Saturday, 3 June 2023

Single Image Post


 A male Banded Demoiselle perched on the flower of the River Water Crowfoot plant.

It was the other side of the river and I didn't think I would get it.

The white and yellow flowers of the Water Crowfoot resemble a buttercup and for good reason. The plant is actually a member of the buttercup family. The stems of which can grow up to 20 feet long.

The plant likes fast flowing fresh water in rivers and streams. It is a perennial an flowers from June to August. I have seen plenty of it growing in the rivers and streams of Dorset. There is also a lot of Brown Trout in the same waters which shows that it is clean.

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Adonis Blue Butterfly


 It is at this time of year generally that I pay several visits to Maiden Castle Iron Age Hill Fort, which is within walking distance from where I live in Dorchester.

The target species of butterfly for this visit was the Adonis Blue.

I like it when a plan comes together, as I found it.

Adonis Blue (Male)














Dingy Skipper (Mating Pair)



Small Heath

A Very Well Worn Small Copper



Common Blue (Male)





I found three colours of Common Milkwort on the hillside.




To see more about Maiden Castle Hill Fort please refer to the below Wikipedia entry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maiden_Castle,_Dorset


Monday, 29 May 2023

One More Visit - Cerne Abbas

Marsh Fritillary

I thought I would do just one more visit to Cerne Abbas in pursuit of the Duke of Burgundy this year. I also wanted to check on the Grey Wagtail Pair by the river.












The young Grey Wagtails have flown the nest and were nowhere to be seen.
The male was taking a bath earlier in the day and the female was later observed catching flies to eat.
Hopefully they will return next year.