Out and about…30-03-2024
Finally the day arrived! I’d been looking forward it since it first showed up on the BBC weather app 14 days previously. Unbelievably the forecast had remained remarkably consistent…oh hang on a minute scrap that I’ve got mixed up. This was the day when it was supposed to be grey, cold and windy, the Sunday was forecast as beautiful and the best day of the year so far. However in the words of Gene Wilder; “Strike that…reverse it!”…
Instead of wall to wall grey and a feeling of impending doom from more rain and dullness when I pulled the curtains the sky behind was blue and the light streamed through the window. After the usual early morning trawl of the shops in town I decided that hence forth wherever I went my camera would go too and so first it was off to Waitrose. I took the slightly longer and quieter route down through the housing estate which runs parallel with the railway tracks. At the far end there is a little play park and on the opposite side of the path a little square of grass, no bigger than a couple of metres square, but sheltered on three sides (two by hedge, one by the houses themselves) and with plenty of Coltsfoot and Dandelions growing through the sparse turf. I slowed down as I approached it and sure enough there was a Brimstone taking nectar. It was in a bit of an awkward position with a few twigs in the way but with some careful lens placement I managed a few reasonably unobstructed shots. It was joined by a second but in the cool of the early morning they barely managed a few cross words and were in no shape for an upwardly spiralling tussle so I was able to get in a few shots of the second one as well. A brilliant start for the day!
After the food shopping was stashed away and the free coffee consumed my next task was to accompany L to town so that she could meet her German pen-pal for the first time. Once they’d safely met I escorted them into the Cathedral and while they looked around inside I nipped across to one of the small fields in the Close. A Brimstone flew past and led me away from the Cathedral and on into the small field via a small gateway at the far end. Once inside I scanned up the hedge from the other side. In the distance I could make out a couple of Brimstones in the distance as little yellow blobs but closer too there was the unmistakable feeling of being watched – it was a Peacock sitting down on the grass. It was much better behaved than most of its ilk as generally they’ve been very flighty so far.
After more than a few shots it took to the air and I couldn’t fathom out why? As I looked around for it in the hope of finding it grounded again I chanced to look up and the reason for its departure became clear, it was slugging it out with a second Peacock. They seemed to settle their dispute and I watched out for the rough spots where they landed I saw one come down pretty close to where I’d been kneeling and clicking away before so I took a wide circular path round to the second. I only managed a handful of shots of it before it went off seeking out its rival for round 2. I started back towards the Cathedral and was considering getting waylaid by the Brimstones when my phone rang. L and her friend had finished so could I get them into Monpesson house? We strolled over and there was another ‘Schmetterling’, a Peacock, in one of the neighbouring gardens and then I left the girls too it and raced home to pick up the car for the short drive over to Five Rivers.
From the car park I strolled quickly across towards Comma Corner half expecting the sun to disappear as I arrived there. Strangely it didn’t which kinda freaked me out a little bit! Instead there was a Peacock sitting in the sun and it was one of the twitchy ones, gone almost as soon as I pointed my lens in its general direction. I strolled down the bank to Specklie Intersection which was occupied by a second Peacock and a Comma. As I debated about whether to try for the Peacock once I’d got a few Comma shots my attention was drawn to a much smaller, brown butterfly that had just appeared several nettles away from the Comma. It was my first Specklie of the year. The decision between the Peacock and the Comma now became moot and so I started filling up my memory card with the first of the Satyridae.
Chuffed I set off along the Banks following in the footsteps that I’d used before, at some points even placing my boot in a made to measure spot. The more overgrown first part which has an almost ‘woodland’ like feel held a couple of Peacocks and a Comma. As I moved through the treeline and then ventured out onto the more open, closer cropped ‘mid Bank’ there was another Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell which proved a little problematic to photograph as it was ‘shivering’ to get its flight muscles warmed up possibly? When I reached the end it was more of the same (it feels great typing that statement finally!) with a Peacock and two different Small Torts all vying for the best basking spot on the muddy path. I’d try for a shot of one and then another would take this as its cue to bundle in and try and usurp the holder of the coveted spot. I’m not quite sure why as they seldom returned to the same spot and it made me wonder if they were just doing it out of spite? After a while I rounded the corner and strode down the hill and onto the final stretch of path towards the end of the reserve. As I walked I spotted yet another Peacock and a fly-by Brimstone and once at the very end I was treated to a pair of Treecreepers.
