Stourhead 27-10-2019
Every October I’m inundated by sister in-laws as they all descend on us for a few days visit. Luckily this means at least one trip out to a National trust site with Stourhead being the popular choice. So it was this year only I hadn’t counted on national advertisement of the ‘glorious autumn colours’ which meant queueing to get into the overflow car park. Still it meant that we emerged from the ticket office into slightly warmer temps…if you can call them that. This year it’s almost as if someone’s flipped a switch; summer off autumn on. No Indian Summer, no shorts and T-shirt in October instead having to rattle round in the loft to find hats, scarves and winter coats.
We followed the traditional route – across the bridge, through the walled garden and stables, skirt the edge of the garden and dive down through the wood. Whilst there were more birds to see, their protective cloak of leaves dispersed and decaying, as well as fungi the insects were few and far between and as I wandered I wondered if I’d already finished the year?
As the woodland path came down the hill and merged with the lakeside track to flow together over the dam my question was answered for me. My season hadn’t ended as there was a beautiful lemon Brimstone looking to all intents and purposes as a falling leaf caught on the breeze. I knew that it wasn’t one though as in the slight breeze most leaves were spiralling diagonally downwards and this ‘leaf’ was moving horizontally. And just as quickly as it had come it was gone disappearing into a small tree which was bedecked in Brimstone yellow leaves. Nothing ventured nothing gained I tried to relocate the Brimstone in its hidey hole and amazingly there it was, hanging upside down looking remarkably like an apoptotic leaf ready to drop.
After this I kept my eyes open and in the remnants of the walk I spied out a further two butterflies – both Red Admirals and both high up and out of reach of my lens. I didn’t mind not getting any shots of them I ‘d rather they found somewhere snug to hide away as the autumn came quickly upon us.
We followed the traditional route – across the bridge, through the walled garden and stables, skirt the edge of the garden and dive down through the wood. Whilst there were more birds to see, their protective cloak of leaves dispersed and decaying, as well as fungi the insects were few and far between and as I wandered I wondered if I’d already finished the year?
As the woodland path came down the hill and merged with the lakeside track to flow together over the dam my question was answered for me. My season hadn’t ended as there was a beautiful lemon Brimstone looking to all intents and purposes as a falling leaf caught on the breeze. I knew that it wasn’t one though as in the slight breeze most leaves were spiralling diagonally downwards and this ‘leaf’ was moving horizontally. And just as quickly as it had come it was gone disappearing into a small tree which was bedecked in Brimstone yellow leaves. Nothing ventured nothing gained I tried to relocate the Brimstone in its hidey hole and amazingly there it was, hanging upside down looking remarkably like an apoptotic leaf ready to drop.
After this I kept my eyes open and in the remnants of the walk I spied out a further two butterflies – both Red Admirals and both high up and out of reach of my lens. I didn’t mind not getting any shots of them I ‘d rather they found somewhere snug to hide away as the autumn came quickly upon us.
Stourhead 19-10-2019
After yesterday when it was reasonably balmy I thought that today was going to be the same. Nice again but the weather report couldn’t be trusted and at one point on the journey I had to put the wipers on – so much for sunny intervals until lunchtime! Once we’d parked and started the walk whilst it was dry it didn’t get much better – it was so cold almost if the heating had suddenly been switched off. Up through the walled gardens and on I didn’t see anything and it was only when we were making the descent of the woodland walk that I picked up anything of interest with a few fungi. Also I managed to recall some of my bird song lore and a bit of ‘pishing’ soon brought in Chaffinchs, a mixed tit flock and a Nuthatch. I had a go at teaching little L the technique and in doing so brought in a Goldcrest that set to flitting about in the boughs.
After this the walk was quiet despite the riot of colour from the autumn leaves. It still remained cold and with the circular walk over, lunch eaten and all the girls ensconced in Ye Olde Craft Fayre I revisited the walled garden. As I strode up the hill the sun came out and it suddenly felt noticeably warmer. I was cheered by this and imagined a Comma or Red Admiral sitting on some of the remaining flowers as I climbed the hill. As I walked up the second set of steps into the final garden there was something orange looking out of place amid the mauve flowers. I got a few distant shots and it played hard to get flying occasionally but always landing on the garden and just out of reach of any decent images.
I followed it as it flew and it looked like the lower temps meant it couldn’t go far and eventually I managed to catch up with whilst it was close enough for a few proper shots. It had chosen to land in a fantastic and unusual juxtaposition. There I was in four layers, hat and wishing I had my gloves taking shots of a Comma butterfly on a Banana bush!!
Still it proved once again that it only takes one butterfly to make a day!
After this the walk was quiet despite the riot of colour from the autumn leaves. It still remained cold and with the circular walk over, lunch eaten and all the girls ensconced in Ye Olde Craft Fayre I revisited the walled garden. As I strode up the hill the sun came out and it suddenly felt noticeably warmer. I was cheered by this and imagined a Comma or Red Admiral sitting on some of the remaining flowers as I climbed the hill. As I walked up the second set of steps into the final garden there was something orange looking out of place amid the mauve flowers. I got a few distant shots and it played hard to get flying occasionally but always landing on the garden and just out of reach of any decent images.
I followed it as it flew and it looked like the lower temps meant it couldn’t go far and eventually I managed to catch up with whilst it was close enough for a few proper shots. It had chosen to land in a fantastic and unusual juxtaposition. There I was in four layers, hat and wishing I had my gloves taking shots of a Comma butterfly on a Banana bush!!
Still it proved once again that it only takes one butterfly to make a day!
Five Rivers 18-10-2019
I’d been itching to get out again and so when the weather report showed improving weather after lunch I settled in during the morning to do the various chores and then after lunch I walked over to Five Rivers. I’d only taken 15 or so steps when the sun was swallowed by cloud as once again the weather report had got it wrong. I pressed on regardless and I was soon on the muddy path that follows the river course. It was still cool and cloudy and I thought I might have needed my raincoat at one point but I kept pressing on and before I knew it I’d reached the corner of the reserve. From here I started back this time along the top of the Banks. I was just about to give it up as a bad job and head for home when two things happened. First the sun finally broke through the clouds and the grey was replaced by blue skies and second a male Brimstone passed by. I stood stock still and savoured the moment, content just to watch this glorious sight – possibly the last one I’ll see for a month or three now.
Pleased to have had at least one butterfly to show for my efforts I started back thinking that I’d give the Town Path a try. As I was cutting through from the Banks through the little glades towards the River Path there, nestled on some white flowers was what I’d really come for. A Red Admiral basking in the sun on an autumn afternoon. It was nice to see it contrasting against the white flowers. After trying shots from a few different angles I back tracked and left it to its own devices.
I stopped a short while later for a squirrel gathering nuts. I watched as he clocked me and then tried to stay still in the hope I suppose that I’d not seen it but then it gave up and took a run and leap into the tree.
The sun continued to shine although there were a few rogue clouds that would momentarily cover the sun and cause the temperatures to drop making a jumper necessary. On the town path near Waitrose I happened to pause to watch one of these clouds pass over. I don’t know why but I looked across the Bramble and there was a Red Admiral. It was in quite good nick and I waited and watched as it did a few slow circuits out across the river and back to roughly the same place as it waited for the sun to reappear.
After that I made for home – three butterflies isn’t great compared with what I’ve encountered in previous seasons at this time of year but then we haven’t really had the Indian Summer nor the oddly warm week as previously so I’ll take them.
Pleased to have had at least one butterfly to show for my efforts I started back thinking that I’d give the Town Path a try. As I was cutting through from the Banks through the little glades towards the River Path there, nestled on some white flowers was what I’d really come for. A Red Admiral basking in the sun on an autumn afternoon. It was nice to see it contrasting against the white flowers. After trying shots from a few different angles I back tracked and left it to its own devices.
I stopped a short while later for a squirrel gathering nuts. I watched as he clocked me and then tried to stay still in the hope I suppose that I’d not seen it but then it gave up and took a run and leap into the tree.
The sun continued to shine although there were a few rogue clouds that would momentarily cover the sun and cause the temperatures to drop making a jumper necessary. On the town path near Waitrose I happened to pause to watch one of these clouds pass over. I don’t know why but I looked across the Bramble and there was a Red Admiral. It was in quite good nick and I waited and watched as it did a few slow circuits out across the river and back to roughly the same place as it waited for the sun to reappear.
After that I made for home – three butterflies isn’t great compared with what I’ve encountered in previous seasons at this time of year but then we haven’t really had the Indian Summer nor the oddly warm week as previously so I’ll take them.
Larkhill 06-10-2019
My older daughter has been doing the DoE this year and today was the culmination of all those months of hard work as today I was off to pick her up from her expedition. Their final destination was a pub in a small neighbouring village to where I work. So I hatched a plan – drive to work, do a bit of marking, write a few reports, send a few emails and get myself sorted out for the next day and then when K was 15 minutes away she could text me and I wouldn’t have entirely wasted the afternoon. It would also look really good should anyone check the time stamp on the emails and reports – “he’s at work on a Sunday?”
As my daughter’s group had seen fit to call themselves the ‘Lost Penguins’ I fully expected to have to wait well past the ‘suggested’ pick up time of between 3 and 4 and so I treated myself to a quick check out of Larkhill. It being a Sunday I risked checking out the main car park area and so pulled in as close to the huge white boulders that block off the lay by and have made it so difficult over the past year. The Golden Rod had started to go over and the cloud that had appeared almost instantaneously I parked didn’t help matters. I had a bit of a mooch around and didn’t see a single thing be it bird or butterfly and so I moved back towards the car.
As I did I caught a flash out of the corner of my eye on the first patch of Golden Rod. It looked a little like a Red Admiral but the shape seemed wrong. As I approached cautiously it settled down and I got a few close-up shots and then it dropped down to the ground. It was now that its unusual look became apparent. There were chunks missing out of one fore wing and the rear margins were gone and the edges of the remains of the wings were spiked and jagged. After a little bit I left it in peace to eke out its final few hours.
Once at work the ‘Lost Penguins’ didn’t live up to their name and so I managed only a quarter of the tasks I was hoping to get done. Still Bronze done for K, Silver next?
As my daughter’s group had seen fit to call themselves the ‘Lost Penguins’ I fully expected to have to wait well past the ‘suggested’ pick up time of between 3 and 4 and so I treated myself to a quick check out of Larkhill. It being a Sunday I risked checking out the main car park area and so pulled in as close to the huge white boulders that block off the lay by and have made it so difficult over the past year. The Golden Rod had started to go over and the cloud that had appeared almost instantaneously I parked didn’t help matters. I had a bit of a mooch around and didn’t see a single thing be it bird or butterfly and so I moved back towards the car.
As I did I caught a flash out of the corner of my eye on the first patch of Golden Rod. It looked a little like a Red Admiral but the shape seemed wrong. As I approached cautiously it settled down and I got a few close-up shots and then it dropped down to the ground. It was now that its unusual look became apparent. There were chunks missing out of one fore wing and the rear margins were gone and the edges of the remains of the wings were spiked and jagged. After a little bit I left it in peace to eke out its final few hours.
Once at work the ‘Lost Penguins’ didn’t live up to their name and so I managed only a quarter of the tasks I was hoping to get done. Still Bronze done for K, Silver next?
Work 02-10-2019
It had been a while since the last time I’d managed to get out properly and see butterflies and looking back at the various folders on my hard drive it had been almost two weeks. In that time I’d seen butterflies here and there – mainly Red Admirals but the occasional (probably Small) White and a lovely Small Tortoiseshell. However I’d been in the car or in a building or they’d just appeared out of the blue and were gone almost as quickly. However today when this happened I decided that I wasn’t going to hang around and I was going to try and get the shot…
A Red Admiral flew lazily across the quad towards my building. I was constrained by hosting a group of 27 Year 11 Separate Scientists and I swear that the butterfly knew this. Why else wold it continue its lazy flight along the length of my lab at the perfect height of 3 inches or so above the bottom of the window frame? I followed it with my eyes, momentarily neglecting my concentration on Forces at equilibrium and using scale diagrams to resolve forces and as I ran out of window I peered out of the final pane and watched it land on the wall.
Grinding my teeth I pressed on but five minutes later I glanced out and it had moved slightly onto the signage that was up to promote the school from the previous Open Evening. Muttering something about ‘such and such page, questions from through to, and don’t forget to include your workings’ I slipped out the side door camera in hand.
Two minutes later I was back in the lab and was proudly congratulating myself having gotten some shots at last and without the pupils being any the wiser…
“Did you get some good shots sir?”
Oh well if I can always justify my actions by putting any decent shots in the school Bulletin.
A Red Admiral flew lazily across the quad towards my building. I was constrained by hosting a group of 27 Year 11 Separate Scientists and I swear that the butterfly knew this. Why else wold it continue its lazy flight along the length of my lab at the perfect height of 3 inches or so above the bottom of the window frame? I followed it with my eyes, momentarily neglecting my concentration on Forces at equilibrium and using scale diagrams to resolve forces and as I ran out of window I peered out of the final pane and watched it land on the wall.
Grinding my teeth I pressed on but five minutes later I glanced out and it had moved slightly onto the signage that was up to promote the school from the previous Open Evening. Muttering something about ‘such and such page, questions from through to, and don’t forget to include your workings’ I slipped out the side door camera in hand.
Two minutes later I was back in the lab and was proudly congratulating myself having gotten some shots at last and without the pupils being any the wiser…
“Did you get some good shots sir?”
Oh well if I can always justify my actions by putting any decent shots in the school Bulletin.
Martin Down 21-09-2019
The Indian Summer was due to end quite spectacularly today and so for this reason I wanted to get out while I still could and while there were still butterflies around. As I had to drop K off for her D of E practice expedition at Broadchalk on the return journey I went up and over Hogger Road, cut across at the Coote Arms and was soon wandering the path from Sillen’s Lane end.
During the first stretch it was quite bare of butterflies with only 3 Meadow Browns, 2 Small Heath and a slightly worn Common Blue. In fact I was wondering if I’d made the right call and as that thought passed a synapse a glittering, orange blur flew across the track and it seems my call had been right! I followed the LOJ into a small, flat ‘field’ to the left of the track. It landed briefly and then was disturbed by a second that flew in. This seemed to be a productive little area and so I had a bit of a mooch around turning up a third Small Copper. This one was a beaut, a real show stopper with the biggest blue badges I’ve ever seen – not so much a WPC but more of a District Commissioner. In amid the odd Small Heath and Meadow Brown I managed to locate a fourth Small Copper and as I was making to leave a Common Blue posed nicely for me, wings open wide.
Cheered by this sudden upturn in fortune I found my way back to the main track and set off once more for the hotspot. My progress was delayed again by yet another Copper – they appear to be having a final surge in this third brood. Eventually I made it to where the Sillen’s Lane track crosses the Dyke and as I did so a battered Adonis was chased away by another Small Copper before I managed a shot. Instead I tried to console myself with Meadow Browns and Small Heaths before taking the extra few steps to the start of the hotspot. As I roamed down the little hollow before the ‘Terraces’ I spied a brace of Common Blues as well as representatives of the two Browns all sitting nicely. I was wondering which to go for first when a brace of really fresh Brown Argus bombed in like Bowling balls sending all the other butterflies spinning away like errant skittles. I couldn’t be too annoyed though as they both clearly had other things on their minds; the male fancied a bit and was trying his best whilst the female was heavily investing in not copulating!
Climbing up the terraces at the hotspot I added a Small White and female Brimstone as well as a few more Small Heaths and Meadow Browns to the tally. I then checked out the little bit on the other side of the track were a Large White did a fly-by and an Adonis was having a scrap with a Common Blue. Both were looking slightly past their best, the Adonis more so and it was only when it caught the light from a distance that you could be sure of its identity.
As this had been a bit of a spur of the moment I hadn’t brought my flask and I was starting to feel the prickle around the temples that meant I was in need of a drink and more specifically a coffee so I turned about and started to retrace my steps. The terraces now held double the numbers of Common Blues both of which seemed intent on hassling the more aged Adonis. It was like watching a gang of teenagers having a pop at an OAP. At one point a Small Copper joined in and so I walked away embarrassed by both the youth and the constabulary of the day!
As I wandered down through the hollow I watched a male Brimstone take nectar and then watched it further as it landed on the underside of a leaf and just disappeared from view. Mentally logging where it had landed I tried for a few shots of one of the fresh Brown Argus that I’d managed to relocate. Then turning back to the Brimstone I scanning where t had been I discovered that it had really vanished presumably crawling inwards to become lost in the shade.
On the walk back I was slightly delayed by a Painted Lady that dropped from high up at the top of a Hawthorn and almost took my head off! Then there were further stops for Small Coppers. Looking at them now they’re possibly ‘uncounted’ individuals the first one was for sure as it was the only damaged one that I saw all afternoon. The second was a cracking WPC and the probability of her being a newbie is higher than her being a recount. Back in the field I could only find a single Small Copper but there were three at other later stages of the walk back so they must have moved on to take advantage of the smorgasbord of nectar sources available.
The final butterfly (well on site) was, as it seemed to be the day for them, unsurprisingly a Small Copper. This one was holding a territory around a particular shrub/clump of flowers and didn’t stray very far. As I watched it the light would occasionally catch the wings turning them from orange to yellow and on through to green – a patina’d copper.
And that was it. I didn’t count the Comma on the drive home but if I had I’d have seen a dozen species with 9 possibly 10 Small Coppers which isn’t to be sneezed at (unless you’re Hoggers of course)!
During the first stretch it was quite bare of butterflies with only 3 Meadow Browns, 2 Small Heath and a slightly worn Common Blue. In fact I was wondering if I’d made the right call and as that thought passed a synapse a glittering, orange blur flew across the track and it seems my call had been right! I followed the LOJ into a small, flat ‘field’ to the left of the track. It landed briefly and then was disturbed by a second that flew in. This seemed to be a productive little area and so I had a bit of a mooch around turning up a third Small Copper. This one was a beaut, a real show stopper with the biggest blue badges I’ve ever seen – not so much a WPC but more of a District Commissioner. In amid the odd Small Heath and Meadow Brown I managed to locate a fourth Small Copper and as I was making to leave a Common Blue posed nicely for me, wings open wide.
Cheered by this sudden upturn in fortune I found my way back to the main track and set off once more for the hotspot. My progress was delayed again by yet another Copper – they appear to be having a final surge in this third brood. Eventually I made it to where the Sillen’s Lane track crosses the Dyke and as I did so a battered Adonis was chased away by another Small Copper before I managed a shot. Instead I tried to console myself with Meadow Browns and Small Heaths before taking the extra few steps to the start of the hotspot. As I roamed down the little hollow before the ‘Terraces’ I spied a brace of Common Blues as well as representatives of the two Browns all sitting nicely. I was wondering which to go for first when a brace of really fresh Brown Argus bombed in like Bowling balls sending all the other butterflies spinning away like errant skittles. I couldn’t be too annoyed though as they both clearly had other things on their minds; the male fancied a bit and was trying his best whilst the female was heavily investing in not copulating!
Climbing up the terraces at the hotspot I added a Small White and female Brimstone as well as a few more Small Heaths and Meadow Browns to the tally. I then checked out the little bit on the other side of the track were a Large White did a fly-by and an Adonis was having a scrap with a Common Blue. Both were looking slightly past their best, the Adonis more so and it was only when it caught the light from a distance that you could be sure of its identity.
As this had been a bit of a spur of the moment I hadn’t brought my flask and I was starting to feel the prickle around the temples that meant I was in need of a drink and more specifically a coffee so I turned about and started to retrace my steps. The terraces now held double the numbers of Common Blues both of which seemed intent on hassling the more aged Adonis. It was like watching a gang of teenagers having a pop at an OAP. At one point a Small Copper joined in and so I walked away embarrassed by both the youth and the constabulary of the day!
As I wandered down through the hollow I watched a male Brimstone take nectar and then watched it further as it landed on the underside of a leaf and just disappeared from view. Mentally logging where it had landed I tried for a few shots of one of the fresh Brown Argus that I’d managed to relocate. Then turning back to the Brimstone I scanning where t had been I discovered that it had really vanished presumably crawling inwards to become lost in the shade.
On the walk back I was slightly delayed by a Painted Lady that dropped from high up at the top of a Hawthorn and almost took my head off! Then there were further stops for Small Coppers. Looking at them now they’re possibly ‘uncounted’ individuals the first one was for sure as it was the only damaged one that I saw all afternoon. The second was a cracking WPC and the probability of her being a newbie is higher than her being a recount. Back in the field I could only find a single Small Copper but there were three at other later stages of the walk back so they must have moved on to take advantage of the smorgasbord of nectar sources available.
The final butterfly (well on site) was, as it seemed to be the day for them, unsurprisingly a Small Copper. This one was holding a territory around a particular shrub/clump of flowers and didn’t stray very far. As I watched it the light would occasionally catch the wings turning them from orange to yellow and on through to green – a patina’d copper.
And that was it. I didn’t count the Comma on the drive home but if I had I’d have seen a dozen species with 9 possibly 10 Small Coppers which isn’t to be sneezed at (unless you’re Hoggers of course)!
Work 20-09-2019
So on the morning after the night before I was back in work at the usual time but it felt like I’d not actually been home. Last night had been Open Evening which meant the longest day of the academic year. The stint yesterday ran from leaving the house at 7:30am to finally getting back at 10:15pm – just shy of 15 hours out of the house! Still to cheer me up my colleague called me into her room as she’d found a ‘Moff’. Only it turned out not to be a moth as such (although butterflies are moths) but instead a glorious Painted Lady. It was pawing at the window with its tarsi, staring forlornly at the world outside the window. I had no idea how it had gotten in or where it had come from seeing as though it wouldn’t have wanted to be in here on the previous night as this room was alive with volcanoes (acid + carbonate reactions), rainbows (pH scale in a test tube) and sparklers (flame test). Still I gave up wondering at its origin and instead, after a few shots including a ‘In the hand’ one, I set about becoming its deliverer rather than its jailor…I opened the window and it was gone – possibly heading south?
Martin Down 15-09-2019
It was a gorgeous day and this being September, you can never be sure when the next good weather spell will occur hence a family picnic was the order of the day. We parked at the main car park and made towards the Butts and the loosely cropped turf behind them. As the sun shone down and little plumes of dust arose from our feet as we tramped down the track Whites and Meadow Browns would fly on either side pf the path and a Small Tort was a blaze of colour as it fed eagerly from various flowers.
As we rounded the corner behind the Butts numerous Small Heath out in a dizzying display on the tiny bit of track that cut between the Junipers that bordered the foot of the Butts. As the ground opened up to the flat field the odd blue flew about standing out against the straw background but I ignored them and climbed down into the little hollow to eat lunch.
After our repast we split into three groups and each set about to our own devices; my wife to read the paper, the girls to explore and generally monkey about and me to look for butterflies. I started on the nearest side of the Butt where an overly large Hawthorn fashioned out a small scallop between it and the end of the Butt. In here a White (probably a Small) played around with a few Small Heath and an odd Meadow Brown. There was also the odd Common Blue and a single Adonis. A Small Copper floated down the side of the Butt and took up a territory on the other side of the scallop – occasionally it would fly out from its perch to see off an errant Meadow Brown or Small Heath. However every single butterfly would take to the wing when the Brown Argus put in an appearance. It flew from flower head to flower head hassling all and sundry in between. From here I worked back and cut across the flat, sparsely turfed field where I was entertained following a lovely fresh Painted Lady which dazzled amid the cryptic Small Heath and fading Blues.
Round on the other side of the Butt there were a smattering of Blues in the more richly floral carpeted field but what really caught my eye was what I thought was the ghost of a Meadow Brown but what was actually another Meadow Brown aberrant similar to the one I found at Godshill. Gone were the orange flashes on the fore wing topside, gone the tangerine cream fore wing underside to be replaced by an ashen grey, almost silvery white colour.
After this pleasing interlude I wandered back round, mooching here and there and even following a Brimstone precipitously along the side of the Butt and momentarily getting waylaid by a Small Copper before meeting up with my wife who was still down in the hollow. When all three parties converged we packed up (ensuring we only left footprints and the odd bit of flattened grass which would soon spring back) and set off home. Another enjoyable late visit to Martin Down.
As we rounded the corner behind the Butts numerous Small Heath out in a dizzying display on the tiny bit of track that cut between the Junipers that bordered the foot of the Butts. As the ground opened up to the flat field the odd blue flew about standing out against the straw background but I ignored them and climbed down into the little hollow to eat lunch.
After our repast we split into three groups and each set about to our own devices; my wife to read the paper, the girls to explore and generally monkey about and me to look for butterflies. I started on the nearest side of the Butt where an overly large Hawthorn fashioned out a small scallop between it and the end of the Butt. In here a White (probably a Small) played around with a few Small Heath and an odd Meadow Brown. There was also the odd Common Blue and a single Adonis. A Small Copper floated down the side of the Butt and took up a territory on the other side of the scallop – occasionally it would fly out from its perch to see off an errant Meadow Brown or Small Heath. However every single butterfly would take to the wing when the Brown Argus put in an appearance. It flew from flower head to flower head hassling all and sundry in between. From here I worked back and cut across the flat, sparsely turfed field where I was entertained following a lovely fresh Painted Lady which dazzled amid the cryptic Small Heath and fading Blues.
Round on the other side of the Butt there were a smattering of Blues in the more richly floral carpeted field but what really caught my eye was what I thought was the ghost of a Meadow Brown but what was actually another Meadow Brown aberrant similar to the one I found at Godshill. Gone were the orange flashes on the fore wing topside, gone the tangerine cream fore wing underside to be replaced by an ashen grey, almost silvery white colour.
After this pleasing interlude I wandered back round, mooching here and there and even following a Brimstone precipitously along the side of the Butt and momentarily getting waylaid by a Small Copper before meeting up with my wife who was still down in the hollow. When all three parties converged we packed up (ensuring we only left footprints and the odd bit of flattened grass which would soon spring back) and set off home. Another enjoyable late visit to Martin Down.
The Devenish 14-09-2019
What a difference 6 days makes? When I was last here there were Brown Argus, Adonis Blues and Small Heath – the remnants of the late summer butterflies yet today things were quiet as though the butterflies were spent. There was a definite end of the season feel but even so I was still hoping for maybe 6-7 species?
I started off in the Small Paddock scanning up the side of the Down where there was little if any activity. The entrance to the tree tunnel was closely guarded by 2 Commas and a Speckled Wood. The Commas remained aloft, peering imperiously down at me from beyond the reach of my lens. They must have down their job as loo outs as I was buzzed a few times by the Specklie who was patrolling lower down.
On I wandered through the cool shade of the tunnel and emerging out the other side back into the warmth of the autumnal sun. Again upon entering the next section of the reserve I scanned ahead trying to work out where to concentrate my efforts. Normally I’d just wander through and see what cropped up but at the tail end of the season there are so few butterflies it pays to plan your steps a bit more so as to not miss out or even worse spook limited quarry that is still out and about. A Green-veined White flew along the boundary hedge hugging the sides of the reserves whilst a Red Admiral travelled in the opposite direction on the opposite side of the Meadow but much more hastily and much higher up. I headed towards a Common Blue that I had previously espied and felt slightly despondent by its decrepit state; chips and chinks missing from its wings and scales completely or partially rubbed away it looked like it was on the way out. I was quickly cheered up though as a Small Copper buzzed in. It was in fine fettle and the vibrancy of the orange on the fore wings brightened my mood considerably.
With a slight spring in my step I followed the tiny, steep path up the side of the Down and took the diagonal track towards the gully. Again things were much, much quieter than 6 days previously and for my efforts I could only manage a distant Red Admiral and a Holly Blue which was not hugging the hedge but instead hugging the tops of the tall Beech trees. At the Gully a few Whites were flying and some actually stopped long enough for a few shots. As I watched a Large White that I’d finished photographing fly off in the direction whence I’d come I saw a small group of Deer gambolling up the side of the Down.
After this flurry of activity things reverted to the peace and quiet I’d have expected here mid-winter! I still saw a few butterflies but despite walking along the top of the Down and exploring the furthest reaches of the Meadow I could only find a few more Whites and a single Red Admiral and not one more butterfly sat still long enough or landed low enough to enable any shots. I decided to make for home and as I did so I totted up the species tally – a reasonable 7 species. However things weren’t quite over. As I reached the Small Paddock I became aware of a monotonous droning sound. As I got closer and closer it became less monotone and more clearly a buzzing sound. On reaching the gate I could see from where the noise was emanating; the floor of the Paddock was alive with (Ivy?) bees. Some were flying low skimming the grass tops but most were just crawling over the ground or each other in a strange terrestrial river. I tried for a few shots but they were so active it was very tricky to get anything decent. At one point it seemed that some males had found a female as they all congregated around the poor soul and smothered it metamorphosing into tennis ball sized ball of bees. A wondrous spectacle with which to finish my visit.
I started off in the Small Paddock scanning up the side of the Down where there was little if any activity. The entrance to the tree tunnel was closely guarded by 2 Commas and a Speckled Wood. The Commas remained aloft, peering imperiously down at me from beyond the reach of my lens. They must have down their job as loo outs as I was buzzed a few times by the Specklie who was patrolling lower down.
On I wandered through the cool shade of the tunnel and emerging out the other side back into the warmth of the autumnal sun. Again upon entering the next section of the reserve I scanned ahead trying to work out where to concentrate my efforts. Normally I’d just wander through and see what cropped up but at the tail end of the season there are so few butterflies it pays to plan your steps a bit more so as to not miss out or even worse spook limited quarry that is still out and about. A Green-veined White flew along the boundary hedge hugging the sides of the reserves whilst a Red Admiral travelled in the opposite direction on the opposite side of the Meadow but much more hastily and much higher up. I headed towards a Common Blue that I had previously espied and felt slightly despondent by its decrepit state; chips and chinks missing from its wings and scales completely or partially rubbed away it looked like it was on the way out. I was quickly cheered up though as a Small Copper buzzed in. It was in fine fettle and the vibrancy of the orange on the fore wings brightened my mood considerably.
With a slight spring in my step I followed the tiny, steep path up the side of the Down and took the diagonal track towards the gully. Again things were much, much quieter than 6 days previously and for my efforts I could only manage a distant Red Admiral and a Holly Blue which was not hugging the hedge but instead hugging the tops of the tall Beech trees. At the Gully a few Whites were flying and some actually stopped long enough for a few shots. As I watched a Large White that I’d finished photographing fly off in the direction whence I’d come I saw a small group of Deer gambolling up the side of the Down.
After this flurry of activity things reverted to the peace and quiet I’d have expected here mid-winter! I still saw a few butterflies but despite walking along the top of the Down and exploring the furthest reaches of the Meadow I could only find a few more Whites and a single Red Admiral and not one more butterfly sat still long enough or landed low enough to enable any shots. I decided to make for home and as I did so I totted up the species tally – a reasonable 7 species. However things weren’t quite over. As I reached the Small Paddock I became aware of a monotonous droning sound. As I got closer and closer it became less monotone and more clearly a buzzing sound. On reaching the gate I could see from where the noise was emanating; the floor of the Paddock was alive with (Ivy?) bees. Some were flying low skimming the grass tops but most were just crawling over the ground or each other in a strange terrestrial river. I tried for a few shots but they were so active it was very tricky to get anything decent. At one point it seemed that some males had found a female as they all congregated around the poor soul and smothered it metamorphosing into tennis ball sized ball of bees. A wondrous spectacle with which to finish my visit.
The Devenish 08-09-2019
So jobs done /
Marking done /
A free hour to nip out to The Devenish? /
So indeed off I set Devenish bound. I was wondering what might still be about now that we’d entered the ninth month; Adonis, Small Copper maybe…maybe…maybe a Cloudy?
Once I was parked I made straight up to the small paddock. An agitated Peacock was hanging around here and a quick scan didn’t produce anything else so I carried on down the dark tunnel and emerged into the Orchid Meadow. Another quick scan on my across to the gate produced only a single Brown Argus so I carried on. Normally I’d be able to take my time and search out everything but today with only an hour to spend I adopted the approach of just keeping going. I finally ceased wandering as the little path up the Down opened up onto the Downside proper as here was a fresh Small Copper waiting for me.
As I continued onwards and upwards I watched female Common and Adonis Blues (no chequers and chequers) which flew on either side of me and then I followed the diagonal path which bisects the Down finishing up on the far side at the bottom of the gully that demarks the edge of the Down. As I gently descended a Painted Lady bombed by and a male Adonis entertained me for a moment. At the far end there’s a fly-by Common Blue which acts typically for a bit – flying low, grazing the grass tops as it passes before banking and climbing vertically to eventually disappear a la Holly Blue over the line of Beech trees.
In the gully I watch a very brief courtship of a pair of Green-veined Whites. Normally I feel sorry for the spurned male but this one put in such little effort I wasn’t surprised or even sympathetic when the female raised her abdomen in defiance of his feeble advances. I really felt like taking him to one side and telling him to ‘sort himself out’! There were also a few Small Whites here as well as the obligatory Specklie.
I now climbed up and out of the gully and started back to the original side of the Down along the top, scanning the hill from my vantage point. There were a few Whites and a Brown Argus about on the way ad then I reached the flat area abutted by the boundary fence. In here I settled down and spent a bit of time as here there were 5 or 6 butterflies in view at any time. A Brown Argus popped up now and again whilst 2 faded and battered Painted Ladies kept niggling at each other and the three Small Heath jostled away with one always seeming to bumble into the ‘territory’ of one of the other two.
Cheered by their antics I set off back noting a few blues looking to lay on the way down and one back in the Orchid Meadow I turned right and made to the other end of this Paddock. A few Green-veined Whites finally succumbed and consented to pose and an almost mint condish Painted Lady lived up to its name, acting to all intents and purposes like a Jezebel. My time had almost ran out and so managed only a few more glances and record shots of a Brown Argus at the near end of the Meadow on the way back before I was vaulting gates and departing rapidly.
All in all not too bad a showing for an hour but there really is that end of the season feel which seems a little early this year?
Marking done /
A free hour to nip out to The Devenish? /
So indeed off I set Devenish bound. I was wondering what might still be about now that we’d entered the ninth month; Adonis, Small Copper maybe…maybe…maybe a Cloudy?
Once I was parked I made straight up to the small paddock. An agitated Peacock was hanging around here and a quick scan didn’t produce anything else so I carried on down the dark tunnel and emerged into the Orchid Meadow. Another quick scan on my across to the gate produced only a single Brown Argus so I carried on. Normally I’d be able to take my time and search out everything but today with only an hour to spend I adopted the approach of just keeping going. I finally ceased wandering as the little path up the Down opened up onto the Downside proper as here was a fresh Small Copper waiting for me.
As I continued onwards and upwards I watched female Common and Adonis Blues (no chequers and chequers) which flew on either side of me and then I followed the diagonal path which bisects the Down finishing up on the far side at the bottom of the gully that demarks the edge of the Down. As I gently descended a Painted Lady bombed by and a male Adonis entertained me for a moment. At the far end there’s a fly-by Common Blue which acts typically for a bit – flying low, grazing the grass tops as it passes before banking and climbing vertically to eventually disappear a la Holly Blue over the line of Beech trees.
In the gully I watch a very brief courtship of a pair of Green-veined Whites. Normally I feel sorry for the spurned male but this one put in such little effort I wasn’t surprised or even sympathetic when the female raised her abdomen in defiance of his feeble advances. I really felt like taking him to one side and telling him to ‘sort himself out’! There were also a few Small Whites here as well as the obligatory Specklie.
I now climbed up and out of the gully and started back to the original side of the Down along the top, scanning the hill from my vantage point. There were a few Whites and a Brown Argus about on the way ad then I reached the flat area abutted by the boundary fence. In here I settled down and spent a bit of time as here there were 5 or 6 butterflies in view at any time. A Brown Argus popped up now and again whilst 2 faded and battered Painted Ladies kept niggling at each other and the three Small Heath jostled away with one always seeming to bumble into the ‘territory’ of one of the other two.
Cheered by their antics I set off back noting a few blues looking to lay on the way down and one back in the Orchid Meadow I turned right and made to the other end of this Paddock. A few Green-veined Whites finally succumbed and consented to pose and an almost mint condish Painted Lady lived up to its name, acting to all intents and purposes like a Jezebel. My time had almost ran out and so managed only a few more glances and record shots of a Brown Argus at the near end of the Meadow on the way back before I was vaulting gates and departing rapidly.
All in all not too bad a showing for an hour but there really is that end of the season feel which seems a little early this year?
Mottisfont 07-09-2019
There are some outings that I make when, shock horror, butterflies take a back seat. Don’t get me wrong I still carry my camera and keep my eyes open but getting shots falls down the priority list. Today was one of those days as there was an exhibition of BEANO artwork on display in the house at Mottisfont. As Little L is an avid BEANO reader (who else is - let’s see…DING?) the main aim was to have a look and hope to catch up with her favourite character Minnie. The visit was purely for Little L and was most definitely not for my benefit…
We arrived at midday and once we’d collected the rather spiffing badge for attendance we headed to the back lawn for lunch. While we munched a Darter lived up to its name above our heads flitting here and there in a jerky fashion reminiscent of a broken VCR with a faulty fast forward. There was also a UFW which flew lazily along the length of Lavender.
After lunch we strolled up to the Walled Garden noting various BEANO characters on the way and as we entered the veggie garden the new raised beds were alive with Whites. Most were Smalls with a few large and Green-veined thrown in. They were taking advantage of Nasturtiums and the various ‘screening’ plants in the main and possibly because of their numbers they were tricky to capture on film. This trend continued on into the middle garden with the quarter gardens that had Buddleia all boasting many whites but on even the most stealthiest of approaches they would take to the air in unison. Finally in the end garden I could settle down for some shots when I spied a lush looking Comma on what I think is Boules Mauve? Frustratingly the most well behaved and docile butterfly of the day had plonked itself down in the middle of the large flower bed. To get any shots I ended up leaning as far as I could with camera in outstretched arms and hoping that the single layer of Lavender hedge would support my weight. Still the strain was worth it for such a lush looking butterfly, a real Autumnal spectacular.
As I was making to leave the Comma another butterfly flew in from my left and landed with such force that the flower top bent over and sprung back like a Weeble. It was a gorgeous looking Painted Lady – but again it was deep into the bedding making getting any shots difficult. I edged round to try and get as close as possible and again leant in as far as I dared.
After this we ambled round and had a sneaky coffee while the girls took their own shots for Insta and after regrouping we started back towards the call of the Minx. On the way at the final Buddleia I glanced at a Small Tort and a second Painted Lady and so I tarried for a short while before sprinting to catch up with the others.
It was then time to put the camera away and enjoy a memorable hour laughing at the antics of the Bash Street Kids, Dennis and Gnasher and of course Little L’s heroine Minnie the Minx. To be honest I don’t know who enjoyed the exhibition more…probably me!
And the answer to the earlier test (DING) is DONG!
We arrived at midday and once we’d collected the rather spiffing badge for attendance we headed to the back lawn for lunch. While we munched a Darter lived up to its name above our heads flitting here and there in a jerky fashion reminiscent of a broken VCR with a faulty fast forward. There was also a UFW which flew lazily along the length of Lavender.
After lunch we strolled up to the Walled Garden noting various BEANO characters on the way and as we entered the veggie garden the new raised beds were alive with Whites. Most were Smalls with a few large and Green-veined thrown in. They were taking advantage of Nasturtiums and the various ‘screening’ plants in the main and possibly because of their numbers they were tricky to capture on film. This trend continued on into the middle garden with the quarter gardens that had Buddleia all boasting many whites but on even the most stealthiest of approaches they would take to the air in unison. Finally in the end garden I could settle down for some shots when I spied a lush looking Comma on what I think is Boules Mauve? Frustratingly the most well behaved and docile butterfly of the day had plonked itself down in the middle of the large flower bed. To get any shots I ended up leaning as far as I could with camera in outstretched arms and hoping that the single layer of Lavender hedge would support my weight. Still the strain was worth it for such a lush looking butterfly, a real Autumnal spectacular.
As I was making to leave the Comma another butterfly flew in from my left and landed with such force that the flower top bent over and sprung back like a Weeble. It was a gorgeous looking Painted Lady – but again it was deep into the bedding making getting any shots difficult. I edged round to try and get as close as possible and again leant in as far as I dared.
After this we ambled round and had a sneaky coffee while the girls took their own shots for Insta and after regrouping we started back towards the call of the Minx. On the way at the final Buddleia I glanced at a Small Tort and a second Painted Lady and so I tarried for a short while before sprinting to catch up with the others.
It was then time to put the camera away and enjoy a memorable hour laughing at the antics of the Bash Street Kids, Dennis and Gnasher and of course Little L’s heroine Minnie the Minx. To be honest I don’t know who enjoyed the exhibition more…probably me!
And the answer to the earlier test (DING) is DONG!
Martin Down 29-08-2019
After the recent successes and with my holiday fast running out I treated myself to another quick trip to Martin Down. When I set off from thee Sillen’s Lane end it was still intermittently cloudy with a gusty breeze which picked up and stray Whites and carried them off into the distance. Because of this the walk to the Dyke was pretty uneventful but things picked up once at the Dyke. I stood next to a large clump of Marjoram and I was soon joined by a Chalkhill, Adonis, Common Blue, Brown Argus and a Small Copper. They all visited this little patch over the space of 5 minutes or so in a little like an identity parade of Lycaenids. Further up at the back of the Dyke a Painted Lady stood out like a sore thumb amidst the Meadow Browns.
I worked my way round towards the ‘terraces’ checking out the Hollow and their feet and a Small Tort looked stunning compared to the less than tidy Adonis and Chalkhills which also frequented this little spot; the latter looked even more spectral now that they were a good way into their flight.
As I crossed the track a mustard yellow butterfly piped up and flew away leaving me wondering how I could have possibly missed it previously? It was in roughly the same position as I’d seen one/it a few days before and I did my best to follow it for a few shots. Suddenly it hit the turbo, dropped into a lower gear and tore off along the Dyke veering violently up and over the Dyke. Still it was great while it had lasted.
Pleased I started to make my way back towards the car. As I rounded the corner from the Hotspot and started my way back along the main track something (my Spidey-sense?) made me look over to my right. There a little moth like being was moving swiftly from flower head to flower head. As I cautiously moved closer it resolved into a Silver-spotted Skipper. I’d seen one near here a few years back so I couldn’t work out if this was a wanderer from a colony nearby or a proper Martin Down Silver-spot? Pushing queries of its providence to one side for future cogitation I watched it for a while enjoying its life affirming vivacity whilst all the other species around seemed to be waning. Realising that I’d not taken any shots I rectified this situation and clicked away. It was then that I realised what great nick it was actually in. Perhaps if there is a colony here, of which this was a representative, they could be late emergers which is why I’ve failed to see them some years?
Feeling even more pleased I carried on back to the car the Silver-spot having ‘spoilt’ the majority of butterflies I spy on the way as they just don’t compare. I only stop for an Adonis which stands its ground on the chalky path and a probable Small Blue in the longer turf that lines the hedge near the car park.
So that’s it then – back to work all too soon and with it the feeling that the season is on the wane proper.
I worked my way round towards the ‘terraces’ checking out the Hollow and their feet and a Small Tort looked stunning compared to the less than tidy Adonis and Chalkhills which also frequented this little spot; the latter looked even more spectral now that they were a good way into their flight.
As I crossed the track a mustard yellow butterfly piped up and flew away leaving me wondering how I could have possibly missed it previously? It was in roughly the same position as I’d seen one/it a few days before and I did my best to follow it for a few shots. Suddenly it hit the turbo, dropped into a lower gear and tore off along the Dyke veering violently up and over the Dyke. Still it was great while it had lasted.
Pleased I started to make my way back towards the car. As I rounded the corner from the Hotspot and started my way back along the main track something (my Spidey-sense?) made me look over to my right. There a little moth like being was moving swiftly from flower head to flower head. As I cautiously moved closer it resolved into a Silver-spotted Skipper. I’d seen one near here a few years back so I couldn’t work out if this was a wanderer from a colony nearby or a proper Martin Down Silver-spot? Pushing queries of its providence to one side for future cogitation I watched it for a while enjoying its life affirming vivacity whilst all the other species around seemed to be waning. Realising that I’d not taken any shots I rectified this situation and clicked away. It was then that I realised what great nick it was actually in. Perhaps if there is a colony here, of which this was a representative, they could be late emergers which is why I’ve failed to see them some years?
Feeling even more pleased I carried on back to the car the Silver-spot having ‘spoilt’ the majority of butterflies I spy on the way as they just don’t compare. I only stop for an Adonis which stands its ground on the chalky path and a probable Small Blue in the longer turf that lines the hedge near the car park.
So that’s it then – back to work all too soon and with it the feeling that the season is on the wane proper.
Lulworth Cove 28-08-2019
The final day of our ‘Empty Nest Trial Run’ holiday had arrived and the weather wasn’t looking good however determined to make the most of it we headed out for the day anyway. As we drove the straight stretch of road from Salisbury to Blandford the cloud thickened and the patches of blue became fewer and much shorter in duration. By the time we’d finished the more windy parts of the journey and were pulling into the car park at Lulworth the sun had all but gone. Whilst the weather was poor for butterflies it was ideal for the hill climb and subsequent cliff walk over to my favourite place in the whole world – Durdle Door. The last time I’d been here some 18 years ago; it was nearing midnight, there had been a smugglers moon and as we, the band, were on our way back to my folks house to crash after a successful gig in Weymouth I was fuelled by a mixture of lots of Cider and a crate of Red Bull. Needless to say I was glad today to have a chance of replacing my ‘last memory’ with something a lot more pleasant!
As we made our way down from the top of the hill to take the path leading to the little razor edged promontory a few whites started flying in the gloom and I could see the cloud was evaporating to be replaced with blue skies. The temperature started to rise and we made short work of the final part of the path. Down the narrow track and turning right we made for the Door side first. As we did so a Small Copper bombed by slowing down when it reached the safety of the crumbling cliff. A few steps down and there was a Rock Pipit. It was really close, only a metre or so away and as I focused a small kid ran up the steps and off it went. Luckily I had my camera set to Sport Mode and so managed to get a passable image.
After experiencing the Door we climbed back up the steps and then climbed back down the other side to Man Of War Cove. On the way a saw a small clump of yellow flowers on which there were 5 Whites – one Large and 4 Small. There was also a Common Blue hiding away near the bottom of the clump. As we carried on down we met a Painted Lady coming up the other way. It stopped occasionally but only for long enough to wonder at the contrast between the light grey of the clay and the orange and black of the butterfly.
After we’d eaten our picnic on the beach we made our way back up, stopping on the way as one of the various Cabbage Whites was laying on a Sea Cabbage. The clouds had started to converge and the gloom was restarting almost to provide a sombre background for the much slower and harder walk back. I paused to take in the view at the start of the walk and watched a Kestrel being mobbed by a Crow. After a couple of minutes the Crow called for some help and another Crow joined the fray. Once they’d seen the Kestrel off they then turned their attentions to a passing Raven. This time instead of hassling the Raven off towards the sea they moved up the hill and over the top. As the show was over I made to start walking again and noticed a Small Heath and Brown Argus roosting in the gloom. They were quite sensible as about 100metres further on the rain came in for a quick sharp shower.
As we came over the ‘hump’ at the top of the coastal path the weather cheered and the clouds dissipated. Within a few minutes all the rain had evaporated from my T-shirts and trousers and more importantly the butterflies had started to emerge. A Painted Lady flew up the hill from the Cove and as it did I noticed a couple of medium sized dark butterflies fly onto the tiny chalk terraces on the banks of the path. After seeing so many during my recent Portugal Holiday I twigged right away what they were – Grayling. Where possible I got some shots but they seemed to like to land on the terraces on the highest and steepest (nearly vertical) parts of the bank and always those on my left where I’d have to climb up and never on my right where I’d be able to look down onto them. I managed a few shots in the end but it was touch and go at times as I scrabbled on the edge of mini precipices. The final butterfly here was a Meadow Brown seeking to divert my attentions by flying for all intents and purpose as a Grayling.
Once we’d safely made it to the lower slopes of the car park we kept on going feeling the downward pull of gravity as if water flowing to the sea. The beach was packed with Grockles despite the now only intermittent sun so we skirted round the beach and made up the old hotspot path. The foliage was looking brown and battered and gone was the lush greenness and sprinkles of colour from my previous visit and gone too were the Lulworths – at least for today they may have been sitting out the weather waiting for more favourable fair weather days? At the top I mooched about for a bit near some clumps of the yellow flowers. A Painted Lady, a fresh looking one, was really playing hard to get as was a female Adonis which was looking spectacular right up until I pointed my lens at her. Then she would either move out of range of close up shop, wings held tightly together. The Whites were more approachable here and I saw a Green-veined amid a few Small and a single Large. It seems to be getting to that stay of the season when even the smallest clump of reasonable vegetation holds several butterflies.
After a pleasant day with one or two surprises (the Grayling, the sun shining while we ate lunch…) we headed home. The girls were due back in a few hours and we couldn’t wait.
As we made our way down from the top of the hill to take the path leading to the little razor edged promontory a few whites started flying in the gloom and I could see the cloud was evaporating to be replaced with blue skies. The temperature started to rise and we made short work of the final part of the path. Down the narrow track and turning right we made for the Door side first. As we did so a Small Copper bombed by slowing down when it reached the safety of the crumbling cliff. A few steps down and there was a Rock Pipit. It was really close, only a metre or so away and as I focused a small kid ran up the steps and off it went. Luckily I had my camera set to Sport Mode and so managed to get a passable image.
After experiencing the Door we climbed back up the steps and then climbed back down the other side to Man Of War Cove. On the way a saw a small clump of yellow flowers on which there were 5 Whites – one Large and 4 Small. There was also a Common Blue hiding away near the bottom of the clump. As we carried on down we met a Painted Lady coming up the other way. It stopped occasionally but only for long enough to wonder at the contrast between the light grey of the clay and the orange and black of the butterfly.
After we’d eaten our picnic on the beach we made our way back up, stopping on the way as one of the various Cabbage Whites was laying on a Sea Cabbage. The clouds had started to converge and the gloom was restarting almost to provide a sombre background for the much slower and harder walk back. I paused to take in the view at the start of the walk and watched a Kestrel being mobbed by a Crow. After a couple of minutes the Crow called for some help and another Crow joined the fray. Once they’d seen the Kestrel off they then turned their attentions to a passing Raven. This time instead of hassling the Raven off towards the sea they moved up the hill and over the top. As the show was over I made to start walking again and noticed a Small Heath and Brown Argus roosting in the gloom. They were quite sensible as about 100metres further on the rain came in for a quick sharp shower.
As we came over the ‘hump’ at the top of the coastal path the weather cheered and the clouds dissipated. Within a few minutes all the rain had evaporated from my T-shirts and trousers and more importantly the butterflies had started to emerge. A Painted Lady flew up the hill from the Cove and as it did I noticed a couple of medium sized dark butterflies fly onto the tiny chalk terraces on the banks of the path. After seeing so many during my recent Portugal Holiday I twigged right away what they were – Grayling. Where possible I got some shots but they seemed to like to land on the terraces on the highest and steepest (nearly vertical) parts of the bank and always those on my left where I’d have to climb up and never on my right where I’d be able to look down onto them. I managed a few shots in the end but it was touch and go at times as I scrabbled on the edge of mini precipices. The final butterfly here was a Meadow Brown seeking to divert my attentions by flying for all intents and purpose as a Grayling.
Once we’d safely made it to the lower slopes of the car park we kept on going feeling the downward pull of gravity as if water flowing to the sea. The beach was packed with Grockles despite the now only intermittent sun so we skirted round the beach and made up the old hotspot path. The foliage was looking brown and battered and gone was the lush greenness and sprinkles of colour from my previous visit and gone too were the Lulworths – at least for today they may have been sitting out the weather waiting for more favourable fair weather days? At the top I mooched about for a bit near some clumps of the yellow flowers. A Painted Lady, a fresh looking one, was really playing hard to get as was a female Adonis which was looking spectacular right up until I pointed my lens at her. Then she would either move out of range of close up shop, wings held tightly together. The Whites were more approachable here and I saw a Green-veined amid a few Small and a single Large. It seems to be getting to that stay of the season when even the smallest clump of reasonable vegetation holds several butterflies.
