JoyColeshill2014sIf you were around Coleshill Common on weekdays during July and August, you may have wondered what a strange woman wearing a sunhat and clutching a clip board was doing. Well, I have recently been volunteering to monitor and record butterflies and dragonflies seen on and around the common and pond. I have been walking the same route each week, keeping record of the weather conditions and making notes to increase understanding and to help with future management of the common.

It has been a fascinating way of identifying the species present and how numbers and types vary across the weeks. 13 species of butterflies have been positively identified, as well as at least 4 species of dragonflies/damselflies.

Early to Mid July– if you entered the common from near the Windmill, you would have seen many dark brown, small Ringlet butterflies. As the month progressed, they continued but were soon joined by fluttering clouds of brown and orange Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers on the boundary of the wood and common. It is quite hard to distinguish between these two types. You have to track one down to a perching position to be absolutely sure of what is being seen. But it is worth it. Looking close up at any of these beautiful creatures is a delight that makes time stop and the world seem a better place. In the centre of the common at this time – there were many Marbled White butterflies actually on the common. At first glance –'just' another White butterfly (of which both the Small and Large variety are present) but a closer look shows a beautiful, almost 'stained glass window' of black and white wings. In similar areas, a buzzing carnelian red flash showed themselves to be 6 Spotted Burnet moths.

Late July As the month progressed, small flashes of blue around the edge of the common grassland showed that the Common Blue Butterfly had arrived. At a similar time, orange shapes, triangular when perched, meant that there is a small population of both Large and Small Skippers.

SpeckledWoodAug2014sAugust when the blackberries were ripening early, we were able to enjoy the patterned beauty of cream on dark brown of the Speckled Wood butterfly (photo right). Occasionally a lone Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell were seen, as well as some dragonflies, probably Southern Hawkers.

Meanwhile, over at the pond – dragonfly dramas were being enacted. One dominant male Emperor dragonfly patrolled about 10-12 feet above the pond and was observed seeing off opposition from the Broad Backed Chasers who preferred the margins of the pond. It was there over several weeks, but unfortunately no female Emperor was seen. Many tiny flashes of blue showed that the pond has a population of Common Blue damselfly.

I wish I could pretend that all this was hard work, but in fact with the wonderful weather, the company of friends who assisted me as 'Spotters', followed by lunch at the Red Lion, it was a good way of learning more about the common and enjoying the summer!
Joy Johns