Lockdown update 4 - Ainsdale Dunes

One of the big problems at the moment is trying to figure out how my geography students will complete their GCSE and A Level fieldwork.
Virtual Fieldwork!
So, yesterday morning, with Simon in tow as my camera-man, we ventured to Ainsdale Dunes to look at the impact of tourism.
It was easily the most depressing I have felt walking through the dunes and seeing the scale of rubbish left behind in this short hot spell.
As we moved further into the dunes, at least the numpties laziness meant they hadn't ventured too far in. The Orchids were lovely, with many Pyramidal, Southern and Early Marsh Orchids present.

Numerous dragonflies flew around as well, with many Emperor's about. As we approached the first small pond, a couple of bright red Darters skimmed over the surface. Occasionally perching it was quick to identify them as Red-veined Darter. There appears to be plenty about this year - 28 in Hightown Dunes today.

The blue on the eye, red veins on the wing and the black surrounded pale wing spots. Plus the fact they glowed in the sun compared to nearby Common Darter.
The next, larger pond, held at least 2 more definite Red-veined Darter with several others buzzing around but not landing. Plenty of Black-tailed Skimmers teasing the Emperor's and a couple of Four Spotted Chaser's too.
Hope my students appreciate the videos I made for them 😎

Lockdown update 3 - Arnside Knott

Into June, and the increase in Butterflies, Dragonflies and Orchids on the local patch, meant a promised trip to Arnside Knott.
After successfully seeing Scotch Argos here last August, we hoped to catch up with Northern Brown Argus and High Brown Fritillary.
On ascending the Knott mid morning, at first we saw nothing. The weather was ideal, so where were the Butterflies?
Eventually in the clearings near the summit the first of 20+ Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries flew past. A couple of larger Fritillaries also flew past but didn't stop.
Small Tortoiseshell's, Small Heath's, Meadow Brown's and Speckled Wood's appeared regularly.
We eventually reached the stoney clearing where we'd seen Scotch Argos last year, and settled down with lunch to wait. About a dozen Fritillaries fluttered around - large and small. Eventually we managed to confirm the first of two High Brown Fritillary. The third spot on the upper wing was off set, and forewing concave. Difficult as ever to get the underwing on film!

A couple of Ringlet and a Holly Blue flicked through as well.
As we continued our descent across the scree slopes Grayling started to appear - being their usual incredibly tame selves.
Then a flutter past of a small brown butterfly... eyes glued waiting for it to land. Close approach - Northern Brown Argus. In a small clearing on the slopes 3 of them performed very nicely indeed.

Overall, a very pleasing tally of Butterflies - 17 species seen.

Lockdown update 2 - Gait Barrows NNR

Soon it was May, and as guidelines began to relax slowly, Simon and I made our first car journey out of the Chorley area in over two months. We chose Gait Barrows NNR as it should be a) quiet, and b) have some good Butterflies.
On a still, warm morning we made our way onto the limestone pavement and soon spotted our first Dingy Skipper.

Several more followed along with a few Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell's. We then headed towards the clearings where there had been some Duke of Burgundy seen, but not today. Instead some Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries showed off to the camera.

This allowed us to see both the '730' pattern on the upper wing, as well as the beautiful pearl affect on the under wing.
The final interesting sighting was a lone Damselfly nearby. When studying the picture after it looked identical to Variable Damselfly! This would be a first for Lancashire. After discussions on the Lancashire Dragonfly Facebook site, it turns out that there is a variant of Azure Damselfly that is identical - apart from the shaping on the neck! Ours was an Azure, but a very educational one.

Lockdown update 1 - Yarrow Meadows

So, lockdown first of all meant stay local. This has been great in that it has been an opportunity to really explore my local patch.

Through the first part of spring this meant the arrival of migrants. Blackcap and Chiffchaff came first, before Sand Martin started prospecting the river banks.

Is it because of exploring the local area more, or is it just a good year for summer birds? Over the next couple of months on Yarrow Meadows and the fields surrounding were Whinchat and Redstart, Hobby on three occasions, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 pairs of Whitethroat, 9+ pairs of Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Resident birds were well represented - Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Kingfisher, Bullfinch, Little Grebe and Mandarin all breeding. Another highlight was watching the Buzzard family take their first flight - 3 young this year.

House Martin are doing well on my estate. At least 7 active nests, and yesterday evening there were 30+ birds over the playing fields.

As well as birds, other flora and fauna have done well. Credit to YVCP for their clearance work a few years ago on the two small ponds on Yarrow Meadows. Dragonflies have been excellent with Broad-bodied Chasers being particularly show-off. Emperor, Four Spotted Chaser, Banded Demoiselle, Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselfly as well.

Lockdown has also meant being able to see the changing colours of the flowers on the meadows. From the Lesser Celandine and Ramsons, through the beautiful Bluebells, and more recently the Orchids. Two meadows have been spectacular for Orchids with many hundreds of Common Spotted Orchid, as well as smaller numbers of Southern and Early Marsh, and many hybrids too.

Finally, Simon got a moth trap at Christmas. As the seasons have progressed the quality and quantity of moths has improved. Poplar Hawk and Garden Tiger have flown through and missed the trap, but some great named moths trapped this year 😀

Fingers crossed for some hawk moths in the trap soon.
So, lockdown has had its positives. It has been great to watch the commoner things up close and personal. Also, it has been great to bump into some scarcer wildlife that makes me realise how lucky I am to have Yarrow Meadows and Common Bank Lodge as my local patch.