Heathland in Spring

GuyF · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:03 PM

Hi everyone,
I was out on one of the local heaths (in Dorset) today, and it was absolutely buzzing with life!
There were quite a few reptiles around, Smooth Snakes and Sand Lizards were both exciting to find, but it was also nice to see Slow-worms and Grass Snakes.
Here are some reptile photos, firstly a Smooth Snake

Male Sand Lizard

And a Grass Snake

Also a lot of insects around. At this same spot last weekend I found a very early Four-spotted Chaser flying, today there were loads of them. I saw atleast 20 fluttering around the place, quite a few looked like they'd only emerged very recently.
Here's a shot of one

Also a lot of Large Red Damselflies in the heather, and I'm pretty sure I saw one teneral blue damselfly but it flew off before I could have a good look.

The best insects for me though were a mating pair of Emperor Moths. Last weekend was the first time I'd seen one of these spectacular moths but I only had brief glimpses of the males flying quickly over the heath. Today I stumbled across this pair so I was finally able to get a good look at them, they're such spectacular moths.
This shot shows the male

And here's the female

I also came across a few Beautiful Yellow Underwing moths, which certainly live up to their name!

There were lots of interesting birds about including Dartford Warblers, Tree Pipits, Redstarts, Ravens, Linnets and Stonechats. Highlight though was watching 4 Hobbies hunting over the heath, I laid down on top of a hill and watched them for a while and at times they were swooping very close, giving great looks. It was a privelege to be able to watch them in action so close by.
Here are a couple of Hobby shots.

All in all a very good days wildlife watching, the heaths are great at this time of year!
Guy

sanderling · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:15 PM

That was a great day's wildlife watching......

An interesting report and an excellent set of photos

Well done...

ron1863 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:17 PM

You did have a good day Guy. I like snakes but very, very rarely see them where I live. Nice shots

Ollie · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:20 PM

Excellent photos Guy and a great variety as well. You certainly had a good day
Roger

monkey · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 09:29 PM

OOOps I did not read this thread before I commented on your photos on gallery but the same applies - good photos and very successful day. I have only been to Arne but must try some other heathlands in Dorset
Linda

GuyF · #6 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 10:07 PM

Thanks very much for the comments, it was a brilliant day out. Linda, Arne is certainly very good, I've never visited at this time of year but it would probably have a similar variety of species to the ones that I saw today, but as you say it's worth exploring some of the other heathlands, there are some great sites in the area

Guy

Just noticed I put the same Hobby picture twice, so here's the other one

aeshna5 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 05:44 PM

Guy- what a tremendous experience- so many great critters from birds to reptiles to insects. I really do enjoy southern heathlands- so much fabulous fauna + flora. Thanks for sharing the photos.

deer boy · #8 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 05:56 PM

Some great shots guy really like the moths & Sand Lizard

demicav · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 07:34 PM

Fantastic photos.

GuyF · #10 (**permalink**) 04-05-2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks again for the comments, the heaths are so special, and over the next few months there will be a variety of different exciting insects and invertebrates as well as the usual birds and reptiles, should be enough to keep me occupied over the summer!
Guy

Deer Stalker · #11 (**permalink**) 05-05-2008, 09:04 PM

Sounds like a great day Guy & some great shots. Havn't been able to get out on the Forest heaths this weekend as the weather hasn't helped. Hopefully more luck next week.

GuyF · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Cheers Deer Stalker, I hope you're able to get out onto the heaths soon, especially if the weather turns a bit nicer, the sun can really bring out a lot of wildlife.
Guy

wildherbalian85 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 12:10 AM

Wow great find.

I have only ever once seen a snake and that was a glimps of an Adder in the grass next to me.

I was only ever aware that we had two native species of snake - The Grass Snake & The Black Adder, so im supprised to hear of annother species - guess you learn something new every day.

aeshna5 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Wow great find.

I have only ever once seen a snake and that was a glimps of an Adder in the grass next to me.

I was only ever aware that we had two native species of snake - The Grass Snake & The Black Adder, so im supprised to hear of annother species - guess you learn something new every day.

We only have 1 species of Adder- Vipera berus. A black Adder is just a melanic form of Adder, not a separate species. We do have another 2 native species of snake- Grass + the much rarer southern species the Smooth Snake. There are a couple of small populations of the introduced Aesculapian Snake.

wildherbalian85 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

We only have 1 species of Adder- Vipera berus. A black Adder is just a melanic form of Adder, not a separate species. We do have another 2 native species of snake- Grass + the much rarer southern species the Smooth Snake. There are a couple of small populations of the introduced Aesculapian Snake.

I know we only have one species of Adder, i never said we did have two

But thanks anyway.