Work 04-11-2020
I thought that the season had ended for me back in October, I thought that the surprise Specklie at The Devenish was it. So I’d left my camera at home, memory card cleaned up, lens polished and all wrapped up snuggly in hibernation awaiting the new season.
So as I walked across the Quad towards the Staff Room at the end of the day the air was momentarily turned blue (I did check for any errant pupils before I let rip) when a Red Admiral drifted past and landed on the wall ahead of me. It sat there wings open as wide as possible doing its best to soak up as much sun as possible gloating at me as I was without camera. It’s gloating was short lived however as I pulled my iPod from my pocket, thumbed it awake and got as close as I possibly could before tapping down on the screen and bagging a couple of shots. I then backed up leaving the butterfly in the same position but looking a lot less smug as it hadn’t gotten the better of me after all!
When I got home and managed to draw on enough technical nous to get the image from my iPod to me laptop and from there through Picasa and I was quite pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Definitely worth remembering that I have my iPod can serve as a back-up in future.
Surprise last sighting
A Red Admiral basking
Phew! Got my iPod!
So as I walked across the Quad towards the Staff Room at the end of the day the air was momentarily turned blue (I did check for any errant pupils before I let rip) when a Red Admiral drifted past and landed on the wall ahead of me. It sat there wings open as wide as possible doing its best to soak up as much sun as possible gloating at me as I was without camera. It’s gloating was short lived however as I pulled my iPod from my pocket, thumbed it awake and got as close as I possibly could before tapping down on the screen and bagging a couple of shots. I then backed up leaving the butterfly in the same position but looking a lot less smug as it hadn’t gotten the better of me after all!
When I got home and managed to draw on enough technical nous to get the image from my iPod to me laptop and from there through Picasa and I was quite pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Definitely worth remembering that I have my iPod can serve as a back-up in future.
Surprise last sighting
A Red Admiral basking
Phew! Got my iPod!
Avon Beach 28-10-2020
I’d seen on various reports that there were still some butterflies about, generally hanging around along the coast plus a few years back I’d found both Small Copper and Clouded Yellow over at Southbourne on a slightly cooler day than what we’d experienced previously so when my wife said that she wanted some fresh air and exercise I suggested that we visited Avon Beach. The forecast looked reasonable – warm and cloudy with the occasional break and only a low percentage chance of a rain shower…Oh what a gullible fool I am!
When we turned up and I’d gotten over the massive hike in the price of parking we set off in what is probably best described as mizzle. My hopes of a butterfly diminished with each step as the mizzle seemed to incrementally increase so instead I turned my attention to the local bird life. The breeze kept most of the passing birds further out over the waters so I wasn’t able to capture any Cormorants or Oystercatchers nor any of the gulls. On the strand line the Pied Wagtails were very wary as were the Rock Pipits but a trip of Turnstone sat nicely atop a groyne while the waves crashed in and they awaited the retreat of the tide. I quickly pulled my camera out from under my coat, took a few shots and then tucked it back in lest any salt water or rain could get in.
The mizzle soon became drizzle and once we were at the point where we’d have gotten soaked anyway if we’d turned back it the drizzle became a steady light rain. It wasn’t a shower but consistent and it was a little like walking through a wall of water. Luckily we’d just purchased a new waterproof rucsac and waterproof mat so we didn’t get wet bums when we paused to make a brew. Warmed and refreshed we started back and following the Law of Sod this was when the sun started to eat away at the clouds in the distance. Unfortunately we needed to get back and so we left the thin dunes and undercliff vegetation and started back towards the sunshine. The cloud still blocked out the sun on our return journey and so my camera spent most of the it safely tucked away under my jacket right until the very end when a Great Black Backed Gull gazed down imperiously from on high. I felt sure that he was sizing me up and luckily I was a little too large for him to attack though who could of blamed him if he’d swooped down and carried off some the yappy dogs that were running amok and making a terrible racket around me?
