Trips

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Keeled Skimmer

September 24, 2009 in Species, Trips | No comments

Last season (2007) a couple of friends introduced me to the Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). Since the mid 30’s the Keeled Skimmer (O. coerulescens) was thought to be extinct in Denmark. In 2006 a rather large population was found at Søby, Jutland. By the end of the season 2007 it was known from 4 locations. At the beginning of the species flight-period this year another location was added to the list. One of my goals this year was to find a new, hitherto unknown population.

Male of Keeled Skimmer (O.coerulescens)

Male of Keeled Skimmer (O. coerulescens)

While litterature states the Keeled Skimmer (O. coerulescens) to be found in all sorts of running waters, Read the rest of this entry »

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3 days - 4 species

September 6, 2009 in Trips | No comments

So we set out on a roadtrip. Biologists on the hunt.

  • The Goal: To see and photograph Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus) Pearl-Bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), Sooty Copper (Lycaena tityrus) and the Northern Checkered Skipper (Carterocephalus silvicola) before the end of the weekend.
  • The Means: 3 cameras, 3 nets, 3 sleeping bags, 1 battered green Fiat, 1 phone number of a fellow butterfly enthusiast and 1 bottle of cognac.
  • The Result: at least 1200 photos needed sorting, developing and categorizing,  and 4 more species for our gallery.

Trip Overview 2009

First stop Kalundborg!

The commons at Røsnæs

Just off the ferry we arrived at our first planned stop.  On Røsnæs is the one of two last known populations of Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (P. armoricanus) still found in Denmark. The second population is found only 20 kms away. Røsnæs is one of the driest and sunniest corners of Denmark, receiving on average 520mm of rain each year and about 100 hours of sunshine more than the national average.  The area has been protected since 1924. The site we visited at Røsnæs is a small strip of steep commons  leaning down towards the bay. The vegetation is patchy, dominantly low grassy growth with bare patches and small bushes in between. A strict management practice of rotational grazing in small-sized quadrants seems to be having a positive effect on the flora and the populations of Oberthür’s Grizzled Skipper (P. armoricanus).

Some of the flowering plants that the larvae feed on were present in plenty: Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium ), and Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans).

After arriving at the spot, we searched for 20 minutes before we found the first individual. After that we saw and followed several individuals. Each of us tagging along “our own” butterfly. It was sunny and warm and the butterflies were actively foraging. Flying from flower to flower only halting short periods of time to feed before taking of in search of the next flower. It became quite a test, keeping up with them and getting the gear ready, finding focus and exposing the photo all in the short time they rested on a flower, before they were off again.

Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus)

Oberthür's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus armoricanus)

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