Wildlife

I have always been passionate about wildlife and conservation and when not photographing people I can often be found out in the countryside and on nature reserves. Though we have of course lost species, we are lucky to still have such a diversity of birds, butterflies and insects in the British countryside. Many species are still under threat, but it is heartening to have met so many like minded people when out and about photographing the natural world.

You can contact me on 07866 316577 or via e-mail at info@mauricephotos.co.uk

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Some wildlife links:
Michael Flowers birdwatching classes and walks
Yorkshire Butterfly Conservation
Yorkshire Dragonflies
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Yorkshire Nature Triangle
Yorkshire Mammal Group
East Yorkshire Birding Forum
Birdguides
Tophill Low Nature Reserve
Yorkshire Red Kites
North Cave Wetlands Nature Reserve
The Wild Bird Cafe - North Cave Wetlands
Paull Holme Strays sightings
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Hull Valley Wildlife Group
Spurn Bird Observatory
Mike Robinson Bird Photos
Vince Cowell Photography
Steve Mulligan Bird Photography
David Ware - Wolds Birding
Paul Ashton East Yorkshire Wildlife
Wold Ranger
Beetle Boy's Bio Blog
Rory Selvey (age 13) Wildlife Photography
Kill the Badger Cull
The Brown Hairstreak Blog
Africa Gomez Bugblog
Zilch - eliminating litter
Keep Britain Tidy
Plantlife
Buglife

Next Photo Event dates to be announced...

Monday 14 July 2014

Silver-studded Blues at Prees Heath, Shropshire

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Female underside

I attended a very interesting Flora Locale course last week - lowland heath restoration at Prees Heath in Shropshire. The course was run by Stephen Lewis of Butterfly Conservation and Phil Putwain of Ecological Restoration Consultants Ltd.  In short the heath was turned into an airfield during the last war and following the war the land was turned over to agriculture and improved, mainly for potatoes.  The Silver-studded Blues who are heavily reliant on heather and a black ant population had managed to cling on in the fragments of remaining heathland.  It was extremely interesting to learn how the heathland had been restored and the constant challenges faced in maintaining the infertile soil for the heathers. Prees Heath is maintained principally for the Silver-studded and it was great to see good numbers though we were present just after peak emergence.

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Male topside showing distinctive "lead blue" colouration


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Female topside


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Prees Heath. A less Heathery bit but showing the restored WW2 building.


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Silver studs


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