I put on my wellies on for a wade around Boundary Fen this afternoon. Among the many insects there were large numbers of Large and Small Skippers. I presume that Large Skippers are slightly the larger but it is not easy to tell. More reliable distinguishing features are the patterning on their wings, whereas Small Skippers are a more uniform orange colour.
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris [Boundary Fen]
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus [Boundary Fen]
Other butterflies around included Marbled White, Ringlet, Red Admiral, Comma and Large White.
Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus [Boundary Fen]
Comma Polygonia c-album [Boundary Fen]
The Marsh Lousewort has spread rapidly since being introduced four or five years ago and is an important plant in the ecosystem here.
Rather more delicate is Bog Pimpernel, which grows in large quantities in Boundary Fen and has tiny, but very ornate pink flowers.
Bog Pimpernel Anagallis tenella [Boundary Fen]
I played a few holes around the Green course afterwards and came across this Wild Onion, one of several in the long grass to the left of the path near the 16th tee.
Beautiful sunny still morning today. I had a walk around parts of the Blue and Red course. An Egyptian Goose stopped off at the reservoir, a new addition to the Frilford list.
Egyptian Goose [Reservoir]
As its name suggests, the Egyptian Goose is an introduced species, first recorded in England in 1678, but is now fairly common, particularly in urban parks.
Trickier to spot, but easier to hear, there are still plenty of warblers singing and feeding. This Blackcap is usually singing near the bridge near the 1st Blue, although is tricky to spot.
Blackcap [1st Blue]
Also easier to hear that see are the various Whitethroats nesting around the estate. This one was skulking in the gorse to the left of the 5th Red.
Whitethroat [5th Red]
Willow Warblers seem to be the opposite. I have scarcely heard one this year, but always seem to find a lot feeding. This one is fairly regular in the gorse between the 4th and 5th Red.
Willow Warbler [4th Red]
Various insects around. I think that this is a Hairy Dragonfly near the 13th tee Blue, well camouflaged amidst the undergrowth. The Emperor dragonfly was rather more conspicuous with early-morning due on its large wings. The Common Blue Damselfly was near the 3rd on the Red, but they are fairly common on the Blue and Red course
Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense [13th Blue]
Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator [1st Blue]
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum [3rd Red]
This Large Skipper looks more like a moth, but is actually a butterfly. This is a male - sitting on a leaf waiting for a female on the 4th Red.
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus [4th Red]
The Southern Marsh Orchids are in full bloom just short of the pond on the 9th Red. There are also some Common Spotted here as well and Early Marsh Orchids as well if you have time to search.
Had a brief visit to the Doghouse range this afternoon and found a few more plants and butterflies for the year. A Small Skipper was resting on some Yarrow. It is very similar to Large Skipper, which I found behind the 14th tee on the Red, but has a plain underwing, whereas this is slightly patterned for the Large Skipper.
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris [Doghouse range]
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris [Doghouse range]
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus [14th Red]
Otherwise there were a few new flowers. Field Bindweed grows in the thicker rough and seems to look more attractive here than when I'm pulling it up out of my flower beds.
Field Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis [Doghouse range]
White Stonecrop is prevalent around the edge of the range and grows next to the Biting Stonecrop.
White Stonecrop Sedum album [Doghouse range]
Common Ragwort is also abundant in the long grass.
