The Sparrows Nest

This post is a collection of images taken over a few days, rather than one photoshoot.

We are at that funny time in mid May where it is difficult to go out and find a lot of images about one subject.

The Peacock butterfly taken here below is nearing the end of its life cycle. 

It has completed its task of providing for the next generation and in a few months time we will observe some beautiful fresh Peacocks on the wing.

Horse Chestnut Trees are flowering now and provide for some new colours.

There are still a few Bluebells hanging on in the banks and hedgerows.

Greater Stitchwort flowers are in abundance now and will last through the Summer.

Male Orange Tip butterflies appear to be concentrating more on feeding now along the forest edges and hedgerows.

Herb Robert

Wheat Fields are observed as the most sown crop in the area this year.

I have been observing this pair of House Sparrows recently and as you can see they are in the process of nest building.

The weather is improving now and the Green-veined White butterfly is observed regularly.

I should also be seeing more Red Admiral butterflies now as they migrate into the country.

Duke and Green

Spring Nature is definitely a little late this year.

We have had such bad weather most of the New Year, but in recent days the weather has really hotted up.

Some things in Nature are late, but I was surpised by one species. 

The Duke of Burgundy Butterfly should according to records be in the middle of its Imago (Adult) cycle now. This has not been my experience in receent years for this species at the sloping hillside at Cerne Abbas Dorset. I would normally be thinking about looking in the next two weeks and hoping to find one at least towards the end of that period. However, I have already observed two males this week.

 

Another species I would expect to find at the beginning of May, I have only just found now.

The Green Hairstreak is never easy to find. Early in their season they tend to pitch at the top of Hawthotn trees and bushes. When they fly its difficult to pick them up. So only now this week I have been able to observe a few.

A Local Patch Recce

Cerne Abbas. A local Village not far from where I live. 

I visit this time of year mainly for Butterflies and Flowers.

It is best to make the first visit at this time with not too much expectation.

This year was no exception. 

The weather until now has not been favourable for butterflies, but the flowers have been much better.

As you can see below there were species that you would expect to find at this time. However there were some that I could not find, such as Green Hairstreak and Grizzled Skipper.

I have also included some typical scene images of the area.

Red Campion

Early Purple Orchid

Cowslip

 

Red Campion

Goldfinch (Male)

Orange Tip (Male)

Brimstone (Male)

Green-veined White

Early Purple Orchid

Bullfinch

Early Purple Orchid

Speckled Wood