WEEKEND CHASING BUTTERFLIES AND ODONATA-PART 1

After the recent high temperatures, butterflies and dragonflies (Odonata) have emerged earlier this year. I need several species to complete my British list. This morning, I visited Eyarth Rocks in North Wales with Jenna and her children to try to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly.

The Eyarth Rocks reserve is part of Craig-adwy-wynt, one of the richest butterfly sites in North Wales;  32 of the 34 species known to occur in the region have been recorded on this limestone hill-top Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and most breed there. The population of Pearl-bordered Fritillary has grown strongly since 2002, when Butterfly Conservation bought and started managing the site. The limestone pavement flora is exceptional, and the site provides magnificent views of the area. Sheep are grazed on the reserve to help control the scrub growth and break up the bracken cover so that more violets can flourish for the Pearl-bordered Fritillary caterpillars to eat.

The limestone pavement of this fine hilltop reserve is some of the best to be found in Wales. It is being carefully managed to sustain North Wales' strongest populations of the threatened Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly.

Upon our arrival, we fortuitously met a gentleman and his wife who had already spotted one resting on the heath.

As you can see, we all got great views of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary

While walking around the site, we spotted three more Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies before we left.

After leaving, we stopped for lunch before heading to the next site near Wrexham, located in an industrial area. Jenna had never seen a Grizzled or Dingy Skipper, so we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side when we arrived; the wind had picked up. However, one of Jenna's sons spotted a Grizzled Skipper flying low over the vegetation. It landed briefly before the wind caught it and sent it flying away.

Jenna's first Grizzled skipper

We continued to look for the Dingy Skipper but had no luck. However, Jenna's son found this little beauty, a Mother Shipton moth. I had never seen this day-flying moth before.

Our next stop was near Chester, by the River Dee. I had never seen a Common Clubtail before, and this is a site where they are seen annually at this time of year. We had barely stepped out of the car when I couldn't believe my eyes: a Common Clubtail flew right past me and landed on a hawthorn bush.

This was my first-ever sighting of a Common Clubtail

While walking along, I noticed other sightings, which included:

Azure Damselfly

Large Red Damselfly 

After leaving the River Dee, we headed to a nearby site in Holt to check if the Beautiful Demoiselle dragonflies had emerged yet. Upon arrival, we walked along the river, and eventually I spotted two Beautiful Demoiselles resting on some overhanging vegetation.

Another good Odonata for the list, Beautiful Demoiselle

This rounded off a great day; we had only missed the Dingy Skipper out of all our targets, and we had really good views of everything we saw.