Our exploration of Hagg Wood, on the edge of York, was not just about bluebells. There were other wild flowers, a wide range of trees and several species of butterfly.
This shot shows a brimstone butterfly on a dandelion flower. The Wildlife trust website says "The brimstone is a fairly large, pale yellow butterfly, with distinctive, leaf-shaped wings. Adults hibernate through cold weather, so may be seen flying on warm days throughout the year, although they are most common in the spring. Usually seen in ones or twos, they are never very common, but are widespread. They can be found in damp woodlands, along sunny, woodland rides and mature hedgerows, and in large gardens. The foodplants of the larvae are buckthorn and alder buckthorn. Both shrubs are found in wet woodland, while buckthorn also occurs on dry chalk and limestone soils. It is thought that the bright yellow colour of the male brimstone's wings inspired the name 'butter-fly'. The brimstone is a large butterfly with a greyish body and characteristically veiny and pointed wings. Males are lemon-yellow, while females are greenish-white with orange spots in the middle of each wing. Brimstones rest with their wings closed."
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
The character of the woodland is quite variable from area to area, and there is quite a bit of wildlife to see. There are also signs of human intervention, with bomb craters from the Second World War which now form ponds.
The area I visit is n`t so crowded. It`s far from the well know ones.
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
The character of the woodland is quite variable from area to area, and there is quite a bit of wildlife to see. There are also signs of human intervention, with bomb craters from the Second World War which now form ponds.
Ian
Thank you Kathy!
Ian