Turnstones turned to stone
Great gull gazing greedily
No butterflies though
When we turned up and I’d gotten over the massive hike in the price of parking we set off in what is probably best described as mizzle. My hopes of a butterfly diminished with each step as the mizzle seemed to incrementally increase so instead I turned my attention to the local bird life. The breeze kept most of the passing birds further out over the waters so I wasn’t able to capture any Cormorants or Oystercatchers nor any of the gulls. On the strand line the Pied Wagtails were very wary as were the Rock Pipits but a trip of Turnstone sat nicely atop a groyne while the waves crashed in and they awaited the retreat of the tide. I quickly pulled my camera out from under my coat, took a few shots and then tucked it back in lest any salt water or rain could get in.
The mizzle soon became drizzle and once we were at the point where we’d have gotten soaked anyway if we’d turned back it the drizzle became a steady light rain. It wasn’t a shower but consistent and it was a little like walking through a wall of water. Luckily we’d just purchased a new waterproof rucsac and waterproof mat so we didn’t get wet bums when we paused to make a brew. Warmed and refreshed we started back and following the Law of Sod this was when the sun started to eat away at the clouds in the distance. Unfortunately we needed to get back and so we left the thin dunes and undercliff vegetation and started back towards the sunshine. The cloud still blocked out the sun on our return journey and so my camera spent most of the it safely tucked away under my jacket right until the very end when a Great Black Backed Gull gazed down imperiously from on high. I felt sure that he was sizing me up and luckily I was a little too large for him to attack though who could of blamed him if he’d swooped down and carried off some the yappy dogs that were running amok and making a terrible racket around me?
Turnstones turned to stone
Great gull gazing greedily
No butterflies though
The Devenish 25-10-2020
I recall that a few years previously on this date I took a trip to The Devenish and whilst wearing shorts and t-shirt picked up shots of several individuals from about 5 or 6 different species. Not so today. Autumn hit early in 2020 and when my wife had suggested a walk I’d packed my camera more out of habit than in any great hope of finding a butterfly.
As we strolled along the little path up to the gate to the Orchid Meadow the cool breeze pulled at the leaves denuding the trees and the little slithers of red and gold danced to the ground like sparks from a bonfire flying in reverse. In the Orchid Meadow a few late blooms lingered punctuating the patchwork of decaying leaves and grasses. As we approached the gate up to the tunnel path so as to make for the Down top I spotted a leaf that didn’t look right. It didn’t fall and was moving at the wrong angle compared to the other leaves that were being jollied along by the breeze. I cautiously approached where it had eventually come to ground, took a couple of record shots and then, in an even more unleaf-like way it took off – it was a Specklie. I stood still and watched it as it bumbled willing it to go down which it subsequently did. And so I shuffled up to it and then dropped to me knees so I could get in a bit closer.
Chuffed I re-joined my wife and we carried on up the very steep side of the Down from whence we stared down across the Woodfords. The Valley hadn’t yet been transformed by the process of abscission and so was like a Bob Ross palette with Indian Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Cad Yellow and Sap Green.
There were no more butterflies seen on the rest of the walk and to be honest I felt quite lucky to have seen the late, late Specklie. The season is definitely on its last legs now…
Bob Ross's palette
And a late showing Specklie
As the season wanes
As we strolled along the little path up to the gate to the Orchid Meadow the cool breeze pulled at the leaves denuding the trees and the little slithers of red and gold danced to the ground like sparks from a bonfire flying in reverse. In the Orchid Meadow a few late blooms lingered punctuating the patchwork of decaying leaves and grasses. As we approached the gate up to the tunnel path so as to make for the Down top I spotted a leaf that didn’t look right. It didn’t fall and was moving at the wrong angle compared to the other leaves that were being jollied along by the breeze. I cautiously approached where it had eventually come to ground, took a couple of record shots and then, in an even more unleaf-like way it took off – it was a Specklie. I stood still and watched it as it bumbled willing it to go down which it subsequently did. And so I shuffled up to it and then dropped to me knees so I could get in a bit closer.
Chuffed I re-joined my wife and we carried on up the very steep side of the Down from whence we stared down across the Woodfords. The Valley hadn’t yet been transformed by the process of abscission and so was like a Bob Ross palette with Indian Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, Cad Yellow and Sap Green.
There were no more butterflies seen on the rest of the walk and to be honest I felt quite lucky to have seen the late, late Specklie. The season is definitely on its last legs now…
Bob Ross's palette
And a late showing Specklie
As the season wanes
Blashford Lake 23-10-2020
So with the season of mellow fruitfulness well underway we headed over to Blashford. We had wanted to take some exercise but the very real prospect of rain meant that a trip here would mean that we could take advantage of the shelter of the hides whilst still being able to partake our exercise. It hoped that it would mean that I would be able to get a few shots of some birds on the feeders as well so I carefully packed m camera into my dry bag.
