Work 28-03-2022
As the Small Torts were starting to wan I decided to check out paths less well trodden and so instead of turning off left through the gate to continue onwards staring into gardens in the estate I clung to the school boundary making for the back path. All had been quiet as I walked and reached about half way the hedge/fence when all of a sudden a tiny, vivid blue butterfly took off from ahead of me and flew rapidly towards me. It was my first Holly blue of the year and totally unexpected here. I watched and whispered the mantra “land…land…land” it as it flew weakly against the breeze. It appeared that somehow I’d gained the ‘ken o’ the mysterious Millerd’ for the butterfly gave up battling the bluster and plopped down. I started dancing the ‘click-step’ until I was within range and the butterfly was even better behaved as it started to open up. I left it on the branch and as I walked on down the fence/hedge I wondered if it would end up in the large Holly trees that were dotted along the top of the field?
As I approached the far corner of the field a Small Tort put in an appearance and then I dove down the Back path which was very quiet. In fact I didn’t see another butterfly until I’d reached the PPP. I felt like I was being taught how to countdown as there were 3 Small Torts, then 2 and finally at the end there was a singleton. Gone were the heady days of double digit counts but I pressed on and recounted on the trip back. Starting with the one at the end there were another 2 near the PPP and a brace in one of the neighbouring gardens. And with that it all went quiet despite looking into every garden on the return leg.
So endeth this particular transect for this season. After a short hiatus because of Mocks and the official exam season it’ll be back to checking the Pits and the far hedge for golden skippers and the various Browns…I can’t wait!
Next to no Small Torts
So ends the back path vigils
Only ‘til next year…
As I approached the far corner of the field a Small Tort put in an appearance and then I dove down the Back path which was very quiet. In fact I didn’t see another butterfly until I’d reached the PPP. I felt like I was being taught how to countdown as there were 3 Small Torts, then 2 and finally at the end there was a singleton. Gone were the heady days of double digit counts but I pressed on and recounted on the trip back. Starting with the one at the end there were another 2 near the PPP and a brace in one of the neighbouring gardens. And with that it all went quiet despite looking into every garden on the return leg.
So endeth this particular transect for this season. After a short hiatus because of Mocks and the official exam season it’ll be back to checking the Pits and the far hedge for golden skippers and the various Browns…I can’t wait!
Next to no Small Torts
So ends the back path vigils
Only ‘til next year…
Middle Street 27-03-2022
After finding my first Specklies at Five Rivers the day before I wondered if they were also out at Middle Street. There was only one way to find out and so off I trotted through the park, across the wooden bridge, along the Town Path and round past the Mill…When I stepped on site I immediately headed down the back path which is quickly becoming impassable but on the tops of the more erect flowers I spotted first a Peacock and then a Small Tort. At the Scallop/Wood Pile there was a second Small Tort so things were going well…a couple of butterflies means that I have another post to write up.
I carried on round to the Hotspot where a Comma was sitting down in the dried-up pond playing hard to get. It would wait for me to get within focusing distance before taking to the air and flying away from my before veering sharply back and flying straight at me. Whilst I was trying to turn my head round quickly enough to keep it within view it would pull a sneaky twist and veer and momentarily disappear. After a moment or two it would reappear and settle back down an equidistance away from me. Only to then repeat the whole performance ad infinitum I expect if I’d let it! Instead I climbed back out and notched up another two Small Torts as they did strafing runs across the small field at the Hotspot.
After this I followed the River Path around adding a further 2 or 3 Small Torts before making my way into a surprisingly quiet Dip 1 which only had a Small Tort and that was right on the far side and dangerously close to being in Dip 2’s jurisdiction. Finding the Small Tort had brought me to the river side of Dip 1 and so as I entered Dip 2 the river was behind me which confused the local residents. The brace of Peacocks that seem to have set up camp here were very put out by my change in schedule/routine and huffed and puffed about in the Dip making photography difficult. Dip 3 was bare and at the End there were two Peacocks and a Small Tort all squabbling over the little hollow where two tracks intersected.
I now made my way back to both retrace my steps and recount the butterflies but not before admiring a few of the Beeflies along the way. The recount started with a Small Tort and then I relocated the two Peacocks and the Small Tort still arguing over sunbathing spots in the little hollow. It seemed that the second Peacock had nipped off with the first Peacocks towel and while it was throwing it in the pool the Small Tort had nipped in and nicked its spot! Just over the intersecting path I found another 2 Small Torts which I don’t think I’d encountered earlier; I’d missed them by entering Dip 2 by the back door. This had obviously upset the resident Peacocks more than I’d realised as when re-entered they were nowhere to be seen, instead they’d been replaced by a Small Tort and a Comma. A Brimstone appeared from across the river and was soon joined by a second but all I could do was watch them tease me; flying more and more slowly and then circling a particular spot, sensing my anticipation and then nipping off to another mass of flowers. In Dip 1 there were three of the little blighters all tormenting me in a similar vain and even the two Small Torts started misbehaving, egged on by the Brimstones I presume. The final part of my check saw me back at the dried-up pond where the Comma (I assume it was the same one) was still holding court to no-one in the middle.
I was just about to walk through the gate and start for home when I found my feet steering me right instead of left so I walked down the road towards the corner of Upper and Middle Street. As I strolled alongside the stream which would eventually feed into the river down at the Old Mill I cast my eyes over the vegetation cascading down the bank and a ginger something popped out from amid the green. As I trailed one leg gingerly down the steep side of the bank so that I could lean in closer I saw that there were in fact two Comma, sitting peacefully about 15cm apart. After successfully getting my shots and without falling in I carried on and a Brimstone shot past – I don’t know when I’ll actually be able to get a shot of this species this year – they really are playing hard to get. When I first arrived there were a pair of Peacocks and another fly-by Brimstone. The Peacocks were spooked by some passers-by so I walked a little way down the track that leads into the woods and Old Meadows Walk and there were three Small Torts playing in the sun. I could have stayed a lot longer just watching their antics but now is not the time to tarry, now is the time to get back early and so accrue the Brownie Points. Hence I started back. As I was in ‘head down and get home’ mode there wasn’t much barring a Peacock in one of the gardens at Harcourt and before that a grab shot (so the best for the year so far) of a Brimstone in the Border Garden. So in answer to the original question to myself – no the Specklies weren’t out at yet Middle Street but after a great afternoon this really didn’t matter.
Back at Middle Street
The Vanessids still hold sway
Specklies not welcome?
I carried on round to the Hotspot where a Comma was sitting down in the dried-up pond playing hard to get. It would wait for me to get within focusing distance before taking to the air and flying away from my before veering sharply back and flying straight at me. Whilst I was trying to turn my head round quickly enough to keep it within view it would pull a sneaky twist and veer and momentarily disappear. After a moment or two it would reappear and settle back down an equidistance away from me. Only to then repeat the whole performance ad infinitum I expect if I’d let it! Instead I climbed back out and notched up another two Small Torts as they did strafing runs across the small field at the Hotspot.
After this I followed the River Path around adding a further 2 or 3 Small Torts before making my way into a surprisingly quiet Dip 1 which only had a Small Tort and that was right on the far side and dangerously close to being in Dip 2’s jurisdiction. Finding the Small Tort had brought me to the river side of Dip 1 and so as I entered Dip 2 the river was behind me which confused the local residents. The brace of Peacocks that seem to have set up camp here were very put out by my change in schedule/routine and huffed and puffed about in the Dip making photography difficult. Dip 3 was bare and at the End there were two Peacocks and a Small Tort all squabbling over the little hollow where two tracks intersected.
I now made my way back to both retrace my steps and recount the butterflies but not before admiring a few of the Beeflies along the way. The recount started with a Small Tort and then I relocated the two Peacocks and the Small Tort still arguing over sunbathing spots in the little hollow. It seemed that the second Peacock had nipped off with the first Peacocks towel and while it was throwing it in the pool the Small Tort had nipped in and nicked its spot! Just over the intersecting path I found another 2 Small Torts which I don’t think I’d encountered earlier; I’d missed them by entering Dip 2 by the back door. This had obviously upset the resident Peacocks more than I’d realised as when re-entered they were nowhere to be seen, instead they’d been replaced by a Small Tort and a Comma. A Brimstone appeared from across the river and was soon joined by a second but all I could do was watch them tease me; flying more and more slowly and then circling a particular spot, sensing my anticipation and then nipping off to another mass of flowers. In Dip 1 there were three of the little blighters all tormenting me in a similar vain and even the two Small Torts started misbehaving, egged on by the Brimstones I presume. The final part of my check saw me back at the dried-up pond where the Comma (I assume it was the same one) was still holding court to no-one in the middle.
