A Local Walk Report

A recent 5 mile walk out into the countryside.

Bramble flowers

The main feature of this Post is the Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.

These photographed are of the first brood of the year, which emerges in late May early June.

A Barley field blowing in the wind.

A  more sheltered field of Wheat.

Apologies for the poor 'Record' shot of this Dragonfly below. It is the Golden-ringed Dragonfly. 

I have never seen this species before and unfortunately I had the wrong lens attached and just pointed the camera in the general direction of the subject whilst it was flying. I couldn't find it again.

Its habitat is acidic rivers and streams, but can be found away from that in open fields and heathland. I will search for this species again this year as it flies from May to October.

Rosebay Willowherb growing in the hedgerow.

The way home.

Cetti's Warbler -Radipole Lake

Walking around Radipole Lake Weymouth you cannot fail to hear a Cetti's Warbler in the bushes. 

Seeing it is another matter entirely.

The Lulworth Skipper

One of the orange Skippers, the Lulworth's habitat is very location specific.

It only exists on the coast of Dorset and no more than 5 miles inland from that area.  The female above is easily identified by the half circle of light patches on the forewings. The male is much darker with black edges to its wings and the patches are barely discernible.

It prefers unspoilt areas that have not been cultivated such as sloping cliffs.

The East Cliff of Portland where I photographed the Lulworth images.

Another view along the East Cliff.

In the distance you can observe some of the Cruise liners that are moored at anchor in Weymouth Bay. Because of the Covid Pandemic these ships are not in use and this sight is probably repeated at other locations around the coastline of the UK.

Adonis Blue Butterfly

The Adonis Blue butterfly prefers chalky South facing slopes.

When flying the male is easy to spot when compared to a male Common Blue.

The bright almost unreal colour shines brightly in the sun.

Male

Female

Female Left of Image, Male right of Image

I photographed these images on a visit to the surrounding land of the Cerne Abbas Giant.

To find out more about the Giant you can Google him here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerne_Abbas_Giant

As you can see, he is quite a 'Pronounced' fellow.

Two views below from the top of the Cerne Giant.