Who am I?

My photo
An individual, of no great importance, who is unable to see the natural world as a place for competition. I catch fish, watch birds, derive immense pleasure from simply looking at butterflies, moths, bumble-bees, etc - without the need for rules! I am Dylan and this is my blog - if my opinions offend? Don't bother logging on again - simple!

Followers

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Small Tortoiseshell revival?

My walk home, this afternoon, was delayed by some half an hour as I had a meeting to attend. It was, therefore, 14.35 hrs, in glorious sunshine, that I made my way across the footpaths of Newland's Farm towards Vine Close. I had seen three butterflies whilst I had been at work, their id not certain - yet I suspected Small Tortoiseshell to be the most likely candidate. I checked the "Old Rose Garden"; no sign of the female Stonechat but, was pleasantly surprised to discover, two "Small Torts" along the field edge which was in the direct sunlight.


I walked the track, where I had found the shrike (last autumn) and was absolutely astounded to discover another 18 Small Tortoiseshells along my route. I even watched a group of four spiral up into the air in some type of pairing ritual. I quickly got home and grabbed my camera before returning. I managed to get a number of images, many of males in close company of females, and further exploration of the area revealed there to be at least 27 individuals present - encouraging signs indeed!


Wood Pigeons were streaming into the cauliflower field, many of the plants past their best and un-harvested due to the abysmal weather; the field was too wet to get a tractor out there! However, the sight of several hundreds of these birds is quite an impressive spectacle when they were flushed by the occasional dog-walker or bunch of kids on their way home from school. It was also nice to see four Stock Doves feeding out on the stubble, although they were far to skittish for me to get an image. The other notable sighting was a decent gathering of Black-headed Gulls, which were patrolling the recently turned soil from a trackside drainage channel. Linnets remained conspicuous, but there was very little else of avian note!


4 comments:

  1. HOW many Small Torts?!?!? Jammy bugger, I've seen just one (hibernating in an out building) so far this year! But I did see half a dozen Brimstones today to make up for it. Peacock and Comma next, not sure if many Red Admirals will have survived the mild winter?

    Take it easy mate,

    Seth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seth;
      It was mad - butterflies everywhere! Not quite as bizarre it it might first appear - Newland's Farm is in central Thanet and might just be the only suitable habitat for any recently disturbed, hibernating, insects that have recently been affected by the increase in temperature? A Brimstone! That would be a nice Newland's record - it's all relative.
      Good to see that you and Mr (Grumpy) Gale had a pleasant day out - flowers indeed; only good for keeping mud off your shoes!
      Dyl

      Delete
  2. What a cracking day to be out and about Dylan- had 2 small torts at the sportsman today. I'm back in Kent now, so if you fancy a beer or even better going birding, let me know!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross,
      So very good to hear from you - loads going on in my stupidly complex world. If there is any chance of hooking up (check with Gadget - his email is still Planetthanet!) I will see if I'm able to sort something out? Bev's mum and dad live in Herne Bay, so a beer might be an easy option! - Dyl

      Delete