This July has been very active on the riverside and there has been much to record as new plants mature and attract more wildlife, with the great benefit of good weather.
Butterflies were very numerous this July, with Gatekeepers easily the most frequently seen species in most locations, especially ranging along riverbank vegetation and amongst the long grasses and wild flowers in the wild field. They were not seen on areas of cut 'amenity grass' until wild flowers grew up amongst the grass. As mentioned and shown on the post for 14th July, Holly Blue butterflies began to appear again early - first seen on 9th July with subsequent sightings on 17th and 18th. Meadow Brown butterflies were present on most days, some looking rather faded. Large, Small and Green-veined Whites were also present on most days, as were solitary Red Admirals looking very fresh.
Ringlets were seen on rare damp days and Comma butterflies were seen on several days as were Small Tortoiseshell butterflies amongst young nettles or basking on warm stones. Skipper sightings became scarcer this month, most being Small Skippers, on warm dry grasses. It was good to sight a few Purple Hairstreak butterflies high in the canopies of old oak trees before the wind strengthened
Butterflies were very numerous this July, with Gatekeepers easily the most frequently seen species in most locations, especially ranging along riverbank vegetation and amongst the long grasses and wild flowers in the wild field. They were not seen on areas of cut 'amenity grass' until wild flowers grew up amongst the grass. As mentioned and shown on the post for 14th July, Holly Blue butterflies began to appear again early - first seen on 9th July with subsequent sightings on 17th and 18th. Meadow Brown butterflies were present on most days, some looking rather faded. Large, Small and Green-veined Whites were also present on most days, as were solitary Red Admirals looking very fresh.
Ringlets were seen on rare damp days and Comma butterflies were seen on several days as were Small Tortoiseshell butterflies amongst young nettles or basking on warm stones. Skipper sightings became scarcer this month, most being Small Skippers, on warm dry grasses. It was good to sight a few Purple Hairstreak butterflies high in the canopies of old oak trees before the wind strengthened
and clouds covered the sun.
Meadow Brown butterfly basking
28th July 2017
This summer has so far been good for dragonflies too, with Southern Hawkers frequently seen ranging along the riverbanks and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies being especially numerous, ranging low over the low river (mostly females) and along the river banks and grasses (mostly males), on a hot
day often preferring semi shaded locations, their brilliant metallic colours shining where the sun touched them.
The star of the riverside this July was a Male White-legged Damselfly on 17th which will be featured in an later post, with a photo. (September 30th, summer summary)
This summer has so far been good for dragonflies too, with Southern Hawkers frequently seen ranging along the riverbanks and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies being especially numerous, ranging low over the low river (mostly females) and along the river banks and grasses (mostly males), on a hot
day often preferring semi shaded locations, their brilliant metallic colours shining where the sun touched them.
The star of the riverside this July was a Male White-legged Damselfly on 17th which will be featured in an later post, with a photo. (September 30th, summer summary)
Guelder Rose berries beginning to ripen
17th July 2017
Birds (see full record on 28th July) were mostly keeping a low profile this month, moulting and recovering from nesting but with many continuing to nest and feed young. Swifts were seen on most days flying over the river course, also small groups of foraging House Martins. A red kite was seen gliding over the river course on 15th and more frequently several buzzards were seen and heard. With large numbers of juvenile birds on the riverside, sparrowhawks were waiting under cover and could occasionally be seen dashing through the undergrowth and into hedgerows. Green woodpeckers were heard and sometimes seen on the grasses and great-spotted woodpeckers were kept busy with young in the old oaks over the river. Nuthatches could often be heard calling amongst the branches whilst the only true song came from lone song thrushes sometimes singing all day but mostly during the long evenings. Blackbirds are always present along the riverside but in July remain quiet, most having several broods of young.
Males are most often seen foraging on the damp shady long grass where the ground underneath has remained wet. Silent robins follow and benefit from the loosened earth.
Some snatches of song from summer migrants - blackcaps could be heard and chiffchaffs remained very vocal - contact-calling. Towards the end of the month large numbers of 'yellow faced' juvenile blue tits and great tits were seen being fed by adults or foraging on insects under leaves on the trees,
most remaining silent. Goldfinches were beginning to group together to sing in dense thickets close to plentiful supplies of seeding grass and dock seed. Jays were foraging, competing with squirrels for early Hazelnuts and ripening Hawthorn berries - leaving signs of their foraging - a carpet of empty nut shells under the trees:
Hazel nuts will not be left to ripen but will rapidly be taken by jays or squirrels
but with large crops of fruits, berries and nuts this year there will be plenty of choice.
Ripening Hawthorn berries on a young tree. Older trees have
already been raided of large amounts of more mature haws.
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