This morning a Curlew flew over the site, calling.
In the afternoon – on the Dragonfly Walk – good numbers of Brown Hawkers, Migrant Hawkers and Red-eyed Damselflies were seen, as well as Common Blue Damselflies, Banded Demoiselles, a Brown Argus and a Willow Emerald. PS.
This morning there were three Common Terns displaying over the Deep Pit and a teneral Common Blue Damselfly was found at the back of the Large Gravel Pit. Four Green Hairstreaks and two Dingy Skippers were seen on the Butterfly Bank. PS.
In the afternoon a Brown Argus was also seen on the Butterfly Bank. RW.
There were at least four Clouded Yellows on site this morning, along the Deep Pit bank facing the gravel pits. There were also three Brown Argus found and several other common species, as well as a variety of dragonflies. A Hobby was seen by the railway bridge. PS.
The Deep Pit bank, facing the railwayline had good numbers of Common Blues showing today and amongst them were one or two Brown Argus. All four orchid species are visible but the cold weather last month has delayed their flowering a little. A small blue flower with iris shaped leaves that could be Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bermudiana, was also found. PS.
A very warm and sunny day slightly spoilt by a strong south westerly breeze which kept the butterflies from flying. A group of seven of us set off along the Ouse Dyke where we encountered the usual selection of large, small and green-veined whites, speckled wood butterflies along with common darter, brown hawker and southern hawker dragonflies. We were even greeted by the call of the resident kingfisher as it speed off up the path.
On entering the site we soon found the first of our target species of common blue, which it became apparent are very abundant all around the site as there is plenty of birds-foot trefoil on the bank tops and sides. The next of our target species for the day was the small copper, only one of these was located at the top of a bank I know from previous visits to be one of the best places to find them. Unfortunately we weren’t so lucky with the small heath which failed to show at all, probably due to the wind whipping across the site.
Dropping down to the river bank to get some shelter from the wind we encountered our next target, brown argus. Or at least the back markers did, by the time the rest of us had backtracked it had disappeared into the long grass. However, we did all get to see this small butterfly later as altogether we encountered six in various parts of the lagoons.
The walk continued in the shelter of the hedge bordering the back of the gravel pits where plenty of common blue damselflies along with other butterflies and dragonflies were taking advantage of the windbreak offered by the hedge. Our return to the site found more brown argus on the central bund between the deep pit and the slurry lagoon, and also along the bottom pathe following the railway line.
By the end of the walk we had encountered ten butterfly species, including those mentioned above along with small tortoiseshell, brimstone, meadow brown and painted lady. Other highlights included two hobby, wheatear, whinchat and various warblers.
A Whinchat and a Wheatear were seen this morning, both on the Deep Pit fence by the Railway Bridge, though not at the same time. Two Hobbies were also seen here. About six Brown Argus were seen around the site and more Long-winged Coneheads, as well as several Migrant Hawkers, Brown Hawkers and a Southern Hawker. The Lower Path had a flock of warblers, containing Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, plus two Willow Tits.
A cream topped Marsh Harrier flew south over the lagoons at 4.30 this afternoon. A Brown Argus was found on the Slurry Lagoon bank near the old entrance (D3).