In the last few months, the common has awoken and flourished. Butterflies have started to emerge, small pearl bordered fritillaries (Boloria selene) have once again returned and the first recordings of small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) this year which brings the total to 22 species of butterflies on the Common so far. The fields at the common are now a new transect for 2015 and will hopefully add more of an insight into the butterfly species on the Common as the fields provide a different habitat. Already more common blue (Polyommatus Icarus) and brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) have been recorded due to the addition of the field transects.
A small group from Butterfly Conservation recently attended a guided walk on the Common and were very impressed with the species diversity, of not just butterflies, but moths and lizards as well. With a little more management to prevent succession into woodland, more species are likely to thrive. Hope is still strong for the pearl bordered fritillaries (Boloria Euphrosyne) to find their way to the Common.
Whilst walking along you may see the new froglets hopping across the grass and paths. Small grasshoppers and crickets bouncing from leaf to leaf. Dragonflies have also returned in mass this year, broad bodied chasers (Libellula depressa) are flitting around, showing off yellow bodies of the females and the blue of the males.
Walking along the Common you may have also seen the new additions in the field. Castle Milk Moorit sheep have joined the agricultural team with the aim to preserve the species. All lambing is over, and the lambs are growing up fast!
This year we are hoping to get local walking and photography groups onto the Common for guided walks to point out things that you may not see.