Five Rivers 28-06-2020
I’d been stuck indoors (well not out butterflying) for what felt like an age after the sudden turn in the weather. We went from sweltering in 30 degrees with wall to wall sunshine to unpredictable, changeable weather which was on the whole cooler, cloudier and windier with intermittent showers ranging from mizzle to coming down like stair rods. To make matters worse today I should have been at Chiddingfold enjoying congenial company of both UKB members and His Nibbs alike but no I was stuck at home, the unfavourable weather and road closures postponing my dreams of quadruple purple until 2021. By the afternoon I’d had enough and so muttering ‘BBC weather App be damned’ I set off for Five Rivers hoping to catch up with the Browns as they at least put in an appearance during ‘changeable weather’.
Exiting the car I looked up and spied a cloud edging its way towards the sun and so I set off at a pace to try and cram in and see as much as possible before the cloud covered the sun and the butterflies hunkered down. The first Bramble clump I came to had been graced by the presence of a Red Admiral and a Meadow Brown skittered across the stones in the parking bays landing Grayling fashion – tilting towards the sun.
I then strode purposefully down through the glades which are now almost unrecognisable. The various low growing flowers and grasses covered by a sea of grass stems at thigh height and slightly taller flowers. As I waked along the small paths that had been mown through the vegetation Meadow Browns took off from unseen launch pads as did the smaller, darker Ringlets. Even in this cooler weather they were quite unapproachable and so I carried on to the edge of the glades where the large Bramble patch grows up one of the trees. Once here a Comma caught my eye as it flew to a perch on a small clump of Rhododendron. After spending a little time with it I moved across to the huge Bramble. A Red Admiral fed up high, too high and too far in for my lens to reach but luckily there was another, really beautifully marked Comma down low. Whilst following its various exploits it landed in the Bramble and just behind it was a second Red Admiral looking very regal especially as it was so fresh and vivid compared to the surrounding serfs (Ringlets and Meadow Browns).
The cloud had thickened considerably whilst I was in the relative shelter of the Glades and as I made for Comma Corner I felt a few whispers of rain. It quickly became a whispered discussion and by the time I was at Comma Corner it was having a bit of a rant so I hid in the Copse and waited for it to run out of things to say. After a minute or so the cloud had passed and the sky was getting brighter with each passing second – one of the good things about windy days is that the rain clouds can be carried swiftly away – so I set about checking out the Top Banks. The small patch on the opposite side to Bank 1 held a Smessex amid the Meadow Browns and a few Pyramidal Orchids shone out despite the best efforts of the surrounding grasses and on Bank 1 proper I spied another Smessex and a Marbled White. I had high hopes for Bank 2 but these were dashed as I scanned across the slopes – the Buddleia had only 4 florets in bloom and what was once a tall and slim shrub was now squat and sprawling so no Painted Lady in the offing here. Instead the most it could muster aside from the main two Brown was a Marbled White and a Red Admiral which fed on the Bramble looking longingly at the less than lack lustre Butterfly Bush. Things did perk up here as I started to leave as I spied a definite Essex, a couple of Smessex and a Large White did a fly-by.
On the final Bank I walked down the slope form the top path and started checking out the Brambles – again there was a Red Admiral – they seem to have suddenly invaded. However after this I forgot to count anything else as a rufous coloured butterfly flew up from in the undergrowth to have a pop at a Meadow Brown. Eagerly I watched it waiting for it to settle and knowing that that it was one of my favourites. Eventually it went down but not in a great position – still I was able to at least get a record shot of my first Hedge Brown of 2020.
Chuffed I left it sitting in the cover of a large Bramble leaf – whether it was seeking cover in case of more rain or simply wanted to get out of the shade I’ll never know – so I pressed on squeezing my way past the bushes that are crowding out the path to the Lower Banks. I’ just recalling that Silver-washed Frits had been recorded here previously when an orange blur bombs by. Luckily having visited The Devenish, Grovely, Vernditch and Bentley Wood recently I’ve got my eye in when it comes to BGBs (Big Ginger Buggers) and this wasn’t a Silver Washed but a Dark Green – a first for me from this site! What with my FFY and now a First For Site I was becoming increasingly pleased that I’d bitten the bullet and braved the poor weather reports. Unfortunately despite letting me see the more rounded wings and the profusion of black spotting it didn’t sit for any shots though it did brand a facsimile of itself on my retina. From here I wandered round the corner and started along the topmost Back Path, keenly eyeing any thistles and other purple headed flowers as I went lest they were furnished with a DGF. No luck but there was a fresh Small Tort basking on the path. I was lucky in that a small cloud went over so I could get almost directly above it and when the cloud moved there was a glowing Small Tort in frame.
At the next available opportunity I took a right and made my way across the centre of the site checking out the profusion of Rock Rose and the various patches of flowers nestled in amid the grasses as I did so. I spent some time around one clump of thistles as well as at the bramble patch on the other side of the Copse to Comma Corner. Whilst I was here another Small Tort flew by, there were many Smessex, a couple of Large Skippers and Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns made up the bulk of the rest. I found myself drawn back to Bank 3 and so I found myself back by a familiar patch of the Bramble where the Hedge Brown was still sitting. I stake him out and await a hapless Meadow Brown or Smessex to pass and rile him up. When one does he takes off after it and then lands somewhere else once he’s sent the intruder packing. I’d expected him to fly back to his original perch but he keeps shifting his way gradually along the Bramble until eventually he settled properly near the top path between Banks 2 and 3. Whilst here he opens up and get a view of a gloriously orange male.
I make my way back but find myself tarrying once more in the Glades. By now there is only one Red Admiral – still feeding up high but I can see that both the Bramble and Rhododendron Commas are still hanging around. I also see a golden Skipper sitting atop one of the closed flower heads. As the wind rocks it back and forth it occasionally catches the sunlight and so it looks like it’s sparking and twinkling. Getting shots however isn’t nearly as restful as watching it swaying delicately in the breeze as focusing is near impossible. The only hope to line up ready and hope that when the breeze drops momentarily you can focus in quickly enough before the wind starts rocking it again. As well as looking resplendent and clearly showing itself to be an Essex it also pulls an unusual pose. I’ve seen Skippers with wings closed and in standard X-wing arrangement but I can’t recall seeing them with their wings back and in the same plane as their body – it looked more like a miscoloured Forester Moth than a butterfly as it held its wings in this way. As I make to leave I note that the 2 Commas have become 3 and a female Meadow Brown coquettishly opens up but soon there are stones beneath my feet instead of grass and then metal as I’m driving home.
Despite the Beeb App
Either side of the shower
The butterflies fly
Exiting the car I looked up and spied a cloud edging its way towards the sun and so I set off at a pace to try and cram in and see as much as possible before the cloud covered the sun and the butterflies hunkered down. The first Bramble clump I came to had been graced by the presence of a Red Admiral and a Meadow Brown skittered across the stones in the parking bays landing Grayling fashion – tilting towards the sun.
I then strode purposefully down through the glades which are now almost unrecognisable. The various low growing flowers and grasses covered by a sea of grass stems at thigh height and slightly taller flowers. As I waked along the small paths that had been mown through the vegetation Meadow Browns took off from unseen launch pads as did the smaller, darker Ringlets. Even in this cooler weather they were quite unapproachable and so I carried on to the edge of the glades where the large Bramble patch grows up one of the trees. Once here a Comma caught my eye as it flew to a perch on a small clump of Rhododendron. After spending a little time with it I moved across to the huge Bramble. A Red Admiral fed up high, too high and too far in for my lens to reach but luckily there was another, really beautifully marked Comma down low. Whilst following its various exploits it landed in the Bramble and just behind it was a second Red Admiral looking very regal especially as it was so fresh and vivid compared to the surrounding serfs (Ringlets and Meadow Browns).
The cloud had thickened considerably whilst I was in the relative shelter of the Glades and as I made for Comma Corner I felt a few whispers of rain. It quickly became a whispered discussion and by the time I was at Comma Corner it was having a bit of a rant so I hid in the Copse and waited for it to run out of things to say. After a minute or so the cloud had passed and the sky was getting brighter with each passing second – one of the good things about windy days is that the rain clouds can be carried swiftly away – so I set about checking out the Top Banks. The small patch on the opposite side to Bank 1 held a Smessex amid the Meadow Browns and a few Pyramidal Orchids shone out despite the best efforts of the surrounding grasses and on Bank 1 proper I spied another Smessex and a Marbled White. I had high hopes for Bank 2 but these were dashed as I scanned across the slopes – the Buddleia had only 4 florets in bloom and what was once a tall and slim shrub was now squat and sprawling so no Painted Lady in the offing here. Instead the most it could muster aside from the main two Brown was a Marbled White and a Red Admiral which fed on the Bramble looking longingly at the less than lack lustre Butterfly Bush. Things did perk up here as I started to leave as I spied a definite Essex, a couple of Smessex and a Large White did a fly-by.
On the final Bank I walked down the slope form the top path and started checking out the Brambles – again there was a Red Admiral – they seem to have suddenly invaded. However after this I forgot to count anything else as a rufous coloured butterfly flew up from in the undergrowth to have a pop at a Meadow Brown. Eagerly I watched it waiting for it to settle and knowing that that it was one of my favourites. Eventually it went down but not in a great position – still I was able to at least get a record shot of my first Hedge Brown of 2020.
Chuffed I left it sitting in the cover of a large Bramble leaf – whether it was seeking cover in case of more rain or simply wanted to get out of the shade I’ll never know – so I pressed on squeezing my way past the bushes that are crowding out the path to the Lower Banks. I’ just recalling that Silver-washed Frits had been recorded here previously when an orange blur bombs by. Luckily having visited The Devenish, Grovely, Vernditch and Bentley Wood recently I’ve got my eye in when it comes to BGBs (Big Ginger Buggers) and this wasn’t a Silver Washed but a Dark Green – a first for me from this site! What with my FFY and now a First For Site I was becoming increasingly pleased that I’d bitten the bullet and braved the poor weather reports. Unfortunately despite letting me see the more rounded wings and the profusion of black spotting it didn’t sit for any shots though it did brand a facsimile of itself on my retina. From here I wandered round the corner and started along the topmost Back Path, keenly eyeing any thistles and other purple headed flowers as I went lest they were furnished with a DGF. No luck but there was a fresh Small Tort basking on the path. I was lucky in that a small cloud went over so I could get almost directly above it and when the cloud moved there was a glowing Small Tort in frame.
At the next available opportunity I took a right and made my way across the centre of the site checking out the profusion of Rock Rose and the various patches of flowers nestled in amid the grasses as I did so. I spent some time around one clump of thistles as well as at the bramble patch on the other side of the Copse to Comma Corner. Whilst I was here another Small Tort flew by, there were many Smessex, a couple of Large Skippers and Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns made up the bulk of the rest. I found myself drawn back to Bank 3 and so I found myself back by a familiar patch of the Bramble where the Hedge Brown was still sitting. I stake him out and await a hapless Meadow Brown or Smessex to pass and rile him up. When one does he takes off after it and then lands somewhere else once he’s sent the intruder packing. I’d expected him to fly back to his original perch but he keeps shifting his way gradually along the Bramble until eventually he settled properly near the top path between Banks 2 and 3. Whilst here he opens up and get a view of a gloriously orange male.
I make my way back but find myself tarrying once more in the Glades. By now there is only one Red Admiral – still feeding up high but I can see that both the Bramble and Rhododendron Commas are still hanging around. I also see a golden Skipper sitting atop one of the closed flower heads. As the wind rocks it back and forth it occasionally catches the sunlight and so it looks like it’s sparking and twinkling. Getting shots however isn’t nearly as restful as watching it swaying delicately in the breeze as focusing is near impossible. The only hope to line up ready and hope that when the breeze drops momentarily you can focus in quickly enough before the wind starts rocking it again. As well as looking resplendent and clearly showing itself to be an Essex it also pulls an unusual pose. I’ve seen Skippers with wings closed and in standard X-wing arrangement but I can’t recall seeing them with their wings back and in the same plane as their body – it looked more like a miscoloured Forester Moth than a butterfly as it held its wings in this way. As I make to leave I note that the 2 Commas have become 3 and a female Meadow Brown coquettishly opens up but soon there are stones beneath my feet instead of grass and then metal as I’m driving home.
Despite the Beeb App
Either side of the shower
The butterflies fly
Bentley Wood 26-06-2020
I should have gone to Chiddingfold today but I didn’t want to take the mickey and ‘skive’ and besides I was hoping that I would pick up a Bentley Emperor. As it was set to be another blisteringly hot day and so I was at Bentley at just before 8 am. I scanned around in the car park and there was nothing to see although the various birds where still singing the Dawn Chorus so I set off down the Main track doing my best to scan the tree tops and the deck at the same time. I had to stop this after a while as I was starting to feel slightly nauseous from all the head movements though it did pay off as a White Admiral was sitting in a small tree just off the track. Slightly further on there’s a Silver-washed on the left and an H.Comma on the right but unfortunately I wasn’t stuck in the middle with His Nibbs...All the way I was accompanied by Ringlets and Large Skippers with the odd Purple Hairstreak overhead and momentarily my heart skipped a beat but alas it was another great pretender, a Red Admiral, the angle of the sun making its shadow overlarge and suggestive of His Nibbs.
When I reached the crossroads I stopped to Socially Distance chat with a couple of other observers, one of whom was hoping for a Purple Emperor as it was the last of the British species that he needed to photograph. There were a few Purple Hairstreaks flitting about at the top of the Oak tree and as we continued talking and an Emperor flies up the track towards us. With a trio of bated breaths we watched it circle around the crossroads and then it lands on the deck. I can feel all the muscles in my legs twitching as I strain to stay perfectly still and overcome the urge to stalk it. Unfortunately it doesn’t like what it’s tasting and so flies up landing on a ridiculously tiny twig on the weediest of saplings in the entire Wood before taking to the air and disappearing over the tops of the trees. No photos but it was the best view I’d had in two years and image or no image I didn’t really care as, if I close my eyes even now, I can still see the flash of purple as it flew to the pathetic little tree-let. Cracking!
Wishing the ‘Last Tick’ good luck I set off down the left hand track towards Donkey Copse accompanied by the other enthusiast that had made our near triumphant triumvirate. As we strolled down the track we pause by the log pile and little dip. I don’t know what the current thinking is about butterflies being territorial but in my experience certain spots always seem to hold either the same species or possibly even the same individuals? Whatever the thinking the little dip again holds a Silver-washed and a White Admiral, though today it sits slightly further back. A Purple Hairstreak also comes down like last time but just like usual is too far for the reach of my lens so we press on down the track. There’s plenty of variety in the verges as we wander – a Peacock, Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Ringlets and Marbled Whites – all of which are pretty active in the sun and when they fly into the shade all be a hasty retreat. I mention to the other gent that I saw a DGF around here and then he spots another that’s just started vibrating its wings. It doesn’t seem to want to move on and then the sun goes behind a cloud, the temperatures drop and we can settle down as the butterfly isn’t going anywhere. It’s immaculate, in tip-top condition and so I wondered if the white fluid below it on the leaf was merconium and it was fresh out of the chrysalis? The sun comes back out and a manage a few shots in slightly better lighting but as its either trying to finish pumping it wings, revving up its wing muscles for the first time or trying to warm up from the recent temperature drop, once it opens up getting sharp shots proves difficult as it continues to vibrate it wings rapidly. It flies weakly a short distance to a slightly to another bush and after a few more shots we leave it in peace and carry on our way.
