Peter Jones Wildlife blog

A windy but sunny day, so I headed off to Longham Lakes in search of Dragonflies. No joy with Lesser Emperor which seems regular, but plenty of Brown Hawkers, Then onto an area famed for Heath Grasshopper, the Bat detector was excellent in finding them singing, and it didn't take long to find a couple, nice.  Photos

It's been a long few months, but the latest Covid19 relaxation allowed overnight stops in my campervan. Taking advantage, I stocked up on food locally, and planned a round trip to Norfolk for Creeping Ladies Tresses, via some Chiltern Orchid sites, and Fowlmere for a shot at Water Shrew. All went well logistically, the Britstops weren't bothered that I just took advantage of the car park for overnight sleeping and not going into the pub (a 14 day track and trace lock down, or worse, wouldn't be ideal!). First stop was the A343 south West of Newbury for Green flowered Helleborine. Found about 10 eventully in what is a pretty grim venue, cars flying past. What looked like the best specimen, I actually saw from the van on my way out of the area, but decided against going back for another look. Then onto Norfolk. Burnham Overy to Holkham is a good walk with some good plants, and 2 Cattle Egrets a good find. No joy with the Creeping Ladies Tresses, I was in the right area, just

A second week of enforced annual leave. This gave me lots of opportunities for going out looking for wildlife, but for some reason it was really tough going. First up was a trip to New Forest in search of Wild Gladiolus. I can only assume the location I have chosen hasn't got any in flower at the moment, I get that they are elusive under the bracken but I walked 10 miles! surely I'd have seen one, especially as I was picking out moths, and Lesser Butterfly Orchids. Next was a trip to Hurst in search of Dew Moth, this was no easier, although I did see plenty of coastal flower species, and always good to see Little Tern and Med Gull. I didn't even see Cinnabar, which may suggest the heat was too much for day flying moths on this occasion? Anyway, another one for next year! My LED moth trap failed, in the back garden fortunately, and was just a failed piece of soldering. I'm no expert, so will get the odd malfunction. Just relieved I hadn't blown a LED! I'm not eve