Thursday, 5 June 2025

Local Wildlife Sightings June 2025

 After an impressively warm and sunny spring, it was back to changeable weather in June with a few warm, sunny days interspersed with showers and longer periods of rain. I took the opportunity on the 2nd (a warm, sunny day) to visit local fields and Therfield Heath, looking mainly for butterflies. Numbers of first generation Common Blues and Brown Argus butterflies were falling now on The Heath, whilst I failed to find any Adonis Blues there. However, on the small wild flower patch in the field that is behind our estate, which has proved quite productive in the past, I was lucky to find a recently emerged male Common Blue, which flew conveniently towards me and perched on top of a flower bud, allowing me to take some nice photos. If only all insects were so obliging!


Male Common Blue Butterfly, Royston, 2 June


UK Wildlife Sightings June 2025

 On the 2nd I made my annual pilgrimage to Glapthorn Cow Pasture NR (near Oundle in Northamptonshire) to see Black Hairstreak butterflies. Impressive numbers were on the wing, indicating that this species, at least, has not been adversely affected by the poor weather in 2024. I also saw my first Large Skipper of the year here.


Black Hairstreak Butterfly, Glapthorn, 2 June

On the 4th I returned to Bempton Cliffs to spend time with my brother and his family, who were holidaying in the area, and introduce them to the wonders of this RSPB reserve. My brother is a keen and very good photographer, but rarely photographs wildlife. However, whilst we were there he took 900 (admittedly, bracketed) images whilst I took very few! Here are a couple of my images.


Gannet at Bempton Cliffs, 4 June


Immature Gannet in Flight at Bempton Cliffs, 2 June