After a pleasant day with one or two surprises (the Grayling, the sun shining while we ate lunch…) we headed home. The girls were due back in a few hours and we couldn’t wait.
Martin Down 26-08-2019
The girls were still in Yorkshire so chores and jobs around the house get done really quickly – less than half the washing up, beds to make etc. So my wife and I again were able to head out for a picnic and today we set off for Martin Down. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of butterflies as the recent reports seem to suggest that we’re entering into ‘The August’ gap and with temperatures set to high the very high twenties I reasoned that any butterflies left would be aestivating or bombing around at such a speed that following them would be nigh on impossible.
As we broke out from the confines of the tall hedges that line the path from the main car park an Adonis Blue fluttered into view as if to greet us. From there we carried onto the Butts with the sun bouncing off the shiny surfaces of the flints and cooking us from beneath as well as from above. The butterflies didn’t seem to mind much as there were plenty of Whites and Meadow Browns in view as well as the occasional swift gliding Painted Lady. However instead of sitting out the heat or flying too quickly they seemed to be flying at their usual speed just incessantly. Photography was proving very difficult so in the end I gave up and pressed onto the Half-way point along the Dyke noting plenty of Brimstone on the way and adding Small Heaths and a couple of Chalkhills to the tally. Slightly beyond Half-way we stopped for the picnic just off the path. As we ate all the species we had seen so far stopped by on a small patch of purple flowers in front of me – Painted Lady, Chalkhill, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Adonis as well as various whites and Meadow Browns passing overhead.
After our repast we set out for the old Hotspot and a Peacock put in an appearance. Once there we set up camp again and while my wife read in the shade I had a general mooch about working my way round the Hotspot. The butterflies were still really hard to photograph as either they wouldn’t stop flying or if they did something else would come by during an incessant flight and put them up. I found myself hovering by a likely looking flower and snapping away as soon as a butterfly landed on it. In this way I saw a few more Adonis and Chalkhill including an attempted and failed courtship.
I carried on down the slope on the smaller track that runs along the top of one of the Dykes banks and at the bottom were it rejoins the main track I sat and waited by a small clump of flowers (can’t remember what they’re called). A Brown Argus stopped to nectar, then an aged Small Copper and a slightly less aged Common Blue. Nearby was an Adonis and a couple of Chalkhills, one of which wasn’t in too bad a state, were slightly further on.
Pleased with this five minute flurry of photography I worked back up along the main track intending to rejoin my wife. I turned once past the hedge and followed it along into a little scallop where a gorgeous female Adonis landed for just long enough for a Brown Argus to set her off. Gutted to have missed such a beauty I was just making my way back to my wife when a mustard yellow blur skimmed the top of the bank and carried on along the track. I ran back to the track and flying up and then landing was a Cloudy. After a few stalks I’d managed to grab a few pictures but always as I was about to take the final, killer image the Cloudy would take off. Still I was happy to have at least a few images on the memory card no matter how distant as my first of 2019 a few days previously was just an elongated fly-by.
After a bit more of a brief mooch around we headed off homewards. As we walked back to the car we saw all the same species again including another couple of run-ins with the/a Cloudy. So a pretty good picnic and now I’ve got some shots of a Cloudy hopefully I’ll run into some more and get some even better shots.
As we broke out from the confines of the tall hedges that line the path from the main car park an Adonis Blue fluttered into view as if to greet us. From there we carried onto the Butts with the sun bouncing off the shiny surfaces of the flints and cooking us from beneath as well as from above. The butterflies didn’t seem to mind much as there were plenty of Whites and Meadow Browns in view as well as the occasional swift gliding Painted Lady. However instead of sitting out the heat or flying too quickly they seemed to be flying at their usual speed just incessantly. Photography was proving very difficult so in the end I gave up and pressed onto the Half-way point along the Dyke noting plenty of Brimstone on the way and adding Small Heaths and a couple of Chalkhills to the tally. Slightly beyond Half-way we stopped for the picnic just off the path. As we ate all the species we had seen so far stopped by on a small patch of purple flowers in front of me – Painted Lady, Chalkhill, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Adonis as well as various whites and Meadow Browns passing overhead.
After our repast we set out for the old Hotspot and a Peacock put in an appearance. Once there we set up camp again and while my wife read in the shade I had a general mooch about working my way round the Hotspot. The butterflies were still really hard to photograph as either they wouldn’t stop flying or if they did something else would come by during an incessant flight and put them up. I found myself hovering by a likely looking flower and snapping away as soon as a butterfly landed on it. In this way I saw a few more Adonis and Chalkhill including an attempted and failed courtship.
I carried on down the slope on the smaller track that runs along the top of one of the Dykes banks and at the bottom were it rejoins the main track I sat and waited by a small clump of flowers (can’t remember what they’re called). A Brown Argus stopped to nectar, then an aged Small Copper and a slightly less aged Common Blue. Nearby was an Adonis and a couple of Chalkhills, one of which wasn’t in too bad a state, were slightly further on.
Pleased with this five minute flurry of photography I worked back up along the main track intending to rejoin my wife. I turned once past the hedge and followed it along into a little scallop where a gorgeous female Adonis landed for just long enough for a Brown Argus to set her off. Gutted to have missed such a beauty I was just making my way back to my wife when a mustard yellow blur skimmed the top of the bank and carried on along the track. I ran back to the track and flying up and then landing was a Cloudy. After a few stalks I’d managed to grab a few pictures but always as I was about to take the final, killer image the Cloudy would take off. Still I was happy to have at least a few images on the memory card no matter how distant as my first of 2019 a few days previously was just an elongated fly-by.
After a bit more of a brief mooch around we headed off homewards. As we walked back to the car we saw all the same species again including another couple of run-ins with the/a Cloudy. So a pretty good picnic and now I’ve got some shots of a Cloudy hopefully I’ll run into some more and get some even better shots.
Lavender Farm 24-08-2019
Our continued existence as ‘just a couple’ continued with the girls now on the second day of their third holiday of the summer so my wife and I settled into an almost forgotten groove, the one we ran Before Kids. Hence after a morning of doing this and that and wandering here and there round town we drove out somewhere for a spot of lunch; in this case The Lavender Farm at Landford.
After the delicious lunch we took to wandering the private garden and followed the lanes between the rows of Lavender enjoying the calming effect of the heady scent. At one point I stopped midway along a row and tuned out the noises coming from the café by lowering my head close to the ground. Instead of a clamour of barely recognisable human sounds all I could hear was the roar of the bees – it was fantastic! Lifting myself up again I set to searching for butterflies. There were a few whites flying not taking any notice of the neat rows and instead jumping haphazardly where the mood took them; diagonally or three rows over, to the other side of the same bush or back to the one they’d visited previously. It was slightly tricky for me to get anything as I was constrained to a few gaps in the rows and generally by the time I’d got anywhere near the butterfly it had randomly moved on. There were also a few Painted Ladies skulking about, their cryptic under wing patterns hiding them in plain site until they decided to move when the garish topside announced their presence. By the time I’d walked up and down half of the field I only had a handful of shots but I didn’t mind especially as I turned and watched a mustard yellow butterfly moving at speed down the furthest row – my first Cloudy of 2019. I got to the end of the row turned left, flew the width of the field, turned around and half way back veered up and left over the boundary shrubs and disappeared from view. No shot but a cracking sighting none the less!
I was dead chuffed with my sightings and so now followed the example set by the Whites and moved haphazardly round various little bits of the garden. A Painted Lady there and another one here. A Peacock just to the right of a Painted Lady then a couple of male Brimstones. On the more formal floral arrangements a Red Admiral and then as we made to leave the main section and check the ‘themed’ garden a Comma which escaped my lens. All about were Whites – mainly Small, a few Large and Brimstones and I only saw 2 definite Green-veined but everywhere I went there were Painted Ladies – they’ll probably be thin on the ground next year and so I made the most of them.
Eventually our wanderings had brought us back to the gate and so we headed for home. In the end the species count didn’t get into double figures but for me that didn’t matter as I had that all important singleton – hopefully a taste of things to come!
After the delicious lunch we took to wandering the private garden and followed the lanes between the rows of Lavender enjoying the calming effect of the heady scent. At one point I stopped midway along a row and tuned out the noises coming from the café by lowering my head close to the ground. Instead of a clamour of barely recognisable human sounds all I could hear was the roar of the bees – it was fantastic! Lifting myself up again I set to searching for butterflies. There were a few whites flying not taking any notice of the neat rows and instead jumping haphazardly where the mood took them; diagonally or three rows over, to the other side of the same bush or back to the one they’d visited previously. It was slightly tricky for me to get anything as I was constrained to a few gaps in the rows and generally by the time I’d got anywhere near the butterfly it had randomly moved on. There were also a few Painted Ladies skulking about, their cryptic under wing patterns hiding them in plain site until they decided to move when the garish topside announced their presence. By the time I’d walked up and down half of the field I only had a handful of shots but I didn’t mind especially as I turned and watched a mustard yellow butterfly moving at speed down the furthest row – my first Cloudy of 2019. I got to the end of the row turned left, flew the width of the field, turned around and half way back veered up and left over the boundary shrubs and disappeared from view. No shot but a cracking sighting none the less!
I was dead chuffed with my sightings and so now followed the example set by the Whites and moved haphazardly round various little bits of the garden. A Painted Lady there and another one here. A Peacock just to the right of a Painted Lady then a couple of male Brimstones. On the more formal floral arrangements a Red Admiral and then as we made to leave the main section and check the ‘themed’ garden a Comma which escaped my lens. All about were Whites – mainly Small, a few Large and Brimstones and I only saw 2 definite Green-veined but everywhere I went there were Painted Ladies – they’ll probably be thin on the ground next year and so I made the most of them.
Eventually our wanderings had brought us back to the gate and so we headed for home. In the end the species count didn’t get into double figures but for me that didn’t matter as I had that all important singleton – hopefully a taste of things to come!
Broughton 23-08-2019
With the children off to York with their Grandparents and the chores done I was left at home kicking my heels slightly. The weather was turning out to be better than expected, prefect in fact for Silver Spotted Skippers and the weather for the following day was looking like it was going to get too hot – the butterflies would be solar charged so after an early lunch I was off on the road to Broughton curing at the dithering dawdler going 35 in a National Speed limit area, scanning the sky for clouds as I still don’t have any faith in the forecasts and wondering if I would get lucky with the Skippers or had I left it too late at this early site?
I pulled up and then started up the never ending hill in the cool shade of the Beeches. It was unusually quiet and the Specklies that often play in the dappled sun from the small breaks in the tree cover were noticeable by their absence. After the torturous climb there were a few cars parked at the top (how the hell do they get there?) bit apart from this it seemed like I was the only person in the world it was so quiet. It didn’t get much better once I was out of the trees and starting to patrol the small trackways that criss-cross the top of the down with only a couple of Meadow Browns and a single Brimstone flying. I was starting to wonder what was going on when I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye. As it was so difficult to follow as it flew fast and erratically I knew that it was what I come for. I managed a couple of shots before it was gone again. Brilliant job done but would I be lucky enough to find anymore?
Then things changed as of someone had flipped a switch. I’ve experienced this before. When you’re anticipating seeing a particular species it can be really hard work to start with and then after a time period of seconds guesses and glimpses you finally find what you were looking for and then suddenly you can see everything else. It’s like the specific focusing mechanism has been lifted, the visual filtering system turned off and you open your eyes wider. So it was now with Meadow Browns, Blues and Brown Argus zipping around all over the place. I carried on along the top track heading towards the fence line and the Plum Pudding and a Painted Lady paused for a photo after I’d passed through the gate.
I carried on following the track and just before the cleave in the Down I spied a ghostly blue butterfly making its way towards me – a male Chalkhill and one not in bad nick for this time in the season. After catching up with this another smaller butterfly appeared another Silver Spot but an aged on. So I’d found more than one but my hopes of a lovely limey golden Silver Spot seemed to be fading and I started ruing leaving it so late to try for them.
With this in mind I thought it best to check out the triangular field before trying the slopes at the East of the reserve. As I went down and then back up the steep banks I saw the blinding blue of a male Adonis as well as a couple of lilac Common Blues. The smaller butterflies were invariably Brown Argus in varying shades of disrepair. And so it continued on the other side of the crevasse. More Chalkhills and Adonis, Brown Argus and fewer Common Blues, Meadow Browns and the odd Small Heath. There was also the now obligatory Painted Lady but no Small Blues and I only saw 3 female Adonis and one female Chalkhill. Perhaps the additional burden of producing larger sex cells, fending off the unwanted advances of males and laying takes its toll and they expire more quickly than the males?
On the way back I checked the patch of Hemp Agrimony on one side of the Plum Pudding but unlike last year it didn’t have anything much just a lonesome Meadow Brown but as I was about to walk through the gate a familiar brown blur announced the presence of another Silver Spot and this one was also a bit worse for wear. Dismayed I turned away and there was a much fresher specimen. Phew!
After this it seemed like yet another switch had been flipped or the Silver Spots had been released from their cages as they were now flying all over the place. As I walked back along the top path I saw a couple on my left hand side trying to oviposit and a further pair involved in courtship, though it wasn’t going well for the male. In all case they would fly from their original position across the path and then on to my right into the shade offered by the overhanging Beech and brush. I carried on now walking along the tiny trackways created by rabbits adding a few more Silver Spots to the total. There were other butterflies around, lots of Brown Argus for instance but I found myself mainly concentrating now on the Silver Spots. I continued along the little trackways until I came out onto the side of the Down where the turf is short and springy and various wild flowers are dispersed. And it felt like it was alive with Silver Spots so much so that I easily lost half an hour just strolling around stalking Silver Spots.
Somehow I ended up at the bottom of the hill and so checked out the little clumps of Hemp Agrimony. Among the Blues and Brown Argus there was a Silver Spot supping away from the Down almost. There was also a Small Heath which caught my eye as it was flashing its wings open. I did so several times, then it would settle down to feed before moving to the next flower head when it would wing flick again. I tried for a few shots but even with Sports Mode I couldn’t quite capture the slightly open wings. I lost sight of the butterfly and thought that I spotted it so moved slightly and it started wing flicking again, only it was a second Small Heath as I rediscovered the original Small Heath. Still not sure why they do this?
I worked back up for a final flurry with the Silver Spots and during my remaining time on site saw males, females, unsuccessful courtships, hi-jacked courtships and Silver Spots in all manner of wear. As is often the way the best was saved until last with the freshest Silver Spot of the day sitting nicely on a dwarf Hawthorn and showing off the extraordinarily long legs. At least I thought it was the last but on the final walk to the top of the down when I was only a few steps away from leaving the turf and entering into the thick scrub there were two Silver Spots in courtship.
After this I made the long walk across the top of the Down and then down the seemingly never ending hill enjoying the shade and also a final Specklie near the bottom of the hill. So my worries were unfounded not only was I able to add Silver Spots to the yearly tally but there were great numbers. Next up a Clouded Yellow? I wonder…
I pulled up and then started up the never ending hill in the cool shade of the Beeches. It was unusually quiet and the Specklies that often play in the dappled sun from the small breaks in the tree cover were noticeable by their absence. After the torturous climb there were a few cars parked at the top (how the hell do they get there?) bit apart from this it seemed like I was the only person in the world it was so quiet. It didn’t get much better once I was out of the trees and starting to patrol the small trackways that criss-cross the top of the down with only a couple of Meadow Browns and a single Brimstone flying. I was starting to wonder what was going on when I saw a blur out of the corner of my eye. As it was so difficult to follow as it flew fast and erratically I knew that it was what I come for. I managed a couple of shots before it was gone again. Brilliant job done but would I be lucky enough to find anymore?
Then things changed as of someone had flipped a switch. I’ve experienced this before. When you’re anticipating seeing a particular species it can be really hard work to start with and then after a time period of seconds guesses and glimpses you finally find what you were looking for and then suddenly you can see everything else. It’s like the specific focusing mechanism has been lifted, the visual filtering system turned off and you open your eyes wider. So it was now with Meadow Browns, Blues and Brown Argus zipping around all over the place. I carried on along the top track heading towards the fence line and the Plum Pudding and a Painted Lady paused for a photo after I’d passed through the gate.
I carried on following the track and just before the cleave in the Down I spied a ghostly blue butterfly making its way towards me – a male Chalkhill and one not in bad nick for this time in the season. After catching up with this another smaller butterfly appeared another Silver Spot but an aged on. So I’d found more than one but my hopes of a lovely limey golden Silver Spot seemed to be fading and I started ruing leaving it so late to try for them.
With this in mind I thought it best to check out the triangular field before trying the slopes at the East of the reserve. As I went down and then back up the steep banks I saw the blinding blue of a male Adonis as well as a couple of lilac Common Blues. The smaller butterflies were invariably Brown Argus in varying shades of disrepair. And so it continued on the other side of the crevasse. More Chalkhills and Adonis, Brown Argus and fewer Common Blues, Meadow Browns and the odd Small Heath. There was also the now obligatory Painted Lady but no Small Blues and I only saw 3 female Adonis and one female Chalkhill. Perhaps the additional burden of producing larger sex cells, fending off the unwanted advances of males and laying takes its toll and they expire more quickly than the males?
On the way back I checked the patch of Hemp Agrimony on one side of the Plum Pudding but unlike last year it didn’t have anything much just a lonesome Meadow Brown but as I was about to walk through the gate a familiar brown blur announced the presence of another Silver Spot and this one was also a bit worse for wear. Dismayed I turned away and there was a much fresher specimen. Phew!
After this it seemed like yet another switch had been flipped or the Silver Spots had been released from their cages as they were now flying all over the place. As I walked back along the top path I saw a couple on my left hand side trying to oviposit and a further pair involved in courtship, though it wasn’t going well for the male. In all case they would fly from their original position across the path and then on to my right into the shade offered by the overhanging Beech and brush. I carried on now walking along the tiny trackways created by rabbits adding a few more Silver Spots to the total. There were other butterflies around, lots of Brown Argus for instance but I found myself mainly concentrating now on the Silver Spots. I continued along the little trackways until I came out onto the side of the Down where the turf is short and springy and various wild flowers are dispersed. And it felt like it was alive with Silver Spots so much so that I easily lost half an hour just strolling around stalking Silver Spots.
Somehow I ended up at the bottom of the hill and so checked out the little clumps of Hemp Agrimony. Among the Blues and Brown Argus there was a Silver Spot supping away from the Down almost. There was also a Small Heath which caught my eye as it was flashing its wings open. I did so several times, then it would settle down to feed before moving to the next flower head when it would wing flick again. I tried for a few shots but even with Sports Mode I couldn’t quite capture the slightly open wings. I lost sight of the butterfly and thought that I spotted it so moved slightly and it started wing flicking again, only it was a second Small Heath as I rediscovered the original Small Heath. Still not sure why they do this?
I worked back up for a final flurry with the Silver Spots and during my remaining time on site saw males, females, unsuccessful courtships, hi-jacked courtships and Silver Spots in all manner of wear. As is often the way the best was saved until last with the freshest Silver Spot of the day sitting nicely on a dwarf Hawthorn and showing off the extraordinarily long legs. At least I thought it was the last but on the final walk to the top of the down when I was only a few steps away from leaving the turf and entering into the thick scrub there were two Silver Spots in courtship.
After this I made the long walk across the top of the Down and then down the seemingly never ending hill enjoying the shade and also a final Specklie near the bottom of the hill. So my worries were unfounded not only was I able to add Silver Spots to the yearly tally but there were great numbers. Next up a Clouded Yellow? I wonder…
Shipton Bellinger 22-08-2019
It was that time of year again – time for a meeting with Philzoid for a spot of Hedge Staring! After the briefest of catch-ups in the Central Car Park we were on our way and soon pulling up behind the Hedge. Gathering our gear together we were joined by Bugboy and, as seemed to be the way this year, as we rounded the corner there was a massive group. So we set off to check the length of the hedge safe in the knowledge that if anything turned up we’d be sure to know about it – this did mean though that I developed a crick in my neck by continually looking back over my shoulders. On the walk down the obligatory Painted Lady put in an appearance between the various Common Blues, numerous Brismtones, Hedgies, Whites and even more numerous Meadow Browns. The aforementioned Lady was also joined by an Admiral which added further interest. At the corner we waited a while before making the return walk and picking up more of the same.
The large group had vanished so reasoning that this meant that they’d drawn a blank we made our way up the hill to the scallops with fingers crossed that we weren’t treading in the massive groups footsteps. Only a short way into our journey the call of ‘Hairstreak’ went up from a lone observer and we caught a glimpse of a distant female Brostreak. After a bit of Hedge staring and a few more steps on our way another fluttering orange Brostreak appeared – a male this time and it plopped down just in front of me and started opening up. It seemed to realise what it was doing, checked itself and then promptly buggered off!
On the way to the first scallop Speckled Woods flew across the path and a pair of Walls played silly buggers with Phizloid, teasing him mercilessly! At the first scallop we drew a blank and we were soon back out in the open with a Wall or two and a surprising good nick Silver-washed dropping in. Then we were back into the cover again and on towards the second scallop when a female is visible up high. Too high unfortunately for my lens so when she takes flight I hope she comes down lower. She didn’t and when I duck round to the other side of the tree there she is again but still high up. As we enter the final scallop the sun disappeared and all that we could produce was a solitary Silver-washed for our troubles.
Slightly disheartened we start making our way back and on the way there’s another male up high but almost low enough that I can chance my arm, literally, and go for a few shots holding my camera out at full stretch. This still seems a poor return for all the trudging although the Walls teasing Philzoid again slightly cheered me up WINK. They’d sit still good as gold right up until Philzoid was within range and then they’d fly a few metres away, flashing their wings invitingly as they landed.
By now we were back at the Hedge and a walk along the length to the corner didn’t produce anything. They seemed to be ignoring the ‘golden hours’ rules this year again. Plus this fact wasn’t helped by the sun disappearing behind the cloud. On the final dejected ‘stuff em’ walk back to the car things started to happen. In fact it all went a little manic…
Slowly enough it started with a female refusing to come down to a decent level for any shots. We waited for what felt like an age but she stubbornly stayed up high. Occasionally she was disturbed and for a few fleeting seconds there were three hearts in mouths but she always remained at altitude.
Wondering if that would be that we finally found one in a great positon when we were half way back and then they seemed to suddenly crawl out of the woodwork. There were at least 2 females as well as a male in this little section and all three were within reach of our lenses. While we were watching one intently the second flew off in a massive hug disappearing out across the large central field. While we continued to watch the original female another did the same thing but I reckoned it must have pulled a ‘U-y’ as a female shortly appeared directly behind Bugboy – it was almost sitting on his shoulder. After this we settled in and started to rack up shots onto the memory card. I think Bugboy went from 80 or so to several hundred in the course of the next half hour that we spent with them as they proceeded to work through the ‘butterfly pose’ catalogue; closed wing, open wing, ¾ open, stained glass, close up, behaviour etc.
Eventually Bugboy made for Dorset and Philzoid and I took a wander down the old ‘dual carriageway’ hedge. Whilst there were still butterflies about with Brown Argus, Common Blues and Specklies it seemed that the Brostreaks had re-read the rule book and as it was now just past 3 pm we didn’t get any further sightings of them. Nevermind it had been successful in the end and now Philzoid and I concentrated on chewing the fat.
The large group had vanished so reasoning that this meant that they’d drawn a blank we made our way up the hill to the scallops with fingers crossed that we weren’t treading in the massive groups footsteps. Only a short way into our journey the call of ‘Hairstreak’ went up from a lone observer and we caught a glimpse of a distant female Brostreak. After a bit of Hedge staring and a few more steps on our way another fluttering orange Brostreak appeared – a male this time and it plopped down just in front of me and started opening up. It seemed to realise what it was doing, checked itself and then promptly buggered off!
On the way to the first scallop Speckled Woods flew across the path and a pair of Walls played silly buggers with Phizloid, teasing him mercilessly! At the first scallop we drew a blank and we were soon back out in the open with a Wall or two and a surprising good nick Silver-washed dropping in. Then we were back into the cover again and on towards the second scallop when a female is visible up high. Too high unfortunately for my lens so when she takes flight I hope she comes down lower. She didn’t and when I duck round to the other side of the tree there she is again but still high up. As we enter the final scallop the sun disappeared and all that we could produce was a solitary Silver-washed for our troubles.
Slightly disheartened we start making our way back and on the way there’s another male up high but almost low enough that I can chance my arm, literally, and go for a few shots holding my camera out at full stretch. This still seems a poor return for all the trudging although the Walls teasing Philzoid again slightly cheered me up WINK. They’d sit still good as gold right up until Philzoid was within range and then they’d fly a few metres away, flashing their wings invitingly as they landed.
By now we were back at the Hedge and a walk along the length to the corner didn’t produce anything. They seemed to be ignoring the ‘golden hours’ rules this year again. Plus this fact wasn’t helped by the sun disappearing behind the cloud. On the final dejected ‘stuff em’ walk back to the car things started to happen. In fact it all went a little manic…
Slowly enough it started with a female refusing to come down to a decent level for any shots. We waited for what felt like an age but she stubbornly stayed up high. Occasionally she was disturbed and for a few fleeting seconds there were three hearts in mouths but she always remained at altitude.
Wondering if that would be that we finally found one in a great positon when we were half way back and then they seemed to suddenly crawl out of the woodwork. There were at least 2 females as well as a male in this little section and all three were within reach of our lenses. While we were watching one intently the second flew off in a massive hug disappearing out across the large central field. While we continued to watch the original female another did the same thing but I reckoned it must have pulled a ‘U-y’ as a female shortly appeared directly behind Bugboy – it was almost sitting on his shoulder. After this we settled in and started to rack up shots onto the memory card. I think Bugboy went from 80 or so to several hundred in the course of the next half hour that we spent with them as they proceeded to work through the ‘butterfly pose’ catalogue; closed wing, open wing, ¾ open, stained glass, close up, behaviour etc.
Eventually Bugboy made for Dorset and Philzoid and I took a wander down the old ‘dual carriageway’ hedge. Whilst there were still butterflies about with Brown Argus, Common Blues and Specklies it seemed that the Brostreaks had re-read the rule book and as it was now just past 3 pm we didn’t get any further sightings of them. Nevermind it had been successful in the end and now Philzoid and I concentrated on chewing the fat.
Shipton Bellinger 13-08-2019
With the prospect of a Wales ahead of me and the fact that the Brostreaks were playing silly buggers this year I realised that I needed to get my arse in gear is I was hoping to catch up with them! So the plans were made and the stage was set for a meet up with Dave on Monday but we needed to take a rain check. Instead it was Tuesday morning when I found myself pootling along towards Shipton.
Despite the rule book seemingly out of the window this year I arrived at 10ish as I was hoping to have found a Brostreak by the time Dave arrived. As I rounded the corner it seemed that others had come up with a similar plan and there was a group plonked in my favourite spot all staring into the hedge diligently. I mooched about and acquainted myself with a Comma while I waited for them to wander on a little bit. As most did one of their number remained behind and as I started my searching and scanning along the hotspot we both watched as a vivid orange butterfly detached itself from somewhere in the trees and half jinked and half fluttered down coming to land on a crown of Wild Parsnip. Perfect I was in prime position and set about getting some shots.
After a bit I stood back and watched and waited for Dave to appear. Now if this was a ‘normal’ year the Brostreak would have settled down and still have been feeding an hour or so later, but unfortunately this isn’t a normal year and after too short a time she took to the wing and was gone. I turned away from the hedge and could see Dave walking down the path. Luckily he’d also encountered a Brostreak on his walk up from the village and so swapping war stories we set off for a quick stroll down the length of the hedge and back. Whilst we picked up various species; a pair of Painted Ladies, Common Blues, various whites and a cracking male Adonis, we didn’t find any further Brostreaks and so upon reaching our starting point we carried on up the hill making for the various scallops cut into the side of track.
The walk up the hill and through the scallops was interspersed with chatting and a changing mixture of butterflies whilst we worked through various microhabitats. There was the wide bare soil track lined by mature trees with Specklies and the odd Peacock. As we reached the top of the hill the tree line to our left ended and we could look across grassland to the hills beyond. Here there were Small Heath, Meadow Browns and a couple of Walls which gave us the run around. The path noticeably narrowed with less mature scrub encroaching on either side of us and at times making me feel a little claustrophobic. It was darker in this part with a few Specklies and not much else and as it opened to the long and thin scallop Hedgies and Meadow Browns appeared before finally we reached the final scallop which I was pinning all of my hopes on. We settled down once here to some proper Hedge Watching. In amid the Browns and Whites Dave discovered a Holly Blue down low – which was only to be expected, I swear I didn’t even see his lips move WINK. After a while our attention is drawn to a distant Brostreak. She lands further back in the hedge and up high so getting ‘onto’ her is a right pain, particularly due to the mass of Bramble and Briar barring our progress. She does come down a little lower and after some very slow and painful manipulation we manage to get in close enough for some shots. It hardly seemed worth it in the end as she was all cut to ribbons.
We decided to make our way back to check out some of the other areas and as we come into the middle scallop a female plumps down right in front of me for two shots of time. As I try to side step so Dave can get a look she flies up and is gone. The walk back throws up a few more Walls and there are some Brostreak sightings up high but it’s all a little like hard work – I can’t remember it being like this and the effort masked my initial triumph with the glorious female. We keep moving cutting across back towards the Master tree and from there down to the dual track, walking the lower side first before coming back on the side with the higher hedges. There are some nice butterflies – blue female Common Blue, fresh Specklies and the odd white here and there as well as glimpses of what could be Hairstreaks. Eventually after this whistle stop tour of Shipton we arrive back at the Main/Back/Hotspot Hedge.
I know that I keep referring to previous years or that ‘the Brostreaks weren’t following the rules’ but perhaps they were? There’s the flurry of activity upon arrival, it goes a bit quiet before a finishing with a flourish at around 2pm when the females come down and start laying. Well to give the game away as it were that’s exactly what happened on this visit…
Dave and I were back at the main hedge finding yet another Painted Lady for our troubles and we were about half way along and returning to the start point when there was a Brostreak in the hedge, a little bright orange triangle that just appeared from out of nowhere. There weren’t the usual Bramble flowers available for it to feed on so instead she was probing her proboscis in between the druplets of the Blackberries. I don’t know whether she’d been able to pierce the fruit or whether she was taking moisture that had gotten into the spaces between the druplets but she certainly seemed focused and so Dave and I could take it in turns to get plenty of shots from various angles.
As we were enjoying this one another pair of enthusiasts called out that they had one and she was basking. She started the behaviour pattern of basking for a bit (to raise her temperature) then crawling around in the leaves looking for places to lay (cooling all the while) which meant that we were able to get some open wing basking images to add to the various closed wing selection.
After this yet another female appeared proving once and again that Brostreaks are like buses. By this stage our faltering meanderings had brought us to the first part of the hedge which has produced so many of my Brostreaks in the past. It seemed quiet today but then it really produced the goods for Dave. Low down was a small bluish white blob. As I got in a bit nearer I realised that it was actually a menage a trois of Holly Blues. Two were locked together in full cop whilst the third was edging in backwards and trying to dislodge the first male from the coupling. He wasn’t having any of it and the interloper got the message and buggered off leaving the pair in cop in prime photographing position.
After this a final sweep of the first 20 metres of the hedge threw up yet another Brostreak, this one had a folded wing which meant she was easy to tell apart from all of the others and there was also another but looking at the images she could be the same as the first that we found. Still no complaints here! I took my final shot of here at precisely 3pm and after this the hedge went quiet.
So after a cracking start the Brostreaks proved hard work but came good in the end. I’m left wondering what would have happened if Dave and I had get set up camp at the main hedge, would we have gotten anymore Brostreaks? Would they have been easier to find? But then I remember all the other things we’d seen and the fantastic final flurry which was so sweet because of the working and waiting.
Despite the rule book seemingly out of the window this year I arrived at 10ish as I was hoping to have found a Brostreak by the time Dave arrived. As I rounded the corner it seemed that others had come up with a similar plan and there was a group plonked in my favourite spot all staring into the hedge diligently. I mooched about and acquainted myself with a Comma while I waited for them to wander on a little bit. As most did one of their number remained behind and as I started my searching and scanning along the hotspot we both watched as a vivid orange butterfly detached itself from somewhere in the trees and half jinked and half fluttered down coming to land on a crown of Wild Parsnip. Perfect I was in prime position and set about getting some shots.
After a bit I stood back and watched and waited for Dave to appear. Now if this was a ‘normal’ year the Brostreak would have settled down and still have been feeding an hour or so later, but unfortunately this isn’t a normal year and after too short a time she took to the wing and was gone. I turned away from the hedge and could see Dave walking down the path. Luckily he’d also encountered a Brostreak on his walk up from the village and so swapping war stories we set off for a quick stroll down the length of the hedge and back. Whilst we picked up various species; a pair of Painted Ladies, Common Blues, various whites and a cracking male Adonis, we didn’t find any further Brostreaks and so upon reaching our starting point we carried on up the hill making for the various scallops cut into the side of track.
The walk up the hill and through the scallops was interspersed with chatting and a changing mixture of butterflies whilst we worked through various microhabitats. There was the wide bare soil track lined by mature trees with Specklies and the odd Peacock. As we reached the top of the hill the tree line to our left ended and we could look across grassland to the hills beyond. Here there were Small Heath, Meadow Browns and a couple of Walls which gave us the run around. The path noticeably narrowed with less mature scrub encroaching on either side of us and at times making me feel a little claustrophobic. It was darker in this part with a few Specklies and not much else and as it opened to the long and thin scallop Hedgies and Meadow Browns appeared before finally we reached the final scallop which I was pinning all of my hopes on. We settled down once here to some proper Hedge Watching. In amid the Browns and Whites Dave discovered a Holly Blue down low – which was only to be expected, I swear I didn’t even see his lips move WINK. After a while our attention is drawn to a distant Brostreak. She lands further back in the hedge and up high so getting ‘onto’ her is a right pain, particularly due to the mass of Bramble and Briar barring our progress. She does come down a little lower and after some very slow and painful manipulation we manage to get in close enough for some shots. It hardly seemed worth it in the end as she was all cut to ribbons.
We decided to make our way back to check out some of the other areas and as we come into the middle scallop a female plumps down right in front of me for two shots of time. As I try to side step so Dave can get a look she flies up and is gone. The walk back throws up a few more Walls and there are some Brostreak sightings up high but it’s all a little like hard work – I can’t remember it being like this and the effort masked my initial triumph with the glorious female. We keep moving cutting across back towards the Master tree and from there down to the dual track, walking the lower side first before coming back on the side with the higher hedges. There are some nice butterflies – blue female Common Blue, fresh Specklies and the odd white here and there as well as glimpses of what could be Hairstreaks. Eventually after this whistle stop tour of Shipton we arrive back at the Main/Back/Hotspot Hedge.
I know that I keep referring to previous years or that ‘the Brostreaks weren’t following the rules’ but perhaps they were? There’s the flurry of activity upon arrival, it goes a bit quiet before a finishing with a flourish at around 2pm when the females come down and start laying. Well to give the game away as it were that’s exactly what happened on this visit…
Dave and I were back at the main hedge finding yet another Painted Lady for our troubles and we were about half way along and returning to the start point when there was a Brostreak in the hedge, a little bright orange triangle that just appeared from out of nowhere. There weren’t the usual Bramble flowers available for it to feed on so instead she was probing her proboscis in between the druplets of the Blackberries. I don’t know whether she’d been able to pierce the fruit or whether she was taking moisture that had gotten into the spaces between the druplets but she certainly seemed focused and so Dave and I could take it in turns to get plenty of shots from various angles.
As we were enjoying this one another pair of enthusiasts called out that they had one and she was basking. She started the behaviour pattern of basking for a bit (to raise her temperature) then crawling around in the leaves looking for places to lay (cooling all the while) which meant that we were able to get some open wing basking images to add to the various closed wing selection.
After this yet another female appeared proving once and again that Brostreaks are like buses. By this stage our faltering meanderings had brought us to the first part of the hedge which has produced so many of my Brostreaks in the past. It seemed quiet today but then it really produced the goods for Dave. Low down was a small bluish white blob. As I got in a bit nearer I realised that it was actually a menage a trois of Holly Blues. Two were locked together in full cop whilst the third was edging in backwards and trying to dislodge the first male from the coupling. He wasn’t having any of it and the interloper got the message and buggered off leaving the pair in cop in prime photographing position.
After this a final sweep of the first 20 metres of the hedge threw up yet another Brostreak, this one had a folded wing which meant she was easy to tell apart from all of the others and there was also another but looking at the images she could be the same as the first that we found. Still no complaints here! I took my final shot of here at precisely 3pm and after this the hedge went quiet.
So after a cracking start the Brostreaks proved hard work but came good in the end. I’m left wondering what would have happened if Dave and I had get set up camp at the main hedge, would we have gotten anymore Brostreaks? Would they have been easier to find? But then I remember all the other things we’d seen and the fantastic final flurry which was so sweet because of the working and waiting.
Oxford 11-08-2019
Each year friends of ours come down from ‘Oop North’ where allegedly ‘It’s grim’ to house-sit over the summer holidays. This in the past has meant a palatial manor house in Sussex surrounded with woodlands and its own stone circle but this year they returned to the Cellists house in a small village in Oxford. It’s a ramshackle old building, a converted forge, with some rooms only accessible by ladder, a toilet with access to the stairs, a bath in kitchen and a rambling garden out back.
After some coffee on our arrival I ventured out to the garden to see what I could find in the tumbling flower beds. It was surprisingly active and I’d only expected to find the odd white and maybe a Hedgie but instead there where whites falling over each other and a multitude of Hedgies, at least 9 or 10 which in a 6 metre stretch of flower bed isn’t to be sneezed at. Having done my survey I set to walking up and down the flower bed stopping every few stops as something else caught my eye or dropped from the air in front of me. After 10 minutes I’d racked up the full complement of Hedgies, seen both a Comma and a Small Tort bomb by and managed to capture a couple of the Whites (all Small though I did see at least 1 Large and 2 Green-veined) on ‘memory card’.
After lunch we loaded up and the wagons rolled. Our hosts had mentioned a walk on the Downs which might hold good numbers of butterflies and so as I followed tem I wondered if they could possibly mean Ashton Rowant. This would have been fantastic news as I knew that the Silver Spots were flying and I’d yet to see them in 2019. With an added frisson of excitement I put pedal to the metal. My hopes were confirmed later when up ahead I could see a Brown traffic sign announcing the very place I was looking forward to going! Only we carried on driving and a short time later pulled into a wood – apparently the car park would have been too busy and so we’d come to Cowley Copse instead. Never mind I hoped to notch up a few more butterflies in the wood. Only that didn’t come to pass as the sun went in and the wind picked up and it became cooler. The only thing I saw was a distant Painted Lady and two Meadow Browns of which only one hung around for a photo.
Back at the house and with more coffee and now cake I consoled myself with a Comma before getting back to the ‘visiting friends’ mode. Still as I drove home I wondered at what could have been.
After some coffee on our arrival I ventured out to the garden to see what I could find in the tumbling flower beds. It was surprisingly active and I’d only expected to find the odd white and maybe a Hedgie but instead there where whites falling over each other and a multitude of Hedgies, at least 9 or 10 which in a 6 metre stretch of flower bed isn’t to be sneezed at. Having done my survey I set to walking up and down the flower bed stopping every few stops as something else caught my eye or dropped from the air in front of me. After 10 minutes I’d racked up the full complement of Hedgies, seen both a Comma and a Small Tort bomb by and managed to capture a couple of the Whites (all Small though I did see at least 1 Large and 2 Green-veined) on ‘memory card’.
After lunch we loaded up and the wagons rolled. Our hosts had mentioned a walk on the Downs which might hold good numbers of butterflies and so as I followed tem I wondered if they could possibly mean Ashton Rowant. This would have been fantastic news as I knew that the Silver Spots were flying and I’d yet to see them in 2019. With an added frisson of excitement I put pedal to the metal. My hopes were confirmed later when up ahead I could see a Brown traffic sign announcing the very place I was looking forward to going! Only we carried on driving and a short time later pulled into a wood – apparently the car park would have been too busy and so we’d come to Cowley Copse instead. Never mind I hoped to notch up a few more butterflies in the wood. Only that didn’t come to pass as the sun went in and the wind picked up and it became cooler. The only thing I saw was a distant Painted Lady and two Meadow Browns of which only one hung around for a photo.
Back at the house and with more coffee and now cake I consoled myself with a Comma before getting back to the ‘visiting friends’ mode. Still as I drove home I wondered at what could have been.
Martin Down 26-07-2019
When I visit Martin Down I often start the season with walking along the Sillen’s Lane end trackway towards the hotspot. After this I seem to alternate between this approach and reaching the hotspot by working the length Dyke from the main car park. However once a year I do like to make the hike to the top of the Down itself so that was where I set out for today. I was hoping to find some Silver Spots at the bottom of the slope and Chalkhills were also on my radar what with not having any tutor sessions at Laverstock to rely on for this species.
As I set out on the diagonal path heading towards the foot of the Down unsurprisingly Hedgies flew along the hedges and Meadow Browns dominated the meadows…well fields. Also present was a lovely fresh Painted Lady that cut an imposing figure amongst the sea of beige and there was also a sultry looking DGF still looking good at this later stage of their flight. A second and third DGF both played silly buggers further on my journey. They flew towards me after appearing in the distance on my left then upon reaching me they landed and appeared to settle for some nectar only to move off again into an area fenced off with electric fence.
By now my faltering meanderings had brought me to the foot of the Down where the soil is thin and sparsely covered. With the scrapes and bare chalk exposed along with the lack of plant cover the ground here seems to soak up the heat and so I wasn’t surprised to see so many butterflies; Small Whites, numerous Smessex, some lovely Brown Argus and Small Copper also a couple of DGFs announced themselves on my first trip along the bottom of the Down. There were also a couple of deer which eventually (after trying to stare me down) decided that common sense is the better part of valour and sprung away. One mistimed their leap over the electric fence and came a bit of a cropper – doing a less than graceful roly-poly into the neighbouring field.
The walk back produced more of the same, in fact probably THE same butterflies but a few Brimstones, Marbs and Common Blues along with a cracking Small Copper added novel interest. Unfortunately though there was a distinct lack of Silver Spots –the species I was hoping for here in particular.
I then took one of the little trackways and scaled half way up the Down locating a track that ran across the side and would hopefully link with another that would take me to the very top. As I set off I felt like I was being watched and there silhouetted further up the slope was a Hare; it was massive compared to the Rabbits I’d seen earlier, at least twice the size.
I stuck to the path and Browns erupted everywhere, Smessex zipped here and there and everywhere. In fact there was a plethora of butterflies, so many I gave up photographing and just enjoyed watching them take off and fly. A Small Copper here, Common Blue there, multitudes of Brown Argus and good numbers of DGF. It was fabulous! What wasn’t quite so fabulous was that my path stopped abruptly as it dove down into and then probably under a large tangle of Bramble and other shrubbery. A startled deer raised its head, watched me and then once it had worked out that standing still didn’t actually make it invisible, tore off down the Down. I carried on picking my way round various clumps of vegetation and trying to pick up a track whilst noting the same species I had already encountered. It wasn’t until the very top that I got onto a proper path again.
At the top I took in the view and tried to get my breath back from both the ascent and also from trying to follow a DGF. As I turned to walk back down along the Dyke I spied a ghostly silver blue butterfly – a Chalkhill. It was swiftly joined by a second and then a third. It was good that they were about but now for the hard part, trying to actually get some shots of them! They were a right pain flying incessantly from flower tip to flower tip and when they did alight it was for a very short period and generally on a flimsy flower so that the slightest breeze had them rocking back and forth manically.
I realised my trip across the side of the Down had cost me time wise so now I had to rush down along the Dyke if I was to have any time at the hotspot. On the way it was quite quiet luckily and so I managed to get to the bottom of the slope without too many distractions. I checked out the little part of the Dyke that’s like a cul-de-sac, closed off by the path that runs to the wood. It was rich in flowers and the slope on one side and the tall shrubs/small trees at the end sheltered it from the wind. This seemed like as good a place as any to try for some shots. There were indeed a few Chalkhills about amid the chaos of Common Blues and Brown Argus. I’m still surprised at how vicious and cantankerous BA's are. As was the way today it seemed, there was another DGF, they seem to be having a good flight here even though I missed the main part of it.
By now the top of the glass was almost out of sand grains so I had to hotfoot it back to the car. A Small Copper waylaid me momentarily but as I was cutting it so fine the final Red Admiral merely got a hurried glance and a rushed mark in the notebook. Hopefully I’ll be back when I have more time after my forthcoming trip to Portugal.
As I set out on the diagonal path heading towards the foot of the Down unsurprisingly Hedgies flew along the hedges and Meadow Browns dominated the meadows…well fields. Also present was a lovely fresh Painted Lady that cut an imposing figure amongst the sea of beige and there was also a sultry looking DGF still looking good at this later stage of their flight. A second and third DGF both played silly buggers further on my journey. They flew towards me after appearing in the distance on my left then upon reaching me they landed and appeared to settle for some nectar only to move off again into an area fenced off with electric fence.
By now my faltering meanderings had brought me to the foot of the Down where the soil is thin and sparsely covered. With the scrapes and bare chalk exposed along with the lack of plant cover the ground here seems to soak up the heat and so I wasn’t surprised to see so many butterflies; Small Whites, numerous Smessex, some lovely Brown Argus and Small Copper also a couple of DGFs announced themselves on my first trip along the bottom of the Down. There were also a couple of deer which eventually (after trying to stare me down) decided that common sense is the better part of valour and sprung away. One mistimed their leap over the electric fence and came a bit of a cropper – doing a less than graceful roly-poly into the neighbouring field.
The walk back produced more of the same, in fact probably THE same butterflies but a few Brimstones, Marbs and Common Blues along with a cracking Small Copper added novel interest. Unfortunately though there was a distinct lack of Silver Spots –the species I was hoping for here in particular.
I then took one of the little trackways and scaled half way up the Down locating a track that ran across the side and would hopefully link with another that would take me to the very top. As I set off I felt like I was being watched and there silhouetted further up the slope was a Hare; it was massive compared to the Rabbits I’d seen earlier, at least twice the size.
I stuck to the path and Browns erupted everywhere, Smessex zipped here and there and everywhere. In fact there was a plethora of butterflies, so many I gave up photographing and just enjoyed watching them take off and fly. A Small Copper here, Common Blue there, multitudes of Brown Argus and good numbers of DGF. It was fabulous! What wasn’t quite so fabulous was that my path stopped abruptly as it dove down into and then probably under a large tangle of Bramble and other shrubbery. A startled deer raised its head, watched me and then once it had worked out that standing still didn’t actually make it invisible, tore off down the Down. I carried on picking my way round various clumps of vegetation and trying to pick up a track whilst noting the same species I had already encountered. It wasn’t until the very top that I got onto a proper path again.
At the top I took in the view and tried to get my breath back from both the ascent and also from trying to follow a DGF. As I turned to walk back down along the Dyke I spied a ghostly silver blue butterfly – a Chalkhill. It was swiftly joined by a second and then a third. It was good that they were about but now for the hard part, trying to actually get some shots of them! They were a right pain flying incessantly from flower tip to flower tip and when they did alight it was for a very short period and generally on a flimsy flower so that the slightest breeze had them rocking back and forth manically.
I realised my trip across the side of the Down had cost me time wise so now I had to rush down along the Dyke if I was to have any time at the hotspot. On the way it was quite quiet luckily and so I managed to get to the bottom of the slope without too many distractions. I checked out the little part of the Dyke that’s like a cul-de-sac, closed off by the path that runs to the wood. It was rich in flowers and the slope on one side and the tall shrubs/small trees at the end sheltered it from the wind. This seemed like as good a place as any to try for some shots. There were indeed a few Chalkhills about amid the chaos of Common Blues and Brown Argus. I’m still surprised at how vicious and cantankerous BA's are. As was the way today it seemed, there was another DGF, they seem to be having a good flight here even though I missed the main part of it.
By now the top of the glass was almost out of sand grains so I had to hotfoot it back to the car. A Small Copper waylaid me momentarily but as I was cutting it so fine the final Red Admiral merely got a hurried glance and a rushed mark in the notebook. Hopefully I’ll be back when I have more time after my forthcoming trip to Portugal.
Shipton Bellinger 25-07-2019
So I’d finally made it – another year done; books marked, detentions ran, GCSE’s prepared for and to top it all a visit from The Evil That Walks With a Clipboard/iPad’ – OfSTED! So with an extra half day to spare I took the back way home and called in at Shipton. I pulled up in the little break in the main Hedge and as I left the darkness of the shade it became achingly hot. This didn’t bode well and so I set off down the main stretch of the Hedge already building it up in my mind as just a recce. All the fluttering or zipping orange blurs became Hedgies or Meadow Browns. There were a couple of Peacocks and an absolute shed load of Brimstones. The return journey held the same species but with Holly Blues, Common Blues and a single Comma joining the fray. It wasn’t looking good and he butterflies were either flying at ridiculous speeds or were hiding away further back in the Hedge amid the shade.
I carried on up the hill and where the track widens a Red Admiral flew across and a couple of Specklies played at the top of the hill. There were also plenty of the ubiquitous Brimstones – though no Walls yet this year. Further on still I shifted my gaze more upwards, scanning for little orange triangles that I was hoping to see grinning back down at me. No joy though. When I came out to the first little break a DGF buzzed by, a few Common Blues played and a Marbled White clung to its existence with all four ‘pods’.
At the next stop I was hoping to find what I’d come to see but after several careful scans and a count of all the butterflies present I only had a Peacock, Marbled White, 3 Meadow Browns, 2 Hedgies but still no Brostreak and strangely not one Brimstone either. After the return journey I cut across through the Blackthorn thickets and checked out the old trackway and ‘double hedge’ but this proved ridiculously quiet with only a single Red Admiral worth noting.
So all in all not the start to the holiday I was hoping for. It would have been nice to have picked up a Brostreak on the first day of the holiday but they had only just started emerging at Alners Gorse anyway with fingers crossed that the weather would play ball and I could get some after my foreign trip I headed for home and a much deserved beer.
I carried on up the hill and where the track widens a Red Admiral flew across and a couple of Specklies played at the top of the hill. There were also plenty of the ubiquitous Brimstones – though no Walls yet this year. Further on still I shifted my gaze more upwards, scanning for little orange triangles that I was hoping to see grinning back down at me. No joy though. When I came out to the first little break a DGF buzzed by, a few Common Blues played and a Marbled White clung to its existence with all four ‘pods’.
At the next stop I was hoping to find what I’d come to see but after several careful scans and a count of all the butterflies present I only had a Peacock, Marbled White, 3 Meadow Browns, 2 Hedgies but still no Brostreak and strangely not one Brimstone either. After the return journey I cut across through the Blackthorn thickets and checked out the old trackway and ‘double hedge’ but this proved ridiculously quiet with only a single Red Admiral worth noting.
So all in all not the start to the holiday I was hoping for. It would have been nice to have picked up a Brostreak on the first day of the holiday but they had only just started emerging at Alners Gorse anyway with fingers crossed that the weather would play ball and I could get some after my foreign trip I headed for home and a much deserved beer.
Godshill 20-07-2019
Time is heading ever forwards and so it’s time to move away from the Woods and before traversing the Downs and hiking the Hedgerows I took a ramble on the Heath in search of my first (and possibly only) Grayling. After two weeks of nonsense weather forecasts today I went back to the tried and tested “have a walk round town and see what I reckon”. My meteorological meanderings complete I thought that it would probably be okay and so after lunch I checked in with the Oracle and with a positive endorsement set off with Iron Maiden blaring, Killers natch…As I pulled up in the car park the eponymous track had just finished and I was psyched and ready so I didn’t mind that there was as single strand of dark cloud sitting exactly over the spot I was heading to. I started off walking round the boundary of the cricket pitch before reaching the path that runs down the hill and crosses the stream.
