Monday, 31 July 2023

Fleam Dyke trip

29th July 2023 - eight NatureWatch members joined the trip to walk along the stretch of Fleam Dyke between the Bedford Gap and the A11.  The aim was to see Chalk Hill Blue butterflies, and to see whether this summer they were as prolific as normal.  Fleam Dyke is linear chalk soil site, good for a number of specialist chalkland plants, including Horseshoe Vetch, this being particularly important as the foodplant for Chalk Hill Blue butterflies. Other rare chalkland specific plants were also present, including Dwarf Thistle (aka Ground Thistle), Squinancy Wort and Clustered Bellflower.

During the walk, an impressive 18 species of butterfly were seen on the walk to and on the dyke, with Chalk Hill Blue and Gatekeeper being the most prolific. As it was a little breezy, many of the butterflies were staying closer to the ground sheltering amongst the plants, but when the wind occasionally eased, a host of Chalk Hill Blue suddenly appeared in their usual profusion. 

A Brown Hawker was seen flitting skillfully through the grass stems, and a Hobby was also seen, passing low over the crop in the field alongside the dyke.


Male Chalk Hill Blue

Female Chalk Hill Blue - darker brown underside with checkered wing fringe, 
and lacking the strong orange colouration of the Brown Argus

Male Chalk Hill Blue

Mating pair of Chalk Hill Blues ...

... with a second male trying his luck!

Another mating pair of Chalk Hill Blue

Male Chalk Hill Blue

Female Brown Argus - distinguished by brighter markings, and 
the two spots close together (or 'twin spot') on the lower hindwing 

Female Brown Argus

Holly Blue - pale blue underside, with several black spots

Gatekeeper - double eyespot, and line of white dots 
on the lower hindwing

Gatekeeper

Painted Lady

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell - a somewhat tatty specimen!

Comma

Brimstone

Small White

Large White

Green-veined White

Speckled Wood

Large Skipper

Essex / Small Skipper (exact id unclear)

Brown Hawker

General view of dyke
Greater Knapweed, Wild Parsnip, Spiny Plumeless Thistle

Dwarf Thistle or Ground Thistle

Dwarf Thistle or Ground Thistle

Squinancy Wort

Clustered Bellflower

Tufted Vetch or Cow Vetch

Restharrow

Common Toadflax

Ploughman's Spikenard

Fireweed

Brown Knapweed (white flower - an alien to the UK)
and Greater Knapweed and Clustered Bellflower

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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)