I headed to East Blean Wood after work for a short visit to see what I could see. I couldn't spend long as I had to be back for a meeting but it was good to be out. It was a sunny and warm afternoon with a light wind. I had a look around the car park area when I arrived but apart from one Common Darter and a Meadow Brown butterfly it was very quiet. Bird wise it seemed very quiet as well. I could hear a Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker and also a Chaffinch singing away but surprisingly little else. A family group of Blue Tits were moving through the trees and I could hear Great Tits calling.
I headed along the path and saw a White Admiral butterfly briefly but it was heading away and unfortunately it kept going and I did not manage to pick it up again. I could see a Purple Hairstreak butterfly flying high up in the canopy before it settled back down again out of sight. Another Chiffchaff was calling and I could hear a Jay. It was nice to catch up with some Heath Fritillary butterflies and I enjoyed watching them. I also came across a Heath Fritillary caterpillar. It was in the shade so I had to use a high ISO so the photo is very noisy but it makes a good memory shot. They are striking caterpillars and presumably an efficient design to deter predators.
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| Heath Fritillary Butterflies |
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| Heath Fritillary |
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| Heath Fritillary Caterpillar |
Another Jay flew over and I could hear a Blackcap singing together with Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Wren. A Harvestman was resting on a leaf.
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| Harvestman |
A moth flew across and disappeared into a bush but luckily it hadn't gone too deep and I was able to see it resting on a leaf. It turned out to be a Four-dotted Footman
Cybosia mesomella f. flava. Apparently f. flava occurs in all populations but is more frequent in the south-east.
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| Four-dotted Footman Cybosia mesomella f. flava |
Several Meadow Brown butterflies were present and while watching one a Hornet flew in briefly.
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| Meadow Brown Butterfly |
I started to head back and caught sight of a Black-tailed Skimmer perched. I only saw it from this angle but the yellow costa and black wingspots help to confirm identification. A little while later I saw a Brown Hawker but though I waited as long as I could I never saw it settle.
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| Black-tailed Skimmer |
There was just enough time, once I reached the car park, to have another look round. A male Large Skipper was resting on a leaf and gave some very nice views.
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| male Large Skipper |
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| male Large Skipper |
I was very pleased to see a Norfolk Hawker hawking for insects and even more pleased when it settled and allowed me to take some photos. A second Norfolk Hawker was hawking for insects while I was photographing this one.
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| Norfolk Hawker |
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| Norfolk Hawker |
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| Norfolk Hawker |
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| Norfolk Hawker |
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| Norfolk Hawker |
Time was getting on so I had to make a move but I was pleased that I had been able to come and though only short it had been an enjoyable visit.
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