Swallowtail Safari at Strumpshaw Fen

On Saturday 15th June, Swallowtails butterflies were out in force yesterday with an incredible 14 Swallowtail butterflies seen in all- best ever visit for numbers and showiness of 4 of their number (2 at the nettle path before the Cottage, 2 showing well and well appreciated by a small crowd on Sweet Williams at the (Mrs George’s Cottage), 10 by the Fen walk with 2 showing superbly on thistle) also 2 Brimstone- 1 by hedge by the car park, 6 Common Lizard- 2 by the Boardwalk and 4 on a log by the side of the path, 20 Painted Lady (10 alone on Sweet Williams by the Cottage) , 2 Scarce Chaser (Dragonfly) males- 1 hidden in vegetation & Norfolk Hawker (Dragonfly, green eyes brown abdomen) flew by briefly also a Male (at Reception Marsh) and female Marsh harrier (along the Fen walk) plus 2 adult Mute Swans and 2 cygnets the female came out on the path for a preen and hissing at passers by defending her 2 remaining cygnets, around 10 Southern Marsh orchids seen and 1 hybrid Spotted X Southern Marsh (darker pink flowers and Spotted Leaves- pure Southern Marsh Orchids have pure green not Spotted leaves) - all at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. Driving someway, we eventually stopped at this location, my usual spot to check Turtle Doves..... we heard a purring Turtle Dove and saw it purring from a distant bare tree it flew and showed the distinctive white along the side of its tail, another Turtle Dove bird seen briefly in flight, too. Going up the entrance to a setaside field, 1 then 2 Speckled Wood butterflies seen both swirling up in flight. Turtle Doves are declining dramatically due to the lack of seed rich fields, set aside land funded by the government is essential to ensure food for this quintessential British bird which is commemorated in popular culture in Christmas carls such as “Seven days of Christmas” the birds are summer migrants and winter in Africa.