#common grayling

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23rd July 2022-Blog 2 of 2: Whitefield Moor in the New Forest

We did our usual July trip to walk across the heath the other side of the road from this car park, one of my favourite New Forest walks, in search of Common Grayling today. I was delighted that not too long into the walk we saw one of these nicely camouflaged butterflies. It was joyful to catch glimpses of a few on the heathland floor, appreciating which I hadn’t often before it’s exhilarating orange colour as one flew and I also enjoyed that exciting glimpse of orange it gives when it’s wings are closed today. Some precious time with this butterfly I love and one of the first I learnt all those years ago. I took the seventh picture in this photoset of one. It’s my 40th butterfly species seen this year, special territory to reach in a year when I have done. It feels so good to be here. This drew parallels to us coming here in 2018 in July when first seeing one in that year at a similar spot to today it was my 40th species of the year then the first time I’d reached 40 butterfly species seen in a year as it became my then highest ever butterfly year list and like today that day was after a hot and dry spell.

Also in the world of butterflies on the walk I enjoyed the valuable further looks at Silver-studded Blues in a year this walk often gives me. We have been lucky in past years to see these in the early summer in June to tick them off in a year, usually at Deadman Hill or Turf Hill in the New Forest but I didn’t need to go there this year seeing them nearby at Godshill in early June on one of my days of the year so far. Then when we go looking for Graylings at the Whitefield Moor walk the best I know for them in my opinion with how many I’ve seen there over the years I have been lucky to get to watch both precious New Forest specialties that are two of my favourite butterflies. I was dazzled by the deep blue of a male which I took the first picture in this photoset of and also saw a female too I believe, also appreciating their dainty size and almost circular wings. Another small one I saw at the car park after enjoying an ice cream at the end was a Small Heath which looked so beautiful. For the second time this year after that walk at Godshill in fact I took photos of one in the New Forest the place as a whole I learnt and first saw them early last decade. I took the tenth and final picture in this photoset of it. Gatekeepers seemed to be everywhere again another exciting orange species and they dominated a Big Butterfly Count I did here, Meadow Brown was nice to see too.

It was a good insect walk as I believe I saw an Ichneumon Wasp a quirky and striking insect which I’d heard of but not seen before. It was an epic sight. I also saw Keeled Skimmer a key butterfly of this habitat and often this July trip for us, one of a few great moments for dragonflies I had in Dragonfly Week.

The open, undulating, beautiful and largely green especially the wooded areas you could see but also quite purple with heather coming into flower landscape with bog and water seen well too was filled with bird sounds, in parts of the walk through high gorse bushes the near constant name giving call of the Stonechat reverberated with the evocative calls of Curlew and Lapwing giving a sense of wilderness typical of the New Forest further along. I also liked seeing a few of the Stonechats including one vocal one which I believe was a youngster which the sixth picture in this photoset shows. Greenfinch for a second day running including possibly a young one again, Meadow Pipit seen well and a Buzzard zooming through the air on the wind it flew so fast which was so notable to see were other avian highlights of the walk. I took the second, fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth pictures in this photoset of views here today, there were some dramatic sky scenes as there was on the 2018 visit today too. 

The heather coming into flower across much of the landscape was a key floral sight on the walk I always love it when this turns purple in the summer in the forest and I loved seeing some especially tall bits of purple heather sticking up through the gorse a memorable scene. Bits of yellow flower on the gorse, possible marsh St. John’s-wort by the water, cotton grass, tormentil a key one for the habitat, a clump of either tormentil or cinquefoil which looked nice as the third picture in this photoset shows, bird’s-foot trefoil, hawksbeard type flowers and white clover were other key plants seen on the walk.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: My first of one of my favourite butterflies the Common Grayling this year, another of my favourite butterflies the Silver-studded Blue, one of my favourite dragonflies the Keeled Skimmer, one of my favourite birds the Buzzard, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, a nice moth, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Greenfinch, Linnet, possible Woodlark, Woodpigeon, Black-headed Gull, Common Darter I believe, Ichneumon Wasp, bee or hoverfly and I heard Curlew and Lapwing.

Part 1 of today’s posts with some bits at home is here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/690599847708000256/23rd-july-2022-blog-1-of-2-home-i-liked-seeing

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12th September 2021-Blog 1 of 2: The wildlife-Bits at home and walk at Milkham in the New Forest

After enjoying the Morning-glory plume moth in the first picture I took today in this photoset by my bedroom and sunflowers, hebe, fuchsia as shown by the second picture in this photoset and sedum in the third picture I took in this photoset looking gorgeous in the sun in the back garden we did another New Forest trip this weekend at Milkham having a long and nicely athletic walk around the heath and trees down to the Broomy Walk area. Early on in the walk over the heath I enjoyed seeing gorse in its nice yellow flower in places and mixed in nicely with the bright purple heather of a few different varieties. I took the fourth, fifth and eighth pictures in this photoset of these two plants. It was clear it would be another nice wildlife walk early on too with possible Spotted Flycatcher and Common Grayling seen.

