Mainly Insects

22nd - 31st July 2016
Roesel's Bush-cricket, Lower Rea, 29/7/16
A post of largely insects from the last couple of weeks starts with this Roesel's Bush-cricket above, found at Lower Rea, Quedgeley, on 29th July whilst looking in vain for Andy's Grasshopper Warbler. Also locally, the highlights of a Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey on 24th at Hardwicke included several Essex Skippers.
Essex Skipper, Hardwicke, 24/7/16
Some recent garden hoverflies include those below, including several sightings of the big one, Volucella zonaria, which I have also seen recently along the canal tow-path.
Volucella zonaria, garden, 22/7/16
Syritta pipiens, garden, 30/7/16
Eristalis arbustorum, garden, 3/8/16
Myathropa florea, garden, 3/8/16
Other recent Hoverfly sightings include Leucozona glaucia at Edge Common, another distinctive species.
Leucozona glaucia, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Helophilus hybridus, NT Lacock Abbey, 31/7/16
Dasysyrphus albostriatus, NT Snowshill Manor, 30/7/16
Also at Edge Common last Saturday, butterflies included a single Dark Green Fritillary, 10+ Chalkhill Blues, Small and Essex Skippers and many Marbled Whites. A Spotted Flycatcher was along the woodland edge.
Dark Green Fritillary, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Chalkhill Blue, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Chalkhill Blue, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Essex Skipper, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Marbled White, Edge Common, 30/7/16
And some more from Edge Common below.
Shaded Broad-bar, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Six-spot Burnet, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Nemophora metallica, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Meadow Grasshopper, Edge Common, 30/7/016
Oedemera nobilis, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Broad-leaved Helleborine, Edge Common, 30/7/16
Green-flowered Helleborine, Edge Common, 30/7/16
 The night before I found two Glowworms on the southern side of Robinswood Hill, the first I have seen in a long time. Also here were two Tawny Owls calling, one seen too in flight.
Glowworm, Robinswood Hill, 29/7/16
A slightly disappointing visit to Oversley Wood with Andy and Mark in perfect conditions this year with no Purple Emperors and just two White Admirals but a reasonable number, 12, of Silver-washed Fritillaries and eight Purple Hairstreaks. Also seen were a two Brown Hawkers and two Marsh Tits.
White Admiral, Oversley Wood, Warks., 23/7/16
Silver-washed Fritillary, Oversley Wood, Warks., 23/7/16

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