I now had another decision to make; carry on round following the roughly circular path or retrace my footsteps. I opted for the later reasoning that the habitat was better that way, I’d be able to confirm numbers and also hopefully reacquaint myself with the Specklie and so decision made I set off. I did seem to see the same butterflies in roughly the same places apart from the fast moving Brimstones which covered vast distances around the reserve. There were one or two newbies added into the mix, two of which were Small Torts easily recognisable as ‘different’ by their wing damage and very quickly I was back at Specklie Intersection looking for the Specklie which as it happened wasn’t there although the/a Comma and Peacock were. I settled down and wrote up my notes surreptitiously keeping an eye on the butterflies. They didn’t move and so I watched for another couple of minutes. In the end 5 minutes or more had passed with the butterflies totally motionless and then suddenly the Comma went for the Peacock driving it off. Why I can’t work out as it was such an out of the blue attack?
I pressed on, my feet starting to bemoan the effects of such an epic day. They got a break as half way up the rise to Comma Corner the Specklie appeared and posed for a few photos giving my tired tootsies a brief break from stomping. At Comma Corner there was a brace of Commas naturally and then I took a quick turn around the Copse adding a few more Brimstone to the list. I ended up back at Specklie Intersection and so had the Specklie so I settled in for a few more shots. As I clicked away I realised there was one section of the site that had gotten very short shrift – The Glades, and so wishing the Specklie well I set off into the slightly cooler and shadier Glades.
As I started working through the first butterfly that I came across was a bright orange Comma. I was convinced that I’d not seen this one before as I’d have easily remembered/recognised it and I had a feeling that, Brimstone aside, the butterflies that I found here I’d be seeing for the first time for the visit. Along the little track ways between the clumps of nettles and round small stands or single large mature trees I went looking all about for the tell-tale sight of a butterfly taking to the air. By the time I’d reached the car I’d added another Comma, two Brimstone and three Peacocks to the days burgeoning tally. The last butterfly, a Peacock, I thought of at the time as ‘blinded’. Not the ‘blind’ form/aberration lacking the eyes but blinded in that the large eyes on the fore wings had been neatly snipped off. Brilliant but what’s next?
Even though I was footsore there was still somewhere I wanted to check out which was the only reason that I’d brought the car and so off to The Devenish I went. I normally like to visit this reserve slightly later in the season when the Orchids have started to bloom and the Skippers have arrived on the scene. In the early part of the season there isn’t an awful lot to see but as I wasn’t sure how long the reasonable weather was due to last I decided to make the most of it. I started out in the Paddocks hoping for a Comma or maybe a Red Admiral flying between the stands of Ivy but all I could see was a Brimstone off in the distance. Rather than bust my gut climbing over the various gates I instead followed the narrow path up the hill and out across the middle part of the Down. As I drew near to the stile at the other side suddenly it all kicked off. A Comma erupted from in front of me, it’s cryptic colouring far too effective and almost a liability were it not for the butterfly’s lightning reflexes. As it shot off it upset first one and then a second Peacock which flew round and about before solemnly attacking each other. The Comma came back and joined in the fracas whilst a passing Brimstone shot past trying to not become collateral. Eventually one of the Peacocks got tired and detached itself from the spiraling melee drifting down and landing a little in front of me. After a few shots I left it in relative peace (well the other two were still at and I didn’t know how long it would be before this one got dragged back into the scrap?). A quick check of the Orchid Meadow revealed only a distant Brimstone so I took that as my cue to pack it in for the day; ‘finish as you started’ and all that.
The respite of spring
With Peacocks everywhere
Bet it won’t last though…
Instead of wall to wall grey and a feeling of impending doom from more rain and dullness when I pulled the curtains the sky behind was blue and the light streamed through the window. After the usual early morning trawl of the shops in town I decided that hence forth wherever I went my camera would go too and so first it was off to Waitrose. I took the slightly longer and quieter route down through the housing estate which runs parallel with the railway tracks. At the far end there is a little play park and on the opposite side of the path a little square of grass, no bigger than a couple of metres square, but sheltered on three sides (two by hedge, one by the houses themselves) and with plenty of Coltsfoot and Dandelions growing through the sparse turf. I slowed down as I approached it and sure enough there was a Brimstone taking nectar. It was in a bit of an awkward position with a few twigs in the way but with some careful lens placement I managed a few reasonably unobstructed shots. It was joined by a second but in the cool of the early morning they barely managed a few cross words and were in no shape for an upwardly spiralling tussle so I was able to get in a few shots of the second one as well. A brilliant start for the day!