For the graylings that possible became definite as we saw two of these medium sized light butterflies flit over the heath in pursuit of one another. These Common Graylings settled for a bit and were attempting to mate doing so deep down in some vegetation. They also flashed their wings quickly open which excited me as I have never seen either them with wings open or mating this strong heathland species and New Forest specialty which I have known over a decade. I took the sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset of these lovely butterflies. 

We came across a great pool with lily pads which a Wheatear rose from and weaved it’s way around into a pine tree. Seeing another one too we got to take in the smashing light, creamy and white colours of this bird -making out its distinctive white rump strongly in a binocular view - for a second Sunday running after the load at Lymington last week. Getting rustic experiences with these birds today I really made the most of seeing them before they migrate. We saw a few more great birds out on the heath including a bright brown Kestrel possibly young, more bright yellow exotic looking Willow Warblers after yesterday with some favouring a particular bare tree and Stonechats earlier in the walk I heard a little whoosh nicely as one flew such a good moment to appreciate and take in the calmness of nature. An increased array of butterflies again were on the wing with great views of Red Admiral, Comma and one that often has an influx in late summer Small Heath joining the graylings and Small Whites nicely. It does feel a bit of a butterfly Indian summer lately which I love to observe in the season when it happens. I saw a few harebell flowers mixed in with the heather which I didn’t expect and I was pleased with the ninth picture in this photoset I took of this. 

Going into the woods to go down to the Broomy Walk area as we so often do here and I enjoyed seeing a quintessential woodland bird a colourful Nuthatch picking a nut off a tree high up and Speckled Wood butterflies were abundant seeing them dance between the trees in the woods. There were also a great range of flowers on this part of the walk like lots of tormentil, some bramble flower and a bit of ragwort. I also noticed some sneezewort which I took the tenth and final picture in this photoset of a charming white species which I’d not often seen before. I noticed some nice common earthball fungi on the forest floor too one I have known for a long time and learnt the name of yesterday. I enjoyed crossing a path going across the one we were on and spotting two New Forest ponies stood a little way along the crossed path. A unique charm of the wonderful New Forest suddenly seeing them. Another great walk.

Wildlife Sightings Summary: Two of my favourite butterflies the Red Admiral and Common Grayling, Comma, Small White, Speckled Wood, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Stonechat, Kestrel, Woodpigeon with one sat on the forest floor which interestingly I’d not often seen before, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, possible Spotted Flycatcher interestingly a bird I used in the weekend birding reflections tweets I am doing today I randomly draw which bird to use but I guess there was always a chance of seeing it when I did this tweet as they are about at this time of year, Grey Squirrel a few times and quite well after one yesterday too, another dor beetle after yesterday, some moths and I heard a brilliant barking Raven at a few points reverberating over the landscape.

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27/07/19-Sunset last night first picture in this photoset and our journey to Durlston today 

On the way to a big trip to Durlston today we stopped off at a car park where you get stunning views from high up over Poole Harbour and all the glorious places in and around it like Brownsea Island. I took the third, fifth and sixth pictures in this phootset of views from here. It was fantastic to see all over it, one of the key landscapes in the amazing and wild part of Dorset we were in. Whilst here we saw a Common Grayling butterfly which was great show by the fourth picture in this photoset. 

Just before I managed to photograph Corfe Castle from the car the second picture in this photoset and earlier on in the journey I saw a Peregrine flying. You can find out about what we did at Durlston in my next post which I’ll get onto now. 

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20/07/2024-Silver-studded Blue, view, Skylark and one of my first Common Graylings of the year a butterfly I always love seeing at Whitefield Moor in the New Forest on an amazing walks with so much seen in the rain and the Lackey one of a few I saw in our exciting first moth trap session of the year and flower at home.

Striking Emperor moth caterpillar, Silver Y, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Stonechats, centaury, tormentil, eyebright, bell heather, marsh St. John's-wort and wood sage were other highlights at Whitefield Moor. Scalloped Oak, Common Footman, Cloaked Minor and Riband Wave were other highlights in the moth trap with snails, Goldfinch and loads of Starlings enjoyed at home too.

