Thursday 27th.August 2009

After a cool cloudy morning , the sun broke through at lunchtime , and heralded a reasonable afternoon , albeit quite windy . I headed off to Fackenden Down , to do a Reptile and Butterfly survey . For once , the weather stayed good during the whole visit to the site , but obviously the gusty wind was going to make butterfly spotting quite a problem . I headed off to turn tins , and was rewarded with a Slow Worm under the second felt . Things then went quiet reptile wise , but the butterflies , although many looking very worn now , kept the interest ticking over . I recorded the first of two Adders , an immature female , about a quarter of the way round , then

it went quiet again . By the time I got to the far end of the reserve , the wind was even stronger , and the only butterflies found in those conditions , were tucked down well in the grass . It was noticeable the lack of Burnet Moths on this visit compared to last . Right down in the bottom corner , I recorded the second Adder , another female , but adult this time , and with her under the felt was another Slow Worm . In the shelter of a hedge , along the bottom track , I found the first of three Brimstones recorded on the site . It was only that it was out of the wind that a shot was possible . By three quarters of the way round , I thought , that's it , there will be nothing else about , when a flash of yellow passed me at great speed , carried on the wind , another Clouded Yellow . I watched it being buffeted by the wind , and being blown to the ground some way off . I kept an eye on the spot and made my way to it . After a bit of searching around , I found it down amongst the grass . Eventually , it took to the wing again , and then stopped to nectar on a variety of plants , but the favourite seemed to be the Small Scabious , which was no good for photographs , as it was all over the place in the wind . It also settled on Black Knapweed , and being a bit more sturdy , allowed a few shots . When I got home and looked at the shots , a good two thirds had to be dumped as they were blurred to some degree or another due to the wind .

Birds were few and far between as well , but a singing Chiffchaff , what appeared to be a family of Bullfinches and a Kestrel , looking for a meal , did put in an appearance .

In all , 12 species of butterfly were recorded , as I said before , many well worn , being :- Meadow Brown (81) ,Painted Lady (1) , Small White (1) , Large White (4) , Common Blue (57) , Brown Argus (26) , Clouded Yellow (1) , Speckled Wood (5) , Small Heath (13) , Chalkhill Blue ( 17) , Gatekeeper (5) and Brimstone (3) .

Just one more Slow Worm was recorded , making a total of 3.

And finally , remember these two ?I have spent hours trying to identify these two insects , but in the end , I had to get some professional help . The first one is indeed a Sawfly , Cimbex femoratus , one of the Birch Sawflies . My informant tells me that he has only ever seen one adult of this species ever .

The second , is a fly , classed very near Hoverflies , of the Conopidae family , Physocephala rufipes . They are parasitoids of Bees and Wasps . Both species are very secretive , and are therefor , seldom seen .

Now , we can all sleep soundly .