On the way there were good numbers of Meadow Browns and Hedgies galore, some of which were almost the same size as the Meadow Browns but were distinguishable by their Ginger Nut biscuit colour n the fact that they would land on the Gorse rather than down on the ground. A Red Admiral shot past so fast and close that it almost took my hat off and then I saw my first Grayling. At least I thought I had. That’s the thing with butterflying, at the end of the season you package away and store the knowledge for next year and sometimes you forget where you stored so when you encounter a species for the first time there’s a bit of re-learning to do! In this case though I could be excused for my early misidentification as the butterfly even on the ground didn’t look like a Meadow Brown. I’ve seen blonde through to almost black Meadow Browns but they always appeared Brown, this one appeared Grey and this was accentuated by having white flashes on the forewings rather than orange. It could have just been down to age but the butterfly itself was in really god nick with none of the expected tears or rips it should have owned after spending more than a week in the Gorse and Heather.
Slightly further down the hill 2 aged Silver-studs, both males tussled tirelessly with each other and after I crossed the stream I started seeing Small Heath and golden Skippers as the Bracken yielded to the low, fresh Heather growth. I and on carried on up the slight rise to the main Hotspot track and once there I walked about a bit and there something different flew amid the Meadow Browns and Hedgies. It looked slightly larger than the Meadow Browns, I got the impression of a dark body and creamy edges to the wings plus it flew more strongly and threw in the occasional glide – my first Grayling. I managed to follow it and eventually it landed so I was able to get a few shots. At first I thought that it was ‘blind’ but as I crawled in closer I could see that the ‘eye’ was there just much reduced and it had been obscured by the wing tip which was bent over.
After watching it land a couple of times I left it in peace and made my way round to the large patch of Heather on the other side of the final side of the triangle. I saw my Graylings here last year and so I was wondering if they move from patch to patch every couple of years in line with the growth cycle of the Heather? Before I could look for any Grayling here however I had a Small Heath vying for my attention. It was quite large and much more sandy coloured than I recall and it was also doing the wing flicking that I observed last year.
Back on the Grayling search I was more than happy with my findings as there were at least three flying about in this little area. Each time I saw two interact my hopes were raised that they might enter into courtship but they were always dashed as after a brief ‘tussle’ the pair would break apart and head off in different ways. I consoled myself with stalking but it was proving difficult here. The land is pretty flat and I reasoned that even with the most cautious stalk my 6ft frame was sticking up to clearly against the horizon. In the took to walking on my knees to get in closer for some shots and this worked out pretty well even though I made much more noise and kerfuffle.
With damp knees I set off back to the Hotspot track and reacquainted myself with the original Grayling before continuing upstream a bit more. In one of the dried out stretches another two Silver-studs flew, again both were male and one was in very fine fettle for this late in the season with the wing margins totally intact and glowing out against the contrasting dark edges to the wings.
After this I decided to start making my way back. I took a slight detour away from the track onto the slight hill with the intention of walking back and stopping only for any Grayling that appeared. However this proved to be quite problematic as there were at least 8 Grayling flying in this little area, veering violently around the taller clumps of heather. I didn’t know quite which one to go for and again a few ‘click-steps’ and the butterfly that had been sitting so sedately was gone, cutting powerfully through the air and the gliding a short way with an envy inducing joie de vivre. At one point there were three in one view, a manic flutter and glide fest and something that was great to watch though left me feeling slightly giddy! I tried for a few shots but to be honest I was just enjoying the show.
I reluctantly dragged myself away and quickened my pace so as not to get distracted. As is always the way just as you’re heading home in earnest something pops up to drag you back in. On this occasion it was a massive Grayling which swiftly became a pair in cop and another addition to my ‘In Cop’ collection. Brilliant! Once again I set off and once again I got pulled back in this time for an Emperor Dragonfly laying eggs in the small pools that are all that remain of the stream. This could be one of the few shots that I have of a Dragonfly where I haven’t had to rely on ‘Sports’ mode! Then there was a final Grayling on the side of the hill in pretty much the same place as my last one from 2018. At this rate I didn’t think I’d ever make to the car, I had visions of some unfortunate hiker finding my mummified form stopped over a bit of branch which at one time held a Grayling LOL.
It was great to see Graylings again and even better was the fact that they were in greater numbers than last year. A fantastic afternoon!
On the way there were good numbers of Meadow Browns and Hedgies galore, some of which were almost the same size as the Meadow Browns but were distinguishable by their Ginger Nut biscuit colour n the fact that they would land on the Gorse rather than down on the ground. A Red Admiral shot past so fast and close that it almost took my hat off and then I saw my first Grayling. At least I thought I had. That’s the thing with butterflying, at the end of the season you package away and store the knowledge for next year and sometimes you forget where you stored so when you encounter a species for the first time there’s a bit of re-learning to do! In this case though I could be excused for my early misidentification as the butterfly even on the ground didn’t look like a Meadow Brown. I’ve seen blonde through to almost black Meadow Browns but they always appeared Brown, this one appeared Grey and this was accentuated by having white flashes on the forewings rather than orange. It could have just been down to age but the butterfly itself was in really god nick with none of the expected tears or rips it should have owned after spending more than a week in the Gorse and Heather.
Slightly further down the hill 2 aged Silver-studs, both males tussled tirelessly with each other and after I crossed the stream I started seeing Small Heath and golden Skippers as the Bracken yielded to the low, fresh Heather growth. I and on carried on up the slight rise to the main Hotspot track and once there I walked about a bit and there something different flew amid the Meadow Browns and Hedgies. It looked slightly larger than the Meadow Browns, I got the impression of a dark body and creamy edges to the wings plus it flew more strongly and threw in the occasional glide – my first Grayling. I managed to follow it and eventually it landed so I was able to get a few shots. At first I thought that it was ‘blind’ but as I crawled in closer I could see that the ‘eye’ was there just much reduced and it had been obscured by the wing tip which was bent over.
After watching it land a couple of times I left it in peace and made my way round to the large patch of Heather on the other side of the final side of the triangle. I saw my Graylings here last year and so I was wondering if they move from patch to patch every couple of years in line with the growth cycle of the Heather? Before I could look for any Grayling here however I had a Small Heath vying for my attention. It was quite large and much more sandy coloured than I recall and it was also doing the wing flicking that I observed last year.
Back on the Grayling search I was more than happy with my findings as there were at least three flying about in this little area. Each time I saw two interact my hopes were raised that they might enter into courtship but they were always dashed as after a brief ‘tussle’ the pair would break apart and head off in different ways. I consoled myself with stalking but it was proving difficult here. The land is pretty flat and I reasoned that even with the most cautious stalk my 6ft frame was sticking up to clearly against the horizon. In the took to walking on my knees to get in closer for some shots and this worked out pretty well even though I made much more noise and kerfuffle.
With damp knees I set off back to the Hotspot track and reacquainted myself with the original Grayling before continuing upstream a bit more. In one of the dried out stretches another two Silver-studs flew, again both were male and one was in very fine fettle for this late in the season with the wing margins totally intact and glowing out against the contrasting dark edges to the wings.
After this I decided to start making my way back. I took a slight detour away from the track onto the slight hill with the intention of walking back and stopping only for any Grayling that appeared. However this proved to be quite problematic as there were at least 8 Grayling flying in this little area, veering violently around the taller clumps of heather. I didn’t know quite which one to go for and again a few ‘click-steps’ and the butterfly that had been sitting so sedately was gone, cutting powerfully through the air and the gliding a short way with an envy inducing joie de vivre. At one point there were three in one view, a manic flutter and glide fest and something that was great to watch though left me feeling slightly giddy! I tried for a few shots but to be honest I was just enjoying the show.
I reluctantly dragged myself away and quickened my pace so as not to get distracted. As is always the way just as you’re heading home in earnest something pops up to drag you back in. On this occasion it was a massive Grayling which swiftly became a pair in cop and another addition to my ‘In Cop’ collection. Brilliant! Once again I set off and once again I got pulled back in this time for an Emperor Dragonfly laying eggs in the small pools that are all that remain of the stream. This could be one of the few shots that I have of a Dragonfly where I haven’t had to rely on ‘Sports’ mode! Then there was a final Grayling on the side of the hill in pretty much the same place as my last one from 2018. At this rate I didn’t think I’d ever make to the car, I had visions of some unfortunate hiker finding my mummified form stopped over a bit of branch which at one time held a Grayling LOL.
It was great to see Graylings again and even better was the fact that they were in greater numbers than last year. A fantastic afternoon!
Bentley Wood 14-07-2019
After the constant grey the day before I awoke, unsurprisingly, to a lighter sky with blue sky poking through. As the morning progressed and I got stuck into all of the chores which I could have done yesterday the weather got better and better and the sunny spells grew longer and longer. The weather forecast had drastically changed from first thing as well and while I sorted the rubbish and recycling the sun burnt through my T-shirt and the sweat beads prickled on my forehead I resolved to try my luck for a final time at Bentley.
Once on site I started off down the track chatting on the way with a couple that had left the car park at the same time as me. It was surprisingly quiet on the way down the main track with only the occasional Purple Hairstreak flitting up high and a Red Admiral dipping in out of view as it flew amid the fronds of the Bracken. Down at the Crossroads I turned left and made my way towards Donkey Copse again employing the shambling crook necked gait for Purple Emperor searching. The usual species criss-crossed the track or flew along the wood margins on the journey down including a few Silver-washed and a couple of Peacocks which brightened up the palette of browns and sandy gold colours which are prevalent in mid-summer. At the corner I ignored the grassed left hand track and hung about chatting with a fellow enthusiast who had set up shop here. As we chatted a bat like butterfly flew by, it did a couple of circuits around eventually veering off high in the canopy from whence it didn’t return. There was a similar story at Donkey Copse itself when I reached there – another enthusiast, some more chat but this time no Purple Emperor.
I carried on to the end and while I wandered the trackway as it became enclosed by the overhanging trees two things happened. First I realised that I’d not taken a single shot the whole time I’d been in the Wood and second I spied an odd looking Silver-washed. As I set to rectify my lack of shots I discovered why the Silver-washed looked so odd – half of its hind wing was missing. So as it perched and fed instead of the minty looking shark fin it was a mismatch of part minty part speckled orange.
The final stretch of the track was much livelier with a Red Admiral and two Peacocks down on the deck, Silver-washed on either side of the track and a multitude of browns taking up most of the available perch spaces. At the far end I looked through the small tunnel of trees out to the pasture beyond and then I turned about to start back. As I did a little silver butterfly detached itself from somewhere above me and fluttered down alighting on the fronds of Bracken. It was a cracking looking Purple Hairstreak. I spent some time with it as it sat looking glorious in the sun. As it shifted position I was able to watch it change colour from a light beige through to silvery grey and I also saw small orange markings on the rear end of the fore wing; markings that I wasn’t aware of before. Also while shifting position it flicked its proboscis out as if scenting or more correctly, tasting, the air. After a few steps and various tongue wagging it seemed to find what it was looking for – a bit of bird dropping which it started to take salts from. It was brilliant and more than made up for the lack of shots of His Nibbs.
The journey back to Donkey Copse was filled with pretty much similar fare as the journey from though it was nice to find a pair of Hedgies posing for a photo. Back at the Copse the pair of chaps I’d met earlier were both waiting and staring up so I settled down and waited here for a bit. Purps kept fluttering about up high and there were various Silver-washed, the odd Peacock and an interesting looking Meadow Brown as well as a Hutch to stave away the boredom of staring into the trees looking for any movement.
Eventually we decide to try back on the corner to see if His Nibbs has decided to play ball and so having become a group of four with another chap joining us, we start off. We hadn’t gone far when a PE flies high, the striped markings and bat like shape making it stand out from the smaller, thinner winged White Admiral that was also scything through the air nearby. After a couple of fly-bys he disappears off further into the wood along a ride that had the look of having been forgotten. Back at the corner as I’m enjoying the 2 Peacocks and Silver-washed that were bedecking the log pile the group fragments; the late comer heads off, his first Purple Emperor seen, the original well met bloke to departs for the car park to brew up some fresh coffee leaving myself and contestant number 2 scanning the canopy and awaiting another possible appearance of His Nibbs. Shortly this occurred with the butterfly again stubbornly remaining up high. The frustration was starting to wash off on the other butterflies as well I felt as a Purp drifts down and lands too far away for my lens in the middle of a Bramble.
I say my goodbyes and start the walk back stopping now and then for this and that including a Small Skipper and another Purp down. This one partially opened up but the light could only manage to catch a single purple scale showing up as a blue dot on the forewing. At one point I thought that my luck had finally changed but the butterfly that landed down on the deck was too dark and turned out to be a Peacock. So all too soon I was back, in the car and heading for home…
So not a vintage year – yes I saw them but it would be better if the weather reports were more accurate…Last weekend the Saturday was supposed to be the worst day and was perfect but I couldn’t go and Sunday was supposed to be perfect but was cloudy all day! Then this weekend I went on Saturday and they got it right – as it clouded over at exactly the time they said it would curtailing activities and then today it was supposed to be cloudy all day only it wasn’t - it was fantastic! I came away having discussed a few methods to ensure some grounded Emperor shots including:
1. Set up camp on a stretch of the main car park and remain until my memory card is full.
2. Drag along a complete novice that has no interest in butterflies whatsoever, in fact someone that has never even heard of a Purple Emperor, and then send them down the track a few paces ahead of me. Then when His Nibbs visits them I can nip and clickity click job done!
3. Give up on Bentley and replace one of my other big trips with one to Botany Bay instead!
Once on site I started off down the track chatting on the way with a couple that had left the car park at the same time as me. It was surprisingly quiet on the way down the main track with only the occasional Purple Hairstreak flitting up high and a Red Admiral dipping in out of view as it flew amid the fronds of the Bracken. Down at the Crossroads I turned left and made my way towards Donkey Copse again employing the shambling crook necked gait for Purple Emperor searching. The usual species criss-crossed the track or flew along the wood margins on the journey down including a few Silver-washed and a couple of Peacocks which brightened up the palette of browns and sandy gold colours which are prevalent in mid-summer. At the corner I ignored the grassed left hand track and hung about chatting with a fellow enthusiast who had set up shop here. As we chatted a bat like butterfly flew by, it did a couple of circuits around eventually veering off high in the canopy from whence it didn’t return. There was a similar story at Donkey Copse itself when I reached there – another enthusiast, some more chat but this time no Purple Emperor.
I carried on to the end and while I wandered the trackway as it became enclosed by the overhanging trees two things happened. First I realised that I’d not taken a single shot the whole time I’d been in the Wood and second I spied an odd looking Silver-washed. As I set to rectify my lack of shots I discovered why the Silver-washed looked so odd – half of its hind wing was missing. So as it perched and fed instead of the minty looking shark fin it was a mismatch of part minty part speckled orange.
The final stretch of the track was much livelier with a Red Admiral and two Peacocks down on the deck, Silver-washed on either side of the track and a multitude of browns taking up most of the available perch spaces. At the far end I looked through the small tunnel of trees out to the pasture beyond and then I turned about to start back. As I did a little silver butterfly detached itself from somewhere above me and fluttered down alighting on the fronds of Bracken. It was a cracking looking Purple Hairstreak. I spent some time with it as it sat looking glorious in the sun. As it shifted position I was able to watch it change colour from a light beige through to silvery grey and I also saw small orange markings on the rear end of the fore wing; markings that I wasn’t aware of before. Also while shifting position it flicked its proboscis out as if scenting or more correctly, tasting, the air. After a few steps and various tongue wagging it seemed to find what it was looking for – a bit of bird dropping which it started to take salts from. It was brilliant and more than made up for the lack of shots of His Nibbs.
The journey back to Donkey Copse was filled with pretty much similar fare as the journey from though it was nice to find a pair of Hedgies posing for a photo. Back at the Copse the pair of chaps I’d met earlier were both waiting and staring up so I settled down and waited here for a bit. Purps kept fluttering about up high and there were various Silver-washed, the odd Peacock and an interesting looking Meadow Brown as well as a Hutch to stave away the boredom of staring into the trees looking for any movement.
Eventually we decide to try back on the corner to see if His Nibbs has decided to play ball and so having become a group of four with another chap joining us, we start off. We hadn’t gone far when a PE flies high, the striped markings and bat like shape making it stand out from the smaller, thinner winged White Admiral that was also scything through the air nearby. After a couple of fly-bys he disappears off further into the wood along a ride that had the look of having been forgotten. Back at the corner as I’m enjoying the 2 Peacocks and Silver-washed that were bedecking the log pile the group fragments; the late comer heads off, his first Purple Emperor seen, the original well met bloke to departs for the car park to brew up some fresh coffee leaving myself and contestant number 2 scanning the canopy and awaiting another possible appearance of His Nibbs. Shortly this occurred with the butterfly again stubbornly remaining up high. The frustration was starting to wash off on the other butterflies as well I felt as a Purp drifts down and lands too far away for my lens in the middle of a Bramble.
I say my goodbyes and start the walk back stopping now and then for this and that including a Small Skipper and another Purp down. This one partially opened up but the light could only manage to catch a single purple scale showing up as a blue dot on the forewing. At one point I thought that my luck had finally changed but the butterfly that landed down on the deck was too dark and turned out to be a Peacock. So all too soon I was back, in the car and heading for home…
So not a vintage year – yes I saw them but it would be better if the weather reports were more accurate…Last weekend the Saturday was supposed to be the worst day and was perfect but I couldn’t go and Sunday was supposed to be perfect but was cloudy all day! Then this weekend I went on Saturday and they got it right – as it clouded over at exactly the time they said it would curtailing activities and then today it was supposed to be cloudy all day only it wasn’t - it was fantastic! I came away having discussed a few methods to ensure some grounded Emperor shots including:
1. Set up camp on a stretch of the main car park and remain until my memory card is full.
2. Drag along a complete novice that has no interest in butterflies whatsoever, in fact someone that has never even heard of a Purple Emperor, and then send them down the track a few paces ahead of me. Then when His Nibbs visits them I can nip and clickity click job done!
3. Give up on Bentley and replace one of my other big trips with one to Botany Bay instead!
Bentley Wood 13-07-2019
So having been caught out by the weather app a couple of times last week when I saw it “clouding over from 10am for the rest of the day” I didn’t believe it…mistake – I should have realised that they only ever get it right when predicting weather that is non-conducive to butterflying AND you’ve decided to go anyway!
Still I set out hopefully from the car park down the main track towards the Switchback enjoying the huge numbers of Ringlets and Hedge Browns that adorned the Bracken like little baubles on either side of said track. The odd Large Skipper added to the mix but surprisingly there weren’t any massive ginger beasties skimming over the frond tops as there has been in previous years. As I reach the half way point where the track dips down before rising back up I spied a few Purple Hairstreak fluttering overhead passing from Oak to the other from whence they carried on flying little forays out at other invading Purps or interlopers of different species. A Comma momentarily made me think that I’d gotten onto my first Silver Washed of the day as it cut across the path and dived into the fronds.
As I continued on I swapped between scanning the canopy for any gliding runs of a bat like butterfly and peering ahead at any ikcy looking lumps lest they bear the tell-tale shark fin. Things weren’t looking good but then as I reached the cross roads my peering ahead at poo paid off. There, up ahead, was a shark fin indicating that there was a butterfly enjoying some salt taking. However as I got even closer I could see that it was just an Admiral and not the hoped for Emperor that was so enjoying the heap of horse manure. As I watched it I felt my eyes being drawn upwards and the tops of the adjacent Oaks seemed to be alive with Purple Hairstreaks – this had been a good year for them I reckon.
Having taken the right hand route on my previous visit and not wanting to depress myself further at the state the Whitters Wytch Elms are in I turned left today and ambled on down to the corner. On the way I was joined by both White Admirals and Silver-washed but they were keeping themselves pretty much to themselves further back from the track flying the margins of the wood. At the corner instead of flowing the track as it veers to the right I headed left on the grassed track. Unfortunately there weren’t any low down Purps here which is what I was hoping for as the sun hadn’t yet reached here; the tall trees were still blocking its progress. Instead I contented myself a few more Ringlets, a Green-veined White and a lovely female basking for all that she was worth and trying to catch as much of the weak sun as she could. At one point I offered her my finger and the warmth of my digit enticed her to clamber aboard – a welcome addition to my ‘butterflies in the hand’ collection.
I then made my way back to the main track and made for the Donkey Copse ‘cul-de-sac’ as I reckoned this could be a good spot for His Nibbs this year. The Purps continued to tease me making as if to come down low but then jinking back up a remaining aloft in the highest canopy. However a White Admiral played ball – stopping a couple of times so that I could get some shots.
On I went straining my neck and stubbing my toes as I walked in the opposite fashion to all those addicted to electronic devices – they’re actually talking about putting light in the pavements so that people can walk along and look at their phones safely – well during the silly season I need the opposite! At the end of this track, the little bit of wider ride prior to the wood phasing out and grassy fields taking over, there were huge numbers of Hedgies and almost every step reveals another 3 or 4. I did my best to check every individual for unusual spotting but it proved to be very hard work and the bets I could come up with were a few which almost had their eyes divided in two. The stand out butterfly here was actually a Ringlet with one of the spots having a little tail and making it reminiscent of the number 9. At the furthest end a Painted Lady, tired and faded led me on a bit of a dance but I had to partake despite their abundance this year in case next year we aren’t as blessed with them.
Back at the Donkey Copse area as the morning wore on there were more SWFs flying around as well as a Hutch and a cracking looking Peacock. The fresh Hedgies had decided to come out of their hidey holes too and so I spent a fair time attempting to photograph the butterflies in this little area as well as peering towards the top of the trees just in case His Nibbs graced us with his presence but now the cloud had swallowed the sun entirely and there wasn’t even the faintest of little blue breaks! So I headed back to the corner and the little grassy path where I was lucky enough to get a few close shots of a Green-veined White. Feeling lucky at getting Green-veined White shots isn’t usually something I’d write about but these are probably only my second set of shots of this species form this season – where have they all been??
After this I started the long walk back, made all the more depressing by the onset of the gloom, the sky a dull consistent grey and not a chance of an Emperor. Even the odd Large Skipper or White Admiral on the way back didn’t lighten my mood and I was back on the final stretch towards the car park before a Ringlet snapped me out of my blue mood. At first I thought there were two and I wondered if they were in cop, then as I got closer I realised there was only one and the ‘other’ butterfly was actually a curl of bark. I don’t know what the butterfly was doing but it seemed quite attached to this strip of tree, reaching out tenderly with one of its legs as if to comfort it?
So that was Bentley – where did the great Purple Emperor enticing weather go? I bet tomorrow it’ll be perfect conditions again!
And that’s where the story should have ended but after I’d gotten back and eaten my wife nd I walked to Waitrose (other higher end supermarkets that offer free coffee to members are available…) and so we set off through town and along the river path to the aforementioned supermarket. I’d not taken my camera out of my bag and so on the way when an Essex played in a small area of uncut grass on the bank I managed to pick up a few shots. It got better than this though…As we walked past the hedges and shrubs in the car park I watched a Red Admiral fly towards me and land close by. It started arching its abdomen round looking to lay.
Another good example of why you should always carry your camera – whilst it wasn’t total compensation for a lack of His Nibbs it went a good way towards it.
Still I set out hopefully from the car park down the main track towards the Switchback enjoying the huge numbers of Ringlets and Hedge Browns that adorned the Bracken like little baubles on either side of said track. The odd Large Skipper added to the mix but surprisingly there weren’t any massive ginger beasties skimming over the frond tops as there has been in previous years. As I reach the half way point where the track dips down before rising back up I spied a few Purple Hairstreak fluttering overhead passing from Oak to the other from whence they carried on flying little forays out at other invading Purps or interlopers of different species. A Comma momentarily made me think that I’d gotten onto my first Silver Washed of the day as it cut across the path and dived into the fronds.
As I continued on I swapped between scanning the canopy for any gliding runs of a bat like butterfly and peering ahead at any ikcy looking lumps lest they bear the tell-tale shark fin. Things weren’t looking good but then as I reached the cross roads my peering ahead at poo paid off. There, up ahead, was a shark fin indicating that there was a butterfly enjoying some salt taking. However as I got even closer I could see that it was just an Admiral and not the hoped for Emperor that was so enjoying the heap of horse manure. As I watched it I felt my eyes being drawn upwards and the tops of the adjacent Oaks seemed to be alive with Purple Hairstreaks – this had been a good year for them I reckon.
Having taken the right hand route on my previous visit and not wanting to depress myself further at the state the Whitters Wytch Elms are in I turned left today and ambled on down to the corner. On the way I was joined by both White Admirals and Silver-washed but they were keeping themselves pretty much to themselves further back from the track flying the margins of the wood. At the corner instead of flowing the track as it veers to the right I headed left on the grassed track. Unfortunately there weren’t any low down Purps here which is what I was hoping for as the sun hadn’t yet reached here; the tall trees were still blocking its progress. Instead I contented myself a few more Ringlets, a Green-veined White and a lovely female basking for all that she was worth and trying to catch as much of the weak sun as she could. At one point I offered her my finger and the warmth of my digit enticed her to clamber aboard – a welcome addition to my ‘butterflies in the hand’ collection.
I then made my way back to the main track and made for the Donkey Copse ‘cul-de-sac’ as I reckoned this could be a good spot for His Nibbs this year. The Purps continued to tease me making as if to come down low but then jinking back up a remaining aloft in the highest canopy. However a White Admiral played ball – stopping a couple of times so that I could get some shots.
On I went straining my neck and stubbing my toes as I walked in the opposite fashion to all those addicted to electronic devices – they’re actually talking about putting light in the pavements so that people can walk along and look at their phones safely – well during the silly season I need the opposite! At the end of this track, the little bit of wider ride prior to the wood phasing out and grassy fields taking over, there were huge numbers of Hedgies and almost every step reveals another 3 or 4. I did my best to check every individual for unusual spotting but it proved to be very hard work and the bets I could come up with were a few which almost had their eyes divided in two. The stand out butterfly here was actually a Ringlet with one of the spots having a little tail and making it reminiscent of the number 9. At the furthest end a Painted Lady, tired and faded led me on a bit of a dance but I had to partake despite their abundance this year in case next year we aren’t as blessed with them.
Back at the Donkey Copse area as the morning wore on there were more SWFs flying around as well as a Hutch and a cracking looking Peacock. The fresh Hedgies had decided to come out of their hidey holes too and so I spent a fair time attempting to photograph the butterflies in this little area as well as peering towards the top of the trees just in case His Nibbs graced us with his presence but now the cloud had swallowed the sun entirely and there wasn’t even the faintest of little blue breaks! So I headed back to the corner and the little grassy path where I was lucky enough to get a few close shots of a Green-veined White. Feeling lucky at getting Green-veined White shots isn’t usually something I’d write about but these are probably only my second set of shots of this species form this season – where have they all been??
After this I started the long walk back, made all the more depressing by the onset of the gloom, the sky a dull consistent grey and not a chance of an Emperor. Even the odd Large Skipper or White Admiral on the way back didn’t lighten my mood and I was back on the final stretch towards the car park before a Ringlet snapped me out of my blue mood. At first I thought there were two and I wondered if they were in cop, then as I got closer I realised there was only one and the ‘other’ butterfly was actually a curl of bark. I don’t know what the butterfly was doing but it seemed quite attached to this strip of tree, reaching out tenderly with one of its legs as if to comfort it?
So that was Bentley – where did the great Purple Emperor enticing weather go? I bet tomorrow it’ll be perfect conditions again!
And that’s where the story should have ended but after I’d gotten back and eaten my wife nd I walked to Waitrose (other higher end supermarkets that offer free coffee to members are available…) and so we set off through town and along the river path to the aforementioned supermarket. I’d not taken my camera out of my bag and so on the way when an Essex played in a small area of uncut grass on the bank I managed to pick up a few shots. It got better than this though…As we walked past the hedges and shrubs in the car park I watched a Red Admiral fly towards me and land close by. It started arching its abdomen round looking to lay.
Another good example of why you should always carry your camera – whilst it wasn’t total compensation for a lack of His Nibbs it went a good way towards it.
Work 11-07-2019
After the escapades of last night I debated about whether I should head out at lunch today. However the somewhat cloudy sky lulled me into a false sense of security that the butterflies would be a little slower. As I reached the pits the usual assortment was there to greet me leaping out of the grasses on either side of the track and then either jinking and zig-zagging in such a fashion as to defy the laws of Physics (Skippers) or erupting in slow motion and fluttering off deceptively quickly (Meadow Browns and Ringlets).
At the large Bramble patch a Meadow Brown didn’t sit long enough for a photo and a handful of Smessex bolted all in different directions. I managed to watch one as it landed and I approached cautiously enough so I was able to get in nice and close. It seemed to be ovipositing as it spiralled round the blade of grass, abdomen firmly attached. Unfortunately I either couldn’t see any eggs on the surrounding blades so I don’t know if it was positing or posturing?
On the other side of the bush there were more of the same species so I set off to the other clump of Brambles making for the break in the line of trees. On the way I noticed an overly large Ringlet which as I leaned in became 2 Ringlets locked together in cop. I slowly reached down to try and clear some of the grass stems out of the way and one of the butterflies reached out a couple of legs. I offered it my finger and it promptly accepted clambering on board and dragging its companion with it. This was great as I can’t recall if I have a Ringlet in the hand shot? The only problem was despite offering it plenty of lovely looking perches they didn’t want to leave my finger. In the end I managed to persuade them onto some Dandelion leaves and thanking them I made off.
The little patch of Bramble on the edge of the hedge on the other side of the ‘tree fence’ held a few Meadow Browns but also a Hedgie and a Small Tort dropped in. As I waited for it to land a Large White flew by adding another ‘group’ to the tally. After this I followed a Marbled White back at the main Bramble patch and waited round for a few moments so that it settled – which it did and I was able to finally get some ‘at work’ shots after seeing them on a few previous visits here.
All too soon it was time to head back in and so grudgingly I did...
At the large Bramble patch a Meadow Brown didn’t sit long enough for a photo and a handful of Smessex bolted all in different directions. I managed to watch one as it landed and I approached cautiously enough so I was able to get in nice and close. It seemed to be ovipositing as it spiralled round the blade of grass, abdomen firmly attached. Unfortunately I either couldn’t see any eggs on the surrounding blades so I don’t know if it was positing or posturing?
On the other side of the bush there were more of the same species so I set off to the other clump of Brambles making for the break in the line of trees. On the way I noticed an overly large Ringlet which as I leaned in became 2 Ringlets locked together in cop. I slowly reached down to try and clear some of the grass stems out of the way and one of the butterflies reached out a couple of legs. I offered it my finger and it promptly accepted clambering on board and dragging its companion with it. This was great as I can’t recall if I have a Ringlet in the hand shot? The only problem was despite offering it plenty of lovely looking perches they didn’t want to leave my finger. In the end I managed to persuade them onto some Dandelion leaves and thanking them I made off.
The little patch of Bramble on the edge of the hedge on the other side of the ‘tree fence’ held a few Meadow Browns but also a Hedgie and a Small Tort dropped in. As I waited for it to land a Large White flew by adding another ‘group’ to the tally. After this I followed a Marbled White back at the main Bramble patch and waited round for a few moments so that it settled – which it did and I was able to finally get some ‘at work’ shots after seeing them on a few previous visits here.
All too soon it was time to head back in and so grudgingly I did...
Bentley Wood 10-07-2019
Seeing the various images come pouring in and reading the various reports on various Social Media outlets had me chomping at the bit to get out. The weekend had come and gone and I’d been suckered into believing the weather reports only for them to change within the space of an hour or they were wrong and so I felt like I’d missed out. All my hopes hung on the weekend but that’s never a good place to be, I always feel that having seen a species already seems to make it easier to see again and with this idea in mind I managed to organise an after work trip to Bentley Wood. I’d read that Purple Emperors are late risers but I didn’t know how late they then stayed up and it was still hot so I viewed this trip as more of a recce.
As I pulled into the car park I was followed by another car and having both got out we both started off in the same direction walking down the main trackway to the Switchback. On the way I notched up Marbled Whites, Large and Smessex Skippers, Hedge and Meadow Browns and Ringlets galore. A Silver-washed bombed by and a Painted Lady tricked me momentarily into thinking that I’d encountered a Valesina as it was so tired and worn; almost all of the tangerine colour had faded to so it appeared black and grey. High up small, silver blurs crossed the track from one Oak top to another – my first Purple Hairstreaks of 2019. Down at the Switchback something was on the ground supping away at some horrible horse dung. It was still nice to see even if it was only a Red Admiral.
From here we slowly worked down the track to the left which headed towards Donkey Copse scanning the trees and watching the skies looking for anything that takes to the wing. On the first cleared section a Peacock drops in for a few shots and then as we carry on down there more of what I’ve already seen – although the Marbled Whites seemed to be more numerous here. At the end we paused for a while but things weren’t looking that hopeful and so I carried on down the grassed over trackway. There were two male Silver-washed here and they were much more approachable so I managed a couple of shots before they twigged and then I started to make my way back to the main track spying an unusual looking Specklie on the way, it was missing both of its hind wings though it could still put on a good turn of speed.
Back on the main track I caught up with the other gent and again we took to scanning the skies. A female Silver-washed was around and I watched as a Purple Hairstreak too off from the Bracken and landed just low enough that I could get a shot. I moved towards it, teasing the Bracken apart and as I reached up and focused the wind suddenly picked up moving the branch and eventually dislodging the butterfly. Cursing slightly I extricated myself and got back to the track way Tick free. As I walked along something caught my eye up high – the unmistakable shape of His Nibbs looking to all intents and purposes like a white striped bat. I called out and tried to see where it landed in amid the uppermost branches but in the end I lost sight of it. We hung around here for about 10 minutes, straining and contorting our necks as we peered up hoping to make out the silhouette of the Emperor. Suddenly it was there again flying back the way we’d come and again it was a fleeting view but like a lot of nature watching when you’ve seen one you know you’ve got the ID right. After another 10 minutes or so I gave up waiting as I’d not expected to actually see an Emperor until the weekend so I was suitably chuffed. At the Switchback a White Admiral did a fly-by almost to allow confirmation of the Emperor sighting. It was much slimmer, less bat like and also flew with more scything glides.
I carried on straight across the Switchback and walked along towards the memorial at the top of the wood. Once there I settled down to a bit more neck crunching albeit to a shallower angle. I noted a pair of Commas, a few Ringlets, a Silver-washed passed by and then a little grey rectangular butterfly jinked about – a Whitter. I watched it playing at the top of the small Wytch Elm whipping before feeling slightly depressed by its poor state and so started back on a slow walk home pleased that I’d seen all my target species.
On the walk back I stopped at the next crossroads as something dropped down onto the middle of the track. I hoped at first that it was a Hairstreak as it looked grey and was about the right size. As I cautiously approached, no mean feat in the heat, I could see that it was a female Ringlet but the greyest and smallest I’d encountered. As I’d stopped I scanned around to see if there was anything else to pick up. Amid the typical browns that a prevalent at the moment there was a Large White, 2 female Silver-washed and a Small Tort. It was nice to see something a bit more colourful amid browns even if it was the second most common colour - orange!
I cut across the recently cleared area as I had a feeling that this was the right thing to do. Marbled Whites seemed to be everywhere here and even more common than the other Browns. On the other side a large greyish butterfly was being hassled by a male Silver-washed. It was a Valesina! Annoyingly it would always land in the middle section of a large Bramble bush and so I’d have to try and poke my lens through the bush to get a shot or if it did land on the end of the brambles it was very twitchy. After this I made my way back in earnest only stopping for a female Silver washed when I was almost back at the car park.
So a great way to spend the late afternoon and I added some nice species to my yearly tally even if I didn’t get shots of some of them and came away with only a handful of semi-passable shots of the others. Roll on the weekend!
As I pulled into the car park I was followed by another car and having both got out we both started off in the same direction walking down the main trackway to the Switchback. On the way I notched up Marbled Whites, Large and Smessex Skippers, Hedge and Meadow Browns and Ringlets galore. A Silver-washed bombed by and a Painted Lady tricked me momentarily into thinking that I’d encountered a Valesina as it was so tired and worn; almost all of the tangerine colour had faded to so it appeared black and grey. High up small, silver blurs crossed the track from one Oak top to another – my first Purple Hairstreaks of 2019. Down at the Switchback something was on the ground supping away at some horrible horse dung. It was still nice to see even if it was only a Red Admiral.
From here we slowly worked down the track to the left which headed towards Donkey Copse scanning the trees and watching the skies looking for anything that takes to the wing. On the first cleared section a Peacock drops in for a few shots and then as we carry on down there more of what I’ve already seen – although the Marbled Whites seemed to be more numerous here. At the end we paused for a while but things weren’t looking that hopeful and so I carried on down the grassed over trackway. There were two male Silver-washed here and they were much more approachable so I managed a couple of shots before they twigged and then I started to make my way back to the main track spying an unusual looking Specklie on the way, it was missing both of its hind wings though it could still put on a good turn of speed.
Back on the main track I caught up with the other gent and again we took to scanning the skies. A female Silver-washed was around and I watched as a Purple Hairstreak too off from the Bracken and landed just low enough that I could get a shot. I moved towards it, teasing the Bracken apart and as I reached up and focused the wind suddenly picked up moving the branch and eventually dislodging the butterfly. Cursing slightly I extricated myself and got back to the track way Tick free. As I walked along something caught my eye up high – the unmistakable shape of His Nibbs looking to all intents and purposes like a white striped bat. I called out and tried to see where it landed in amid the uppermost branches but in the end I lost sight of it. We hung around here for about 10 minutes, straining and contorting our necks as we peered up hoping to make out the silhouette of the Emperor. Suddenly it was there again flying back the way we’d come and again it was a fleeting view but like a lot of nature watching when you’ve seen one you know you’ve got the ID right. After another 10 minutes or so I gave up waiting as I’d not expected to actually see an Emperor until the weekend so I was suitably chuffed. At the Switchback a White Admiral did a fly-by almost to allow confirmation of the Emperor sighting. It was much slimmer, less bat like and also flew with more scything glides.
I carried on straight across the Switchback and walked along towards the memorial at the top of the wood. Once there I settled down to a bit more neck crunching albeit to a shallower angle. I noted a pair of Commas, a few Ringlets, a Silver-washed passed by and then a little grey rectangular butterfly jinked about – a Whitter. I watched it playing at the top of the small Wytch Elm whipping before feeling slightly depressed by its poor state and so started back on a slow walk home pleased that I’d seen all my target species.
On the walk back I stopped at the next crossroads as something dropped down onto the middle of the track. I hoped at first that it was a Hairstreak as it looked grey and was about the right size. As I cautiously approached, no mean feat in the heat, I could see that it was a female Ringlet but the greyest and smallest I’d encountered. As I’d stopped I scanned around to see if there was anything else to pick up. Amid the typical browns that a prevalent at the moment there was a Large White, 2 female Silver-washed and a Small Tort. It was nice to see something a bit more colourful amid browns even if it was the second most common colour - orange!
I cut across the recently cleared area as I had a feeling that this was the right thing to do. Marbled Whites seemed to be everywhere here and even more common than the other Browns. On the other side a large greyish butterfly was being hassled by a male Silver-washed. It was a Valesina! Annoyingly it would always land in the middle section of a large Bramble bush and so I’d have to try and poke my lens through the bush to get a shot or if it did land on the end of the brambles it was very twitchy. After this I made my way back in earnest only stopping for a female Silver washed when I was almost back at the car park.
So a great way to spend the late afternoon and I added some nice species to my yearly tally even if I didn’t get shots of some of them and came away with only a handful of semi-passable shots of the others. Roll on the weekend!
Five Rivers 07-07-2019
A gorgeous afternoon saw me winging my way Five Rivers bound. Once on site and parked I decided to head towards the Banks via the river path and so I set off sniggering slightly at the sight of the sweaty work-out fanatics in the gym as I dove down into the shade. Some of the usual grassy knolls between the trees had been left unmown and it was cracking to see. The grasses and clumps of tall dense flowers were reaching almost to my hips and so I used the favoured technique of pointing my toes and slipping my feet in between the sward. It meant that my progress was slow but the advantages were much less trampling and also I was able to approach the butterflies better. As I reached a quarter of the way in I stopped and scanned round; initially I counted the butterflies present and then I switched to selecting my targets. There was a solitary Ringlet, to my right a tiny Small Skipper, a Specklie fluttered in amid the twigs at the treeline and all around Meadow Browns rose vertically in their beguiling, floppy yet surprisingly swift flight.
Having spent some time here and managing a few shots, including a male Meadow Brown with wings spread and still in good nick, I moved on to the small copse at the near side of the Banks. Along the low bank a Small Tort landed, probably an early riser from the small field of nettles at the other edge of the copse.
As I rounded the corner I started seeing more Browns including Marbled Whites and as I scanned across this reasonably level part of the reserve I could see there were small pockets of intense butterfly activity wherever there were clumps of colour (flowers) or green (bramble) in amongst the sea of straw. I set up shop nearest and largest green clump and followed various butterflies as they flew around and sometimes through the towering thorny clump. As well as the expected Meadow Browns and Ringlets there were also Smessex and a Large Skipper. A Painted Lady dropped in as did a Large White. The Ringlets and Marbled Whites kept me busy with their frenetic feeding activity and then I spotted a familiar orange blur and eagerly awaited its landing – a Hedgie. But just as I was checking it for spots a second flew in and both buzzed off. This pattern played out again and again and so hoping that I had a few shots in the bag as it were I I dared to move out into the field, searching for the colourful clumps.
On the way to the first of these I was beset by a multitude of golden blurs, a mixed mess of Skippers. They were mainly Smessex with the odd Large around. Their golden hues were nicely set off by the neighouring Marbled Whites and complimented by the lighter straw colour that is the back drop of midsummer grasslands.
After brushing up on my ID tricks I worked towards the Banks proper. I found that by keeping to the main track I could scan down into the individual Bank looking out for anything unusual before progressing onto the next Bank in the series. Banks 1 and 2 didn’t hold any great surprises as I cast my gaze across them but then as I was moving between Bank 2 and 3 I was accosted on the corner by a flurry of activity as a group Smessex foraged out onto the track in miniature Dogfights. The Smessex were Spitfires and Messerschmits with the Large Skipper and Hedgie that got dragged into the action taking the role of Hurricanes and Mosquito respectively.
On down the hill and through the cutting I went to the other side of the Banks stopping at the large Bramble bush. Scanning over it I managed to find two Hedgies, Large Skipper, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. As I was enjoying these a huge orange butterfly came cruising in inviting the ire of the Hedgies. At first I wondered if it was a Comma but it was much bigger and far too ginger and then it dawned on me that it was a Silver Washed. I would have gone for that one sooner but it was so unexpected – a welcome addition to the site species list. Chuffed I carried on following the path round the corner and watched a mint condish Holly Blue as it gently fluttered down from higher in the trees a little like an elfin sprite. I would have stayed here but I chanced to look up and there were a couple canoodling so I beat a hasty retreat!
I ended up own on the River Path as there is a break in the trees that line the path which fills with the large shrubby plants. It’s usually a good spot for Vanessids and so it proved today with two Hutches that were interacting with each other in sporadic tussles until one settled for long enough for me to get in close.
I didn’t know what to do next as I pretty much seen everything that I expected to see so set off back up the path through the cutting to the top of the Banks and started to wind my way homewards. I tried my best not to get distracted on the way but I ended up on the opposite side of Bank 1 where it runs into the Copse. There were some really nice examples of Pyramidal Orchids here and for the briefest of seconds a Meadow Brown landed on one. Now ‘Butterflies on Orchids’ is one of my collections but there are only a few ‘specimens’ in the collection and for as long as it took for my camera to load up the image I’d just taken on the view finder I thought that I had another addition. From the image you get the general idea that it was a butterfly and some might even be able to identify it as a Meadow Brown but only just. Oh well there’s always another time. Also flying here and round on Comma Corner were unsurprisingly a couple of Commas. I definitely saw 3 individuals but there could have been 5. Also of interest here were a pair of Brimstones a courting. The female wasn’t having any of it though, even managing the rejection thrust while in mid-flight.
My journey homewards continued and back near the initial field where it had all started a whole hour and 25 minutes earlier I paused a while to have a much needed drink and enjoy the cool shade having been caught out slightly by how hot it was and how strong the sun was shining. While I sipped at my water I watched the large bramble before me. There were the usual Brown suspects and also a Red Admiral that must have been enjoying its retirement from the look of it. And so my visit came to a close or at least I thought it had because there on the path before me as I was rummaging around in my bag to find my keys and my lens cap was a Comma. I like to think that it was one of those that I’d seen at Comma Corner that had flown ahead of me to as to be able to wish me farewell at the car!
Having spent some time here and managing a few shots, including a male Meadow Brown with wings spread and still in good nick, I moved on to the small copse at the near side of the Banks. Along the low bank a Small Tort landed, probably an early riser from the small field of nettles at the other edge of the copse.
As I rounded the corner I started seeing more Browns including Marbled Whites and as I scanned across this reasonably level part of the reserve I could see there were small pockets of intense butterfly activity wherever there were clumps of colour (flowers) or green (bramble) in amongst the sea of straw. I set up shop nearest and largest green clump and followed various butterflies as they flew around and sometimes through the towering thorny clump. As well as the expected Meadow Browns and Ringlets there were also Smessex and a Large Skipper. A Painted Lady dropped in as did a Large White. The Ringlets and Marbled Whites kept me busy with their frenetic feeding activity and then I spotted a familiar orange blur and eagerly awaited its landing – a Hedgie. But just as I was checking it for spots a second flew in and both buzzed off. This pattern played out again and again and so hoping that I had a few shots in the bag as it were I I dared to move out into the field, searching for the colourful clumps.
On the way to the first of these I was beset by a multitude of golden blurs, a mixed mess of Skippers. They were mainly Smessex with the odd Large around. Their golden hues were nicely set off by the neighouring Marbled Whites and complimented by the lighter straw colour that is the back drop of midsummer grasslands.
After brushing up on my ID tricks I worked towards the Banks proper. I found that by keeping to the main track I could scan down into the individual Bank looking out for anything unusual before progressing onto the next Bank in the series. Banks 1 and 2 didn’t hold any great surprises as I cast my gaze across them but then as I was moving between Bank 2 and 3 I was accosted on the corner by a flurry of activity as a group Smessex foraged out onto the track in miniature Dogfights. The Smessex were Spitfires and Messerschmits with the Large Skipper and Hedgie that got dragged into the action taking the role of Hurricanes and Mosquito respectively.
On down the hill and through the cutting I went to the other side of the Banks stopping at the large Bramble bush. Scanning over it I managed to find two Hedgies, Large Skipper, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. As I was enjoying these a huge orange butterfly came cruising in inviting the ire of the Hedgies. At first I wondered if it was a Comma but it was much bigger and far too ginger and then it dawned on me that it was a Silver Washed. I would have gone for that one sooner but it was so unexpected – a welcome addition to the site species list. Chuffed I carried on following the path round the corner and watched a mint condish Holly Blue as it gently fluttered down from higher in the trees a little like an elfin sprite. I would have stayed here but I chanced to look up and there were a couple canoodling so I beat a hasty retreat!
I ended up own on the River Path as there is a break in the trees that line the path which fills with the large shrubby plants. It’s usually a good spot for Vanessids and so it proved today with two Hutches that were interacting with each other in sporadic tussles until one settled for long enough for me to get in close.
I didn’t know what to do next as I pretty much seen everything that I expected to see so set off back up the path through the cutting to the top of the Banks and started to wind my way homewards. I tried my best not to get distracted on the way but I ended up on the opposite side of Bank 1 where it runs into the Copse. There were some really nice examples of Pyramidal Orchids here and for the briefest of seconds a Meadow Brown landed on one. Now ‘Butterflies on Orchids’ is one of my collections but there are only a few ‘specimens’ in the collection and for as long as it took for my camera to load up the image I’d just taken on the view finder I thought that I had another addition. From the image you get the general idea that it was a butterfly and some might even be able to identify it as a Meadow Brown but only just. Oh well there’s always another time. Also flying here and round on Comma Corner were unsurprisingly a couple of Commas. I definitely saw 3 individuals but there could have been 5. Also of interest here were a pair of Brimstones a courting. The female wasn’t having any of it though, even managing the rejection thrust while in mid-flight.
My journey homewards continued and back near the initial field where it had all started a whole hour and 25 minutes earlier I paused a while to have a much needed drink and enjoy the cool shade having been caught out slightly by how hot it was and how strong the sun was shining. While I sipped at my water I watched the large bramble before me. There were the usual Brown suspects and also a Red Admiral that must have been enjoying its retirement from the look of it. And so my visit came to a close or at least I thought it had because there on the path before me as I was rummaging around in my bag to find my keys and my lens cap was a Comma. I like to think that it was one of those that I’d seen at Comma Corner that had flown ahead of me to as to be able to wish me farewell at the car!
Work 05-07-2019
Yesterday I struggled to classify the Smessex into either Small or Essex so my intention this lunchtime was to try and do a better job. I did the usual walk through the grasses at the start of the Pits and a few Meadow Browns and Ringlets took to the air. A Small White added a different hue to the otherwise golden brown affair that my lunchtime walk was taking as did a non-stop Marbled White on the other side of the huge Bramble.
So now I set about Skipper ID in the little sparsely covered patch on the other side of fore mentioned huge Bramble. It was trickier than I’d reasoned as the butterflies would hear or somehow sense my approach and would vamoosh away into the longer vegetation that was encroaching on this little cleared area. So I tried a different tack and stood on the side lines and watched one of the taller plants. When a skipper flew in I’d click step in until I was able to get a proper look at the butterfly. In this way I manged to rack up 2 definite Essex and 3 definite Smalls. These tallies might not sound like a lot but none too shabby for a period of 7 or so minutes and these were only the ones that landed on this particular flower. I reckon a 2:3 ratio was probably about right and so I then set about looking for Skippers in other places around the patch.
I then saw one Skipper make a bee line for another, taking off from its perch which it was holding like a territory. It landed near the second and then without a ‘please or thank you’ spun its abdomen round and advanced on the immobile female Skipper. After the slightest of wing flutters that wasn’t really a very convincing rejection the female accepted the males advances and the two locked together. It was a very brief courtship!
After a watching the two locked together I realised that whilst the ‘stake out’ technique got me my positive IDs it had taken a large slice of my time and so I set off back to the lab on the quick march. I did see some more golden Skippers on the route but as I was rushing all 9 of them will have to remain as Smessex.
So now I set about Skipper ID in the little sparsely covered patch on the other side of fore mentioned huge Bramble. It was trickier than I’d reasoned as the butterflies would hear or somehow sense my approach and would vamoosh away into the longer vegetation that was encroaching on this little cleared area. So I tried a different tack and stood on the side lines and watched one of the taller plants. When a skipper flew in I’d click step in until I was able to get a proper look at the butterfly. In this way I manged to rack up 2 definite Essex and 3 definite Smalls. These tallies might not sound like a lot but none too shabby for a period of 7 or so minutes and these were only the ones that landed on this particular flower. I reckon a 2:3 ratio was probably about right and so I then set about looking for Skippers in other places around the patch.
I then saw one Skipper make a bee line for another, taking off from its perch which it was holding like a territory. It landed near the second and then without a ‘please or thank you’ spun its abdomen round and advanced on the immobile female Skipper. After the slightest of wing flutters that wasn’t really a very convincing rejection the female accepted the males advances and the two locked together. It was a very brief courtship!
After a watching the two locked together I realised that whilst the ‘stake out’ technique got me my positive IDs it had taken a large slice of my time and so I set off back to the lab on the quick march. I did see some more golden Skippers on the route but as I was rushing all 9 of them will have to remain as Smessex.
