A great day out at a new site.

Saturday 6th July 2024.

The Car Park at Standing Hat Inclosure. A good many potholes here that were full of water.

After last night's strong winds and squally heavy rain, I got up early again where I got myself ready to pick the guys up and then take a trip into the New Forest this morning. But first, I took my dogs for a walk and then afterwards, made my way to pick up Geoff. There were still very dark clouds going over the Solent when I looked south down my road and the wind was very blustery, but the weather forecast said that it was going to be dry and sunny, though still a bit windy later today. I didn't put my Moth Box on overnight due to the inclement weather, but fortunately, Andy did and he had some lovely moths to look at too.

Andy’s Moth Box:

Two smart moths that were both new for the year: above, Coronet and below, a Common Footman.

There were an additional three more moth species added to my year list here this morning that kicked off nicely with a Coronet sitting on one of the egg trays. Within the Moth Box, we found a Common Footman and a September Thorn, both smart moths. Though there were only 10 moths of 8 species, there was most certainly some quality there. The moths present this morning included the following:

• Riband Wave
• Common Footman
• September Thorn
• Heart & Dart 2
• Red-barred Tortrix
• Codling Moth
• Rosy Tabby 2
• Garden Grass-veneer

The September Thorn that was seen this morning.

Standing Hat & Pignal Inclosure, nr Brockenhurst, New Forest:

Above, a rather bland looking Meadow Brown in the Car Park and below, one of many Large Skipper butterflies seen.

Above, Emma found this gorgeous Purple Hairstreak close to the main footpath and below, good numbers of Ringlets were seen today.

We met up with Matt & Emma Parkes again in the Car Park at Standing Hat; which was a new site for us to explore, though Matt and Emma saw the Pearl-bordered Fritillaries there earlier this year. But our target species was the ‘Valezina’ race of Silver-washed Fritillary and this site was well known for them. So, during our four hours there, we came across a wealth of superb wildlife and not just butterflies either.

Above, we found many Wood Ant nests in the woodland and below, the Toad we found under a log.

Above, one of several Gatekeeper butterflies seen today. Below, a female Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly.

Above. Matt and myself in the Inclosure and below, Matt, Geoff and Andy checking out the insect life.

Kicking off with the Birds, again there was a good variety of birds present that included good numbers of Marsh, Coal, Blue and Long-tailed Tits seen. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers showed well in the woodland and overhead, we had brief views of both Common Crossbills and Siskins. A Redstart was heard calling near the car park, but no sightings and a probable Willow Warbler was seen high up in a Conifer. Common Buzzards could be heard calling deep in the woodland and occasionally, we had sightings of at least three birds during our walk around the rides. Both Firecrest and Treecreeper were heard, but no sightings of either species today.

Above and below, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker searching for food in the woodland. 

Above, another Large Skipper butterfly and below, up to four Silver-washed Fritillaries were seen today. This individual was side by side with a Tapered Drone Fly.

Standing Hat Inclosure was a rather small area by the Car Park, but it was Pignal Inclosure we strolled around. The weather was occasionally very sunny which really brought out the butterflies and dragonflies, but now and then, there were a lot of high but heavy dark clouds rolling over in the blustery wind and we were then caught in a few heavy showers. But overall, the afternoon was sunny and there we had some excellent sightings of some nice butterflies. These included at least four Silver-washed Fritillaries, Meadow Browns, both Large and Small Skippers, Ringlets, Purple Hairstreaks and best of all, our first Gatekeeper and Silver-studded Blue butterflies of the year (for Geoff, Andy and myself).

Above, the stunning Tiger Hoverfly and below, a male Keeled Skimmer dragonfly.

Above and below, my first Silver-studded Blue butterfly of the year.

There was a good variety of Dragonflies on the wing too and that included a superb male Keeled Skimmer; my first for many a year. Other dragonflies included Common Darter, Black-tailed Skimmer and an Emperor Dragonfly. At least three Hoverfly species were noted that included Tapered Drone Fly, Tiger Hoverfly and a Syrphus species that enjoyed the bramble flowers. Wood Ant nests were throughout the woodland and were just fascinating to watch. We found a log which Matt and I carefully turned over for a possible Snake and actually found a Toad instead! On the way back, close to the Car Park, we found a White Admiral flying around the ride and briefly settled in one of the trees to round off a superb walk around this excellent site. 

One of the many Wood Ant nests we found today.