in July and August, and is attracted to light.

Friday 23 August 2013

Otmoor RSPB Roman Road

Dark Bush Cricket
Male Brown Hairstreak
Male Brown Hairstreak

Oven Bottom Blues

This SSSI above Blewbury was teeming with Chalkhill Blue and other butterflies this afternoon


Chalkhill Blue

Female Chalkhill




Otmoor 23 August afternoon

Brown Hairstreaks (2 females)
Migrant Hawkers (3)
Brown Hawker (1)
Common Darters
Many other insects including this fly. Any ideas what it is?!
 Macro shot of Otmoor mystery fly (c) Stephen Burch
Yet another Brown Hairstreak! (c) Stephen Burch

Woodstock

 
Large Hoverfly sp in Woodstock.
Volucella zonaria? opinions welcome.
Pictures courtesey of Paul Willis

 


Thursday 22 August 2013

Shanty Town Admiral

A fresh late summer visitor to the Ligularia Dentata in my Garsington wildlife garden


Red Admiral

Otmoor.A.M.22nd August.

Arrowhead

Lizard changing skin
   
Robin's Pincushion Gall Wasp.

Wednesday 21 August 2013

Monday 19 August 2013

Otmoor Hare Courtesey of Mark Chivers
More of Marks superb photos The Early Birder


More from the Roman Road, 19th Aug

A male and 2 female Brown Hairstreaks were seen again late morning in Otmoor's hot spot


Hitherto unobtained top wing shot

Female being co-operative ...

... until he got interested

Southern Hawker (immature)

Sunday 18 August 2013

Otmoor 18th August 2013

Immature Southern Hawker

Southern Hawker

Otmoor 18th August

Up to eight Brown Hairstreaks mid to late morning feeding on Wild Angelica. The majority appeared to be males some very worn already but one glorious pristine female found- see below



Female Brown Hairstreak
Male Brown Hairstreak

Otmoor early shift, 18th August

By request, some insect highlights from the moor this morning:

Southern Hawker (male)


Blue-tailed Damselfy (female) form rufescens

Emerald Damselfly (female)

Brown Hairstreak (female) and friend
one of several along the Roman Road

 

Please view at 720p or 1080p