After the food shopping was stashed away and the free coffee consumed my next task was to accompany L to town so that she could meet her German pen-pal for the first time. Once they’d safely met I escorted them into the Cathedral and while they looked around inside I nipped across to one of the small fields in the Close. A Brimstone flew past and led me away from the Cathedral and on into the small field via a small gateway at the far end. Once inside I scanned up the hedge from the other side. In the distance I could make out a couple of Brimstones in the distance as little yellow blobs but closer too there was the unmistakable feeling of being watched – it was a Peacock sitting down on the grass. It was much better behaved than most of its ilk as generally they’ve been very flighty so far.
After more than a few shots it took to the air and I couldn’t fathom out why? As I looked around for it in the hope of finding it grounded again I chanced to look up and the reason for its departure became clear, it was slugging it out with a second Peacock. They seemed to settle their dispute and I watched out for the rough spots where they landed I saw one come down pretty close to where I’d been kneeling and clicking away before so I took a wide circular path round to the second. I only managed a handful of shots of it before it went off seeking out its rival for round 2. I started back towards the Cathedral and was considering getting waylaid by the Brimstones when my phone rang. L and her friend had finished so could I get them into Monpesson house? We strolled over and there was another ‘Schmetterling’, a Peacock, in one of the neighbouring gardens and then I left the girls too it and raced home to pick up the car for the short drive over to Five Rivers.
From the car park I strolled quickly across towards Comma Corner half expecting the sun to disappear as I arrived there. Strangely it didn’t which kinda freaked me out a little bit! Instead there was a Peacock sitting in the sun and it was one of the twitchy ones, gone almost as soon as I pointed my lens in its general direction. I strolled down the bank to Specklie Intersection which was occupied by a second Peacock and a Comma. As I debated about whether to try for the Peacock once I’d got a few Comma shots my attention was drawn to a much smaller, brown butterfly that had just appeared several nettles away from the Comma. It was my first Specklie of the year. The decision between the Peacock and the Comma now became moot and so I started filling up my memory card with the first of the Satyridae.
Chuffed I set off along the Banks following in the footsteps that I’d used before, at some points even placing my boot in a made to measure spot. The more overgrown first part which has an almost ‘woodland’ like feel held a couple of Peacocks and a Comma. As I moved through the treeline and then ventured out onto the more open, closer cropped ‘mid Bank’ there was another Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell which proved a little problematic to photograph as it was ‘shivering’ to get its flight muscles warmed up possibly? When I reached the end it was more of the same (it feels great typing that statement finally!) with a Peacock and two different Small Torts all vying for the best basking spot on the muddy path. I’d try for a shot of one and then another would take this as its cue to bundle in and try and usurp the holder of the coveted spot. I’m not quite sure why as they seldom returned to the same spot and it made me wonder if they were just doing it out of spite? After a while I rounded the corner and strode down the hill and onto the final stretch of path towards the end of the reserve. As I walked I spotted yet another Peacock and a fly-by Brimstone and once at the very end I was treated to a pair of Treecreepers.
I now had another decision to make; carry on round following the roughly circular path or retrace my footsteps. I opted for the later reasoning that the habitat was better that way, I’d be able to confirm numbers and also hopefully reacquaint myself with the Specklie and so decision made I set off. I did seem to see the same butterflies in roughly the same places apart from the fast moving Brimstones which covered vast distances around the reserve. There were one or two newbies added into the mix, two of which were Small Torts easily recognisable as ‘different’ by their wing damage and very quickly I was back at Specklie Intersection looking for the Specklie which as it happened wasn’t there although the/a Comma and Peacock were. I settled down and wrote up my notes surreptitiously keeping an eye on the butterflies. They didn’t move and so I watched for another couple of minutes. In the end 5 minutes or more had passed with the butterflies totally motionless and then suddenly the Comma went for the Peacock driving it off. Why I can’t work out as it was such an out of the blue attack?
I pressed on, my feet starting to bemoan the effects of such an epic day. They got a break as half way up the rise to Comma Corner the Specklie appeared and posed for a few photos giving my tired tootsies a brief break from stomping. At Comma Corner there was a brace of Commas naturally and then I took a quick turn around the Copse adding a few more Brimstone to the list. I ended up back at Specklie Intersection and so had the Specklie so I settled in for a few more shots. As I clicked away I realised there was one section of the site that had gotten very short shrift – The Glades, and so wishing the Specklie well I set off into the slightly cooler and shadier Glades.