We press on now in a series of strolls and pauses. The first official stop is on the corner near Donkey Copse where a Red and then White Admiral fly around trying to (unsuccessfully) convince us that they’re something a bit more imperial. Just prior to this another enthusiast is heading home having gotten what we were all hoping for, shots of a grounded Emperor, the first time she’d ever seen one – His Nibbs really does like favouring the beginners! The next stop is just after Donkey Copse in the little section which looks like a layby and this time we’ve missed an Emperor by only a few minutes – though it was only down for 30 seconds before it disappeared off into the distance not to return. The final stop comes on the track way leading down to the meadows and as we wander down to end we’re accompanied by all the usual butterflies, the full range of species seen so far barring His Nibbs. I wish the others well and then turn round and make my way back. As I turn to go the White Admiral that’s been cutting through the air around me leads me on a merry dance up the path before settling on a Bramble where it thinks that it’s out of reach. However a couple very careful footsteps, snaking my feet through the Brambles, I’m within reach and a few shots are my reward for putting up with all the taunting the butterfly has been dishing out.
With time pressing and the temperature rising I started back double time. When I reached the corner a brief catch up with the group that’d gathered there revealed that I hadn’t missed anything and so I carried on to the crossroads. With no more sightings there either I kept on going down the main track to the car park. Something fluttered down in front of me and at first I thought that it was a leaf but a quick flash of purple persuaded me otherwise and so I approached it more cautiously. As I peered ahead the dull grey ‘leaf’ opened up and caught the little light that was able to penetrate through the shade. There on the deck was a resplendent female Purple Hairstreak, the purple showing like little pin pricks of iridescence in the gloom. It didn’t stay opened up for long so I was able to get round and lie down to get a few closed wing shots While I was laying there I watched its yellow proboscis flick out so on a whim I gingerly extended my finger and she crawled on. Now I was able to manoeuvre into the light and the purple really perked up and after a few in the hand shots and a bit of iPod video I placed her safely on a leaf at chest height so she didn’t get crushed on the path by less observant walkers. What a cracking way to finish the trip!
My euphoria lasted all the way home and on into the evening until I saw some cracking Purple Emperors from Chiddingfold! Oh well there’s always next year which will be the third year in the three year cycle!
Mint condish Dark Green
Purple Hairstreak on the deck
Purple flashes out
When I reached the crossroads I stopped to Socially Distance chat with a couple of other observers, one of whom was hoping for a Purple Emperor as it was the last of the British species that he needed to photograph. There were a few Purple Hairstreaks flitting about at the top of the Oak tree and as we continued talking and an Emperor flies up the track towards us. With a trio of bated breaths we watched it circle around the crossroads and then it lands on the deck. I can feel all the muscles in my legs twitching as I strain to stay perfectly still and overcome the urge to stalk it. Unfortunately it doesn’t like what it’s tasting and so flies up landing on a ridiculously tiny twig on the weediest of saplings in the entire Wood before taking to the air and disappearing over the tops of the trees. No photos but it was the best view I’d had in two years and image or no image I didn’t really care as, if I close my eyes even now, I can still see the flash of purple as it flew to the pathetic little tree-let. Cracking!
Wishing the ‘Last Tick’ good luck I set off down the left hand track towards Donkey Copse accompanied by the other enthusiast that had made our near triumphant triumvirate. As we strolled down the track we pause by the log pile and little dip. I don’t know what the current thinking is about butterflies being territorial but in my experience certain spots always seem to hold either the same species or possibly even the same individuals? Whatever the thinking the little dip again holds a Silver-washed and a White Admiral, though today it sits slightly further back. A Purple Hairstreak also comes down like last time but just like usual is too far for the reach of my lens so we press on down the track. There’s plenty of variety in the verges as we wander – a Peacock, Large White, Red Admiral, Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Ringlets and Marbled Whites – all of which are pretty active in the sun and when they fly into the shade all be a hasty retreat. I mention to the other gent that I saw a DGF around here and then he spots another that’s just started vibrating its wings. It doesn’t seem to want to move on and then the sun goes behind a cloud, the temperatures drop and we can settle down as the butterfly isn’t going anywhere. It’s immaculate, in tip-top condition and so I wondered if the white fluid below it on the leaf was merconium and it was fresh out of the chrysalis? The sun comes back out and a manage a few shots in slightly better lighting but as its either trying to finish pumping it wings, revving up its wing muscles for the first time or trying to warm up from the recent temperature drop, once it opens up getting sharp shots proves difficult as it continues to vibrate it wings rapidly. It flies weakly a short distance to a slightly to another bush and after a few more shots we leave it in peace and carry on our way.
We press on now in a series of strolls and pauses. The first official stop is on the corner near Donkey Copse where a Red and then White Admiral fly around trying to (unsuccessfully) convince us that they’re something a bit more imperial. Just prior to this another enthusiast is heading home having gotten what we were all hoping for, shots of a grounded Emperor, the first time she’d ever seen one – His Nibbs really does like favouring the beginners! The next stop is just after Donkey Copse in the little section which looks like a layby and this time we’ve missed an Emperor by only a few minutes – though it was only down for 30 seconds before it disappeared off into the distance not to return. The final stop comes on the track way leading down to the meadows and as we wander down to end we’re accompanied by all the usual butterflies, the full range of species seen so far barring His Nibbs. I wish the others well and then turn round and make my way back. As I turn to go the White Admiral that’s been cutting through the air around me leads me on a merry dance up the path before settling on a Bramble where it thinks that it’s out of reach. However a couple very careful footsteps, snaking my feet through the Brambles, I’m within reach and a few shots are my reward for putting up with all the taunting the butterfly has been dishing out.
With time pressing and the temperature rising I started back double time. When I reached the corner a brief catch up with the group that’d gathered there revealed that I hadn’t missed anything and so I carried on to the crossroads. With no more sightings there either I kept on going down the main track to the car park. Something fluttered down in front of me and at first I thought that it was a leaf but a quick flash of purple persuaded me otherwise and so I approached it more cautiously. As I peered ahead the dull grey ‘leaf’ opened up and caught the little light that was able to penetrate through the shade. There on the deck was a resplendent female Purple Hairstreak, the purple showing like little pin pricks of iridescence in the gloom. It didn’t stay opened up for long so I was able to get round and lie down to get a few closed wing shots While I was laying there I watched its yellow proboscis flick out so on a whim I gingerly extended my finger and she crawled on. Now I was able to manoeuvre into the light and the purple really perked up and after a few in the hand shots and a bit of iPod video I placed her safely on a leaf at chest height so she didn’t get crushed on the path by less observant walkers. What a cracking way to finish the trip!
My euphoria lasted all the way home and on into the evening until I saw some cracking Purple Emperors from Chiddingfold! Oh well there’s always next year which will be the third year in the three year cycle!
Mint condish Dark Green
Purple Hairstreak on the deck
Purple flashes out
Garston Wood 25-06-2020
Another chance for a Socially Distanced meet up with my folks at Garston Wood and with the heat almost driving me to distraction I held little hope of getting anything on ‘film’ let alone catching up with the Purple Emperor that had been reported a few days back. We took the usual route, the bottom track which runs parallel to the road and then does a right angle turn to the right climbing up and into the wood and then on to the fallen log for a snack. It’s very quiet on the way – the heat keeping everything in the shade or possibly active elsewhere? Occasionally there is the orange fuzz that is a Silver-washed or a grey/red blur of a Red Admiral one of which decided to do a fly-by as I’m sitting down mid slurp of coffee!
We carry on walking and chatting and generally enjoying each other’s company until we reach the Enclosure where a White Admiral mixes it up a little with a pair of Whites among the Silver-washed which in this part of the wood seem to be all over the place and in great numbers. The White Admiral stays back from the track, gliding over the tops of the impenetrable wall of Bracken and Bramble. It seems in a Piratical mood, hassling and chivvying the Whites to an unknown end, never stopping and just patrolling, Lord of all it surveys. Whilst it’s a glorious sight it’s also really frustrating as it’s always that little bit too far away. Luckily as we continue along the path leaving the partial confines of the Enclosure another White Admiral hove into view and this one plops down momentarily. Unfortunately it chose to land in one of the shadiest parts of the wood so the light was terrible – probably to find some relief form broiling sun that was beating down and melting me on the path. I stepped into the blessed shade and got a few shots before leaving it in peace still sitting there infra-red radiating from it.
As we start back along the top path the Silver-washed are going off their nuts in the sun, zipping all over the place and only sitting still for a fraction of a second when they very occasionally land. Only a Large Skipper sits nicely for long enough to grab a couple of shots. At one point I spook an H.Comma which zips off putting up a smoke screen of Ringlets as it escapes my lens whereas a Large White remains aloof and aloft. It’s a good thing that we’re having an enjoyable conversation as the butterflies really aren’t playing nicely! We eventually reach the Plantation where finally one of the four or five Silver washed actually sits still for a few shots but another White Admiral just keeps on going...just as we do until, tired and slightly baked we reach the cars and then say our Socially Distanced goodbyes which is still strange but it had been a lovely walk even if the butterflies had passed by like strangers in the night on Amphetamine.
The White Admiral
Glides and scythes the air in two
Master of the sky
We carry on walking and chatting and generally enjoying each other’s company until we reach the Enclosure where a White Admiral mixes it up a little with a pair of Whites among the Silver-washed which in this part of the wood seem to be all over the place and in great numbers. The White Admiral stays back from the track, gliding over the tops of the impenetrable wall of Bracken and Bramble. It seems in a Piratical mood, hassling and chivvying the Whites to an unknown end, never stopping and just patrolling, Lord of all it surveys. Whilst it’s a glorious sight it’s also really frustrating as it’s always that little bit too far away. Luckily as we continue along the path leaving the partial confines of the Enclosure another White Admiral hove into view and this one plops down momentarily. Unfortunately it chose to land in one of the shadiest parts of the wood so the light was terrible – probably to find some relief form broiling sun that was beating down and melting me on the path. I stepped into the blessed shade and got a few shots before leaving it in peace still sitting there infra-red radiating from it.
As we start back along the top path the Silver-washed are going off their nuts in the sun, zipping all over the place and only sitting still for a fraction of a second when they very occasionally land. Only a Large Skipper sits nicely for long enough to grab a couple of shots. At one point I spook an H.Comma which zips off putting up a smoke screen of Ringlets as it escapes my lens whereas a Large White remains aloof and aloft. It’s a good thing that we’re having an enjoyable conversation as the butterflies really aren’t playing nicely! We eventually reach the Plantation where finally one of the four or five Silver washed actually sits still for a few shots but another White Admiral just keeps on going...just as we do until, tired and slightly baked we reach the cars and then say our Socially Distanced goodbyes which is still strange but it had been a lovely walk even if the butterflies had passed by like strangers in the night on Amphetamine.
The White Admiral
Glides and scythes the air in two
Master of the sky
Bentley Wood 24-06-2020
As it looked set to be a scorcher I decided to try and get to Bentley early so that I was there ready for when the butterflies started to fly and also because the early morning seems to be the best time for Purple Hairstreaks to come down to the deck. I managed to pull into the car park a few moments before 8am and set off directly down the main track. Already it was warm enough to be in short sleeves but only when in the sun, in the shade it was noticeably cooler, enough to raise a few goose bumps. So over the next 20 minutes of pretty solid walking I experienced many temperature changes – a good job I’m into Rock and not actually a Rock else I’d have been experiencing ‘Onion Skin Weathering! As I strolled along the main track to the Switchback and then onto to Donkey Copse and beyond even further I saw very few butterflies and even though I was straining my eyes looking on Bracken fronds for small, grey/brown butterflies that would hopefully be Purple Hairstreak all I could come up with were two a piece of Ringlet and Meadow Brown. By now I’d ended up at the track which opens up onto one of the fields and so I pressed on to see what was flying down here. It was still really quiet but just as I was thinking this the butterflies suddenly started appearing and the grass stems that previously had been devoid of life were now teeming with Smessex Skippers and Meadow Browns. There were a few Large Skippers about, mainly on Brambles on the periphery of the field and a few Marbled Whites added a touch of the class a la Pierrot, one of which clambered onto my offered hand, probably as its fore wing was slightly damaged. It could still fly and once it had absorbed enough heat from my digit it set off again leaving me to retrace my steps up the track and back to walk the woodland rides.
As the path crossed the tree line I paused slightly past the border and scanned about me finding myself to be surrounded by Large Skippers, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. A Red Admiral did its level best to avoid my capturing it on film by hanging right at the back of the large Bramble bush that covered the verge from the edge of the path right back to the treeline. As I couldn’t ‘get’ to anything I decided to work my way back into the Wood to see what else had woken up but as I turned to leave I had a sense that I should have one last look over the Oaks that form the gateway to this section of the wood. I’m glad I did as a small silver butterfly jinked its way across the airspace from one canopy to another. My first Purple Hairstreak of 2020. I stayed for another 5 minutes of so but it didn’t come down from its perch just occasionally flew backwards and forwards between the Oaks so I moved on. Slightly further along the track among the usual shower a Red Admiral behaved in a slightly more friendly fashion, coming in a bit closer to the track so it was within reach of my lens and a couple of male Silver-washed acted like Hoons tearing about the place.
On the twisty walk back through the wood to the corner of Donkey Copse I kept scanning as I walked trying to check the canopy and the deck and everything else in between at the same time. All the usual butterflies flew but like everything they were very flighty in the sun. I decided to have a proper look on the corner as this was where I’d encountered His Nibbs several years on the trot so I poured a coffee and deposited my bag and started slowly wandering round neck articulated through 90 degrees. There was no Emperor but a White Admiral flashed past and did a couple of searing runs which made the neck ache worthwhile. When I resumed searching at a lower altitude a male Silver-washed was an easy spot, standing out like a sore thumb but the H.Comma was surprisingly cryptic as it fed on whatever was impregnated in a piece of old rope, in fact it was only the movement that made me aware of its presence at all.
I thought that as I was here I should have a look along the grassed track that runs the opposite way from the corner. The advantage of this little area is the closer growing trees and the aspect means that this rea stays shaded for much longer and so the butterflies should be more easily approachable. Indeed so it turned out. I’d only walked 20 metres or so along the track when the Bracken became alive with Silver-washed with at least 5in one view, possibly more as they kept swopping in, landing and then being disturbed or becoming embroiled in various brawls. A Peacock tried its best to stay out of it but didn’t have much luck and an H.Comma found that it’s usually effective camo was rendered redundant by the sharp eyes of the feisty Silver-washed. It was a wonderful sight to behold but not exactly conducive to great photos as I found that my subject was quickly becoming the victim of an attack. Luckily in the end I found one sitting calmly on a frond of Bracken slightly further along the path and so away from all the action. I have a suspicion that this one was fresh out of the box as not only was it immaculate but it seemed to glisten slightly as if the paint hadn’t yet dried.
