Bentley Wood Butterflies

A day trip to Bentley Wood near Salisbury, Wiltshire, in search of butterflies. Steve Rogers and I left Truro at 5.30am, the weather was perfect so the day promised to be "Butterfly Heaven". Our target species was of-course the enigmatic Purple Emperor, which is not always guaranteed. On our arrival at 9.00am we encountered countless Siver-washed Fritillaries and good numbers of White Admirals and a Purple Hairstreak or two, just in the car park. Further afield we came across hundreds of Ringlets, a few Dark Green Frits, Brimstones, Marbled Whites, Silver-washed Frits were everywhere, including the rare female form Valezina, yet more White Admirals, Small and Large Skippers and a couple of White-letter Hairstreaks another of the impressive Bentley Wood cast. Fortunately we stumbled into a small group of fellow enthusiasts who had just found a female Purple Emperor sitting on a leaf. After a short while she flew off, straight past me and around a corner. I TOOK OFF in HOT PERSUIT keeping my eyes on it at all times. She appeared to land low down on a Hazel bush, but as I rounded the corner I noticed her on the ground beside a puddle where she stayed for several minutes giving us all superb views. Later in the day I saw a male flying along one of the many tracks, but he refused to land and dissapeared over the trees. On returning to the puddles we found two more females one of which stayed for about half an hour. Photographers took full advantage and rattled off to their hearts content. All in all if you want a memorable butterflying day out, you can't go wrong at Bentley Wood in July.

On 10th April while watching the Purple Heron, we were surprised to see a Bat flying around College Reservoir near Penryn. To see bats during the day is unusual, one reason for it to be out is, when bats emerge from hibernation they are both hungry and de-hydrated after their winter snooze. They need to quickly find food and water, not only to build their strenth but also to kick start their excretory system. so the sooner they start eating and drinking the better. Not having a clue to it's identity we contacted "BATMAN" Daniel Eva, our local Bat expert to come and see the video. He thinks it's a Daubenton's Bat by it's feeding habit of picking insects from the surface of the water.

The fascinating subject of bats can be looked at by going to the Cornwall Bat Group website, using this link. www.cornwall-batgroup.co.uk/

Montagu's Harrier. Croft Pascoe, The Lizard Peninsular. 17/04/2011

Montagu's Harriers no longer breed in Cornwall, and are now rare passage migrants with only one or two sightings annually. So, when a male was reported at Croft Pascoe on Saturday, there was only one place Kate and I were going to be on Sunday. Fortunately on our arrival Steve Kolodjedski had just re-found it just south of the wood. It was flying away and almost out of sight when Royston Wilkins(who hadn't yet seen it) arrived in his van. I jumped in and we drove slowly down the road in "HOT PURSUIT". To both of our amazement it was sitting on the heath about 20 yards from the road eating prey. We both watched it for a while until it lifted off and started hunting again. We were all treated to some of the best views we've ever had of a Monty's, and for one or two lucky birders there it was a lifer. Luckily I was able to keep a steady hand for once.......It was simply Fantastic!!!......Thanks for the lift Royst!

Purple Heron. College Reservoir,Penryn.10/04/2011

Subalpine Warbler, Treve Common, Land's End 10/04/2011

Blue-headed Wagtails 09/04/2011

The weekends south easterly winds held a lot of promise for west Cornwall. Adding to the Gull-billed Tern, Mark Wallace turned up a Short-toed Lark (which I missed) and this stunning pair of Blue-headed Wagtails............Things were HOTTING UP!

Gull-billed Tern, Trevilly Farm, Nr Sennen. 06/04/2011

Martin Elliot found this cracker! Having missed it on it's first day (Wednesday), I was relieved to see it at Trevilly Farm the following evening where it stayed until Sunday giving superb views. These Terns are rare in Cornwall so it was no surprise that it was a first for a few locals!