The forecast rain arrived almost as soon as we’d left the car and so we made to head for the hides. However what with Co-vid still hanging around in the background and building a couple of the (socially distanced) wardens informed us that the hides were closed. Luckily a new addition to the visitor centre meant that we could have our lunch undercover before we set to traipsing around the tracks. After our repast the rain ceased and the sun started to eat away at the cloud so as we set off my spirits rose and my hopes ascended…might I find a Red Admiral or Specklie in the sheltered woodland? However it wasn’t to be and the walk turned out to be the quietest that I’d ever experienced. The bird list was paltry – only a few Mallard and a Grey Heron were visible on one of the lakes and there were zero butterflies. The only consolation were several of the fungi. The first was as large as a dinner plate, very light pink in colour and formed a magnificent bowl. Slightly later in the walk it was the Fly Agarics that set the woods alight with their glorious polka dot pattern.
The forecast rain arrived almost as soon as we’d left the car and so we made to head for the hides. However what with Co-vid still hanging around in the background and building a couple of the (socially distanced) wardens informed us that the hides were closed. Luckily a new addition to the visitor centre meant that we could have our lunch undercover before we set to traipsing around the tracks. After our repast the rain ceased and the sun started to eat away at the cloud so as we set off my spirits rose and my hopes ascended…might I find a Red Admiral or Specklie in the sheltered woodland? However it wasn’t to be and the walk turned out to be the quietest that I’d ever experienced. The bird list was paltry – only a few Mallard and a Grey Heron were visible on one of the lakes and there were zero butterflies. The only consolation were several of the fungi. The first was as large as a dinner plate, very light pink in colour and formed a magnificent bowl. Slightly later in the walk it was the Fly Agarics that set the woods alight with their glorious polka dot pattern.
Five Rivers 22-10-2020
This was possibly going to be my final trip to this site in 2020. I suppose for the sake of narrative I should really have gone to Middle Street – for the final trip to where it all began. But I wanted to see if a hunch would come off…Over the last few years I’ve found some late Red Admirals at this site and they’ve generally been in the same place. About half way along the River Path amid the treeline which follows the contours of the River there’s a break where one of the large, older trees tumbled. Climbing over the prone and decaying trunk and all around are Brambles, Ivy and Nettles. It’s here that I’ve found late Red Admirals in successive years. I’ve noticed that certain species turn up year after year in the same spots; Clouded Yellows behind the Greenstreak Field and Marshies in the ‘Bowl’ at Martin Down, Peacocks and Small Torts at the dried up pond at Middle Street etc. So I reckoned it could be for Red Admirals and this particular bed of Nettles. Hence as soon as I arrived and the car was safely abandoned, I made my way there directly.
Sure enough as I crunched along the gravel path I spied a Red Admiral as it took off from its sentry point atop a tall stand of Bramble. It flew out and around in ever decreasing circles before eventually dropping back down near to where it had started from. I spent a bit of time here watching its antics. Occasionally it would land on some carefully selected leaves down on the deck or on the path itself. As other walkers, dogs or both disturbed it up it would go into the air again flying up high, complete a few circuits and then drop back down to its perch. Once or twice it also took off without being disturbed to attack what I guess it thought was a rival for its airspace but which in fact was just a falling leaf.
After a while I carried on and around to see if there were any other butterflies still knocking about. In previous years we’ve had something of an Indian Summer and I’ve managed to notch up 5-6 species but this year Autumn has hit early. In fact there were even some Autumnal twangs as early as August so I guess I’d been warned of the rapid turning of the season. In the East of the country things would still have been ticking over but here in this part of the world things generally start a little later and finish a little earlier…Hence it was no surprise that I only managed one Dragonfly and zero butterflies during my sojourn round the reserve. A Sparrowhawk wheeling through the sky was a nice fleeting image but all too soon I was back at the Nettle Bed. As I was there and so was the Red Admiral I thought it would be rude to ignore it so once again I set about watching and photographing it.
