It was a hot, sunny day on the Common and I decided to pay a visit to the Lower Heath (the west side of the Worcester Road). It proved a worthwhile decision as, shortly after arriving, i picked up on a stunning Brown Argus visiting the Ling flowers not far from Cooks Garden Centre. This was especially pleasing as it is the first Brown Argus i have recorded at the Common this year.
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
Eudemis profundana
I also discovered a young Oak Cherry Gall on the underside of one of the Oak leaves. This gall will often turn a reddish colour as it matures hence the common name. It is caused by the tiny gall wasp Cynips quercusfolii. Interestingly, these galls tend to be smooth when formed on the leaves of English Oaks but warty when formed on the leaves of Sessile Oaks.
Oak Cherry Gall (Cynips quercusfolii)
One thing that did really strike me on today's visit to the Common was the sound. Due to the heat and the time of year the multitudes of Broom seed pods were bursting open in a cacophony of sound. It sounded like I was walking around in a giant bowl of Rice Krispies with all that snap, crackle and pop going on!
From the Lower Heath I crossed over the Worcester Road to check out the former carpark area. Here there were 2 ♂ Beewolf, a Comma and a brown form Field Grasshopper present. Also observed at this location was a Small Copper butterfly that was feeding on the Yarrow flowers.
Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) - brown form
Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas)
Interesting write up and lovely photos, think I must wander over the common again especially as I have never seen a brown argus.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. I used to record 1 or two annually at Stanklyn, usually in the gallops field (where Stone sale is held). There used to be a fair bit of red clover in their that they would feed on
ReplyDelete