Discover the latest news and sightings from the Southrey Wood butterfly reserve below...

You can report your sightings and send your photos from Southrey Wood to John Davison at: @email

If you would like to visit the site or any of our other sites in Lincolnshire, please take a look at our Events. 

2023/4 Workparties:
Dates arranged are as follows. (All 10 til 3ish)
January 7th        (Sunday)
January 21st      (Sunday)
February 4th      (Sunday)
February 18th    (Sunday)
March 10th         (Sunday)                          


It is area 1 this winter, the piece nearest the eastern car park. This is a large area and may not get finished so as many volunteers as possible please.
At present, we are still not able to use chainsaws so are limited to hand tools only, and will just have to get on as best we can.
As a consequence, I would ask that people who can come out help cutting down the trees and shrubs, rather than just taking out wood for themselves- we can spend so time towards the end of the day clearing out cut material.

View the Southrey Wood Blog 2022

 


 

Southrey Wood Blog 2023

6th December

Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (1)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (1)

6 volunteers braved the cold to continue the winter work.

Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (2)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (2)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (3)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (3)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (4)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (4)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (5)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (5)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (6)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (6)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (7)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 061223 (7)

5th November
Disappointing turnout for the first workparty of the Autumn/Winter - only 4 volunteers.
Still. work done by the small band worthy of praise.....

Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (1)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (1)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (2)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (2)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (3)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (3)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (4)
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 051123 (4)

6th October
Peter Cawdell reports.......

'Visited Southrey Wood today in the company of John Davison and Colin Watkin. Sunny spells brought out a couple of late Speckled Woods and 3 Green-veined Whites. We also saw 3 Red Admirals and a Comma. All the butterflies in our Coppice Area Reserve.
During a lunch break I was sitting at the side of the New Ride and noticed what I at first thought was a medium sized Earth Worm I thought I had encouraged to the surface next to my leg. It didn't seem quite right as it crawled slowly over the tops of the short sward rather than escaping into the soil at ground level. A closer look revealed it had a tiny snake triangular shaped head, although it was an orangey brown colour without any obvious yellow mark around the neck area. However it can only have been a baby Grass Snake about 3½ inches long. I have seen many adult greenish ones, including a few here over the years, and many very young blackish ones but this is the first brown one I remember. I suppose it was in transition to the adult colouration. Anyway, it is good to find that we have created the required breeding conditions for reptiles at our site.'
On further investigation, it was decided that this was a young Slow Worm.There was an o
ld record from College Wood, and the 1970's LNU animal atlas at ~Scotgrove and ~New Park. A recent one from Rand Wood and then lots from the Woodhall Spa area.
Definitely one to look out for in the future.

17th August
Warm but quite hot when the sun comes out from behind the clouds.

Devil's-bit Scabious at Southrey (John Davison) 170823
Devil's-bit Scabious (John Davison) 170823

The Devil's-bit Scabious is now fully out and the Butterflies are taking full advantage.

Red Admiral at Southrey (John Davison) 170823
Red Admiral (John Davison) 170823

Another worn Purple Hairstreak came down on the main track. There were 7 Silver-washed Fritillary in total, 2 on main track, 3 on Tower Rides and 2 on BC Ride. Large numbers of Red Admiral, Brimstone, Gatekeeper and Peacock. Smaller numbers of Common & Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Brown Argus and Comma. All 3 Whites as usual.

Silver-washed Fritillary at Southrey (John Davison) 170823
Silver-washed Fritillary (John Davison) 170823


Hundreds of Common Darter, some Ruddy Darters and Migrant Hawkers.

10th August
Warm and sunny, a few clouds.
Still lots of Peacock on the Main Ride. 2 Silver-washed Fritillary on Main, Tower & BC Rides respectively. A "tatty" Purple Hairstreak at the start of the Main Ride. Lots of Brimstone on the Purple Loosestrife. Other butterflies - Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Holly Blue.

Other Fauna......

Migrant Hawker at Southrey (John Davison) 100823
Migrant Hawker (John Davison) 100823

 

Harvestman Mitopus morio at Southrey (John Davison) 100823
Harvestman Mitopus morio (John Davison) 100823


7th August
Peter Cawdell reports...........

