May 2011 part 5

2nd week
Marsh Lane reserve. Walking between hides we spot a small tortioshell butterfly flitting along the sides of the pathway.

Small Toroiseshell (aglais urticae) 44-52mm. One of our abundant butterflies. Over winters as an adult. Can be seen as an early as March - October. Likes Iceplant (sedum) and buddleia. The caterpillar lives on nettles. It is black above and greenish below with several rows of spines.
The yellow flowers on the gorse are in full bloom it is said that "If the gorse is in flower then kissing is in season". As gorse is in flower somewhere nearly all the time then this is good news.

Gorse (Ulex Europaeus) A spiny evergreen found on heath and rough grassland.