Open University Exploring Nature Walk

Monday September 3rd
Dorsetshire Gap

© Kay MantrippNature Portfolio    

This was our second attempt at this walk, after giving up on a very wet July 2nd. Today we still didn't manage to reach our target, but we did at least get to the top of the hill at 262 metres (860 feet). The walk up the hill produced fairly little, and was slippery and arduous, but at least it wasn't raining. On the way we saw these two lovely insects, a Brimstone and an unidentified fly, possibly a soldier-fly. Both images are linked to their pages on iSpot, where hopefully the fly will be identified.

© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio

Brimstone


Soldier-fly

At the top of the hill we suddenly walked into a group of migrant birds, with Tree Pipit, Wheatear and Whinchat seen in quick succession. Spotted Flycatchers were seen as well but were not necessarily on migration as they were here in July as well.

© Kay MantrippNature Portfolio    

Wheatear


Whinchat
On the way back down the hill this lovely Silver Y was seen, another migrant but in this case one that had come from the continent and was not travelling to there.

© Bob Ford/Nature Portfolio


Silver Y, click on the image to go to its iSpot page





Birds

Pheasant (heard)
Kestrel
Buzzard
Wood Pigeon
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Swallow
Spotted Flycatcher
Great Tit
Whinchat
Wheatear
Tree Pipit




Insects

Brimstone
Small White
Red Admiral
Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Speckled Wood
Meadow Brown
Silver Y
Seven-spot Ladybird




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