Peacock at Southrey (Peter Cawdell) 070823
Peacock (Peter Cawdell) 070823


Peacocks have made a remarkable recovery if the numbers I saw this afternoon are anything to go by. There were several hundred, mostly fresh, along the main ride - too many to count. They were mainly nectaring on the abundant Knapweed flowers. They must have had a very successful breeding season.
Fresh Brimstones were also in large numbers. I counted 9 Silver-Washed Fritillaries plus another in our Reserve area. For once it was easy to count

Silver-washed Fritillary at Southrey (Peter Cawdell) 070823
Silver-washed Fritillary (Peter Cawdell) 070823

the individual ones as nearly all were sporting their unique 'war wounds' on their wings from skirmishes with birds. About equal numbers of males and females. There were large numbers of Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown and about 10 Red Admiral.

Roesel's Bush-cricket at Southrey (Peter Cawdell) 070823
Roesel's Bush-cricket (Peter Cawdell) 070823

Other butterflies noted in small numbers were: Brown Argus 4 (inc.2 in Reserve), 2 Holly Blue (inc.1 in Reserve), 3 Common Blue males, 4 Small Skipper (inc.2 in Reserve), Comma in Reserve, 4 Ringlet (inc.2 in Reserve). Of the Whites there were plenty of Large (10+), 20+ Green Veined  and a smaller number of Small (about 6).                                     
There was a Humming-bird Hawk-moth and several Roesel's Bush-cricket at the top of the New BC Ride. Also a young Buzzard calling repeatedly.

28th July
Warm but still only sunny intervals

Silver-washed Fritillary at Southrey (John Davison) 280723
Silver-washed Fritillary (John Davison) 280723

Silver-washed still out on main track and BC rides together with lots of Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper and Whites.
 

Meadow Brown at Southrey (John Davison) 280723
Meadow Brown (John Davison) 280723
Speckled Wood at Southrey (John Davison) 280723
Speckled Wood (John Davison) 280723



Other Fauna.......

Blood-vein Moth at Southrey (John Davison) 280723
Blood-vein Moth (John Davison) 280723

 

Rose Sawfly larve (Arge pagana) at Southrey (John Davison) 280723
Rose Sawfly larva - Arge pagana (John Davison) 280723


20th July
Overcast but sun came out at intervals.

Silver-washed Fritillary at Southrey (John Davison) 200723
Silver-washed Fritillary (John Davison) 200723


First butterfly seen was a Silver-washed Fritillary. Others included Large, Small & Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Red & White Admiral, Peacock and Small Skipper.

Small Skipper at Southrey (John Davison) 200723
Small Skipper (John Davison) 200723


7th July
Very warm day with very good numbers of butterflies.

Purple Hairstreak at Southrey (John Davison) 070723
Purple Hairstreak (John Davison) 070723

About 6 Purple Hairstreak flitting about head height like Holly Blue on the main track.
Over a dozen White Admiral on the same track.

White Admiral at Southrey (John Davison) 070723
White Admiral (John Davison) 070723


Silver-washed Fritillary on the Track as well as on the Tower Ride and 3 on the BC Ride.

Silver-washed Fritillary at Southrey (John Davison) 070723
Silver-washed Fritillary (John Davison) 070723


Hundreds of the 3 Browns - Meadow Brown, Ringlet & Gatekeeper as well as Red Admiral, Comma and lots of Whites.
29th June
Pleasant day with sun at intervals.

Comma at Southrey 290623
Comma 290623

Plenty of White Admirals about.
 

White Admiral at Southrey (John Davison) 290623
White Admiral (John Davison) 290623


Others on the wing included Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Red Admiral and Large & Small White.

Large White at Southrey (John Davison) 290623
Large White (John Davison) 290623


Other Fauna......

Brown Hawker at Southrey (John Davison) 290623
Brown Hawker (John Davison) 290623
Sawfly Larva - Cimbex femoratus at Southrey (John Davison) 290623
Sawfly Larva - Cimbex femoratus (John Davison) 290623
Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata at Souyhrey (John Davison) 290623
Longhorn Beetle Rutpela maculata (John Davison) 290623

 

Sawfly Arge pagana at Southrey (John Davison) 290623
Sawfly Arge pagana (John Davison) 290623

23rd June
Pleasant day - Nice to see White Admiral out....