On the return there were about three Silver-washed happily carousing about on the first part of the track. As I watched them one landed quite close so I leant in for the shot and a small, silver butterfly took off and slowly flew up and at me – it was a Purple Hairstreak that had been down on the deck, and I’d missed it ahhhh! Cursing myself I headed back to the corner but my dark mood was brightened considerably as a large bat like shape flew across the track - darker, more obviously striped and more stocky than a White Admiral it was my first Purple Emperor of 2020. My frustrations with purple butterfly were squashed by the exultation of seeing a different Purple one. I headed back to the Switchback, buzzling slightly not even minding that the triangle down on the deck was only a Red Admiral pretender but also managing to get a few shots of a Bentley DGF.
Once at the Switchback it was decision time, carry on up to the memorial to see if I could catch up with any Whitters or walk back to the car and home. The call of the Whitters won and so I made my way across the crossroads and set out North up towards the Memorial and the stand of Wytch Elms. On the way I had cause to stop when I was half way to my destination as ahead of me on the deck was a dark triangle on the track but alas it was only a Red Admiral taking salts from something icky. Again my disappointment was almost immediately dispelled. The Red Admiral that wasn’t a Purple Emperor took off and as I watched it fly across the verge and into the trees it spooked another Purple Hairstreak which, just like last one, flew up into the trees but unlike the other it stayed as a reasonable height whereby if I stood on tiptoes and held my camera out at arms’ length I was able to get a few shots. Chuffed with this I pressed onwards.
Last year the few Wytch Elms on the side of the track as it curved round to the right held only a single White-letter Hairstreak and they were starting to show signs of succumbing to DED but this year they had succumbed with only an H.Comma taking advantage of the bare and decaying branches. So it seemed that my reliable White-letter site was over…then I remembered when I first read about the Bentley White-letters mentioned that they used to come down round the actual bench itself and so I set off along another track overshadowed by to find said bench. When I did I could see that I wasn’t going to have much luck there as it was shaded out so completely by the tress that had grown around it that is was almost pitch black. But slightly further along the path there were a few breaks and I could look up with my binoculars and check out the tops of the various trees. When I did I quickly spotted what I was hoping for – a dark grey, square cut looking butterfly that would fly out form its perch, attack something and then fly back and perch again. One of the times it did this the thing that it attacked was another grey, square cut butterfly – a second Whitter. I found a third on another tree slightly further back and then went back to watching the antics of the first- eventually it came down and perched so I was able to see the side-on profile through my binoculars. It was brilliant watching them and as I retraced my tracks back I realised that I was on for a ‘Hairstreak Fullhouse’!
The walk back was much quicker – buoyed at finding three firsts for the year and the good news about the Whitters and my happy wandering was only briefly interrupted as I was buzzed by a His Nibbs. He flew down the track towards me at speed, the sun catching his wings and flashing purple/electric blue, almost took my head off as he passed, circled me once, twice and then carried on at speed up and away. So two brief audiences with His Nibbs…hopefully I’ll get a grounded one soon. When I reached the Switchback I carried on down to Donkey Copse again mainly in the vain hope that I might find an Emperor down. I didn’t but there were a few Silver-washed about and also a fellow enthusiast down in a ditch. As we exchanged pleasantries a Purple Hairstreak landed down on the wood pile, but try as I might I couldn’t get close enough to it for anything sensible. It seemed that today though that when things weren’t going my way with one species another popped up to set things right again. This time it was the turn of a White Admiral. I didn’t want to try and get too close to it in case it did one but it was really nicely posed, feeding on Bramble it was face on so I had great views of those gorgeous under wings – such beautiful colours and pattern it gives the best Fritillaries a run for their money when it comes to the most attractive under wing.
After this I finally made for home. It had been a cracking morning despite His Nibbs not playing fair. Though I wasn’t thinking that when I got home a read about 2 Purple Emperors at Groveley Woods and even one down on the deck at Garston Wood! Oh well this is still year 2 of 3 so next year…for definite!
His Nibbs plays hardball
White Admiral consoles me
Hairstreaks help as well
As the path crossed the tree line I paused slightly past the border and scanned about me finding myself to be surrounded by Large Skippers, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. A Red Admiral did its level best to avoid my capturing it on film by hanging right at the back of the large Bramble bush that covered the verge from the edge of the path right back to the treeline. As I couldn’t ‘get’ to anything I decided to work my way back into the Wood to see what else had woken up but as I turned to leave I had a sense that I should have one last look over the Oaks that form the gateway to this section of the wood. I’m glad I did as a small silver butterfly jinked its way across the airspace from one canopy to another. My first Purple Hairstreak of 2020. I stayed for another 5 minutes of so but it didn’t come down from its perch just occasionally flew backwards and forwards between the Oaks so I moved on. Slightly further along the track among the usual shower a Red Admiral behaved in a slightly more friendly fashion, coming in a bit closer to the track so it was within reach of my lens and a couple of male Silver-washed acted like Hoons tearing about the place.
On the twisty walk back through the wood to the corner of Donkey Copse I kept scanning as I walked trying to check the canopy and the deck and everything else in between at the same time. All the usual butterflies flew but like everything they were very flighty in the sun. I decided to have a proper look on the corner as this was where I’d encountered His Nibbs several years on the trot so I poured a coffee and deposited my bag and started slowly wandering round neck articulated through 90 degrees. There was no Emperor but a White Admiral flashed past and did a couple of searing runs which made the neck ache worthwhile. When I resumed searching at a lower altitude a male Silver-washed was an easy spot, standing out like a sore thumb but the H.Comma was surprisingly cryptic as it fed on whatever was impregnated in a piece of old rope, in fact it was only the movement that made me aware of its presence at all.
I thought that as I was here I should have a look along the grassed track that runs the opposite way from the corner. The advantage of this little area is the closer growing trees and the aspect means that this rea stays shaded for much longer and so the butterflies should be more easily approachable. Indeed so it turned out. I’d only walked 20 metres or so along the track when the Bracken became alive with Silver-washed with at least 5in one view, possibly more as they kept swopping in, landing and then being disturbed or becoming embroiled in various brawls. A Peacock tried its best to stay out of it but didn’t have much luck and an H.Comma found that it’s usually effective camo was rendered redundant by the sharp eyes of the feisty Silver-washed. It was a wonderful sight to behold but not exactly conducive to great photos as I found that my subject was quickly becoming the victim of an attack. Luckily in the end I found one sitting calmly on a frond of Bracken slightly further along the path and so away from all the action. I have a suspicion that this one was fresh out of the box as not only was it immaculate but it seemed to glisten slightly as if the paint hadn’t yet dried.
On the return there were about three Silver-washed happily carousing about on the first part of the track. As I watched them one landed quite close so I leant in for the shot and a small, silver butterfly took off and slowly flew up and at me – it was a Purple Hairstreak that had been down on the deck, and I’d missed it ahhhh! Cursing myself I headed back to the corner but my dark mood was brightened considerably as a large bat like shape flew across the track - darker, more obviously striped and more stocky than a White Admiral it was my first Purple Emperor of 2020. My frustrations with purple butterfly were squashed by the exultation of seeing a different Purple one. I headed back to the Switchback, buzzling slightly not even minding that the triangle down on the deck was only a Red Admiral pretender but also managing to get a few shots of a Bentley DGF.
Once at the Switchback it was decision time, carry on up to the memorial to see if I could catch up with any Whitters or walk back to the car and home. The call of the Whitters won and so I made my way across the crossroads and set out North up towards the Memorial and the stand of Wytch Elms. On the way I had cause to stop when I was half way to my destination as ahead of me on the deck was a dark triangle on the track but alas it was only a Red Admiral taking salts from something icky. Again my disappointment was almost immediately dispelled. The Red Admiral that wasn’t a Purple Emperor took off and as I watched it fly across the verge and into the trees it spooked another Purple Hairstreak which, just like last one, flew up into the trees but unlike the other it stayed as a reasonable height whereby if I stood on tiptoes and held my camera out at arms’ length I was able to get a few shots. Chuffed with this I pressed onwards.
Last year the few Wytch Elms on the side of the track as it curved round to the right held only a single White-letter Hairstreak and they were starting to show signs of succumbing to DED but this year they had succumbed with only an H.Comma taking advantage of the bare and decaying branches. So it seemed that my reliable White-letter site was over…then I remembered when I first read about the Bentley White-letters mentioned that they used to come down round the actual bench itself and so I set off along another track overshadowed by to find said bench. When I did I could see that I wasn’t going to have much luck there as it was shaded out so completely by the tress that had grown around it that is was almost pitch black. But slightly further along the path there were a few breaks and I could look up with my binoculars and check out the tops of the various trees. When I did I quickly spotted what I was hoping for – a dark grey, square cut looking butterfly that would fly out form its perch, attack something and then fly back and perch again. One of the times it did this the thing that it attacked was another grey, square cut butterfly – a second Whitter. I found a third on another tree slightly further back and then went back to watching the antics of the first- eventually it came down and perched so I was able to see the side-on profile through my binoculars. It was brilliant watching them and as I retraced my tracks back I realised that I was on for a ‘Hairstreak Fullhouse’!
The walk back was much quicker – buoyed at finding three firsts for the year and the good news about the Whitters and my happy wandering was only briefly interrupted as I was buzzed by a His Nibbs. He flew down the track towards me at speed, the sun catching his wings and flashing purple/electric blue, almost took my head off as he passed, circled me once, twice and then carried on at speed up and away. So two brief audiences with His Nibbs…hopefully I’ll get a grounded one soon. When I reached the Switchback I carried on down to Donkey Copse again mainly in the vain hope that I might find an Emperor down. I didn’t but there were a few Silver-washed about and also a fellow enthusiast down in a ditch. As we exchanged pleasantries a Purple Hairstreak landed down on the wood pile, but try as I might I couldn’t get close enough to it for anything sensible. It seemed that today though that when things weren’t going my way with one species another popped up to set things right again. This time it was the turn of a White Admiral. I didn’t want to try and get too close to it in case it did one but it was really nicely posed, feeding on Bramble it was face on so I had great views of those gorgeous under wings – such beautiful colours and pattern it gives the best Fritillaries a run for their money when it comes to the most attractive under wing.
After this I finally made for home. It had been a cracking morning despite His Nibbs not playing fair. Though I wasn’t thinking that when I got home a read about 2 Purple Emperors at Groveley Woods and even one down on the deck at Garston Wood! Oh well this is still year 2 of 3 so next year…for definite!
His Nibbs plays hardball
White Admiral consoles me
Hairstreaks help as well
Work and home 22-06-2020
With the Pandemic still in full swing (and likely to be for a very long time) I’m still ‘working from home’ – essentially sitting in front of a screen, tapping away making new resources and marking work electronically. However I’m still going in for a couple of days a week to supervise the vulnerables and Key Worker children, phone tutees and get various of those jobs done that can’t be done at home so when I’m not able to get my Exercise I can at least have a wander up the field and stop off on the way home at Larkhill…
Today was one of those ‘In Work Days’ and so as well as the usual bag of work paraphernalia I also grabbed my camera. I got my first opportunity to use it almost as soon as I’d pulled the car into my usual space. I usually drive the length of the car park, turn and park so I can just pull away pronto at the end of the day – I like to have a fast getaway planned! On the drive I spotted a Red Admiral on the Bramble at the edge of the car park so car safely pulled up I popped back and got a few record shots before heading back in and putting my nose to the grind stone.
At lunch I sanitized my hands, grabbed my camera and headed out and round to the filed – because of the ‘Bubbles’ I can’t just cut through the school. As I started to follow the thin trackways between the tall grasses (between knee and thigh height) I was able to make out the odd Meadow Brown and Ringlet that were hiding away amid the stalks. The Smessex Skippers were easier to make out as they zipped across the grass tops, never quite clipping them, and then they’d suddenly alight on one so that I was able to strain my neck in odd directions and positively identify them as Smalls. There were a few Large Skippers about not looking quite as neat and tidy as the Smalls but they favour the Brambles so no wonder that their livery gets a bit disheveled. However the real star here was a Marbled White which was playing to the crowd and showing off a little as it cut through the air metamorphosing from black and white to a quick silver.
I walked on round the Bramble patch whose considerable girth has increased to become almost ‘worrying’ as soon there might not be a way round it and on the other side of the Bramble Behemoth there were a few more Marbled Whites. They were pretty active in the warm sun and so I pressed on, aware that my 30 minutes was slipping by at an alarming rate and came through the trees to the corner of the field. Tucked into the corner, bordered by the trees another large Bramble bush grows and it acts as a magnet to the surrounding butterflies. While I watched today there were various Meadow Browns and Ringlets and Small Skipper and a cracking looking Small Tort which had comically curved antennae. It bimbled about from flower top to flower top all the while looking like a Disney character due to the aforementioned ‘feelers’. I had to leave it there though as I could almost hear the “da-da, da-da, did-el-e-dee” signifying the end of lunch.
Throughout the day I was able to catch the odd glimpse of a butterfly as I looked out of various windows whilst walking to different ‘lesson’ the best of which was a large, peachy coloured individual that flew along the side of the Science towards me and it got so close that I was able to see my first Painted Lady of 2020. But I had to wait until the end of the day for anymore photography...
So the end of the day came and I’d loaded up, washed hands and the epic guitar riff from Leafhound - Freelance Fiend was shredding my speakers – I was on my way to Larkhill. True this isn’t exactly the most exciting location. It’s not the largest or most species rich but it is my ‘Local’. The dangerous parking and road crossing manoeuvre completed I set of straight to the scrub hedge that sits bang in the middle of the rolling grass. As I worked along the length away from the road there were Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Marbled Whites all over the place as to be expected. And then there standing out like a gem amid the greenery was a Small Tort. It didn’t stop though and was speeding off across the Plain before I’d had a chance to even raise my camera. Momentarily disappointed I trod on and I was literally disappointed for a moment because a few steps on and a female DGF was avidly feeding on the Knapweed. She was a real beauty, terribly dusky with a hint of melanism a real stunner and so I followed her from flower to flower, occasionally having to run when she was caught by the wind. She didn’t seem to mind the attention which was lucky because the wind made photography tricky – I’d just have the shot lined up and focused and then the breeze would pick up and she’d be hanging on to the flower for dear life as it rocked forward and backward. Still after several attempts I hoped that I had something on the memory card and I moved on and left her in peace.
I went a short way the track after this noting how the butterflies had congregated here in the shelter afforded by the roadside hedge on one side and the linear thicket of Hawthorn on the other. There were good numbers of Smessex – most of which remained so with those that sat nicely for identification all proving to be Small Skippers. Most of the butterflies fluttering about were Meadow Browns and then Ringlets. There were about three Large Skippers adding a bit of panache with the odd Marbled White adding a dash of tone and the colour was provided by the two male Common Blues and the single Small Tort, a different individual from that seen along the Hedge. It was on the return journey whilst scrutinising the Smessex that I found what I was hoping to see. The Smessex was a sandier, more honey colour than the surrounding orange Smalls. As I leant in I could barely see the sex brand and when I was able to discern one it was straight – my first Essex of 2020. Chuffed I strolled back down the path and having safely gotten back to the car I headed for home after a very enjoyable butterfly day – who knew that a day at work could be so productive?