As I started working through the first butterfly that I came across was a bright orange Comma. I was convinced that I’d not seen this one before as I’d have easily remembered/recognised it and I had a feeling that, Brimstone aside, the butterflies that I found here I’d be seeing for the first time for the visit. Along the little track ways between the clumps of nettles and round small stands or single large mature trees I went looking all about for the tell-tale sight of a butterfly taking to the air. By the time I’d reached the car I’d added another Comma, two Brimstone and three Peacocks to the days burgeoning tally. The last butterfly, a Peacock, I thought of at the time as ‘blinded’. Not the ‘blind’ form/aberration lacking the eyes but blinded in that the large eyes on the fore wings had been neatly snipped off. Brilliant but what’s next?
Even though I was footsore there was still somewhere I wanted to check out which was the only reason that I’d brought the car and so off to The Devenish I went. I normally like to visit this reserve slightly later in the season when the Orchids have started to bloom and the Skippers have arrived on the scene. In the early part of the season there isn’t an awful lot to see but as I wasn’t sure how long the reasonable weather was due to last I decided to make the most of it. I started out in the Paddocks hoping for a Comma or maybe a Red Admiral flying between the stands of Ivy but all I could see was a Brimstone off in the distance. Rather than bust my gut climbing over the various gates I instead followed the narrow path up the hill and out across the middle part of the Down. As I drew near to the stile at the other side suddenly it all kicked off. A Comma erupted from in front of me, it’s cryptic colouring far too effective and almost a liability were it not for the butterfly’s lightning reflexes. As it shot off it upset first one and then a second Peacock which flew round and about before solemnly attacking each other. The Comma came back and joined in the fracas whilst a passing Brimstone shot past trying to not become collateral. Eventually one of the Peacocks got tired and detached itself from the spiraling melee drifting down and landing a little in front of me. After a few shots I left it in relative peace (well the other two were still at and I didn’t know how long it would be before this one got dragged back into the scrap?). A quick check of the Orchid Meadow revealed only a distant Brimstone so I took that as my cue to pack it in for the day; ‘finish as you started’ and all that.
The respite of spring
With Peacocks everywhere
Bet it won’t last though…
Work 21-03-2024
This was my second trip out with my camera during lunch. I had hoped that my season of dinner time forays would get off to a similar bang as my first overall trip of the year had but I’d only managed a single Small Tort. Therefore I was hoping for something a little better on this trip. It was a bit breezy and quite cool as I made my way through the estate and down towards the half-way point but a Brimstone brightened up the day as it visited various gardens en route. The first bit of the path was empty possibly a victim of its own success as the bordering bushes have grown outwards choking off various parts of the path and swallowing up the little alcoves and scallops where the butterflies used to nectar. As I drew level with the Parrots a Small Tort fed from a Dandelion and a Comma was a distant speck in one of the adjoining gardens. At the end a Peacock was sunning itself right in the middle of the path and as a woodpigeon passed over its shadow sent the butterfly off. I don’t think that I’ve known a year when the Peacocks have been as flighty as this?
I turned round and started to retrace my steps mulling over how things were going – none too shabby considering the year so far but not a patch on those vintage years when I first discovered my lunchtime route. It picked up a bit on the return and the Comma that had been a distant speck was still sitting off in the distance. As I wasn’t sure that it was going to move during my limited time I settled for a few, very distant record shots and then turned my attention to the Small Tort that had flown across the path and was now sitting just on the other side of the barbed wire fence in the neighbouring field. I poked my lens between the coils of wire and grabbed a few shots. As I was checking these back I spied the Comma which had ventured from the garden and strayed onto the path allowing much better access to it. While I was enjoying the Comma a brace of Brimstones bombed in from opposite ends of the path, met and then spiralled upward and upwards eventually splitting off from each other and either continuing on their route or retracing their wing flaps.
From the Parrots the little section back held a courting pair of Small Torts in the smallest remaining scallop but they were too busy wooing and being annoyed by being wooed to hang around for a few photos. Instead the next subject for a set of shots I stumbled, in fact almost trod on; a lovely female Small Tort sunning itself flat as a pancake on the tarmac of the footpath. A cracking way to end a lunchtime foray.
Out for a quick walk
And they are finally off!
