Our time with the transect has ended this year, little time was spent there in 2020, but we did see a Small copper for the first time and Jared got up close to Meadow browns.
Ringlets were aplenty this year, no doubt thanks to longer grass everywhere, and the Red admirals were the last species to be recorded. We didn’t see any Small tortoiseshell on the transect this year, however Jared’s emerged in July & we saw plenty in and around the gardens this year. I’ll put the video below of one that Jared & I witnessed emerging.
That was pretty awesome for us to see. Once one had emerged when the gas man arrived to fix the boiler. He must have thought I was mad! I’m like: “I’m so sorry, but you’ll need to wait till it’s got its grip before I move it, if it falls before its wings harden, IT'LL BE CRIPPLED!!” I was far too excited sounding as well, and I don’t even think he knew what I was looking at. I had stupidly moved the box to the same counter the boiler man needed to get to! I bet that's never happened to him before though - a crazy lady with pupae in the kitchen. So sorry about that, again, if you read this!
As for other species this year, I was disappointed that I never saw one Painted lady. I suppose, after being spoiled last year with 'a Painted lady year', I shan't complain! Here’s a link, in case you missed it!
My highlight of the year was spotting the Small Copper, I hadn’t seen one before, and I’ve learnt the numbers of Scottish Small Copper sightings have diminished in recent years. This is one species the butterfly conservation was encouraging people to send in their 2020 records of. If anyone has seen one, in Scotland, and not recorded it for this year, you can do it here.
Since the end of the butterfly season, I’ve been continuing to participate in any butterfly presentations on Zoom, including a 'butterfly walkers workshop' this weekend; no doubt this will be the last one this year. Again, having lockdowns have meant I can attend meetings of all sorts during the summer; one good thing to come from these restrictions! I am hoping I’ve picked up some presenting ideas, as I will be hosting a butterfly-themed zoom for the park with Stuart Whittaker next year! I need to thank him for supporting me and all the others participating in their John Muir Award.
In other news... Castlemilk Park is getting new notice boards! Not sure how many, or where, but I’ve been working on some butterfly ID info to put up. I've shared it underneath, as all these butterflies will be seen in most of Scotland and the UK.
The butterflies might now be gone for the winter, however, my biodiversity conservation & John Muir award efforts will not stop. Jared & I will set our focus on recording fungi & bird species in the park over the next wee while. I attended a fungi ID presentation in October, which was incredibly interesting, and I can’t wait to photograph these! There are plans to start recording the parks bee species next year, so I think a good bee book will be on the cards.
To end, I will leave you a picture of Jared in his ‘bear den’. At home, we have been exploring hibernation and the animals that do this. I suggested we be a local hedgehog, but of course, Jared had to be a bear! This is a great activity to do with the kids on horrible wet dark days.
Stay tuned for tin can planters, moths & I might finally do something with Jared’s pinecones!
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