A full day at work
Grab all opportunities
Essex on the list
Today was one of those ‘In Work Days’ and so as well as the usual bag of work paraphernalia I also grabbed my camera. I got my first opportunity to use it almost as soon as I’d pulled the car into my usual space. I usually drive the length of the car park, turn and park so I can just pull away pronto at the end of the day – I like to have a fast getaway planned! On the drive I spotted a Red Admiral on the Bramble at the edge of the car park so car safely pulled up I popped back and got a few record shots before heading back in and putting my nose to the grind stone.
At lunch I sanitized my hands, grabbed my camera and headed out and round to the filed – because of the ‘Bubbles’ I can’t just cut through the school. As I started to follow the thin trackways between the tall grasses (between knee and thigh height) I was able to make out the odd Meadow Brown and Ringlet that were hiding away amid the stalks. The Smessex Skippers were easier to make out as they zipped across the grass tops, never quite clipping them, and then they’d suddenly alight on one so that I was able to strain my neck in odd directions and positively identify them as Smalls. There were a few Large Skippers about not looking quite as neat and tidy as the Smalls but they favour the Brambles so no wonder that their livery gets a bit disheveled. However the real star here was a Marbled White which was playing to the crowd and showing off a little as it cut through the air metamorphosing from black and white to a quick silver.
I walked on round the Bramble patch whose considerable girth has increased to become almost ‘worrying’ as soon there might not be a way round it and on the other side of the Bramble Behemoth there were a few more Marbled Whites. They were pretty active in the warm sun and so I pressed on, aware that my 30 minutes was slipping by at an alarming rate and came through the trees to the corner of the field. Tucked into the corner, bordered by the trees another large Bramble bush grows and it acts as a magnet to the surrounding butterflies. While I watched today there were various Meadow Browns and Ringlets and Small Skipper and a cracking looking Small Tort which had comically curved antennae. It bimbled about from flower top to flower top all the while looking like a Disney character due to the aforementioned ‘feelers’. I had to leave it there though as I could almost hear the “da-da, da-da, did-el-e-dee” signifying the end of lunch.
Throughout the day I was able to catch the odd glimpse of a butterfly as I looked out of various windows whilst walking to different ‘lesson’ the best of which was a large, peachy coloured individual that flew along the side of the Science towards me and it got so close that I was able to see my first Painted Lady of 2020. But I had to wait until the end of the day for anymore photography...
So the end of the day came and I’d loaded up, washed hands and the epic guitar riff from Leafhound - Freelance Fiend was shredding my speakers – I was on my way to Larkhill. True this isn’t exactly the most exciting location. It’s not the largest or most species rich but it is my ‘Local’. The dangerous parking and road crossing manoeuvre completed I set of straight to the scrub hedge that sits bang in the middle of the rolling grass. As I worked along the length away from the road there were Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Marbled Whites all over the place as to be expected. And then there standing out like a gem amid the greenery was a Small Tort. It didn’t stop though and was speeding off across the Plain before I’d had a chance to even raise my camera. Momentarily disappointed I trod on and I was literally disappointed for a moment because a few steps on and a female DGF was avidly feeding on the Knapweed. She was a real beauty, terribly dusky with a hint of melanism a real stunner and so I followed her from flower to flower, occasionally having to run when she was caught by the wind. She didn’t seem to mind the attention which was lucky because the wind made photography tricky – I’d just have the shot lined up and focused and then the breeze would pick up and she’d be hanging on to the flower for dear life as it rocked forward and backward. Still after several attempts I hoped that I had something on the memory card and I moved on and left her in peace.
I went a short way the track after this noting how the butterflies had congregated here in the shelter afforded by the roadside hedge on one side and the linear thicket of Hawthorn on the other. There were good numbers of Smessex – most of which remained so with those that sat nicely for identification all proving to be Small Skippers. Most of the butterflies fluttering about were Meadow Browns and then Ringlets. There were about three Large Skippers adding a bit of panache with the odd Marbled White adding a dash of tone and the colour was provided by the two male Common Blues and the single Small Tort, a different individual from that seen along the Hedge. It was on the return journey whilst scrutinising the Smessex that I found what I was hoping to see. The Smessex was a sandier, more honey colour than the surrounding orange Smalls. As I leant in I could barely see the sex brand and when I was able to discern one it was straight – my first Essex of 2020. Chuffed I strolled back down the path and having safely gotten back to the car I headed for home after a very enjoyable butterfly day – who knew that a day at work could be so productive?
A full day at work
Grab all opportunities
Essex on the list
Vernditch 21-06-2020 Happy very belated Solstice
As the weather had improved somewhat today we packed up some things for lunch and set out for Vernditch for a walk and a picnic. Having not visited this site at this time of year before I wondered what butterfly species it would hold but as we strode up the hill on the main track things didn’t look too good. The surrounding trees didn’t look great for White Admirals or Silver Washed and the verges on either side of the rides are quite thin not like Garston or Bentley. Still just before the turn point one of the trees had fallen over and in its wake a huge Bramble towered up smothering all competing plants for light. Around this were a profusion of butterflies, mainly Meadow Browns but I could also see the odd Ringlet and Large Skipper and there was a Silver Washed. It was feeding and tilting on a flower which explain why I hadn’t seen it sooner – now the bright orange livery was on show rather than the cryptic underwings. I would have liked to have gotten a few shots but it was too far away and I didn’t fancy wading through an unknown depth of Briar to get any closer so onwards we went.
Things went quiet again after this as the trees are all in full leaf and little light reaches the woodland floor. So I contented myself with walking and talking. As we cut through the coppice after the gate at Martin Down it was more of the same and only when we rounded the corner coming out at Kitt’s Grave did we finally start seeing butterflies. There were a few Large Skippers in the tussocky grass on the entrance corridor and when the path opened out onto the fields a DGF flew past, swiftly followed by another. I stood entranced in the middle of the field – Meadow Browns and Ringlets, fewer Marbled Whites, a few Small Heath still eking out a living, violent orange blurs Smessex and Large Skippers abounded in the spaces between the Browns and flying amid this lepidopteran cacophony were DGFs numbering at least double figures. I tried my best to get some shots of the DGFs but even though it was cloudy it was still warm and so they jetted about rarely stopping. When they did I barely had time to point my lens in their direction let along focus before they were off again. I gave it up after a while and we strode on round on the circular route along through the wood. On the way I spotted two DGFs on Bramble in one of the cleared ‘scallops’. One evades me but the second was much more amenable.
We turned another corner and the path now ran parallel to the Blandford Road slightly sheltered from the breeze by a bank on one side and a wall of vegetation/the wood on the other. As I walked on my left I spotted Marbled Whites, Small and non-identifiable Smessex Skippers as well as the odd Ringlet, DGF and Small Heath. On my right however was a totally different habitat with stands of Honeysuckle and Bramble entwining themselves round the trees and filling in any gaps in the ‘wall’. Here I there were plenty of Meadow Browns and Large Skippers as well as singletons of Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Silver Washed.
The next stage dove back into the wood and at times it felt like we were walking down a trench although there was the occasional scallop and a small clearing. Again there was a similar range of species but with the added bonus of a White Admiral. Unfortunately it was deep in the Bramble so I could only manage a couple of record shots by the time I’d negotiated the twigs and leaves that were obstructing my view – still I did better than yesterday! The strangest thing here was a massive snail – clearly different from the Garden variety as this one was really big and didn’t have with a grey-brown muscular foot and dark shell in cryptic patterns. This one had a large light brown shell with a cream of mushroom soup coloured body. Also did I mention that it was Huge? I mean ma-hoo-sive – at least twice the size of a normal snail. I’m guessing that it was an edible snail like what the Romans brought over?
From this section of the path every now and then I could see the little valley that I’ve explored on previous visits. Almost at the end I let the others walk on and then made my way down to the valley floor. There were good number of Thistles down here and along with them good numbers of DGFs. One lovely lady one (white margins?) paused for a refuel and so I tried for a few shots while she was otherwise engaged. Vowing to come back here one evening when the butterflies will have calmed slightly I caught up with the others and we had lunch surrounded by butterflies on all sides.
As we walked back through the gate and into the Coppice the butterfly switch was clicked and the butterflies disappeared…I will be back here though I’ve discovered a little gem.
Dark Greens everywhere
White Admiral surprises
Roamin’ Roman Snail
Things went quiet again after this as the trees are all in full leaf and little light reaches the woodland floor. So I contented myself with walking and talking. As we cut through the coppice after the gate at Martin Down it was more of the same and only when we rounded the corner coming out at Kitt’s Grave did we finally start seeing butterflies. There were a few Large Skippers in the tussocky grass on the entrance corridor and when the path opened out onto the fields a DGF flew past, swiftly followed by another. I stood entranced in the middle of the field – Meadow Browns and Ringlets, fewer Marbled Whites, a few Small Heath still eking out a living, violent orange blurs Smessex and Large Skippers abounded in the spaces between the Browns and flying amid this lepidopteran cacophony were DGFs numbering at least double figures. I tried my best to get some shots of the DGFs but even though it was cloudy it was still warm and so they jetted about rarely stopping. When they did I barely had time to point my lens in their direction let along focus before they were off again. I gave it up after a while and we strode on round on the circular route along through the wood. On the way I spotted two DGFs on Bramble in one of the cleared ‘scallops’. One evades me but the second was much more amenable.
We turned another corner and the path now ran parallel to the Blandford Road slightly sheltered from the breeze by a bank on one side and a wall of vegetation/the wood on the other. As I walked on my left I spotted Marbled Whites, Small and non-identifiable Smessex Skippers as well as the odd Ringlet, DGF and Small Heath. On my right however was a totally different habitat with stands of Honeysuckle and Bramble entwining themselves round the trees and filling in any gaps in the ‘wall’. Here I there were plenty of Meadow Browns and Large Skippers as well as singletons of Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Silver Washed.
The next stage dove back into the wood and at times it felt like we were walking down a trench although there was the occasional scallop and a small clearing. Again there was a similar range of species but with the added bonus of a White Admiral. Unfortunately it was deep in the Bramble so I could only manage a couple of record shots by the time I’d negotiated the twigs and leaves that were obstructing my view – still I did better than yesterday! The strangest thing here was a massive snail – clearly different from the Garden variety as this one was really big and didn’t have with a grey-brown muscular foot and dark shell in cryptic patterns. This one had a large light brown shell with a cream of mushroom soup coloured body. Also did I mention that it was Huge? I mean ma-hoo-sive – at least twice the size of a normal snail. I’m guessing that it was an edible snail like what the Romans brought over?
From this section of the path every now and then I could see the little valley that I’ve explored on previous visits. Almost at the end I let the others walk on and then made my way down to the valley floor. There were good number of Thistles down here and along with them good numbers of DGFs. One lovely lady one (white margins?) paused for a refuel and so I tried for a few shots while she was otherwise engaged. Vowing to come back here one evening when the butterflies will have calmed slightly I caught up with the others and we had lunch surrounded by butterflies on all sides.
As we walked back through the gate and into the Coppice the butterfly switch was clicked and the butterflies disappeared…I will be back here though I’ve discovered a little gem.
Dark Greens everywhere
White Admiral surprises
Roamin’ Roman Snail
Garston Wood 20-06-2020
It had been a couple of days since I’d last been out properly and from what I’d seen on the weather forecast I thought it was going to be a fair few more until I could get out again. However I looked out the window and compared it to the BBC App…reality looked more favourable than the computer generated model. So after lunch I headed out to Garston for a couple of hours with my fingers crossed that it would be warm enough even if not sunny enough for something to be flying and as I drove through first Broadchalk and then Bowerchalk it became noticeably brighter and there were even one or two patches of intermittent blue sky.
From the car park I headed up the hill taking the main track way. I scanned the bramble patches on either side of me and the right hand side seemed to hold all the butterflies. There were flappy Meadow Browns, much darker, almost black Ringlets (but still no bloody photo of one!), orangey blur of Large Skippers and a male Silver Washed. All pretty good and all very flighty. However the first butterfly I try for a photo of is a Valesina which plops down towards the back of the Bramble bush which abuts the fence into the old Plantation. I could only manage a couple of record shots as it was so far back but to be honest I was just chuffed to once again catch up with this ‘form’.
As it didn’t return I carried on up the track still finding the right hand side to be much more productive. Slightly further up I spot a Red Admiral sitting under an archway of grasses and waiting for the intermittent sun to show itself again. A male Silver Washed was doing likewise on a Bracken plant that was taller than me! Hence the best I could get was a side on view. As I moved back after getting a couple of shots the butterfly took off and disturbed a second male SWF that had been basking on a lower standing fern, lesson learnt look all round before making your approach.
The main track carries on right to the top of the reserve but I took the second track to the left which meant that now I was walking the usual route in reverse from the ¾ mark and the track would now run down to the Enclosure. On the way I stopped for a Green-veined White a species which hasn’t been particularly amenable this year. Ignoring the trackways that branch off I keep to this trackway and reach a large clump of Bramble on my right – and the opposite side of the path from where I’d seen my first Silver Washed as week ago. As well as the odd Meadow Brown and Ringlet it holds a brace of Silver Washed, both males, and a Large White stops by for a while allowing a reasonable approach. However my eye is drawn to the Honeysuckle cascading down at the back. Just as I’m thinking – this looks good for White Admiral – one slices its way through the air. I watch mesmerised and then have to stop as I’m feeling giddy from trying to follow its perfectly controlled erratic flight pattern. Unfortunately it doesn’t come down and when I have steeled myself to look back and I relocate it I can only watch as it glides effortlessly over the tops of the trees and is gone.
I turned my attention to the other side of the path and it seemed to be a bit of a haven for Silver Washed. The sun had nipped off for a break by this point and so the first Silver Washed I spotted was basking on the top of a frond of Bracken. As I waded in to try for a few shots I spotted a second, then further back amid the ‘wall of Bramble’ a third appeared, then a fourth and a fifth and finally a female dropped in and promptly shot away again followed by several of the males. At the final ‘field’ of bracken before the enclosure another White Admiral soars about up high and I spend a few more moments in rapt appreciation in this wonder of natural selection.
Once in the enclosure things quieten down somewhat but actually I’m glad about this. It’s been many years since this enclosure was coppiced and cleared so now it’s almost fence to fence Brambles so even if I did spot a butterfly it’s more than likely to be beyond reach. Luckily some of the butterflies prefer the edge of the path and I watch as two Small Whites fly along the margins daintily. One of them lands and as I lean in for the shot I see that it is immaculate, in mint condish, a beautiful lemon colour.
I start retracing my steps pausing at the same points again marvelling as I watch the White Admiral for a bit but it still doesn’t want to come down. I also spy out a Red Admiral and an H.Comma. Both are sitting atop fronds of Bracken, both at just about head height and both take off just as I raise my camera. Where before there had been multitudes of Silver Washed now there are a brace of males and a female and the large clump has another/the original White Admiral tearing through the air, I swear I can almost hear atoms being ripped apart as it changes direction so quickly and so violently. Back up where the Green-veined White had sat so nicely another H.Comma plays a bit harder ball, sitting on the tallest of fronds and again after a successful stalk I raise my camera and he’s off!