Lunchtime butterflies
I turned round and started to retrace my steps mulling over how things were going – none too shabby considering the year so far but not a patch on those vintage years when I first discovered my lunchtime route. It picked up a bit on the return and the Comma that had been a distant speck was still sitting off in the distance. As I wasn’t sure that it was going to move during my limited time I settled for a few, very distant record shots and then turned my attention to the Small Tort that had flown across the path and was now sitting just on the other side of the barbed wire fence in the neighbouring field. I poked my lens between the coils of wire and grabbed a few shots. As I was checking these back I spied the Comma which had ventured from the garden and strayed onto the path allowing much better access to it. While I was enjoying the Comma a brace of Brimstones bombed in from opposite ends of the path, met and then spiralled upward and upwards eventually splitting off from each other and either continuing on their route or retracing their wing flaps.
From the Parrots the little section back held a courting pair of Small Torts in the smallest remaining scallop but they were too busy wooing and being annoyed by being wooed to hang around for a few photos. Instead the next subject for a set of shots I stumbled, in fact almost trod on; a lovely female Small Tort sunning itself flat as a pancake on the tarmac of the footpath. A cracking way to end a lunchtime foray.
Out for a quick walk
And they are finally off!
Lunchtime butterflies
Middle Street 17-03-2024
As it was just shy of a month since my first visit to Middle Street I decided that today would be the day to go and see how things are progressing. As I walked over it was actually quite pleasant with the sun shining and feeling slightly stronger than I can previously recall. However almost as soon as I set foot on site it went in behind the clouds. This was starting to be a bit of a ‘thing’ now and as I started down the back path towards the wood pile at the corner I wondered if I’d be able to get my timing right as the season moved forwards? However as the onset of the gloom had only just begun there were still a couple of butterflies on the wing, caught out by the vagaries of the weather. The first was a Peacock which hurtled towards me and then disappeared off into the surrounding gardens and the second was a Brimstone which bombed past in the opposite direction leading me onwards deeper into the reserve. I made my cautiously around the quagmire (giggity) to the small field of the hotspot and then once at the centre stood back and surveyed…
…finding nothing. In a sombre mood I ambled about a bit and then almost stood on a grounded Brimstone! After a few shots I left it in peace and then I noticed a tightness around my eyelids. My eyes are quite sensitive to light and I often need sunglasses on even the dullest of days and so my eyes preparing to squint meant that there was an almost imperceptible brightening. Sure enough the sun started to ease itself from the clutches of the cloud and suddenly a barren Hotspot held four species. The Brimstone took to the air first swiftly followed by a fleeting Small Tort. Just ahead of me a Peacock popped into existence but it proved to be a flighty one and I could only manage a couple of record shots before turning my attention to the Comma which was sitting and sunning itself on the corner of the path.
Things continued bright although I could see several large clouds mustering in the distance and so I decided to make the most of it and quickly made for the Dips. Dip 1 seemed quiet at first but then I spotted a Comma at the waters’ edge and so climbed down and grabbed a few shots before it was fully solar charged. As I was in the Dip I wandered from one side to the other and spotted another twitchy Peacock. As it took to the air it unsettled a second Comma and a brace of Brimstones flew past along the strand of bushes at the rear of the Dip.
Pleased but wanting to see what else there was to offer so I climbed back out and worked along the Bank Path zigging and zagging across the length s that I could both sides of the bank as well as Dips 2 and 3. The later were both empty and I didn’t encounter any more butterflies until I was almost at the End where another brace of Brimstones bimbled about whilst a Comma flew away from along the Bank Path following the sun which was being overpowered by the first of a wave of large ominous clouds. With the gloom returned I too decided to return back to the Hotspot but I worked along the lower path from the End back. As I walked I scanned hopefully along the length of the Banks and a few reddish looking leaves had me second guessing on a couple of occasions but then the flash of red/orange actually did become a Small Tort. I grabbed a few photos while it was grounded in the gloom and then I felt the return of warmth of the sun on my back and so I followed the now much more active butterfly along the Bank Path down into Dip 2. In here as well as the Small Tort a Peacock and a Comma sparred seemingly endlessly.
As I eyed the sky I could see the respite from the cloud was going to be brief as a wall of grey encroached from the South smothering the surrounding hills in gloom. So I set off like a rabbit to check out the rest of the site before it descended. The river area was noisy from bird calls but there weren’t any butterflies until I was back at the Hotspot which held a Peacock, the Comma and three Brimstones flew from the field over into the impenetrable old pond. I could see that the cloud was almost upon us and so I scooted over to the Back Track where I was able to spy 2 Commas (possibly the pair from Dip1?). The first I managed a handful of shots of before the cloud rolled overhead. However the second sat, almost attempting to wait the cloud cover out. I took my shots and then sat back amid the nettles and waited and watched. It seems that Commas don’t have much patience as after only a minute or so it was off seeking somewhere safer to sit out the dull. And that as they say was that apart from an errant Small Tortoiseshell at the end of the street when I was almost home.