I was just about to walk through the gate and start for home when I found my feet steering me right instead of left so I walked down the road towards the corner of Upper and Middle Street. As I strolled alongside the stream which would eventually feed into the river down at the Old Mill I cast my eyes over the vegetation cascading down the bank and a ginger something popped out from amid the green. As I trailed one leg gingerly down the steep side of the bank so that I could lean in closer I saw that there were in fact two Comma, sitting peacefully about 15cm apart. After successfully getting my shots and without falling in I carried on and a Brimstone shot past – I don’t know when I’ll actually be able to get a shot of this species this year – they really are playing hard to get. When I first arrived there were a pair of Peacocks and another fly-by Brimstone. The Peacocks were spooked by some passers-by so I walked a little way down the track that leads into the woods and Old Meadows Walk and there were three Small Torts playing in the sun. I could have stayed a lot longer just watching their antics but now is not the time to tarry, now is the time to get back early and so accrue the Brownie Points. Hence I started back. As I was in ‘head down and get home’ mode there wasn’t much barring a Peacock in one of the gardens at Harcourt and before that a grab shot (so the best for the year so far) of a Brimstone in the Border Garden. So in answer to the original question to myself – no the Specklies weren’t out at yet Middle Street but after a great afternoon this really didn’t matter.
Back at Middle Street
The Vanessids still hold sway
Specklies not welcome?
Five Rivers 26-03-2022
With all the chores completed and a hefty chunk of the marking done there nothing else for it but to grab my camera and take a walk over to Five Rivers to see how things were shaping up. I had high hopes of maybe catching up with another Small White and maybe picking up my first Specklie so as I strolled along the riverside path I was extra vigilant. There were the odd moments when I thought that I’d struck it lucky as one of the old leaves from last year finally succumbed and drifted down due to the inevitable attraction of gravity but I didn’t see an actual butterfly until I reached the Glades when a Brimstone shot by in a hurry to get who know where to do who knows what? When I reached the large Bramble bush there was one of my target species waiting for me, it had almost rolled out the red carpet or so it felt like. A beautiful fresh Specklie with just the tiniest of nicks in the fringe. After weeks of bright and vivid butterflies it was nice to see something more modest, more subtle and less in your face and so I was more chuffed with the humble little Specklie than I’d thought possible. Shortly it was interrupted by a brash show-off Comma and the Specklie nipped off into the foliage leaving me with its more ‘in yer face’ cousin.
On the bank by Comma Corner a Small Tort sat forlornly on the bits and bobs that had previously been a marvellous collection of bramble and briar with plenty of nectar, a huge selection of handy hibernation nooks and crannies and a nice line in basking spots. At the Corner itself a Peacock and a Comma battled it out for the prime basking spot on the little track that runs into the spinney. Another similar couple were to be found in the scallop behind Comma Corner. Having got some shots on the memory card I carried on my wanderings back down the small slope and onto the track along the Banks and I started counting in earnest.
I worked along the first part of the Banks noting a Brimstone and a Small White both of which were added to the note book only and not the memory card. Slightly further on, just round the Hawthorn which seems to be migrating away from the line of trees and it opens out a little a Peacock and a Comma were holding their respective territories and occasionally winding the other up by veering ever so slightly over the invisible but all important line. I carried on my eyes constantly darting left right and ahead as I picked out various butterflies which were perched on the bare patches of soil or on handy perches and in doing so added a Small Tort, 3 Commas and 2 Peacocks just as I was approaching the final section I added another Small Tort. It was interesting to see that the Small Torts were also starting to wan here just like as at work whereas the Peacocks were picking up the Vanessid slack as it were. On the final stretch after the bench things seemed to quieten down until I neared the corner where all the butterflies (2 Peacock a Comma and a Small Tort) were crammed into a tiny part of the hedge and the path. Having rounded the corner I briefly checked out the Back Path where a Comma and a Small White were busy. I followed the Small White for a while, eventually ending right back at the start where it encountered another Small White. They both went spiralling upwards locked in a very ‘heated discussion’ much to my chagrin having followed it back for so long. One, I couldn’t tell if it was the first or the second, shot off over the river whilst the other drifted back down and paused on a large leaf just long enough for a stealthy approach and a handful of shots before it was off again. I managed to give pursuit but only as far as Comma Corner where I lost it in the Spinney.
After this, and with tired calves, I pressed on to check out the middle part of the reserve. I rarely look here as most times it’s like a green desert but the large clump of Hawthorns that have grown up since I’ve been visiting now offer a little oasis in the desert. On the way to check it out I found two Small Torts making their way towards it and a Peacock and Small Tort that were almost there and a Comma, nestled deep within the blossom, already at journeys end.
I then climbed back up to the path that runs along the top of the Banks and followed it as it dove down to the Bench on the Banks. As I scanned around and shuffled along I started noting; Peacock, 2 Commas sparring, Peacock, Small Tort and a Comma. By now I’d reached the End and the final little stretch offed up three Commas in one shot; 2 in the bush and one on the deck. I now turned round and started back. There were two Peacocks near the bench as well as a dead one. Next came a Small Tort and the two Commas still deeply embroiled in their squabble. I spotted a Small White, then a second and three was a third in the distance flying along the river. As if to wave me goodbye a Peacock and a Comma circled me as I stepped away from the Banks and back onto the main track that wends its way along the river and through the Glades. Speaking of which it became apparent to me that the Specklie and Comma had both learnt the mystical method of binary fission for as I entered the Glades once more there were now two of each where formerly there had been one!
Here came spring proper
Ushered in by brown and cream
Welcome dear Specklie
On the bank by Comma Corner a Small Tort sat forlornly on the bits and bobs that had previously been a marvellous collection of bramble and briar with plenty of nectar, a huge selection of handy hibernation nooks and crannies and a nice line in basking spots. At the Corner itself a Peacock and a Comma battled it out for the prime basking spot on the little track that runs into the spinney. Another similar couple were to be found in the scallop behind Comma Corner. Having got some shots on the memory card I carried on my wanderings back down the small slope and onto the track along the Banks and I started counting in earnest.
I worked along the first part of the Banks noting a Brimstone and a Small White both of which were added to the note book only and not the memory card. Slightly further on, just round the Hawthorn which seems to be migrating away from the line of trees and it opens out a little a Peacock and a Comma were holding their respective territories and occasionally winding the other up by veering ever so slightly over the invisible but all important line. I carried on my eyes constantly darting left right and ahead as I picked out various butterflies which were perched on the bare patches of soil or on handy perches and in doing so added a Small Tort, 3 Commas and 2 Peacocks just as I was approaching the final section I added another Small Tort. It was interesting to see that the Small Torts were also starting to wan here just like as at work whereas the Peacocks were picking up the Vanessid slack as it were. On the final stretch after the bench things seemed to quieten down until I neared the corner where all the butterflies (2 Peacock a Comma and a Small Tort) were crammed into a tiny part of the hedge and the path. Having rounded the corner I briefly checked out the Back Path where a Comma and a Small White were busy. I followed the Small White for a while, eventually ending right back at the start where it encountered another Small White. They both went spiralling upwards locked in a very ‘heated discussion’ much to my chagrin having followed it back for so long. One, I couldn’t tell if it was the first or the second, shot off over the river whilst the other drifted back down and paused on a large leaf just long enough for a stealthy approach and a handful of shots before it was off again. I managed to give pursuit but only as far as Comma Corner where I lost it in the Spinney.
After this, and with tired calves, I pressed on to check out the middle part of the reserve. I rarely look here as most times it’s like a green desert but the large clump of Hawthorns that have grown up since I’ve been visiting now offer a little oasis in the desert. On the way to check it out I found two Small Torts making their way towards it and a Peacock and Small Tort that were almost there and a Comma, nestled deep within the blossom, already at journeys end.
I then climbed back up to the path that runs along the top of the Banks and followed it as it dove down to the Bench on the Banks. As I scanned around and shuffled along I started noting; Peacock, 2 Commas sparring, Peacock, Small Tort and a Comma. By now I’d reached the End and the final little stretch offed up three Commas in one shot; 2 in the bush and one on the deck. I now turned round and started back. There were two Peacocks near the bench as well as a dead one. Next came a Small Tort and the two Commas still deeply embroiled in their squabble. I spotted a Small White, then a second and three was a third in the distance flying along the river. As if to wave me goodbye a Peacock and a Comma circled me as I stepped away from the Banks and back onto the main track that wends its way along the river and through the Glades. Speaking of which it became apparent to me that the Specklie and Comma had both learnt the mystical method of binary fission for as I entered the Glades once more there were now two of each where formerly there had been one!
