A quick update on the
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) colony at the Brickworks. It’s located on the rough ground east of Baker’s Wood (the area surrounding the grid reference TL00790260).
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| Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Bovingdon Brickworks, 21/05/2015 |
We've identified the presence of
Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum) growing in shallow, nutrient poor soil on the top of the concrete slabs which now act as a pathway. This is the likely larval foodplant and is exactly the area the Brown Arguses were favouring last August. Being dependant on a low-growing, annual plant (rather than its typical perennial, Common Rock-rose (Heliantbemum chamaecistus), which grows on chalk and limestone soils) puts the colony in rather a precarious position. This is very well explained in the short article by Roger Kemp,
HERE.
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| Brown Argus colony location |
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| Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), Bovingdon Brickworks, 13/05/2015 |
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| Cut-leaved Crane's-bill (Geranium dissectum), Bovingdon Brickworks, 13/05/2015 |
Having spotted the first fresh adult on 10/05/2015, I was very pleased to find
7+ Brown Argus enjoying the warm, sunny conditions this morning in the same area.
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| Brown Argus (Aricia agestis), Bovingdon Brickworks, 20/05/2015 |
Other butterflies and moths of note: Orange tip (2m, 1f), Large White (m & f), Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell (3), Peacock (2), Dingy Skipper (3), Common Blue (2m), Burnet Companion moth (1), Silver-ground Carpet moth (2).
In other news...
...another Box Moor Trust volunteer and experienced butterfly surveyor, counted at least
18 Dingy Skippers on site on 13/05/2015, along with the first record of a
Green Hairstreak. Very encouraging indeed!