At Work with the Smessex 04-07-2019
With the weather turning “Hot, hot, hot” I was a bit worried about whether a lunchtime trip would actually produce any actual photographs as the butterflies , I thought, would be turbo charged. However I headed out anyway keeping my eyes peeled on the walk therefor anything that might be of interest. I didn’t see anything until I actually got to the first overgrown part of the Pits. As I wandered through taking the same path that I’ve worn over all of my visits this year the Meadow Browns and Ringlets flew up from their hiding places in the grass and just as I was coming to the little patch of mown grass, a bit like a reverse oasis, a tiny sandy coloured blur shot out of the sward and something in my brain made me automatically switched me to ‘stalk’ mode. I think it was the fact that instead of the standard orange gold colour that suggest a Small this was a more sandy gold which in my mind suggest Essex. I followed it as it flew slightly panic-y across the open field and watched as it landed, relieved, on the edge of one of the margins. I got in a bit closer and then knelt down and sure enough there were the tell-tale ‘ink dabs’ – my first definitive Essex of 2019. I spent a bit of time with it reacquainting myself with the salient identification features; sandy coloured fringes, yellow gold ground colour, ink dabs, drum stick shaped antenna tips and smaller straight androconia.
After this I wandered over to the large Bramble and checked it out but it was quite quiet for a change with only a single Large Skipper and 4 or 5 Smessex. The little patch on the other side where the vegetation is just recovering from a very intensive hair cut looked more lively with butterflies zipping between the flowers that grow in sparse clumps here. Amid the Meadow Browns and Ringlets a golden skipper stopped long enough for me to confirm it as a Small. Then a flying chequer board drifted in from the main field. Possibly the first Marbled White on the site (I can’t remember if I’ve recorded them in the past) made its appearance and then flew nonchalantly right by and carried on disappearing into the hedge on the far side of the Primary school.
I realised that I would soon need to be in front of a class and so made my way back noting a total of 8 Smessex on the return journey – I’d loved to have stopped for longer to determine if there were more than the singleton Essex – maybe tomorrow…
After this I wandered over to the large Bramble and checked it out but it was quite quiet for a change with only a single Large Skipper and 4 or 5 Smessex. The little patch on the other side where the vegetation is just recovering from a very intensive hair cut looked more lively with butterflies zipping between the flowers that grow in sparse clumps here. Amid the Meadow Browns and Ringlets a golden skipper stopped long enough for me to confirm it as a Small. Then a flying chequer board drifted in from the main field. Possibly the first Marbled White on the site (I can’t remember if I’ve recorded them in the past) made its appearance and then flew nonchalantly right by and carried on disappearing into the hedge on the far side of the Primary school.
I realised that I would soon need to be in front of a class and so made my way back noting a total of 8 Smessex on the return journey – I’d loved to have stopped for longer to determine if there were more than the singleton Essex – maybe tomorrow…
Slop Bog 02-07-2019 Part 1
The Silver-studded Blues had been flying for a while and due to one thing or another I’d not been able to catch up with them. To rectify this managed to arrange a visit after work. So come the day I was changed into my gear, coffee travel mug loaded with thick, hot black magic and with the ever popular Iron Maiden replacing my usual ear fodder for the journey home, I was away. Slightly annoyingly SATNAV had me travelling the usual route home but then on the outside of Salisbury I ended up following roads that I’d never ventured on previously before finding myself at Matchams where I was able to get my bearings. Then in no time at all it was a matter of parking, jumping out and marching through the wood before slowing as I stepped onto the boardwalk…
At this juncture of the site things suddenly change with habitat flipping from deciduous woodland to wet Dorset heathland. The trees stop suddenly to be replaced with reeds which peter out to cotton grasses and then heather. Almost as soon as I rounded the corner and spied heather before me I could see little puffs of blue floating over the tops of the Ling and Bell Heather like dyed cotton grass buds. Once off the boardwalk I was able to actually investigate rather than watching from afar and so I waded into the heather here noting that this area which is usually at east damp under foot is now bone dry. All around me Silver Studs fly most looking a bit worn and tired with chips and tears in their wings, some of them missing their margins and the worst looking a deep royal blue colour having lost the scales on their wings which give them their stunning electric blue colour when fresh. With these worn males were flying females that were in slightly better nick and they were almost as numerous as the males which left me feeling that perhaps I’d left it a little bit too late for a visit?
I carried on criss-crossing the heath and paused to watch the various shenanigans occasionally. At one point I was privy to a failed courtship. The male flew in and landed on the same perch as a female. After a bit of wing flapping she settled down slightly and things were looking good for the male I thought. They proceed with a bit of antenna touching and (the butterfly equivalent of checking out each other profile?) and shuffling along the twig. But no the female changes her mind and starts flapping her wings frantically again; a definite rebuff. The male flies off but not very far, just to a neighbouring stand of heather and where he settled down lower in the foliage to regroup and come up with a new strategy possibly. He seems to steel himself with a quick bask before flying back to the same female and having another go. He obviously hasn’t learnt the ‘No means No!’ and once again he gets the elbow.
I move over from the little initial field of heather and start working my way along the edges of the main track with a sea of pink and purple before me. The range of activities I manage to witness grows with fights between males over either perching spots or females, wing rolling, basking and sitting on poo. I saw a few butterflies doing this and one notable female was not only sitting on poo (one for the collection) but was also wing rolling. Pleased to see all of this I moved on not knowing or caring where my meanderings would take me and just enjoying there being so many Silver Studs. I can’t recall ever seeing so many and I’d have attempted counting but that would have been impossible as almost as soon as I’d take the next step countless butterflies would erupt from where they’d been hidden in plain sight and they bewilderingly fly off in different directions. It would have been as difficult as herding cats. I did witness another failed attempt at courtship and although the majority of the males that I found were tired looking the occasional fresher individual did turn up.
Having managed to find a few males in good nick I then started to search more actively for females. I was fairly convinced that they were about in only slightly lower numbers but they seemed to favour the more sheltered areas like the little under hangs below the crown of the heather. So instead of looking across the heath at the tops I’d reach a stand of heather and lean over to look around the lower stems. This worked out as a found a female which once she realised that I’d seen her flew up the floral bells and started prodding around them. She was a stunner and then I noticed a second female at my side only 20 or so centimetres away from the first one. I spent a good while with these ladies photographing one and then swivelling my hips to work on the second. The initial one seemed fresher and was a delicious chocolate brown occasionally showing the greens and oranges on the fore wings when the light hit them just right. The second had a few more scratches on her wings yet her margins were intact and near the body there were lovely blue hair like flecks which shimmered slightly in the early evening glow.
Slightly dozy from the heat and weary from work I wandered further afield into the heather. It felt like I was in the middle of a miniature jungle but in reality I was only three strides from the path! Heartbreakingly I witnessed yet another failed courtship but as some consolation I noticed that the males were starting to open up now. They crawl/tightrope walk along a side twig or blade of grass; ascend to the top of the heather amid the bells, and sit wings spread in the grasses. This meant I was able to pick and choose the better looking males for photographing yet the cloud wasn’t helping. One or two males really stood out. One was brilliantly marked, the blue blending into pure white at the front leading edge of the wing. Another stood out because it was smaller than one of the smallest brown Argus and also because it was so stunning painted.
I’ll leave it there for now – only another 500 photos to sort through!
At this juncture of the site things suddenly change with habitat flipping from deciduous woodland to wet Dorset heathland. The trees stop suddenly to be replaced with reeds which peter out to cotton grasses and then heather. Almost as soon as I rounded the corner and spied heather before me I could see little puffs of blue floating over the tops of the Ling and Bell Heather like dyed cotton grass buds. Once off the boardwalk I was able to actually investigate rather than watching from afar and so I waded into the heather here noting that this area which is usually at east damp under foot is now bone dry. All around me Silver Studs fly most looking a bit worn and tired with chips and tears in their wings, some of them missing their margins and the worst looking a deep royal blue colour having lost the scales on their wings which give them their stunning electric blue colour when fresh. With these worn males were flying females that were in slightly better nick and they were almost as numerous as the males which left me feeling that perhaps I’d left it a little bit too late for a visit?
I carried on criss-crossing the heath and paused to watch the various shenanigans occasionally. At one point I was privy to a failed courtship. The male flew in and landed on the same perch as a female. After a bit of wing flapping she settled down slightly and things were looking good for the male I thought. They proceed with a bit of antenna touching and (the butterfly equivalent of checking out each other profile?) and shuffling along the twig. But no the female changes her mind and starts flapping her wings frantically again; a definite rebuff. The male flies off but not very far, just to a neighbouring stand of heather and where he settled down lower in the foliage to regroup and come up with a new strategy possibly. He seems to steel himself with a quick bask before flying back to the same female and having another go. He obviously hasn’t learnt the ‘No means No!’ and once again he gets the elbow.
I move over from the little initial field of heather and start working my way along the edges of the main track with a sea of pink and purple before me. The range of activities I manage to witness grows with fights between males over either perching spots or females, wing rolling, basking and sitting on poo. I saw a few butterflies doing this and one notable female was not only sitting on poo (one for the collection) but was also wing rolling. Pleased to see all of this I moved on not knowing or caring where my meanderings would take me and just enjoying there being so many Silver Studs. I can’t recall ever seeing so many and I’d have attempted counting but that would have been impossible as almost as soon as I’d take the next step countless butterflies would erupt from where they’d been hidden in plain sight and they bewilderingly fly off in different directions. It would have been as difficult as herding cats. I did witness another failed attempt at courtship and although the majority of the males that I found were tired looking the occasional fresher individual did turn up.
Having managed to find a few males in good nick I then started to search more actively for females. I was fairly convinced that they were about in only slightly lower numbers but they seemed to favour the more sheltered areas like the little under hangs below the crown of the heather. So instead of looking across the heath at the tops I’d reach a stand of heather and lean over to look around the lower stems. This worked out as a found a female which once she realised that I’d seen her flew up the floral bells and started prodding around them. She was a stunner and then I noticed a second female at my side only 20 or so centimetres away from the first one. I spent a good while with these ladies photographing one and then swivelling my hips to work on the second. The initial one seemed fresher and was a delicious chocolate brown occasionally showing the greens and oranges on the fore wings when the light hit them just right. The second had a few more scratches on her wings yet her margins were intact and near the body there were lovely blue hair like flecks which shimmered slightly in the early evening glow.
Slightly dozy from the heat and weary from work I wandered further afield into the heather. It felt like I was in the middle of a miniature jungle but in reality I was only three strides from the path! Heartbreakingly I witnessed yet another failed courtship but as some consolation I noticed that the males were starting to open up now. They crawl/tightrope walk along a side twig or blade of grass; ascend to the top of the heather amid the bells, and sit wings spread in the grasses. This meant I was able to pick and choose the better looking males for photographing yet the cloud wasn’t helping. One or two males really stood out. One was brilliantly marked, the blue blending into pure white at the front leading edge of the wing. Another stood out because it was smaller than one of the smallest brown Argus and also because it was so stunning painted.
I’ll leave it there for now – only another 500 photos to sort through!
Slop Bog 02-07-2019 Part 2
The sun was shining intermittently and it was great to watch the change in hues worn by a single butterfly as the sun waxed and waned. The males would go from a violet blue in the shade to an almost metallic sky blue in the sun whilst under the same change in lighting the females would alter from dark chocolate to the oily sheen. I found that I turned my attention more and more to the ladies as I couldn’t get enough of their subtle peacock colours. One that I found early in my searching wasn’t exactly oily but instead it looked like it had fallen into first a tub of glue and then a container of gold glitter – it sparkled in the golden glow of the evening sun.
After this little bit of treasure I continued my searching, wading this way and that amid the Heather. The scents and smells of the Heath took me back to my formative years and while reminiscing I stumbled across a lovely looking female Meadow Brown. She was very well marked on her upper fore wings with the orange extending almost all the way over the wing and there were also little panels of orange hind wing. With the almost double pupiled eye for a brief moment I wondered if I was seeing a massive Hedge Brown! There was also a yellow blob near the top of her abdomen – paint as part of a scientific catch and release study or had she landed in the wrong place at the wrong time? Either way she represented only the third species of butterfly seen during my visit (in the end that was the total!).
I got back to the Silver Studs which wasn’t actually that difficult as they were all over the place. My wanderings had taken me to the small bit of Pine wood that acts as a buffer zone between the Heath and encroachment of the buildings. In a little clearing there is a large Bramble bush and there in the more lush and tussock like grass around it was another Large Skipper and surprisingly a male Silver Stud. He sat still for long enough to try for some close ups and I managed to get a passable stained glass shot.
After a bit of a break from butterflying to do some ‘housekeeping; pee stop, drink, snack (Mr Tom and some of my own trail mix), change battery etc. I set out from the pine woodland once more to the heath. As my feet moved from the springy pine needle carpet to the harder compacted dirt tracks between the Heather the sun went in. At first I was irked as I wanted some more oily sheens and electric blues but it worked out in the end as the lack of sun calmed a Clouded Buff long enough to get a few shots.
It was now gone 5:30 and the butterflies were starting to clump together. Earlier there had been individuals spread unevenly across the Heather and Ling or flitting across the tracks but now I could take a few steps with nothing and then on the next step masses of blues would shine upwards like Sapphires amid the dark greens of the Heath. I’ve probably said it before but I’ll say it again – I cannot recall ever seeing so many Silver Studs at one time. I’ve visited Chalk Downlands in high summer and there have been clouds of Chalkhills and this felt just like that just on a much smaller site. I’d wade through and they’d disappear off like little sky blue puffs of smoke. There were at least a hundred in sight at any one time so heaven knows how many there actually were over the whole site. A chap I bumped into reckoned that someone had recorded 200+ on a single transect walk – now bearing in mind that you only count a metre either side there could easily be 10 times that amount present. It was awesome.
I can’t really recall anything after this as I walked in a daze from one clump to the next. I do recall some stunning oily females when the sun finally deemed to come out as well as so beautifully fresh males but I don’t think that words would do my memories justice so instead I’ll let the images do the narration.
After this little bit of treasure I continued my searching, wading this way and that amid the Heather. The scents and smells of the Heath took me back to my formative years and while reminiscing I stumbled across a lovely looking female Meadow Brown. She was very well marked on her upper fore wings with the orange extending almost all the way over the wing and there were also little panels of orange hind wing. With the almost double pupiled eye for a brief moment I wondered if I was seeing a massive Hedge Brown! There was also a yellow blob near the top of her abdomen – paint as part of a scientific catch and release study or had she landed in the wrong place at the wrong time? Either way she represented only the third species of butterfly seen during my visit (in the end that was the total!).
I got back to the Silver Studs which wasn’t actually that difficult as they were all over the place. My wanderings had taken me to the small bit of Pine wood that acts as a buffer zone between the Heath and encroachment of the buildings. In a little clearing there is a large Bramble bush and there in the more lush and tussock like grass around it was another Large Skipper and surprisingly a male Silver Stud. He sat still for long enough to try for some close ups and I managed to get a passable stained glass shot.
After a bit of a break from butterflying to do some ‘housekeeping; pee stop, drink, snack (Mr Tom and some of my own trail mix), change battery etc. I set out from the pine woodland once more to the heath. As my feet moved from the springy pine needle carpet to the harder compacted dirt tracks between the Heather the sun went in. At first I was irked as I wanted some more oily sheens and electric blues but it worked out in the end as the lack of sun calmed a Clouded Buff long enough to get a few shots.
It was now gone 5:30 and the butterflies were starting to clump together. Earlier there had been individuals spread unevenly across the Heather and Ling or flitting across the tracks but now I could take a few steps with nothing and then on the next step masses of blues would shine upwards like Sapphires amid the dark greens of the Heath. I’ve probably said it before but I’ll say it again – I cannot recall ever seeing so many Silver Studs at one time. I’ve visited Chalk Downlands in high summer and there have been clouds of Chalkhills and this felt just like that just on a much smaller site. I’d wade through and they’d disappear off like little sky blue puffs of smoke. There were at least a hundred in sight at any one time so heaven knows how many there actually were over the whole site. A chap I bumped into reckoned that someone had recorded 200+ on a single transect walk – now bearing in mind that you only count a metre either side there could easily be 10 times that amount present. It was awesome.
I can’t really recall anything after this as I walked in a daze from one clump to the next. I do recall some stunning oily females when the sun finally deemed to come out as well as so beautifully fresh males but I don’t think that words would do my memories justice so instead I’ll let the images do the narration.
Grovely Woods 30-06-2019
As the girls were still away my wife and I took the opportunity of a woodland walk without the moans or constant “how far is it?” questioning. We decided on Grovely Wood as my wife hadn’t been there before and in the hot weather the thought of a little shade was appealing. I had no expectations but took my camera just in case.
The first part is a dusty trackway that gently climbs uphill hemmed in by Beech trees; a Painted Lady was there at the start to entice us further up the track. Occasionally there is a break between the trees and then on the other side the margins of the fields have been left to their own devices, little ecological buffer zones between the wood and the arable fields. I glimpsed golden skipper, meadow Browns, Ringlets and the occasional Marbled White as we walked. As it started to level as we neared the brow of the hill a Small White flew near us and at top a Ringlet posed nicely as we gingerly edged through the Bramble tunnel.
Now the shade really picked up as we were in the wood proper and so we carried on breaking out into the sun again as we walked along one of the woodland rides. The Browns (Meadow Brown and Ringlet) and Large Skippers abounded on the lush vegetation and then like a flying scimitar cutting through the air my first White Admiral of 2019. What a cracking sight!
Slightly further on I spied another White Admiral doing the familiar slow circular cruise. I waited and sure enough it came down to the deck a couple of times. Unfortunately whatever it was that had attracted it was in much shorter supply than it had anticipated and so it promptly took off again.
The wood changed now with more open wider areas from tree clearance, felling of pines. As I scanned across the butterflies that fluttered about a vivid orange butterfly flew and landed up high. Too high for a decent shot unfortunately but still identifiable as a Silver-washed Fritillary, another first for the year. Once we’d walked on through the Fairy Tale like part of the wood (massive gnarly Oaks randomly placed) and reached the crossroads we made the turn around having first added another 2 White Admirals which were gliding about near the turn around point to the tally. On the later stretches of the walk back whilst still in the wood a White Admiral hung around up high for a bit peering down at me, the undersides gloriously backlit and making rue that I’d not brought a step ladder with me. On the final stretch surrounded by dust and Beech a Specklie wished adieu. All in all a lovely and productive afternoon walk.
The first part is a dusty trackway that gently climbs uphill hemmed in by Beech trees; a Painted Lady was there at the start to entice us further up the track. Occasionally there is a break between the trees and then on the other side the margins of the fields have been left to their own devices, little ecological buffer zones between the wood and the arable fields. I glimpsed golden skipper, meadow Browns, Ringlets and the occasional Marbled White as we walked. As it started to level as we neared the brow of the hill a Small White flew near us and at top a Ringlet posed nicely as we gingerly edged through the Bramble tunnel.
Now the shade really picked up as we were in the wood proper and so we carried on breaking out into the sun again as we walked along one of the woodland rides. The Browns (Meadow Brown and Ringlet) and Large Skippers abounded on the lush vegetation and then like a flying scimitar cutting through the air my first White Admiral of 2019. What a cracking sight!
Slightly further on I spied another White Admiral doing the familiar slow circular cruise. I waited and sure enough it came down to the deck a couple of times. Unfortunately whatever it was that had attracted it was in much shorter supply than it had anticipated and so it promptly took off again.
The wood changed now with more open wider areas from tree clearance, felling of pines. As I scanned across the butterflies that fluttered about a vivid orange butterfly flew and landed up high. Too high for a decent shot unfortunately but still identifiable as a Silver-washed Fritillary, another first for the year. Once we’d walked on through the Fairy Tale like part of the wood (massive gnarly Oaks randomly placed) and reached the crossroads we made the turn around having first added another 2 White Admirals which were gliding about near the turn around point to the tally. On the later stretches of the walk back whilst still in the wood a White Admiral hung around up high for a bit peering down at me, the undersides gloriously backlit and making rue that I’d not brought a step ladder with me. On the final stretch surrounded by dust and Beech a Specklie wished adieu. All in all a lovely and productive afternoon walk.
Larkhill 28-06-2019
After the very long day yesterday I was in two minds about stopping – instead preferring to just get to work and mainline on Coffee so I could get through the day but somehow in my slightly befuddled state I ended up on the path at Larkhill. There were good numbers of Meadow Browns and Small Heath as I started the walk up the track and there was also the occasional, smaller and darker looking Ringlet (when compared to the Meadow Brown natch). I didn’t see any Lycaenids until I was slightly further up the path and then I found what looked like a communal roosting site. A scan around the tops of the grasses revealed 13 tiny flags flying in the breeze, one of which on closer examination was a Brown Argus but still 12 Common Blues in one line of sight is not to be sneezed at. As I was making towards the Blues to start trying for a few shots I spied a sole Marbled White stretching out its wings to try and warm up more quickly. The wings on its left side were curled over at the edge and looked like they’d gotten stuck to the case of the chrysalis. It gave them the appearance of a singed and flame shrunk crisp packet. After dealing with the Blues I found another Marbled White which was in much better shape and it too was also stretched out basking in the weak early morning sun.
At lunch time after some cover work and plenty of marking and planning I needed to clear my head ready for a full on afternoon and so I stepped out at lunch and made for the Pits. As I strolled/waded through the grasses Meadow Browns and Ringlets erupted forth and there were a few each of these hanging around on the Bramble patch as well. A few Small Skippers (I’m going with Small as they’ve only just emerged and Essex are still to be reported) zipped here and there making their remaining larger cousins look positively decrepit and cumbersome. The highlight though came in the form of a Small Tort which looked glorious backlit as it supped away. All too soon it was away from a little piece of paradise and back to reality.
At lunch time after some cover work and plenty of marking and planning I needed to clear my head ready for a full on afternoon and so I stepped out at lunch and made for the Pits. As I strolled/waded through the grasses Meadow Browns and Ringlets erupted forth and there were a few each of these hanging around on the Bramble patch as well. A few Small Skippers (I’m going with Small as they’ve only just emerged and Essex are still to be reported) zipped here and there making their remaining larger cousins look positively decrepit and cumbersome. The highlight though came in the form of a Small Tort which looked glorious backlit as it supped away. All too soon it was away from a little piece of paradise and back to reality.
Larkhill and on… 27-06-2019
Stopping on the way to work is much, much easier than on the other way round as there is no road crossing to send the pulse rate soaring through the rough, instead once you’ve manged to fit the car into the tiny pull in you’re right at old ‘half way point’ of the track. This morning it was already warm by the time I’d started traipsing up the slightest of inclines. On the way I noted Meadow Browns and Ringlets that were basking on the wheel ruts on the track whilst the Small Heath hung out on the taller grasses that lined the track and in the central reservation. A Small Tort stopped by all too briefly – but it was good to see them still here. The odd Marbled White took off from their open winged basking just as I got in range so instead I focused my efforts on the Common Blues that were still hanging flag fashion in their roosting positions. They caught the light a treat in the early morning glow.
At lunch I headed straight up the field and the uncut areas are now just above the knee with various Browns hiding away within the sward. As I walked round the edge I counted those that erupted from nearby as I passed and this produced a tally of Meadow Browns in the mid-thirties along with three Small Heath and a couple of Ringlets. Over at the Pits There were a couple more Ringlets and Meadow Browns taking advantage of the nectar on offer from the huge Bramble and a Small Tort dropped in along with 2 Large Skipper.
I was staying after work for first a meeting and then the ACE Awards night. This would mean some ‘locked in’ time and so once I’d caught up with marking, reports and planning I nipped out to the little filed in the middle of the housing estate. It came as a shock to see that it was all fenced off and the grassland had been roughly ploughed or more correctly ripped asunder and viciously gouged! Somewhat dejectedly I wandered back and made to head inside when a Painted Lady flew the length of the car park and I watched as it turned left round the building. I followed it managing to find it even after it had flown over the Nursery School. I kept up with it all the way to the Pits but my hopes of it landing and taking nectar evaporated as it veered right and cut across the Primary school’s field before disappearing from view over the hedge. Still I was at the Pits so as I was here I had a look around.
It seems that some of the Meadow Browns from the field had made their way over for a feast (either that or they were hiding earlier in the day) and I counted 19 of them along with (the same?) two Ringlets but I could only find one Large Skipper – perhaps the other had gone early to bed? I wish I could but I made my way in with another couple more hours of work on the cards.
At lunch I headed straight up the field and the uncut areas are now just above the knee with various Browns hiding away within the sward. As I walked round the edge I counted those that erupted from nearby as I passed and this produced a tally of Meadow Browns in the mid-thirties along with three Small Heath and a couple of Ringlets. Over at the Pits There were a couple more Ringlets and Meadow Browns taking advantage of the nectar on offer from the huge Bramble and a Small Tort dropped in along with 2 Large Skipper.
I was staying after work for first a meeting and then the ACE Awards night. This would mean some ‘locked in’ time and so once I’d caught up with marking, reports and planning I nipped out to the little filed in the middle of the housing estate. It came as a shock to see that it was all fenced off and the grassland had been roughly ploughed or more correctly ripped asunder and viciously gouged! Somewhat dejectedly I wandered back and made to head inside when a Painted Lady flew the length of the car park and I watched as it turned left round the building. I followed it managing to find it even after it had flown over the Nursery School. I kept up with it all the way to the Pits but my hopes of it landing and taking nectar evaporated as it veered right and cut across the Primary school’s field before disappearing from view over the hedge. Still I was at the Pits so as I was here I had a look around.
It seems that some of the Meadow Browns from the field had made their way over for a feast (either that or they were hiding earlier in the day) and I counted 19 of them along with (the same?) two Ringlets but I could only find one Large Skipper – perhaps the other had gone early to bed? I wish I could but I made my way in with another couple more hours of work on the cards.
Larkhill 26-06-2019
I didn’t get out at lunch so instead I took a few moments out on the way home. Once again I had to take my life into my hands and pull into the smallest of pull-ins before braving the road. How come when I’m driving I always get stuck behind some geriatric Sunday driver yet when I try and cross the road I end up trying to avoid being flattened by Mansells and Sennas?
Safely across the road I set off up the track, my pulse dropping 5 or so beats with every step ad mu blood pressure dropping precipitously, but in a good way. It isn’t exactly Forest Bathing but once I’m over the hump of getting across the road stopping off definitely has a positive impact on my health. The first little area I come to holds 2 Adonis and my second Small Skipper of 2019. There was also a Common Blue and 2 Brown Argus all flying into and around the confines of this little patch of lower growing vegetation. I could have stayed here but I feared saying stationary lost I lost track of time in my, now, lackadaisical state.
Slightly further up the path I encountered a Small Blue and there soon ensued a bit of a Brown fest. Most numerous were the Meadow Browns and Ringlets which would flee forwards only for me to disturb them a few steps further. You’d think by now they’d realise that it would be better to fly around and be behind the predator? The next most numerous were Small Heath, putting in a good showing in 2019. Possibly worrying was there were only a few Marbled Whites? Perhaps they haven’t gotten started properly yet? A Small Skipper popped in to keep me on my toes as it zipped about like the golden Snitch before finally settling and letting me get some shots as if deserved them.
On the walk back a Painted Lady dropped in momentarily and I was able to fire off only 2 shots before it was gone leaving a vague notion of a flying easel in my minds eye. Pleased with the haul and the relaxed manner I was now adopting I headed for home.
Safely across the road I set off up the track, my pulse dropping 5 or so beats with every step ad mu blood pressure dropping precipitously, but in a good way. It isn’t exactly Forest Bathing but once I’m over the hump of getting across the road stopping off definitely has a positive impact on my health. The first little area I come to holds 2 Adonis and my second Small Skipper of 2019. There was also a Common Blue and 2 Brown Argus all flying into and around the confines of this little patch of lower growing vegetation. I could have stayed here but I feared saying stationary lost I lost track of time in my, now, lackadaisical state.
Slightly further up the path I encountered a Small Blue and there soon ensued a bit of a Brown fest. Most numerous were the Meadow Browns and Ringlets which would flee forwards only for me to disturb them a few steps further. You’d think by now they’d realise that it would be better to fly around and be behind the predator? The next most numerous were Small Heath, putting in a good showing in 2019. Possibly worrying was there were only a few Marbled Whites? Perhaps they haven’t gotten started properly yet? A Small Skipper popped in to keep me on my toes as it zipped about like the golden Snitch before finally settling and letting me get some shots as if deserved them.
On the walk back a Painted Lady dropped in momentarily and I was able to fire off only 2 shots before it was gone leaving a vague notion of a flying easel in my minds eye. Pleased with the haul and the relaxed manner I was now adopting I headed for home.
Forest School and Larkhill 25-06-2019
I was off to the Forest School at the Cotswold Water Park with all of the year 7’s. However it wasn’t looking hopeful with cooler than usual temperatures and a steady fall of rain adding to the dampness under foot. Through the course of the day we built shelters, lit fires with flints, toasted Marshmallows and did a Bug Hunt. In the gloom and dark and dripping darkness all that we could muster were a few snails and a Leopard Slug. At the end of the day the rain started to slow and the drear lifted. One of the instructors found a toad while the year 7’s were playing Hide and Seek. Finally as we left Ringlets and Meadow Browns abounded as we walked through the meadow back to the coach and as we loaded the pupils (now steaming somewhat in the sun) onto the coach a Painted Lady stopped for nectar on a Bramble before flying off strongly in a Northerly direction.
By the time we’d returned to school the sun was shining and the temperatures had risen so I stopped for 20 minutes or so on the way home. As I pulled into the tiny lay-by and cars roared past I remembered why I’ve curtailed my visits here. Still safely across the road I then remembered why I liked to stop here. Amid the numerous Meadow Browns and Ringlets a Common Blue or two and a Brown Argus stood out due to their colouration and size difference. I also found three Small Blues which seemed to favour the longer sward just off from the path.
Further along the track Marbled Whites flew seemingly shunning the more exposed areas and favouring the small enclosed patches. Something zig-zagged out of one of these patches while I watched a Marbled White. It was definitely a Skipper and judging by the small size and timing probably a Small…I managed to watch it as it zipped here and there and when it landed a quick stalk meant I was able to confirm it as such. Pleased with my first non-Smessex Smessex I headed home, still slightly damp from the morning.
By the time we’d returned to school the sun was shining and the temperatures had risen so I stopped for 20 minutes or so on the way home. As I pulled into the tiny lay-by and cars roared past I remembered why I’ve curtailed my visits here. Still safely across the road I then remembered why I liked to stop here. Amid the numerous Meadow Browns and Ringlets a Common Blue or two and a Brown Argus stood out due to their colouration and size difference. I also found three Small Blues which seemed to favour the longer sward just off from the path.
Further along the track Marbled Whites flew seemingly shunning the more exposed areas and favouring the small enclosed patches. Something zig-zagged out of one of these patches while I watched a Marbled White. It was definitely a Skipper and judging by the small size and timing probably a Small…I managed to watch it as it zipped here and there and when it landed a quick stalk meant I was able to confirm it as such. Pleased with my first non-Smessex Smessex I headed home, still slightly damp from the morning.
Lavender Farm 23-06-2019
I was settling down and spending time with the family today so after finishing the various shopping trips and munching down on Marmite sandwiches and selected fruit on the drive we pulled into the Lavender Farm. The cloudy, muggy weather was going to make butterfly photography difficult, not because of the light but because the butterflies weren’t likely to be flying. Still it would just be nice to wander round and enjoy the visual floral feast whilst mildly sedated and calmed by the all surrounding aroma. The Meadow Brown that did a fly-by as we entered was therefore a bit of a surprise but it didn’t hang around after my initial sighting.
After a few turns around the garden and sometime reading the paper I decided to check out the flowers a little more closely as they seemed to be a hive of activity – with various beetles, small flies and bees. As I was watching the various Hoverflies and other bits and bobs I chanced to look up and a large cream tangerine coloured butterfly flew swiftly towards me. I kept my eye on it as it rapidly approached and so before it had landed I knew that it was a Painted Lady and also because of the pale colour, that it was worn. After the initial couple of shots I was hungry for more and so I entered into a game of hide and seek. The butterfly would take off, fly rapidly this way and that before landing somewhere in amongst the rows of Lavender; sometimes it would be on the deck, other times hidden amid the lilac stems whilst at other times it would be perched in almost plain view, relaying on its distracting underside to break up its silhouette. At one point I saw a Large White fly down the rows but I didn’t want to take my eyes of my original quarry.
859
In the end it found what I think is Boules Mauve and then it settled down to feed. It would pirouette around the flower head before walking on tip toes to the next, it was all very balletic and was made even more so by the occasional flourish of the wings which it would close and then open wide before slightly back to a more relaxed angle. The odd passer-by would sometimes disturb the butterfly and would take off and fly off not getting very far before coming back to roughly the same place it left from; it seemed to recognise that it had hit the jackpot in terms of nectar and so was reluctant to venture too far.
I left it there and carried on with my recce round and when we decided to pack up and head home it was still there occupying its territory.
So there we go, even when you think “not a chance” butterflies can still appear and put on a show!
After a few turns around the garden and sometime reading the paper I decided to check out the flowers a little more closely as they seemed to be a hive of activity – with various beetles, small flies and bees. As I was watching the various Hoverflies and other bits and bobs I chanced to look up and a large cream tangerine coloured butterfly flew swiftly towards me. I kept my eye on it as it rapidly approached and so before it had landed I knew that it was a Painted Lady and also because of the pale colour, that it was worn. After the initial couple of shots I was hungry for more and so I entered into a game of hide and seek. The butterfly would take off, fly rapidly this way and that before landing somewhere in amongst the rows of Lavender; sometimes it would be on the deck, other times hidden amid the lilac stems whilst at other times it would be perched in almost plain view, relaying on its distracting underside to break up its silhouette. At one point I saw a Large White fly down the rows but I didn’t want to take my eyes of my original quarry.
859
In the end it found what I think is Boules Mauve and then it settled down to feed. It would pirouette around the flower head before walking on tip toes to the next, it was all very balletic and was made even more so by the occasional flourish of the wings which it would close and then open wide before slightly back to a more relaxed angle. The odd passer-by would sometimes disturb the butterfly and would take off and fly off not getting very far before coming back to roughly the same place it left from; it seemed to recognise that it had hit the jackpot in terms of nectar and so was reluctant to venture too far.
I left it there and carried on with my recce round and when we decided to pack up and head home it was still there occupying its territory.
So there we go, even when you think “not a chance” butterflies can still appear and put on a show!
Daneways 22-06-2019
For once the weather report seemed to be better than mildly accurate and so it was all systems go for Daneways! Hopefully the sunny intervals would mean that the butterflies weren’t solar super charged, zooming all around and Philzoid and I would be able to get a mixture of open and closed winged shots. On the way there we chatted away and put the world to rights as the weather steadily improved and before I knew it we were pulled up in the car park and starting the stroll up the hill.
Instead of the trek up to the main entrance we climbed over the gate at the bottom of the reserve and made our way up the steep slope, yes it was steeper but instead of watching out for cars coming down the hill we could watch out for butterflies. In fact the first little section proved productive with Common Blues, Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Brown Argus all finding their way onto the Tally. We carried on the ascent and just as we reached the fence at the bottom of the first Bank proper we followed a Large Blue until it flew over said fence. Cracking on site for least than 5 minutes and the target species already located. We walked up and through the gate to the other side of the fence and then managed to relocate the first Large Blue and then a second. There was also a Small Tortoiseshell but one zipped off somewhere whilst the Small Tort and second Large Blue flew back over the fence so it was walking back to the gate, through the gate and then trying to relocate it which we did. It then decided to revisit the little patch back on the original side of the gate…the fence (no sure why it’s there) was starting to be a bit of pain in the arse and so from this point on anything that flew over it was persona non gratis!
We wandered back and started our wanderings of the first Bank and the Large Blue did a flash by but luckily a few of the other enthusiasts called out a ‘mating pair’. Thus meant that we were all able to get the classic closed wing shots and there wasn’t a ‘grab’ shot in sight!
After this we set off to explore the rest of the site gently working our way to the other end of the site. There was another Large Blue, Small Tort, Meadow Browns and Common Blues but nothing was stopping. It seems that the weather had improved too much as the temperature rose so did the activity of the butterflies. One or two of the Common Blues did start to play ball including a lovely blue female. She wasn’t all over blue but the hind wing margin and sub-margin was almost as blue as a male which contrasted nicely with the brown ground colour and dusting of blue and silver.
After this we worked up to the flatter plateau like section at the top of the Banks which runs across the site bordered by the trees. Again there were various stop-offs for the usual suspects including some nice showy Marbled Whites which were supping nectar from what I think is Coltsfoot the white and black beautifully set off by the vivid yellow.
We paused for a while where the path curves round and heads up through the wood to the top fields. We could see that two other enthusiasts were following some Large Blues further up the slope so we started checking out the slopes. I got onto a Large Blue right at the tree line which started to open up. Unfortunately as I called out it stopped basking and flew. Philzoid managed to get onto a different one slightly lower down but it wasn’t stopping for long so it was a case of click as many times as possible then revert to watching to see where it would land before repeating. I climb back up to the bend and anther bloke is watching a Large Blue that is threatening to open up. As we watch and wait I catch another Large Blue out of the corner of my eye. It lands and promptly opens up and starts basking. It was a really dark individual with very thick margins. This turned into a real purple patch with a further three Large Blues dropping in with one or two harrying those individual that we’d been watching.
Chuffed we carried on following the track upwards and through the wood breaking out into the sunshine of the top field. This bit is much easier going for butterfly photography as it’s relatively flat and much of the vegetation is short so flying butterflies are often easy to follow. Almost as soon as we moved from wood to grassland we saw a couple of Large Blues including one which seemed happy for us to follow it. It would fly a short distance, nectar away and drain the flower then fly a short distance and repeat. Once it landed it was so engrossed in feeding it didn’t pay us any heed and so we had our second easiest set of shots for the day. It got even better as a passing cloud caused the butterfly to pause from nectaring and open up and bask – open wing shots achieved!
By now my stomach was feeling a little empty and in the sun we’d worked up a thirst so we walked along the top field aiming to come out roughly where we started. On the way we saw a few more Large Blues (which became scarcer as the sward got longer) Brown Argus, Common Blues including a courting couple and a Peacock. A Small Tort stopped by quite close to a Butterfly Orchid but it didn’t land the flower unluckily. As the path carried on further down, curing on its way back to the gate a Painted Lady flew in and played very hard to get. You’d stalk it successfully, lean in for the shot, focus and then…then it would take off and zoom off to just far enough away for you to repeat the procedure. Eventually after a small amount of success we gave up and made our way down the steep bank and over the gate to retire to the pub for some refreshments.
Cold drinks drunk we loaded up and headed for my Duke Site. The journey home was pretty much like the journey there apart from one very frightening moment when our conversation was interrupted by the Satnav announcing that “I’m listening to you” – so it looks like AI will overtake the world and it won’t be long before Skynet takes over!
The plan was to hike around the site until we found a few DGFs, get a few record shots for the year and then head home. As we walked away from the car there was the DGF, first butterfly at the site, so much for having to traipse about looking for one. The DGF only made a flying visit and so we set off hoping to find a few down on the deck. Down on the sparse turf zone where Adonis and Small Blues are to be found there were a few Small Heath and Common Blues as well as a further 3 DGFs – all fast moving and not camera fodder. Still with each new DGF we were seeing the chances of catching one on memory card (doesn’t have quite the same ring as ‘catch one on film but anyhoo…) were also increasing. We followed the track that used to be so good for Dukes and then we strike out across the field where the DGFs seemed to be alternately hiding hunkered down or bombing across the grass tops. We split up and try the best we can to follow a single DGF for some shots but it is next to impossible as they were flying so frenetically. In the end I managed to find a female which behaved differently to the males in that she didn’t fly as far and in when she landed she stayed for longer too. In this way I was able to get the much sought after closed wing shot showing the ‘dark green’ which to my mind is more of a kakhi/mossy green.
Time almost up we made it back to the car and so ended yet another fantastic trip!
Instead of the trek up to the main entrance we climbed over the gate at the bottom of the reserve and made our way up the steep slope, yes it was steeper but instead of watching out for cars coming down the hill we could watch out for butterflies. In fact the first little section proved productive with Common Blues, Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Brown Argus all finding their way onto the Tally. We carried on the ascent and just as we reached the fence at the bottom of the first Bank proper we followed a Large Blue until it flew over said fence. Cracking on site for least than 5 minutes and the target species already located. We walked up and through the gate to the other side of the fence and then managed to relocate the first Large Blue and then a second. There was also a Small Tortoiseshell but one zipped off somewhere whilst the Small Tort and second Large Blue flew back over the fence so it was walking back to the gate, through the gate and then trying to relocate it which we did. It then decided to revisit the little patch back on the original side of the gate…the fence (no sure why it’s there) was starting to be a bit of pain in the arse and so from this point on anything that flew over it was persona non gratis!
We wandered back and started our wanderings of the first Bank and the Large Blue did a flash by but luckily a few of the other enthusiasts called out a ‘mating pair’. Thus meant that we were all able to get the classic closed wing shots and there wasn’t a ‘grab’ shot in sight!
After this we set off to explore the rest of the site gently working our way to the other end of the site. There was another Large Blue, Small Tort, Meadow Browns and Common Blues but nothing was stopping. It seems that the weather had improved too much as the temperature rose so did the activity of the butterflies. One or two of the Common Blues did start to play ball including a lovely blue female. She wasn’t all over blue but the hind wing margin and sub-margin was almost as blue as a male which contrasted nicely with the brown ground colour and dusting of blue and silver.
After this we worked up to the flatter plateau like section at the top of the Banks which runs across the site bordered by the trees. Again there were various stop-offs for the usual suspects including some nice showy Marbled Whites which were supping nectar from what I think is Coltsfoot the white and black beautifully set off by the vivid yellow.
We paused for a while where the path curves round and heads up through the wood to the top fields. We could see that two other enthusiasts were following some Large Blues further up the slope so we started checking out the slopes. I got onto a Large Blue right at the tree line which started to open up. Unfortunately as I called out it stopped basking and flew. Philzoid managed to get onto a different one slightly lower down but it wasn’t stopping for long so it was a case of click as many times as possible then revert to watching to see where it would land before repeating. I climb back up to the bend and anther bloke is watching a Large Blue that is threatening to open up. As we watch and wait I catch another Large Blue out of the corner of my eye. It lands and promptly opens up and starts basking. It was a really dark individual with very thick margins. This turned into a real purple patch with a further three Large Blues dropping in with one or two harrying those individual that we’d been watching.
Chuffed we carried on following the track upwards and through the wood breaking out into the sunshine of the top field. This bit is much easier going for butterfly photography as it’s relatively flat and much of the vegetation is short so flying butterflies are often easy to follow. Almost as soon as we moved from wood to grassland we saw a couple of Large Blues including one which seemed happy for us to follow it. It would fly a short distance, nectar away and drain the flower then fly a short distance and repeat. Once it landed it was so engrossed in feeding it didn’t pay us any heed and so we had our second easiest set of shots for the day. It got even better as a passing cloud caused the butterfly to pause from nectaring and open up and bask – open wing shots achieved!
By now my stomach was feeling a little empty and in the sun we’d worked up a thirst so we walked along the top field aiming to come out roughly where we started. On the way we saw a few more Large Blues (which became scarcer as the sward got longer) Brown Argus, Common Blues including a courting couple and a Peacock. A Small Tort stopped by quite close to a Butterfly Orchid but it didn’t land the flower unluckily. As the path carried on further down, curing on its way back to the gate a Painted Lady flew in and played very hard to get. You’d stalk it successfully, lean in for the shot, focus and then…then it would take off and zoom off to just far enough away for you to repeat the procedure. Eventually after a small amount of success we gave up and made our way down the steep bank and over the gate to retire to the pub for some refreshments.
Cold drinks drunk we loaded up and headed for my Duke Site. The journey home was pretty much like the journey there apart from one very frightening moment when our conversation was interrupted by the Satnav announcing that “I’m listening to you” – so it looks like AI will overtake the world and it won’t be long before Skynet takes over!
The plan was to hike around the site until we found a few DGFs, get a few record shots for the year and then head home. As we walked away from the car there was the DGF, first butterfly at the site, so much for having to traipse about looking for one. The DGF only made a flying visit and so we set off hoping to find a few down on the deck. Down on the sparse turf zone where Adonis and Small Blues are to be found there were a few Small Heath and Common Blues as well as a further 3 DGFs – all fast moving and not camera fodder. Still with each new DGF we were seeing the chances of catching one on memory card (doesn’t have quite the same ring as ‘catch one on film but anyhoo…) were also increasing. We followed the track that used to be so good for Dukes and then we strike out across the field where the DGFs seemed to be alternately hiding hunkered down or bombing across the grass tops. We split up and try the best we can to follow a single DGF for some shots but it is next to impossible as they were flying so frenetically. In the end I managed to find a female which behaved differently to the males in that she didn’t fly as far and in when she landed she stayed for longer too. In this way I was able to get the much sought after closed wing shot showing the ‘dark green’ which to my mind is more of a kakhi/mossy green.
Time almost up we made it back to the car and so ended yet another fantastic trip!
Wellbeing 21-06-2019
Teacher Training Days are normally busy affairs where ideas are shared and there is more than a fair share of sitting and listening. Well this one was very different as the focus (for once) wasn’t on assessment or curriculum; OfSTED were mentioned once but I think we got away with it, and after a bit of information on various neurotransmitters/hormones and their effects during the morning the afternoon was spent focusing on one activity that would benefit our wellbeing. So I found myself leading three of my colleagues across the road from the car park at Knapp Hill and on up the Down in search of butterflies. To be honest the timing could have been better, a few weeks earlier and the species would have been at their freshest and most numerous but an afternoon of paid butterflying isn’t to be sniffed at!
Once we’d negotiated some of the various obstacles that are on offer here (road, stile-less fences and wild animals…well sheep and cattle) we struck to the relatively easy going at the foot of the hill. From previous experience this often holds most of the butterflies as the hedge lining the road offers perches and a little shade and the various dykes and ditches offer shelter from the wind which whips up the hill tugging errant butterflies with it. We swiftly got onto some butterflies with my colleagues soon calling out Small heath and Meadow Brown which appeared as if from nowhere out of the grasses as we progressed. To add to this initial mix there were a couple of Common Blues.
We move down into one of the hollows, evidence of early flint mining long since finished, and one of the stars of the show appears – a tired looking Marshie. It goes down a storm with its unusual chequerboard markings as does a second that joins it briefly. As the rest are marvelling at the Marshies a (from a distance) light grey butterfly tears towards us – my first Marbled White of 2019.
We carry on checking the next hollow out and the next. All seem jam packed with Spotted and Fragrant Orchids and in the final hollow there are also a few Bee Orchids. There is also another Marshie, looking even more Greasy than the others, along with a shed load of Small Heaths and Meadow Browns.
As the ground starts to level out we have a choice to make; walk right to the top and Adam’s Grave/The Nipple or cut back along the path that is ‘one step up’? We opt for the easier and lower route and as we head off there are a couple of Common Blues, a male and a female and a Large Skipper.
The walk back isn’t as fruitful butterfly wise with the fore mentioned wind often picking up and carrying any butterflies off before I can get any sensible shots. I do see a Small Tort, a Wall Brown vanishes almost as quickly as it appeared and only a couple of butterflies hang around and pose for me – an Adonis and a Brown Argus. Their good nature was probably down to their decrepitude. Still it was good to be able to how a few other species to my colleagues.
As we returned for work we realised that we’d been talking about all sorts all the way round and I don’t know about the others but I certainly felt in a much better place, calmer and happier.
Once we’d negotiated some of the various obstacles that are on offer here (road, stile-less fences and wild animals…well sheep and cattle) we struck to the relatively easy going at the foot of the hill. From previous experience this often holds most of the butterflies as the hedge lining the road offers perches and a little shade and the various dykes and ditches offer shelter from the wind which whips up the hill tugging errant butterflies with it. We swiftly got onto some butterflies with my colleagues soon calling out Small heath and Meadow Brown which appeared as if from nowhere out of the grasses as we progressed. To add to this initial mix there were a couple of Common Blues.
We move down into one of the hollows, evidence of early flint mining long since finished, and one of the stars of the show appears – a tired looking Marshie. It goes down a storm with its unusual chequerboard markings as does a second that joins it briefly. As the rest are marvelling at the Marshies a (from a distance) light grey butterfly tears towards us – my first Marbled White of 2019.
We carry on checking the next hollow out and the next. All seem jam packed with Spotted and Fragrant Orchids and in the final hollow there are also a few Bee Orchids. There is also another Marshie, looking even more Greasy than the others, along with a shed load of Small Heaths and Meadow Browns.
As the ground starts to level out we have a choice to make; walk right to the top and Adam’s Grave/The Nipple or cut back along the path that is ‘one step up’? We opt for the easier and lower route and as we head off there are a couple of Common Blues, a male and a female and a Large Skipper.
The walk back isn’t as fruitful butterfly wise with the fore mentioned wind often picking up and carrying any butterflies off before I can get any sensible shots. I do see a Small Tort, a Wall Brown vanishes almost as quickly as it appeared and only a couple of butterflies hang around and pose for me – an Adonis and a Brown Argus. Their good nature was probably down to their decrepitude. Still it was good to be able to how a few other species to my colleagues.
As we returned for work we realised that we’d been talking about all sorts all the way round and I don’t know about the others but I certainly felt in a much better place, calmer and happier.
Work 20-06-019
I hadn’t been out at Lunch for what felt like an age due to either the hectic nature of work recently (GCSE revision classes all over the place, huge amounts of marking from Mock exams, OfSTED etc.) or dire weather so when I stepped out this lunch time I was expecting to see a changed habitat, although how changed I wasn’t prepared for. The grasses that back at the start of the season would barely reach the tongues of my shoes were now almost up to mid-thigh height. As I waded through them at the Pits heading towards the boundary hedge a Large Skipper buzzed away. Once I got to the hedge and started walking down it a Red Admiral appeared from out of nowhere, bombing along. It flew past me and into the tallest Nettles in the hedge where it spent a few moments bumbling about. I thought about parting the foliage so as to try for a few shots but the Nettles that towered over me changed my mind mighty quickly.
After this I was joined by a Meadow Brown that led me on a bit of a merry dance across one of the recently mown sections of the field. It would fly in a rough zig-zag pattern before landing and staying down on the deck just long enough for me to approach, line up me shot and start to focus. Then it would be off again. I don’t know what’s up with the Browns this season but they seem much more twitchy and nervy than I previously recall?
The Meadow Browns merry bolero had led me into the unmown sections on the field and I was feeling the familiar feeling of dew and raindrops held on the stems starting to soak into my trousers. I carried on trying to follow the Meadow Brown but got distracted as a Small Tort erupted from the grasses near my footfall. It didn’t fly far – perhaps too cool (?) but when I caught up with it it was a cracking looking butterfly – much swarthier and darker than the Spring ones.
I carried on in my seemingly futile attempts at photographing Meadow Browns but it was proving tricky. They’d fly so I’d follow only to disturb another from down in the grasses and then I would have the dilemma of which to follow? I’d generally choose incorrectly as the one I’d follow would fly on and on and when it eventually came to ground would be hidden behind multiple grass stems whilst the one I didn’t would probably be perched in a miniature clearing amid the grasses, wings open wide! I persevered and amid the Meadow Browns a Small heath popped up and a gorgeous Meadow Brown finally sat for an uncluttered shot, free from interfering grass stems. It was a gorgeous looing butterfly with the slightest hint of an orange streak on the hind wing – lush and worth the hassle.
I made my way back conscious that the bell would soon be ringing, stopping for two shots of a Large Skipper, and found myself back in the Pits before I remembered that I didn’t need to hurry too much as I had a double free of ‘gained’ time now. This was just as well as right at the end of the Pits my first Ringlet of 2019 appeared with luscious white fringes contrasting with the chocolatey-purple topside. Like all the other species from the Brown it too was being a bit of a pain as it would take off just as I was ready to fire off the shots but in the end I got a few in the bag. I’m sure there will be plenty more but it’s always nice to get shots of the ‘first’ of the season. I must have entered a time warp as strolling back into the block I checked the time and I was only late by less than a minute – I can’t work out how that happened?
After this I was joined by a Meadow Brown that led me on a bit of a merry dance across one of the recently mown sections of the field. It would fly in a rough zig-zag pattern before landing and staying down on the deck just long enough for me to approach, line up me shot and start to focus. Then it would be off again. I don’t know what’s up with the Browns this season but they seem much more twitchy and nervy than I previously recall?
