22 July 2023

 Had a few walks around the course over the last few days.  Things are fairly quiet wildlife wise. There are lots of gulls on the fairways and I have seen and heard the Oystercatchers flying over a few times.  This juvenile Grey Heron tends to stalk the pond on the 3rd Blue in the early morning.

Grey Heron [3rd Blue]

Most of the Orchids have now gone over, but there is still plenty of colour in the rough.  One of the highlights at this time of year are the delicate but prolific Harebells on the Red course.

Harebells Campanula rotundifolia [12th Red]

It is a good time of year for butterflies.  Meadow Browns and Small Skippers are very common in the rough, as are Green-veined Whites.  This one was waiting for the morning dew on its wings to evaporate before being able to fly around.

Green-veined White Pieris napi [12th Red]

The Holly Blue has bright blue upperwing and a paler underwing with small black spots. They are quite common around the estate.  This one was feeding on the path by the reservoir.

Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus [4th Red]

30 April 2022

The sunshine meant that butterflies were out in good numbers today.  One of the most noticeable at this time of year is the Orange Tip.  The male is easy to identify with orange patches at the end of its wing.  The female is less obvious. 

Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines  [Tubney range]

I saw lots of other butterflies about today including Brimstones, Peacocks, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue.

Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria [6th Blue]

Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus [14th Red]

Several Whitethroats were singing on the Doghouse range.  This Whitethroat was singing in the same spot as last weekend.  

Whitethroat [Doghouse range]

Subterraneum clover is one of the specialist species of Frilford.  You can see it on the Doghouse range and on the short rough on the Green course. It is very abundant, but tiny - in this photo I have included a tee for scale.

Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum [Doghouse range]

Another rarity is Heath Dog Violet which is a bit smaller than Common Dog Violet and has a yellow spur.  You can find this between the 7th and 10th on the Gree course and on the footpath alongside the 4th on the Red.

Heath Dog Violet [4th Red]