Page 5 - Lydden News Letter 2025.cdr

NATURE NOTES

August has had some very hot sunny days which has been beneficial to some of our
insects. As our climate warms species are extending their range, a classic example of
this is the Jersey Tiger moth. This stunning looking insect can
be seen in the daytime. It has a dramatic black and cream
upper wings and vivid orange underwings. It used to be found
only along the south coast around Devon and Dorset but has
now spread to a wider area. It is having a boom year with them
being seen in gardens around the Close and a fellow village
moth trapper caught thirty in one night along Stonehall. Don't
worry they are safely release afterwards from the trap.

Another keened village resident spotted an impressive
caterpillar in the field between the church and Lydden Court
farm. Its dark colour and spiky skin identified it as a peacock
butterfly caterpillar, and it may well have been moving away
from its stinging nettle food plant to look for somewhere to
pupate.

On the Downland around the village, it is now a good time to
see Harebells. Belonging to the Campanula family of plants the delicate pale blue,
bell shaped flowers hang downward and sway gently in a
breeze. They are a good source of nectar and are visited by a
variety of insects. They have a number of local names from
'witches thimbles' too 'fairy bells' in Scotland they are
sometimes called bluebells.

In September autumn migration is in full swing. It is an
exciting time of year when species of bird can be seen pass
through the area on their travels rather than being a resident
or summer breeder. Wheatears are a 'passage migrant' and
the fence line on top of the Lydden Downs reserve is a good place to see them. They
are slightly smaller than a starling, are a sandy brown colour and show a distinct white
tail. Which is how they got their name derived from the Anglo Saxon for 'white bottom'.
Come the winter they will be running between the legs of Elephants in Africa.

Enjoy the Autumn
If you have any wildlife sightings from around the village, please do email me on
holtyppp@gmail.com

Enjoy the Summer,
Paul
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