Muttering I pause on the corner at the top of the track. As I scan across the grass I finally spot a Ringlet which is going down. Cautiously, as I’m very aware that things have been very twitchy this season, I snake my feet through the grass, lean in and click away. Phew – for a while there I really thought that I might not get any shots of this species this year! This one is lush – intact silver white fringes contrasting with the almost dark plum velvet ground colour. A second flies by and they have a bit of a scrap and then one of the two settles, closed wing so I can get a few shots of the rings which give this species its name. As I straighten up I catch sight of a Silver Washed hiding among the Bracken on the other side of the path.
I now head back down the main track with more of the same species showing up that had done so on my arrival with the addition of a White Admiral and minus the Valesina so I take a shortcut path into the Old Plantation and head up the hill past one large scallop and onto the next, smaller one. There is a Comma sitting atop a very tall thistle and I try for a few shots but the light is against me as is the slight breeze and it sends the butterfly rocking forward and back. I start back and the first large scallop I came to has Meadow Browns erupting all over the place or sitting three/four abreast on the thistle heads. A smaller Scallop slightly lower down the hill has more of the same but I spot a smaller Skipper which turns out to be a Small. I offer it my finger and it crawls on sending out its proboscis to take salts from my digit. As I make to leave I spot a second Small involved in turf war with a Large – definitely a case of Small Man Syndrome here!
I head back to the car park and from there homewards. Not too bad an afternoon actually – a Valesina, two FFTY and another addition to my ‘In the Hand’ collection. And to think I wasn’t planning on going out…
Took a slight gamble
A Valesina pays up
Ringlet finally!
From the car park I headed up the hill taking the main track way. I scanned the bramble patches on either side of me and the right hand side seemed to hold all the butterflies. There were flappy Meadow Browns, much darker, almost black Ringlets (but still no bloody photo of one!), orangey blur of Large Skippers and a male Silver Washed. All pretty good and all very flighty. However the first butterfly I try for a photo of is a Valesina which plops down towards the back of the Bramble bush which abuts the fence into the old Plantation. I could only manage a couple of record shots as it was so far back but to be honest I was just chuffed to once again catch up with this ‘form’.
As it didn’t return I carried on up the track still finding the right hand side to be much more productive. Slightly further up I spot a Red Admiral sitting under an archway of grasses and waiting for the intermittent sun to show itself again. A male Silver Washed was doing likewise on a Bracken plant that was taller than me! Hence the best I could get was a side on view. As I moved back after getting a couple of shots the butterfly took off and disturbed a second male SWF that had been basking on a lower standing fern, lesson learnt look all round before making your approach.
The main track carries on right to the top of the reserve but I took the second track to the left which meant that now I was walking the usual route in reverse from the ¾ mark and the track would now run down to the Enclosure. On the way I stopped for a Green-veined White a species which hasn’t been particularly amenable this year. Ignoring the trackways that branch off I keep to this trackway and reach a large clump of Bramble on my right – and the opposite side of the path from where I’d seen my first Silver Washed as week ago. As well as the odd Meadow Brown and Ringlet it holds a brace of Silver Washed, both males, and a Large White stops by for a while allowing a reasonable approach. However my eye is drawn to the Honeysuckle cascading down at the back. Just as I’m thinking – this looks good for White Admiral – one slices its way through the air. I watch mesmerised and then have to stop as I’m feeling giddy from trying to follow its perfectly controlled erratic flight pattern. Unfortunately it doesn’t come down and when I have steeled myself to look back and I relocate it I can only watch as it glides effortlessly over the tops of the trees and is gone.
I turned my attention to the other side of the path and it seemed to be a bit of a haven for Silver Washed. The sun had nipped off for a break by this point and so the first Silver Washed I spotted was basking on the top of a frond of Bracken. As I waded in to try for a few shots I spotted a second, then further back amid the ‘wall of Bramble’ a third appeared, then a fourth and a fifth and finally a female dropped in and promptly shot away again followed by several of the males. At the final ‘field’ of bracken before the enclosure another White Admiral soars about up high and I spend a few more moments in rapt appreciation in this wonder of natural selection.
Once in the enclosure things quieten down somewhat but actually I’m glad about this. It’s been many years since this enclosure was coppiced and cleared so now it’s almost fence to fence Brambles so even if I did spot a butterfly it’s more than likely to be beyond reach. Luckily some of the butterflies prefer the edge of the path and I watch as two Small Whites fly along the margins daintily. One of them lands and as I lean in for the shot I see that it is immaculate, in mint condish, a beautiful lemon colour.
I start retracing my steps pausing at the same points again marvelling as I watch the White Admiral for a bit but it still doesn’t want to come down. I also spy out a Red Admiral and an H.Comma. Both are sitting atop fronds of Bracken, both at just about head height and both take off just as I raise my camera. Where before there had been multitudes of Silver Washed now there are a brace of males and a female and the large clump has another/the original White Admiral tearing through the air, I swear I can almost hear atoms being ripped apart as it changes direction so quickly and so violently. Back up where the Green-veined White had sat so nicely another H.Comma plays a bit harder ball, sitting on the tallest of fronds and again after a successful stalk I raise my camera and he’s off!
Muttering I pause on the corner at the top of the track. As I scan across the grass I finally spot a Ringlet which is going down. Cautiously, as I’m very aware that things have been very twitchy this season, I snake my feet through the grass, lean in and click away. Phew – for a while there I really thought that I might not get any shots of this species this year! This one is lush – intact silver white fringes contrasting with the almost dark plum velvet ground colour. A second flies by and they have a bit of a scrap and then one of the two settles, closed wing so I can get a few shots of the rings which give this species its name. As I straighten up I catch sight of a Silver Washed hiding among the Bracken on the other side of the path.
I now head back down the main track with more of the same species showing up that had done so on my arrival with the addition of a White Admiral and minus the Valesina so I take a shortcut path into the Old Plantation and head up the hill past one large scallop and onto the next, smaller one. There is a Comma sitting atop a very tall thistle and I try for a few shots but the light is against me as is the slight breeze and it sends the butterfly rocking forward and back. I start back and the first large scallop I came to has Meadow Browns erupting all over the place or sitting three/four abreast on the thistle heads. A smaller Scallop slightly lower down the hill has more of the same but I spot a smaller Skipper which turns out to be a Small. I offer it my finger and it crawls on sending out its proboscis to take salts from my digit. As I make to leave I spot a second Small involved in turf war with a Large – definitely a case of Small Man Syndrome here!
I head back to the car park and from there homewards. Not too bad an afternoon actually – a Valesina, two FFTY and another addition to my ‘In the Hand’ collection. And to think I wasn’t planning on going out…
Took a slight gamble
A Valesina pays up
Ringlet finally!
Larkhill 17-06-2020
So this week gets weirder and weirder as today I headed in for the third consecutive day! It’s almost like having to go to work for a living and just when I was getting the hang of the working from home routine. Oh well…As Wednesday is shopping day and I was going to be at work all day I’d have to race to Waitrose (other shops are available) to get the food after work. This would mean no chance of a stop off and with dire rain showers and thunder storms predicted over lunch I called in at Larkhill on my way to work. The main advantage of stopping on the way to work is that I don’t need to cross the road, the disadvantage is that the morning dew soaks your trousers from the thighs down within moments of being on site. So it was this morning and with my trousers sticking to my legs I turned left and headed up the slight incline along the main track.
I was looking chiefly for Ringlets and little white flags which would be blues still roosting and I didn’t have to wait very long for the latter as just past the corner I spied a miniscule white flag. From its size it could only be one thing – Small Blue and as I lent in I guessed that it was the same one that I’d seen the afternoon before.
Onwards I went but in the dull morning light it was all very quiet. The spiders webs had absorbed the dew so well it looked like a feast of Candyfloss has been mislaid by a massive party of children and no matter how hard I scanned about I couldn’t find any more flags nor any Ringlets just warming up. This was slightly worrying as in previous years the Ringlets were the most numerous species on some visits yet this year I still haven’t had a definite sighting. In my desolation I scanned even more intently but to be fair I think spotting another white flag was down to coincidence rather than my increased effort. This one was slightly larger and I could make out a fine layer of dew droplets bedecking the tightly closed wings. As it was a very worn Common Blue it looked almost slate grey in the morning night and the dew drops like little crystals embedded in the rock.
I made my way back to the car happy with what I’d got even though I had hoped for more. Onwards to work again – mind you if this is the ‘new normal’ I think I could handle three days in and 2 days working from home...
Morning cool and damp
Common Blue now a slate grey
Twinkling diamond dew
I was looking chiefly for Ringlets and little white flags which would be blues still roosting and I didn’t have to wait very long for the latter as just past the corner I spied a miniscule white flag. From its size it could only be one thing – Small Blue and as I lent in I guessed that it was the same one that I’d seen the afternoon before.
Onwards I went but in the dull morning light it was all very quiet. The spiders webs had absorbed the dew so well it looked like a feast of Candyfloss has been mislaid by a massive party of children and no matter how hard I scanned about I couldn’t find any more flags nor any Ringlets just warming up. This was slightly worrying as in previous years the Ringlets were the most numerous species on some visits yet this year I still haven’t had a definite sighting. In my desolation I scanned even more intently but to be fair I think spotting another white flag was down to coincidence rather than my increased effort. This one was slightly larger and I could make out a fine layer of dew droplets bedecking the tightly closed wings. As it was a very worn Common Blue it looked almost slate grey in the morning night and the dew drops like little crystals embedded in the rock.
I made my way back to the car happy with what I’d got even though I had hoped for more. Onwards to work again – mind you if this is the ‘new normal’ I think I could handle three days in and 2 days working from home...
Morning cool and damp
Common Blue now a slate grey
Twinkling diamond dew
Larkhill 16-06-2020
After the shock to the system of spending two consecutive days in work I called in at Larkhill on the way home for a brief spell. Once the dangerous job of crossing the road had been completed successfully I paused to work out which of the three routes to take. It had been a fair old while since I was here last and so the grass had grown and was now smothering out all but the tallest wild flowers. The taller patch of scrub which runs from the path across the field at ninety degrees to the road looked promising and so I set off straight ahead.
Due to the time of day most butterflies were a blur as they bombed by fully warmed up and solar charged and I’d soon spotted a couple of Large Skippers on the edge of the path, a Small Heath and handfuls of Meadow Browns erupting from the deck as is their want. Something larger and brighter took off from in the middle of the scrub which is a poor excuse for a hedge and I watched with baited breath as a gorgeous Small Tort glided back and forth trying to pick out where to land. The first time it went down I managed only the briefest of shots before it had decided it wanted something with a bit more piquancy and so took off again. Again I managed to follow it and then it went down to feed on a Pyramidal/Fragrant Orchid – brilliant another shot for another of my collections!
Chuffed with this I walked back to the path adding another Small Tort, a Common Blue and a brace of Marbled Whites to the tally. On reaching the path I turned right heading up the slight incline and I set to scanning left and right of the path where the vegetation is more verdant and welcoming. There were even more Meadow Browns now as well as the occasional Marbled White, the odd Small Heath, a third Small Tort and also some slightly smaller almost black butterflies which in all probability were my first Ringlets of 2020 but they didn’t ever stop nor even get close enough for confirmation. Looks like that FFTY will have to wait for another time. The thinner vegetation in the central part of the path seemed to be the favourite hunting ground of the Skippers and amidst a babble of Large and a very faded Common Blue one smaller skipper stood out – a brilliantly fresh Small Skipper.
After this a tiny butterfly flashed by forcing me to retrace my footsteps somewhat. It led me on a bit of a dance for a while and I was concerned that it would get caught by the breeze and would be carried away before I could get anything on it. Luckily for me it now chose to have a bit of a breather and it dropped down almost in front of me – good to see Small Blues still here.
I carried on up the track with more of the same species flying but none seemed to want to play ball and when I spotted a Brown Argus it just refused to land almost as if it was locked into a perpetual motion loop. By now, whilst still bright, the cloud had thickened and was quite threatening and as I felt raindrops soaking into my back I decided that now would be a good time to call it a day; in fact I could call it a Day of Smalls.
Brief stop on drive home
Butterfly on Orchid – yay!
Afternoon of Smalls
Due to the time of day most butterflies were a blur as they bombed by fully warmed up and solar charged and I’d soon spotted a couple of Large Skippers on the edge of the path, a Small Heath and handfuls of Meadow Browns erupting from the deck as is their want. Something larger and brighter took off from in the middle of the scrub which is a poor excuse for a hedge and I watched with baited breath as a gorgeous Small Tort glided back and forth trying to pick out where to land. The first time it went down I managed only the briefest of shots before it had decided it wanted something with a bit more piquancy and so took off again. Again I managed to follow it and then it went down to feed on a Pyramidal/Fragrant Orchid – brilliant another shot for another of my collections!
Chuffed with this I walked back to the path adding another Small Tort, a Common Blue and a brace of Marbled Whites to the tally. On reaching the path I turned right heading up the slight incline and I set to scanning left and right of the path where the vegetation is more verdant and welcoming. There were even more Meadow Browns now as well as the occasional Marbled White, the odd Small Heath, a third Small Tort and also some slightly smaller almost black butterflies which in all probability were my first Ringlets of 2020 but they didn’t ever stop nor even get close enough for confirmation. Looks like that FFTY will have to wait for another time. The thinner vegetation in the central part of the path seemed to be the favourite hunting ground of the Skippers and amidst a babble of Large and a very faded Common Blue one smaller skipper stood out – a brilliantly fresh Small Skipper.
After this a tiny butterfly flashed by forcing me to retrace my footsteps somewhat. It led me on a bit of a dance for a while and I was concerned that it would get caught by the breeze and would be carried away before I could get anything on it. Luckily for me it now chose to have a bit of a breather and it dropped down almost in front of me – good to see Small Blues still here.
I carried on up the track with more of the same species flying but none seemed to want to play ball and when I spotted a Brown Argus it just refused to land almost as if it was locked into a perpetual motion loop. By now, whilst still bright, the cloud had thickened and was quite threatening and as I felt raindrops soaking into my back I decided that now would be a good time to call it a day; in fact I could call it a Day of Smalls.
Brief stop on drive home
Butterfly on Orchid – yay!
Afternoon of Smalls
Woodhenge 15-06-2020
With the sun shining down at lunch time I was tempted to get out and check out the far corner of the round by the broken mower and the large Bramble patch. The only problem was that I didn’t see how I could get there without first entering into Bubble A’s Zone – I wasn’t even sure if that was allowed and I didn’t want to cross contaminate the work zone. So instead I stopped off on the way home at Woodhenge. This had the advantage that there was a large space and so more butterflies but the disadvantage that by now it was warmer so there were much less likely to sit still. Bearing this in mind I girded my loins and set to stalking.