Here came spring proper
Ushered in by brown and cream
Welcome dear Specklie
Work 25-03-2022
After the recent great run of form the Small Torts had enjoyed I expected another veritable feast when I set out for a Friday foray. I wasn’t too concerned when I didn’t spot any Small Torts (or in fact any butterflies at all) as I sauntered through the housing estate but I was slightly perplexed when I discovered on a single Small Tort by the time I’d reached the end of the half way point on the corner before the PPP. At the PPP a Beefly actually sat still long enough for both the approach and also some shots and by the time I’d reached the end of the ‘transect’ I’d only added another two Small Torts. Where had they all gone – it had only been 48 hours since my last visit?
I turned round and started the return leg hoping that they’d all pop out of the wood pile cheering “Surprise!” However the best I could manage was a single Small Tort on the bank that saw me and disappeared into the field and a Peacock deep in someone’s garden. It didn’t get any better really back at the PPP, the usual squabbling Torts gone and only 2 in sight. As Ieant in for a few shots of one the possible reason for the lack of Torties may have presented itself to me. The butterfly I was shooting was arching its abdomen around looking to lay. Perhaps the Small Torts had already met their Biological imperative? This would mean that the males may have succumbed to exhaustion after holding and fighting for a territory and then undergoing the protracted courtship whilst the females may have dispersed to pastures new to find suitable spots to secrete away the next generation...just a thought. I pondered this on the walk back though the housing estate which was punctuated with a final Small Tort – possibly the swan song for this side of the season?
Mystery in Pewsey
Where have all the Small Torts gone?
Their bit is all done?
I turned round and started the return leg hoping that they’d all pop out of the wood pile cheering “Surprise!” However the best I could manage was a single Small Tort on the bank that saw me and disappeared into the field and a Peacock deep in someone’s garden. It didn’t get any better really back at the PPP, the usual squabbling Torts gone and only 2 in sight. As Ieant in for a few shots of one the possible reason for the lack of Torties may have presented itself to me. The butterfly I was shooting was arching its abdomen around looking to lay. Perhaps the Small Torts had already met their Biological imperative? This would mean that the males may have succumbed to exhaustion after holding and fighting for a territory and then undergoing the protracted courtship whilst the females may have dispersed to pastures new to find suitable spots to secrete away the next generation...just a thought. I pondered this on the walk back though the housing estate which was punctuated with a final Small Tort – possibly the swan song for this side of the season?
Mystery in Pewsey
Where have all the Small Torts gone?
Their bit is all done?
Work 03-2022
Work 22-03-2022
Another week loomed before me and the Monday was pretty full on so with the end of the 12 lesson spread before me I grabbed my camera and headed out to shift the work stuff out of my head. The butterflies must have sensed my need for to nature therapy as, unusually, there were two Small Torts hanging around the gateway that leads down though the housing estate. Then on the walk down through said estate there were 3 more Small Torts in various gardens – I was onto 5 Small Torts and I hadn’t even reached their preferred haunt. I added another 4 from the Half-way Point to the Parrot Poop Pile as well as getting a record shot of a Peacock and then a further 7 from there to the end of the track; 16 on the outward journey!
Turning round I reset my inner counter and away I went, the only slight dampener being that the butterflies were very jittery and twitchy and didn’t really want to sit still. The breeze didn’t help either as it pulled the butterflies about like little ragdoll. Still I pressed on and walked back along the narrow track back towards the Parrot Poop Pile muttering names and numbers under my breath as they fell under my gaze: “Small Tort, 2 Small Torts, 3, 4 ,5 Small Tort, Peacock, 6, 7, 8, 9 Small Torts, Peacock, BRIMSTONE, 10, 11 Small Torts, millennium hand and shrimp!” As I walked and numerated I also found a new appreciation for the humble Dandelion as they seem to offer a plentiful supply of nectar and really ‘hold’ the butterfly so allowing plentiful shots. Also the colour makes a fantastic backdrop really brightening up the butterflies natural colours. After the Parrot Poop Pile I pressed on slightly more rapidly as my time was running down but not so rapidly that I missed counting the 3 Small Torts up to the half-way pint and another three in the gardens. All told the tally of Small Torts for the return leg reached 17 Small Torts and with the 2 from earlier on the school field itself the final total was 19.Not bad for a few gardens a footy field and a tiny path! Most importantly as I stepped back into the gloom of the Lab it wasn’t as gloomy and I felt like I’d had the blinkers removed and my brain had been given a massage.
Another week loomed before me and the Monday was pretty full on so with the end of the 12 lesson spread before me I grabbed my camera and headed out to shift the work stuff out of my head. The butterflies must have sensed my need for to nature therapy as, unusually, there were two Small Torts hanging around the gateway that leads down though the housing estate. Then on the walk down through said estate there were 3 more Small Torts in various gardens – I was onto 5 Small Torts and I hadn’t even reached their preferred haunt. I added another 4 from the Half-way Point to the Parrot Poop Pile as well as getting a record shot of a Peacock and then a further 7 from there to the end of the track; 16 on the outward journey!
Turning round I reset my inner counter and away I went, the only slight dampener being that the butterflies were very jittery and twitchy and didn’t really want to sit still. The breeze didn’t help either as it pulled the butterflies about like little ragdoll. Still I pressed on and walked back along the narrow track back towards the Parrot Poop Pile muttering names and numbers under my breath as they fell under my gaze: “Small Tort, 2 Small Torts, 3, 4 ,5 Small Tort, Peacock, 6, 7, 8, 9 Small Torts, Peacock, BRIMSTONE, 10, 11 Small Torts, millennium hand and shrimp!” As I walked and numerated I also found a new appreciation for the humble Dandelion as they seem to offer a plentiful supply of nectar and really ‘hold’ the butterfly so allowing plentiful shots. Also the colour makes a fantastic backdrop really brightening up the butterflies natural colours. After the Parrot Poop Pile I pressed on slightly more rapidly as my time was running down but not so rapidly that I missed counting the 3 Small Torts up to the half-way pint and another three in the gardens. All told the tally of Small Torts for the return leg reached 17 Small Torts and with the 2 from earlier on the school field itself the final total was 19.Not bad for a few gardens a footy field and a tiny path! Most importantly as I stepped back into the gloom of the Lab it wasn’t as gloomy and I felt like I’d had the blinkers removed and my brain had been given a massage.
Work 23-03-2022
After the success of the previous day I decided to check out the other side of the School Field and the other border hedge and instead of making straight for the gate I followed the fence round past the Nursery School and made for the Pits. Come the summer Golden Skippers and Marbled Whites will frolic here and Meadow Browns and Ringlets will play hide and seek amongst the tall grasses but now it looked worse for wear and all was quiet. In fact I didn’t see a single butterfly along the entire length of the back hedge and I only broke the days Duck when I reached the far corner of the field by the opening to the back path. Here I spotted a Peacock and a brace of Small Torts before I went off site and followed the narrow track down towards the Half-way Point. Again the butterflies failed to materialise but I kept checking anyway.
Things picked up again with a Small Tort along the first stretch and then 8 more from the PPP to the end. There was something in the air though as I found 2 sets of courting Small Torts and a courting couple of Oil Beetles. The butterflies’ courtship was quite elegant and almost chaste compared to that of the Beetles. The males would sit close and shiver their wings or gently caress the females’ wings with theirs or their antennae. With the Beetles the mismatch in size made it look like the male just holds on until the female gets tired carrying him and succumbs to his charms.
On the return leg it all kicked off…up to the PPP I counted 11 Small Torts but a Brimstone fluttered past as did a Small White and a brace of Peacocks deemed to show themselves. There was more of this from the PPP to the Half-way Point as 4 more Small Torts and 3 Peacocks all put in an a appearance. I don’t know where they’d been, possibly sitting hidden away quietly in the shade awaiting the return of the sun but it was great that they’d all crawled (possibly literally) out of the woodwork. The tally was further bolstered with another two Small Torts; one on the corner and the final one in one of the gardens, finally ending on a maximum of 19 Small Torts, 6 Peacocks, and singletons of Brimstone and Small White. Looks like the Commas emerge and then disperse quickly as they again didn’t show today?
Looking back on the photos I’d witnessed most of the stages of the imago from fresh to slightly worn, egg-laying and ragged and so tired they were on their last 6 legs. The only missing ‘chapter’ was the pair in cop – but then I only had 25 Minutes for the whole trip, I didn’t have hours to sit and wait patiently…maybe one day.
When out pops the sun
They crawl out of the woodwork
Boosting the tally…
After the success of the previous day I decided to check out the other side of the School Field and the other border hedge and instead of making straight for the gate I followed the fence round past the Nursery School and made for the Pits. Come the summer Golden Skippers and Marbled Whites will frolic here and Meadow Browns and Ringlets will play hide and seek amongst the tall grasses but now it looked worse for wear and all was quiet. In fact I didn’t see a single butterfly along the entire length of the back hedge and I only broke the days Duck when I reached the far corner of the field by the opening to the back path. Here I spotted a Peacock and a brace of Small Torts before I went off site and followed the narrow track down towards the Half-way Point. Again the butterflies failed to materialise but I kept checking anyway.
