Sunshine and butterflies were the order of the day yesterday (12th) on my walk at Whittington, Stourbridge. Fields along one side of the footpath and beyond were awash with Maize growing and on the other side of the path was pasture land being grazed by cows who had numerous corvids for company. A pair of Ravens flew overhead, heard before they were seen and a Common Buzzard was sighted perched on a distant tree as it scanned the fields and shortly after 3 Buzzards were seen circling silently above the area. House Sparrows, Skylarks, Greenfinch and Blackbirds were the only other bird species seen on the walk.
The highlight were the numerous butterflies as they flitted around in the hedgerows and along the path.
Spot the Buzzard!
At the start of the walk I spotted a wasp nest at the side of the path. If there had been no activity around the nest hole I would not have noticed it!
Digger wasps maybe?
Ringlets were out in the sunshine.
White species were sighted along the whole of the walk in good numbers!
Lovely to see the Meadow brown butterflies.
Small Tortoiseshell, such busy little butterflies.
An unidentified insect at present.
Small Skippers were around in good numbers.
Peacock butterflies were few and far between.
One of the many Large whites seen throughout the walk.
Teasel...not in abundance surprisingly.
Ragwort was in abundance with many plants pulled from the ground and left to die off. Hopefully they will be gathered up at some point as I am sure the dry seeds will not be welcomed if they scatter. A toxic plant to cattle, horses, deer, pigs etc! Such a pretty flowering plant but with a sting in the tail!
Musk Mallow.
Common Mallow with a Small Skipper for company.
Several Green-veined Whites were down on the path and 'Mud -puddling'!!
I had seen this activity a number of years ago at a local fishery I used to walk around, quite something to see.
There were field margins with wildflowers growing, great to see and of course besides being pleasing to the eye a good food source for insects, birds and small animals.
The clouds were eye catching, I believe they are 'Cirrus' cloud formations? Whatever they are called they were a treat to see in the bright sunshine.
The long and winding path.
A view with Titterstone Clee Hill, Shropshire in the distance.
The radar domes and towers that operate on the summit of the hill are visible.
That's all folks, thank you for viewing.
........................................
Beautiful and graceful, varied and enchanting, small but approachable,
butterflies lead you to the sunny side of life. And everyone deserves a
little sunshine.
~Jeffrey Glassberg