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12th August 2023: Walk from Milkham in the New Forest and home

Flora and fauna photos taken in this set: 1 and 6. A delightful Common Grayling on the heath at Milkham, lovely to see this enigmatic and thrilling butterfly with it nice to observe how it flings itself through the air, I'm having a memorable year for these. 2. Foxgloves which it was good to see a couple of times in the wooded bits of the brilliant athletic walk round to Broomy Walk and back, throwing back a bit to those early summer days I'd not seen one for a little while a key New Forest species that I've enjoyed in the forest for many years. 3. Sneezewort, one I remember seeing on a walk here in September 2021 there were great clumps of it beside the path. 4. The pretty mullein in the garden which has come on nicely since I first noticed it. 5. A ripe coloured mossy rose gall among bramble on the walk. 7. Harebell, another I recall seeing on the 2021 walk I was hoping to see some today and I found a pretty little group of them on a grass bank beside and coming onto the path. 8. Sunflower in the garden this evening, a few more have sprung up towards the back of the garden. 9. Black-eyed Susans in the garden. 10. Fuchsia looking nice in the garden now.

Also on the walk it was nice to see two delightful dragonfly species, a couple of Migrant Hawkers commanding the air above me on the path and a pretty female Common Darter. Gatekeeper and Speckled Woods including two flitting through the air, possible hoverfly, lots of bees around a hive enjoying the ripe heather and Common Red Soldier beetle were other insect highlights. Bird wise on the walk I was thrilled to see a chirpy group of young Goldfinches in the trees and Great Tits, Starling which I also liked seeing on the way here with Blackbird, Robin and Stonechat on the heath enjoyed too. Starling, Goldfinch, Carrion Crow on the roof out the front as I saw last night, Collared Dove and Woodpigeon were good to see at home today with Jackdaw heard. I also liked seeing New Forest ponies with foals on the walk. There were some other memorable flower moments on the walk with the first marsh St. John's-wort I recall seeing looking great in a wet ditch by Milkham car park an immaculate flower, tormentil, self-heal, thistle, groups of knapweed and water mint not ones I've often seen in the forest, bramble flower, honeysuckle, ragwort, yellow in flower gorse and bell and common heather I believe. In my next post are landscape photos from today showing the heather out painting the landscape purple. Hawthorn berries were also nice to see. The sedum is on its way out in the garden too.

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16/06/2023-Great Orme and Llandudno for a trip on the cable cars, Llanberis for a trip up Yr Wyddfa on the Snowdon Mountain railway and Llanbadrig to look at Ynys Badrig aka Middle Mouse 

Pictures taken in this set: 1. Viper’s-bugloss at Great Orme in a garden area which was pretty to see. 2. Beautiful panoramic view from the Great Orme. It was so good to enjoy and be immersed in this on the cable cars you can see for miles including back down to Puffin Island where we were the other day. 3. Ravens on the Great Orme. 4 and 5. Views at Yr Wyddfa, wonderful to have this consuming and stunning experience taking in the breathtaking mountainous views again. It was special. 6. Heath bedstraw it was nice to see at Yr Wyddfa. 7 and 8. More sensational views of the sun going down over the water at Llanbadrig, it was so peaceful to be here in the evening late in the holiday a great pretty spot with the church too. 9. Chough at Great Orme, this species that has been one of our birds of the holiday was something of a surprise for us here, it was exceptional to hear their charming calls once more and see a couple. The one in the photo possibly a youngster too. 10. A Common Grayling at the Great Orme that I was astounded to see, my first of the year and this is by far the earliest sighting I’ve ever got of one the first time I’ve seen the species in June in fact. This is a species I don’t even think of until July on the New Forest heaths at home. It was brilliant to watch a few of these camouflage artists flitting through the grass, a euphoric moment to see my 32nd butterfly species of the year. Thanks to me being reminded of their sub-species something I read about before by someone I know on Twitter it seems the early sighting could be explained by them being the Hipparchia semele subspecies which is found only on the Orme as they do emerge sooner. This is pretty cool if so. 

Other highlights at the Great Orme were Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Meadow Pipit, Swallow and Goldfinch, with striking Wheatears seen very nicely joyous moments, Skylark, Goldfinch and Speckled Wood seen going up Yr Wyddfa.  Also on the brief look at Llanbadrig looking across to Ynys Badrig tonight it was good to see of course Gannet Middle Mouse where they have historically begun nesting which I first heard about in the Iolo’s Anglesey series last year so I was thrilled to see this, Guillemot, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Swallow, Manx Shearwater, possible Razorbill, Black Guillemot and Chough and also Sandwich Tern. It was soothing to hear the wails of the seabirds on the island, a key and beautiful sound this week. It was great to see Grey Heron on a chip shop stop at the wonderful Betws-y-Coed with Swallow seen going through Eryri again. Newt in a pond and the famous town invading during lockdown Kashmiri Goats were nice to see at the Great Orme and other plant highlights there were scarlet pimpernel, hawksbeard, common rock-rose and water lily. Foxgloves, tormentil and cotton grass in good numbers were good to see up Yr Wyddfa and thrift, sea plantain and white clover were nice to see at Llanbadrig. Lady’s bedstraw and thyme were nice to see at both Great Orme and Llanbadrig. 

