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| Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary |
The
local weather forecast warned of a blanket of rain for the whole day
over the southwest ruling out surveys of any kind. In the event, the
day dawned clear with a heavy dew but fine, no wind and warm.
So
we grasped the opportunity for a late morning survey expecting the
weather to come in later and planned to have lunch in our local pub,
the Bush Inn, which is conveniently situated at the start and finish
of the transect.
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| Violet Oil Beetle |
It
was very muggy and close as we parked the car with a shade
temperature of 19ยบC – I leave a
thermometer under the car in the shade.
It
was a good walk in sheltered woodland followed by a steep climb up
the southwest coast path with a refreshing on-shore breeze.
The
survey increased our survey count of butterflies as is expected as
the year progresses, but the number of invertebrates was very good
too. The butterfly highlight has to be the three Small
Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in the valley. But we also added Small
Copper, Wall and Meadow Brown bringing our species list from 6 to 10.
Additional
invertebrate species recorded included two Violet Oil Beetles, three
24-spot Ladybirds, and shieldbugs. I was looking for and found Dock
Bugs as well as chancing on a Sloe Bug and a new one, a Boat bug
(Enoplops scapha) and a mating pair of nice bugs,
Dicranocephalus agilis or Spurge Bugs.
The
highlight of these highlights was a Bee fly. I have seen everyone
posting pictures of these on Facebook so was delighted to see one
even if I didn't manage a photograph; this time … …
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| Spurge Bug |
The
Tidna Valley continues to be a delightful are to survey coming up
with unusual and interesting species each time we visit.
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| Boat Bug |
Lunch
at the Bush Inn was a shared Garden Platter and a pint of cider to
round off an excellent survey.
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