Abington Naturewatch: Butterflies galore on Granta Park wildflower meadows

Monday 12 August 2024

Butterflies galore on Granta Park wildflower meadows

21st July 2024 - the wildflower meadows are in full bloom at the moment, and the propondance of Ragwort, Knapweed, Lady's Bedstraw, Betony and Hawkweed flowers is good news for the butterflies there.

Andy M spotted a good variety of butterfly species; the Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper being seen in good numbers, as were Essex Skipper - distinguishable from the very similar Small Skipper by the black tips to the underside of the antennae (a photo helps here!). A number of Marbled White were also spotted, as well as a few Red Admiral and Brimstone, and one or two Small Tortoiseshell, that seem much less common this year.

Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper

Essex Skipper, on Lady's Bedstraw flowers

Essex Skipper - note the black ends to the antennae

Essex Skipper - female with pointed abdomen,

on Hawkweed flower

Essex Skipper - male, with square-ended abdomen

Marbled White

Small Tortoiseshell

Red Admiral

Brimstone, male, on Betony flowers

Ragwort

Knapweed

Pyramidal Orchid

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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)