MORE BEAUTIES

Bright blue skies on Thursday 2nd during the mid-morning. Ideal for butterflies and this painted lady was one of three seen around the country park. There was a good showing of a dozen painted ladies in one day earlier this spring, so these ones today are probably the offspring. The painted lady is not just an eye-catching butterfly when seen from above but has wonderful markings below too.

Two purple hairstreaks flitted around high up in some oak trees whilst down below commas, red admiral, peacock, speckled wood, meadow brown, small white, large white and hedge brown were some of the other butterflies seen.

The bird highlights were centred near the park pond where there was an interesting display of birds of prey in the space of ten minutes. First a sparrowhawk passed over the pond being harassed by some swallows, then the crows tried to chase off a female marsh harrier that was minding its own business flying leisurely over the long grass fields. A little while later I could see all the sand martins gather together but it took some time to locate their anxiety - a hobby. The bird climbed higher and higher above the pond and even reached out to snatch a dragonfly at 300- 400 feet up. As it disappeared to a tiny speck in the sky a second hobby drifted into view and headed high east over the grazing fields.

Two yellow wagtails flew over the park, a turtle dove purred beside the car park while the young sparrowhawks continue to call loudly from their nesting area.

Spot the moth above resting on the side of the tree. This is a rather worn Tree-lichen Beauty whose colours are just recognisable. The head has lost its colour and the pale area closest to the head has lost much of its original pale green colour. The same moth is shown below.

This small moth is a rare migrant to Essex from the continent in the summer and it is only really since 1991 that the moth has become a regular visitor to the shores of Britain. This was one of 40 species of moth found in the moth trap on Thursday morning.

The colourful ruby tiger was one of the more interesting moths, showing off his red front-legs in the picture below.

The starwort below is listed as a nationally scarce species found mainly around the English coast and a few inland sites too. It was recorded here at the park last year, so it's good to see the small population still flourishing here.


Other moths seen included the large oak eggar, poplar hawkmoth, rosy minor, setaceous hebrew character, feathered ranunculus, oak hook-tip, chocolate-tip, purple bar, lime-speck pug, chinese character, rosy rustic, early thorn and grey dagger.

Three of these large and striking carrion beetles or sexton beetles were attracted to the moth trap too. Their loud buzzing sound when they fly sounds like a hornet or a menacing wasp. One came into the house recently one evening and you are certainly aware of it as it crashes into lights and furniture.