Well it has been a whole two years since the last post on this blog and to say a lot has happened is an understatement. Shortly after my last post in 2015 a big change in my personal life led to me changing priorities somewhat as I had to find somewhere to live and basically rebuild my life again from scratch hence why I haven't posted since. All I can say is never underestimate the power of family and friends as I couldn't have got through it if it wasn't for their support. On a brighter note things are really looking up now, I've settled down and since I last posted I've become the Northamptonshire Butterfly Recorder! During the initial turmoil I forgot to pay for the domain name for this blog and subsequently lost it but luckily I've been able to rectify this in 2018 and start it again. This post isn't going to compensate for the lack of posting too much as it's merely a selection of photo highlights over the last two years but I'm planning to use this platform to promote the butterflies of Northamptonshire in the future so it feels right to try and fill the gap.
2016 - A Steep Learning Curve
I started the year in a bad way but luckily for me friends were keen to drag me out. I find nature has an incredible ability to take one's mind off things and it's amazing how clear your head becomes after a day out enjoying wildlife. During the winter of 2015/16 my friend Doug Goddard had asked me to take on the role of butterfly recorder in Northants as he'd been doing it for 30 years and due to a significant change in his circumstances too he wanted to take a step back. My passion for local butterflies had meant it's a role I'd considered myself doing in the future but I have to admit I hadn't quite expected it happening so soon! After some gentle persuasion I agreed but with some degree of trepidation as after all Doug Goddard and Andy Wyldes are incredibly knowledgeable so to join their ranks was something of an honour so I just hope I've done them proud. The good news is I did get out a few times while I wasn't preoccupied on the laptop dealing with butterfly records so here are a few of my favourite photos from 2016, I won't go through them all as the post will be too long!
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| Drinker Moth Caterpillar, Salcey Forest |
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| Wild Boar, Forest of Dean |
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| Black Hairtreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures |
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| Brown Hairstreak, Shipton Bellinger |
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| Duke of Burgundy, Beds |
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| Autumn Ladies Tresses, Cambs |
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| Common Darter, Northants |
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| Eyelash Fungus, Salcey Forest |
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| Emerald Damselfly, Northants |
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| Common Frog, Northants |
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| Green Hairstreak, Beds |
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| Green-winged Orchids, Northants |
2017 - Life Is Good!
After my jump into the deep end I've come out the other side almost a new me! My rather frantic year in 2016 has taught me quite a few lessons in life and after a lot of research and panicking has hopefully made me an acceptable county recorder too. I will admit I didn't realise just how much work goes into the role and from the outset and it became clear that the recording aspect was the easy part! On the bright side though it's a role I'm beginning to love. There are many times when the challenges of conservation can make life a little depressing but the battles we do win make it all the more the rewarding. Here are a few photo highlights from 2017 -
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| Amethyst Deceiver, Hazelborough Forest |
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| Bleeding Oak Crust, Salcey Forest |
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| Blue Rock Thrush, Glos |
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| Wild Boar Family, Forest of Dean |
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| Brimstone Egg, Grange Park |
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| Bufftip moth, Pitsford Reservoir |
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| Caspian tern, Clifford Hill, Northants |
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| Chalkhill Blues, Spanhoe Airfield, Northants |
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| Chalkhill Blue, Spanhoe Airfield, Northants |
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| Dartford Warbler, Dorset |
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| Octopus Stinkhorn (aka Devils Fingers), Rushmere Country Park |
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| Dingy Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales |
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| Green-winged Orchid, Brackmills, Northampton |
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| Hawfinch, Forest of Dean |
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| Hawfinch, Forest of Dean |
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| Highland, East Northants |
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| Herald moth, Pitsford Water |
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| Ivy Bee, Yeoman Pub Garden, Wootton |
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| Ivy Bees, Yeoman Pub Garden, Wootton, Northampton |
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| King's Cliff Veteran Beech |
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| Migrant Hawker, Ecton GP, Northants |
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| Nursery Web Spider, Salcey Forest |
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| Orange Peel Fungus, RSPB Sandy |
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| Orange-tip Pupa, Northants |
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| Porcelain Fungus, Salcey Forest |
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| Purple Emperor, Fermyn Woods |
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| Purple Hairstreak, Bucknell Woods |
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| Purple Hairstreak egg, Bucknell Woods |
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| Red Admiral, Ravensthorpe Reservoir |
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| Sallow Kitten Caterpillar, Salcey Forest |
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| Sand Lizard, Dorset |
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| Sand Lizard, Dorset |
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| Scarlet Elf Cups, Salcey Forest |
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| Small Copper Egg, Ravensthorpe Res |
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| Yellow Staghorn and Puffball, RSPB Sandy |
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| Common Stinkhorn |
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| Silver-washed Fritillary form valezina, Fermyn Woods |
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| Wall Lizard, Dorset |
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| Waxwings, Roade |
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| White-letter Hairstreaks, Fermyn Woods |
As for 2018 I'm hoping to be able to update a little more about what I've been up to now I'm in a better position to do so!