I checked out the old dead road by the car park first and managed to locate what I was hoping to see almost immediately. There was a lovely Marbled White sitting atop a Knapweed. However appearances can be deceptive and whilst it looked lovely it had a bit of a bad attitude in that it kept flying off just as I was about to get my shot. I persevered and got at least a record before moving on to the small field in front of the car park. When I did Meadow Browns erupted before me as I waded through the sea of grass seeking out the little islands of flowers. I was sure that there were some Ringlets in there somewhere but I couldn’t confirm a single one as any likely suspects either kept on flying or if they did land became Meadow Browns. I settled into the old rhythm of taking a few steps and watching and waiting for butterflies to settle nearby – although at this temperature this meant mostly just waiting! Once I got amid the Ox-eye Daisies the numbers I was seeing drastically increased and instead of the Meadow Browns being ubiquitous suddenly the Marbled Whites felt like the most common species. There were also a few nice little additions with a Small Tort standing out like a sore thumb on the white petals, a Dragonfly dropped in and kindly sat still long enough for an approach and I managed to spy a Small Heath. It seemed to be playing Gooseberry as the clump of Knapweed held host to several Marbled Whites.
A really nice way to relax after a very unusual day at work.
Bubble work complete
Good numbers of Marbled Whites
Watch them and unwind
I checked out the old dead road by the car park first and managed to locate what I was hoping to see almost immediately. There was a lovely Marbled White sitting atop a Knapweed. However appearances can be deceptive and whilst it looked lovely it had a bit of a bad attitude in that it kept flying off just as I was about to get my shot. I persevered and got at least a record before moving on to the small field in front of the car park. When I did Meadow Browns erupted before me as I waded through the sea of grass seeking out the little islands of flowers. I was sure that there were some Ringlets in there somewhere but I couldn’t confirm a single one as any likely suspects either kept on flying or if they did land became Meadow Browns. I settled into the old rhythm of taking a few steps and watching and waiting for butterflies to settle nearby – although at this temperature this meant mostly just waiting! Once I got amid the Ox-eye Daisies the numbers I was seeing drastically increased and instead of the Meadow Browns being ubiquitous suddenly the Marbled Whites felt like the most common species. There were also a few nice little additions with a Small Tort standing out like a sore thumb on the white petals, a Dragonfly dropped in and kindly sat still long enough for an approach and I managed to spy a Small Heath. It seemed to be playing Gooseberry as the clump of Knapweed held host to several Marbled Whites.
A really nice way to relax after a very unusual day at work.
Bubble work complete
Good numbers of Marbled Whites
Watch them and unwind
Grovely Wood 14-06-2020
“Never trust the BBC App! I did once and I didn’t get away with it!” This was my overriding thought first thing when I looked out of the window. The forecast for the last few days had continually shown Saturday to be cooler, cloudier and wetter, in fact it had done so right up to my last check at about 10pm on Saturday. Sunday morning it’s tipping it down! Luckily it started to rain less and less heavily as the morning wore on and it started to brighten slightly. On the journey over to Grovely there were even a few patches of blue sky though when we started these had been quickly filled in with grey.
As we strolled up the hill and then into the wood there were only a few Meadow Browns to write down on the tally but these didn’t appear until after the Witchy Trees in the longer grass on our turn off track. Also here was a Specklie that had been caught out by the drop in temp as the sun had disappeared. It was moribund on the deck only capable of the weakest of flaps when one of the girls pointed their finger at it.
Still things did start to brighten up as well walked along the track to the picnic spot and as we ate lunch started to brighten more and more and with the lightening skies came more and more butterflies; Specklies mainly with the occasional Meadow Brown. I then experienced one of those odd behaviour set-ups. I went to approach on Specklie that was sitting really nicely on a frond of Bracken and I noticed that sitting behind it slightly deeper into the verge was a second. After a few shots of the closer I lent in slightly to try for the second. I thought that I was going to have to be quick as I was now stretching over the first Specklie and I was convinced I would spook it. But no it sat there good as gold not moving. The second Specklie that I had manoeuvred so carefully for however took flight after a single shot which I couldn’t fathom. As I extricate myself from the Bracken the first Specklie remains seated only taking to the wing once I’ve backed away and started down the path again!
After this we got back to walking but when we reached the little cleared field with its strips of land demarked by the thin Bramble hedges I tarried a while. The grass is now above waist in some places and Meadow Browns would erupt like little puffs of smoke as I snaked my feet in and around the grass stems. A Red Admiral on one of small Bramble hedges caught my eye and after watching it for a moment I was able to get in for a few shots. As I’m enjoying the Red Admiral I spy a couple of Meadow Browns sticking out amid the unusual Browns and a Silver-washed glides downhill out of the wood seeming to bounce over each of the little hedges as it continued its descent. It must have felt a little uncomfortable exposed and out in the open as it was and at the final hedge it did a ‘U-y’ and quickly retraced its flight disappearing back into the wood. I followed its lead and made to retrace my steps when I spotted a Skipper that didn’t ‘fit’ with the Large Skippers I was seeing. It was noticeably smaller and more of an orange colour than yellow. Luckily for me it paused to take a sip of nectar and there was my first Small Skipper of 2020. Brill.
I set off to catch off with the others and a Red Admiral flashed by but I paid it little heed and when I had reached the others we were in the field at the top of the down. All along the top there were large Thistles randomly distributed and I immediately thought – DGF. So whilst the others admired the view and had a brief wander I walked quickly scanning all of the flower tops hoping for a flash of bright ginger. I spotted a Meadow brown and then another, a Large White went by without stopping but where were the DGFs? This looked like manna from heaven for them yet they were nowhere to be seen? At the furthest point that I reached in the field I did see an orange splash – but it was the wrong shade of ginger. As I cautiously approached it whilst it sat on the deck I saw that it was a fresh Small Tort. I then got called back and is so often the way what I was looking for turned up just as I was leaving. I risked a quick grab shot and then hurried to catch up with the rest of the family.
The walk back from this point was quite quiet with only a couple of Large Skippers (two of which were females) to note and all too soon we were back in the car park and heading for home. Back to (going into) work again tomorrow.
Once more to Grovely
First Small Skipper of the Year
Dark Greens a no-show
As we strolled up the hill and then into the wood there were only a few Meadow Browns to write down on the tally but these didn’t appear until after the Witchy Trees in the longer grass on our turn off track. Also here was a Specklie that had been caught out by the drop in temp as the sun had disappeared. It was moribund on the deck only capable of the weakest of flaps when one of the girls pointed their finger at it.
Still things did start to brighten up as well walked along the track to the picnic spot and as we ate lunch started to brighten more and more and with the lightening skies came more and more butterflies; Specklies mainly with the occasional Meadow Brown. I then experienced one of those odd behaviour set-ups. I went to approach on Specklie that was sitting really nicely on a frond of Bracken and I noticed that sitting behind it slightly deeper into the verge was a second. After a few shots of the closer I lent in slightly to try for the second. I thought that I was going to have to be quick as I was now stretching over the first Specklie and I was convinced I would spook it. But no it sat there good as gold not moving. The second Specklie that I had manoeuvred so carefully for however took flight after a single shot which I couldn’t fathom. As I extricate myself from the Bracken the first Specklie remains seated only taking to the wing once I’ve backed away and started down the path again!
After this we got back to walking but when we reached the little cleared field with its strips of land demarked by the thin Bramble hedges I tarried a while. The grass is now above waist in some places and Meadow Browns would erupt like little puffs of smoke as I snaked my feet in and around the grass stems. A Red Admiral on one of small Bramble hedges caught my eye and after watching it for a moment I was able to get in for a few shots. As I’m enjoying the Red Admiral I spy a couple of Meadow Browns sticking out amid the unusual Browns and a Silver-washed glides downhill out of the wood seeming to bounce over each of the little hedges as it continued its descent. It must have felt a little uncomfortable exposed and out in the open as it was and at the final hedge it did a ‘U-y’ and quickly retraced its flight disappearing back into the wood. I followed its lead and made to retrace my steps when I spotted a Skipper that didn’t ‘fit’ with the Large Skippers I was seeing. It was noticeably smaller and more of an orange colour than yellow. Luckily for me it paused to take a sip of nectar and there was my first Small Skipper of 2020. Brill.
I set off to catch off with the others and a Red Admiral flashed by but I paid it little heed and when I had reached the others we were in the field at the top of the down. All along the top there were large Thistles randomly distributed and I immediately thought – DGF. So whilst the others admired the view and had a brief wander I walked quickly scanning all of the flower tops hoping for a flash of bright ginger. I spotted a Meadow brown and then another, a Large White went by without stopping but where were the DGFs? This looked like manna from heaven for them yet they were nowhere to be seen? At the furthest point that I reached in the field I did see an orange splash – but it was the wrong shade of ginger. As I cautiously approached it whilst it sat on the deck I saw that it was a fresh Small Tort. I then got called back and is so often the way what I was looking for turned up just as I was leaving. I risked a quick grab shot and then hurried to catch up with the rest of the family.
The walk back from this point was quite quiet with only a couple of Large Skippers (two of which were females) to note and all too soon we were back in the car park and heading for home. Back to (going into) work again tomorrow.
Once more to Grovely
First Small Skipper of the Year
Dark Greens a no-show
Garston Wood 11-06-2020
I took an early lunch today so that we could meet up with my mum and dad for a walk (Socially Distancing of course) at Garston Wood. The weather report was as vague as usual; “sunny intervals with gusting breezes and possibly a shower” so pretty much all bases covered then, hence it was no real surprise when we passed through a shower on the way there. All a bit depressing really but as we pulled into the car park the wind dropped to barely a whisper, the rain ceased as quickly as if a tap had been turned off and the sun came out. As we’d arrived a bit early I took a quick stroll up the main track from the car park. Meadow Browns flew in the vegetation along the verges and I counted 5 Large Skipper including 2 females spread along a short stretch of verge.
Once my parents arrived we set off along the bottom path following our usual route and I stopped at one clump of Bramble for a distant Green-veined White and an interesting looking Hoverfly. The Bluebells are well over now but a few Butterfly Orchids were still putting in a good showing dotted occasionally at the edge of the paths. We ended up at what had been the snack point but now that we can linger longer is the picnic point at the fallen log.
After our repast we packed up and started off again and after a few steps I spotted a couple of Meadow Browns. One in particular caught my eye as it caught the light perfectly as it opened up to bask changing the leading edge of the fore wing to a band of orange with green streaks. It flew and landed a bit nearer to both the path and me and angled itself so as to maximise its basking potential. Again it opened up and again it caught the light but instead of the myriad of colours along the leading edge the entire butterfly took on an almost metallic lustre, like a browner version of Copper, with the occasional scale glittering. I’m finding myself becoming more and more fond of Meadow Browns, they always have something new to offer once you get past the stereotype of them being ‘common and mundane’.
On through the ‘enclosure’ we went with a single a white and a Red Admiral bombing past the only butterflies of note here. Neither of the blighters stopped for a photo but to be honest I didn’t mind because by not stopping to try and get shots of them I was perfectly placed to see my first Silver Washed of the year. Even better it flew up from in the middle of the foliage to land in a Bramble flower just to my right. I was able to lean in and get some shots of what turned out to be a ridiculously fresh specimen – it was immaculate, not a tear or rip in sight, not a scale out of place even and actually it was so fresh that the androconia were almost standing upright from the wing. It was stunning and made even more so as it’s the largest butterfly I’ve seen this year – huge by comparison to the Large Skippers, Brown Argus and even the Meadow Browns I’ve seen recently. To think if I’d tarried with the Red Admiral I could have missed this?!
Further along as the path started to climb I spied a second which wasn’t as well behaved but to be fair to it this was five or so minutes later and 5 more minutes of basking/suns’ warmth makes butterflies much more lively. Meadow Browns and Large Skippers were becoming more numerous now but and as when we reached the small cleared field roughly in the middle of the old Plantation the Meadow Browns did the fantastic party piece where they erupt from the tall, tussocky grass en masse. As one flew up it stuck out like a sore thumb and I watched as it settled and then went in for a few shots – a Marbled White and like most of the butterflies today beautifully fresh looking.
A few Specklies accompanied us as we took the final stretch to the car park and then we said our goodbyes, piled in the car and made for home stopping only once for some Watercress. As we left Broadchalk the heavens opened so our walk was perfectly timed as well as perfectly pleasant!
Metal Meadow Brown
In Garston Wood be hiding
Show-off Marbled White
Once my parents arrived we set off along the bottom path following our usual route and I stopped at one clump of Bramble for a distant Green-veined White and an interesting looking Hoverfly. The Bluebells are well over now but a few Butterfly Orchids were still putting in a good showing dotted occasionally at the edge of the paths. We ended up at what had been the snack point but now that we can linger longer is the picnic point at the fallen log.
After our repast we packed up and started off again and after a few steps I spotted a couple of Meadow Browns. One in particular caught my eye as it caught the light perfectly as it opened up to bask changing the leading edge of the fore wing to a band of orange with green streaks. It flew and landed a bit nearer to both the path and me and angled itself so as to maximise its basking potential. Again it opened up and again it caught the light but instead of the myriad of colours along the leading edge the entire butterfly took on an almost metallic lustre, like a browner version of Copper, with the occasional scale glittering. I’m finding myself becoming more and more fond of Meadow Browns, they always have something new to offer once you get past the stereotype of them being ‘common and mundane’.
On through the ‘enclosure’ we went with a single a white and a Red Admiral bombing past the only butterflies of note here. Neither of the blighters stopped for a photo but to be honest I didn’t mind because by not stopping to try and get shots of them I was perfectly placed to see my first Silver Washed of the year. Even better it flew up from in the middle of the foliage to land in a Bramble flower just to my right. I was able to lean in and get some shots of what turned out to be a ridiculously fresh specimen – it was immaculate, not a tear or rip in sight, not a scale out of place even and actually it was so fresh that the androconia were almost standing upright from the wing. It was stunning and made even more so as it’s the largest butterfly I’ve seen this year – huge by comparison to the Large Skippers, Brown Argus and even the Meadow Browns I’ve seen recently. To think if I’d tarried with the Red Admiral I could have missed this?!
Further along as the path started to climb I spied a second which wasn’t as well behaved but to be fair to it this was five or so minutes later and 5 more minutes of basking/suns’ warmth makes butterflies much more lively. Meadow Browns and Large Skippers were becoming more numerous now but and as when we reached the small cleared field roughly in the middle of the old Plantation the Meadow Browns did the fantastic party piece where they erupt from the tall, tussocky grass en masse. As one flew up it stuck out like a sore thumb and I watched as it settled and then went in for a few shots – a Marbled White and like most of the butterflies today beautifully fresh looking.
A few Specklies accompanied us as we took the final stretch to the car park and then we said our goodbyes, piled in the car and made for home stopping only once for some Watercress. As we left Broadchalk the heavens opened so our walk was perfectly timed as well as perfectly pleasant!
