Foxley Woods

Wednesday, July 28 

Only the second of the Norfolk Branch of the Butterfly Association's moth-ing sessions. The pandemic curtailed the last two years' programme, much to everyone's disappointment. For various reasons - including Covid restrictions - this year's programme has also been cut to two events. The first, at Catfield, was limited to 30 participants, booking was necessary. I expected yesterday's meeting at Foxley Woods to be very popular, it usually is, unrestricted too. Only nineteen of us gathered in the third car park at 9 .a.m. The weather forecast had promised heavy rain and thunderstorms. maybe that put people off. It was actually very good for those of us who attended, egg boxes made their way round fairly rapidly, allowing few escapees.

Foxley Wood is a hotspot for butterflies, including white admiral, meadow brown, speckled wood, ringlet, purple hairstreak and silver-washed fritillary. Purple Emperors are the biggest draw.

Photo of a male Purple Emperor taken from a website.

 

Large numbers have been reported this year. They fly high around the treetops. If you are lucky, they can also be seen low down feeding on tree sap - and looking for salts in animal dung. Who knew that dog mess could be useful - but not to be encouraged. 

It was dull and overcast yesterday, we didn't see any butterflies at all. We did see a good selection of moths. One of the more common was Minor Shoulder-knot, a moth we have never seen in our garden. 

Not my photo.

 

There was a good selection of micros too. Some of then only identifiable by their genital detail, viewed under a microscope. We have several members who have attended a course enabling them to do this. Andy W did the honours this time. Thank you.

Last night's garden catch was pretty poor in both number and variety. BUT. We did trap one of the glamour moths, our first this year.

Garden Tiger. Gently encouraged with a soft paintbrush, it opened its wings enough to show the equally stunning underwings.

 

 

There was one at Cley this morning too. One of the staff appeared and, on viewing this splendid moth, said, 'Wow, wow, what a beauty'.