More Cambs butterflies

Female Brimstone, Castor Hanglands NNR

Male Brown Argus, Castor Hanglands NNR

Peacock, Castor Hanglands NNR

These two shots show a female feeding on sap near an old cut off branch on the 'master oak'. I saw at least three Purple Emperors feeding in this localised there, plus a Red Admiral and a Speckled Wood and several flies, bees etc

Purple Emperors, Woodwalton Fen NNR

Red Admiral, Woodwalton Fen NNR

Silver-washed Fritilalries, Castor Hanglands NNR

From the Archive... No 24

Ural Owl, Hokkaido, Japan, January 2018

Creatures at Castor Hanglands NNR

Chiffchaff

Comma

Female Purple Hairstreak

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet

Castor Hanglands Butterflies

White Admiral

Purple Emperor

Purple Hairstreak

Silver-washed Fritillaries

Long-eared Owls

Adult and two begging youngsters

Portrait: Barn Owl heading home

Marbled Whites

All these photographs were taken at Barnack Hills and Holes, where there exceptional numbers of these beautiful butterflies. One photo was a butterfly that perched on the roof of my car just as I was about to leave!

Dark Green Fritillary, Barnack Hills and Holes

This is the first time I have seen this beautiful butterfly at this site. It has always seemed the best site in the Peterborough area for a colonisation, being wonderful limestone flower meadows, reminding me a bit of the chalky downland habitat of my youth (in 'Surrey') where we used to watch these cracking butts as kids.

Dark Green Fritillaries, Bedford Purlieus

On Sunday 30.6.19 I came across literally dozens of these wonderful butterflies in the flowery meadows in the north of the wood. There were also plentiful Marbled Whites, as well as Silver-washed Fritillaries along the woodland edges.

Devil's Coach Horse

This insect ticked a couple of 'first' boxes for me. I saw it at Baston and Langtoft 'wader pit' (the place is phenomenal for wildlife!), near Baston south Lincolnshire on 29.6.19, the first really hot day we've had this year. It was on the top a tall grass stem, with the wings extended (the first thing I had never seen). I presume it had only recently 'hatched' as an adult and the wings were yet to be folded behind the small, earwig-like elytra. After a while, it flew off, strongly, and directly, a remarkable sight and the second new experience for me (I had only ever seen these large rove beetles on the ground before).

Double Sandwich Terns at BLGP, S Lincs

Bird number 181 for my PBC year list and the first I have seen in the 'Deepings area', and the first multiple record I have had of the sepecies locally since 2003! These were particularly pleasing after missing an early morning Sarnie (foudn by Hugh Wright) in the spring at exactly the same site, by minutes. The 'wader pit' continues its amazing record of drawing in good birds throughout the year. While I was watching the terns, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull popped in for a bathe. And the next evening, a flock of 23 Black-tailed Godwits were present, as well as an adult Med Gull.

Black-tailed Godwits, Baston & Langtoft 'wader pit'

Part of a flock of 23 yesterday afternoon. I guess this is a party of 'failed breeders' heading south. Initially, the flock was on the west shore of the 'wader pit', but after doing a few circuits, they appeared to go down two pits to the west (where the islands have some reasonable edges).

Long-eared Owl begging calls (plus bonus baby Tawny Owls)

Many thanks to AG and Jammy Jim for the tip off about these wonderful birds. Thanks also to Tom B for the lift. The LeOs were fully winged and flying strongly. Also the tawny Owl chicks (not seen) were well separated (by 50m or so) so were also presumably at the flying stage.