Another sunny day, though that north-easterly was pretty chilly.
Main highlight today was my first Large Tortoiseshell of the year, flitting about in amongst the beach huts at the cove. Not the first one seen this year, as they have been spotted at the cove since 26 Feb, with 5 seen on 27 Feb. More on the Large Tortoiseshells below
Elsewhere plenty of Wall Lizards, but still no Summer Migrants. Where are the Sand Martins, Chiffchaffs and Wheatears!!!
Here are a few images from today:
The cove was the place to be this afternoon, especially by.........
..........the huts where there was a........
The huts were also good spots for the Wall Lizards. Can you spot them?
Here's one and the..........
..........second one. There were plenty of others around as well.
Lots of small hoverflies about this afternoon. This is a Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)
And today on my walk I was joined by David, who looks like he's being dragged down the steps by Ted.
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Butterflies Recorded: 1 Large Tortoiseshell
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)
Large Tortoiseshell
2018-2019
The Large Tortoiseshells on Portland were released at Tout Quarry in 2018
I found my first one in Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve on 31/03/18
They then over wintered into 2019.
2019-2020
In 2019 they were found in Bottomcombe Quarry and Broadcroft Quarry. They bred and the new brood hatched and over wintered into 2020.
Two pristine LT's were found at Church Ope Cove on 2/03/20 and 3 were seen the next day. A few days later a 4th was found but in a sorry state, looking more like a Comma than a LT.
On 16/03/20 at Church Ope Cove all 4 were seen with 2 visiting Pennsylvania Castle Woods in the afternoon. 1 was a female, 2 were males and the 4th was to worn to sex.
On 22/03/20 a pair in Pennsylvania Wood were showing good interaction just 30 metres from where the larvae were found the day before. In fact the male on this day had a lucky escape when a Pipistrelle "type" Bat, very nearly caught it.
On 6/05/20 I came across a very worn and tattered LT on the south facing slopes at Church Ope Cove.
The last Large Tortoiseshell seen this year was, I believe around 5/07/20
2020-2021
First Large Tortoiseshell seen 26/02/21 at the cove.
27/02/21 Five were seen at the cove.
Found my first one this year at the cove on 1/03/21