White Admiral at Southrey (John Davison) 230623
White Admiral (John Davison) 230623

Other butterflies included Large White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Ringlet and Meadow Brown.
 

Meadow Brown at Southrey (John Davison) 230623
Meadow Brown (John Davison) 230623

Other Fauna........

Beetle Rutpela maculata at Southrey (John Davison) 230623
Beetle Rutpela maculata (John Davison) 230623

 

Large Rose Sawfly - Arge pagana at Southrey (John Davison) 230623
Large Rose Sawfly - Arge pagana (John Davison) 230623


13th June
Hot day again but hardly any butterflies.
Speckled Wood, Brimstone, odd White and lone Small Copper.

Small Copper at Southrey (John Davison) 130623
Small Copper (John Davison) 130623


30th May
Still cool with no butterflies on the wing. There were still things about.......

Bug Cixius nervosus at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Bug Cixius nervosus (John Davison) 300523
Beetle Agapanthia villosoviridescens at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Beetle Agapanthia villosoviridescens (John Davison) 300523
Mother Shipton Moth at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Mother Shipton Moth (John Davison) 300523
Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis at Sothrey (John Davison) 300523
Swollen-thighed Beetle - Oedemera nobilis (John Davison) 300523
Wasp Beetle at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Wasp Beetle (John Davison) 300523
Moth Nemophora degeerella at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Moth Nemophora degeerella (John Davison) 300523
Fly Rhagio scolopaceus. at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Fly Rhagio scolopaceus. (John Davison) 300523
Figwort Weevils at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Figwort Weevils (John Davison) 300523
Sawfly Tenthredo mesomela at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Sawfly Tenthredo mesomela (John Davison) 300523
Variable Longhorn Beetle - Stenocorus meridianus at Southrey (John Davison) 300523
Variable Longhorn Beetle - Stenocorus meridianus (John Davison) 300523

23rd May
Nice warm day but no heat wave. Small number of butterflies reflects this.
Large  & Green-veined White, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Orange-tip and Brown Argus.

Brown Argus at Southrey (John Davison) 230523
Brown Argus (John Davison) 230523

Birds included Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, Robin and Blackbird.
Other Fauna........

Red-headed Cardinal Beetle at Southrey (John Davison) 230523
Red-headed Cardinal Beetle (John Davison) 230523
Tortoise Beetle - Cassida vibex at Southrey (John Davison)230523
Tortoise Beetle - Cassida vibex (John Davison) 230523

13th May
Peter Cawdell reports........

Early Purple Orchids SW Enc (Peter Cawdell) 130523 (1)
Early Purple Orchids SW Enc (Peter Cawdell) 130523 (1)

Counted Early Purple-orchids. 10 in enclosure, 1 inside adjacent wood, 8 along small stretch of ditch parallel to Viking Way just outside our reserve.

Early Purple Orchids SW Enc (Peter Cawdell) 130523 (2)
Early Purple Orchids SW Enc (Peter Cawdell) 130523 (2)


9th May
Bright sunny day with Brimstone, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and the normal Whites on the wing.

Other Fauna........

Horned Treehopper - Centrotus cornutus at Southrey (John Davison) 090523
Horned Treehopper - Centrotus cornutus (John Davison) 090523
Mating Green Shieldbugs at Southrey (John Davison) 090523
Mating Green Shieldbugs (John Davison) 090523

 

Red-and-black Froghopper at Southrey (John Davison) 090523
Red-and-black Froghopper (John Davison) 090523
Thistle Tortoise Beetle - Cassida rubiginosa at Southrey (John Davison) 090523
Thistle Tortoise Beetle - Cassida rubiginosa (John Davison) 090523

3rd May
Sunny day again with Large, Small and Green-veined White on the wing together with Brimstone, Orange-tip and Peacock.

Peacock at Southrey (John Davison) 030523
Peacock (John Davison) 030523

Early Purple-orchid starting to emerge in the enclosure with 10 spikes so far. More to come, I am sure.

Early Purple-orchid at Southrey (John Davison) 030523
Early Purple-orchid (John Davison) 030523

18th April
All species from yesterday still around though smaller numbers. Flora looking splendid. Note also the Colt's-foot on the main ride from the road.