The Meadow Browns merry bolero had led me into the unmown sections on the field and I was feeling the familiar feeling of dew and raindrops held on the stems starting to soak into my trousers. I carried on trying to follow the Meadow Brown but got distracted as a Small Tort erupted from the grasses near my footfall. It didn’t fly far – perhaps too cool (?) but when I caught up with it it was a cracking looking butterfly – much swarthier and darker than the Spring ones.
I carried on in my seemingly futile attempts at photographing Meadow Browns but it was proving tricky. They’d fly so I’d follow only to disturb another from down in the grasses and then I would have the dilemma of which to follow? I’d generally choose incorrectly as the one I’d follow would fly on and on and when it eventually came to ground would be hidden behind multiple grass stems whilst the one I didn’t would probably be perched in a miniature clearing amid the grasses, wings open wide! I persevered and amid the Meadow Browns a Small heath popped up and a gorgeous Meadow Brown finally sat for an uncluttered shot, free from interfering grass stems. It was a gorgeous looing butterfly with the slightest hint of an orange streak on the hind wing – lush and worth the hassle.
I made my way back conscious that the bell would soon be ringing, stopping for two shots of a Large Skipper, and found myself back in the Pits before I remembered that I didn’t need to hurry too much as I had a double free of ‘gained’ time now. This was just as well as right at the end of the Pits my first Ringlet of 2019 appeared with luscious white fringes contrasting with the chocolatey-purple topside. Like all the other species from the Brown it too was being a bit of a pain as it would take off just as I was ready to fire off the shots but in the end I got a few in the bag. I’m sure there will be plenty more but it’s always nice to get shots of the ‘first’ of the season. I must have entered a time warp as strolling back into the block I checked the time and I was only late by less than a minute – I can’t work out how that happened?
Garston and onwards… 16-06-2019
It was a funny old morning as after the totally back to front and inaccurate weather forecast the day before I wasn’t surprised when I awoke today and didn’t see the blue sky and sunny intervals that had been promised. Instead there was a blanket of grey cloud through which, very occasionally, a glimpse of limpid eggshell blue showed through. Nevertheless my wife and I headed over to Gaston Wood for a wander round. On the way a Red Admiral flew by as we drove through Broadchalke and upon arrival and first setting off a Specklie appeared briefly. And then that was it…the light cloud cover darkened and it felt more like a March morning than a week away from the Solstice.
We carried on round anyway enjoying the Forest Bathing and feeling calmer and more relaxed the further we walked into the wood. About half way in I spied a mini clearing. One of the larger trees had fallen leaving a round clearing in its wake which was lit by the weak sun so it was only slightly brighter than the surrounding gloom under the canopy. As my wife concentrated on looking in the clearing I spied an unusual looking plant. It stood tall with a pair of leaves near the base and green florets reaching to the top of the stem. It looked like an Orchid to me and so I checked my Orchid ID App and worked out that it is most likely a Common Twyblade (as so often happens I started seeing Twyblades throughout the rest of the wood).
We carried on round reaching the Butterfly Enclosure though I reckon they’ve given up on Pearls returning here as not only has the picture gone but so too has the gate itself. While we wandered through the sun started to shine more strongly, not quite breaking through the cloud but brightening it, making it glow slightly more and with it came the life. Bumble Bees that had been torpid sitting on leaves started to move slightly the slight increase in temperature starting to resurrect them, female spiders moved to new areas dragging their egg bundles with them and moths suddenly appeared on leaves where a few seconds previously they hadn’t been.
Eventually we arrived back in the car park and so headed home for lunch, seeing another Red Admiral at St Paul’s Roundabout, before driving up to Mottisfont to meet up with my parents and our girls. I didn’t see any butterflies on the walk in, through the grounds, round the Walled Garden and nor on the partial return journey to the house. Only as we were making our way round to the final it of garden did any butterflies appear before my lens. There was a sole Meadow Brown on the newly created Avenue on one side of the formal lawn and another couple on the bank of the Ha-Ha. I managed a few photos y in the less than perfect light the images didn’t really ‘ping’ as they can do. Still at least if I got out and made the best of a poor butterfly weather day. I you don’t go out you’re guaranteed to see nowt!
We carried on round anyway enjoying the Forest Bathing and feeling calmer and more relaxed the further we walked into the wood. About half way in I spied a mini clearing. One of the larger trees had fallen leaving a round clearing in its wake which was lit by the weak sun so it was only slightly brighter than the surrounding gloom under the canopy. As my wife concentrated on looking in the clearing I spied an unusual looking plant. It stood tall with a pair of leaves near the base and green florets reaching to the top of the stem. It looked like an Orchid to me and so I checked my Orchid ID App and worked out that it is most likely a Common Twyblade (as so often happens I started seeing Twyblades throughout the rest of the wood).
We carried on round reaching the Butterfly Enclosure though I reckon they’ve given up on Pearls returning here as not only has the picture gone but so too has the gate itself. While we wandered through the sun started to shine more strongly, not quite breaking through the cloud but brightening it, making it glow slightly more and with it came the life. Bumble Bees that had been torpid sitting on leaves started to move slightly the slight increase in temperature starting to resurrect them, female spiders moved to new areas dragging their egg bundles with them and moths suddenly appeared on leaves where a few seconds previously they hadn’t been.
Eventually we arrived back in the car park and so headed home for lunch, seeing another Red Admiral at St Paul’s Roundabout, before driving up to Mottisfont to meet up with my parents and our girls. I didn’t see any butterflies on the walk in, through the grounds, round the Walled Garden and nor on the partial return journey to the house. Only as we were making our way round to the final it of garden did any butterflies appear before my lens. There was a sole Meadow Brown on the newly created Avenue on one side of the formal lawn and another couple on the bank of the Ha-Ha. I managed a few photos y in the less than perfect light the images didn’t really ‘ping’ as they can do. Still at least if I got out and made the best of a poor butterfly weather day. I you don’t go out you’re guaranteed to see nowt!
Middle Street 15-06-2019
The weather report was again incorrect so instead of thick, dark cloud and the rain showers that I was expecting the sun eventually broke through the ever-thinning cloud and it turned into a passable sunny afternoon. To make the most of it my wife and I took a promenade in the direction of Middle Street. A Meadow Brown played hard to get in the little slipway near the weir and it was the only butterfly seen until we were actually on site and most of the way round. As we reached the far end of the pond a Red Admiral put in an appearance fleetingly before being replaced by a Common Blue.
Round the other side of the pond another or possibly the same Red Admiral did another fly-by flashing over the tops of the reeds at almost head height before veering violently upwards and over the trees that line the edge of the pond. I didn’t mind this dearth of butterflies as this area is much better in the spring and as the season progresses the butterfly action seems to migrate towards the other end of the site. Besides which I was enjoying the peace and quiet wife my wife sans kids.
As we dove down through the copse the bird calls ceased and a Specklie played true to form, flitting between the dappled light and not stopping. Then as we broke out into the sunshine again the cacophony ensued – Reed and Sedge Warblers babbling, a Cetti’s exploding from the opposite bank with its “one, one-two, one-two one-two one-three” call slicing through all the other calls and sounds like a knife through butter.
At the top of the field I descended down from the raised pathway into the grasses some of which were by now up to my waist making a wading action the most appropriate for making any progress. As expected the number and diversity of butterflies picked up. I managed to follow and pick up a few semi-distant Meadow Browns though it was hard work. They’d erupt in slow motion from an unseen hiding place low down in the grass, then flutter seemingly randomly and weakly before dropping down and disappearing from view again.
The Common Blues and a Large Skipper conversely were much easier to capture on camera and they posed nicely for me in the more sparsely covered areas of the field around the edges and on ‘the bank’ with the raised walkway above.
As I was winding my way out of the field along the narrow track a tiny grey blur caught my eye. At first I out it down as a moth but as I leant in and focused it became a Grizzled Skipper. A first for me at this site and a species I hadn’t expected to see – a nice end to a pleasant afternoon.
Round the other side of the pond another or possibly the same Red Admiral did another fly-by flashing over the tops of the reeds at almost head height before veering violently upwards and over the trees that line the edge of the pond. I didn’t mind this dearth of butterflies as this area is much better in the spring and as the season progresses the butterfly action seems to migrate towards the other end of the site. Besides which I was enjoying the peace and quiet wife my wife sans kids.
As we dove down through the copse the bird calls ceased and a Specklie played true to form, flitting between the dappled light and not stopping. Then as we broke out into the sunshine again the cacophony ensued – Reed and Sedge Warblers babbling, a Cetti’s exploding from the opposite bank with its “one, one-two, one-two one-two one-three” call slicing through all the other calls and sounds like a knife through butter.
At the top of the field I descended down from the raised pathway into the grasses some of which were by now up to my waist making a wading action the most appropriate for making any progress. As expected the number and diversity of butterflies picked up. I managed to follow and pick up a few semi-distant Meadow Browns though it was hard work. They’d erupt in slow motion from an unseen hiding place low down in the grass, then flutter seemingly randomly and weakly before dropping down and disappearing from view again.
The Common Blues and a Large Skipper conversely were much easier to capture on camera and they posed nicely for me in the more sparsely covered areas of the field around the edges and on ‘the bank’ with the raised walkway above.
As I was winding my way out of the field along the narrow track a tiny grey blur caught my eye. At first I out it down as a moth but as I leant in and focused it became a Grizzled Skipper. A first for me at this site and a species I hadn’t expected to see – a nice end to a pleasant afternoon.
The Devenish 09-06-2019
As the weather was actually okay at times my wife and I made over to The Devenish for a cuppa al fresco courtesy of Kelly the Kettle and a nice picnic lunch. I chose the Devenish as I knew that there were a few old fire pits that we could set Kelly up on without worrying about damaging the soil. However I was quickly ruing my choice as each time I made to turn off to the reserve our way was blocked by yellow AA signs declaring that the road was closed. I drove past Old Sarum and out towards Amesbury and turned left at High Post. All was going smoothly until we got to within 200 yards of the reserve – where this time there were the big yellow signs, a van and a couple of Stewards. As they said that it was okay to walk down the road I abandoned the car and we set out on foot.
Once on the reserve we climbed over the various gates and made our way to the far paddock. Once the Kettle was lit I had a quick mooch around while waiting for it to boil. On the way in there had been a couple of Specklies in the Small Paddock and now I managed to find a couple more. One went up high the other stayed down low disappearing momentarily into the old dried grass.
After lunch I took a slightly longer wander round as I awaited cuppa coffee number 2. Just over the way two Specklies started spiralling and when they broke apart I managed to follow one as it drifted down to earth. Over in the far corner was another and this one was in very fine fettle. From here I wandered across the bottom of the hill back the way we’d come in and half way along my progress was halted by a minuscule grey blur which soon turned out to be a reasonably fresh Grizzlie. After watching it for a while I realised that I hadn’t gotten any shots so set about getting a few – well it would be rude not to after the effort the little chap was putting in.
Turning back and snaking my way towards my coffee a massive butterfly shot up out of the tussock grass and perched up in a tree. A Red Admiral. It took off at the same time as something else and I watched them both fly round a tree though neither came out the other side. As I walked over I found a Specklie but the Red Admiral must have gone on into the trees lining the Paddock and then come back out behind me and where I’d originally seen it. So I made my way back the few steps and my guess proved correct as the Red Admiral shot out of a small tree and perched on a dead branch.
Pleased I headed back but that wasn’t the end of the surprises. A butterfly, darker than the Specklies, smaller than the Red Admiral was bumbling along low down near the ground. It would flap almost pathetically before dropping for a fraction of a second and then straining to pull itself up and gain some height before repeating the process again. Occasionally it would go down and after following it and watching it do this a few times I was ready. The next time it went down I leant in and there was my first photo of 2019 of a Meadow Brown. I managed to follow it a little bit more and get a slightly less cluttered but more distant shot and then I was distracted again.
Now it was because of an unusually shaped butterfly that was up in the trees. It looked like it was trailing a damaged wing but when I stepped a little closer to where it was perched I realised that it was a pair in cop – my first every Specklies at it! They seemed quite shy and after a few shots they vacated their low storey couples retreat and retired to their love-nest higher up in the canopy. Another Specklie landed before me on its own and then I took the final few steps back to ‘camp’ and enjoyed another lovely cuppa coffee.
We started back and made our way up the side of the Down proper and along the small paths on the middle section. On the way there was a female Common Blue and over the stile a Meadow Brown, Blue and Grizzlie all played hard to get so we carried on down the small path, hemmed in on one side by the scrubby wood and on the other by the large Bramble bushes. I had a few moments to spare in the Orchid Meadow and came across the a slightly more worn Grizzlie, Brown Argus, Common Blue and finally the butterfly I was hoping to see here at this time of year – a Large Skipper. It was a brilliant, bright male actively feeding up to keep his fuel supply topped up. It was time to go and as we walked and then drove back home all the yellow signs were gone and the roads open. A very pleasant picnic.
Once on the reserve we climbed over the various gates and made our way to the far paddock. Once the Kettle was lit I had a quick mooch around while waiting for it to boil. On the way in there had been a couple of Specklies in the Small Paddock and now I managed to find a couple more. One went up high the other stayed down low disappearing momentarily into the old dried grass.
After lunch I took a slightly longer wander round as I awaited cuppa coffee number 2. Just over the way two Specklies started spiralling and when they broke apart I managed to follow one as it drifted down to earth. Over in the far corner was another and this one was in very fine fettle. From here I wandered across the bottom of the hill back the way we’d come in and half way along my progress was halted by a minuscule grey blur which soon turned out to be a reasonably fresh Grizzlie. After watching it for a while I realised that I hadn’t gotten any shots so set about getting a few – well it would be rude not to after the effort the little chap was putting in.
Turning back and snaking my way towards my coffee a massive butterfly shot up out of the tussock grass and perched up in a tree. A Red Admiral. It took off at the same time as something else and I watched them both fly round a tree though neither came out the other side. As I walked over I found a Specklie but the Red Admiral must have gone on into the trees lining the Paddock and then come back out behind me and where I’d originally seen it. So I made my way back the few steps and my guess proved correct as the Red Admiral shot out of a small tree and perched on a dead branch.
Pleased I headed back but that wasn’t the end of the surprises. A butterfly, darker than the Specklies, smaller than the Red Admiral was bumbling along low down near the ground. It would flap almost pathetically before dropping for a fraction of a second and then straining to pull itself up and gain some height before repeating the process again. Occasionally it would go down and after following it and watching it do this a few times I was ready. The next time it went down I leant in and there was my first photo of 2019 of a Meadow Brown. I managed to follow it a little bit more and get a slightly less cluttered but more distant shot and then I was distracted again.
Now it was because of an unusually shaped butterfly that was up in the trees. It looked like it was trailing a damaged wing but when I stepped a little closer to where it was perched I realised that it was a pair in cop – my first every Specklies at it! They seemed quite shy and after a few shots they vacated their low storey couples retreat and retired to their love-nest higher up in the canopy. Another Specklie landed before me on its own and then I took the final few steps back to ‘camp’ and enjoyed another lovely cuppa coffee.
We started back and made our way up the side of the Down proper and along the small paths on the middle section. On the way there was a female Common Blue and over the stile a Meadow Brown, Blue and Grizzlie all played hard to get so we carried on down the small path, hemmed in on one side by the scrubby wood and on the other by the large Bramble bushes. I had a few moments to spare in the Orchid Meadow and came across the a slightly more worn Grizzlie, Brown Argus, Common Blue and finally the butterfly I was hoping to see here at this time of year – a Large Skipper. It was a brilliant, bright male actively feeding up to keep his fuel supply topped up. It was time to go and as we walked and then drove back home all the yellow signs were gone and the roads open. A very pleasant picnic.
Big Trip 02-05-2019
This was going to be the first Big Trip of the year. So very early on Sunday I set off for Chez Philzoid, managing to shave 14 minutes off Sheila the SATNAVs estimated arrival time by getting to the speed limits as quickly as possible and sticking to them for as long as possible. The fact the Iron Maiden Killers was a blaring also helped I’m sure. After a quick car change at Philzoid’s we were off again heading towards Wrecclesham. As we got out of the car Dave pulled up and so we three set off across the cricket pitch looking for Narnia. The directions from Maximus and Ernie were spot on and after finding our way through the hedge we were on site. As we stood in the Eastern corner, milling about and trying to work out where to head a Glanville flew past and landed just ahead of us. Brilliant! It was swiftly joined by a jovial gent who it turned out was Ernie.
After this a second joined it and we set to following them about, calling with information about what they were doing and whether they were the first of second. A third appeared and so there we ended splitting up for a bit what with having one Glanville each. The one I was following flew into a little clearing amid some Gorse bushes and scrub. It landed in a few places in then finally settled. I waited and watched with bated breath as it started winching its wings up, ever so slightly as if it wasn’t really sure. Eventually though the wings were fully raised and there before me was possibly my best ever chance for an underwing shot for this species.
With this in the bag we strolled further along the track noting a few more Glanvilles some of which were immaculate and must only be a day or possibly even less emerged. I loved the contrast between the dark marmalade and black markings with the blinding white fringes. This was even more noticeably when contrasting against some of the very swarthy individuals that were around. All told the first little section along the path held possibly 7 Glannies. The events of the morning were starting to blur due to the delights of the Glannies.
Dave and I strolled and watched and set out to see what else there was to see. To be honest excepting the Glanvilles there wasn’t much else. There were a few Common Blues, a single Brown Argus and a Mother Shipton. So we ended up back in the first corner of the site where there were now a few more visitors and the morning now took on a bit of a party atmosphere. I managed to get my stained glass shot and then somehow Philzoid and I tore ourselves away from thrall of the Glanville and found our way back through the wardrobe/hedge. Next stop Botany Bay where, in the form of Wood Whites, we would enjoy less showy and more subtle beauty…
After this a second joined it and we set to following them about, calling with information about what they were doing and whether they were the first of second. A third appeared and so there we ended splitting up for a bit what with having one Glanville each. The one I was following flew into a little clearing amid some Gorse bushes and scrub. It landed in a few places in then finally settled. I waited and watched with bated breath as it started winching its wings up, ever so slightly as if it wasn’t really sure. Eventually though the wings were fully raised and there before me was possibly my best ever chance for an underwing shot for this species.
With this in the bag we strolled further along the track noting a few more Glanvilles some of which were immaculate and must only be a day or possibly even less emerged. I loved the contrast between the dark marmalade and black markings with the blinding white fringes. This was even more noticeably when contrasting against some of the very swarthy individuals that were around. All told the first little section along the path held possibly 7 Glannies. The events of the morning were starting to blur due to the delights of the Glannies.
Dave and I strolled and watched and set out to see what else there was to see. To be honest excepting the Glanvilles there wasn’t much else. There were a few Common Blues, a single Brown Argus and a Mother Shipton. So we ended up back in the first corner of the site where there were now a few more visitors and the morning now took on a bit of a party atmosphere. I managed to get my stained glass shot and then somehow Philzoid and I tore ourselves away from thrall of the Glanville and found our way back through the wardrobe/hedge. Next stop Botany Bay where, in the form of Wood Whites, we would enjoy less showy and more subtle beauty…
Big Trip Part 2 02-05-2019
The cross country drive was great and before we knew it we were pulling up in the car park/lay by at Botany Bay. We quickly set off and started down the hardcore path. On my previous visits the Wood Whites didn’t show until after the little bridge crossed the roaring torrent that is the River Lox. We’d been walking for about 15 seconds and were still on the first straight bit of the track when we saw a small and dainty white butterfly making its way towards us. Both Philzoid and I wondered if it was a small Green-veined White and shock our heads in disbelief when it got close enough to identify – it was a Wood White.
After the first bend in the path we came across another two which seemed intent on chasing each other about – it was probably the slowest chase in the butterfly world, more a dawdle to be frank. There were a few Specklies here and also a quite unusual moth. As we approached the Lox a couple more showed up and then they turned up with such regularity that I gave up trying to count. At one point I looked up one side of the path and the verge held 7 all slowly flapping about. It was a great sight to behold and worth the early morning and also dragging myself away from the Glannies. As we carried on along the path we’d stop occasionally for a few more shots particularly the face-off courting behaviour. I’d seen it before and read about it recently in other people’s diaries but to see the same strange act played out time and again was quite surreal. It has to rank as one of the most civil and tender of courtships. I’d recently seen Pearls and Marshies court – well if you can call it courting it’s more ‘wham bang’ as well as failed attempts by Brimstones which just made the unsuccessful male look like a pathetic loser but here it felt like I was watching an intimate tete-a-tete, a candle lit seduction over a fine dinner with excellent wines.
We carried on along the track hearing Woodlark and Nightengales and seeing small moths, Brimstones, more Wood Whites and Longicornis bees and then we broke through into the small triangle field and started looking around. It was now that we started seeing a few other bits and bobs in amongst the Wood Whites. There were a few moths – Burnet Companion, Mother Shipton, a couple of Common blues and a Large Skipper. A Small Heath also turned up and in between following the Wood Whites we also came across a couple of different types of Dragonfly – one had the look of a Hawker and another paused long enough for a few shots – an immature Scarce Chaser.
Chuffed we started the slow walk back to the car still accompanied by Wood Whites at almost every step of the way as well as the occasional Brimstone and Specklie. The Wood Whites were starting to bet a bit hard work now as they would fly ceaselessly, always looking as if they were going to land but never actually doing so. As we crossed back over the Lox they thinned out until we saw what I thought would be our last on just before the final bend in the track.
When we came round the corner a Red Admiral bombed past us and settled down on the track. A nearby Hoverfly annoyed it and it took off, flew past us, flew back towards us and then landed down on the side of the path. It then started walking about, proboscis waving and looking for some salts. Not much longer and its larger and much sought after cousin will be flying in these woods – get yer Tuna ready!
As we ate lunch and flicked Ticks off, drank our coffee and packed the car a sole Wood White flew ceaselessly at the edge of car park. Seemingly sensing that we were departing it carried on across the road hopefully spreading to more areas of the wood. A fantastic Big Trip!
After the first bend in the path we came across another two which seemed intent on chasing each other about – it was probably the slowest chase in the butterfly world, more a dawdle to be frank. There were a few Specklies here and also a quite unusual moth. As we approached the Lox a couple more showed up and then they turned up with such regularity that I gave up trying to count. At one point I looked up one side of the path and the verge held 7 all slowly flapping about. It was a great sight to behold and worth the early morning and also dragging myself away from the Glannies. As we carried on along the path we’d stop occasionally for a few more shots particularly the face-off courting behaviour. I’d seen it before and read about it recently in other people’s diaries but to see the same strange act played out time and again was quite surreal. It has to rank as one of the most civil and tender of courtships. I’d recently seen Pearls and Marshies court – well if you can call it courting it’s more ‘wham bang’ as well as failed attempts by Brimstones which just made the unsuccessful male look like a pathetic loser but here it felt like I was watching an intimate tete-a-tete, a candle lit seduction over a fine dinner with excellent wines.
We carried on along the track hearing Woodlark and Nightengales and seeing small moths, Brimstones, more Wood Whites and Longicornis bees and then we broke through into the small triangle field and started looking around. It was now that we started seeing a few other bits and bobs in amongst the Wood Whites. There were a few moths – Burnet Companion, Mother Shipton, a couple of Common blues and a Large Skipper. A Small Heath also turned up and in between following the Wood Whites we also came across a couple of different types of Dragonfly – one had the look of a Hawker and another paused long enough for a few shots – an immature Scarce Chaser.
Chuffed we started the slow walk back to the car still accompanied by Wood Whites at almost every step of the way as well as the occasional Brimstone and Specklie. The Wood Whites were starting to bet a bit hard work now as they would fly ceaselessly, always looking as if they were going to land but never actually doing so. As we crossed back over the Lox they thinned out until we saw what I thought would be our last on just before the final bend in the track.
When we came round the corner a Red Admiral bombed past us and settled down on the track. A nearby Hoverfly annoyed it and it took off, flew past us, flew back towards us and then landed down on the side of the path. It then started walking about, proboscis waving and looking for some salts. Not much longer and its larger and much sought after cousin will be flying in these woods – get yer Tuna ready!
As we ate lunch and flicked Ticks off, drank our coffee and packed the car a sole Wood White flew ceaselessly at the edge of car park. Seemingly sensing that we were departing it carried on across the road hopefully spreading to more areas of the wood. A fantastic Big Trip!
Lulworth Cove 01-06-2019
With an upturn in the weather I was keen to get out and see some butterflies but with a big trip on the cards for the following day I didn’t fancy pushing my luck. However fate stepped in and as the vernacular of ‘youff’ goes; “Did me a solid”. My wife wanted to take advantage of the sun and go to the beach. So we were off to Lulworth. I was heading ‘back home’ and even better a sneaky check on the Dorset branch website had revealed that a small local denizen was flying. The start of the morning took the usual fashion; walking amongst the Grockles, choosing left or right and then finding the sandiest spot. As we’d taken out time setting out and driving down by the time ‘basecamp’ was prepared we were ready for lunch.
Having previously turned right and with lunch eaten I was now at liberty to investigate my favoured hotspot of old. So I was up the gully/collapsing path as fast as a Whippet. I’d only just reached the first ‘step’ when a tiny golden blur shot across the path and buried itself in the low growing yellow flowers. It was a Lulworth Skipper and with a couple of record shots on the memory card the job was done. I carried on up the track and checked the reed filled depression on the right of the track. Along the edges 2 Dingies had a scrap as did 2 male Common Blues but nestled down deeper in the reeds were another couple of Lulworths showing well and looking anything but drab.
Further up another Dingy added itself to the tally as did a further three Lulworths. They were a joy to watch, tinier than I remembered and because they were fresh much, much tidier. As I was enjoying the Lulworths buzzing this way and that something caught my eye. It seemed out of place in the flower heads, the wrong shape, colour and pattern. It took me a moment but then I realised it was the wing tip of a Painted Lady. It took off and I followed it, scrabbling, to the top of the cliff. I was worried that despite keeping a close eye on it, it would suddenly change gear and bomb away out of sight when it reached the top. Luckily it went down on to the deck and stayed still long enough for me to get my first shots of 2019 and also guess that it was freshly arrived from the continent.
I carried on round criss-crossing and traversing the cliff face along the trackways adding Lulworths each time I came to a patch of the yellow flowers. There was also another fresher looking Dingy. Back at my starting point the same group of species put on a show although there was a nice addition with a really fresh female, her crescent moons reflected the sun almost as effectively as Luna herself.
It was then back to Basecamp and I had to keep watch of the valuables so the girls (all three of them) could go off exploring. It was a hard job; sitting in the sun with the sound of waves breaking on the beach, cup of coffee at hand and reliving/remembering past butterfly trips as I scribbled away in my notebook. A pair of Dragonflies looked out of place as they quartered the small islands which the low tide had revealed. Before I knew it the girls were back and I had to take Little L for a toilet run. While I waited for her to negotiate the queue that is a feature of the Ladies I checked the little area of scrub but it didn’t produce anything. We were heading back when I spotted a Red Admiral behaving oddly. It was fluttering weakly around the sparsest of flowers that were somehow growing through a brick wall and concrete path combo. It would land face on, wings open and then curve its abdomen round and up. I manged a few shots before the spectacle was ruined by a passing family who were encouraging their little lad to catch the Red Admiral. Luckily it evaded them but unluckily it was gone. I checked one of the leaves it had been making a fuss over and there was a delicate fresh ova.
After a bit more beach activity I was off or round 2 so I was able to see the same species again and add a Brown Argus to the list. After I got back we packed up and made our way over to Stairhole. To get there we ascended the cliff using my hotspot path and the same two males were still on the right in the reedy depression and further up there were another 2, a male and female. The male tried his luck, bending his abdomen around in a flurry of wings. Unfortunately for us both his advances were rejected and the female climbed stoically up the grass stem and then took to the air when she reached the top.
Over at Stairhole a Wall shot past us and a Common Blue followed us as we scrambled down to the beach. While the girls played with Tess, a puppy that had befriended us, I went up the slope at the other end of the beach. In an around the yellow flowers I counted a single Common blue female, 2 Dingies and at least 4 Lulworths. There were probably more but a more accurate count was unattainable as by now the little blighters were very hyperactive whizzing around all over the place and only stopping for a few seconds at a time. A larger, slower flying butterfly appeared and I clambered over to it finding it to be a female Large Skipper, my first definite of the season and unusually a female.
I made my way back down to the beach and did some rock-pooling showing the girls various molluscs and seaweeds, then we gazed for a while at the Lulworth Crumple before enjoying another coffee in the sun. We left by the slope that I’d previously investigated and I managed a few shots while people stopped every now and again; Common Blue, a male Large Skipper, but before I could contemplate going after any more Lulworths we were off away home. Still I’ll be back I’m sure. A cracking ‘trip to the beach’…
Having previously turned right and with lunch eaten I was now at liberty to investigate my favoured hotspot of old. So I was up the gully/collapsing path as fast as a Whippet. I’d only just reached the first ‘step’ when a tiny golden blur shot across the path and buried itself in the low growing yellow flowers. It was a Lulworth Skipper and with a couple of record shots on the memory card the job was done. I carried on up the track and checked the reed filled depression on the right of the track. Along the edges 2 Dingies had a scrap as did 2 male Common Blues but nestled down deeper in the reeds were another couple of Lulworths showing well and looking anything but drab.
Further up another Dingy added itself to the tally as did a further three Lulworths. They were a joy to watch, tinier than I remembered and because they were fresh much, much tidier. As I was enjoying the Lulworths buzzing this way and that something caught my eye. It seemed out of place in the flower heads, the wrong shape, colour and pattern. It took me a moment but then I realised it was the wing tip of a Painted Lady. It took off and I followed it, scrabbling, to the top of the cliff. I was worried that despite keeping a close eye on it, it would suddenly change gear and bomb away out of sight when it reached the top. Luckily it went down on to the deck and stayed still long enough for me to get my first shots of 2019 and also guess that it was freshly arrived from the continent.
I carried on round criss-crossing and traversing the cliff face along the trackways adding Lulworths each time I came to a patch of the yellow flowers. There was also another fresher looking Dingy. Back at my starting point the same group of species put on a show although there was a nice addition with a really fresh female, her crescent moons reflected the sun almost as effectively as Luna herself.
It was then back to Basecamp and I had to keep watch of the valuables so the girls (all three of them) could go off exploring. It was a hard job; sitting in the sun with the sound of waves breaking on the beach, cup of coffee at hand and reliving/remembering past butterfly trips as I scribbled away in my notebook. A pair of Dragonflies looked out of place as they quartered the small islands which the low tide had revealed. Before I knew it the girls were back and I had to take Little L for a toilet run. While I waited for her to negotiate the queue that is a feature of the Ladies I checked the little area of scrub but it didn’t produce anything. We were heading back when I spotted a Red Admiral behaving oddly. It was fluttering weakly around the sparsest of flowers that were somehow growing through a brick wall and concrete path combo. It would land face on, wings open and then curve its abdomen round and up. I manged a few shots before the spectacle was ruined by a passing family who were encouraging their little lad to catch the Red Admiral. Luckily it evaded them but unluckily it was gone. I checked one of the leaves it had been making a fuss over and there was a delicate fresh ova.
After a bit more beach activity I was off or round 2 so I was able to see the same species again and add a Brown Argus to the list. After I got back we packed up and made our way over to Stairhole. To get there we ascended the cliff using my hotspot path and the same two males were still on the right in the reedy depression and further up there were another 2, a male and female. The male tried his luck, bending his abdomen around in a flurry of wings. Unfortunately for us both his advances were rejected and the female climbed stoically up the grass stem and then took to the air when she reached the top.
Over at Stairhole a Wall shot past us and a Common Blue followed us as we scrambled down to the beach. While the girls played with Tess, a puppy that had befriended us, I went up the slope at the other end of the beach. In an around the yellow flowers I counted a single Common blue female, 2 Dingies and at least 4 Lulworths. There were probably more but a more accurate count was unattainable as by now the little blighters were very hyperactive whizzing around all over the place and only stopping for a few seconds at a time. A larger, slower flying butterfly appeared and I clambered over to it finding it to be a female Large Skipper, my first definite of the season and unusually a female.
I made my way back down to the beach and did some rock-pooling showing the girls various molluscs and seaweeds, then we gazed for a while at the Lulworth Crumple before enjoying another coffee in the sun. We left by the slope that I’d previously investigated and I managed a few shots while people stopped every now and again; Common Blue, a male Large Skipper, but before I could contemplate going after any more Lulworths we were off away home. Still I’ll be back I’m sure. A cracking ‘trip to the beach’…
Bentley Wood 31-05-2019
The last day of Spring and tomorrow Summer; not that you would have known that from the weather. I set out under grey skies with moisture in the still air and feeling more comfortable in my Hoodie than without. “Hopefully…” I thought “...I might be able to find some of them roosting or some flying if the sun actually breaks through for a few minutes?” Them being Small Pearls as I wasn’t happy with my under side shots from my last visit. To be honest I shouldn’t have even been setting out. Today was supposed to be a day of chores and errands. I was also supposed to be on Kid Duty. However yesterday I’d managed to get the lime plaster touch up jobs done and reshuffled things so I would be able to take the girls to Bentley and meet Philzoid. Then when I came downstairs the girls had decided that they wanted to go swimming (the joys of having a daughter old enough to babysit!) so I set off on my own. As I drove the sky brightened and there were even patches of blue sky…
From the carpark I dove straight into the Clearing mainly hanging around in the middle area where the rushy grass grows. Straight away I got onto a Small Pearl, a delightfully ginger male. It was swiftly followed by a Common Blue. Chuffed I carried on down to the bottom area and managed to find the Duke that is holding a territory in the corner closest to the road.
By now the sun was disappearing for longer and longer spells so the butterflying became a little more stop-start following the lead of the passing clouds. I found another Small Pearl – this time a female and followed her around for a bit as she bimbled form flower to flower, nectar source to nectar source until she finally gave in, perched and refused to come out. Luckily I’d seen where she landed and so as the sky darkened further and a few spots of rain started to fall she was shut up and locked into place. By lying down I could get level with her but unfortunately she’d chosen the flimsiest of plants to perch on and so the slightest of breezes set her off like a toddler on a rocking horse! I found a few twigs and tried to sue these to support the weedy weed and this did work reasonably well. So Small Pearl read on a plate I just needed Philzoid to arrive now…
I took another walk around discovering a third Small Pearl and a tired and worn Pearl and after catching up with the Duke (still in the same place) I followed a Small Pearl (either the first or the third) during the briefest of returns by the sun. It didn’t fly far and as the sun hid away again it landed and closed its wings in an even more photogenic pose. I found a few twigs to make into a cross to mark where it was and set off back to check the female was still there. As I did I happened to glance behind me and the male I’d just marked flew for about a metre along the path before finally realising that the conditions weren’t quite right for flight when it dropped onto a Bracken frond. I marked it and carried on round finding a Straw Dot and a Cream Wave at the top part of the Clearing near the entrance. I marked these as well in readiness for Philzoids arrival. I then made my way back to the female and settled down with my Extra Hot Lime Chilli Pickle sandwiches and a coffee. Occasionally I’d take a few shots of the female just to make sure that there was definitely a good one in there and also to help pass the time and I also kept an eye on the male as the sun was starting eat away at the thickest part of the cloud.
When Philzoid arrived I quickly got him onto the female and then to the male. Butterfly Imperative met we then carried on looking around to see what else we could find an with the continued brightening things started appearing - another Small Pearl and a lovely male Common Blue before Philzid found a really fresh Marshie, a gravid female from the look of the abdomen. She was a beauty, one of the lighter more chocolate and cream/yellow variety and not as dark and orange as those I’d seen at the Hill. The Common Blue distracted us again and was soon joined by a Small Pearl and we finished off the little sojourn by looking for the Duke which was still in the same place.
We then too to strolling further afield and making over to the Bracken lined path and the newly cleared area which had been so good for Pearls. All was quiet and despite a few moths there was very little activity. As we strolled we talked about this and that and our meandering eventually brought us back to the central area of the Clearing. By now the sun was making a return and o the butterflies were getting more and more active. The Small Pearls were getting harder to follow in flight and they were moving at a noticeably higher rate of knots. The number of Common Blues doubled and a Mother Shipton put in an appearance, for once not hanging about down at the lowest level of the turf but instead happy to show off its wonderful visage markings.828
I was getting close to leaving time when a tiny orangey ‘Moff’ erupted from the grass. It landed and I had it pegged as a Burnet Companion Moth which we’d already seen a few of. But when it landed on the path and tilted its wings towards the sun I could see that it was a Small Heath. I can’t recall seeing one of those here before and so is yet another species to add to the burgeoning Clearing List.
After this I had to bid Philzoid farewell and started back. I’d left with enough time so I’d be there to pick the girls up from the pool with about 10 minutes to spare. However due to the joys of the Southampton Road, the new set of traffic lights on the ‘back route’ and another selfish driver stopping people getting off the bridge at Laverstock I actually got to the pool 10 minutes late!
Later on my wife and I visited Garston Wood. The sun had arrived and we strolled through the dappled wood enjoying the birdsong and feeling the suns warmth. It was lush and I almost forgot about butterflies. I say almost as Specklies would appear at junctions on the paths or in the small scallop clearings caused by a larger tree having fallen. I also saw another Large White. This one let me approach and I got some nice close shots as he opened up his wings. There is something mightily pleasing about the contrasting black edges and tips against the crisp, pure white of the wings.
All in all a brilliant day made even sweeter as it was all very spontaneous.
From the carpark I dove straight into the Clearing mainly hanging around in the middle area where the rushy grass grows. Straight away I got onto a Small Pearl, a delightfully ginger male. It was swiftly followed by a Common Blue. Chuffed I carried on down to the bottom area and managed to find the Duke that is holding a territory in the corner closest to the road.
By now the sun was disappearing for longer and longer spells so the butterflying became a little more stop-start following the lead of the passing clouds. I found another Small Pearl – this time a female and followed her around for a bit as she bimbled form flower to flower, nectar source to nectar source until she finally gave in, perched and refused to come out. Luckily I’d seen where she landed and so as the sky darkened further and a few spots of rain started to fall she was shut up and locked into place. By lying down I could get level with her but unfortunately she’d chosen the flimsiest of plants to perch on and so the slightest of breezes set her off like a toddler on a rocking horse! I found a few twigs and tried to sue these to support the weedy weed and this did work reasonably well. So Small Pearl read on a plate I just needed Philzoid to arrive now…
I took another walk around discovering a third Small Pearl and a tired and worn Pearl and after catching up with the Duke (still in the same place) I followed a Small Pearl (either the first or the third) during the briefest of returns by the sun. It didn’t fly far and as the sun hid away again it landed and closed its wings in an even more photogenic pose. I found a few twigs to make into a cross to mark where it was and set off back to check the female was still there. As I did I happened to glance behind me and the male I’d just marked flew for about a metre along the path before finally realising that the conditions weren’t quite right for flight when it dropped onto a Bracken frond. I marked it and carried on round finding a Straw Dot and a Cream Wave at the top part of the Clearing near the entrance. I marked these as well in readiness for Philzoids arrival. I then made my way back to the female and settled down with my Extra Hot Lime Chilli Pickle sandwiches and a coffee. Occasionally I’d take a few shots of the female just to make sure that there was definitely a good one in there and also to help pass the time and I also kept an eye on the male as the sun was starting eat away at the thickest part of the cloud.
When Philzoid arrived I quickly got him onto the female and then to the male. Butterfly Imperative met we then carried on looking around to see what else we could find an with the continued brightening things started appearing - another Small Pearl and a lovely male Common Blue before Philzid found a really fresh Marshie, a gravid female from the look of the abdomen. She was a beauty, one of the lighter more chocolate and cream/yellow variety and not as dark and orange as those I’d seen at the Hill. The Common Blue distracted us again and was soon joined by a Small Pearl and we finished off the little sojourn by looking for the Duke which was still in the same place.
We then too to strolling further afield and making over to the Bracken lined path and the newly cleared area which had been so good for Pearls. All was quiet and despite a few moths there was very little activity. As we strolled we talked about this and that and our meandering eventually brought us back to the central area of the Clearing. By now the sun was making a return and o the butterflies were getting more and more active. The Small Pearls were getting harder to follow in flight and they were moving at a noticeably higher rate of knots. The number of Common Blues doubled and a Mother Shipton put in an appearance, for once not hanging about down at the lowest level of the turf but instead happy to show off its wonderful visage markings.828
I was getting close to leaving time when a tiny orangey ‘Moff’ erupted from the grass. It landed and I had it pegged as a Burnet Companion Moth which we’d already seen a few of. But when it landed on the path and tilted its wings towards the sun I could see that it was a Small Heath. I can’t recall seeing one of those here before and so is yet another species to add to the burgeoning Clearing List.
After this I had to bid Philzoid farewell and started back. I’d left with enough time so I’d be there to pick the girls up from the pool with about 10 minutes to spare. However due to the joys of the Southampton Road, the new set of traffic lights on the ‘back route’ and another selfish driver stopping people getting off the bridge at Laverstock I actually got to the pool 10 minutes late!
Later on my wife and I visited Garston Wood. The sun had arrived and we strolled through the dappled wood enjoying the birdsong and feeling the suns warmth. It was lush and I almost forgot about butterflies. I say almost as Specklies would appear at junctions on the paths or in the small scallop clearings caused by a larger tree having fallen. I also saw another Large White. This one let me approach and I got some nice close shots as he opened up his wings. There is something mightily pleasing about the contrasting black edges and tips against the crisp, pure white of the wings.
All in all a brilliant day made even sweeter as it was all very spontaneous.
Duke Site 30-05-2019
So all three of the girls were visiting a friend who happens to live on the route to my Duke site. Would I mind dropping them off and picking them up two hours later? Ex-squeeze me? Baking powder? Well I might be able to fit it in…
So I had just over two hours to get to my Duke Site, have a look round and get back. I was only 20 minutes away according to Sheila my SATNAV so I reckoned that by accelerating to the speed limit as quickly as possible I could shave a few minutes off and then I’d have 1 hr 20, plenty of time for a mooch around my Duke site. However I didn’t bank on Mr Slow who insisted on driving at between 5 and 10 mph below the speed limit…When I eventually got onto site I’d lost an extra 10 minutes due to Mr Slow farting about.
Mind you I didn’t mind as when I got out of the car there were Common and Adonis Blues everywhere. I strolled across the springy turf they would erupt from my footfalls vertically like little Harrier jets, then the wind would catch them and they were gone from view. I managed to get my eye in so that I could easily make out the males and the almost black butterflies were female Adonis whilst the more Royal Blue or browny coloured were female Commons. Then there were the grey little blurs (Grizzlie), orange flappy things (Small Heath) and silver bullets (Brown Argus). The most obvious though were the miniscule slate coloured ones that were located at the bottom of the springy turf slope in among the tussocky grass (Small Blue). After spending a while just watching and breathing it all in I set about trying for a few shots. I managed somehow to find a couple of unusual looking Blues amid the multitudes. The first was a female Adonis which only had the faintest of white spots on the underside and the other was a strikingly marked Brown Argus (no cell spot).
After spending a while here I set off across the site towards the Cypresses. On the way there were more Blues and butterflies pretty much crawling over all of the site. Anywhere there was a showing of yellow flowers there were butterflies and 5/6 spot Burnett Moths. It was a joyous sight to behold. A little further along the main track a couple of Small Coppers played in the long grasses near Copper Corner and I located a Brown Argus with white rings around the disc spot. A Marsh Fritillary, still looking reasonable flew across the path and enticed me to follow it. It added a little bit of variation to the Lycaenid fest! Things did get back to normal though with a faded, two tone Greenstreak in a similar spot to where I found the pair of Grizzlies on my last visit.
On up the track Forester Moths were very abundant and there was the occasional Brown Argus or Dingy Skipper as well as a really fresh Greenstreak. As I reached the Duke spot there was a/the Duke waiting for me – looking very faded and a pale reflection of its former glory. It didn’t want to stop for any photos, fluttering from flower top to flower top before disappearing up high and settling out of reach and sight in a tree. Perhaps it felt embarrassed by its unkempt state?
On up the hill and carrying on up the little valley the Common Blues were replaced by Brown Argus as the main butterfly. A Wall did a fly by as I clambered over the stile. I had half a mind to reverse and see if I could follow it but I thought that I would try and locate the one that had been holding a territory here last time. So I finished getting over the stile and worked up the hill. At the top a medium sized dark butterfly took off from just ahead of me. It was a rich chocolate brown uni-coloured butterfly. It was my first Meadow Brown of the year but as I tried to keep it in sight I didn’t look where I was treading and went straight down into a hollow jarring my back and jolting my knee backwards. After a few moments of shock I realized that I was actually okay and so carried on – there will be plenty more Meadow Browns I’m sure.
At the cross-tracks where the Wall had been holding territory all was quiet and so I worked along the hillside and then back along the path. For the briefest of moments I thought that I’d found one basking but then the sun broke through the trees and the butterfly stayed down on the deck and also a dark brown colour. It was one of three Specklies that followed me along the path, jostling each other this way and that.
I realized that my time was running out so after a quick check in at the Duke spot (no luck) I hightailed back to the car noting another Small Copper and a scattering of Common Blues on the way. Luckily Mr Slow wasn’t making the return journey at the same time as me and so I got back to do the pick-up in good time.
So I had just over two hours to get to my Duke Site, have a look round and get back. I was only 20 minutes away according to Sheila my SATNAV so I reckoned that by accelerating to the speed limit as quickly as possible I could shave a few minutes off and then I’d have 1 hr 20, plenty of time for a mooch around my Duke site. However I didn’t bank on Mr Slow who insisted on driving at between 5 and 10 mph below the speed limit…When I eventually got onto site I’d lost an extra 10 minutes due to Mr Slow farting about.
Mind you I didn’t mind as when I got out of the car there were Common and Adonis Blues everywhere. I strolled across the springy turf they would erupt from my footfalls vertically like little Harrier jets, then the wind would catch them and they were gone from view. I managed to get my eye in so that I could easily make out the males and the almost black butterflies were female Adonis whilst the more Royal Blue or browny coloured were female Commons. Then there were the grey little blurs (Grizzlie), orange flappy things (Small Heath) and silver bullets (Brown Argus). The most obvious though were the miniscule slate coloured ones that were located at the bottom of the springy turf slope in among the tussocky grass (Small Blue). After spending a while just watching and breathing it all in I set about trying for a few shots. I managed somehow to find a couple of unusual looking Blues amid the multitudes. The first was a female Adonis which only had the faintest of white spots on the underside and the other was a strikingly marked Brown Argus (no cell spot).
After spending a while here I set off across the site towards the Cypresses. On the way there were more Blues and butterflies pretty much crawling over all of the site. Anywhere there was a showing of yellow flowers there were butterflies and 5/6 spot Burnett Moths. It was a joyous sight to behold. A little further along the main track a couple of Small Coppers played in the long grasses near Copper Corner and I located a Brown Argus with white rings around the disc spot. A Marsh Fritillary, still looking reasonable flew across the path and enticed me to follow it. It added a little bit of variation to the Lycaenid fest! Things did get back to normal though with a faded, two tone Greenstreak in a similar spot to where I found the pair of Grizzlies on my last visit.
On up the track Forester Moths were very abundant and there was the occasional Brown Argus or Dingy Skipper as well as a really fresh Greenstreak. As I reached the Duke spot there was a/the Duke waiting for me – looking very faded and a pale reflection of its former glory. It didn’t want to stop for any photos, fluttering from flower top to flower top before disappearing up high and settling out of reach and sight in a tree. Perhaps it felt embarrassed by its unkempt state?
On up the hill and carrying on up the little valley the Common Blues were replaced by Brown Argus as the main butterfly. A Wall did a fly by as I clambered over the stile. I had half a mind to reverse and see if I could follow it but I thought that I would try and locate the one that had been holding a territory here last time. So I finished getting over the stile and worked up the hill. At the top a medium sized dark butterfly took off from just ahead of me. It was a rich chocolate brown uni-coloured butterfly. It was my first Meadow Brown of the year but as I tried to keep it in sight I didn’t look where I was treading and went straight down into a hollow jarring my back and jolting my knee backwards. After a few moments of shock I realized that I was actually okay and so carried on – there will be plenty more Meadow Browns I’m sure.
At the cross-tracks where the Wall had been holding territory all was quiet and so I worked along the hillside and then back along the path. For the briefest of moments I thought that I’d found one basking but then the sun broke through the trees and the butterfly stayed down on the deck and also a dark brown colour. It was one of three Specklies that followed me along the path, jostling each other this way and that.
I realized that my time was running out so after a quick check in at the Duke spot (no luck) I hightailed back to the car noting another Small Copper and a scattering of Common Blues on the way. Luckily Mr Slow wasn’t making the return journey at the same time as me and so I got back to do the pick-up in good time.
Kingston Lacey 27-05-2019
Another reasonable Bank Holiday Monday weather wise? What’s going on – is this Climate Change in action – I didn’t realise that the largest negative impact was to freak me right out! So to make the most of it and in preparation or K’s upcoming Birthday we made a family visit to Kingston Lacey along with my folks.
It being still early here for Common Blues and Meadow Browns I wasn’t surprised by the dearth of butterflies. In fact if it wasn’t for a cracking Red Admiral that showed itself half way along the Woodland trail I mightn’t have even done a report from today. As it was the Red Admiral put on a great show; slowly fluttering about low down on the first growth from recently coppiced/ cut back shrub. It showed well eventually clambering over a cut stock.
This butterfly unfortunately wasn’t the first of many. Over in the Kitchen gardens and allotments which have now been decimated a lonely Small White flew through quickly looking for somewhere hospitable. A further 2 Small Whites in the Pacific Garden completed the tally for the day. So it was almost a case of nothing to write home about but butterflying can be like this sometimes; one thing that is always great is spending time with the family.
Bentley Wood 25-05-2019
So with the Pearls well under way, the Marshies almost 3 weeks into their flight and Dukes almost over I reckoned that the Small Pearls should surely be out? I checked in with the Oracle who pronounced that indeed I’d be adding another species to the Yearly Tally. A quick check on UKB added a further affirmative. It being Saturday I had a few jobs to do but with them done and dusted I was away; Iron Maiden on and the sun shining…which was a bit of a concern. If the sun carried on shining so then getting underside shots could pose a problem.
When I made it down into the EC I wandered into the middle of the site and there flying fast was a dark ginger Small Pearl, ace! It was really easy to differentiate between the Small and the Pearls which by now were faded to a pale marmalade colour. They also flew with a slower, less direct flight than the recently emerged Small which was full of vim and vigour searching lustfully for females. After a bit of meandering along the narrow trackways in this middle section I found another small Pearl and before I knew it I was through the break in the stand of trees into the bottom tussocky section.
Once here and ensconced by the surrounding trees I felt strangely calm after the frenetic antics of the butterflies in the main part of the clearing. I dawdled more and listened intently to the Tree Pipits and various warblers singing. In the far corner a tired Duke held a territory. He was still able to flit out and chase off anything that came within eyeshot. This included the occasional Pearl or Brimstone and then a third Small Pearl. This one settled on the Bracken allowing me to get some shots in between watching the Duke.
I then wandered back into the relative chaos of the main part of the clearing. There were more people here by now and so I chatted now and again whilst various butterflies buzzed around us including two Small Coppers – a smaller and more addition to the larger and varying shades of the colour offered by the Pearls and Smalls.
My meandering took me back to the tussocky corner. The Duke was still in place occasionally joined by the Small Pearl and on one foray out from this spot I stumbled cross a Bee Hawk Moth. It was really difficult to photograph as it was constantly on the move, stopping for an in-flight fuelling regularly but only for a second or two at a time. When I did manage to be in the correct orientation various blades of grass were in the way. Due to the difficult nature of the subject though I was still pleased to have gotten anything. I was even more chuffed when checking the images back as there were golden hairs splitting the black band up that made this a Narrow Bordered Bee Hawk Moth, and so a lifer.