Things picked up again with a Small Tort along the first stretch and then 8 more from the PPP to the end. There was something in the air though as I found 2 sets of courting Small Torts and a courting couple of Oil Beetles. The butterflies’ courtship was quite elegant and almost chaste compared to that of the Beetles. The males would sit close and shiver their wings or gently caress the females’ wings with theirs or their antennae. With the Beetles the mismatch in size made it look like the male just holds on until the female gets tired carrying him and succumbs to his charms.
On the return leg it all kicked off…up to the PPP I counted 11 Small Torts but a Brimstone fluttered past as did a Small White and a brace of Peacocks deemed to show themselves. There was more of this from the PPP to the Half-way Point as 4 more Small Torts and 3 Peacocks all put in an a appearance. I don’t know where they’d been, possibly sitting hidden away quietly in the shade awaiting the return of the sun but it was great that they’d all crawled (possibly literally) out of the woodwork. The tally was further bolstered with another two Small Torts; one on the corner and the final one in one of the gardens, finally ending on a maximum of 19 Small Torts, 6 Peacocks, and singletons of Brimstone and Small White. Looks like the Commas emerge and then disperse quickly as they again didn’t show today?
Looking back on the photos I’d witnessed most of the stages of the imago from fresh to slightly worn, egg-laying and ragged and so tired they were on their last 6 legs. The only missing ‘chapter’ was the pair in cop – but then I only had 25 Minutes for the whole trip, I didn’t have hours to sit and wait patiently…maybe one day.
When out pops the sun
They crawl out of the woodwork
Boosting the tally…
Five Rivers 20-03-2022
Sooner or later I’ll start venturing forth a little more but at the start and end of the season my local sites offer all the same species within walking distance (or a 5 minute drive at most) so having checked out Middle Street on the day before I thought it best to make hay while the sun shone and so I made for Five Rivers. All was quiet thought the housing estate and along the river path from Waitrose. There weren’t any Red Admirals hanging around Brambles or any early Specklies in the little clearing just off the Town Path. I didn’t see my first butterfly until I was on the Wooden Bridge where there was a Small Tort fluttering about on the far side. First butterfly found and photographed is always a relief but I’d need a few more to warrant a ‘post’ hence I carried on, diving down along the shaded river path and making my way across the grass and through the Glades which were quiet apart from a pair of Comma that took it in turns to instigate a bit of a barney.
As I broke free from the Glades I scanned ahead and saw that the Council had been a little vigorous with the weedbasher as the Brambles that had lined the banks and margins of Comma Corner were gone, decimated and the orangey brown twigs underfoot and a faint woody smell were the only signs that there once was a prime butterfly feeding station here. The butterflies seemed a little forlorn and didn’t quite know where to put themselves instead they took to badgering each other. It made getting any shots of the Small Tort and brace of Commas quite tricky as just as I’d get the shot lined up one of the others would fly in and then they’d both go spiralling up.
Leaving the scene of ecological carnage behind me I strode down the bank and round the corner towards the Banks following a Comma down and round. As I did I spied a flash of White, a Small White in fact and so I followed it forward and back along the first section of the Banks willing it to stop. Eventually and almost unbelievably it did but not before I’d caught up with 2 Small Torts and a Peacock and wrecked my calves. As if to make up for giving me the run around it then sat nicely for me on a couple more instances. Chuffed I carried on along the Banks intending to count as I went but a second Small White caught my attention and this one lead me on a merry dance which ended up with my jogging and running back and forth before reaching the end of the Banks where it shot off down the hill and disappeared into the reeds. In between watching the Small White I’d noted down a further Comma, Peacock and 2 Small Torts along the way and as I was now at the end of the track I stared around me and surveyed the scene.
Before me the grass was starting to look more luscious and the sward was increasing and there were three Small Torts jostling each other for the prime basking spot on the dry, well-trodden and hardened track. Once I’d totalled up the butterflies all that remained was to now turn around and walk back to do the checking recount and so I did. Back along the Banks tallying as I went starting with the three jostling Small Torts. Next was a Peacock, then 3 Small Torts. A Peacock hung around the Banks where a thin line of trees tries sets off at 90 degrees from the main line of shrubs and heads down the Banks to the river. The final stretch was occupied by a pair of Commas each with their own little Launchpad of bare earth. When I reached the end I again retraced my steps and cut up and around to Comma Corner where sure enough there were two Commas. On the final stretch down towards and on through the Glades I missed the Commas but there was a Small Tort by the Wooden Bridge. If this was the original then it had obviously gone ten rounds with a huge foe, something about the size of a Sparrow as it was mighty battered. In the end the haul for the day, erring on the side of caution, was 10 Small Torts, 2 Peacocks, 5 Comma and 2 Small Whites. It was nice to add something new to the annual Tally.
Lots of back and forth
Pleasant white against the green
Small White on the list.
As I broke free from the Glades I scanned ahead and saw that the Council had been a little vigorous with the weedbasher as the Brambles that had lined the banks and margins of Comma Corner were gone, decimated and the orangey brown twigs underfoot and a faint woody smell were the only signs that there once was a prime butterfly feeding station here. The butterflies seemed a little forlorn and didn’t quite know where to put themselves instead they took to badgering each other. It made getting any shots of the Small Tort and brace of Commas quite tricky as just as I’d get the shot lined up one of the others would fly in and then they’d both go spiralling up.
Leaving the scene of ecological carnage behind me I strode down the bank and round the corner towards the Banks following a Comma down and round. As I did I spied a flash of White, a Small White in fact and so I followed it forward and back along the first section of the Banks willing it to stop. Eventually and almost unbelievably it did but not before I’d caught up with 2 Small Torts and a Peacock and wrecked my calves. As if to make up for giving me the run around it then sat nicely for me on a couple more instances. Chuffed I carried on along the Banks intending to count as I went but a second Small White caught my attention and this one lead me on a merry dance which ended up with my jogging and running back and forth before reaching the end of the Banks where it shot off down the hill and disappeared into the reeds. In between watching the Small White I’d noted down a further Comma, Peacock and 2 Small Torts along the way and as I was now at the end of the track I stared around me and surveyed the scene.
Before me the grass was starting to look more luscious and the sward was increasing and there were three Small Torts jostling each other for the prime basking spot on the dry, well-trodden and hardened track. Once I’d totalled up the butterflies all that remained was to now turn around and walk back to do the checking recount and so I did. Back along the Banks tallying as I went starting with the three jostling Small Torts. Next was a Peacock, then 3 Small Torts. A Peacock hung around the Banks where a thin line of trees tries sets off at 90 degrees from the main line of shrubs and heads down the Banks to the river. The final stretch was occupied by a pair of Commas each with their own little Launchpad of bare earth. When I reached the end I again retraced my steps and cut up and around to Comma Corner where sure enough there were two Commas. On the final stretch down towards and on through the Glades I missed the Commas but there was a Small Tort by the Wooden Bridge. If this was the original then it had obviously gone ten rounds with a huge foe, something about the size of a Sparrow as it was mighty battered. In the end the haul for the day, erring on the side of caution, was 10 Small Torts, 2 Peacocks, 5 Comma and 2 Small Whites. It was nice to add something new to the annual Tally.
Lots of back and forth
Pleasant white against the green
Small White on the list.
Middle Street 19-03-2022
The good weather continued and so I took my camera with me when I walked over to Waitrose to do the shopping. I didn’t see any butterflies but a Buff-tailed Bumblebee was up early and bathing in the early morning sun. In fact I didn’t see anything of a lepidopteran fashion during the whole of my shopping expedition and so chores done, work done and with lunch eaten and washed up I wandered over to Middle Street. A Small Tort by the Mill and a Brimstone in what I like to think of as the ‘Border Garden’ (as the borders around the wall are alive with blooms) I took as a good omen of what was to come…
Once on site I made my way directly down the back track picking up a Small Tort, then another and then two together in a very short time. When I reached the little scallop by the old woodpile I stood back and enjoyed the spectacle of 5 Small Torts all flying together along with a slightly smaller and more ginger Comma that flitted from one Small Tort to the next harrying each and metaphorically nipping at their heels like a playful puppy. I carried on round to the Hotspot field where I was greeted by yet another Small Tort as well as a Peacock and then I carefully picked my way through the swathes of dead reeds and grasses, clinging briar and bramble as I dove down into the dried up pond. This lower area is like a bowl and offers plenty of sun whilst at the same time it’s sheltered from the wind and the butterflies like to sit at the bottom and charge themselves up. So it was today and I spotted a Comma in between a brace of Peacocks.