Middle Street again
Over the course of a month
Very little change…
…finding nothing. In a sombre mood I ambled about a bit and then almost stood on a grounded Brimstone! After a few shots I left it in peace and then I noticed a tightness around my eyelids. My eyes are quite sensitive to light and I often need sunglasses on even the dullest of days and so my eyes preparing to squint meant that there was an almost imperceptible brightening. Sure enough the sun started to ease itself from the clutches of the cloud and suddenly a barren Hotspot held four species. The Brimstone took to the air first swiftly followed by a fleeting Small Tort. Just ahead of me a Peacock popped into existence but it proved to be a flighty one and I could only manage a couple of record shots before turning my attention to the Comma which was sitting and sunning itself on the corner of the path.
Things continued bright although I could see several large clouds mustering in the distance and so I decided to make the most of it and quickly made for the Dips. Dip 1 seemed quiet at first but then I spotted a Comma at the waters’ edge and so climbed down and grabbed a few shots before it was fully solar charged. As I was in the Dip I wandered from one side to the other and spotted another twitchy Peacock. As it took to the air it unsettled a second Comma and a brace of Brimstones flew past along the strand of bushes at the rear of the Dip.
Pleased but wanting to see what else there was to offer so I climbed back out and worked along the Bank Path zigging and zagging across the length s that I could both sides of the bank as well as Dips 2 and 3. The later were both empty and I didn’t encounter any more butterflies until I was almost at the End where another brace of Brimstones bimbled about whilst a Comma flew away from along the Bank Path following the sun which was being overpowered by the first of a wave of large ominous clouds. With the gloom returned I too decided to return back to the Hotspot but I worked along the lower path from the End back. As I walked I scanned hopefully along the length of the Banks and a few reddish looking leaves had me second guessing on a couple of occasions but then the flash of red/orange actually did become a Small Tort. I grabbed a few photos while it was grounded in the gloom and then I felt the return of warmth of the sun on my back and so I followed the now much more active butterfly along the Bank Path down into Dip 2. In here as well as the Small Tort a Peacock and a Comma sparred seemingly endlessly.
As I eyed the sky I could see the respite from the cloud was going to be brief as a wall of grey encroached from the South smothering the surrounding hills in gloom. So I set off like a rabbit to check out the rest of the site before it descended. The river area was noisy from bird calls but there weren’t any butterflies until I was back at the Hotspot which held a Peacock, the Comma and three Brimstones flew from the field over into the impenetrable old pond. I could see that the cloud was almost upon us and so I scooted over to the Back Track where I was able to spy 2 Commas (possibly the pair from Dip1?). The first I managed a handful of shots of before the cloud rolled overhead. However the second sat, almost attempting to wait the cloud cover out. I took my shots and then sat back amid the nettles and waited and watched. It seems that Commas don’t have much patience as after only a minute or so it was off seeking somewhere safer to sit out the dull. And that as they say was that apart from an errant Small Tortoiseshell at the end of the street when I was almost home.
Middle Street again
Over the course of a month
Very little change…
Middle Street 09-03-2024
At this time of year you take your chances and as there was definitely a little more in the way of sun I wolfed my lunch down, grabbed my camera and made my way over to Middle Street. As is usual for the time of year the sun started to peter out as I drew near to the entrance of the reserve and then once on site officially it snuggled back into the soft down of the cloud and disappeared from view leaving me struggling onwards in limpid light. With the lower light levels the temperature noticeably dropped and with it insect activity. I kept going though, figuring that the more work I put in the greater the rewards…eventually. So I wandered from the corner to the hotspot and then along the bank path with quick sorties down and through Dips 1 and 2. When I reached the far end I turned round and retraced my steps as far as the start of the bank path before deviating and following the track along the river. What I got for all of this effort was precisely nothing in the way of butterflies, nada mariposas, nowt buttie-wise, keine Schmetterlinge although the old bit of roof felt housed a hideaway Bank Vole.
