This extraordinary, presumed aberrant Riband Wave (top with ordinary Riband Wave f. remutata below) had me trawling through the leps.it website, which illustrates all European and north African species, in case it was a different species. There remains a possibility that it's an adventive from farther afield, but I suspect it will prove to be an aberration.
Crescent Dart - only the third one I've trapped but the smartest by a mile.
Barred Yellow - always a joy to see this neat 'carpet'.
Ivy Broomrape - Madeira Walk, Exmouth. Thanks to Kev and Debs for the tip on where to locate this amazing flower. It lacks any green chlorophyll so is unable to photosynthesise. Instead the plant's roots attach to those of a host plant, in this case Ivy, and steal its water and nutrients. A parasitic plant nonetheless and one I was very keen to see.
Marbled White - so much easier to photograph butterflies in the rain if you can find them...
Small Skipper
My first Gatekeeper of 2020.
Banded Demoiselle - River Otter.
Himalayan Balsam - an invasive and problematic species but undeniably attractive.
My first Gatekeeper of 2020.
Banded Demoiselle - River Otter.
Himalayan Balsam - an invasive and problematic species but undeniably attractive.
I'm so glad you knew where I meant! I'm so rubbish with place names! I popped over to Phear, yesterday to start the surveys of the new wildlife areas (un-mown areas) and was rather taken with what's happened to the skatepark...
ReplyDeleteUsually there will be kids running all over the verges, but with them being left to grow, and the previous footfall having kept some of the vigorous grasses at bay, we've got some great ruderals appearing:
Scentless mayweed, Bristly Ox-tongue, Ox-eye daisy, Ribbed melilot and Lesser trefoil to name a few. Not your standard Phear Park plantlife and it looks absolutely stunning. Take a look before it's trampled... take your skateboard!
Hi Debs - thank you very much for that. I popped over there before work this morning and you're right, it's looking fantastic. I saw all the plants you mentioned. Ribbed Melliot is one I've not seen, or more likely noticed before. It's great to hear these areas are being left unmown. Out of interest, how do you distinguish between Lesser Trefoil and Back Medick? I've looked online but they still look remarkably similar to my untrained eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks once again for all your help. Please let me know if you find other good areas/plants on your travels around Exmouth. I'm keen to see everything at the moment! All the best. Matt
Will do - I'm doing St John's and Brixington on the 15th, so if there's anything of interest, I'll let you know :)
ReplyDeleteBlack medick is very similar, but is bigger plant (only subtly, but noticeable when you've seen them a few times). The leaf shape is also different. Do you use Naturespot? They tend to have great (and easy) id help: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/lesser-trefoil
Thanks Debs - will have a look at that. Of interest the path between the viewing screen(Mudbank) and the coach park has recently re-opened following sea defence work. Lots of flowers growing on the recently disturbed ground included plenty of Black Nightshade, Some Red Bartsia and Hare's Foot Clover. Lots of stuff I still can't id too. Thanks again. Matt
ReplyDeleteNice - I don't think I'm in town next week (unless I can find a good excuse - I might try to do a 'safe' new volunteer induction just to pop over!). I'll get over asap and get some photos for i.d. :)
ReplyDelete