Red Admiral

An migratory species the Red Admiral can be found anywhere in the UK and you should find them still flying well into October. With two to three broods you can find individuals in good condition throughout the season. 

I found two this week that are as you can see in good order.

A large striking species that stands out, the female being slightly larger than the male at 72mm wingspan as opposed to 67mm.

More Agricultural Scenes

Small Tortoiseshell (Summer Brood)

Based on the fact that its in excellent condition, this one below that I photographed recently must be from the second (Summer) brood. It will search for and feed on various flowers and then hibernate for the Winter. 

It will be one of the first species to emerge in Spring.

Where Clare Wandered

The Woodland/Heath walk that I feature in some of my posts is actually a Nature Reserve of some 90 Hectares (220 acres) in area. (See link at the bottom of this post)

It was also an area that the Poet John Clare regularly walked as a boy and wrote poems about including "Emmonsales Heath". He was born and lived a short distance away in a nearby village.

Here are some images taken on my latest walk around that area. (19th Sept 15)

Plenty of Bumblebees to be found.

Black Bryony

Sloe Fruit

There is certainly an abundance of Common Darters and Ruddy Darters at the moment.
First five images are all Common Darters.

Females

Male

Male and female Brimstone were not difficult to find.

Common Blue Butterfly, this male was the only one I found as they are nearing the end of their flight time.

A pleasant surprise just as I was making my way home was to find another Painted Lady.

Soon he along with many others, will reach the South coast and wait for a favourable North Westerly wind to take them across the English channel.

Small White Butterflies were also easy to locate, but many not in the best of condition now.

Harebells can be found all over the heathland area.

Clematis vitalba (Old Man's Beard) adorn many of the woodland edges.

Oak leaves turning

Castor Hanglands