I almost gave up and made for home then and there with the intention of relegating the days’ activities into ‘Saved for a rainy day’ folder but I felt a slight warmth on my cheek as the sun started to wake up again and so I plumbed for making another pass. I reached Dip 2 with exactly the same butterfly count and so peered down into Dip where my eyes fell upon wee ginger beastie. Shocked at its sudden appearance a moment or two passed before instinct kicked in and I carefully set to stalking. I managed to get a few shots off before the sun caught me out. Whilst I’d been intent on my quarry it had crept out a little bit more and was now sufficiently bright enough to cast a shadow which spooked the Comma. It didn’t fly far, just had a quick check of its territory really before it settled down again and I was able to approach it once more. As I clicked away the sky darkened once more but I was oblivious.
Chuffed I climbed back out of the Dip and strolled the remains of the Bank path and then back. It had certainly put a spring in my step as I did this section of the circuit within 6 minutes and then I was back down in Dip 2 wondering if the Comma had stayed put in the gloom. It had but now it was offering the chance to photograph the almost purple-brown underside. Brilliant!
Chuffed all over again I finally made my way homewards. Strange to think that one single butterfly can make such a difference to your mood…
A clouded Comma
Becalmed sitting in the Dip
Onto the year list
I almost gave up and made for home then and there with the intention of relegating the days’ activities into ‘Saved for a rainy day’ folder but I felt a slight warmth on my cheek as the sun started to wake up again and so I plumbed for making another pass. I reached Dip 2 with exactly the same butterfly count and so peered down into Dip where my eyes fell upon wee ginger beastie. Shocked at its sudden appearance a moment or two passed before instinct kicked in and I carefully set to stalking. I managed to get a few shots off before the sun caught me out. Whilst I’d been intent on my quarry it had crept out a little bit more and was now sufficiently bright enough to cast a shadow which spooked the Comma. It didn’t fly far, just had a quick check of its territory really before it settled down again and I was able to approach it once more. As I clicked away the sky darkened once more but I was oblivious.
Chuffed I climbed back out of the Dip and strolled the remains of the Bank path and then back. It had certainly put a spring in my step as I did this section of the circuit within 6 minutes and then I was back down in Dip 2 wondering if the Comma had stayed put in the gloom. It had but now it was offering the chance to photograph the almost purple-brown underside. Brilliant!
Chuffed all over again I finally made my way homewards. Strange to think that one single butterfly can make such a difference to your mood…
A clouded Comma
Becalmed sitting in the Dip
Onto the year list
Middle Street 15-02-2024
I needed to sort out a service for my car but the weather was surprisingly mild and the blue sky was revealing itself to my eyes tired from seeing wall to wall grey. So instead of driving to the garage or spending hours stuck on hold I decided to walk over to the garage and make the arrangements in person…I could also walk the long way round and take in Middle Street…
The walk across meadows along the town path was pretty uneventful even though I stopped at all the places I’ve seen butterflies before. In fact I was walking along Middle Street itself before I spotted my first butterfly. I always check out the facades of the houses that line the road as they catch the sun perfectly and so offer up much needed early spring warmth and there sunning itself was a Peacock. Unfortunately I could only manage a couple of record shots from the end of the drive as I didn’t want to get done for trespass, well not this early in the season anyway. However a little further on I spotted my second butterfly. This time it was a Red Admiral which was sitting on a window sill of a porch. It was a fair bit closer than the Peacock and so I leant in a got some still distant but a lot closer shots. I then chanced my arm a bit more and walked round the drive and rang the doorbell to ask permission from the owner. While I waited I grabbed a few more shots and when they answered the door they seemed delighted to allow me as they’d purposefully planted the garden out to attract butterflies and other insects. So I got some nice shots and permission to wander in should I be passing by in future.
In the space of 10 minutes I’d doubled my species and tripled my total count for the year and I had a feeling that there was more to come. It felt like the butterflies had just been waiting at the start, engines humming in anticipation of the first proper spell of sun which would act like the green light and then “Go”! As I worked down the narrow path at the side of the reserve which in a few weeks will be impassable I spotted a fast moving slice of lemon playing in the sun near the old wood pile. As I drew near it settled and so I was able to get shots of my first Brimstone and it was actually recognisable and not just a yellow blur. It moved off and then plonked down at the top of the Bramble where it sat proud and without any clutter obstructing my shot.