Chuffed to bits with this I carried on back to the main clearing but the butterflies were solar charged by now, so pumped full of juice that they seemed to fly ceaselessly. Even the tired Pearls were flying all over the place, this way and that, and when they did land it was generally in a forest of grass. I settled with following a Small Pearl, keeping my distance and then nipping in while it refilled its fuel tanks. After a brief view of the Bee Hawk Moth and a few more conversations I made my homewards knackered but happy!
When I made it down into the EC I wandered into the middle of the site and there flying fast was a dark ginger Small Pearl, ace! It was really easy to differentiate between the Small and the Pearls which by now were faded to a pale marmalade colour. They also flew with a slower, less direct flight than the recently emerged Small which was full of vim and vigour searching lustfully for females. After a bit of meandering along the narrow trackways in this middle section I found another small Pearl and before I knew it I was through the break in the stand of trees into the bottom tussocky section.
Once here and ensconced by the surrounding trees I felt strangely calm after the frenetic antics of the butterflies in the main part of the clearing. I dawdled more and listened intently to the Tree Pipits and various warblers singing. In the far corner a tired Duke held a territory. He was still able to flit out and chase off anything that came within eyeshot. This included the occasional Pearl or Brimstone and then a third Small Pearl. This one settled on the Bracken allowing me to get some shots in between watching the Duke.
I then wandered back into the relative chaos of the main part of the clearing. There were more people here by now and so I chatted now and again whilst various butterflies buzzed around us including two Small Coppers – a smaller and more addition to the larger and varying shades of the colour offered by the Pearls and Smalls.
My meandering took me back to the tussocky corner. The Duke was still in place occasionally joined by the Small Pearl and on one foray out from this spot I stumbled cross a Bee Hawk Moth. It was really difficult to photograph as it was constantly on the move, stopping for an in-flight fuelling regularly but only for a second or two at a time. When I did manage to be in the correct orientation various blades of grass were in the way. Due to the difficult nature of the subject though I was still pleased to have gotten anything. I was even more chuffed when checking the images back as there were golden hairs splitting the black band up that made this a Narrow Bordered Bee Hawk Moth, and so a lifer.
Chuffed to bits with this I carried on back to the main clearing but the butterflies were solar charged by now, so pumped full of juice that they seemed to fly ceaselessly. Even the tired Pearls were flying all over the place, this way and that, and when they did land it was generally in a forest of grass. I settled with following a Small Pearl, keeping my distance and then nipping in while it refilled its fuel tanks. After a brief view of the Bee Hawk Moth and a few more conversations I made my homewards knackered but happy!
Duke Site 23-05-2019
A couple of days previously I’d chipped off a quarter of a molar – one of the fringe ‘benefits’ of a healthy diet! It meant a couple of days of trying not to chew on one side of my mouth and now it had been drilled and filled and I couldn’t talk properly as half my face was numb. If I set off back to work by the time I got back I’d have to turn around and come back home again so instead I found myself dribbling and drooling around my Duke Site.
As I strolled from the car I noted the odd Grizzlie and occasional Common Blue in among the Adonis Blues which made up the majority of the butterflies I was seeing. I carried on criss-crossing the sparsely vegetated slope adding Small heath and a few more Grizzlies to break the ‘monotony’ of Adonis until I reached the area of longer tussocks. I was hoping to find some Small Blues here and I wasn’t disappointed with a total of 5 and a Greenstreak to keep me busy.
After this I started up the gradual slope of the main trackway accompanied along the way by Brown Argus and Grizzlies and Dingies galore. They would buzz around attractively at the edge of the track attempting to lure me off the path like miniature sirens. I turned right at the top and as I plodded on a Marshie and Common Blue added a bit of colour to the almost uniform beige of the track and green of the grass. A large odd looking butterfly caught my eye as it was so obvious and slightly out of place on a Bramble leaf. As I approached it resolved itself first into an odd looking large Grizzlie and then into a pair in cop.
Heartened by this but still ‘face dead’ so I couldn’t smile about it, I carried on up the track and then down to the far corner where the Dukes used to dwell. There were more of the same and then in the far corner a Duke! Brilliant! So my Duke Site can now recall its former name, but I still couldn’t smile.
The walk up the Valley and into the base of the rings was reasonably quiet. It felt like Dingies, Grizzlies, Brown Argus and Greenstreaks were the butterflies of the moment as it was these that I mostly saw and no notebook is filled with BA, DS,GS,GH etc. Once in the rings though I started adding more MFs and SHs as both Marshie and Small Heath started appearing more. By the time I’d walked half way round the ring to the North side of the Hillfort I’d found at least 5 more Marshies which isn’t too bad. At the far end of my adventure in the ring I stumbled across a pair of Small Coppers before my attention was diverted by a much larger, faster butterfly – a cracking Wall.
On the walk back I’d stop every now and again for a Small Copper, Greenstreak or a Marshie. A pair of Walls flashed past, not stopping and it was these that led me down the stony track rather than back down the Valley when I finally ventured forth from the rings. There was a little crossroads (or rather crosstracks) just beyond the entrance to the rings nd I watched on the corner A Wall would fly along the edge of the main track, checking out the start of the little paths that branched off and into the wood before carrying on past me, turning round and then recovering its tracks. I watched it do this several times and so positioned myself on the edge of one of the larger ‘branches’ ready. It seemed to work as the Wall landed just long enough for a few shots.
It was all going so well – the Wall kept covering the same ground, completing the same circuit – until a second Wall appeared. They spiralled upwards locked in battle and one shot off and down the hill. The other started quartering the same area but now flew straight across the cross-tracks before turning about and starting a new circuit. This meant a change of position was necessary but there was no ‘hiding place’ and so I could only settle for distant shots when it finally landed.
I was starting to feel my face again by now and there were twinges and throbs starting up so promising myself that I’d return here I made my way back down the hill, past the valley and onwards to the car. A Wall met me half way down, Brown Argus and Common Blues tried to distract me from my course, one pair of blues even starting to copulate as I walked by but seeking Paracetemol I strode home regardless.
As I strolled from the car I noted the odd Grizzlie and occasional Common Blue in among the Adonis Blues which made up the majority of the butterflies I was seeing. I carried on criss-crossing the sparsely vegetated slope adding Small heath and a few more Grizzlies to break the ‘monotony’ of Adonis until I reached the area of longer tussocks. I was hoping to find some Small Blues here and I wasn’t disappointed with a total of 5 and a Greenstreak to keep me busy.
After this I started up the gradual slope of the main trackway accompanied along the way by Brown Argus and Grizzlies and Dingies galore. They would buzz around attractively at the edge of the track attempting to lure me off the path like miniature sirens. I turned right at the top and as I plodded on a Marshie and Common Blue added a bit of colour to the almost uniform beige of the track and green of the grass. A large odd looking butterfly caught my eye as it was so obvious and slightly out of place on a Bramble leaf. As I approached it resolved itself first into an odd looking large Grizzlie and then into a pair in cop.
Heartened by this but still ‘face dead’ so I couldn’t smile about it, I carried on up the track and then down to the far corner where the Dukes used to dwell. There were more of the same and then in the far corner a Duke! Brilliant! So my Duke Site can now recall its former name, but I still couldn’t smile.
The walk up the Valley and into the base of the rings was reasonably quiet. It felt like Dingies, Grizzlies, Brown Argus and Greenstreaks were the butterflies of the moment as it was these that I mostly saw and no notebook is filled with BA, DS,GS,GH etc. Once in the rings though I started adding more MFs and SHs as both Marshie and Small Heath started appearing more. By the time I’d walked half way round the ring to the North side of the Hillfort I’d found at least 5 more Marshies which isn’t too bad. At the far end of my adventure in the ring I stumbled across a pair of Small Coppers before my attention was diverted by a much larger, faster butterfly – a cracking Wall.
On the walk back I’d stop every now and again for a Small Copper, Greenstreak or a Marshie. A pair of Walls flashed past, not stopping and it was these that led me down the stony track rather than back down the Valley when I finally ventured forth from the rings. There was a little crossroads (or rather crosstracks) just beyond the entrance to the rings nd I watched on the corner A Wall would fly along the edge of the main track, checking out the start of the little paths that branched off and into the wood before carrying on past me, turning round and then recovering its tracks. I watched it do this several times and so positioned myself on the edge of one of the larger ‘branches’ ready. It seemed to work as the Wall landed just long enough for a few shots.
It was all going so well – the Wall kept covering the same ground, completing the same circuit – until a second Wall appeared. They spiralled upwards locked in battle and one shot off and down the hill. The other started quartering the same area but now flew straight across the cross-tracks before turning about and starting a new circuit. This meant a change of position was necessary but there was no ‘hiding place’ and so I could only settle for distant shots when it finally landed.
I was starting to feel my face again by now and there were twinges and throbs starting up so promising myself that I’d return here I made my way back down the hill, past the valley and onwards to the car. A Wall met me half way down, Brown Argus and Common Blues tried to distract me from my course, one pair of blues even starting to copulate as I walked by but seeking Paracetemol I strode home regardless.
Cotley Hill 19-05-2019
This was one of those trips that almost didn’t happen. The weather report had been steadily getting worse as the week progressed but in the end it was all set although an early start would be necessary. Come the morning I could see that it might be a case of cloud racing and so I set off with the intention of getting there for just after 9.
The sun was still shining when I got there and so I almost ran up the track bursting forth into the little depression area where I took a moment to get my breath back and readjust my eyes from ‘road’ to ‘butterfly’ mode. Boom! There was a Grizzle and so I set off along the depression. A possible Wall bombed by followed by a much smaller golden blur which reminded me of a Large Skipper. After this it was business as usual with Greenstreaks, Dingies a Brwon Argus and another Grizzlie. I was surprised though that there were no Marshies to greet me so I climbed out of the depression and worked my way round to the Amphitheatre. Things picked up slightly and in amongst the species that I’d already seen I added Small Heath, a couple of Marshies and a late/early Small Tort to the tally.
Scanning round I couldn’t see Dave who was also going to be on site early so I checked my phone. He was on the other side of the Hill with an aberrant Marshie so I made back the way I’d come and cut through the wood which opened out onto the other side of the down. The first little depression held 5 Marshies, 2 Dingies, a Grizzlie and a Greenstreak all in an airspace of 3m X 2m! It appears that the butterflies had decided this side of the Hill was more appropriate to their needs.
I carried on round and met up with Dave though not with the aberrant. We chatted away with the occasional interruptions of ‘little bugger’ as our quarry took off. The whole hillside was bedecked with butterflies a lovely mix of electric blues, chocolate and orange and chequerboards. It was a fantastic sight to see. Having caught up with representatives of pretty much all of the species I’d expected to see I must confess to becoming a little blasé about some of the butterflies. So instead of trying to photograph everything I switched to trying for those that presented themselves directly to me or those that stood out from the crowd. In this way I picked up an aberrant male Adonis and two pairs of Marshies courting unsuccessfully.
To be continued...
The sun was still shining when I got there and so I almost ran up the track bursting forth into the little depression area where I took a moment to get my breath back and readjust my eyes from ‘road’ to ‘butterfly’ mode. Boom! There was a Grizzle and so I set off along the depression. A possible Wall bombed by followed by a much smaller golden blur which reminded me of a Large Skipper. After this it was business as usual with Greenstreaks, Dingies a Brwon Argus and another Grizzlie. I was surprised though that there were no Marshies to greet me so I climbed out of the depression and worked my way round to the Amphitheatre. Things picked up slightly and in amongst the species that I’d already seen I added Small Heath, a couple of Marshies and a late/early Small Tort to the tally.
Scanning round I couldn’t see Dave who was also going to be on site early so I checked my phone. He was on the other side of the Hill with an aberrant Marshie so I made back the way I’d come and cut through the wood which opened out onto the other side of the down. The first little depression held 5 Marshies, 2 Dingies, a Grizzlie and a Greenstreak all in an airspace of 3m X 2m! It appears that the butterflies had decided this side of the Hill was more appropriate to their needs.
I carried on round and met up with Dave though not with the aberrant. We chatted away with the occasional interruptions of ‘little bugger’ as our quarry took off. The whole hillside was bedecked with butterflies a lovely mix of electric blues, chocolate and orange and chequerboards. It was a fantastic sight to see. Having caught up with representatives of pretty much all of the species I’d expected to see I must confess to becoming a little blasé about some of the butterflies. So instead of trying to photograph everything I switched to trying for those that presented themselves directly to me or those that stood out from the crowd. In this way I picked up an aberrant male Adonis and two pairs of Marshies courting unsuccessfully.
To be continued...
Part 2...
The highlight of this technique came when an unusual coloured blue took off from a hidden spot amid the grasses. It didn’t look right - not electric or lilac blue and its flight was all wrong. I followed it and when it landed I could see that it was actually a pair of Small Blues in cop. After some time with this pair we get back to scouring the hillside mooching about, marvelling at the butterflies and adding more and more Greenstreaks, Brown Argus, Adonis and Marshies to a burgeoning tally. Finally I was able to add Common Blue to the list when two males turned up at the foot of the hill. Also nearby was a pair of Marshies in cop – so it seems like at least one male had struck lucky.
Philzoid called up and so we head round to the usual side of the Hill to meet him. As we enter the depression a (definite) Wall Brown bombs along and something much, much smaller and darker takes off to intercept it. It’s a Duke and a really lovely fresh one at that. It’s really dark and in mint condish. Luckily for him Philzoid had joined us so all three of us get out shots. While we’re celebrating this find a second Duke appears as if from nowhere proving once again what a cracking part of the site this little depression is.
On and round we go towards the Amphitheatre yet when we get there I end up almost back where I started as I try to follow a Wall Brown; determined to get a shot. It would fly at a pace, slow and flutter round sinking lower and closer to the ground looking for all intents as if it is about to land and then it suddenly accelerates away leaving me curing and trailing in its wake. Muttering many an expletive I re-join the others and we carry on and round the bottom of the Hill looking into all the scrapes and slips although they aren’t as productive as in previous years. On the way we encounter another Wall, a Small Tort and a Small Blue all of which stand out amongst the usual fare.
By now it’s clouded over and the threat of sunburn has diminished to be replaced by the treat of a soaking so we wander back, still clicking away and chatting. With impeccable timing we arrive back at the cars just as the clouds start to leak. Dave heads off and Philzoid and I share a coffee in the rain reliving a fantastic morning before we head our separate ways. The Hill delivers again!
Philzoid called up and so we head round to the usual side of the Hill to meet him. As we enter the depression a (definite) Wall Brown bombs along and something much, much smaller and darker takes off to intercept it. It’s a Duke and a really lovely fresh one at that. It’s really dark and in mint condish. Luckily for him Philzoid had joined us so all three of us get out shots. While we’re celebrating this find a second Duke appears as if from nowhere proving once again what a cracking part of the site this little depression is.
On and round we go towards the Amphitheatre yet when we get there I end up almost back where I started as I try to follow a Wall Brown; determined to get a shot. It would fly at a pace, slow and flutter round sinking lower and closer to the ground looking for all intents as if it is about to land and then it suddenly accelerates away leaving me curing and trailing in its wake. Muttering many an expletive I re-join the others and we carry on and round the bottom of the Hill looking into all the scrapes and slips although they aren’t as productive as in previous years. On the way we encounter another Wall, a Small Tort and a Small Blue all of which stand out amongst the usual fare.
By now it’s clouded over and the threat of sunburn has diminished to be replaced by the treat of a soaking so we wander back, still clicking away and chatting. With impeccable timing we arrive back at the cars just as the clouds start to leak. Dave heads off and Philzoid and I share a coffee in the rain reliving a fantastic morning before we head our separate ways. The Hill delivers again!
The Devenish 18-05-2019
I’d taken a sneak peek at the weather for the weekend (I know that I shouldn’t have but I gave in) as I was planning to make the annual pilgrimage to the Hill. Due to this I chose to head there tomorrow as today was supposed to be dull, cloudy and wet. Imagine my surprise when the temperature rose, the wind dropped and the sun broke through the clouds. This set off the ‘itch’ that is a common affliction to most butterfliers and one which I surrender to from the months of April to August. I comes from having the mindset that: “right time of year + reasonable weather = butterflies, therefore get out there and find them”. Despite my best efforts at distracting myself with chores and errands by the early afternoon I couldn’t take it anymore and so instead of pacing the house like a caged animal I grabbed camera and kids and made for the Devenish.
We were the only people at the reserve and so were treated to a melodious cacophony of birdsong as we strolled up the little track from the car park. Little L was chuffed with her gate climbing prowess so at least she was enjoying the visit. Myself less so as we were through the Paddock, across the Orchid Meadow (very grazed) and half way up the steep side of the Down before we saw anything butterfly-wise; a fast moving Dingy shot across the path. It was briefly joined by a second flying in the opposite direction when we were slightly higher up the hill. The girls set up camp and I mooched along the little trails that criss-crossed the Down managing to pick up a second Grizzlie.
It was hard going and three butterflies across the expanse of the reserve was very meagre pickings as normally I can notch up 3 or 4 just in the car park. So slightly dejectedly I carried on across the Down, up the little gully and around and back along the top of the Down. As I neared the girls something went up a few footsteps away. It was a lovely Small Copper.
After a brief check-in with the girls – enraptured with a game of Irish Snap – I walked back across the Down finding a Brown Argus that looked fresh out of the box and either finding a new or relocating the original Dingy and Grizzlie. The sun was starting to feel much warmer now so we carefully picked out way back down the steep hill finishing in a run at the bottom as we’d gained momentum. The girls sat down by the stile-come-gate and I walked to the far end of the Orchid Meadow. The grasses had been well and truly chomped so much so that in haircut terms it was a grade 1 but hopefully this shouldn’t affect the Large Skippers?
A Small White led me back to the girls and then they joined me to check out this part of the field. We managed to find another Brown Argus and three different Grizzlies which I named Past, Present and Future based upon the state of their livery. The girls wanted to get back so I only had a brief dalliance in the Paddocks but added Brimstone and a fresh Specklie to the tally as well as another fantastic looking Small Copper.
A lovely afternoon out despite the dire forecast. I drove us home itch well and truly scratched…well for today at least…
We were the only people at the reserve and so were treated to a melodious cacophony of birdsong as we strolled up the little track from the car park. Little L was chuffed with her gate climbing prowess so at least she was enjoying the visit. Myself less so as we were through the Paddock, across the Orchid Meadow (very grazed) and half way up the steep side of the Down before we saw anything butterfly-wise; a fast moving Dingy shot across the path. It was briefly joined by a second flying in the opposite direction when we were slightly higher up the hill. The girls set up camp and I mooched along the little trails that criss-crossed the Down managing to pick up a second Grizzlie.
It was hard going and three butterflies across the expanse of the reserve was very meagre pickings as normally I can notch up 3 or 4 just in the car park. So slightly dejectedly I carried on across the Down, up the little gully and around and back along the top of the Down. As I neared the girls something went up a few footsteps away. It was a lovely Small Copper.
After a brief check-in with the girls – enraptured with a game of Irish Snap – I walked back across the Down finding a Brown Argus that looked fresh out of the box and either finding a new or relocating the original Dingy and Grizzlie. The sun was starting to feel much warmer now so we carefully picked out way back down the steep hill finishing in a run at the bottom as we’d gained momentum. The girls sat down by the stile-come-gate and I walked to the far end of the Orchid Meadow. The grasses had been well and truly chomped so much so that in haircut terms it was a grade 1 but hopefully this shouldn’t affect the Large Skippers?
A Small White led me back to the girls and then they joined me to check out this part of the field. We managed to find another Brown Argus and three different Grizzlies which I named Past, Present and Future based upon the state of their livery. The girls wanted to get back so I only had a brief dalliance in the Paddocks but added Brimstone and a fresh Specklie to the tally as well as another fantastic looking Small Copper.
A lovely afternoon out despite the dire forecast. I drove us home itch well and truly scratched…well for today at least…
Bentley Wood 12-05-2019
As I drove down the track I turned Maiden down and peered through the window and the bushes and I was able to make out a small group of people already in the Eastern Clearing. So it seems that I wasn’t making an early a start as some, still they seemed to be peering intently at the ground so the Pearls were still flying. Once I’d parked, loaded up and made my way into the Clearing I found a svelte looking Dave in among the group and amid the chatting we set about looking or Pearls and seeing some that were so surprisingly fresh that they could have been mistaken at times for Small Pearls (which they weren’t). They were surprisingly hard work, rarely settling and also they seemed to have realised that the fencing across sections of the Clearing is obviously to contain butterfliers and so whenever possible they’d fly along the fence and then nip through it. This would mean anyone following had a choice to make; either walk all the way to the gap in the fence and then walk all the way back to where the butterfly was (by which time the butterfly would have dove back through to the original side) OR give it up and try their luck with the a different individual.
As we continue with the mix of chat and photography another butterflier arrives who turned out to be Chris who I know from Instagram. We set too looking for Pearls – a Grizzlie turns up in the very centre of the clearing and then we work back towards the triangle near the notice boards. This is a good little spot as there seems to be plenty of Violet around here as well as some Bugle, the little trackways which run all over this area mean that trampling of habitat isn’t a concern and the Pearls are really starting to motor about now but the aforementioned distractions slow them down enough for some photos. This is good news and we get to see some females looking more straw coloured than the ginger males although the distractions aren’t enough to allow shots of a passing male Orange-tip. It’s soon gets warm enough for the Brimstones to fly and the odd Specklie appears to add a different tone to the butterflies.
All too soon the morning has almost gone and Dave decided to head off for Martin Down. As we stroll back towards the car park (him to head off, me to top up on caffeine) we cut through the ‘new field’ at the top of the Clearing. The relatively recent clearing has left it covered in the tussocky grass and it looks like a good spot for Marshies which I know are about somewhere here. Half way across the field I spot a Marshie. I manage a couple of record shots before it’s gone not to be seen again despite quartering the entire field a couple of times. It just vanished! Still Dave has the prospect of filling his boots with Marshies at Martin Down and in a week or so the Hill will be up and running so with these consoling thoughts we carried on back to the car park.
After I’d had my caffeine fix I strolled back down through the small field without re-finding the Marshie and find a couple of people starring at the bank of the ditch near the triangular spot instead. I cautiously approached and there was an Argent and Sable basking on the side of the bank as the sun had gone in. I waited until it was apparent that everyone had gotten their shots and then asked if it was oaky to try with my 105mm as I’d need to get in closer and I didn’t want to spook it. One gent (JP) told me to go on ahead and after several reassurances I stepped in and got my shots. The moth didn’t move and so I carried on down into the main middle section of the Clearing.
A Marshie on a stick had been found by some others and they’d had their fill so I returned the earlier compliment and let JP in on it first. I got a few shots of it tightly closed up and I wondered if it was the same one that I’d seen momentarily earlier? The sun came out and it started opening up revealing that in fact it was a different individual. As it took off another two crawled out of the woodwork into the sun and there were three jostling around in this little area relishing the purple moor grass and rushes. I realise I need to head for home and as I leave a Holly Blue flies by and I find my first Bentley Wood Small Copper.
I stroll back to the car park round the back paths taking the long way back but things are really warmed up by now and almost too flighty for photography. Still it was good to see so many Pearls – if the Small Pearls can hang on here as well then this bodes well. Fingers crossed…
As we continue with the mix of chat and photography another butterflier arrives who turned out to be Chris who I know from Instagram. We set too looking for Pearls – a Grizzlie turns up in the very centre of the clearing and then we work back towards the triangle near the notice boards. This is a good little spot as there seems to be plenty of Violet around here as well as some Bugle, the little trackways which run all over this area mean that trampling of habitat isn’t a concern and the Pearls are really starting to motor about now but the aforementioned distractions slow them down enough for some photos. This is good news and we get to see some females looking more straw coloured than the ginger males although the distractions aren’t enough to allow shots of a passing male Orange-tip. It’s soon gets warm enough for the Brimstones to fly and the odd Specklie appears to add a different tone to the butterflies.
All too soon the morning has almost gone and Dave decided to head off for Martin Down. As we stroll back towards the car park (him to head off, me to top up on caffeine) we cut through the ‘new field’ at the top of the Clearing. The relatively recent clearing has left it covered in the tussocky grass and it looks like a good spot for Marshies which I know are about somewhere here. Half way across the field I spot a Marshie. I manage a couple of record shots before it’s gone not to be seen again despite quartering the entire field a couple of times. It just vanished! Still Dave has the prospect of filling his boots with Marshies at Martin Down and in a week or so the Hill will be up and running so with these consoling thoughts we carried on back to the car park.
After I’d had my caffeine fix I strolled back down through the small field without re-finding the Marshie and find a couple of people starring at the bank of the ditch near the triangular spot instead. I cautiously approached and there was an Argent and Sable basking on the side of the bank as the sun had gone in. I waited until it was apparent that everyone had gotten their shots and then asked if it was oaky to try with my 105mm as I’d need to get in closer and I didn’t want to spook it. One gent (JP) told me to go on ahead and after several reassurances I stepped in and got my shots. The moth didn’t move and so I carried on down into the main middle section of the Clearing.
A Marshie on a stick had been found by some others and they’d had their fill so I returned the earlier compliment and let JP in on it first. I got a few shots of it tightly closed up and I wondered if it was the same one that I’d seen momentarily earlier? The sun came out and it started opening up revealing that in fact it was a different individual. As it took off another two crawled out of the woodwork into the sun and there were three jostling around in this little area relishing the purple moor grass and rushes. I realise I need to head for home and as I leave a Holly Blue flies by and I find my first Bentley Wood Small Copper.
I stroll back to the car park round the back paths taking the long way back but things are really warmed up by now and almost too flighty for photography. Still it was good to see so many Pearls – if the Small Pearls can hang on here as well then this bodes well. Fingers crossed…
Martin Down 11-05-2019
I’d done all the jobs and the girls were taking themselves off swimming so I had a few hours free…
“So Oracle what do you reckon to Common Blue, Small Blue and Adonis Blue?”
“Definitely”
So with this prediction ringing in my ears (or was that Maiden - Killers full blast?) I set off Martin Down bound. Having found the Marshies or rather a single Marshie on the wing a week previously I thought that it would be a good idea to start at the main car park and work along the Dyke. However I was ruing the decision to come after lunch as all the butterflies that I saw over the first 20 minutes or so were extremely hyper in the sun and climbing temperatures. I’d worked my way round the massive island of scrub that almost entirely encircles the car park and I’d seen Greenstreak, a couple of Small Coppers, Dingies and Grizzlies as well as the odd Brimstone and a single Small Tort but only one of the Small Coppers had sat still long enough for a few shots, and even then it was constantly moving and pirouetting around on a flower head. In the little alcove on the other side of the main track there was also a Peacock and a Holly Blue as well as the Skippers buzzing around frenetically but still nothing would stop. I was extremely frustrating and so cursing under my breath I set off resolutely back the way I’d come and then dove down and back up the hollow to the start of the Dyke. On the way a butterfly or two started to play ball – perhaps the shelter from the breeze was calming them? It was the first of my targets – a male Common Blue. On the other side of the hollow a gluttonous Small Copper was so busy feeding that I was able to add a few shots of it as well.
Now I calmed myself and climbed down into the Dyke feeling the temperature rise as the wind dropped with each step down. This first little section is blocked off at either end as a path crosses from one side of the Dyke to the other at the same height as the banks and so I dropped my bag in the centre and strolled up and down to see what was holding territory here. A Grizzlie popped up, then a Dingy became apparent when it went for the Grizzlie. This set off a Small Copper and a passing Common Blue got involved in the fray, dragged into it by the belligerent Small Copper which seemed to be holding a territory on a small patch of ground right in the centre of this little part. Then something bigger took off from amid the grasses and half flew and half glided to the end the depression. It was a Marshie and I soon encountered a second as I tried to follow and lost the first. At the other end I watched the second Marshie get hassled by a second Small Copper. It was turning into a marvellous afternoon and I spent some time here adding a Small Heath to the list and also watching a Red Admiral laying on the bankside.
Eventually I climbed out of this microcosm; this Dyke in miniature and set off towards the Butts where the Dyke gets going properly again. On the way I saw a Peacock, more Marshies, another Common Blue, plenty of skippers but the thing that stood out here was another failed Brimstone courtship. This time the female was low in the longer grass so most of my shots have an errant stem featuring in them but I was still please with the results none the less because she was positioned vertically and an approach from the side meant that the length of her thorax and abdomen were exposed and in frame so I was able to get a totally different view from one that I’d had before. It made the butterfly look like a teddy bear with wings.
At the Butts I got back down into the Dyke again and set off once again noting rally good numbers of both Dingy and Grizzlie Skippers. The Small Coppers seem to be having a great year and I saw a further couple in this part of the Dyke. I also found a Brown Argus that posed nicely on a solitary flower head giving it the look of floating in mid-air.
I spent a bit of time at the half way point when I got there as roosting, wings tightly shut was an Adonis Blue. At the other end there were the usual couple of Greenstreaks and Grizzlies and the odd Dingy flew by occasionally disturbing the Adonis although it would always land and quickly close its wings. Despite searching I couldn’t find any Small Blues here which was surprising as thy really like the little tussocky area on the corner where the Dyke crosses the path which leads up the hill and into Dorset. I had a little wander up this way today and encountered a Specklie and then a Small White which flew towards me and dislodged a hither too unseen male Orange-tip. As these two started zipping forward and backward I looked own to my right and there was a Green-veined White and it took off and joined the Fight Club. Chuckling at this misplaced display of machismo I worked back down the path into Hampshire and carried on checking out the Half-way point. Finally the Adonis opened up, not fully but enough to get a view of the stunning electric blue.
Time was pressing and so I rejoined the Dyke but not before spending a few moments with a pair of Adonis in cop. Once in the Dyke I started to lose rack of the butterflies and so counting became almost impossible. There was definitely a Peacock down there with me but whether there were more I can’t be sure – it could well have been just one or two that kept flying ahead of me, landing and then going up when I next approached; a pattern that played out until I’d reached the ‘turn round ‘ point at the Hotspot! I also found plenty of Skipper of both early spring varieties far too numerous to count they were by far the most numerous species on the day. Marshies put in regular appearances, their size and colour making them stand out from the much smaller butterflies that I was getting accustomed to seeing. I saw the occasional Small Copper and a couple more Brown Argus as well but it was when I was about half way along this final stretch that I finally got my third Year Tick of the day - a Small Blue flew up before me, turned around and flew at me before landing just long enough for me to point my camera and click once before it was gone. Unfortunately it had landed on the flimsiest of platforms and the ever so slight breeze (more a breath of wind) meant that my one shot was nowhere near focused enough for my liking.
Once at the Hotspot I checked the time and staying away from the distractions of the Dyke I took to my heels and walked extremely quickly back via the main path as I was seriously in danger of being late…It was a close call but I managed to get back with minutes to spare – phew! All hail the wonder prophetic skills of the Oracle!
“So Oracle what do you reckon to Common Blue, Small Blue and Adonis Blue?”
“Definitely”
So with this prediction ringing in my ears (or was that Maiden - Killers full blast?) I set off Martin Down bound. Having found the Marshies or rather a single Marshie on the wing a week previously I thought that it would be a good idea to start at the main car park and work along the Dyke. However I was ruing the decision to come after lunch as all the butterflies that I saw over the first 20 minutes or so were extremely hyper in the sun and climbing temperatures. I’d worked my way round the massive island of scrub that almost entirely encircles the car park and I’d seen Greenstreak, a couple of Small Coppers, Dingies and Grizzlies as well as the odd Brimstone and a single Small Tort but only one of the Small Coppers had sat still long enough for a few shots, and even then it was constantly moving and pirouetting around on a flower head. In the little alcove on the other side of the main track there was also a Peacock and a Holly Blue as well as the Skippers buzzing around frenetically but still nothing would stop. I was extremely frustrating and so cursing under my breath I set off resolutely back the way I’d come and then dove down and back up the hollow to the start of the Dyke. On the way a butterfly or two started to play ball – perhaps the shelter from the breeze was calming them? It was the first of my targets – a male Common Blue. On the other side of the hollow a gluttonous Small Copper was so busy feeding that I was able to add a few shots of it as well.
Now I calmed myself and climbed down into the Dyke feeling the temperature rise as the wind dropped with each step down. This first little section is blocked off at either end as a path crosses from one side of the Dyke to the other at the same height as the banks and so I dropped my bag in the centre and strolled up and down to see what was holding territory here. A Grizzlie popped up, then a Dingy became apparent when it went for the Grizzlie. This set off a Small Copper and a passing Common Blue got involved in the fray, dragged into it by the belligerent Small Copper which seemed to be holding a territory on a small patch of ground right in the centre of this little part. Then something bigger took off from amid the grasses and half flew and half glided to the end the depression. It was a Marshie and I soon encountered a second as I tried to follow and lost the first. At the other end I watched the second Marshie get hassled by a second Small Copper. It was turning into a marvellous afternoon and I spent some time here adding a Small Heath to the list and also watching a Red Admiral laying on the bankside.
Eventually I climbed out of this microcosm; this Dyke in miniature and set off towards the Butts where the Dyke gets going properly again. On the way I saw a Peacock, more Marshies, another Common Blue, plenty of skippers but the thing that stood out here was another failed Brimstone courtship. This time the female was low in the longer grass so most of my shots have an errant stem featuring in them but I was still please with the results none the less because she was positioned vertically and an approach from the side meant that the length of her thorax and abdomen were exposed and in frame so I was able to get a totally different view from one that I’d had before. It made the butterfly look like a teddy bear with wings.
At the Butts I got back down into the Dyke again and set off once again noting rally good numbers of both Dingy and Grizzlie Skippers. The Small Coppers seem to be having a great year and I saw a further couple in this part of the Dyke. I also found a Brown Argus that posed nicely on a solitary flower head giving it the look of floating in mid-air.
I spent a bit of time at the half way point when I got there as roosting, wings tightly shut was an Adonis Blue. At the other end there were the usual couple of Greenstreaks and Grizzlies and the odd Dingy flew by occasionally disturbing the Adonis although it would always land and quickly close its wings. Despite searching I couldn’t find any Small Blues here which was surprising as thy really like the little tussocky area on the corner where the Dyke crosses the path which leads up the hill and into Dorset. I had a little wander up this way today and encountered a Specklie and then a Small White which flew towards me and dislodged a hither too unseen male Orange-tip. As these two started zipping forward and backward I looked own to my right and there was a Green-veined White and it took off and joined the Fight Club. Chuckling at this misplaced display of machismo I worked back down the path into Hampshire and carried on checking out the Half-way point. Finally the Adonis opened up, not fully but enough to get a view of the stunning electric blue.
Time was pressing and so I rejoined the Dyke but not before spending a few moments with a pair of Adonis in cop. Once in the Dyke I started to lose rack of the butterflies and so counting became almost impossible. There was definitely a Peacock down there with me but whether there were more I can’t be sure – it could well have been just one or two that kept flying ahead of me, landing and then going up when I next approached; a pattern that played out until I’d reached the ‘turn round ‘ point at the Hotspot! I also found plenty of Skipper of both early spring varieties far too numerous to count they were by far the most numerous species on the day. Marshies put in regular appearances, their size and colour making them stand out from the much smaller butterflies that I was getting accustomed to seeing. I saw the occasional Small Copper and a couple more Brown Argus as well but it was when I was about half way along this final stretch that I finally got my third Year Tick of the day - a Small Blue flew up before me, turned around and flew at me before landing just long enough for me to point my camera and click once before it was gone. Unfortunately it had landed on the flimsiest of platforms and the ever so slight breeze (more a breath of wind) meant that my one shot was nowhere near focused enough for my liking.
Once at the Hotspot I checked the time and staying away from the distractions of the Dyke I took to my heels and walked extremely quickly back via the main path as I was seriously in danger of being late…It was a close call but I managed to get back with minutes to spare – phew! All hail the wonder prophetic skills of the Oracle!
Work 10-05-2019
It had been a few days since my last outing – things were there usual hectic best but come Friday I was ready to get back out there and see what there was to see. The Pits were still quiet – when the Golden Skippers finally arrive this will possibly be as far as I get on my lunch time ventures but not so today as there wasn’t a single butterfly up too and beyond this point. At the far end of the field I nipped off along the footpath and made my way quickly down the hill. At the first little open bit of hedge I surprised two Small Torts but both bombed away from me; one to the left and the other to the right into the adjacent fields. I made a mental note to tread more cautiously at this point on the way back. Carrying on down there was nothing, nada until almost at the very end. Here again there is a break into the surrounding fields used by the farmers in their tractors and here again there was a Small Tort. It went up from the nettles on one side of the path and flew strongly out and across the fields. I wasn’t having much luck but pressed on to the end and then turned round and started the journey back…
I don’t know whether it was because I was ‘pre-warned’ of the presence of butterflies or the fact that as I was heading up hill I was going more slowly but I managed to get a few shots of a/the Small Tort at the first break. It was hiding away amongst the nettles on the other side of the track this time and seemed to be struggling slightly as the cloud had covered the sun and the temperature had dropped somewhat. I reckon my initial summation was correct as it opened up its wings to try and capture more heat.
After this I carried on and again I didn’t see a single butterfly until I reached the initial break where I’d seen the two Small Torts. Again there were two and again I managed to get a few shots. The first was down on the path and the second was slightly further ahead. I was now in a bit of a quandary as the Small Tort that was further away was beautifully positioned and delicately poised on a Dandelion Clock. It was one of those types of shots that I long to capture but I didn’t want to force the issue of the primary Small Tort buggering off out of the way. In the end the sun helped out by creeping out from behind the cloud. This warmed the first Small Tort up enough for it to take off and bomb away over the fields. I still had a fair bit of effort to get the shot I wanted though as I needed to move quickly enough so as to reach the butterfly before it warmed up too much and disappeared yet cautiously enough that I didn’t spook it. Somehow I managed to strike the correct balance and using the old ‘click-step’ routine I got some shots.
With the final flourish from the sun the butterfly took off and then the sun did me another favour as it again went behind the cloud and the butterfly dropped down onto another Dandelion Clock. Brilliant! Mightily chuffed I made my way back to work pausing briefly to watch a Holly Blue do a fly-by.
I don’t know whether it was because I was ‘pre-warned’ of the presence of butterflies or the fact that as I was heading up hill I was going more slowly but I managed to get a few shots of a/the Small Tort at the first break. It was hiding away amongst the nettles on the other side of the track this time and seemed to be struggling slightly as the cloud had covered the sun and the temperature had dropped somewhat. I reckon my initial summation was correct as it opened up its wings to try and capture more heat.
After this I carried on and again I didn’t see a single butterfly until I reached the initial break where I’d seen the two Small Torts. Again there were two and again I managed to get a few shots. The first was down on the path and the second was slightly further ahead. I was now in a bit of a quandary as the Small Tort that was further away was beautifully positioned and delicately poised on a Dandelion Clock. It was one of those types of shots that I long to capture but I didn’t want to force the issue of the primary Small Tort buggering off out of the way. In the end the sun helped out by creeping out from behind the cloud. This warmed the first Small Tort up enough for it to take off and bomb away over the fields. I still had a fair bit of effort to get the shot I wanted though as I needed to move quickly enough so as to reach the butterfly before it warmed up too much and disappeared yet cautiously enough that I didn’t spook it. Somehow I managed to strike the correct balance and using the old ‘click-step’ routine I got some shots.
With the final flourish from the sun the butterfly took off and then the sun did me another favour as it again went behind the cloud and the butterfly dropped down onto another Dandelion Clock. Brilliant! Mightily chuffed I made my way back to work pausing briefly to watch a Holly Blue do a fly-by.
Martin Down 06-05-2019
My fantastic Bank Holiday continued. We were due to visit friends after lunch so I had the morning clear. What with not checking the weather app I decided to risk it and head out even though it was a Bank Holiday Monday and therefore tradition dictates that the weather should be lousy. To counteract this I set the iPod to as loud as it could manage and then cranked the speakers up with my album of the moment – Iron Maiden Killers. I reckoned that if I played it loud enough it would scare the clouds away and it seemed to do the trick as when I pulled up at the Sillen’s Lane end the sun was shining amid blue skies.
Eagerly I set off along the path making for the ‘Tunnel’ in order to hopefully get onto a few more Greenstreaks. It was very quiet butterfly wise, still quite early in the morning and even though the sun was shining the temperature was such that I was only just warm enough in my t-shirt. I carried on along the hedge and finally when I was about half way along I saw my first butterfly, a grounded Small White. As I watched it started to open its wings and realizing that it would soon be off I got a few shots while I still could. As expected once it was sufficiently warmed it was off like a rocket, flying up and down the hedge ceaselessly. Cheered that it was now getting warm enough I carried on. With the ‘Tunnel’ in sight I looked back along the hedge and a blue flash caught my eyes. I got in a little closer and could see that it was a female Holly Blue. I dared to get in a bit closer and it didn’t fly away, so I risked a few more steps and eventually it opened up nicely (mind you this did take a fair bit of whispering…). I turned to start back to the hedge and there was another blue glint. I couldn’t believe my luck as there was another Holly Blue, this time a male. Again I approached cautiously, again whispering away a la Millerd and again it opened up giving me my best ever topside male shots.
Mightily chuffed I carried on towards the Tunnel with a Greenstreak, Small Copper and Small White all vying for my attention and I’m sorry to say they all got ignored as I was still shocked to have had such luck with the Holly Blues. As I entered the Tunnel I shock myself mentally and got back on track to find some more butterflies. A couple of Greenstreaks held the territory at the end of Tunnel and they distracted me for a bit but then I spied another Holly Blue, a different male and this one was even more accessible and accommodating! Slightly further on and another couple of Greentreaks caught my attention with their belligerent antics and their bold markings, one had such bright streaks that they were visible in flight. Then there was another Holly Blue, a different female, again very accommodating. It seems that I’ve been going after Holly Blues all wrong. Instead of hoping that they’ll turn up and I’ll get a picture I should have been out nice and early in the morning when they sit and pose for all they’re worth. As if to prove my point by the end of the tunnel as well a couple of Specklies and a few male OTs I saw another three Holly Blues a male and female down low and basking and a third right at the far end that took off from down low when disturbed by a male OT. Brilliant!
Instead of following the path round the edge of the Hillfort and ending up at the Hotspot I took the other path straight across the reserve which ended up at the half way point. As I walked I looked to my right and remembered the field – this was where the Stone Curlews used breed but sadly they’ve found new sites now. I was brought out of my somewhat downbeat nostalgia by a gaggle of Small Coppers, four individuals in total. First there was one, then a different individual (blue badger) and finally two having a scrap which I wasn’t about to get any photos of because they were far too busy beating seven shades out of each other. At the end of the path a Grizzlie stood guard and then I started up the little track at the half way point.
This little stand of Hawthorn and other shrubs offers the butterflies a little respite on days when the wind cuts across the grasslands. There was no worries on that front today though but there were still 3 butterflies in this little bit of land. Two were Grizzlies one of which was ridiculously small and the third was a Greenstreak occupying almost the exact same perch as one I’d seen the year before, right on the end of the treeline.
After this I set to walking the Dyke. I found my first Brown Argus of the year, saw a few Small Heath, a couple of Coppers and a couple of Peacocks but the real stars were the skippers. The bottom of the Dyke was crawling with them and by the time I’d reached the hotspot I’d actively recorded 8 Dingies and 11 Grizzlies but there were so many more; the ones I recorded were only the ones that I found down on the deck – if a little blur shot off in front of me I didn’t note it down in case I misidentified it. It was fantastic. At one point there were three Dingies down quite close to each other and they put on a fashion parade showing the various shades and hues that the Dingy comes in from dark. Rich brown right through to a pale, almost creamy colour. Also here, down in the Dyke and in amongst the flying OTs, Small Whites and Brimstones I saw an unusual piece of behaviour. A Brimstone almost dropped from the sky as a small cloud briefly covered the sun. I cautiously approached it and it stayed down amid the grass showing no sign of movement. Reaching down my hand it stayed still even when I lifted it gently up cupped in the cradle of my fingers. It remained motionless the whole time and I wondered if it was dead? I laced it carefully back where I’d lifted it from and stood back. The sun had come back out and after a few minutes it suddenly took off again and was gone. Was it playing dead or had the momentary chill rendered it stupefied?
Eventually I climbed out of the bottom of the Dyke and I found myself at the hotspot. A Grizzlie skipped ahead of me as I made my way from the hollow to the scrape and a Dingy danced around me before a female Brimstone did a fly-by. As I worked my way back a larger butterfly took off from the ground. Something about its colour and its flight seemed vaguely familiar. I don’t know if it’s just me but I find that as the autumn progresses I forget or rather pack away knowledge about behaviour, flight styles etc. until the next season. Well something about this butterfly had me internally sprinting to the vaults and searching through the vaults of my memory – I found the file and realised that the butterfly was a Marsh Fritillary. I did two things at once – whilst keeping my eye on it I raised my arm up and took a quick look at my watch; 10:27am. I checked the time as I couldn’t recall seeing reports about Marshies this season so this could have been the first. The butterfly landed and I got a few shots before calling it out to a few other enthusiasts that were at the hotspot. We took it in turns to get some photos before leaving it to its own devices.
Exceedingly chuffed I headed back to the car. There were plenty of butterflies on the return journey – mainly Grizzlies and Dingies although most of the species that I’d seen over the course of the morning put in an appearance. However the vivid colours of the Marshie were burnt onto my retina and everything after seemed pale by comparison. What a beauty!
p.s I recorded my sighting on the Hampshire Branch site and also on the Sightings Page of UKB. However the first official record came from Wiltshire on the same day although I don’t know at what time…
Eagerly I set off along the path making for the ‘Tunnel’ in order to hopefully get onto a few more Greenstreaks. It was very quiet butterfly wise, still quite early in the morning and even though the sun was shining the temperature was such that I was only just warm enough in my t-shirt. I carried on along the hedge and finally when I was about half way along I saw my first butterfly, a grounded Small White. As I watched it started to open its wings and realizing that it would soon be off I got a few shots while I still could. As expected once it was sufficiently warmed it was off like a rocket, flying up and down the hedge ceaselessly. Cheered that it was now getting warm enough I carried on. With the ‘Tunnel’ in sight I looked back along the hedge and a blue flash caught my eyes. I got in a little closer and could see that it was a female Holly Blue. I dared to get in a bit closer and it didn’t fly away, so I risked a few more steps and eventually it opened up nicely (mind you this did take a fair bit of whispering…). I turned to start back to the hedge and there was another blue glint. I couldn’t believe my luck as there was another Holly Blue, this time a male. Again I approached cautiously, again whispering away a la Millerd and again it opened up giving me my best ever topside male shots.
Mightily chuffed I carried on towards the Tunnel with a Greenstreak, Small Copper and Small White all vying for my attention and I’m sorry to say they all got ignored as I was still shocked to have had such luck with the Holly Blues. As I entered the Tunnel I shock myself mentally and got back on track to find some more butterflies. A couple of Greenstreaks held the territory at the end of Tunnel and they distracted me for a bit but then I spied another Holly Blue, a different male and this one was even more accessible and accommodating! Slightly further on and another couple of Greentreaks caught my attention with their belligerent antics and their bold markings, one had such bright streaks that they were visible in flight. Then there was another Holly Blue, a different female, again very accommodating. It seems that I’ve been going after Holly Blues all wrong. Instead of hoping that they’ll turn up and I’ll get a picture I should have been out nice and early in the morning when they sit and pose for all they’re worth. As if to prove my point by the end of the tunnel as well a couple of Specklies and a few male OTs I saw another three Holly Blues a male and female down low and basking and a third right at the far end that took off from down low when disturbed by a male OT. Brilliant!
Instead of following the path round the edge of the Hillfort and ending up at the Hotspot I took the other path straight across the reserve which ended up at the half way point. As I walked I looked to my right and remembered the field – this was where the Stone Curlews used breed but sadly they’ve found new sites now. I was brought out of my somewhat downbeat nostalgia by a gaggle of Small Coppers, four individuals in total. First there was one, then a different individual (blue badger) and finally two having a scrap which I wasn’t about to get any photos of because they were far too busy beating seven shades out of each other. At the end of the path a Grizzlie stood guard and then I started up the little track at the half way point.
This little stand of Hawthorn and other shrubs offers the butterflies a little respite on days when the wind cuts across the grasslands. There was no worries on that front today though but there were still 3 butterflies in this little bit of land. Two were Grizzlies one of which was ridiculously small and the third was a Greenstreak occupying almost the exact same perch as one I’d seen the year before, right on the end of the treeline.
After this I set to walking the Dyke. I found my first Brown Argus of the year, saw a few Small Heath, a couple of Coppers and a couple of Peacocks but the real stars were the skippers. The bottom of the Dyke was crawling with them and by the time I’d reached the hotspot I’d actively recorded 8 Dingies and 11 Grizzlies but there were so many more; the ones I recorded were only the ones that I found down on the deck – if a little blur shot off in front of me I didn’t note it down in case I misidentified it. It was fantastic. At one point there were three Dingies down quite close to each other and they put on a fashion parade showing the various shades and hues that the Dingy comes in from dark. Rich brown right through to a pale, almost creamy colour. Also here, down in the Dyke and in amongst the flying OTs, Small Whites and Brimstones I saw an unusual piece of behaviour. A Brimstone almost dropped from the sky as a small cloud briefly covered the sun. I cautiously approached it and it stayed down amid the grass showing no sign of movement. Reaching down my hand it stayed still even when I lifted it gently up cupped in the cradle of my fingers. It remained motionless the whole time and I wondered if it was dead? I laced it carefully back where I’d lifted it from and stood back. The sun had come back out and after a few minutes it suddenly took off again and was gone. Was it playing dead or had the momentary chill rendered it stupefied?
Eventually I climbed out of the bottom of the Dyke and I found myself at the hotspot. A Grizzlie skipped ahead of me as I made my way from the hollow to the scrape and a Dingy danced around me before a female Brimstone did a fly-by. As I worked my way back a larger butterfly took off from the ground. Something about its colour and its flight seemed vaguely familiar. I don’t know if it’s just me but I find that as the autumn progresses I forget or rather pack away knowledge about behaviour, flight styles etc. until the next season. Well something about this butterfly had me internally sprinting to the vaults and searching through the vaults of my memory – I found the file and realised that the butterfly was a Marsh Fritillary. I did two things at once – whilst keeping my eye on it I raised my arm up and took a quick look at my watch; 10:27am. I checked the time as I couldn’t recall seeing reports about Marshies this season so this could have been the first. The butterfly landed and I got a few shots before calling it out to a few other enthusiasts that were at the hotspot. We took it in turns to get some photos before leaving it to its own devices.
Exceedingly chuffed I headed back to the car. There were plenty of butterflies on the return journey – mainly Grizzlies and Dingies although most of the species that I’d seen over the course of the morning put in an appearance. However the vivid colours of the Marshie were burnt onto my retina and everything after seemed pale by comparison. What a beauty!
p.s I recorded my sighting on the Hampshire Branch site and also on the Sightings Page of UKB. However the first official record came from Wiltshire on the same day although I don’t know at what time…
Martin Down 05-05-2019
We all headed out for a lunchtime picnic originally intending to bathe in the beautiful blue glow of a sea of Bluebells at Garston Wood. However before I realised it we were actually bombing along the Cranborne Road which would eventually lead to Garston Wood but meant that Martin Down was nearer. So we pulled in there instead and set off for the sheltered sun trap beyond the Butts. The intermittent sun made a strong appearance just as I was finishing my final morsel of lunch and an unidentified White added another turn to the visual and sonic spectacle of May blossom, pinpricks of yellow, red and white amongst the green bedspread of turf and the cacophony of Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Corn Bunting, Skylarks and Yellowhammers. I took this as my cue to have a bit of a wander round.
Starting in the small field and aiming to work my way along a section of the Dyke the first butterfly was only a few steps away, a familiar orange colour it was my third Small Heath of the year. As I knelt down to get a close shot I noticed that the ‘eye’ was doubled. Almost as soon as I recognised this the butterfly started playing silly buggers with me so getting decent shots proved difficult. Muttering about this obstreperous behaviour I carried on, down into the Dyke and along and consoled myself with a Grizzlie, followed by a Small Copper, then a Brimstone and finally a Dingy Skipper. All were down on the deck, down in the Dyke in a line about 4-5 paces apart from each other.
