25/07/2026
*** FoTM Butterfly and Dragonfly survey on 05 Jul 2026 report ***
Initially planned for Sunday 28th June, the heatwave was forecast to extend to the weekend so we re-scheduled to the next Sunday the 5th July which was better for the butterflies and dragonflies as well as the observers.
Our route was on Wild Marsh West and as soon as we set off a lovely Brimstone butterfly gave all good views. As we walked in the shade of Stonebridge Wood, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral butterflies fluttered by along with a variety of white butterflies.
We stopped at a buddleia bush where we could see the white ‘comma’ mark on the underside of a perched Comma butterfly.
We then went on to Orchid Meadow (where Bee Orchids have been seen in the past) where we were delighted to see a Marbled White butterfly and Small Copper butterfly (neither of which I have seen before on the Marshes). There were also a number of Meadow Brown butterflies flying around the long grasses. Gatekeeper butterflies were also seen, plus other insects.
We crossed over the Marsh to walk back along the canal where we spotted a number of damselflies and dragonflies in the vegetation at the edge. Damselflies rest with their wings held along their body (such as Common Blue damselflies and Blue-tailed) whereas dragonflies rest with their wings at right angles to their body. We had good views of a Red-eyed Damselfly as it stopped on a leaf. The star dragonfly was a Black-tailed Skimmer as it landed on the ground in front of us long enough to be photographed.
The concluding highlight was a Jersey Tiger Moth which rested motionless on a leaf until disturbed when it flew off showing its orange ‘petticoats’ i.e. its bright orange underwings which could not be seen at all when it was at rest!
Thanks to David Cottridge for leading this walk and to Ivor for his photos - including adding the names to the photos, plus nearly the correct date (5th, not 7th !).
Debbie
