Flyladyphotography By Wendy Cooper

  Drifting into autumn… Gradually the heat of summer faded into balmier days and whilst still a little reticent, some of the local wildlife began to appear again.  I previously mentioned mentioned about late butterflies,  but from August through to October, apart from a few Comma butterflies out basking and a couple of fresh looking Small Heath,  it appeared the Butterfly season had finished for the year – not even a late Red Admiral was seen.  Dragonflies on the other hand could still be seen – a few Migrant Hawkers continued to buzz around the meadow, as well as Common Darters, who would settle for a brief while.  The birds on the other hand were beginning to make themselves known again.  Over several weeks’ walks, I will admit that I heard more than I saw, however, tantalising glimpses were had of a young Chiff Chaff, as well as Whitethroats still foraging,  The Nuthatch and Treecreeper were both glimpsed foraging in ‘their’ corner of the woods – the Nuthatch being regularly heard

April… It started with a Comma.  In early April, after the snows had gone and the weather started to be a little warmer and brighter, spring suddenly arrived with a rush and as blossom and fresh greenery began to cautiously emerge, so did the Butterflies. Comma Butterflies (amongst others) will find places to hibernate during the winter months and can sometimes be seen on milder winter days.  This was the first one I saw this year, basking in the sunshine to warm up before fluttering off to try and find food and a mate. Around the same time, a small number of Small Tortoiseshells appeared, along with Peacock Butterflies. One afternoon, I watched Small Tortoiseshells basking alongside Peacocks, every so often both species would flutter up and joust mid-air as they competed for a mate or territory.  I would have to wait to see if any were successful in their searches for a partner.  As the month progressed, Holly Blues could be seen fluttering busily about with a few fresh lookin