Darland Banks 24/03/21

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Following the report of Large Tortoiseshell at Darland Banks yesterday I checked the site this morning. It was mostly sunny and reasonably warm so conditions were quite encouraging for butterfly activity. I saw one Brimstone and five Peacock, but unfortunately no sign of Large Tortoiseshell: it was always going to be a needle in a haystack situation for the butterfly on such a large site.

Other insect activity included good numbers of queen bumblebees, seeking out nest sites. Bee-flies were also quite evident, mainly the Dotted Bee-fly, as shown in the picture. The adults drink nectar from flowers, while the larvae are parasitic on solitary bee larvae.

After much searching I managed to find an Adder, a male with generally dull markings prior to shedding its skin in the coming weeks. After two years of visits to Darland I get the impression that the Adder population is not so high, which is somewhat surprising as the habitat looks generally good.

Wild flowers included a number of Stinking Hellibore, a poisonous plant, and quite striking in appearance. There were attractive patches of Violets on the downland.

Three beautiful ponies contentedly grazed on the turf. I am told they are Konik ponies, a breed from Poland.

Peacock

Dotted Bee-fly

Male Adder



Stinking Hellibore

Violets

Konik pony

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