With some nice images emblazoned on my memory and memory card I carefully clambered back out making sure where possible to snake my feet down into the holes in the sward that I’d made on my entry and once more on more secure footing of the field I quickly skirted round the corner and made my way to the Dips via the Bank Path. Just before I reached the cross paths I caught up with another Small Tort – they seemed to be everywhere this afternoon so perhaps the sun though the week had brought them out en mass? With this thought still fleeting across neurones I entered Dip 1 adding a further 2 Small Torts to the burgeoning Tally. The first was on the first corner of the Dip, in a little bijou Dip created by a wall of Bramble, a Dippette almost and the second was on the far side. While I was there I checked out under the Mat and there was a Common Shrew. I took one shot and then put the Mat back down before the Shrew knew what was going on. Just to be sure I stayed as still as possible and strained my ears but didn’t hear any rustling that meant it had ‘done one’. I climbed back up and strolled along the Bank path in a zig zag fashion so I was able to check both sides. Between Dip 2 and 3 I watched as a Brimstone made it onto the site tally as it was buffeted busily along by the breeze which had picked up slightly. The same breeze also carried a Small Tort over from the footy field and down into the relative shelter of Dip 3. At the far end the finished off the first run of the count with another two Small Torts in the little end section. I took a quick gander at my note book and by my reckoning I’d seen a maximum of 16 Small Torts (12 allowing for double counting) and 2 a piece of Peacock and Comma and a single Brimstone. Not a bad haul!
To check this I started back to examine the same parts of the site and see if I could tally up the tally starting with the 2 that I’d found in the end of the site. I took the Bank Path and started for the Dips. I swiftly added two more one in Dip 3 and the other on the Bank Path itself and then I decided to have a closer look in Dip 2. I don’t usually check here but what with it being smaller than Dip 1 and with the bank path and trees on the other three sides as well as being lower it’s more sheltered from the breeze. It certainly seemed to be in favour today as I counted 2 each of Small Tort and Peacock as well as a belligerent Comma. I wondered if these were the same two Peacocks from earlier that had been hanging out down in the dried up pond? One however was definitely a different individual and this could clearly be seen even when it was in flight as it was missing most of one of its forewings. Back in Dip 1 there were four Small Torts and a third Peacock and while I was there I felt the breeze drop so I hurried onto the Hotspot which, Dried Pond aside, it quite exposed. As I cut across the top of the Bank path two Small Torts went up before my feet and as I approached the Hotspot I saw a Small Tort and a Peacock out basking. Once more carefully picking my way down into the Dried Pond I spotted a Comma occupying the very centre. It was sitting looking a little like a military man, alert and watchful with its wings held like the sides of a tent. A Brimstone passed through and then all hell broke loose as a second Comma dared to enter the lair of Major General Comma. As my count was effectively over (13 Small Tort, 4 Peacock, 4 Comma, 2 Brimstone) I could sit back and enjoy the argy bargy and the scuffles of first the warring Commas and then the battling Small Tort and Peacock up on the flat of the Hotspot. The later fights were more spectacular with the aggressive Small Tort doing strafing runs across the grass tops to irritate the Peacock into action.
I eventually tore myself away from the aerial antics and nipped back to Dip 2 to see if I could catch up with the Peacocks there. The two Small Torts were still sitting pretty much where I’d left them earlier but I could only see one Peacock. When ‘Ole Chunk’ reappeared one of the Small Torts got a little confused and chased after it. There was the usual zig and zagging around and then a spiral or two but Ole Chunk landed in one of the surrounding trees followed by the Small Tort. It then started trying to put the moves on the Peacock and when Ole Chunk moved to a slightly lower branch the Small Tort took this as an invitation to get in really close and personal! In the end Old Chunk flew off leaving the Small Tort on the branch looking a little red faced.
As I started back I realised that I hadn’t covered all of the areas twice – I’d missed out the Wood Pile and when I got there I was again treated to the delightful aerial display of 5 Small Torts all on the wing at once – it was mesmerising but after a while I had to pull myself away as trying to follow tall that was going on was making me a little dizzy! The journey back wasn’t fruitless either with 2 Small Torts on the garden on the corner, a Peacock in the Border Garden, a Small Tort at the Mill and finally a Small Tort at the end of the road at Harcourt. What an afternoon!
March at Middle Street
Small Torts in ascendency
A joy to behold!
Once on site I made my way directly down the back track picking up a Small Tort, then another and then two together in a very short time. When I reached the little scallop by the old woodpile I stood back and enjoyed the spectacle of 5 Small Torts all flying together along with a slightly smaller and more ginger Comma that flitted from one Small Tort to the next harrying each and metaphorically nipping at their heels like a playful puppy. I carried on round to the Hotspot field where I was greeted by yet another Small Tort as well as a Peacock and then I carefully picked my way through the swathes of dead reeds and grasses, clinging briar and bramble as I dove down into the dried up pond. This lower area is like a bowl and offers plenty of sun whilst at the same time it’s sheltered from the wind and the butterflies like to sit at the bottom and charge themselves up. So it was today and I spotted a Comma in between a brace of Peacocks.
With some nice images emblazoned on my memory and memory card I carefully clambered back out making sure where possible to snake my feet down into the holes in the sward that I’d made on my entry and once more on more secure footing of the field I quickly skirted round the corner and made my way to the Dips via the Bank Path. Just before I reached the cross paths I caught up with another Small Tort – they seemed to be everywhere this afternoon so perhaps the sun though the week had brought them out en mass? With this thought still fleeting across neurones I entered Dip 1 adding a further 2 Small Torts to the burgeoning Tally. The first was on the first corner of the Dip, in a little bijou Dip created by a wall of Bramble, a Dippette almost and the second was on the far side. While I was there I checked out under the Mat and there was a Common Shrew. I took one shot and then put the Mat back down before the Shrew knew what was going on. Just to be sure I stayed as still as possible and strained my ears but didn’t hear any rustling that meant it had ‘done one’. I climbed back up and strolled along the Bank path in a zig zag fashion so I was able to check both sides. Between Dip 2 and 3 I watched as a Brimstone made it onto the site tally as it was buffeted busily along by the breeze which had picked up slightly. The same breeze also carried a Small Tort over from the footy field and down into the relative shelter of Dip 3. At the far end the finished off the first run of the count with another two Small Torts in the little end section. I took a quick gander at my note book and by my reckoning I’d seen a maximum of 16 Small Torts (12 allowing for double counting) and 2 a piece of Peacock and Comma and a single Brimstone. Not a bad haul!
To check this I started back to examine the same parts of the site and see if I could tally up the tally starting with the 2 that I’d found in the end of the site. I took the Bank Path and started for the Dips. I swiftly added two more one in Dip 3 and the other on the Bank Path itself and then I decided to have a closer look in Dip 2. I don’t usually check here but what with it being smaller than Dip 1 and with the bank path and trees on the other three sides as well as being lower it’s more sheltered from the breeze. It certainly seemed to be in favour today as I counted 2 each of Small Tort and Peacock as well as a belligerent Comma. I wondered if these were the same two Peacocks from earlier that had been hanging out down in the dried up pond? One however was definitely a different individual and this could clearly be seen even when it was in flight as it was missing most of one of its forewings. Back in Dip 1 there were four Small Torts and a third Peacock and while I was there I felt the breeze drop so I hurried onto the Hotspot which, Dried Pond aside, it quite exposed. As I cut across the top of the Bank path two Small Torts went up before my feet and as I approached the Hotspot I saw a Small Tort and a Peacock out basking. Once more carefully picking my way down into the Dried Pond I spotted a Comma occupying the very centre. It was sitting looking a little like a military man, alert and watchful with its wings held like the sides of a tent. A Brimstone passed through and then all hell broke loose as a second Comma dared to enter the lair of Major General Comma. As my count was effectively over (13 Small Tort, 4 Peacock, 4 Comma, 2 Brimstone) I could sit back and enjoy the argy bargy and the scuffles of first the warring Commas and then the battling Small Tort and Peacock up on the flat of the Hotspot. The later fights were more spectacular with the aggressive Small Tort doing strafing runs across the grass tops to irritate the Peacock into action.
I eventually tore myself away from the aerial antics and nipped back to Dip 2 to see if I could catch up with the Peacocks there. The two Small Torts were still sitting pretty much where I’d left them earlier but I could only see one Peacock. When ‘Ole Chunk’ reappeared one of the Small Torts got a little confused and chased after it. There was the usual zig and zagging around and then a spiral or two but Ole Chunk landed in one of the surrounding trees followed by the Small Tort. It then started trying to put the moves on the Peacock and when Ole Chunk moved to a slightly lower branch the Small Tort took this as an invitation to get in really close and personal! In the end Old Chunk flew off leaving the Small Tort on the branch looking a little red faced.
