WFV, Ripon Wetlands, 16th July 2024
It was a rainy day when we came last year but today was glorious. Butterflies were present all day, Ringlets being the commonest. Other species seen were Green-v & Small Whites, Small Sk, Sp Wood, Peacock, Red Adm, Small Tort, M Brown, GK's, Comma & a Painted Lady.
Dragonflies were also abundant. In particular, Common Blue Damselflies were in huge numbers across the entire site. Other species seen were Emperors, Common Darters, Banded Demoiselles, Brown Hawker & Blue-tailed Damselfly including a lovely rufescens form. This is a form I hadn't previously encountered.
The site is botanically rich, Bird's foot Trefoil, Knapweed, Clovers, thistles, Tufted Vetch proliferated. Other plants identified incl Wild Carrot, White Bryony, Common Spotted O, Prickly Ox-tongue, Marsh Woundwort, Melilot, Gypsywort, Lesser Trefoil, Amphibious Bistort & Agrimony.