Dave’s Nature Spot
This is my first ‘report’ and I hope to be able to do this every month. My idea is just to give you a little bit of information on a particular nature matter – insects or plants or mammals.
This month is when we see the last of the summer butterflies – there will be just a few species about during the autumn. In particular, look out for the Clouded Yellow and Red Admiral.
The Clouded Yellow is a migrant and often found flying on chalk downland. It has been seen on both Beggarwood and Old Down on a few occasions. An excellent place to see them is Stockbridge Down where they can often be seen dashing across the downland. It is an unmistakeable vibrant yellow so you will know it when you see it. They make their long journey from North Africa and Southern Europe to the UK from May to October. It is doubtful that they are strong enough to overwinter in the UK but with climate change it may become possible. I consider it a bonus day if I encounter one.
The Red Admiral is another large colourful migrant that arrives from North Africa and Southern Europe in spring and signs are that some overwinter here. It is often seen on the wing as early in the year as March and as late as November. They can often be seen feeding on Buddleia flowers and in autumn will feed on ivy flowers and rotten fruit.