As I started back I realised that I hadn’t covered all of the areas twice – I’d missed out the Wood Pile and when I got there I was again treated to the delightful aerial display of 5 Small Torts all on the wing at once – it was mesmerising but after a while I had to pull myself away as trying to follow tall that was going on was making me a little dizzy! The journey back wasn’t fruitless either with 2 Small Torts on the garden on the corner, a Peacock in the Border Garden, a Small Tort at the Mill and finally a Small Tort at the end of the road at Harcourt. What an afternoon!
March at Middle Street
Small Torts in ascendency
A joy to behold!
Work 18-03-2022
In order to catch up I had considered writing up the entire weeks’ worth of sightings but then when I was both thinking and looking back at my notes and my shots the Friday seemed a little bit special so I felt it deserved a write up all of its own.
It started off pretty normally with Small Torts being the order of the day. I could tell that something was happening though as there were only two all the way to the half way point – one along the field at the edge of the Housing Estate and one in one of the gardens. As I left the tarmac to cross the bank where the track starts at the half way point I spied a bright ginger, almost marmalade butterfly. It had been a while since I’d last seen one so it took slightly longer than usual for the neurons to reconnect and fire but I got there in the end. It was my first Comma of 2022. Often the ‘first sighting for the year’ of any particular species is a bit of a blur but this one behaved impeccably allowing me to get in really close so that I could appreciate the glorious and generous ginger-ness in full.
After I’d had my full of shots I strolled satiated around the corner and along the track from the half way point. Right on the corner a Small Tort went up but then just on from this, in one of the miniature scallops I spotted the second reason for treating this write up as a special one. There down on the deck were a pair of Small Torts locked in the subtle warfare of courtship. Nothing particularly special about that, nice yes but nothing that unusual. However one of the Small Torts was quite distinctly different from the norm. It was much paler, looking more peach in colour than the traditional blood orange colour. The difference showed up even more when the cloud momentarily covered the sun where in the thin light the paler individual seemed to glow compared to the brittle brightness of the other. I’ve scanned though certain websites and think that it might be ab.lutea for what that kind of thing is worth, I was just happy to bear witness to the wonder of variation.
More than chuffed with the sighting I strolled onto the end noting another Comma on the way and a further three Small Torts. My mind still somewhat in a blur I made the return leg and tallied up as I went; single Small Tort, 2 Small torts, a Comma broke the monotony (if you can call it such) of Small Torts before things returned to normal with another brace of Torties and a Brimstone thrown in for good measure. On the cusp of the half way point there were 2 more Small Torts ganging up on a Peacock and the tally finished up with a final three Small Torts in the Housing Estate gardens. For me this all passed me by as my mind kept replaying the sighting of the unusual coloured Small Tort.
Here came the Commas
Adding a ginger flavour
And a Small Tort star
It started off pretty normally with Small Torts being the order of the day. I could tell that something was happening though as there were only two all the way to the half way point – one along the field at the edge of the Housing Estate and one in one of the gardens. As I left the tarmac to cross the bank where the track starts at the half way point I spied a bright ginger, almost marmalade butterfly. It had been a while since I’d last seen one so it took slightly longer than usual for the neurons to reconnect and fire but I got there in the end. It was my first Comma of 2022. Often the ‘first sighting for the year’ of any particular species is a bit of a blur but this one behaved impeccably allowing me to get in really close so that I could appreciate the glorious and generous ginger-ness in full.
After I’d had my full of shots I strolled satiated around the corner and along the track from the half way point. Right on the corner a Small Tort went up but then just on from this, in one of the miniature scallops I spotted the second reason for treating this write up as a special one. There down on the deck were a pair of Small Torts locked in the subtle warfare of courtship. Nothing particularly special about that, nice yes but nothing that unusual. However one of the Small Torts was quite distinctly different from the norm. It was much paler, looking more peach in colour than the traditional blood orange colour. The difference showed up even more when the cloud momentarily covered the sun where in the thin light the paler individual seemed to glow compared to the brittle brightness of the other. I’ve scanned though certain websites and think that it might be ab.lutea for what that kind of thing is worth, I was just happy to bear witness to the wonder of variation.
More than chuffed with the sighting I strolled onto the end noting another Comma on the way and a further three Small Torts. My mind still somewhat in a blur I made the return leg and tallied up as I went; single Small Tort, 2 Small torts, a Comma broke the monotony (if you can call it such) of Small Torts before things returned to normal with another brace of Torties and a Brimstone thrown in for good measure. On the cusp of the half way point there were 2 more Small Torts ganging up on a Peacock and the tally finished up with a final three Small Torts in the Housing Estate gardens. For me this all passed me by as my mind kept replaying the sighting of the unusual coloured Small Tort.
Here came the Commas
Adding a ginger flavour
And a Small Tort star
Work - week beginning 15-04-2022
Work 15-04-2022
The following day I didn’t have anything on at lunch and so once again I ventured forth with my camera. The field didn’t produce anything and I wondered if the previous outing had all been a dream until I reached the housing estate when a Small Tort got the ball rolling. I was hanging out in one of the gardens and taking advantage of the early season naturalistic planting. I added a further brace from another garden further on but as all three were well back from the footpath and so out of reach I put my head down and motored on to the half way point. Once there I slowed down and scanned more carefully. The first Small Tort was waiting up at the kink in the path and two more went up and flew far across the field.
As I chicaned round there was another Small Tort the Parrot Poo Pile and two poked up out of the debris slightly further on but they both went up and I lost sight of them. Concerned that there seemed extra flighty I paused, not something I’m used to doing due the time constraints of a half hour lunch, and looked ahead more carefully. In one view I was able to count 5 Small Torts which gave a more reasonable suggestion of the actual number than several fleeting glimpses when the butterflies could nip out into the field and then return slightly further along the path.
On the return leg I used a similar ploy and reached a total of 7 Small Torts – all of which were enjoying the floral feast in the locale of the Parrot Poo Pile. This seemed like an ideal location for the butterflies; there were two main escape routes – out across the field or over the fence and into the neighbouring gardens, plenty of nettles for egg laying, plenty of cover to roost under or sit and wait for the sun as well as plenty of Celandines and Dandelions for nectar. At one point I turned around to watch a Brimstone and managed a fairly representative shot for this time of year WINK. With time ticking ever onwards I carried on back down the path adding another three Small Torts on the way back to the half way point and three more (1 fly-by and two together in a garden) as I speed walked through the housing estate. This meant that the overall totals were 14 on the way out and 13 on the return leg – best to go for the 13 to be on the side of accuracy…
Work 17-03-2022
With Rock Soc fitted in between the sunny-ish days I was off out again. Sunniy-ish was quite appropriate as the sun kept hiding behind the clouds for extended periods and whilst I’d been on duty during at the start of the day and during tutor time the chill in the air was palpable enough to warrant the wearing of the winter jacket. Come lunch time the sun was threatening to throw of the shackles of shade that the cloud had bound it in and so I set off but kept following the fences at the edge of the field instead. At the end of the field there were two Small Torts sitting out the cooler weather in the relative insulation of the clumps of straw in the unmown section.
After catching up with them and leaving them shivering as the sun was once again cloud bound I walked along the back fence peering into the field on my right and the gardens on my left. The sun remained hidden behind the cloud and so by the time I’d reached the half way point the day tally stubbornly remained at 2 Small Torts. As often in these cases I looked imploringly upwards but there weren’t even the slightest of chinks in the cloud and everything was bathed in a dull light giving them an overall grey appearance. Still on only 2 Small Torts I reached the end and turned back…as I wandered I felt an infinitesimal rise in the temperature and things started looking less grey and more like the true colours. In the haze I could make out a Small Tort, then a second and then a third all of which were hanging around in the ‘ideal section’ on one side of the Parrot Poo Pile. I managed a few shots and then completed my walk without adding any further sightings to the Tally. Still 5 Small Torts wasn’t actually that bad considering the poor weather conditions.
Out under a grey cloud
Wondered if it was a good call?
If it wasn’t for Small Torts
I wouldn’t have seen butterflies at all
(Thank you Albert King for the lyrical guide and to Cream for bringing my attention to it)
The following day I didn’t have anything on at lunch and so once again I ventured forth with my camera. The field didn’t produce anything and I wondered if the previous outing had all been a dream until I reached the housing estate when a Small Tort got the ball rolling. I was hanging out in one of the gardens and taking advantage of the early season naturalistic planting. I added a further brace from another garden further on but as all three were well back from the footpath and so out of reach I put my head down and motored on to the half way point. Once there I slowed down and scanned more carefully. The first Small Tort was waiting up at the kink in the path and two more went up and flew far across the field.
