I had to collect something from the Hide on Tuesday 3rd September so took a walk round in the lunchtime sunshine at the same time. There was good news and bad:
We have been aware for some time that an anti-social person is regularly walking a dog on the reserve in defiance of the "No Dogs" regulation. What's more, they are not cleaning up after it. That day the fouling was right on the path near the hide. So watch where you put your feet, folks.
The reserve is private land and the landowner is perfectly entitled to say "No Dogs". What's more the notice on the gate clearly states the area is managed for wildlife and that dogs are not allowed. I wonder how the culprit would feel if members of the public came into their private garden and allowed their pet to foul the grass?
I'll spare you the photo of the evidence. Perhaps my next one will be of the culprit though, if I happen to see them on the Reserve with their dog.
The good news, on the other hand, was an abundance of butterflies.
Speckled Woods on most paths. 4 at SC208695; 4 at SC208694; 2 at SC209693. 1 at SC209694.
Small Copper on Cushag ( Ragwort) and grass at SC208694;
Common Blue at SC208694 ;
Meadow Brown at SC208694; and a
Red Admiral at SC208694. Unfortunatley I wasn't quite quick enough to get a photo of this last one but here are the rest.
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| Common Blue |
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| Meadow Brown |
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| Small Copper on Cushag ( Ragwort) |
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| Same butterfly on grass |
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| Speckled Wood |
There was also a 7-spot Ladybird at SC208694 in the Meadosweet; A Goldfinch at SC208694; and a Syrphus species Hoverfly on Hawkbit ( I think!) at SC208694;
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| Goldfinch |
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| Syrphus species Hoverfly |
Clicking on the photos will enlarge them.
With thanks to Steve Crellin for Hoverfly identification.