Metal Meadow Brown
In Garston Wood be hiding
Show-off Marbled White
Ditchling Common 07-06-2020
This year was looking so good back in January. I’d planned trips to Daneways/Collard Hill, Wrecclesham and Chiddingfold, maybe a second trip to Chiddingfold around Emperor time, our holiday destination looked like it was going to be amazing and I was even thinking about biting the bullet and going for my first British Lifer since 2015 in the form of the Black Hairstreak. Then Covid-19 happened, we went into Lockdown; my French holiday was effectively cancelled, Daneways was closed, Collard Hill visits were discouraged, we could only drive short distances for exercise and then driving distances was discouraged…Things were not looking good! Then there was an easing of Lockdown and travel was permitted and more to the point by not making any big trips earlier I’d accrued a sizeable amount of Brownie Points and so I found myself setting out for Ditchling Common at silly o’clock hoping to reach my destination by 8am. The drive wasn’t too bad with selected tunes from Maiden and a large travel mug of coffee to keep me going and so I pulled in just before 8 and only moments after Dave had gotten there.
After collecting all my garb and greeting Dave and Trevor (our guide for the day) we set out to across what felt like a Country Park to the fabled Blackstreak Alley. There were a few butterflies on the wing the best of which was a Green Hairstreak sitting in mixed bed. We carried on arriving at the Alley directly and then we had a little walk around to get a feel for the hotspot. There were a few sections of Blackthorn hedge and I noted the various bramble flowers and nectar spots. After picking up Philzoid we all settled down, socially distanced, to wait for the butterflies to wake up. It was a matter of waiting and watching, staring at the hedge and willing the tiny butterfly to take to the wing or reveal itself.
So we stand and stare…A few Meadow Browns flutter about trying to distract us all and finally just as my neck is starting to seize a tiny dark butterfly appears at the top of the hedge. It jinks its way along the hedge plopping down at the far end. After even more staring at the greenery I manage to relocate it and by stretching my arms out as far as possible and peering through the view finder I have my first images of a Black Hairstreak. It remains here for 5 minutes or so enabling a few people to at least see it and those with the telephoto lens earn the envy of those of us with macros. After this I return to the very short distance to the start of the hotspot. As Dave, Trevor and I are talking a Black Hairstreak just appears in one of the tree tops on our left and then flutters down landing on a stand of Bracken just in front of us. As we watch it ‘hops’ to another stand of Bracken allowing a couple of shots before it flies up high and landing somewhere in the middle of the hedge at the very top.
After this we all split-up and wander round trying to find a few more Blackstreaks. Along the way there are Meadow Browns and Large Skippers a plenty and after completing a circuit round I find myself just round the corner and so on the other side of the hedge from the main Alley. A few of us watch with bated breath as a distant butterfly jinks its way downwards in typical Hairstreak style. As it lands on the Bracken all of our lens, be them camera of binocular, are pointed at the little butterfly like a lepidopteran firing squad. The butterfly doesn’t hang around down on the bracken long, possibly because it can detect the palpable air of disappointment, and it swiftly arises again muttering “I didn’t ask to be Green Hairstreak did I?” to itself as it goes. So it’s back to hedge staring and I end up back where the first one had been seen. Something is moving up high and I can see the now familiar little triangle for a few fleeting seconds before its twists and turns mean that its face on and so it drops off the radar. For some reason I find myself rooted to the spot, willing it to come down from its lofty perch. And so it does but not to the surrounding flowers but just about head height. I call out and others come running and we fan out around it trying for some shots. Its not in a great position and it quite mobile so the stunningly sharp shots that I was hoping for look like being evasive but still I click away. It flutters to another leaf where it is slightly obscured and then another where it’s slightly higher and it looks to be seeking out a suitable spot to lay eggs eventually crawling along a twig upside down and dragging its abdomen along the bark. I don’t care about the leaves in the way, I don’t care that its constantly moving and so getting any sort of shot is down to luck, I’m just enjoying watching a new species. I’m drinking it all in, observing for all I’m worth – trying to work out comparative size, marvelling at how the colours changes from dark brown almost black to a golden grey as the light hits it from different angles, noting the weak fluttery flight when it looks sometimes like it’ll just drop from the sky, noting how hairy it is and the identification features (extended orange band which runs onto the fore wing and the black spots) – it’s a cracking looking little butterfly. Then it sits still perfectly in line with my lens, it’s the perfect Black Hairstreak shot. As I focus I’m chuffed that I’ll get that one shot that’ll I’ll cherish…and then some bloody Johnny come bloody lately bloody bloke bloody well stands right in bloody front of me! Then the butterfly is gone, back up to its refuge in the top of the tree. The perfect shot, my ‘payment’ for patiently waiting for it, ripped away from me…but it’s okay because Johnny Come Lately got his shot! Gnashing teeth I move back to the Hotspot and angrily take a few shots of a Large Skipper – almost wrenching the focus wheel off the lens in my frustration.
I get back to walking the circuit (still stomping slightly) and staring at the hedge even though it’s seeming like all is now lost, my chance missed, I just hoped that one would come down again. But as I walk it feels like this is becoming less and less likely. Two more are seen but both are up high and show no inclination of debasing themselves. They’re just not coming own today. Still even if the butterflies aren’t behaving at least the company is great and we have a good old chinwag in between forays out from the hotspot. As we’re regaling each other with tales Dave Cook appears and tells us that he’s had 6 or 7 and all down low over the course of the morning almost admonishing us for sticking to the Alley. So we set off further into the site which it turns out is actually huge continuing on the other side of the road. As we walk every clump of Bramble is checked by 5 pairs of eyes but apart from one dead one there is still a lack of butterflies. When we cross the road we carry on seeing lots of perfect looking habitat and loads of other butterflies from an ever expanding range of species – H.Commas, Peacocks, Specklies and Small Heaths. There are Large Skippers all over the place and Meadow Browns aplenty but alas no Hairstreaks and so we wend our way back to the Hotspot as my time is running out and it’s on the way to the car.
Once back at the Hotspot I’m rounding up the day, saying goodbyes, making future arrangements and generally stealing myself for the long journey back when I spy two small butterflies at the top of a large Oak. When I focus in and then crop in as much as Impossibly can on my camera I can see that it is a Black Hairstreak and so we all now crick our necks back as much as possible and watch and hope that it decides to descend. Something Hairstreak like does indeed come down but it’s a Greenstreak – possibly the same as earlier in the day and once again it flies off stung by our disappointment. But then the one we’ve been watching does come down. It stops oh so briefly on a Bramble leaf but then does that annoying ‘angling to the sun’ trick before flying off again.
I say my final goodbyes and back to the car chuffed that I’ve seen a few and got something for the Black Hairstreak folder waiting for me to populate on my laptop at home. They weren’t the best views nor shots but next time the pressure will be off and it won’t matter as much so I should be able to get something a little better. It was also great meeting up with Dave, Philzoid and our inimitable guide Trevor for the day!
A massive journey
And butterflies don’t behave
Still get a Blackstreak
OR
Small jinking black blob
Shy little butterfly hides
Fleeting glimpse down low
After collecting all my garb and greeting Dave and Trevor (our guide for the day) we set out to across what felt like a Country Park to the fabled Blackstreak Alley. There were a few butterflies on the wing the best of which was a Green Hairstreak sitting in mixed bed. We carried on arriving at the Alley directly and then we had a little walk around to get a feel for the hotspot. There were a few sections of Blackthorn hedge and I noted the various bramble flowers and nectar spots. After picking up Philzoid we all settled down, socially distanced, to wait for the butterflies to wake up. It was a matter of waiting and watching, staring at the hedge and willing the tiny butterfly to take to the wing or reveal itself.
So we stand and stare…A few Meadow Browns flutter about trying to distract us all and finally just as my neck is starting to seize a tiny dark butterfly appears at the top of the hedge. It jinks its way along the hedge plopping down at the far end. After even more staring at the greenery I manage to relocate it and by stretching my arms out as far as possible and peering through the view finder I have my first images of a Black Hairstreak. It remains here for 5 minutes or so enabling a few people to at least see it and those with the telephoto lens earn the envy of those of us with macros. After this I return to the very short distance to the start of the hotspot. As Dave, Trevor and I are talking a Black Hairstreak just appears in one of the tree tops on our left and then flutters down landing on a stand of Bracken just in front of us. As we watch it ‘hops’ to another stand of Bracken allowing a couple of shots before it flies up high and landing somewhere in the middle of the hedge at the very top.
After this we all split-up and wander round trying to find a few more Blackstreaks. Along the way there are Meadow Browns and Large Skippers a plenty and after completing a circuit round I find myself just round the corner and so on the other side of the hedge from the main Alley. A few of us watch with bated breath as a distant butterfly jinks its way downwards in typical Hairstreak style. As it lands on the Bracken all of our lens, be them camera of binocular, are pointed at the little butterfly like a lepidopteran firing squad. The butterfly doesn’t hang around down on the bracken long, possibly because it can detect the palpable air of disappointment, and it swiftly arises again muttering “I didn’t ask to be Green Hairstreak did I?” to itself as it goes. So it’s back to hedge staring and I end up back where the first one had been seen. Something is moving up high and I can see the now familiar little triangle for a few fleeting seconds before its twists and turns mean that its face on and so it drops off the radar. For some reason I find myself rooted to the spot, willing it to come down from its lofty perch. And so it does but not to the surrounding flowers but just about head height. I call out and others come running and we fan out around it trying for some shots. Its not in a great position and it quite mobile so the stunningly sharp shots that I was hoping for look like being evasive but still I click away. It flutters to another leaf where it is slightly obscured and then another where it’s slightly higher and it looks to be seeking out a suitable spot to lay eggs eventually crawling along a twig upside down and dragging its abdomen along the bark. I don’t care about the leaves in the way, I don’t care that its constantly moving and so getting any sort of shot is down to luck, I’m just enjoying watching a new species. I’m drinking it all in, observing for all I’m worth – trying to work out comparative size, marvelling at how the colours changes from dark brown almost black to a golden grey as the light hits it from different angles, noting the weak fluttery flight when it looks sometimes like it’ll just drop from the sky, noting how hairy it is and the identification features (extended orange band which runs onto the fore wing and the black spots) – it’s a cracking looking little butterfly. Then it sits still perfectly in line with my lens, it’s the perfect Black Hairstreak shot. As I focus I’m chuffed that I’ll get that one shot that’ll I’ll cherish…and then some bloody Johnny come bloody lately bloody bloke bloody well stands right in bloody front of me! Then the butterfly is gone, back up to its refuge in the top of the tree. The perfect shot, my ‘payment’ for patiently waiting for it, ripped away from me…but it’s okay because Johnny Come Lately got his shot! Gnashing teeth I move back to the Hotspot and angrily take a few shots of a Large Skipper – almost wrenching the focus wheel off the lens in my frustration.
I get back to walking the circuit (still stomping slightly) and staring at the hedge even though it’s seeming like all is now lost, my chance missed, I just hoped that one would come down again. But as I walk it feels like this is becoming less and less likely. Two more are seen but both are up high and show no inclination of debasing themselves. They’re just not coming own today. Still even if the butterflies aren’t behaving at least the company is great and we have a good old chinwag in between forays out from the hotspot. As we’re regaling each other with tales Dave Cook appears and tells us that he’s had 6 or 7 and all down low over the course of the morning almost admonishing us for sticking to the Alley. So we set off further into the site which it turns out is actually huge continuing on the other side of the road. As we walk every clump of Bramble is checked by 5 pairs of eyes but apart from one dead one there is still a lack of butterflies. When we cross the road we carry on seeing lots of perfect looking habitat and loads of other butterflies from an ever expanding range of species – H.Commas, Peacocks, Specklies and Small Heaths. There are Large Skippers all over the place and Meadow Browns aplenty but alas no Hairstreaks and so we wend our way back to the Hotspot as my time is running out and it’s on the way to the car.
Once back at the Hotspot I’m rounding up the day, saying goodbyes, making future arrangements and generally stealing myself for the long journey back when I spy two small butterflies at the top of a large Oak. When I focus in and then crop in as much as Impossibly can on my camera I can see that it is a Black Hairstreak and so we all now crick our necks back as much as possible and watch and hope that it decides to descend. Something Hairstreak like does indeed come down but it’s a Greenstreak – possibly the same as earlier in the day and once again it flies off stung by our disappointment. But then the one we’ve been watching does come down. It stops oh so briefly on a Bramble leaf but then does that annoying ‘angling to the sun’ trick before flying off again.
I say my final goodbyes and back to the car chuffed that I’ve seen a few and got something for the Black Hairstreak folder waiting for me to populate on my laptop at home. They weren’t the best views nor shots but next time the pressure will be off and it won’t matter as much so I should be able to get something a little better. It was also great meeting up with Dave, Philzoid and our inimitable guide Trevor for the day!
A massive journey
And butterflies don’t behave
Still get a Blackstreak
OR
Small jinking black blob
Shy little butterfly hides
Fleeting glimpse down low
The Devenish 05-06-2020
My wife fancied a bit of a break and so once the girls and I had finished their school work we quickly packed up some food and headed over to The Devenish for some exercise and our lunch. Through the shaded short woodland path we went and Little L demonstrated her gate climbing prowess whilst I went over the stile and K just opened the gate into the Orchid Meadow. It was looking like an insect paradise with different coloured wildflowers peppering the multi-levelled grasses and Demoiselles danced and Bees buzzed energetically with the odd butterfly adding a little bit of panache and je ne c’est quoi to the ensemble. A Large Skipper welcomed us zipping past to our left, a Brown Argus came next bullying another Large Skipper to our right. As we followed the narrow path that runs diagonally across the meadow from the entrance gate to the other gate which leads to the Down one, two, three, four Meadow Browns each completed a superb Jeté from their hiding place in the grass. Then the danseur arrived on the scene completely outshining all the previous members of the chorus – it was a stunning male Dark Green Fritillary catching the sun perfectly and moving like a finger of fire leaping aflame from one nectar source to another. One each of Small Heath and Small Tortoiseshell and a further Meadow Brown completed the chorus line but all eyes were on the lead. When they first arrive on the scene they’re the three ‘B’s’ – Big, bold and brash.
We carried on mesmerised up the steep steps cut into the chalk and I scanned from left to right along the side of the down as we climbed. As we did a medium sized, greyish butterfly flew quickly past before plopping back down into the grass. It took me a moment to realise that it was my first Marbled White of the year so I carefully stepped off the path and waded through the grass to roughly where it went down. It was almost entwined with various stems but I managed a record shot as it’s always nice to get a shot of the first of the year. A worn Adonis Blue male cut by and a few Small Heath made a fuss as we carried on back up and a female Common Blue successfully played hard to get as we reached the top.
Once up I settled the girls down and checking that they were happy I grabbed a few bits of lunch and carefully climbed back down into the Orchid Meadow munching as I went. Butterflying whilst eating has often yielded good results as the butterflies can sense your slight preoccupation I’m sure and so they are a little more approachable – at least this was what I was hoping for particularly as the DGF might still be about. Once in a strolled about working my way to the other end of the field. The Small Tort had been joined by a mate, the DGF was bombing around like it really was aflame and I turned up a second Brown Argus at the far end holding territory and warding off any Meadow Browns that strayed into its air space. On the walk back a Grizzlie popped up for a bit looking lovely and golden in the sun and a Large White did a cursory fly-by.