As I chicaned round there was another Small Tort the Parrot Poo Pile and two poked up out of the debris slightly further on but they both went up and I lost sight of them. Concerned that there seemed extra flighty I paused, not something I’m used to doing due the time constraints of a half hour lunch, and looked ahead more carefully. In one view I was able to count 5 Small Torts which gave a more reasonable suggestion of the actual number than several fleeting glimpses when the butterflies could nip out into the field and then return slightly further along the path.
On the return leg I used a similar ploy and reached a total of 7 Small Torts – all of which were enjoying the floral feast in the locale of the Parrot Poo Pile. This seemed like an ideal location for the butterflies; there were two main escape routes – out across the field or over the fence and into the neighbouring gardens, plenty of nettles for egg laying, plenty of cover to roost under or sit and wait for the sun as well as plenty of Celandines and Dandelions for nectar. At one point I turned around to watch a Brimstone and managed a fairly representative shot for this time of year WINK. With time ticking ever onwards I carried on back down the path adding another three Small Torts on the way back to the half way point and three more (1 fly-by and two together in a garden) as I speed walked through the housing estate. This meant that the overall totals were 14 on the way out and 13 on the return leg – best to go for the 13 to be on the side of accuracy…
Work 17-03-2022
With Rock Soc fitted in between the sunny-ish days I was off out again. Sunniy-ish was quite appropriate as the sun kept hiding behind the clouds for extended periods and whilst I’d been on duty during at the start of the day and during tutor time the chill in the air was palpable enough to warrant the wearing of the winter jacket. Come lunch time the sun was threatening to throw of the shackles of shade that the cloud had bound it in and so I set off but kept following the fences at the edge of the field instead. At the end of the field there were two Small Torts sitting out the cooler weather in the relative insulation of the clumps of straw in the unmown section.
After catching up with them and leaving them shivering as the sun was once again cloud bound I walked along the back fence peering into the field on my right and the gardens on my left. The sun remained hidden behind the cloud and so by the time I’d reached the half way point the day tally stubbornly remained at 2 Small Torts. As often in these cases I looked imploringly upwards but there weren’t even the slightest of chinks in the cloud and everything was bathed in a dull light giving them an overall grey appearance. Still on only 2 Small Torts I reached the end and turned back…as I wandered I felt an infinitesimal rise in the temperature and things started looking less grey and more like the true colours. In the haze I could make out a Small Tort, then a second and then a third all of which were hanging around in the ‘ideal section’ on one side of the Parrot Poo Pile. I managed a few shots and then completed my walk without adding any further sightings to the Tally. Still 5 Small Torts wasn’t actually that bad considering the poor weather conditions.
Out under a grey cloud
Wondered if it was a good call?
If it wasn’t for Small Torts
I wouldn’t have seen butterflies at all
(Thank you Albert King for the lyrical guide and to Cream for bringing my attention to it)
Work 14-03-2022
What with the first Small Torts showing at Middle Street and the weather finally feeling warm enough it seemed like today was the day to make my first lunchtime trip – a Brimstone flying across the Quad during lesson 3 added further weight to my supposition and so I resumed the routine – wolf my lunch down in between ‘Developmental Phases’ of the lesson, get all my gear ready and sign out with a minute until the bell rings signalling the start of lunch. As soon as the clanger hits the bell I’m away speed walking down the corridor and across the fields and vaulting both gates before slowing and scanning ahead of me once in the housing estate. There was only a limited return for my expenditure in energy but it was my first (yet distant) Peacock feeding up on Grape Hyacinths.
Once I reached the half way point of the back path I slowed by gait even more and scanned more thoroughly and before long I’d spotted a courting pair of Small Torts. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to see if the males’ persuasion would bear fruit and so I pressed on slipping on the smooth and curved mud track. Where the path kinks another Small Tort sat out in the open catching some rays and so I stopped to catch it on film/memory card before carrying on and picking up half a Small Tort by the Parrot Poo Pile.
As I was standing back up I saw a couple more Small Torts in the neighbouring garden and a Small White flew at me, its wings tickled my right ear and then it was away across the fields before I’d even had a chance to lift my camera. Oh well ‘seen is recorded’ and so I carried on along the track. A passing cloud meant that I didn’t find anything else of note until the very end when the cloud had drifted off to try and catch up with its friends. As I looked across the pitiful display of Grape Hyacinths I spotted a solitary Small Tort taking advantage of the meagre offering. Then it was time to turn round and restart the count of Small Torts for accuracy – on the way out I‘d racked up 7 and so with the loner at the end on the tally I retracted my footsteps and restarted counting. I spotted 2 quite close together then there was a singleton. On around the kink and there were the original courting pair; he was still whispering sweet nothings in her ear but I don’t think she’d switched her hearing aid on! Almost at the end of the track before I’d need to turn off back into the housing estate there were a second pair of Small Torts although I think they were a ‘pair’ as in there were two and not a la amour, although if they were then there were like Depp and Heard as they were knocking seven bells out of each other. The brace of Brimstone flying just behind were much more civil. That brought the recount to 8 Small Torts. The final sighting was of the Peacock, still in the distance in the same garden so I took a shot for posterity and hopefully I’ll be able to better it soon.
Here we go again
A rush to get there and back
Worth it anyway
Once I reached the half way point of the back path I slowed by gait even more and scanned more thoroughly and before long I’d spotted a courting pair of Small Torts. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to see if the males’ persuasion would bear fruit and so I pressed on slipping on the smooth and curved mud track. Where the path kinks another Small Tort sat out in the open catching some rays and so I stopped to catch it on film/memory card before carrying on and picking up half a Small Tort by the Parrot Poo Pile.
As I was standing back up I saw a couple more Small Torts in the neighbouring garden and a Small White flew at me, its wings tickled my right ear and then it was away across the fields before I’d even had a chance to lift my camera. Oh well ‘seen is recorded’ and so I carried on along the track. A passing cloud meant that I didn’t find anything else of note until the very end when the cloud had drifted off to try and catch up with its friends. As I looked across the pitiful display of Grape Hyacinths I spotted a solitary Small Tort taking advantage of the meagre offering. Then it was time to turn round and restart the count of Small Torts for accuracy – on the way out I‘d racked up 7 and so with the loner at the end on the tally I retracted my footsteps and restarted counting. I spotted 2 quite close together then there was a singleton. On around the kink and there were the original courting pair; he was still whispering sweet nothings in her ear but I don’t think she’d switched her hearing aid on! Almost at the end of the track before I’d need to turn off back into the housing estate there were a second pair of Small Torts although I think they were a ‘pair’ as in there were two and not a la amour, although if they were then there were like Depp and Heard as they were knocking seven bells out of each other. The brace of Brimstone flying just behind were much more civil. That brought the recount to 8 Small Torts. The final sighting was of the Peacock, still in the distance in the same garden so I took a shot for posterity and hopefully I’ll be able to better it soon.
Here we go again
A rush to get there and back
Worth it anyway
Five Rivers and on… 13-03-2022
Just as I thought things might get started again the weather became more seasonal – as in it reverted back to winter. Still a break over the weekend gave me the opportunity to get out and check up on my charges the Small Torts. I nipped to Five Rivers first but despite steadily covering almost every square inch of the site and paying particular attention to those areas normally so good for butterflies I drew a massive blank. What I did find was an absence of Bramble at key points most notably at Comma Corner. All the shelter and nectar sources had been stripped and flayed back leaving a prickly carpet of orangey brown. The fact that the weather had reverted to more cloudy than sunny hadn’t helped and I left with only the clatter of a Cetti’s as some consolation.
Upon my return to home surprise, surprise, the weather improved and the sun became less fleeting in its duration so I took a punt and walked over to Middle Street. The walk over didn’t produce anything and so I found myself walking along the track at the side of the reserve sooner than expected. The patch of blue and with it the sun was still a little way off but there was a definite brightening and the temperature was starting to rise so I pressed on to check out all the little sheltered spots. The little scallop by the fence held nothing and there weren’t any butterflies in the sheltered little bays along the bank either. I worked along the Bank track and scanned down into Dip 1 but nothing caught my eye. It’s possible that there were butterflies there but they’d be sitting out the cool cloudy spell in their little ‘tents/caves’ of grass. Slightly disconsolately I moved onto Dip 2 not expecting much and there was the orange diamond that I love to see – a Small Tort. As I watched it went up as if to leave but the breeze caught it and buffeted it about so it remained in Dip 2.