I have a feeling from now on the avifauna may be more prominent in my postings than the butterflies…
Gut feeling plays out
With (Red) Admiral Solo
Last Five Rivers trip…(in 2020 anyway)
Sure enough as I crunched along the gravel path I spied a Red Admiral as it took off from its sentry point atop a tall stand of Bramble. It flew out and around in ever decreasing circles before eventually dropping back down near to where it had started from. I spent a bit of time here watching its antics. Occasionally it would land on some carefully selected leaves down on the deck or on the path itself. As other walkers, dogs or both disturbed it up it would go into the air again flying up high, complete a few circuits and then drop back down to its perch. Once or twice it also took off without being disturbed to attack what I guess it thought was a rival for its airspace but which in fact was just a falling leaf.
After a while I carried on and around to see if there were any other butterflies still knocking about. In previous years we’ve had something of an Indian Summer and I’ve managed to notch up 5-6 species but this year Autumn has hit early. In fact there were even some Autumnal twangs as early as August so I guess I’d been warned of the rapid turning of the season. In the East of the country things would still have been ticking over but here in this part of the world things generally start a little later and finish a little earlier…Hence it was no surprise that I only managed one Dragonfly and zero butterflies during my sojourn round the reserve. A Sparrowhawk wheeling through the sky was a nice fleeting image but all too soon I was back at the Nettle Bed. As I was there and so was the Red Admiral I thought it would be rude to ignore it so once again I set about watching and photographing it.
I have a feeling from now on the avifauna may be more prominent in my postings than the butterflies…
Gut feeling plays out
With (Red) Admiral Solo
Last Five Rivers trip…(in 2020 anyway)
The Devenish 11-10-2020
This was a trip made to just get out and enjoy being outdoors. The cloud was lifting, the drizzle ceasing and with it my hopes of nabbing a butterfly or two rose. Across the Orchid Meadow there was nothing. Up the side of the Down again zilch. Along the top through the Hanging Beech wood still nowt – not a single late Blue, White nor Specklie for me! Round through the wood we went and still the was a dearth pf butterflies. My hopes seemed dashed and my neck had gotten sore from carrying my camera for nothing.
Then Lady Luck or possibly Fate Himself stepped in…While the girls enjoyed the rope swings and climbing the trees and my wife enjoyed the Autumnal sun I nipped down the side of the Middle Down and got to check out the Ivy tree in the Paddock. With some trepidation I approached remembering the Hornets’ nest in the base of the tree but it seemed that this year it had been left vacant and so I was able to get close up. This proved to be a good thing for as I cast my eyes over the rich and dark greenery a few odd things didn’t fit in with the background. There were three greyish triangles which boasted a mottling of white and blue with a hint of red. As well as these there was a fourth triangle and this one was russet colour – three Red Admirals and a Comma in other parlance.
One Red Admiral was right at the top of the tree whilst the second and the Comma were about half way up but still just out of reach for anything decent. I tried for a few record shots and then turned my attention to Red Admiral number three which was blimbling around on the lower leaves between head and hip height. Happy to have something to show for the afternoons exercise I clambered up the hill and rejoined the family.
A trip made in hope
But diminishing returns
Still find a couple! (Actually more!)
Then Lady Luck or possibly Fate Himself stepped in…While the girls enjoyed the rope swings and climbing the trees and my wife enjoyed the Autumnal sun I nipped down the side of the Middle Down and got to check out the Ivy tree in the Paddock. With some trepidation I approached remembering the Hornets’ nest in the base of the tree but it seemed that this year it had been left vacant and so I was able to get close up. This proved to be a good thing for as I cast my eyes over the rich and dark greenery a few odd things didn’t fit in with the background. There were three greyish triangles which boasted a mottling of white and blue with a hint of red. As well as these there was a fourth triangle and this one was russet colour – three Red Admirals and a Comma in other parlance.
One Red Admiral was right at the top of the tree whilst the second and the Comma were about half way up but still just out of reach for anything decent. I tried for a few record shots and then turned my attention to Red Admiral number three which was blimbling around on the lower leaves between head and hip height. Happy to have something to show for the afternoons exercise I clambered up the hill and rejoined the family.
A trip made in hope
But diminishing returns
Still find a couple! (Actually more!)