I then set off to examine the rest of the site, first looking down into Dip 1 and then working along the central banked path whence I alternated my glance down into the football field and Dips 2 and 3. Two more Brimstones passed by in the distance and then by the end I was treated to four Brimstones all flying within my field of view. I’ve often marvelled at how the sight of a butterfly in early spring lifts the mood, well now it felt like I was tip-toing on air. It was a marvellous feeling, all the stresses and blues of the winter months dissipated and were carried away on the breeze. At the end I turned back around and retraced my footsteps along the banked path and then continued along it to the end and then round to the old Hotspot. A brace of Brimstones flitted this way and that across the small flat bit of land but unfortunately the route down to the dried pond was impenetrable. Somewhat despondently I mooched about and had a look at the Snowdrops. Then I spotted a Small Tort nectaring on a Celandine and all glum thoughts were once again dispelled.
Things had gone much better than expected but I needed to get the car service sorted and so to that end I set off again along the Bank path. However my responsible frame of mind lasted only as far as Dip 1 before I spotted a Brimstone and so of course I had to climb down and try for a few shots. It also sat still while I clicked away and unusually for this species I actually walked away and it remained in place. As I set off again a Peacock went up and flew a short distance before flopping down onto the deck long enough for me to realise what it was and grab a few shots. Then it repeated this performance but I did better shot wise the second time as I knew what I was dealing with.
I continued on with more Brimstones here and there but alas the corner of Upper and Middle Street didn’t bear any fruit and after a pleasant walk through the woods, across the river and then across the meadows I was soon in the garage talking dates and parts. Still what a cracking start to the season!
Off to Middle Street
Just into February
But start with a bang!
The walk across meadows along the town path was pretty uneventful even though I stopped at all the places I’ve seen butterflies before. In fact I was walking along Middle Street itself before I spotted my first butterfly. I always check out the facades of the houses that line the road as they catch the sun perfectly and so offer up much needed early spring warmth and there sunning itself was a Peacock. Unfortunately I could only manage a couple of record shots from the end of the drive as I didn’t want to get done for trespass, well not this early in the season anyway. However a little further on I spotted my second butterfly. This time it was a Red Admiral which was sitting on a window sill of a porch. It was a fair bit closer than the Peacock and so I leant in a got some still distant but a lot closer shots. I then chanced my arm a bit more and walked round the drive and rang the doorbell to ask permission from the owner. While I waited I grabbed a few more shots and when they answered the door they seemed delighted to allow me as they’d purposefully planted the garden out to attract butterflies and other insects. So I got some nice shots and permission to wander in should I be passing by in future.
In the space of 10 minutes I’d doubled my species and tripled my total count for the year and I had a feeling that there was more to come. It felt like the butterflies had just been waiting at the start, engines humming in anticipation of the first proper spell of sun which would act like the green light and then “Go”! As I worked down the narrow path at the side of the reserve which in a few weeks will be impassable I spotted a fast moving slice of lemon playing in the sun near the old wood pile. As I drew near it settled and so I was able to get shots of my first Brimstone and it was actually recognisable and not just a yellow blur. It moved off and then plonked down at the top of the Bramble where it sat proud and without any clutter obstructing my shot.
I then set off to examine the rest of the site, first looking down into Dip 1 and then working along the central banked path whence I alternated my glance down into the football field and Dips 2 and 3. Two more Brimstones passed by in the distance and then by the end I was treated to four Brimstones all flying within my field of view. I’ve often marvelled at how the sight of a butterfly in early spring lifts the mood, well now it felt like I was tip-toing on air. It was a marvellous feeling, all the stresses and blues of the winter months dissipated and were carried away on the breeze. At the end I turned back around and retraced my footsteps along the banked path and then continued along it to the end and then round to the old Hotspot. A brace of Brimstones flitted this way and that across the small flat bit of land but unfortunately the route down to the dried pond was impenetrable. Somewhat despondently I mooched about and had a look at the Snowdrops. Then I spotted a Small Tort nectaring on a Celandine and all glum thoughts were once again dispelled.
Things had gone much better than expected but I needed to get the car service sorted and so to that end I set off again along the Bank path. However my responsible frame of mind lasted only as far as Dip 1 before I spotted a Brimstone and so of course I had to climb down and try for a few shots. It also sat still while I clicked away and unusually for this species I actually walked away and it remained in place. As I set off again a Peacock went up and flew a short distance before flopping down onto the deck long enough for me to realise what it was and grab a few shots. Then it repeated this performance but I did better shot wise the second time as I knew what I was dealing with.
I continued on with more Brimstones here and there but alas the corner of Upper and Middle Street didn’t bear any fruit and after a pleasant walk through the woods, across the river and then across the meadows I was soon in the garage talking dates and parts. Still what a cracking start to the season!
Off to Middle Street
Just into February
But start with a bang!