Green Shieldbug at Southrey (John Davison) 180423
Green Shieldbug (John Davison) 180423
17th April
Peter Cawdell reports.........
Not looking bad in the sunshine today. Never been so flowery! 
15 Peacock
11Brimstone ( 8M,3F)
7 Green-veined White
2 Comma
1 Holly Blue

Also 2 Muntjac

The rides were exceptionally flowery. Relieved to see usual numbers of spring Peacock after the dearth of them last year. Those that went into hibernation must have survived well. Surprised to see the early Holly Blue.
Early Purple Orchids not showing yet.

11th April
Still taking time to warm up, good job Green-veined White and Peacock are not too fussy.

Green-veined White at Southrey (John Davison) 110423
Green-veined White (John Davison) 110423
 
Peacock at Southrey (John Davison) 110423
Peacock (John Davison) 110423
 

4th April
Lovely sunny day but temperatures still on the low side.
Still things on the move...............
Great Spotted Woodpecker "tapping", Green Woodpecker "yaffling" and Buzzard flying overhead.
Brimstone and Peacock about.

Brimstone at Southrey (John Davison) 040423
Brimstone (John Davison) 040423
 

Spring flowers now showing well.

Dog Violet at Southrey (John Davison) 040423
Dog Violet (John Davison) 040423
 
Primrose at Southrey (John Davison) 040423
Primrose (John Davison) 040423
 
Wood Anemone at Southrey (John Davison) 040423
Wood Anemone (John Davison) 040423
 

Quite a few Dark-edged Bee-flies (Bombylius major) about.

Dark-edged Bee-fly at Southrey (John Davison) 040423
Dark-edged Bee-fly (John Davison) 040423
 
Hoverfly Eupodes luniger at Southrey (John Davion) 040423
Hoverfly Eupodes luniger (John Davion) 040423
 

27th March
Lovely sunny day, though still cool but Comma and Brimstone on the wing.
Jay calling, Muntjac "barking" and Spring flowers emerging.

 
Lesser Celandine at Southrey (John Davison) 270323
Lesser Celandine (John Davison) 270323
 
Colt's-foot at Southrey (John Davison) 270323
Colt's-foot (John Davison) 270323

19th February

 
Southrey Wood Ride - Before (Jack Wilson) 190223
Southrey Wood Ride - Before (Jack Wilson) 190223

 

 
Southrey Wood Ride - During (Jack Wilson) 190223
Southrey Wood Ride - During (Jack Wilson) 190223
 
Southrey Wood Ride - After (Jack Wilson) 190223
Southrey Wood Ride - After (Jack Wilson) 190223
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (1)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (1)

 Glorious day reflected in the turnout of 15 volunteers.

 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (2)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (2)

Managed to complete the designated square and conclude the seasonal workparties.

 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (3)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (3)

A big thanks to Steve again for organising the events.

 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (4)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (4)

....and of course to all the volunteers who turned out.

 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (5)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (5)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (6)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (6)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (7)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (7)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (8)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (8)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (9)
Workparty (John Davison) 190223 (9)

29th January
A good turnout today with 16 volunteers. First workparty butterfly of the year - a Brimstone.

 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (1)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (1)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (2)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (2)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (3)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (3)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (4)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (4)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (5)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (5)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (6)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (6)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (7)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (7)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (8)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (8)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (9)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (9)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (10))
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (10))
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (11))
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (11))
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (12)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (12)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (13)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (13)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (14))
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (14))
 
Southrey Workparty - the Boss in his usual position (John Davison) 290123
Workparty - the Boss in his usual position (John Davison) 290123
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (15))
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (15))
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (16)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (16)
 
Southrey Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (17)
Workparty (John Davison) 290123 (17)

8th January

 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (1)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (1)

Perhaps the after-effects of the New Year celebrations but still 9 volunteers turned out to continue the work.
 

 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (2)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (2)
 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (3)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (3)

 

 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (4)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (4)

 

 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (5)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (5)
 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (6)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (6)

 

 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (7)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (7)
 
Southrey Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (8)
Workparty (JohnDavison) 080123 (8)