Having just got over a bout of Norovirus and then COVID (I don’t believe in doing things in half measure!) I was looking forward to checking out some local sites for late season insects such as Ivy Bee, but the continuous rain (well it seems like it!) has scuppered any such plans and so I have been reflecting on my insect highlights in an overall disappointing summer for invertebrates.
One highlight was in May at Chapel Bank, near Croydon when I joined a group hoping to see the Duke of Burgundy, a rare Butterfly found only on a few sites in southern and western England.
We descended Chapel Bank to the clearing where the Duke of Burgundy breeds. A single Duke was soon located and then another and as members of the group spread out found more. It is difficult to assess the numbers but certainly more than 6 individuals. The thing that struck me was how small they were, I had expected them to be bigger.
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Feeling cold and yukky after flu and covid jabs yesterday, and wasn’t looking forward to winter gull survey this evening. Fortunately the weather was pleasant.
We saw Duke of Burgundy in Hungary this summer, and like you, I was surprised at how small they were.
My jabs to come next week. Went shopping today and saw my first Ivy Bees of the year – in Tesco car park!