I made my way once again up the steep slope but this time it was made easier as I took the diagonal tracks that transect the side of the down on the way seeing a few Meadow Browns and another DGF – although this one didn’t stop. Once I met up with the girls we packed up our things and followed the top path as it wound its way along and through the wood to the swing where the girls once more set to swinging. We had a little explore about in the woods as well critiquing the various shelters that others had made and left but we couldn’t locate the mysterious ‘third swing’. Upon our eventual return to the Car Park, our circular walk complete we set out for one last check of the Orchid Meadow. The Ensemble was bolstered by a fantastic male Common Blue and another Grizzlie had turned up but amid all of these species and the numerous Meadow Browns the DGF still captivated the audience (i.e. me) whilst it completed Arabesques, Plies and Pirouettes around the flower tops. Eventually we had to leave the show closed in the same way it had started with a Large Skipper biding us farewell.
Big and bold and brash
The Dark Green Fritillary
The meadow dancer
We carried on mesmerised up the steep steps cut into the chalk and I scanned from left to right along the side of the down as we climbed. As we did a medium sized, greyish butterfly flew quickly past before plopping back down into the grass. It took me a moment to realise that it was my first Marbled White of the year so I carefully stepped off the path and waded through the grass to roughly where it went down. It was almost entwined with various stems but I managed a record shot as it’s always nice to get a shot of the first of the year. A worn Adonis Blue male cut by and a few Small Heath made a fuss as we carried on back up and a female Common Blue successfully played hard to get as we reached the top.
Once up I settled the girls down and checking that they were happy I grabbed a few bits of lunch and carefully climbed back down into the Orchid Meadow munching as I went. Butterflying whilst eating has often yielded good results as the butterflies can sense your slight preoccupation I’m sure and so they are a little more approachable – at least this was what I was hoping for particularly as the DGF might still be about. Once in a strolled about working my way to the other end of the field. The Small Tort had been joined by a mate, the DGF was bombing around like it really was aflame and I turned up a second Brown Argus at the far end holding territory and warding off any Meadow Browns that strayed into its air space. On the walk back a Grizzlie popped up for a bit looking lovely and golden in the sun and a Large White did a cursory fly-by.
I made my way once again up the steep slope but this time it was made easier as I took the diagonal tracks that transect the side of the down on the way seeing a few Meadow Browns and another DGF – although this one didn’t stop. Once I met up with the girls we packed up our things and followed the top path as it wound its way along and through the wood to the swing where the girls once more set to swinging. We had a little explore about in the woods as well critiquing the various shelters that others had made and left but we couldn’t locate the mysterious ‘third swing’. Upon our eventual return to the Car Park, our circular walk complete we set out for one last check of the Orchid Meadow. The Ensemble was bolstered by a fantastic male Common Blue and another Grizzlie had turned up but amid all of these species and the numerous Meadow Browns the DGF still captivated the audience (i.e. me) whilst it completed Arabesques, Plies and Pirouettes around the flower tops. Eventually we had to leave the show closed in the same way it had started with a Large Skipper biding us farewell.
Big and bold and brash
The Dark Green Fritillary
The meadow dancer
Garston Wood 03-06-2020
This was only a quick trip so that I could check in on my mum and dad. The weather had finally broken and the glorious sun and warm weather had been replaced by something much cooler and wetter – almost to the extent that I was left wondering whether the person that had come up with the phrase “Flaming June” was having a laugh!
Despite the cool and wet though I still carried my camera as we followed our usual route around the Wood. Along the bottom track that runs parallel to the road for a bit before it turns to the right and leads uphill into the centre. At the cross-tracks a few Butterfly Orchids were still just about in bloom – as to whether they’re Greater or Lesser I don’t know but they still seemed in fine fettle. I kept my eyes open as we walked on round to the stopping point for Twayblade but I didn’t see any, most probably because I didn’t venture from the path unlike the last time I’d found some.
On through the butterfly enclosure and there were no butterflies, Orchid or proper but the Spotted Orchids were putting on a good show and in the gloom they really stood out. It was only right at the end as we were walking down the main track, with the car in sight that I finally saw a butterfly – a Meadow Brown looking if anything even more miserable than I felt. Oh well some days are like this and you have to have days like these so that you can really appreciate the cracking days. The effort spent today could eventually be repaid by finding a Clouded Yellow or having a storming day filled with Brostreaks later in the season…Fingers crossed!
Too wet and too cool
More Orchids than butterflies
Hope Karma repays?
Despite the cool and wet though I still carried my camera as we followed our usual route around the Wood. Along the bottom track that runs parallel to the road for a bit before it turns to the right and leads uphill into the centre. At the cross-tracks a few Butterfly Orchids were still just about in bloom – as to whether they’re Greater or Lesser I don’t know but they still seemed in fine fettle. I kept my eyes open as we walked on round to the stopping point for Twayblade but I didn’t see any, most probably because I didn’t venture from the path unlike the last time I’d found some.
On through the butterfly enclosure and there were no butterflies, Orchid or proper but the Spotted Orchids were putting on a good show and in the gloom they really stood out. It was only right at the end as we were walking down the main track, with the car in sight that I finally saw a butterfly – a Meadow Brown looking if anything even more miserable than I felt. Oh well some days are like this and you have to have days like these so that you can really appreciate the cracking days. The effort spent today could eventually be repaid by finding a Clouded Yellow or having a storming day filled with Brostreaks later in the season…Fingers crossed!
Too wet and too cool
More Orchids than butterflies
Hope Karma repays?
Slop Bog 02-06-2020 Part 2
Eventually my meanderings through the moor had brought me back to the patch I’d started at first thing. As is often the way it seems like the best had been left until last as I watched a male approach a female and then bang they were in cop. I settled down into the Heather to try for a few shots but then another male flies in and proceeds to chase them across the Heather tops, when they settle another male joins in the chase and so I wish them luck and leave them to flee whilst still being romantically entangled as it were. However there in front of me were another pair already locked on and in cop – how I’d missed them before I don’t know but now there they were and actually in a better position than the original pairing. As I’m shooting a second male flies in and tries his luck to no avail and luckily for me the pair remain resolute and stay solidly fixed to their stem.
This seemed a fitting end to the visit (perhaps this is why the best is saved until last?) and so I headed home getting in at just gone 10; so perfectly timed to start the working day and carry on straight through lunch. I’d been on site for just shy of 2 hours, seen hundreds of butterflies including males, females, fresh individuals, those in cop, tired and worn ones, a range of variation even had one on my boot but all were of the same species and that was the only species I’d seen all the time I’d been there. A real habitat specialist!
Sapphire shining
Amid the dusty Heather
Silver studs jump out
This seemed a fitting end to the visit (perhaps this is why the best is saved until last?) and so I headed home getting in at just gone 10; so perfectly timed to start the working day and carry on straight through lunch. I’d been on site for just shy of 2 hours, seen hundreds of butterflies including males, females, fresh individuals, those in cop, tired and worn ones, a range of variation even had one on my boot but all were of the same species and that was the only species I’d seen all the time I’d been there. A real habitat specialist!
Sapphire shining
Amid the dusty Heather
Silver studs jump out
Slop Bog 02-06-2020 Part 1
The Season was in full throttle and things were progressing very nicely. I felt the calling back home again, I’d already ‘done’ Lulworth so I knew that it was time to visit the amazingly named Slop Bog! The only trouble was that I was back to ‘working from home’ so I would have to be flexible in terms of hours. Luckily the weather aided and abetted me as it was going to be hot – mid to high twenties which would see the Silver Studs motoring around like loons – so I reckoned an early start or an evening visit would make for the easiest photography and I could capture their images in the golden glow at the start or end of the day.
So I managed to get on site by 7:30 and as I strolled along the boardwalk I strained my eyes across the tops of the Purple Moor Grass the occasional tuft of Cotton Grass looking like someone had littered looking for little blue flashes that would inevitably turn into Silver Studs. No such luck but whilst I was being vigilant for the butterflies I was being ‘vigilised’ by the local security – in this case a Fox which watched my progress along the boardwalk and through the gate. Satisfied that I’d kept to the path it was gone. Normally I feel a difference under foot as I step down off of the hard timber boardwalk onto the soft, almost spongy, humus poor soil but not today. The dearth of rain means that this is now less Slop Bog and more ‘Slop A Little Bit Damp In Places’ and I move from a hard timber floor to a hard, compacted soil floor. Nevertheless I scan across the first bit of Heathland and straight away I’m counting double figures of male Silver Studs. I feel a quiet satisfaction that this bit of heath – Silver Studded Heath – is still living up to its name and start following the tiny trackways between the bulging tussocks and tumbling stacks of older heather.
The males even this early in the morning are proving difficult to keep track of as they alternate between basking and flying around within a fraction of a second as I focus in, position myself or even get within 2 metres of them. Still I manage to catch a few males out by standing still and pretending to be a tree. After a few minutes there are blues all around me and I can reach in and get a few shots. This technique seems to work- the only danger is staying still for too long makes me a Tick magnet so between finding a good spot to settle down and wait I spend a fair amount of time brushing my legs or flicking the little gits away into the Heather.
So far it had been all males as to be expected during the first part of their flight so I set out to try and find a few females. I therefore stopped being a tree and started wandering the trackways through the heather and that’s when I twigged what was wrong with the scene before me. Usually it’s a sea of mauve, pinks and white but today there were the odd purple bells scattered about but the main colour of the heather was a greyish brown. It seems that the maritime climate hadn’t protected the heather from the late frosts as I had hoped and they had succumbed, the delicate florets lost, bitten by the frost. I carried on through this depressing landscape which I normally find so joyous to revisit and a singing Tree Pipit does his best to cheer me up. He succeeds and I carry on my quest hoping that the butterflies will emerge and just get on with ensuring the next generation rather than worrying about nectar too much and/or that they can last until the replacement flowers bloom.
By now I’m deep in the Heath, well half way in which isn’t really that far as this is a tiny ribbon like site and I’m starting to see the odd female. The ratio is still quite drastic at about 1 female for every 20 males but surprisingly when I find the females they’re slightly apart from the groups of males. In fact the butterflies seem to be clustered together in disparate little groups, scattered among the Heather. Had I arrived a bit too early and they were only just dispersing from their communal roosts? Perhaps not as now instead of being a tree I could just march through the Heather to one cluster, take a load of photos before they got too warmed up or worked out what I was and then move onto the next cluster. In doing so I was delighted by the subtle variation natural selection would have to work with all cooked up by sexual reproduction. In some males on their hind wing they had bands of colour – white fringes, blue/black and then the royal blue of their ground colour, one end of the spectrum. Others had the same combination of colours but the blue/black cut into the royal blue in a series of scallops (the middle) whilst others at the far end of the spectrum had the white fringe, blue/black band but there were distinct spots akin to those seen on other blues. Brilliant!
After dallying here for some time and finding a few females and trying to get that oily sheen I also stumble (in this uneven terrain this isn’t purely metaphorical) across a male that has only recently emerged. He’d managed to climb to the top of a strand of Purple Moor Grass and his wings were almost fully inflated and dried, with only a slight curve around the base of the hind wings. As I watched an ant climbed up the grass stem and set about the butterfly. It was swiftly joined by a second and then a third and they crawled over the butterfly, clambering over the wings. At first I thought that they were ‘tending’ to it but then I thought that they could be attacking to it as they seemed to have clamped their mandibles on at times?
So I managed to get on site by 7:30 and as I strolled along the boardwalk I strained my eyes across the tops of the Purple Moor Grass the occasional tuft of Cotton Grass looking like someone had littered looking for little blue flashes that would inevitably turn into Silver Studs. No such luck but whilst I was being vigilant for the butterflies I was being ‘vigilised’ by the local security – in this case a Fox which watched my progress along the boardwalk and through the gate. Satisfied that I’d kept to the path it was gone. Normally I feel a difference under foot as I step down off of the hard timber boardwalk onto the soft, almost spongy, humus poor soil but not today. The dearth of rain means that this is now less Slop Bog and more ‘Slop A Little Bit Damp In Places’ and I move from a hard timber floor to a hard, compacted soil floor. Nevertheless I scan across the first bit of Heathland and straight away I’m counting double figures of male Silver Studs. I feel a quiet satisfaction that this bit of heath – Silver Studded Heath – is still living up to its name and start following the tiny trackways between the bulging tussocks and tumbling stacks of older heather.
The males even this early in the morning are proving difficult to keep track of as they alternate between basking and flying around within a fraction of a second as I focus in, position myself or even get within 2 metres of them. Still I manage to catch a few males out by standing still and pretending to be a tree. After a few minutes there are blues all around me and I can reach in and get a few shots. This technique seems to work- the only danger is staying still for too long makes me a Tick magnet so between finding a good spot to settle down and wait I spend a fair amount of time brushing my legs or flicking the little gits away into the Heather.
So far it had been all males as to be expected during the first part of their flight so I set out to try and find a few females. I therefore stopped being a tree and started wandering the trackways through the heather and that’s when I twigged what was wrong with the scene before me. Usually it’s a sea of mauve, pinks and white but today there were the odd purple bells scattered about but the main colour of the heather was a greyish brown. It seems that the maritime climate hadn’t protected the heather from the late frosts as I had hoped and they had succumbed, the delicate florets lost, bitten by the frost. I carried on through this depressing landscape which I normally find so joyous to revisit and a singing Tree Pipit does his best to cheer me up. He succeeds and I carry on my quest hoping that the butterflies will emerge and just get on with ensuring the next generation rather than worrying about nectar too much and/or that they can last until the replacement flowers bloom.
By now I’m deep in the Heath, well half way in which isn’t really that far as this is a tiny ribbon like site and I’m starting to see the odd female. The ratio is still quite drastic at about 1 female for every 20 males but surprisingly when I find the females they’re slightly apart from the groups of males. In fact the butterflies seem to be clustered together in disparate little groups, scattered among the Heather. Had I arrived a bit too early and they were only just dispersing from their communal roosts? Perhaps not as now instead of being a tree I could just march through the Heather to one cluster, take a load of photos before they got too warmed up or worked out what I was and then move onto the next cluster. In doing so I was delighted by the subtle variation natural selection would have to work with all cooked up by sexual reproduction. In some males on their hind wing they had bands of colour – white fringes, blue/black and then the royal blue of their ground colour, one end of the spectrum. Others had the same combination of colours but the blue/black cut into the royal blue in a series of scallops (the middle) whilst others at the far end of the spectrum had the white fringe, blue/black band but there were distinct spots akin to those seen on other blues. Brilliant!
After dallying here for some time and finding a few females and trying to get that oily sheen I also stumble (in this uneven terrain this isn’t purely metaphorical) across a male that has only recently emerged. He’d managed to climb to the top of a strand of Purple Moor Grass and his wings were almost fully inflated and dried, with only a slight curve around the base of the hind wings. As I watched an ant climbed up the grass stem and set about the butterfly. It was swiftly joined by a second and then a third and they crawled over the butterfly, clambering over the wings. At first I thought that they were ‘tending’ to it but then I thought that they could be attacking to it as they seemed to have clamped their mandibles on at times?