After this I moved onto Dip 3 and then onto the end spot. Again I was wondering where the butterflies were when I felt warmth on my cheek – the sun was returning and so I scanned more eagerly. There was a second Small Tort and it looked fresher than the first. I couldn’t confirm this however as the breeze picked up the butterfly and carried it away across the field. I watched it from afar as it fought against the wind eventually gliding lower until it escaped the clutches of the wind. It then pottered about from yellow flower to yellow flower and I wondered about trying to approach it for a few shots but decided not too as it was only at each flower for a few seconds – in fact just short of the time needed to frame and focus so I wished it well and completed my circuit of the reserve, I was treated aurally with Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting as well as my first Sedge Warbler but there were no more butterflies. Hopefully things will actually start and we won’t have one of those fitful and frustrating springs.
Warblers warble on
And the sun plays hide and seek
Small Torts brave the breeze
Upon my return to home surprise, surprise, the weather improved and the sun became less fleeting in its duration so I took a punt and walked over to Middle Street. The walk over didn’t produce anything and so I found myself walking along the track at the side of the reserve sooner than expected. The patch of blue and with it the sun was still a little way off but there was a definite brightening and the temperature was starting to rise so I pressed on to check out all the little sheltered spots. The little scallop by the fence held nothing and there weren’t any butterflies in the sheltered little bays along the bank either. I worked along the Bank track and scanned down into Dip 1 but nothing caught my eye. It’s possible that there were butterflies there but they’d be sitting out the cool cloudy spell in their little ‘tents/caves’ of grass. Slightly disconsolately I moved onto Dip 2 not expecting much and there was the orange diamond that I love to see – a Small Tort. As I watched it went up as if to leave but the breeze caught it and buffeted it about so it remained in Dip 2.
After this I moved onto Dip 3 and then onto the end spot. Again I was wondering where the butterflies were when I felt warmth on my cheek – the sun was returning and so I scanned more eagerly. There was a second Small Tort and it looked fresher than the first. I couldn’t confirm this however as the breeze picked up the butterfly and carried it away across the field. I watched it from afar as it fought against the wind eventually gliding lower until it escaped the clutches of the wind. It then pottered about from yellow flower to yellow flower and I wondered about trying to approach it for a few shots but decided not too as it was only at each flower for a few seconds – in fact just short of the time needed to frame and focus so I wished it well and completed my circuit of the reserve, I was treated aurally with Blackcap, Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting as well as my first Sedge Warbler but there were no more butterflies. Hopefully things will actually start and we won’t have one of those fitful and frustrating springs.
Warblers warble on
And the sun plays hide and seek
Small Torts brave the breeze
Middle Street 06-03-2021
After a hectic week weather checking at work it was typical that the weather forecast for the weekend was not exactly crash hot. In the end I strolled over to Middle Street and as reached the wooden bridge the cloud raced me so I arrived in dull, cold weather and I was glad for my coat and ruing not wearing my gloves!
As I wandered the reserve I kept turning my head skywards in the hope that the cloud would break and I was slightly cheered when I spotted a couple of likely looking thinner patches which seemed whiter and less grey. I strolled along the top of the bank scanning this way and that as I awaited the brief return of the sun. About half way along the bank path the sun popped out and so too did a Small Tort. I followed its frenetic flight and when it alighted I stalked in and grabbed a view shots before it was off but I managed to keep a pace with it and pounced when it rested a second time. After the third time I left it sitting on the bank and carried on back the way I’d come and there on the next little path down the side of the bank was a second Small Tort – this one had even larger yellow/orange patches on the hind wing where the fore wings overlapped and I made a mental note to allow me to make an accurate count later. I headed back for the first Small Tort and there slightly further back was a third – this had no patches on the hind wing and a hook shaped marking on the right fore wing.
Chuffed with my haul of three Small Torts but starting to feel the chill I strolled to the end and back to get the blood pumping in order to warm up slightly. As I walked on the return leg I stopped at each small track way up the side of the Bank and scanned across. On one I scanned really carefully because I knew there was a butterfly there somewhere (I used the small pile of dog shit left by the dog owners that treat this local nature reserve as a canine convenience as a marker earlier) but there was no butterfly there now. Or so it seemed for as I watched the sun peeked out and there was a flash of orange. Where there was no butterfly now there was. It closed up again as the sun retired after its fleeting visit and so I climbed round to the side and got some shots of the underwing. Next I was able to relocate another Small Tort in another one of the brief (but welcome) sunny spells. It was Small Tort number 3 from earlier who I’d christened ‘Hooky’ but in the few moments since I’d previously encountered him he’d somehow managed to gain a tear in the wing.
Onwards I went checking the Dips and the Hotspot to no avail. I wandered slowly scanning from side to side again and then as the sun momentarily crept out from behind the cloud my gaze would become more intense as I sought out flashes or orange or red. My wanderings took me back around and along the Bank path and I kept going all the way to the end or a second time – near the end of the reserve a Small Tort went up but almost immediately disappeared from view in the thick vegetation that had escaped the winter tidy up and so I carried on right to the end. On the way back the butterfly reappeared and as it had a chunk missing from the right hind wing I knew that it was Small Tort number 4. On my final pass along the back path the sun shone more solidly and I was able to feel the warmth on my face accompanied by the sub-song/warm-up of a Blackcap. I was witness to the same Small Torts some of which were getting a bit feisty and flying upwards in small spars cajoled on by the rising sap and the minutely lengthening day so it seemed.
On the walk back home I stopped on the wooden bridge, a piping call alerting me to a Kingfisher. It flew and moved to a prime position on the other side of the river so I ran over the bridge and round. It was there sitting perfectly positioned and framed by a hole in the hedge so close I could almost reach out and try and coax it onto my finger. As I raised my camera for what would be a cracking shot a passing cyclist rang her bell and the bird was gone! Grrrrr!
Middle Street return
Small Torts play in the weak sun
Has Spring at last sprung?
As I wandered the reserve I kept turning my head skywards in the hope that the cloud would break and I was slightly cheered when I spotted a couple of likely looking thinner patches which seemed whiter and less grey. I strolled along the top of the bank scanning this way and that as I awaited the brief return of the sun. About half way along the bank path the sun popped out and so too did a Small Tort. I followed its frenetic flight and when it alighted I stalked in and grabbed a view shots before it was off but I managed to keep a pace with it and pounced when it rested a second time. After the third time I left it sitting on the bank and carried on back the way I’d come and there on the next little path down the side of the bank was a second Small Tort – this one had even larger yellow/orange patches on the hind wing where the fore wings overlapped and I made a mental note to allow me to make an accurate count later. I headed back for the first Small Tort and there slightly further back was a third – this had no patches on the hind wing and a hook shaped marking on the right fore wing.
Chuffed with my haul of three Small Torts but starting to feel the chill I strolled to the end and back to get the blood pumping in order to warm up slightly. As I walked on the return leg I stopped at each small track way up the side of the Bank and scanned across. On one I scanned really carefully because I knew there was a butterfly there somewhere (I used the small pile of dog shit left by the dog owners that treat this local nature reserve as a canine convenience as a marker earlier) but there was no butterfly there now. Or so it seemed for as I watched the sun peeked out and there was a flash of orange. Where there was no butterfly now there was. It closed up again as the sun retired after its fleeting visit and so I climbed round to the side and got some shots of the underwing. Next I was able to relocate another Small Tort in another one of the brief (but welcome) sunny spells. It was Small Tort number 3 from earlier who I’d christened ‘Hooky’ but in the few moments since I’d previously encountered him he’d somehow managed to gain a tear in the wing.
Onwards I went checking the Dips and the Hotspot to no avail. I wandered slowly scanning from side to side again and then as the sun momentarily crept out from behind the cloud my gaze would become more intense as I sought out flashes or orange or red. My wanderings took me back around and along the Bank path and I kept going all the way to the end or a second time – near the end of the reserve a Small Tort went up but almost immediately disappeared from view in the thick vegetation that had escaped the winter tidy up and so I carried on right to the end. On the way back the butterfly reappeared and as it had a chunk missing from the right hind wing I knew that it was Small Tort number 4. On my final pass along the back path the sun shone more solidly and I was able to feel the warmth on my face accompanied by the sub-song/warm-up of a Blackcap. I was witness to the same Small Torts some of which were getting a bit feisty and flying upwards in small spars cajoled on by the rising sap and the minutely lengthening day so it seemed.
On the walk back home I stopped on the wooden bridge, a piping call alerting me to a Kingfisher. It flew and moved to a prime position on the other side of the river so I ran over the bridge and round. It was there sitting perfectly positioned and framed by a hole in the hedge so close I could almost reach out and try and coax it onto my finger. As I raised my camera for what would be a cracking shot a passing cyclist rang her bell and the bird was gone! Grrrrr!
Middle Street return
Small Torts play in the weak sun
Has Spring at last sprung?