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06/09/2020-Ashley Walk in the New Forest and hebe in the garden before 

With the east of the county a bit out of bounds to us this weekend due to the closure and impacts of the M27 and a lot of our birding targets achieved that we could go for in the west of Hampshire of late it gave us a perfect opportunity to do a valuable with only the two weekend days to go further afield walking/wildlife watching photographing normally trip to the open New Forest National park. This was just for a walk mostly we did see a lot of wildlife ultimately but also to maybe see some mushrooms with fungi starting to come out in force for the autumn. We chose somewhere I don’t believe I’ve been since last autumn Ashley Walk going over to the Leaden Hall area and back. 

The heather looking absolutely gorgeous and purple carpeting the landscape as we walked around, alongside some other nice colour in the landscape from berries and apples on trees it was so good to be out on a purple moon of a landscape in places this afternoon classic New Forest habitat at this time of year. I took the third, fourth, sixth and seventh pictures in this photoset of this lovely landscape out here today. In among it alongside a good few other birds seen today as my wildlife sightings summary shows were a few Wheatears including possibly one young one. These were great to see. I have focused in recent days about how many Yellow Wagtails are out lately during this influx of them alongside grazing animals my non-birding sister noticed some with the Fallow Deers at Bolderwood in the New Forest yesterday she told us this morning or rather she said there were yellow birds by the mammals’ feet etc and we showed my pictures of the ones we saw at Pennington yesterday and she said yes that was them. But I mustn’t forget how many Wheatears I’ve seen lately seeing them at four places lately now. It’s hard to believe that until my first of the year at Hayling Island oysterbeds last month they were my bogey bird this year so the bird I normally see easily in years which I have to wait for. I think what’s happened is no surprise what with the necessary lockdown whilst last year I struggled to see them often again after seeing my first of the year in April 2019 before late summer we completely missed them at the coast and that in spring 2020. But we then went on to have a very good late summer/early autumn migration for them just like last year among many other birds and we’re really made that count seeing Wheatears at a few places as we needed for our year list.

As we walked on it became a good day for the grazing animals, we got really close to both cattle and New Forest ponies with calves and foals respectively which was lovely. I took the tenth picture in this photoset of one of the calves. And we saw two herds of the great Fallow Deers getting very nice binocular views of them which was good. There were a little family of donkeys in the car park too which I took the second picture in this photoset of. We did find some mushrooms too, some big white ones and some smaller. The bigger ones wrapped nicely in bright purple heather which was a fantastic sight such nice colour. I took the fifth picture in this photoset of this. 

As the sun danced with the clouds poking through a little bit here and there after an unexpected period of showers to begin with we also noticed a lovely butterfly flirting around, a Common Grayling a New Forest specialist I had loved seeing at Whitefield Moor in the New Forest a strong area for it on a hot and sunny July Saturday a key and happy part of my summer this year. This one which I took the eighth picture in this photoset of was a little faded but I was glad to see it, I had seen one across the road to here on a Turf to Deadman Hill walk in September in 2015 but that would have been the 1st or 2nd I believe so this could be my latest ever Common Grayling butterfly sighting in a year. I did love seeing it. Among the heather on the way back I also noticed a nice little flower with the heather, it I believe is a devil’s-bit scabious which I identified through a lovely app I have found called PlantNet which a kind Twitter friend suggested to me its very good for suggesting what flowers are by you submitting a picture to it I thought it might help with this one when I got a picture and invaluable for a flower novice learning more about them and photographing more this year as I am. I took the ninth picture in this photoset of this. A great end to another very enjoyable weekend I did have so much fun and saw so many amazing species and views and getting top relaxing time in between. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: One of my favourite birds the Buzzard, one of my favourite butterflies the Common Grayling, two of my favourite mammals the Fallow Deer and New Forest Pony, Wheatear, lots of Linnets at the end, Stonechat, Mewdow Pipit, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Bladkbird, Carrion Crow, Large White and bee.

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08/09/19-Eyeworth Pond, New Forest 

Pictured: Sun through trees, heathland view, holly bush, another landscape out on the heath and the pond itself with the lily pads in the foreground looking nice when out. 

Wildlife Sightings Summary: One of my favourite butterflies the Common Grayling, one of my favourite mammals the Fallow Deer, Willow Warbler and Wheatear in good numbers the former as always at this time of year very pleasing on the eye in very yellow plumage, Meadow Pipit, Swallows including some skimming the pond, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Stonechat, Small Heath, Large White and Common Darter dragonfly. 

So that’s the end of another week off for me and my last week off this year. The Cornwall trip Monday-Friday was one of the standout points of the year with the scenery, the locations, the birds, the relaxation and much more. But either side of them there were some lovely days in Hampshire with great birdwatching and other wildlife seen today included. Thanks you all your support this past week. I hope you all have a great new week!