As I climbed out of the Dyke and crossed the path I followed a Peacock down into one of the small fields and it paused briefly on the slope. It seemed to like basking here but I was distracted by a vivid orange blur which announced a fantastic Small Copper. In the next field over it seemed like the Skippers were the order of the day as there were 3 Dingies and a Grizzlie. A female Holly Blue added a bit of brightness to the textures and tones of the Skippers although I was still enamoured by the lovely level of variation in the markings of the Dingies. One was chocolate brown and peppered grey, another a sandy brown and one a rich, rusty brown.
I was only a couple of footsteps away from the hollow we’d lunched in and were using as ‘basecamp’ when I was stopped in my tracks. There was a lime white butterfly down on the deck ‘basking’ wings open wide. Only it wasn’t a white it was a female Brimstone. As I looked more carefully the male with closed wings moved and so ‘appeared’ in view. Over the next few moments I clicked away as the male pestered and hassled, cajoled and pleaded to no avail. He would walk around her, over her and then take to the air and fly at her before settling down. After a bit of a breather he’d then repeat the whole performance; more walking over her, more dive bombing and what also looked like some plain old plaintive begging. All the while the female lay on the ground, resolute, abdomen arched up. Eventually he finally got it and understood that “No means no” and he quit to try out his lines/moves on another chick. The female remained for 20 more seconds or so, possibly checking that the male was really gone before she too flew off to carry on with her business.
After checking in with everyone I set off along the Dyke to the half way point. The sun was becoming more and more intermittent o my walk would be punctuated with brief flurries of butterfly activity as the sun came out. By the time I’d reached the half way point I’d notched up a Grizzlie, Dingy, Orange-tip and a Peacock and once there I checked to no avail for Small Blues and Greenstreaks. As the sun was finally swallowed by the cloud and so I settled for two Grizzlies, one of which was so small I thought at first it was some sort of mint moth as if flew across from grass head to grass head.
With the sun gone for the foreseeable future I made my way back to the Butts and basecamp, the calls of “Wurzel” carried on the wind hurrying me homewards.
Starting in the small field and aiming to work my way along a section of the Dyke the first butterfly was only a few steps away, a familiar orange colour it was my third Small Heath of the year. As I knelt down to get a close shot I noticed that the ‘eye’ was doubled. Almost as soon as I recognised this the butterfly started playing silly buggers with me so getting decent shots proved difficult. Muttering about this obstreperous behaviour I carried on, down into the Dyke and along and consoled myself with a Grizzlie, followed by a Small Copper, then a Brimstone and finally a Dingy Skipper. All were down on the deck, down in the Dyke in a line about 4-5 paces apart from each other.
As I climbed out of the Dyke and crossed the path I followed a Peacock down into one of the small fields and it paused briefly on the slope. It seemed to like basking here but I was distracted by a vivid orange blur which announced a fantastic Small Copper. In the next field over it seemed like the Skippers were the order of the day as there were 3 Dingies and a Grizzlie. A female Holly Blue added a bit of brightness to the textures and tones of the Skippers although I was still enamoured by the lovely level of variation in the markings of the Dingies. One was chocolate brown and peppered grey, another a sandy brown and one a rich, rusty brown.
I was only a couple of footsteps away from the hollow we’d lunched in and were using as ‘basecamp’ when I was stopped in my tracks. There was a lime white butterfly down on the deck ‘basking’ wings open wide. Only it wasn’t a white it was a female Brimstone. As I looked more carefully the male with closed wings moved and so ‘appeared’ in view. Over the next few moments I clicked away as the male pestered and hassled, cajoled and pleaded to no avail. He would walk around her, over her and then take to the air and fly at her before settling down. After a bit of a breather he’d then repeat the whole performance; more walking over her, more dive bombing and what also looked like some plain old plaintive begging. All the while the female lay on the ground, resolute, abdomen arched up. Eventually he finally got it and understood that “No means no” and he quit to try out his lines/moves on another chick. The female remained for 20 more seconds or so, possibly checking that the male was really gone before she too flew off to carry on with her business.
After checking in with everyone I set off along the Dyke to the half way point. The sun was becoming more and more intermittent o my walk would be punctuated with brief flurries of butterfly activity as the sun came out. By the time I’d reached the half way point I’d notched up a Grizzlie, Dingy, Orange-tip and a Peacock and once there I checked to no avail for Small Blues and Greenstreaks. As the sun was finally swallowed by the cloud and so I settled for two Grizzlies, one of which was so small I thought at first it was some sort of mint moth as if flew across from grass head to grass head.
With the sun gone for the foreseeable future I made my way back to the Butts and basecamp, the calls of “Wurzel” carried on the wind hurrying me homewards.
Bentley Wood 04-05-2019 Part 1
After my success earlier in the week at Bentley I was eager to get back and see if there were any more about plus I was about due another visit with Philzoid. Checking the weather it looked like Saturday was the best day – sunny, less windy but cool which would hopefully mean that the butterflies would fly but less frantically than usual.
I got on site before Philzoid and set about trying to find some Pearls ready to hand over on a plate as it were when he arrived. It wasn’t quiet; a Cuckoo called as did a Tawny Owl, Garden Warblers, Chiff Chaff, Blackcaps and Tree Pipits sang but I didn’t encounter any butterflies until I reached the far end of the clearing when two Pearls appeared just as the temperature ticked into the next degree C. Reasoning that they’d still be roosting I worked my way back around and crossed the bridge on my way to the Bracken lined path where I’d found them on Monday. It was almost like a rerun; Pearl, Peacock, Pearl and Pearl. The last one was in mint condish but looked more orange than usual. As I got in close enough I could see that the dark markings along the margins were missing and the flying chevrons were much reduced. At this juncture Philzoid arrived and as it clouded over intermittently we filled our boots and memory cards with a range of Pearl shots.
After this with the raison d’etre met we took to wandering. The first little square clearing held a Pearl that flew and went down only to promptly disappear. There was also an Oil Beetle posing nicely on the grass stems. Further along the back path we found another Pearl and a Bentley Grizzlie which decided to play Peek-a-boo! At the top of the path some Nomada bees and a Specklie (flighty as ever) held our attention while we decided where to head next. It also gave me the opportunity to try out my new snack – Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll to which I’d added lashings of extra hot Lime Chilli Pickle. Bit of a taste sensation.
Cheeks still burning and sweat prickling my brow due to my volcanic snack we made for the recently cleared area just to the right of the main clearing itself. Last year a few little sections had been cleared so by now it should be productive and so it turned out. Almost immediately we stumbled onto 2 Pearls, one ahead of the other down on the path. After a bit of interaction they departed to opposite sides of the path and one very kindly landed on a Bluebell. On our return down the path/ride that took us down into the top part of the clearing we added 2 Specklies and an Argent and Sable to the days tally.
I got on site before Philzoid and set about trying to find some Pearls ready to hand over on a plate as it were when he arrived. It wasn’t quiet; a Cuckoo called as did a Tawny Owl, Garden Warblers, Chiff Chaff, Blackcaps and Tree Pipits sang but I didn’t encounter any butterflies until I reached the far end of the clearing when two Pearls appeared just as the temperature ticked into the next degree C. Reasoning that they’d still be roosting I worked my way back around and crossed the bridge on my way to the Bracken lined path where I’d found them on Monday. It was almost like a rerun; Pearl, Peacock, Pearl and Pearl. The last one was in mint condish but looked more orange than usual. As I got in close enough I could see that the dark markings along the margins were missing and the flying chevrons were much reduced. At this juncture Philzoid arrived and as it clouded over intermittently we filled our boots and memory cards with a range of Pearl shots.
After this with the raison d’etre met we took to wandering. The first little square clearing held a Pearl that flew and went down only to promptly disappear. There was also an Oil Beetle posing nicely on the grass stems. Further along the back path we found another Pearl and a Bentley Grizzlie which decided to play Peek-a-boo! At the top of the path some Nomada bees and a Specklie (flighty as ever) held our attention while we decided where to head next. It also gave me the opportunity to try out my new snack – Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll to which I’d added lashings of extra hot Lime Chilli Pickle. Bit of a taste sensation.
Cheeks still burning and sweat prickling my brow due to my volcanic snack we made for the recently cleared area just to the right of the main clearing itself. Last year a few little sections had been cleared so by now it should be productive and so it turned out. Almost immediately we stumbled onto 2 Pearls, one ahead of the other down on the path. After a bit of interaction they departed to opposite sides of the path and one very kindly landed on a Bluebell. On our return down the path/ride that took us down into the top part of the clearing we added 2 Specklies and an Argent and Sable to the days tally.
Bentley Wood 04-05-2019 Part 2
On reaching the ‘triangle’ we actually met other people. It came as a bit of a shock to realise that in this day and age of overcrowding and overpopulation Philzoid and I had spent the last hour or so without seeing any other humans! We spent some time here with another 2 Pearls and finally some Brimstones as by now the temperature had risen sufficiently for them to be activated.
Not wanting to intrude on the other butterfliers space we made our way down to the far corner of the clearing. As we strode through the gap in the trees which felt like passing through a gateway the butterflies seemed to burst forth from the air. There were at least 5 Pearls flying about including a female that was looking to lay as she fluttered about around our feet and was constantly being bothered by smaller males. A male Orange-tip did the usual cruel trick of landing just long enough for me to make the approach and then took off just as I was focusing on him and a Holly Blue flew across the orange melee like Tinkerbell amid the Lost Boys.
That morning I’d consulted the Oracle (my older daughter K) and she had informed me that I would be adding a pair of Pearls in cop to my collection. I didn’t think this likely so I was stunned when a hither too unseen female flew past me. A smaller Pearl appeared from nowhere as well and followed her. They reached a small sapling, about 7ft high and still twiggy, and seemed to crash into each other. As we neared the sapling we could see that both Pearls were present and the male was trying to bend his abdomen round. Success; he’d latched on so we tried for a few shots. It was frustrating as they’d landed at the top of this the most exposed sapling of this bit of the wood so they were being thrown around as even the slightest breeze swayed the tree. The leaves which were flapping all over and occasionally obstructing them from view were also a pain. It became apparent that they didn’t like this precarious position either and they weakly fluttered (it looked like the female doing all of the work) in a shallow descent landing low down on a dead Bracken stem. Much, much better! At one point they both opened their wings and looked like the lepidopteran ‘Push-me-pull-you’. Absolutely fantastic!
Once we tore ourselves away we wandered slightly dazed I suppose around the rest of this little bit finding a few Pearls, Brimstone, Orange-tip and a Green-veined White which actually stopped for a photo. But I was drawn back to the Pearls and after yet more shots we left them in peace, still ‘at it’, and made for the next site. – Sidbury Hill.
On the drive over I was wondering whether it was going to be worthwhile; I’d not seen Dukes there for a year, I was running out of time and I didn’t think anything could beat the sight of a pair of Pearls in cop. When we pulled up the wind had picked up and so we started towards the usually productive spots. The Sparse Bank didn’t have any Adonis, in the Tussocky grass there was an absence of Small Blues Copper Corner was Copper-less and the Cypresses were bereft of the Green ones. There was nothing, nada not even an errant Brimstone. Then we reached the little path that ran up to my old Duke hotspot and there was a tiny grey blur it looked almost like a Brown Argus as it had a greyish/silver appearance. I followed it with my eyes and it landed – it was a Grizzlie but the markings on the wing were fused to make a white bar, an intermedia. And there was the butterfly that had made this particular part of the trip worthwhile, the make or break butterfly, ace!
After this we found a Dingy and moved onto the little Valley with a fly-by by a Red Admiral, two Small Coppers, a male Orange-tip and a Green-veined White. I had run out of time so I said my goodbyes and set off, almost at a run, back to the car. As I drove home a pair of Pearls and an aberrant Grizzlie jostled for pride of place in my memory. What a day! What a great start to the weekend!
Not wanting to intrude on the other butterfliers space we made our way down to the far corner of the clearing. As we strode through the gap in the trees which felt like passing through a gateway the butterflies seemed to burst forth from the air. There were at least 5 Pearls flying about including a female that was looking to lay as she fluttered about around our feet and was constantly being bothered by smaller males. A male Orange-tip did the usual cruel trick of landing just long enough for me to make the approach and then took off just as I was focusing on him and a Holly Blue flew across the orange melee like Tinkerbell amid the Lost Boys.
That morning I’d consulted the Oracle (my older daughter K) and she had informed me that I would be adding a pair of Pearls in cop to my collection. I didn’t think this likely so I was stunned when a hither too unseen female flew past me. A smaller Pearl appeared from nowhere as well and followed her. They reached a small sapling, about 7ft high and still twiggy, and seemed to crash into each other. As we neared the sapling we could see that both Pearls were present and the male was trying to bend his abdomen round. Success; he’d latched on so we tried for a few shots. It was frustrating as they’d landed at the top of this the most exposed sapling of this bit of the wood so they were being thrown around as even the slightest breeze swayed the tree. The leaves which were flapping all over and occasionally obstructing them from view were also a pain. It became apparent that they didn’t like this precarious position either and they weakly fluttered (it looked like the female doing all of the work) in a shallow descent landing low down on a dead Bracken stem. Much, much better! At one point they both opened their wings and looked like the lepidopteran ‘Push-me-pull-you’. Absolutely fantastic!
Once we tore ourselves away we wandered slightly dazed I suppose around the rest of this little bit finding a few Pearls, Brimstone, Orange-tip and a Green-veined White which actually stopped for a photo. But I was drawn back to the Pearls and after yet more shots we left them in peace, still ‘at it’, and made for the next site. – Sidbury Hill.
On the drive over I was wondering whether it was going to be worthwhile; I’d not seen Dukes there for a year, I was running out of time and I didn’t think anything could beat the sight of a pair of Pearls in cop. When we pulled up the wind had picked up and so we started towards the usually productive spots. The Sparse Bank didn’t have any Adonis, in the Tussocky grass there was an absence of Small Blues Copper Corner was Copper-less and the Cypresses were bereft of the Green ones. There was nothing, nada not even an errant Brimstone. Then we reached the little path that ran up to my old Duke hotspot and there was a tiny grey blur it looked almost like a Brown Argus as it had a greyish/silver appearance. I followed it with my eyes and it landed – it was a Grizzlie but the markings on the wing were fused to make a white bar, an intermedia. And there was the butterfly that had made this particular part of the trip worthwhile, the make or break butterfly, ace!
After this we found a Dingy and moved onto the little Valley with a fly-by by a Red Admiral, two Small Coppers, a male Orange-tip and a Green-veined White. I had run out of time so I said my goodbyes and set off, almost at a run, back to the car. As I drove home a pair of Pearls and an aberrant Grizzlie jostled for pride of place in my memory. What a day! What a great start to the weekend!
Bentley Wood 29-04-2018
After a weekend of very strong winds and cool dull cloud it was no great surprise to wake on Monday to blue skies and an upsurge in the temperature. After being ‘locked in’ over the weekend I decided to take advantage of the favourable conditions and do a drop in at Bentley Wood on the way home as it would only add about 10 miles to my journey. So at the end of the day I changed in the loos and set off across country cheered by the large number of whites (OTs, Brimstone, Whites) that were flying along the verges on the way but grinning ruefully at the increasing cloud. One highlight of my rally drive was the sight of 8 or more Red Kits soaring around one field near Middle Wallop. Another highlight was that the road to the car park is in a much better state than I can recall.
Once freed from the car I noted a pair of spiralling Specklies and then I legged I down to the Clearing which I had all to myself. The book had mentioned Pearls at the ‘end’ so I made my way down to the bottom part, the tussocky little field enclosed apart from two breaks in the trees. There was only the slightest breeze but here it was still and warm. A Peacock does a fly-by, Brimstone, Small White and a female Orange-tip fluttered round the Bluebells near the bench pausing long enough for some shots on occasion. On the other side the Peacock went up again and dislodged a Comma. So far it was all very typical so I wandered back to the bench to have a snack and there was a Pearl. It was joined very quickly by a second which flew in from where I don’t know and couldn’t say. One minute there was an airspace minus a Pearl the next ‘Pop’ there was an airspace occupied by a Pearl. A third appeared flying more obviously along the fence teasing and tempting me to climb over after it. This little purple patch ended with a fly-by Holly Blue and then it clouded over – still 3 Pearls ace.
The cloud had dulled the butterflies as well as the vista but I reckoned I could find some more awaiting the sun so I crossed the steam and made my way to the other side of the clearing taking the other track back down to the bottom end. As I did I scanned the piles of dead Bracken on either side of the path. Yep – there was a Pearl, then a Peacock which took off spooking the Pearl so I followed it, watched it land first on the barbed wire fence and then on a sapling. The cloud settled it nicely and I was able to spend a lot of time with it although I had to adopt ‘horse pose’ remembered from many a year ago when I studied Kung-fu so as to be stable and at the same level as the butterfly.
With aching thighs I bade it goodbye and set off back down the path to see if I could locate any more Pearls sitting out the cloud. It seems like I’d gotten my eye in as I managed to find a second and a third sitting still and awaiting the return of the sun. I actually looked up and could see that there was one huge cloud directly overhead and only overhead. I could make out the halos of brightness marking the edges of the clearing on the outside there was gorgeous sun bu in the confines of the clearing just cloud…So after checking in with the original roosting Pearl I made as if to leave.
I’d gotten as far as the little triangle near the information board when another Pearl flew weakly before me and landed in a sapling. I wondered if it was newly emerged because it looked immaculate and also it was flying so weakly flopping down here and there. It eventually settled at the foot of the sapling, closed up and provided me with some lovely views of the underside. Close by a Specklie bombed away but I was almost as settled as the Pearl so I let it go. In my reverie; Pearl in front of me, pleasantly warm, Tree Pipits and Garden Warblers adding a musical backdrop; I’d missed the fact that was a slight break in the cloud. The light hit the Pearl and off it went. I followed and waited for it to sit, open winged and bask before moving in for some shots.
Chuffed I made for home wondering if I’d seen a maximum of 7 or a minimum of 4?
Once freed from the car I noted a pair of spiralling Specklies and then I legged I down to the Clearing which I had all to myself. The book had mentioned Pearls at the ‘end’ so I made my way down to the bottom part, the tussocky little field enclosed apart from two breaks in the trees. There was only the slightest breeze but here it was still and warm. A Peacock does a fly-by, Brimstone, Small White and a female Orange-tip fluttered round the Bluebells near the bench pausing long enough for some shots on occasion. On the other side the Peacock went up again and dislodged a Comma. So far it was all very typical so I wandered back to the bench to have a snack and there was a Pearl. It was joined very quickly by a second which flew in from where I don’t know and couldn’t say. One minute there was an airspace minus a Pearl the next ‘Pop’ there was an airspace occupied by a Pearl. A third appeared flying more obviously along the fence teasing and tempting me to climb over after it. This little purple patch ended with a fly-by Holly Blue and then it clouded over – still 3 Pearls ace.
The cloud had dulled the butterflies as well as the vista but I reckoned I could find some more awaiting the sun so I crossed the steam and made my way to the other side of the clearing taking the other track back down to the bottom end. As I did I scanned the piles of dead Bracken on either side of the path. Yep – there was a Pearl, then a Peacock which took off spooking the Pearl so I followed it, watched it land first on the barbed wire fence and then on a sapling. The cloud settled it nicely and I was able to spend a lot of time with it although I had to adopt ‘horse pose’ remembered from many a year ago when I studied Kung-fu so as to be stable and at the same level as the butterfly.
With aching thighs I bade it goodbye and set off back down the path to see if I could locate any more Pearls sitting out the cloud. It seems like I’d gotten my eye in as I managed to find a second and a third sitting still and awaiting the return of the sun. I actually looked up and could see that there was one huge cloud directly overhead and only overhead. I could make out the halos of brightness marking the edges of the clearing on the outside there was gorgeous sun bu in the confines of the clearing just cloud…So after checking in with the original roosting Pearl I made as if to leave.
I’d gotten as far as the little triangle near the information board when another Pearl flew weakly before me and landed in a sapling. I wondered if it was newly emerged because it looked immaculate and also it was flying so weakly flopping down here and there. It eventually settled at the foot of the sapling, closed up and provided me with some lovely views of the underside. Close by a Specklie bombed away but I was almost as settled as the Pearl so I let it go. In my reverie; Pearl in front of me, pleasantly warm, Tree Pipits and Garden Warblers adding a musical backdrop; I’d missed the fact that was a slight break in the cloud. The light hit the Pearl and off it went. I followed and waited for it to sit, open winged and bask before moving in for some shots.
Chuffed I made for home wondering if I’d seen a maximum of 7 or a minimum of 4?
Work 23-04-2019
I hadn’t seen a Small Tort for a while and I reckoned that they were possibly over for this part of the season. Because of this I changed ‘up’ my lunch time walk so now I walked along the Pits and the down the boundary hedge before chancing my arm and nipping ‘offsite’ to take the path down the hill to Sharcott Road. As I made progress I thought that I might have made the wrong choice as it was very quiet as I worked the Pits with only a distant UFW way off across the field. So it continued all down the boundary hedge. “Wrong choice” I thought only to spook a Peacock from the first bit of path on the other side of the hedge. A little further along two Small Torts erupted from some Nettle beds, one returning and stopping for a record shot. A Peacock was basking but took off after I got 2 distant record shots.
It went quiet again until there was another break in the treeline where a Small tort basked and an Orange-tip spilled down the bank from its previous quartering of the field. Nearing the bottom of the path a Specklie played very hard to get. It kept landing just ahead of me and as I’d lean in for a shot it would take off and land just slightly ahead of me etc…
At the proper bottom of the path I turned round and made my way back workwards, retracing my steps. It was actually a bit like rewinding a tape cassette. This time however the Specklie was slightly less twitchy and posed with its body lined along a twig. It might have thought that it was well hidden but it had forgotten about its wings!
Again there was a fly-by male Orange-tip and two Small Torts (different individuals or two of the original three?) but no Peacock. Back along the boundary hedge the whites seemed to have come out as the temperature had increased ever so slightly and there were 2 UFWs (possibly Small Whites?) and two definite female Brimstones. Then it was back into work – it’s been a while since I’ve said that…
It went quiet again until there was another break in the treeline where a Small tort basked and an Orange-tip spilled down the bank from its previous quartering of the field. Nearing the bottom of the path a Specklie played very hard to get. It kept landing just ahead of me and as I’d lean in for a shot it would take off and land just slightly ahead of me etc…
At the proper bottom of the path I turned round and made my way back workwards, retracing my steps. It was actually a bit like rewinding a tape cassette. This time however the Specklie was slightly less twitchy and posed with its body lined along a twig. It might have thought that it was well hidden but it had forgotten about its wings!
Again there was a fly-by male Orange-tip and two Small Torts (different individuals or two of the original three?) but no Peacock. Back along the boundary hedge the whites seemed to have come out as the temperature had increased ever so slightly and there were 2 UFWs (possibly Small Whites?) and two definite female Brimstones. Then it was back into work – it’s been a while since I’ve said that…
Martin Down 22-04-2019
Having been out every day for the last three days I thought that I was pushing my luck by heading out today but then I reasoned that of those three trips only one was actually a proper butterflying trip. As that had been a ‘Biggy’ I kept it local and opted for Martin Down in the hope of getting a few more Greenstreak shots and maybe I’d pick up my first Dingy of the season? With this in mind I headed to the Sillens’ Lane end and quickly set off along the hedge aiming for the Tunnel and then onto the Hotspot and the Dyke. It felt quite chilly it still being early but the sun shone nicely above and it wasn’t very long before I saw my first butterfly; a Brimstone bombing along the line of the hedge and adding a visual treat to the vocal one offered by the birds singing and calling all around me. A little further on and I saw two Holly Blues, a female and then a male both of which peeled away from the hedge and took to fluttering. The male seemed to be a bit lost as he flew away from the cover of the hedge, out across the footpath and then started flying in ever decreasing circles. I crept closer and saw him come down on the deck, only it wasn’t the deck it was a pile of something not particularly nice.
After this little interlude I carried on along the hedge making good time towards the ‘Tunnel’. Along the way I encountered a Specklie and for part of the way I was accompanied by another Holly Blue, two male Orange-tips and another Brimstone. Right at the edge of the tunnel a small grey blur resolved itself into a Grizzlie. My walk along the Tunnel was very slow going but I didn’t mind because it was as there were so many butterflies. At the one end a Holly Blue and Greenstreak sat on guard duty, worrying those that entered. All the way along Orange-tips, Specklies and Brimstones were constantly patrolling up and down although I encountered a few Brimstones that were down on the deck hiding in the grasses possibly not quite up to temperature? At the far end a pair spiralled upwards in what looked good for a successful courtship but the shape of the female looked wrong at times and is seemed that she was arching her abdomen back showing the rejection posture in flight? I don’t know if this was indeed the case, possibly it was just the way that she was flying but let’s just say that the dance didn’t end how the male wanted it to.
After this I broke through out into the light and made my way a directly as possible towards the Hotspot skirting round the edge of the hillfort on the way. A Peacock and a couple of Brimstones were all that I added to the list on the way. At the hotspot things were very quiet though as well as the obligatory OT and Brimstone I managed to find two Grizzlies that were frequenting the areas near the chalk scrape. It had warmed up by now and the heat had brought the butterflies out so as I set off along the bottom of the Dyke they seemed to be everywhere. Again Orange-tips and Brimstones did their thing a brace of Peacocks both made me jump when they erupted from beneath my feet and I found at least 3 different Grizzlies. I was just wondering where the Dingies were when a slightly larger, browner blur announced the arrival of my first of 2019. It didn’t hang about for long, I think about 7 shots in total, before it was off veering this was and that, jinking up, down and diagonal. As I watched it go I realised that I needed to take a leaf from its book and not tarry much longer as my time was ticking away.
Pleased with my ‘first’ I started back along the Dyke watching and counting all the way back to the Hotspot. When I checked my tally it showed that I’d been pretty accurate on the first count as, Peacocks aside my tally tarried. I’d also stopped almost immediately after I’d started as once again I witnessed a failed Brimstone courtship dance. Still bemused by this I cut back through the small field parallel to the path on the way back finding a Greenstreak in amongst the whites and then I also checked the first little bit of the Tunnel. Again there was a Grizzlie on the threshold and a couple of Greenstreaks and Holly Blue on guard duty. The final push back to the car added a few more Greensteaks (3) another Holly Blue (3) nd several OTs and Brimstones as well as two new species for the days tally; a non-stop Small White and a lovely fresh Small Copper. Unfortunately it had decided to take nectar on quite a flimsy bloom so was swinging wildly forwards and backwards in the faintest of breezes. Not a bad morning when all’s said and done!
After this little interlude I carried on along the hedge making good time towards the ‘Tunnel’. Along the way I encountered a Specklie and for part of the way I was accompanied by another Holly Blue, two male Orange-tips and another Brimstone. Right at the edge of the tunnel a small grey blur resolved itself into a Grizzlie. My walk along the Tunnel was very slow going but I didn’t mind because it was as there were so many butterflies. At the one end a Holly Blue and Greenstreak sat on guard duty, worrying those that entered. All the way along Orange-tips, Specklies and Brimstones were constantly patrolling up and down although I encountered a few Brimstones that were down on the deck hiding in the grasses possibly not quite up to temperature? At the far end a pair spiralled upwards in what looked good for a successful courtship but the shape of the female looked wrong at times and is seemed that she was arching her abdomen back showing the rejection posture in flight? I don’t know if this was indeed the case, possibly it was just the way that she was flying but let’s just say that the dance didn’t end how the male wanted it to.
After this I broke through out into the light and made my way a directly as possible towards the Hotspot skirting round the edge of the hillfort on the way. A Peacock and a couple of Brimstones were all that I added to the list on the way. At the hotspot things were very quiet though as well as the obligatory OT and Brimstone I managed to find two Grizzlies that were frequenting the areas near the chalk scrape. It had warmed up by now and the heat had brought the butterflies out so as I set off along the bottom of the Dyke they seemed to be everywhere. Again Orange-tips and Brimstones did their thing a brace of Peacocks both made me jump when they erupted from beneath my feet and I found at least 3 different Grizzlies. I was just wondering where the Dingies were when a slightly larger, browner blur announced the arrival of my first of 2019. It didn’t hang about for long, I think about 7 shots in total, before it was off veering this was and that, jinking up, down and diagonal. As I watched it go I realised that I needed to take a leaf from its book and not tarry much longer as my time was ticking away.
Pleased with my ‘first’ I started back along the Dyke watching and counting all the way back to the Hotspot. When I checked my tally it showed that I’d been pretty accurate on the first count as, Peacocks aside my tally tarried. I’d also stopped almost immediately after I’d started as once again I witnessed a failed Brimstone courtship dance. Still bemused by this I cut back through the small field parallel to the path on the way back finding a Greenstreak in amongst the whites and then I also checked the first little bit of the Tunnel. Again there was a Grizzlie on the threshold and a couple of Greenstreaks and Holly Blue on guard duty. The final push back to the car added a few more Greensteaks (3) another Holly Blue (3) nd several OTs and Brimstones as well as two new species for the days tally; a non-stop Small White and a lovely fresh Small Copper. Unfortunately it had decided to take nectar on quite a flimsy bloom so was swinging wildly forwards and backwards in the faintest of breezes. Not a bad morning when all’s said and done!
Easter Sunday Kingston Lacey
Each year we like to take the girls for an Easter Egg Hunt at one of the National Trust sites. This year was Kingston Lacey and again they seemed to be ranging through the woodland walk area. However unlike last year we were bedecked in shorts and sunnies, sun hatted up and liberally covered in sun cream. I took my camera along but only got a couple of shots during the Hunt for several reasons. First up it was the busiest I’d ever seen it here which meant that every time a butterfly would land at the edge of the path and within range of my lens it would be gone by the tie I’d approached- spooked by an errant walker. Secondly it was hot! Even in the dappled light of the wood I could feel the odd prickle as sweat formed on the back of my neck. So the butterflies rarely stopped instead incessantly quartering the foliage for more nectar or mates. The main reason though was that I was just enjoying the whole experience; it was warm, the butterflies were flashing by like little fleeting jewels – diurnal shooting stars, there were marvellous scents and perfumes wafted gently by the slightest of breezes and I was surrounded by family.
Hunt done we carried on across the gardens and down the Avenue lined with Bluebells before almost completing he circuit with a quick stop in the kitchen garden. As we were approaching the Pacific Garden I mentally went through a list of the butterflies I’d seen; Brimstone, Specklie, Small White, Orange-tip, singles of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, a possible Large White and a single Holly Blue. All standard fare but very few shots I realised. It was then that an OT finally stopped long enough in a place relatively undisturbed. Within a few steps I‘d reeled off a few shots when it actually flew towards me and landed within reach a second time. Looking back I realised I’d gotten lucky with the positioning and lighting as I’d caught the topside with the underside markings projected through. A cracking end to a cracking day!
Hunt done we carried on across the gardens and down the Avenue lined with Bluebells before almost completing he circuit with a quick stop in the kitchen garden. As we were approaching the Pacific Garden I mentally went through a list of the butterflies I’d seen; Brimstone, Specklie, Small White, Orange-tip, singles of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, a possible Large White and a single Holly Blue. All standard fare but very few shots I realised. It was then that an OT finally stopped long enough in a place relatively undisturbed. Within a few steps I‘d reeled off a few shots when it actually flew towards me and landed within reach a second time. Looking back I realised I’d gotten lucky with the positioning and lighting as I’d caught the topside with the underside markings projected through. A cracking end to a cracking day!
Noar Hill 20-04-2019 Part 1
Having gotten home from a great day I was starting to think what I could do with the final remaining days of my holiday. I’d caught up with pretty much all that I could butterfly wise barring one species a Duke. We’d had good weather for a few days and as they’d started emerging 3 weeks before hand I thought that they should be starting to appear in sufficient numbers to make finding them relatively even in the Labyrinth that it Noar Hill. So I made the spur of the moment decision to head over to see what the score was.
Come the morning the weather looked great, my only fear was that the warmth and sunshine might make them a bit too hyper. As I obediently followed Shelia my Satnav with Iron Maiden Killers at just the right volume (loud enough to melt ear wax but not quite cause bleeding) I was happy to see butterflies along the verges en route including a Holly Blue on one of the narrowest and therefore slowest parts of the drive. I made really good time and only encountered one or two cars over the whole journey. Pulling up I grabbed my gear and made my way up the hill. Once the ascent was complete I made straight for the biggest ex working; ‘Pit 1’. I climbed down into it feeling the temperature rise as I did so and slowly strolled to the other side sweeping my gaze left and right. I was almost at the end of pit when a little brown job buzzed out from the undergrowth ahead of me. Job one, it was a Duke.
After a quick coffee and more than a few shots I checked the time and found that I had about an hour to go before I’d be joined by Philzoid and so I set off to do a recce and see if I could find some more Dukes. As I climbed up the steep bank I was joined by a male Orange-tip and as I worked into the second Pit with was more of a scrape with a few little cuttings in it I spied a couple also enjoying a Duke. It turned out that they were Ashleigh and Jo (need to check this) and after the introductions we chatted and watched. There were two in the little, narrow cutting one of which was very really well marked with immaculate fringes. He posed well, tightrope walking along a dead grass stem so I was able to get below him with the light streaming through his wings.
The next pit on was much quieter although there was a brief blue blur as a Holly Blue landed on a large Juniper(?). I was followed by a Greenstreak that almost played ball with us; he’d look like he was coming in to land low down and then veer up to perch above us from where he’d peer cheekily down at us. Ashleigh and Jo carried on but I wanted to keep trying for the Greenstreak and so wishing them well I turned my attentions back to the cheeky little chappy. He kept up this game for a while and I was just thinking about moving off and leaving him to it when he did his last turn. Again looking like he was going to perch within easy distance of my lens but instead of the final veer upwards he landed so that was able to kneel down level to him. Brill.
As I carefully straightened up I noticed a notebook on the floor and so set off to the last pit, Pit 4, hoping to catch up with Ashleigh. Once I had and the book was safely back in the bag we had a look around. Various Whites flew by including a male and female Orange-tip and a Small White. A Specklie put in a very brief appearance. But these were just ‘fillers’ as I was waiting for a particularly well posed Duke on a Cowslip which was being enjoyed by another enthusiast. Once I’d had my turn I wished all luck and started to make my way back to the first Pit ready to meet Philzoid. I did alright managing to get from 4 to 3 to 2 but then things went a little strange and I got a little sucked into the space warp that is Noar Hill. I followed a very familiar path out over the top of Pit 2 and it should have been a shirt walk across the path and then down into Pit 1 where I’d started. Only it wasn’t, over the top of the Pit 2 was a buckled and uneven field, no big scar dug into the earth just turf. Wandering a little confused and lost into it I stumbled across a couple of Greenstreaks one of which was exceedingly fresh, it looked so new I think the paint was still wet! As I clicked away I realised that the bushes and scrub that the Greenstreaks favoured was actually the same scrub that lined the top of Pit 1 and so I headed back into the reserve following the line of trees and there before me was Pit 1. Relived I sank down into it, poured a coffee and reacquainted myself or possibly introduced myself to the Duke which was holding territory at the end. Occasionally I would climb back up and scan the horizon looking for Philzoid and soon there he appeared. Right to business…
Come the morning the weather looked great, my only fear was that the warmth and sunshine might make them a bit too hyper. As I obediently followed Shelia my Satnav with Iron Maiden Killers at just the right volume (loud enough to melt ear wax but not quite cause bleeding) I was happy to see butterflies along the verges en route including a Holly Blue on one of the narrowest and therefore slowest parts of the drive. I made really good time and only encountered one or two cars over the whole journey. Pulling up I grabbed my gear and made my way up the hill. Once the ascent was complete I made straight for the biggest ex working; ‘Pit 1’. I climbed down into it feeling the temperature rise as I did so and slowly strolled to the other side sweeping my gaze left and right. I was almost at the end of pit when a little brown job buzzed out from the undergrowth ahead of me. Job one, it was a Duke.
After a quick coffee and more than a few shots I checked the time and found that I had about an hour to go before I’d be joined by Philzoid and so I set off to do a recce and see if I could find some more Dukes. As I climbed up the steep bank I was joined by a male Orange-tip and as I worked into the second Pit with was more of a scrape with a few little cuttings in it I spied a couple also enjoying a Duke. It turned out that they were Ashleigh and Jo (need to check this) and after the introductions we chatted and watched. There were two in the little, narrow cutting one of which was very really well marked with immaculate fringes. He posed well, tightrope walking along a dead grass stem so I was able to get below him with the light streaming through his wings.
The next pit on was much quieter although there was a brief blue blur as a Holly Blue landed on a large Juniper(?). I was followed by a Greenstreak that almost played ball with us; he’d look like he was coming in to land low down and then veer up to perch above us from where he’d peer cheekily down at us. Ashleigh and Jo carried on but I wanted to keep trying for the Greenstreak and so wishing them well I turned my attentions back to the cheeky little chappy. He kept up this game for a while and I was just thinking about moving off and leaving him to it when he did his last turn. Again looking like he was going to perch within easy distance of my lens but instead of the final veer upwards he landed so that was able to kneel down level to him. Brill.
As I carefully straightened up I noticed a notebook on the floor and so set off to the last pit, Pit 4, hoping to catch up with Ashleigh. Once I had and the book was safely back in the bag we had a look around. Various Whites flew by including a male and female Orange-tip and a Small White. A Specklie put in a very brief appearance. But these were just ‘fillers’ as I was waiting for a particularly well posed Duke on a Cowslip which was being enjoyed by another enthusiast. Once I’d had my turn I wished all luck and started to make my way back to the first Pit ready to meet Philzoid. I did alright managing to get from 4 to 3 to 2 but then things went a little strange and I got a little sucked into the space warp that is Noar Hill. I followed a very familiar path out over the top of Pit 2 and it should have been a shirt walk across the path and then down into Pit 1 where I’d started. Only it wasn’t, over the top of the Pit 2 was a buckled and uneven field, no big scar dug into the earth just turf. Wandering a little confused and lost into it I stumbled across a couple of Greenstreaks one of which was exceedingly fresh, it looked so new I think the paint was still wet! As I clicked away I realised that the bushes and scrub that the Greenstreaks favoured was actually the same scrub that lined the top of Pit 1 and so I headed back into the reserve following the line of trees and there before me was Pit 1. Relived I sank down into it, poured a coffee and reacquainted myself or possibly introduced myself to the Duke which was holding territory at the end. Occasionally I would climb back up and scan the horizon looking for Philzoid and soon there he appeared. Right to business…
Noar Hill Part 2 20-04-2019
Once Philzoid had arrived we got straight onto the first Duke that was still frequenting the end of Pit 1. Happy that we’d gotten what we came for we caught up and slipped into the usual groove of chat interspersed with butterflies.
As we left Pit one we notched up and Orange-tip and three Brimstones two of which were females but they didn’t stop. Climbing up and over the steep top of Pit 1 we made towards Pit 2 when another Brimstone passed us and disappeared over the edge and down the way we’d come. A Comma shot by and led us towards one of the smaller scallops in the flatter Pit 2. This proved to be a good thing as there were 2 Dukes here which we were able to spend some time with. I really wanted to try the little Gully which had been great earlier and was so good last year. Once again it held a 2 Dukes although one had the air of a Duchess about it, which much larger and longer orange markings. Looking back alter at the shots I swear that I can see three pairs of legs (?). Whilst enjoying this lovely individual there were a couple of fly-bys possibly by the other Duke that was inhabiting the far end of the little gully but as one point there were three all flying together.
We then carried on having a bit of a wander and skirted round the edge of Pit 3 following the path that ran around the top of the of it as it dove ever so slightly down through a very spindly spinney. We were stopped momentarily on the way as moff flew about and stopped a Holly Blue. It seemed confused and so settled down on the deck possibly seeking some moisture/salts. Try as we might Philzoid and I found this little fella to be very twitchy and I came away with only a few record shots to show for quite an expense of patience. Also along this little track was a Speckled Wood and when we broke out and into the sunshine both a Brismstone and Orange-tip patrolled past us. Onwards and upwards to Pit 4 where unfortunately the well behaved Duke from earlier had done a runner and so we watched a few whites one of which was the smallest female Orange-tip that I’ve ever seen. As it was so quiet here we decided to try and retrace our steps. Back in Pit 3 a five minute watch saw us achieve a tally of 3 Brimstones, 2 Small Whites and a Partridge…sorry, one a piece of Orange-tip and Holly Blue. The former could possibly have been one of the two that we’d seen together meaning earlier and the Holly Blue played very hard to get high up in the Juniper.
We temporarily set up camp and I got to pour a coffee. The little cutting was missing the Dukes from earlier instead we concentrated on the more level ground above and behind the gully where the turf was nice and short and there were some large stones and exposed scrapes allowing for less cluttered images. Over the time we were here an Orange-tip, a Brimstone and Peacock all passed through but it was as if I was wearing butterfly blinkers – I’d come for Dukes and so Dukes was what I intended to (almost) solely photograph. At one pint there were three present but for most of the time we watched a pair. One would have a little fly and enter the others air space and they would both tussle, spiralling upwards before breaking apart and then fluttering down to land reasonably close to where they’d started from. It was great to see and I stood over, knelt near and once or twice even lay down clicking away merrily completely oblivious to the fact that I was going to have to sort through an awful lot of images later! Having almost had my fill of the Dukes here we set out once again to seek some more.
Once again we left Pit 3 aiming for Pit 2 only to end up in the field with lots of humps and nowhere near where we had expected to be! This place bends time and space I swear! Still we were here and so we had a look at what was about here and notched up a Duke, Small White and a further couple of Dukes. Following the lie of the land we moved on into another scalloped area and there was another Duke and finally ended up in a small area where I could have sworn I’d seen my Greenstreaks earlier in the morning. Here there were another 2 Dukes bringing the total to between 12 and 15 for the morning. I remember the very good year at my Duke Site when it had been really easy to pick up over 20 Dukes but this is an easy second place. Most of the Dukes were almost mint condish and it was a joy to see the little brown blur resolve into the chocolate and yellow as they landed.
Somehow we found our way back to Pit 1 and from there headed downhill and home as a Greenstreak waved us goodbye. We stopped briefly en route for a Holly Blue that tried to lead us into a field of Oil Seed Rape but all too quickly the day was over, I’d wished Philzoid well and was motoring home with more Maiden. Still it may have been over too quickly (that’s the bending of the rules of time part of Naor Hill) but while it lasted it was brilliant.
As we left Pit one we notched up and Orange-tip and three Brimstones two of which were females but they didn’t stop. Climbing up and over the steep top of Pit 1 we made towards Pit 2 when another Brimstone passed us and disappeared over the edge and down the way we’d come. A Comma shot by and led us towards one of the smaller scallops in the flatter Pit 2. This proved to be a good thing as there were 2 Dukes here which we were able to spend some time with. I really wanted to try the little Gully which had been great earlier and was so good last year. Once again it held a 2 Dukes although one had the air of a Duchess about it, which much larger and longer orange markings. Looking back alter at the shots I swear that I can see three pairs of legs (?). Whilst enjoying this lovely individual there were a couple of fly-bys possibly by the other Duke that was inhabiting the far end of the little gully but as one point there were three all flying together.
We then carried on having a bit of a wander and skirted round the edge of Pit 3 following the path that ran around the top of the of it as it dove ever so slightly down through a very spindly spinney. We were stopped momentarily on the way as moff flew about and stopped a Holly Blue. It seemed confused and so settled down on the deck possibly seeking some moisture/salts. Try as we might Philzoid and I found this little fella to be very twitchy and I came away with only a few record shots to show for quite an expense of patience. Also along this little track was a Speckled Wood and when we broke out and into the sunshine both a Brismstone and Orange-tip patrolled past us. Onwards and upwards to Pit 4 where unfortunately the well behaved Duke from earlier had done a runner and so we watched a few whites one of which was the smallest female Orange-tip that I’ve ever seen. As it was so quiet here we decided to try and retrace our steps. Back in Pit 3 a five minute watch saw us achieve a tally of 3 Brimstones, 2 Small Whites and a Partridge…sorry, one a piece of Orange-tip and Holly Blue. The former could possibly have been one of the two that we’d seen together meaning earlier and the Holly Blue played very hard to get high up in the Juniper.
We temporarily set up camp and I got to pour a coffee. The little cutting was missing the Dukes from earlier instead we concentrated on the more level ground above and behind the gully where the turf was nice and short and there were some large stones and exposed scrapes allowing for less cluttered images. Over the time we were here an Orange-tip, a Brimstone and Peacock all passed through but it was as if I was wearing butterfly blinkers – I’d come for Dukes and so Dukes was what I intended to (almost) solely photograph. At one pint there were three present but for most of the time we watched a pair. One would have a little fly and enter the others air space and they would both tussle, spiralling upwards before breaking apart and then fluttering down to land reasonably close to where they’d started from. It was great to see and I stood over, knelt near and once or twice even lay down clicking away merrily completely oblivious to the fact that I was going to have to sort through an awful lot of images later! Having almost had my fill of the Dukes here we set out once again to seek some more.
Once again we left Pit 3 aiming for Pit 2 only to end up in the field with lots of humps and nowhere near where we had expected to be! This place bends time and space I swear! Still we were here and so we had a look at what was about here and notched up a Duke, Small White and a further couple of Dukes. Following the lie of the land we moved on into another scalloped area and there was another Duke and finally ended up in a small area where I could have sworn I’d seen my Greenstreaks earlier in the morning. Here there were another 2 Dukes bringing the total to between 12 and 15 for the morning. I remember the very good year at my Duke Site when it had been really easy to pick up over 20 Dukes but this is an easy second place. Most of the Dukes were almost mint condish and it was a joy to see the little brown blur resolve into the chocolate and yellow as they landed.
Somehow we found our way back to Pit 1 and from there headed downhill and home as a Greenstreak waved us goodbye. We stopped briefly en route for a Holly Blue that tried to lead us into a field of Oil Seed Rape but all too quickly the day was over, I’d wished Philzoid well and was motoring home with more Maiden. Still it may have been over too quickly (that’s the bending of the rules of time part of Naor Hill) but while it lasted it was brilliant.
Hengistbury Head 19-04-2019
So for my wife’s birthday I was hoping, fingers crossed, to be heading to a National Trust site. But no joy, instead I was off to Hengistbury Head. Oh well I thought perhaps I could pop to Noar tomorrow? So loaded up with beach paraphernalia and Kelly Kettle we set off along the now familiar track. On the way a Peacock fluttered off across the bay and then a Brimstone and Small White battled it out in the field adjacent to the path.
Once we were settled and set up the girls disappeared along the strand line and I set to getting Kelly going. As I did I watched Sand Martins wheeling above and cutting through the air. Two stopped agonisingly close on part of the Groyne for just long enough to get my camera, focus…and they were gone. A pair of Peacocks fought their way along the top of the surf and after this, try as I might I couldn’t quite relax so I went for a pee break. I was joined by a long Peacock that looked a little battered – the same one from a few weeks back?
After lunch I took myself off for 15 minutes or so respite between various beach doings and walked up the hill in order to see if there were any Greenstreaks on the Gorse. On the way the obligatory Peacock and a Holly Blue joined me. The rather lovely Holly Blue danced around the top of the steps, zipping from one Holly Bush to another and back repeatedly. At the top heathland stretched away in front of me and a/nother Peacock flew by and disappeared down amid the Gorse. I settled myself on the cliff top and marvelled at the aeronautical acrobatics of the Sand Martins. It was quite surreal to watch them disappear from the horizon as they dove down the Cliffside. There would be a lull in their activities every now and again before a chorus of ‘chirppings’ indicated a mass emergence from the cliff nests. It was a sight to behold. As I turned to head back a Specklie flew towards me looking out of place amongst the treeless heathland. As it carried on over the cliff edge and out to sea it was an even more incongruous sight.
After lunch and more beachside relaxing I went for another brief wander this time checking out the little triangle of Gorse behind the first of the Beach Huts. Guess which butterfly I saw first? Yep a Peacock. But like all the rest it was only a fleeting shot. After this I carried on mooching for a little bit when a Green-veined White hove into view. It landed several times but always took off even before I’d taken my first step towards it. Finally it landed on a Dandelion in a little nook of Bramble so I crept round the corner, pointed my camera, focused…just as a Small White turned up and started scrapping with it. It seems the larger small White won as it came back, circled and landed on its ‘throne’ amid the Gorse…
After this I watched as an Orange-tip appeared along the path. It settled before me and I managed one shot before it realised what it was doing and shot off probably muttering to itself “stupid OT, landing in front of someone with a camera like that, remember they like to run around all over the place after us!” On the way back to ‘camp’, yep a/nother Peacock and then I set to more tea making and more beachside relaxing. I even did a bit of perilous ‘rock hopping’ on the Groyne which took me back to being 18 again though this time it wasn’t just for the fun of it but as I was stalking a Rock Pipit. It was behaving a lot like a Californian Surfbird landing on the top of a boulder and then hopping and fluttering down in between the crevices to get to the wet part before bolting back up as the waves crashed back in.
A very pleasant day all in all.
Once we were settled and set up the girls disappeared along the strand line and I set to getting Kelly going. As I did I watched Sand Martins wheeling above and cutting through the air. Two stopped agonisingly close on part of the Groyne for just long enough to get my camera, focus…and they were gone. A pair of Peacocks fought their way along the top of the surf and after this, try as I might I couldn’t quite relax so I went for a pee break. I was joined by a long Peacock that looked a little battered – the same one from a few weeks back?
After lunch I took myself off for 15 minutes or so respite between various beach doings and walked up the hill in order to see if there were any Greenstreaks on the Gorse. On the way the obligatory Peacock and a Holly Blue joined me. The rather lovely Holly Blue danced around the top of the steps, zipping from one Holly Bush to another and back repeatedly. At the top heathland stretched away in front of me and a/nother Peacock flew by and disappeared down amid the Gorse. I settled myself on the cliff top and marvelled at the aeronautical acrobatics of the Sand Martins. It was quite surreal to watch them disappear from the horizon as they dove down the Cliffside. There would be a lull in their activities every now and again before a chorus of ‘chirppings’ indicated a mass emergence from the cliff nests. It was a sight to behold. As I turned to head back a Specklie flew towards me looking out of place amongst the treeless heathland. As it carried on over the cliff edge and out to sea it was an even more incongruous sight.
After lunch and more beachside relaxing I went for another brief wander this time checking out the little triangle of Gorse behind the first of the Beach Huts. Guess which butterfly I saw first? Yep a Peacock. But like all the rest it was only a fleeting shot. After this I carried on mooching for a little bit when a Green-veined White hove into view. It landed several times but always took off even before I’d taken my first step towards it. Finally it landed on a Dandelion in a little nook of Bramble so I crept round the corner, pointed my camera, focused…just as a Small White turned up and started scrapping with it. It seems the larger small White won as it came back, circled and landed on its ‘throne’ amid the Gorse…
After this I watched as an Orange-tip appeared along the path. It settled before me and I managed one shot before it realised what it was doing and shot off probably muttering to itself “stupid OT, landing in front of someone with a camera like that, remember they like to run around all over the place after us!” On the way back to ‘camp’, yep a/nother Peacock and then I set to more tea making and more beachside relaxing. I even did a bit of perilous ‘rock hopping’ on the Groyne which took me back to being 18 again though this time it wasn’t just for the fun of it but as I was stalking a Rock Pipit. It was behaving a lot like a Californian Surfbird landing on the top of a boulder and then hopping and fluttering down in between the crevices to get to the wet part before bolting back up as the waves crashed back in.
A very pleasant day all in all.
Sidbury 17-04-2019
After getting blown round the site (wind not MOD) on my last visit conditions today seemed much more conducive with higher temperatures, more consistent sunshine and a much lighter breeze. Plus I had the bonus of this not really ‘counting as a butterfly visit’ as I was merely calling in on the way home from a holiday revision class. I pulled up in the normal place and hopped put and almost rubbing my hands together in gleeful anticipation I set off down the path.
However my excitement started to diffuse as it was very quiet all the way along the old Duke track with only a single Peacock. Then at the Cypress trees I drew a blank on Greenstreak and after checking out the field, the Duke hotspot and the springy turf area I had only added a Brimstone and pair of Peacocks to the tally. Hmmmm…Slightly less buoyantly I started along the little valley and things suddenly took an upturn. It started slowly with a Brimstone heading down the valley hugging the side of the Spinney as it did so. A male Orange-tip cut past me and as I turned to follow it I spied a much smaller brown job. It wasn’t dark/silvery enough for a Brown Argus so I guessed that it was a Greenstreak. When it finally settled after a highly jinking dash here there and everywhere I could see that it was in fact so. I tried to edge closer in but it was extremely twitchy and it was off again doing it’s dizzying ‘escape’ run.
I’d been hoping for more so I quickly made my way up to the top of the hill and the Gorsefield. It was warmer and more sheltered here and smelt gorgeously of coconut so I was hoping that this might have a soporific effect on the butterflies. It possibly did as when I located a Greenstreak it sat and posed very nicely for me. I like finding them here because the Gorse isn’t too high, barely mid chest height at the tallest point and this one was on an evener lower bush so I could use my knees to make a nice steady tripod.
After a while I felt like I’d hassled it enough and so I set off to see if I could relocate the Grizzlies in the innermost ring. I cut back through the wood on a different trajectory and climbed down into the ring. As I did I immediately felt the slight increase in temperature and with it I noticed a sudden increase in butterfly activity. Straight away I could see 4 Whites; 2 male Brimstones, a female Brimstone and an even larger and pure white butterfly, a definite Large White. They were intermingling and either trying to court, fend off or mob each other with the steep side of the bank forming a green background for them. Down in the bottom a Green-veined White cruised by and had a momentary tussle with a Small White that appeared in from the opposite direction. I carried on along the bottom when it was still and warm. A Peacock took off and flew away behind me. I noted several Orange-tips (3 males and a female) and another one a piece of Green-veined and Small White. There was something different that caught my attention. A much smaller, orangey brown butterfly. It wasn’t dark enough to be a Duke nor bright enough to be a Copper – it was a Small Heath! I managed a few shots and then it was offski.
By now I’d reached the section of the rings where I’d found the Grizzlie. There was the tangle of a dead tree blocking the path but there wasn’t the Grizzlie. Perhaps they’d moved further down the hill in the good weather? I turned to head back when a saw a now familiar orangey blur. “The Small Heath” I thought but when I managed to get a few shots I could see that it was a different individual.
Chuffed with this I climbed out of the rings and headed back down the hill to the little valley approaching this time form higher ground. A Comma bombed past and both a Brimstone and Orange-tip patrolled. The Greenstreak was back in the same place and was just as unaccommodating but it was joined by a Small Copper glittering in the grasses like a precious stone. It was immaculate and a very fitting brilliant end to brilliant visit. Three year firsts in the bag; two of which are (currently) county firsts.
However my excitement started to diffuse as it was very quiet all the way along the old Duke track with only a single Peacock. Then at the Cypress trees I drew a blank on Greenstreak and after checking out the field, the Duke hotspot and the springy turf area I had only added a Brimstone and pair of Peacocks to the tally. Hmmmm…Slightly less buoyantly I started along the little valley and things suddenly took an upturn. It started slowly with a Brimstone heading down the valley hugging the side of the Spinney as it did so. A male Orange-tip cut past me and as I turned to follow it I spied a much smaller brown job. It wasn’t dark/silvery enough for a Brown Argus so I guessed that it was a Greenstreak. When it finally settled after a highly jinking dash here there and everywhere I could see that it was in fact so. I tried to edge closer in but it was extremely twitchy and it was off again doing it’s dizzying ‘escape’ run.
I’d been hoping for more so I quickly made my way up to the top of the hill and the Gorsefield. It was warmer and more sheltered here and smelt gorgeously of coconut so I was hoping that this might have a soporific effect on the butterflies. It possibly did as when I located a Greenstreak it sat and posed very nicely for me. I like finding them here because the Gorse isn’t too high, barely mid chest height at the tallest point and this one was on an evener lower bush so I could use my knees to make a nice steady tripod.
After a while I felt like I’d hassled it enough and so I set off to see if I could relocate the Grizzlies in the innermost ring. I cut back through the wood on a different trajectory and climbed down into the ring. As I did I immediately felt the slight increase in temperature and with it I noticed a sudden increase in butterfly activity. Straight away I could see 4 Whites; 2 male Brimstones, a female Brimstone and an even larger and pure white butterfly, a definite Large White. They were intermingling and either trying to court, fend off or mob each other with the steep side of the bank forming a green background for them. Down in the bottom a Green-veined White cruised by and had a momentary tussle with a Small White that appeared in from the opposite direction. I carried on along the bottom when it was still and warm. A Peacock took off and flew away behind me. I noted several Orange-tips (3 males and a female) and another one a piece of Green-veined and Small White. There was something different that caught my attention. A much smaller, orangey brown butterfly. It wasn’t dark enough to be a Duke nor bright enough to be a Copper – it was a Small Heath! I managed a few shots and then it was offski.
By now I’d reached the section of the rings where I’d found the Grizzlie. There was the tangle of a dead tree blocking the path but there wasn’t the Grizzlie. Perhaps they’d moved further down the hill in the good weather? I turned to head back when a saw a now familiar orangey blur. “The Small Heath” I thought but when I managed to get a few shots I could see that it was a different individual.
Chuffed with this I climbed out of the rings and headed back down the hill to the little valley approaching this time form higher ground. A Comma bombed past and both a Brimstone and Orange-tip patrolled. The Greenstreak was back in the same place and was just as unaccommodating but it was joined by a Small Copper glittering in the grasses like a precious stone. It was immaculate and a very fitting brilliant end to brilliant visit. Three year firsts in the bag; two of which are (currently) county firsts.
Ex-Duke Site 15-04-2019
The forecast said sunny but a strong breeze clawed the temperatures down so much that there wasn’t really a nip in the air but a full on bite! Still that’s the spring for you and butterflies can be hardy little beasties so I set off across the grasslands hopefully. I walked and walked checking all the usual areas; scanning less and less hopefully across the varied habitats and wishing the temperature to creep up just by a few degrees. My travels had taken me right across the site and up to the far-side of the Hill Fort and I now set off back downhill seeking any sheltered spots on the way. A large stand of Gorse seemed to offer respite and so I edged my way in t a little glade of calm. A Peacock spotted me and after only a record shot or two buggered off. It felt like it was going to be one of those days when you have to put the spadework in for little reward so as to get something great on a different visit.
As I followed the track back round and down having extricated myself from the Gorse my attentions were drawn to a Specklie that had landed in one of the ‘fields’ hemmed in by the trees. It was very flighty and was swiftly gone to be replaced with an OT which I spent some time with. I’m having a very good season with this species and the slightly cooler weather makes photographing them much easier.
I then set course for an epic wander – back down to the little valley (Specklie), to the Cypresses (Peacock), down the back path (Peacock), back up to the little valley (Peacock, Brimstone, Comma) to the top of the hill and the far side of the rings (Small White and Peacock). The wind was quite frankly a pain in the arse and all the butterflies seen were during momentary lapses while the wind was getting its breath back. Having done so it set to whisking my quarry away.
I reasoned that the best idea would be to get down into the rings where the wind would be less vile and the sun would be trapped. So I set off noting 2 Peacocks down in the rings. By the time I’d reached the near side of the Fort the trees had thickened and this meant that the wind was even less of a problem. So unsurprisingly I had a little purple patch of activity. It started with a Peacock again and then there was a Specklie followed by Green-veined White. While I watched it a tiny little blur shot past me. I only caught a glimpse but it was very suggestive of a Grizzle?
I carried on down in the hollows climbing over a fallen tree and entering into another one of those purple patches. Yet again (seemed to be the theme for the day this) it started with a Peacock and a Specklie but this time a male OT thundering by broke the monopoly the former two species seemed to have on the day. The Whites were rallying it seemed as a male Brimstone and a Green-veined White then flew into view. I followed the later back the way that I’d come, having to once again clamber over the fallen tree whilst maintaining eye contact with the butterfly. This is another one of those species that seems to be playing hard to get this year. As I leant in the grey blur was back and this time I could clearly see it was a Grizzlie and a beautifully marked and fresh individual at that. My first Grizzlie of the year is one of my favourite moments of the spring so I sat and watched the little chap for a while with a celebratory coffee.
Eventually I pulled myself away from the gravity of the Grizzlie and made back down the hills topping briefly in the little valley for yet another Peacock and my second Grizzlie. The final descent to the car saw another pair of Peacocks and as I drove back feeling the warmth that comes from just being out of the wind I contemplated the day. No Greenstreak!? Hard work? First Grizzlies? No the thing that struck me was the sheer number of Peacocks!
As I followed the track back round and down having extricated myself from the Gorse my attentions were drawn to a Specklie that had landed in one of the ‘fields’ hemmed in by the trees. It was very flighty and was swiftly gone to be replaced with an OT which I spent some time with. I’m having a very good season with this species and the slightly cooler weather makes photographing them much easier.
I then set course for an epic wander – back down to the little valley (Specklie), to the Cypresses (Peacock), down the back path (Peacock), back up to the little valley (Peacock, Brimstone, Comma) to the top of the hill and the far side of the rings (Small White and Peacock). The wind was quite frankly a pain in the arse and all the butterflies seen were during momentary lapses while the wind was getting its breath back. Having done so it set to whisking my quarry away.
I reasoned that the best idea would be to get down into the rings where the wind would be less vile and the sun would be trapped. So I set off noting 2 Peacocks down in the rings. By the time I’d reached the near side of the Fort the trees had thickened and this meant that the wind was even less of a problem. So unsurprisingly I had a little purple patch of activity. It started with a Peacock again and then there was a Specklie followed by Green-veined White. While I watched it a tiny little blur shot past me. I only caught a glimpse but it was very suggestive of a Grizzle?
I carried on down in the hollows climbing over a fallen tree and entering into another one of those purple patches. Yet again (seemed to be the theme for the day this) it started with a Peacock and a Specklie but this time a male OT thundering by broke the monopoly the former two species seemed to have on the day. The Whites were rallying it seemed as a male Brimstone and a Green-veined White then flew into view. I followed the later back the way that I’d come, having to once again clamber over the fallen tree whilst maintaining eye contact with the butterfly. This is another one of those species that seems to be playing hard to get this year. As I leant in the grey blur was back and this time I could clearly see it was a Grizzlie and a beautifully marked and fresh individual at that. My first Grizzlie of the year is one of my favourite moments of the spring so I sat and watched the little chap for a while with a celebratory coffee.
Eventually I pulled myself away from the gravity of the Grizzlie and made back down the hills topping briefly in the little valley for yet another Peacock and my second Grizzlie. The final descent to the car saw another pair of Peacocks and as I drove back feeling the warmth that comes from just being out of the wind I contemplated the day. No Greenstreak!? Hard work? First Grizzlies? No the thing that struck me was the sheer number of Peacocks!
Middle Street 13-04-2019
Life after the App (the BBC Weather) continues unabated and so today despite it feeling cool to almost cold I took a lunch time constitutional via the Town Path across the Meadows to Harnham and onto Middle Street. As I walked with the Meadows on either side through my hoodie I could feel the temperature going up and down as the sun broke through the cloud and then was covered again. However I was hopeful that I might be able to find a roosting OT. I didn’t pick up any butterflies either on the way over nor during my first 30 minutes of wandering around the more sheltered areas of the site seeking every likely looking plant, seeking every bit of white peeking out from the greenery.
In the end I settled for looking at the birds (Blackcap, Cetti’s, Chiff-chaff, Reed Bunting) and bees. Whilst following a Tawny Mining bee a Specklie erupted from the edge of the smallest stand of trees on the site and flew across to a larger one where I lost sight of it. As I was making my way back towards where I’d left the Tawny I spotted something larger and more red than orange-red. I peered a little closer and it resolved into a pair of moths locked together in cop. I think that they’re Ruby Tigers which would be great as I’ve only had one shot in my collection and now I have a few more including definite male and female shots.
After this I wanted to get a butterfly shot to put the icing on the cake and an OT would have been ideal. So I set out for the hotspot reasoning that I’d already seen OTs here on two occasions so this is obviously a patrolled area. Once there I set to waiting and cloud watching as I was convinced that I’d need only a few moments of sun for the temperature to be warm enough for any OT to get back ‘up and at em’. After what felt like and age but was actually only a couple of minutes the sun broke through the cloud, the icy breeze dropped and the temperature crept up. Sure enough I caught a pastel orange coloured object out of the corner of my eye and watched as it landed first on small sapling and then once disturbed by a passing Blackcap down lower on the ground. As the sun had again been swallowed by the cloud I slowly made my way over to the OT stumbling slightly on the way as I didn’t want to take my eyes off it. And then there it was. It wasn’t going anywhere and so I got my fill of shots and marvelled at how the cryptic markings changed appearance with distance. Far away is it a bird dropping/catkin, flower head? On no it’s a butterfly with green and white makings, closer still and the green and white actually becomes yellow and black on a white background – stunning!
After a while I held my fingers out and it walked up them so I moved the butterfly to another Yarrow nearby and then stood guard over it. All the while I’d keep glancing upwards and on the final occasion I felt the sun start to peep out. Now I positioned myself directly over the OT and waited, willing the sun to shine. Sure enough it did and the butterfly opened up to reveal a massive pair of eyes and a stunning vibrant orange. After a few shots the butterfly took off, flew a short way and then went twice round the small hotspot area. I think it was trying to work out if it was actually warm enough for it to keep going but it didn’t spend too long deciding as the sun then ducked behind the clouds and the butterfly went back to roost very close to its original position.
After a few final record shots I left it in peace and made for home still awestruck at the subtle beauty that I’d seen.
In the end I settled for looking at the birds (Blackcap, Cetti’s, Chiff-chaff, Reed Bunting) and bees. Whilst following a Tawny Mining bee a Specklie erupted from the edge of the smallest stand of trees on the site and flew across to a larger one where I lost sight of it. As I was making my way back towards where I’d left the Tawny I spotted something larger and more red than orange-red. I peered a little closer and it resolved into a pair of moths locked together in cop. I think that they’re Ruby Tigers which would be great as I’ve only had one shot in my collection and now I have a few more including definite male and female shots.
After this I wanted to get a butterfly shot to put the icing on the cake and an OT would have been ideal. So I set out for the hotspot reasoning that I’d already seen OTs here on two occasions so this is obviously a patrolled area. Once there I set to waiting and cloud watching as I was convinced that I’d need only a few moments of sun for the temperature to be warm enough for any OT to get back ‘up and at em’. After what felt like and age but was actually only a couple of minutes the sun broke through the cloud, the icy breeze dropped and the temperature crept up. Sure enough I caught a pastel orange coloured object out of the corner of my eye and watched as it landed first on small sapling and then once disturbed by a passing Blackcap down lower on the ground. As the sun had again been swallowed by the cloud I slowly made my way over to the OT stumbling slightly on the way as I didn’t want to take my eyes off it. And then there it was. It wasn’t going anywhere and so I got my fill of shots and marvelled at how the cryptic markings changed appearance with distance. Far away is it a bird dropping/catkin, flower head? On no it’s a butterfly with green and white makings, closer still and the green and white actually becomes yellow and black on a white background – stunning!
After a while I held my fingers out and it walked up them so I moved the butterfly to another Yarrow nearby and then stood guard over it. All the while I’d keep glancing upwards and on the final occasion I felt the sun start to peep out. Now I positioned myself directly over the OT and waited, willing the sun to shine. Sure enough it did and the butterfly opened up to reveal a massive pair of eyes and a stunning vibrant orange. After a few shots the butterfly took off, flew a short way and then went twice round the small hotspot area. I think it was trying to work out if it was actually warm enough for it to keep going but it didn’t spend too long deciding as the sun then ducked behind the clouds and the butterfly went back to roost very close to its original position.
After a few final record shots I left it in peace and made for home still awestruck at the subtle beauty that I’d seen.
Middle Street - The Day of Doubles 11-04-2019
Typical the day when the weather app showed full sun was the day I’d booked for my wife and I to have a Spa session. Double typical it was the first time in oh I can’t remember, when it actually got the forecast reasonably correct (it was actually warmer than predicted)! Still I had about an hour free after lunch before we needed to set off for the Spa so I grabbed my camera and made towards Middle Street. I called in at one of the little roads at Fisherton Island first, well tried to. It’s been a few years since I’ve wandered down the little dead end road and in the meantime they’ve put up a white painted fence bedecked in large “PRIVATE” signs. So I stood on the legal side of the road and watched as a Holly Blue busied itself on the other side of the river.
I carried on actually on my way to Middle Street across the Town Path but despite there being one or two stands of Cuckoo Flower in the surrounding fields and the fat that it was almost warm enough to take my Hoodie off I didn’t see a single butterfly. That was until I reached the middle and the footpath ran over the weir. I watched a male OT fly across the body of water and flutter about in the only green bit of the hedge and then it went down. So I legged it in that direction and then slowed up putting the old ‘click-step’ technique into action. Chuffed after I’d gotten a few I carried on round towards Middle Street. I’d like to have gotten a few more but a, I mustn’t be greedy and b, a couple of kids on BMXs flashed past me spooking it.
Passing the Old Mill pub I scanned the gardens and hanging baskets and as I rounded the corner onto Middle Street itself a second Holly Blue fluttered about but this time instead of a river between me and my quarry it was too high so all I could do was stand back and enjoy watching it bimble around.
I roused myself and carried on realising that I’d used up 15 minutes of my time and as I walked through the opening to the reserve the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. Because of this I decided to check out the hotspot first as it’s almost entirely sheltered with only openings in the wind break of buildings and Spinneys where the path cuts through it. This was a good call because I’d only just turned right to make my way to the hotspot when I saw a white butterfly flying towards me. It seemed more rounded than a GVW or Small White I was wondering and hoping that it was a female OT. It dropped down and I cautiously stalked towards it and it was indeed a female OT.
I carried on finding both a Peacock and Small Tort feeding from Dandelions on the path. They were less than a metre apart form each other which would normally have meant a spiralling battle to the death but not today. A small dog off a lead bombed by growling at me and spooking the butterflies so after checking to see of its owner was nearby and growling back at it to “Bugger off” I set to finding where the 2 butterflies had gone down. They were both on the other side of the field and again feeding from Dandelions and this time only about 30cm away from each other.
I checked my brick/phone and realised that I only had 15 minutes to get back home so I set off stopping twice on the way back. The first for a Small Tort and the second for a second Peacock which wasn’t playing ball. However I didn’t stop for the Small White which flew past me as I went through the exit of the reserve as that would have spoilt my Doubles theme! How very inconsiderate of it to mess up the narrative…
On the walk to the Spa I tried to avoid seeing anything but an OT decided to follow me and have a little spar with a passing Brimstone. When we took the short cut along the river path I spied a Holly Blue and two further Brimstones – luckily all of these would have been out of reach of my lens else I might have felt slightly frustrated. In previous times I’ve mentioned when I think I’ve had the easiest butterfly sighting or the most incongruous but today had the most relaxing; having had a 45 minute massage, spent 15 minutes each on the hot beds, steam room and sauna I was lazing in the Hot Tub without a care in the world and so relaxed I was almost half asleep watching a Holly Blue fluttering about in the Ivy bedecked tree above me – bliss.
I carried on actually on my way to Middle Street across the Town Path but despite there being one or two stands of Cuckoo Flower in the surrounding fields and the fat that it was almost warm enough to take my Hoodie off I didn’t see a single butterfly. That was until I reached the middle and the footpath ran over the weir. I watched a male OT fly across the body of water and flutter about in the only green bit of the hedge and then it went down. So I legged it in that direction and then slowed up putting the old ‘click-step’ technique into action. Chuffed after I’d gotten a few I carried on round towards Middle Street. I’d like to have gotten a few more but a, I mustn’t be greedy and b, a couple of kids on BMXs flashed past me spooking it.
Passing the Old Mill pub I scanned the gardens and hanging baskets and as I rounded the corner onto Middle Street itself a second Holly Blue fluttered about but this time instead of a river between me and my quarry it was too high so all I could do was stand back and enjoy watching it bimble around.
I roused myself and carried on realising that I’d used up 15 minutes of my time and as I walked through the opening to the reserve the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. Because of this I decided to check out the hotspot first as it’s almost entirely sheltered with only openings in the wind break of buildings and Spinneys where the path cuts through it. This was a good call because I’d only just turned right to make my way to the hotspot when I saw a white butterfly flying towards me. It seemed more rounded than a GVW or Small White I was wondering and hoping that it was a female OT. It dropped down and I cautiously stalked towards it and it was indeed a female OT.
I carried on finding both a Peacock and Small Tort feeding from Dandelions on the path. They were less than a metre apart form each other which would normally have meant a spiralling battle to the death but not today. A small dog off a lead bombed by growling at me and spooking the butterflies so after checking to see of its owner was nearby and growling back at it to “Bugger off” I set to finding where the 2 butterflies had gone down. They were both on the other side of the field and again feeding from Dandelions and this time only about 30cm away from each other.
I checked my brick/phone and realised that I only had 15 minutes to get back home so I set off stopping twice on the way back. The first for a Small Tort and the second for a second Peacock which wasn’t playing ball. However I didn’t stop for the Small White which flew past me as I went through the exit of the reserve as that would have spoilt my Doubles theme! How very inconsiderate of it to mess up the narrative…
On the walk to the Spa I tried to avoid seeing anything but an OT decided to follow me and have a little spar with a passing Brimstone. When we took the short cut along the river path I spied a Holly Blue and two further Brimstones – luckily all of these would have been out of reach of my lens else I might have felt slightly frustrated. In previous times I’ve mentioned when I think I’ve had the easiest butterfly sighting or the most incongruous but today had the most relaxing; having had a 45 minute massage, spent 15 minutes each on the hot beds, steam room and sauna I was lazing in the Hot Tub without a care in the world and so relaxed I was almost half asleep watching a Holly Blue fluttering about in the Ivy bedecked tree above me – bliss.
The Devenish 10-04-2019
I sat and watched out of the window most of the morning hoping for the cloud to break and finally it started showing signs that the sun was trying to burn through the cloud so after lunch when the sun had finally broken through and the temperatures had risen I set off to The Devenish to see what the state f play was over there. To get there I went the back way mainly so that I could sweep down the zig zag bends but also so that I could stop in at my old Orange-tip site.
It was a bit of a disappointment to be honest as the swathes of Cuckoo Flower were no longer present instead there were one or two sparse patches and the odd individual flower and nothing like the former glory that was here in the past. I don’t know if there are enough flowers to hold the attention of a wandering female OT so I’ll have to make a pint to try and stop in at t’Vera next week. As I was wondering back to the car disconsolately a Peacock flew along one of the smaller water courses before settling just within view. It held it’s forewings in such a way as to appear ‘blind’ which had me going for a bit but when it shifted slightly I could see that it wasn’t optically challenged.
I carried on my way through the Woodfords without seeing a single butterfly which is strange as I’m used to catching glimpses of white, yellow and orange as I flow past the hedges – perhaps things are still getting going as it has been a little start-stop so far this year?
At The Devenish I made my way through the small woodland path rather than hopping over the gates and cutting through the paddocks but when I got there the Orchid Meadow was still being grazed and there were only the occasional Coltsfoot flowers offering nectar. Unsurprisingly I didn’t see anything here and so I moved up onto the Down. About half way up a small cloud covered the just as I was watching two dark butterflies flying towards me. They both went down and then really close to me so I was able to get some shots. They were both Peacocks and the larger one which I’m guessing was a female stayed still with its/her wings tightly closed. Whilst this was happening the smaller one took up position directly behind the other and I could see its wings trembling and shaking. It repeatedly flashed its wings open quivering all the while. I don’t know whether the sudden drop in the temperature as the sun was swallowed by cloud had grounded them and the quivering was an attempt to raise/maintain their core temperatures or possibly more likely this was courtship behaviour. As the larger one wasn’t wing quivering and as they stayed in the same place for a good 5 minutes once the sun came back out again I’m tempted to plump for the later explanation. Unfortunately if it was courtship it was a failed one and the larger one took off first leaving the smaller trailing after it pleadingly.
I carried on and reached the far side of the reserve where I was hoping to catch a few Specklies though this didn’t happen and instead I nearly had a heart attack when a male Pheasant erupted from in front of me! It was swiftly followed, with only slightly less shock factor by a female and then with no shock value but 10 out of 10 for frustration was a grounded Holly Blue. After this I checked out various other parts but only managed to add one or possibly two OTs and another Peacock to the tally. So I headed home a little disappointed and hoping that that grazing won’t have had too much of a detrimental impact on the Meadow.
It was a bit of a disappointment to be honest as the swathes of Cuckoo Flower were no longer present instead there were one or two sparse patches and the odd individual flower and nothing like the former glory that was here in the past. I don’t know if there are enough flowers to hold the attention of a wandering female OT so I’ll have to make a pint to try and stop in at t’Vera next week. As I was wondering back to the car disconsolately a Peacock flew along one of the smaller water courses before settling just within view. It held it’s forewings in such a way as to appear ‘blind’ which had me going for a bit but when it shifted slightly I could see that it wasn’t optically challenged.
I carried on my way through the Woodfords without seeing a single butterfly which is strange as I’m used to catching glimpses of white, yellow and orange as I flow past the hedges – perhaps things are still getting going as it has been a little start-stop so far this year?
At The Devenish I made my way through the small woodland path rather than hopping over the gates and cutting through the paddocks but when I got there the Orchid Meadow was still being grazed and there were only the occasional Coltsfoot flowers offering nectar. Unsurprisingly I didn’t see anything here and so I moved up onto the Down. About half way up a small cloud covered the just as I was watching two dark butterflies flying towards me. They both went down and then really close to me so I was able to get some shots. They were both Peacocks and the larger one which I’m guessing was a female stayed still with its/her wings tightly closed. Whilst this was happening the smaller one took up position directly behind the other and I could see its wings trembling and shaking. It repeatedly flashed its wings open quivering all the while. I don’t know whether the sudden drop in the temperature as the sun was swallowed by cloud had grounded them and the quivering was an attempt to raise/maintain their core temperatures or possibly more likely this was courtship behaviour. As the larger one wasn’t wing quivering and as they stayed in the same place for a good 5 minutes once the sun came back out again I’m tempted to plump for the later explanation. Unfortunately if it was courtship it was a failed one and the larger one took off first leaving the smaller trailing after it pleadingly.
I carried on and reached the far side of the reserve where I was hoping to catch a few Specklies though this didn’t happen and instead I nearly had a heart attack when a male Pheasant erupted from in front of me! It was swiftly followed, with only slightly less shock factor by a female and then with no shock value but 10 out of 10 for frustration was a grounded Holly Blue. After this I checked out various other parts but only managed to add one or possibly two OTs and another Peacock to the tally. So I headed home a little disappointed and hoping that that grazing won’t have had too much of a detrimental impact on the Meadow.
Five Rivers 08-04-2019
After the inaccurate weather forecasts of the last couple of days today I gave up checking and instead looked out of the window. After lunch I noticed that it had brightened up considerably and there were even a few tiny blue patches between the cloud cover. So I went for it and headed to Five Rivers to see how things were progressing.
As I strolled along the first stretch of path that winds alongside the river I spied an OT bombing towards me. I watched it fly round and then it cut across the path and veered upwards through the trees. A few moments later it reappeared back where I’d initially seen it as it had doubled back along the river. Again it patrolled around the small glade I was in and the best I could managed were a few distant in flight shots. On the fourth such patrol the sun slipped momentarily behind the cloud and the butterfly went down enabling me to make a quick stalk up to it and get a few shots.
Chuffed I made for the Banks and soon was on the familiar path past Comma Corner. As I carried on along the path I reached the part where it narrows between the bushes and trees that line the half way line of the Bank and where a small stand of trees grow at right angles to the main ‘hedge’. It was a good job that I was slowed by this as when I stared ahead I could make out a Specklie, slightly further on the silhouette of a Peacock and slightly further on than that a Comma. I didn’t know which to go for first so Specklie it was as it was closest. I don’t know whether over the of last season I forgot but at the moment the Specklies seem very twitchy and take to the wing even if you breathe a little too heavily and so it was here. Not only did it go up but then it spied the Peacock and so started on the butterfly that was almost twice the size of it! Oh well at least I was left with the Comma. As I made to move towards it the Peacock landed again and so I helped myself to a few shots of this prior to my meeting with the Comma.
This sudden surplus of butterflies happened again as I reached the bench. An OT flew towards me, a Brimstone approached from behind, a Peacock was seemingly waiting for me at the bench and a Holly Blue fluttered by up high trying to distract me. Again I didn’t know what to do and where to turn the lens first. As I ran through the list of options it felt a bit like the part of Terminator where you see things from its point of view; a bullet point list of the butterflies ran down before my eyes and I crossed off each option. In the end it didn’t matter as during my decision making process all four butterflies had disappeared from view luckily they were replaced by a Small White which landed quite close.
After this I carried on round towards the other side of the reserve to complete the loop and things got back to normal with individual butterflies popping up now and again rather than confusing groups all arriving at once. First there was a Peacock and one with slight wing damage so I know it was different one, along the back another Brimstone and OT before getting onto several Small Torts. All along the bank one would occasionally pop up, land nearby and pose just long enough for me to see that “yep you are a different individual”. As I was enjoying Tort-fest I had another one of those “all the butterflies at once” moments. A passing OT put up a mobbing Specklie which set off a Comma. The Specklie then turned his aggressive attentions to the Comma while the OT bumbled away but the battling brown jobs put up a Small White which proceeded to lead me on a bit of a merry dance as it constantly looked like it was just about to settle but never did. Worn out from all this activity I made my way across the site coming down the little path next to the bench before setting out back along the Bank.
On my return along the Bank the original Comma was still in the same place resting up, a Brimstone and OT did a fly-by in opposite directions again but the Specklie had doubled and the two of them were constantly antagonising each other. In between staring up into the canopy whilst waiting for the Specklie to decide to come down I caught up with a third Comma and the/another Small White. I gave up on the Specklies as again they were far too twitchy and much more interested in smashing the living be-jesus out of anything else which flew anywhere near their vicinity.
The final butterflies of the day were an OT back where I’d seen the first at the start of my outing and a slightly lost looking Small Tort that was having an entire bed of nettles to itself from the look of things. Chuffed but exhausted I made for home. What a spectacular but breathless hour out.
Ps I don’t know if this has been seen by anyone else but all of the OTs that I watched patrolling today examined any Dandelion Clocks that were on their route. Come to think of it I’ve seen this now on the three occasions that I’ve seen OTs this year so far…When I eventually get more time one spring I think I might try setting my camera up in a OT patrol area so that it is focused on the Dandelion clock and then use a shutter release cable when the OT comes near.
As I strolled along the first stretch of path that winds alongside the river I spied an OT bombing towards me. I watched it fly round and then it cut across the path and veered upwards through the trees. A few moments later it reappeared back where I’d initially seen it as it had doubled back along the river. Again it patrolled around the small glade I was in and the best I could managed were a few distant in flight shots. On the fourth such patrol the sun slipped momentarily behind the cloud and the butterfly went down enabling me to make a quick stalk up to it and get a few shots.
Chuffed I made for the Banks and soon was on the familiar path past Comma Corner. As I carried on along the path I reached the part where it narrows between the bushes and trees that line the half way line of the Bank and where a small stand of trees grow at right angles to the main ‘hedge’. It was a good job that I was slowed by this as when I stared ahead I could make out a Specklie, slightly further on the silhouette of a Peacock and slightly further on than that a Comma. I didn’t know which to go for first so Specklie it was as it was closest. I don’t know whether over the of last season I forgot but at the moment the Specklies seem very twitchy and take to the wing even if you breathe a little too heavily and so it was here. Not only did it go up but then it spied the Peacock and so started on the butterfly that was almost twice the size of it! Oh well at least I was left with the Comma. As I made to move towards it the Peacock landed again and so I helped myself to a few shots of this prior to my meeting with the Comma.
This sudden surplus of butterflies happened again as I reached the bench. An OT flew towards me, a Brimstone approached from behind, a Peacock was seemingly waiting for me at the bench and a Holly Blue fluttered by up high trying to distract me. Again I didn’t know what to do and where to turn the lens first. As I ran through the list of options it felt a bit like the part of Terminator where you see things from its point of view; a bullet point list of the butterflies ran down before my eyes and I crossed off each option. In the end it didn’t matter as during my decision making process all four butterflies had disappeared from view luckily they were replaced by a Small White which landed quite close.
After this I carried on round towards the other side of the reserve to complete the loop and things got back to normal with individual butterflies popping up now and again rather than confusing groups all arriving at once. First there was a Peacock and one with slight wing damage so I know it was different one, along the back another Brimstone and OT before getting onto several Small Torts. All along the bank one would occasionally pop up, land nearby and pose just long enough for me to see that “yep you are a different individual”. As I was enjoying Tort-fest I had another one of those “all the butterflies at once” moments. A passing OT put up a mobbing Specklie which set off a Comma. The Specklie then turned his aggressive attentions to the Comma while the OT bumbled away but the battling brown jobs put up a Small White which proceeded to lead me on a bit of a merry dance as it constantly looked like it was just about to settle but never did. Worn out from all this activity I made my way across the site coming down the little path next to the bench before setting out back along the Bank.
On my return along the Bank the original Comma was still in the same place resting up, a Brimstone and OT did a fly-by in opposite directions again but the Specklie had doubled and the two of them were constantly antagonising each other. In between staring up into the canopy whilst waiting for the Specklie to decide to come down I caught up with a third Comma and the/another Small White. I gave up on the Specklies as again they were far too twitchy and much more interested in smashing the living be-jesus out of anything else which flew anywhere near their vicinity.
The final butterflies of the day were an OT back where I’d seen the first at the start of my outing and a slightly lost looking Small Tort that was having an entire bed of nettles to itself from the look of things. Chuffed but exhausted I made for home. What a spectacular but breathless hour out.
Ps I don’t know if this has been seen by anyone else but all of the OTs that I watched patrolling today examined any Dandelion Clocks that were on their route. Come to think of it I’ve seen this now on the three occasions that I’ve seen OTs this year so far…When I eventually get more time one spring I think I might try setting my camera up in a OT patrol area so that it is focused on the Dandelion clock and then use a shutter release cable when the OT comes near.
Middle Street 07-04-2019
I don’t know why I did but I checked the weather on the BBC App and it told me that in Salisbury we were due sunny intervals ending at 11am and then it would be cloudy for the rest of the day. So itching to get out and make the most of the holiday I headed over to Middle Street. On arrival it was still cloudy, even more so than when I’d set off hmmmm. Over the next hour I experienced the trifacto of perfect butterfly weather but unfortunately only ever having 2 out of three which in this case wasn’t better than none. If the sun poked out of the cloud then the temperature was still too low and the breeze stiffened and picked up. Should the temperature start to rise the wind would maintain and the sun was swallowed by cloud etc. It was almost but never quite right. I carried on walking round becoming less hopeful of it ‘turning out nice’ particularly as the magic 11am approached when the cloud was due to settle in for the rest of the day.
My wanderings had taken along each and every path and right round the reserve at least twice. Each and every smattering of white among the foliage was nothing but leaves, fallen catkins or bird droppings and so in the end I decided to sit tight at the hotspot and enjoy a Mr Tom. I reasoned that this was where I saw my first OTs the previous weekend and so I might find them here should the 2 or the three weather conditions align themselves in my favour as it was on their ‘patrol’ route. After about 10 minutes, Mr Tom (other nut based snacks are available – but aren’t anywhere near as good) well and truly masticated the wind dropped, the sun came out and the temperature noticeably increased. Right on cue a small thing fluttered about in a less than feather like fashion. My pulse quickened and I followed it with my eyes willing it and whispering at it to go down. And down in did. I used the tried and tested ‘click, step’ routine and then it was there filling the viewfinder a cracking male OT all glowing orangey gorgeousness! An hour worth of work for 20 seconds of reward but it was definitely worth it; the orange emblazoned on my retina.
He fluttered about after this and settled again this time in the hotspot so I got an extra 15 seconds with him before he was off again to do some proper patrolling. As I headed back home it was like a switch had been flicked – there was my first Large White in a neighbouring garden, a Small Tort to wave me goodbye and a Specklie that crossed the road with me. Later, as the sunny and warm weather had held we took our ‘Christmas walk’ and I saw 2 Peacocks a Brimstone and Small White as Harnham Bridge and another OT and Peacock in the shadow of the Cathedral. So the morale of this tale is threefold; never give up, relish what you get and finally don’t believe the BBC Weather App!
I hope weather gets better soon…it doesn’t look like it though.
My wanderings had taken along each and every path and right round the reserve at least twice. Each and every smattering of white among the foliage was nothing but leaves, fallen catkins or bird droppings and so in the end I decided to sit tight at the hotspot and enjoy a Mr Tom. I reasoned that this was where I saw my first OTs the previous weekend and so I might find them here should the 2 or the three weather conditions align themselves in my favour as it was on their ‘patrol’ route. After about 10 minutes, Mr Tom (other nut based snacks are available – but aren’t anywhere near as good) well and truly masticated the wind dropped, the sun came out and the temperature noticeably increased. Right on cue a small thing fluttered about in a less than feather like fashion. My pulse quickened and I followed it with my eyes willing it and whispering at it to go down. And down in did. I used the tried and tested ‘click, step’ routine and then it was there filling the viewfinder a cracking male OT all glowing orangey gorgeousness! An hour worth of work for 20 seconds of reward but it was definitely worth it; the orange emblazoned on my retina.
He fluttered about after this and settled again this time in the hotspot so I got an extra 15 seconds with him before he was off again to do some proper patrolling. As I headed back home it was like a switch had been flicked – there was my first Large White in a neighbouring garden, a Small Tort to wave me goodbye and a Specklie that crossed the road with me. Later, as the sunny and warm weather had held we took our ‘Christmas walk’ and I saw 2 Peacocks a Brimstone and Small White as Harnham Bridge and another OT and Peacock in the shadow of the Cathedral. So the morale of this tale is threefold; never give up, relish what you get and finally don’t believe the BBC Weather App!
I hope weather gets better soon…it doesn’t look like it though.
Work 03-04-2019
The temperatures remain high which is great for me. If only it was the same for the butterflies as when I looked out at break time and the lessons before lunch it looked very promising. When I got out however I’d been lied too! I tried the Pits first of all hoping to add another Specklie to the Yearly Tally and the first to the Work Tally. As I approached a butterfly hove into view and then dropped down within easy reach of my lens. It was a Small Tort which had nicely smoky front margins and contrasting bright blue rear margins.
Very shortly after this, actually within a few steps, I picked up my second butterfly of the day – a lovely looking Peacock. It was unusual in that it didn’t give me the run-around like its fellows have been so far this year.
After this I carried on all round the hedges and along the path but it was surprisingly quiet. I added only another two butterflies to the days count with fly-bys from a Brimstone and a Comma. Oh well it’ll be ‘all change’ soon and the next set of butterflies will be making their way onto the scene though I haven’t written the hibernators off yet – they’ll still be playing an active role for a while yet – just with a more varied ensemble! Bring it!
Very shortly after this, actually within a few steps, I picked up my second butterfly of the day – a lovely looking Peacock. It was unusual in that it didn’t give me the run-around like its fellows have been so far this year.
After this I carried on all round the hedges and along the path but it was surprisingly quiet. I added only another two butterflies to the days count with fly-bys from a Brimstone and a Comma. Oh well it’ll be ‘all change’ soon and the next set of butterflies will be making their way onto the scene though I haven’t written the hibernators off yet – they’ll still be playing an active role for a while yet – just with a more varied ensemble! Bring it!
Work 01-04-2019
As it was several degrees warmer today so I set about completing the full transect; the whole field, back path and return taking in the Pits on the way. To be fair it was the fault of a Small Tortoiseshell that I started on this venture as it fluttered by very near the start of my walk and landed in the amongst the jumble of the Pits. I couldn’t relocate it but did find a Peacock as well. The rest of this part of the transect was surprisingly quiet and I didn’t see another butterfly until beyond the halfway point of the path.
When I did finally see this third butterfly however I was mightily chuffed. It glittered ghost like up the path in front of me flashing blue and silver alternately and when it landed it was miniscule compared to the scale of butterflies that I’d gotten used to seeing so far this season. It was my first Holly Blue of 2019 and what a sight. I took a few flight shots and the odd record shot thinking that this would be all I would get and then I tried carrying on along the path. The Holly Blue seemed to have the same idea and so I followed it and watched and willed it to come down. A few times it looked like going up and over the hedge to disappear for good but it was just teasing me and after I started whispering “go down, go down, go down” miraculously it did! I was so stunned I forgot to start whispering “open up, open up, open up” and so instead I settled for closed wing shots, it even did a few slight wing rolls. I don’t think I can recall getting shots where it looks so powder blue on the underside. It spent some time taking moisture from the leaf tips and after a while I carried on to the end of the path leaving it in peace.
After this I only found a single Brimstone on my return journey along the path although it did settle along with a travelling companion. Then when almost back by the Pits I spied a Small White, my fourth of 2019 as well, flying alongside the border hedge. It didn’t stop and I was too far away for any flight shots but it was still great to add a different species to the days Tally.
When I did finally see this third butterfly however I was mightily chuffed. It glittered ghost like up the path in front of me flashing blue and silver alternately and when it landed it was miniscule compared to the scale of butterflies that I’d gotten used to seeing so far this season. It was my first Holly Blue of 2019 and what a sight. I took a few flight shots and the odd record shot thinking that this would be all I would get and then I tried carrying on along the path. The Holly Blue seemed to have the same idea and so I followed it and watched and willed it to come down. A few times it looked like going up and over the hedge to disappear for good but it was just teasing me and after I started whispering “go down, go down, go down” miraculously it did! I was so stunned I forgot to start whispering “open up, open up, open up” and so instead I settled for closed wing shots, it even did a few slight wing rolls. I don’t think I can recall getting shots where it looks so powder blue on the underside. It spent some time taking moisture from the leaf tips and after a while I carried on to the end of the path leaving it in peace.
After this I only found a single Brimstone on my return journey along the path although it did settle along with a travelling companion. Then when almost back by the Pits I spied a Small White, my fourth of 2019 as well, flying alongside the border hedge. It didn’t stop and I was too far away for any flight shots but it was still great to add a different species to the days Tally.
Mother’s Day 31-03-2019
This should have been such a better report as it had all the makings of a fantastic early season Butterfly Day; a visit to the Lavender Farm with a walk in the new Forest to follow. However when we set off to the Lavender Farm for a spot of Mother’s Day Lunch it was cold, really cold actually and it was grey and drear with it. At the venue the main part of the gardens were closed off and the drear became drizzle. Then when we pulled into the car park at Rhinefield Drive the drear returned but it was very cold. Even some hot Noodles a la Kelly Kettle didn’t help warm me up. On the plus side I was able to see a Firecrest and a couple of Brimstones lightened my mood. The biggest plus were a pair of Red Admiral that were flying around the car park upon our return. I manged a few shots but they were very restless and I was shooting one handed. God I hope it warms up next week!
Five Rivers 30-03-2019
After such a great start to the afternoon I decided to check out Five Rivers to see how that was coming along. I’ could afford to take my time as the girls were going for a swim and so having dropped them off early enough that they’d be in the front of the queue I was free to mooch. As I’d seen my first OT I was wondering if I could also add my first Specklie to my 2019 Tally? Due to this I took a slightly more circuitous route to Comma corner; down along the riverside path through the small glades. I didn’t have any luck though so carried on resolutely to Comma Corner.
Almost as soon as I was there I spotted butterflies with a couple of Peacocks annoying a Comma just at the entrance to the small copse on the furthest side of the Corner. I moved round to the other side which forms the back of the first of the Banks and stood and waited for a reappearance of any of the butterflies. In this little area I could see a different, complete Peacock which was accompanied by two different Commas. One would take off, fly at the Peacock to hassle it and in the process send the second Comma up. Both the Commas would then spiral upwards so high that it was slightly painful to watch. A few moments later they’d be back if not in the same place very near to it.
After this I made my back and down to the path to check out Comma Corner proper and from there to walk along the Banks. It seemed strange to be seeing the butterflies in amongst the nettles beds and the fast growing grasses when normally I can see the compacted earth of the tiny trackways and I only realise that the nettles are there when they sting me through my jeans. Nonetheless for all the strangeness they were a welcome sight and I started ratchetting up the tally. First a Specklie Wood, my first of 2019 and in roughly the same place as my first of 2017. It was low down on the ground and as I bent in to take a few shots it closed its wings slowly but surely in what I suppose was a vague attempt at blending in. A Comma spiralled round me at this point trying to reassert this as Comma Corner. So much so that it went down and landed on the path at the exact corner!
I carried on along the Banks stopping every now and again for this and that and by the time I reached the Bench with only the final bank to go I’d accrued two Commas, three Small Torts and 2 Peacocks the final one of which was waiting on the deck at the bench looking slightly battered/battle worn. I stopped for a little breather here and had a chat with the occupant of the bench. He remarked that it was great to see the butterflies again, rued the loss of the Grizzlies that were here up until a few years back and finally wondered where all the Small Torts were – so far only a total of 3? I carried on and down at the far end of the reserve I chanced across the most pristine Peacock I’d seen all day and so spent a little while with it.
I now had a choice – work back or carry on round the whole reserve and check the far side? My gut said “try the other side” so that’s what I did. As I made my way up the slightly winding path a Small Tort was on my right and as I continued upwards there was another on my left. By the time I’d worked half way along the path at the top of the reserve I’d seen another 4 Small Torts – looks like I’d found where they’d been hiding then! A brilliant flash of blinding white shot down the hillside and momentarily disappeared from view. I quietly crept round the corner and there was my first decent chance of a Small White shot. I took it hoping that the strong light wouldn’t lead to a bleached out image. Chuffed I cut across the reserve and down to the Bench from where I retraced my steps back to the car park. As well as the obligatory Small Torts, Peacock and Commas on the way back I also added a male Brimstone to the visit tally which was swiftly joined by a second as I poured myself a coffee back at the car.
Now I was in a bit of a quandary. I’d arrived back too early to pick the girls up so I could head in and check though my shots while waiting for them to faff about or I could maintain my sanity and head back out for a quick look at the less visited side? It wasn’t much of a quandary really and so off went again. This time I couldn’t add a White but instead there was a fly over by a Red Admiral and I managed to relocate 5 of the Small Torts – most of which seemed to be quite heavy in the abdomen department so possibly females? As I made my way back to the car a brown blur flew diagonally past me and crashed into the foliage where it sat in the stunned in the shade. It was a Specklie and a nice way to round up the visit.
Almost as soon as I was there I spotted butterflies with a couple of Peacocks annoying a Comma just at the entrance to the small copse on the furthest side of the Corner. I moved round to the other side which forms the back of the first of the Banks and stood and waited for a reappearance of any of the butterflies. In this little area I could see a different, complete Peacock which was accompanied by two different Commas. One would take off, fly at the Peacock to hassle it and in the process send the second Comma up. Both the Commas would then spiral upwards so high that it was slightly painful to watch. A few moments later they’d be back if not in the same place very near to it.
After this I made my back and down to the path to check out Comma Corner proper and from there to walk along the Banks. It seemed strange to be seeing the butterflies in amongst the nettles beds and the fast growing grasses when normally I can see the compacted earth of the tiny trackways and I only realise that the nettles are there when they sting me through my jeans. Nonetheless for all the strangeness they were a welcome sight and I started ratchetting up the tally. First a Specklie Wood, my first of 2019 and in roughly the same place as my first of 2017. It was low down on the ground and as I bent in to take a few shots it closed its wings slowly but surely in what I suppose was a vague attempt at blending in. A Comma spiralled round me at this point trying to reassert this as Comma Corner. So much so that it went down and landed on the path at the exact corner!
I carried on along the Banks stopping every now and again for this and that and by the time I reached the Bench with only the final bank to go I’d accrued two Commas, three Small Torts and 2 Peacocks the final one of which was waiting on the deck at the bench looking slightly battered/battle worn. I stopped for a little breather here and had a chat with the occupant of the bench. He remarked that it was great to see the butterflies again, rued the loss of the Grizzlies that were here up until a few years back and finally wondered where all the Small Torts were – so far only a total of 3? I carried on and down at the far end of the reserve I chanced across the most pristine Peacock I’d seen all day and so spent a little while with it.
I now had a choice – work back or carry on round the whole reserve and check the far side? My gut said “try the other side” so that’s what I did. As I made my way up the slightly winding path a Small Tort was on my right and as I continued upwards there was another on my left. By the time I’d worked half way along the path at the top of the reserve I’d seen another 4 Small Torts – looks like I’d found where they’d been hiding then! A brilliant flash of blinding white shot down the hillside and momentarily disappeared from view. I quietly crept round the corner and there was my first decent chance of a Small White shot. I took it hoping that the strong light wouldn’t lead to a bleached out image. Chuffed I cut across the reserve and down to the Bench from where I retraced my steps back to the car park. As well as the obligatory Small Torts, Peacock and Commas on the way back I also added a male Brimstone to the visit tally which was swiftly joined by a second as I poured myself a coffee back at the car.
Now I was in a bit of a quandary. I’d arrived back too early to pick the girls up so I could head in and check though my shots while waiting for them to faff about or I could maintain my sanity and head back out for a quick look at the less visited side? It wasn’t much of a quandary really and so off went again. This time I couldn’t add a White but instead there was a fly over by a Red Admiral and I managed to relocate 5 of the Small Torts – most of which seemed to be quite heavy in the abdomen department so possibly females? As I made my way back to the car a brown blur flew diagonally past me and crashed into the foliage where it sat in the stunned in the shade. It was a Specklie and a nice way to round up the visit.
Middle Street 30-03-2019
Little L wanted to go fishing so we jumped in the car and drove over to Middle Street. I was hoping to walk it but I didn’t want to push my luck and so vehicular locomotion was the order of the day. I kept my eyes peeled on the way but only counted 4 male Brimstones on the drive over. Once we were safely ensconced on the side of the road we strolled down the main track heading to the river. The girls wanted to set up camp at one of the Fishermen’s Pontoons so I let them go on ahead and get settled while I set to walking the site. A Small White flew towards me enticing me to the first Hotspot so that’s where I headed first. I hung around for a while once there quartering the small patch of level ground and checking the dried up pod and the concrete paths in the neighbouring gardens on the other side of the boundary stream. A small tangerine butterfly made its way towards me – my first OT of the year and it was swiftly joined by a second. The second one flew more slowly and actually stopped down near the stream under the cover of the Willows and s I made a swift movement towards it and got a few close record shots before it realised I was there. A Peacock was also fluttering about here landing on the concrete paths and basking temporarily. Chuffed with this I made my way to the Pontoons to check in.
On the way I saw another or possibly the same Peacock and a couple more Brimstones and after making sure that they were alright and that Little L was putting fresh water from the pond in her collecting jar I set out to walk to the other end of the reserve. Along this part I went past a couple of the ‘soak-aways’, the small areas of rough ground that are lower than the raised pathways. The first held a Peacock and 2 Small Torts and the one at the end had another Small Tort. The middle of the three is overgrown with Willow and shrub but will be worth checking later in the season for Specklies.
I was almost at the end of the reserve when my progress was hindered. A Peacock and Small Tort had decided to bask in the middle of the path. In order to get round the nearer Peacock without disturbing it I’d end up putting the Small Tort up so I stood and waited wondering what to do. In the end I didn’t have to worry as the Small Tort noticed the Peacock and set about it! Returning the victor a few moments later and letting me get a shot or two of it basking in its glory. Well that’s what I thought would happen but the Small Tort nipped off as well. On my return the Small Tort was still around but it must have mellowed as the Peacock was also back and basking. A Small White flew towards me but didn’t stop and left me wondering if I’m ever going to get any shots of this species on this side of the season?
I retraced my steps finding a gorgeous Small Tort on the way and collected the girls who having released their catch of Minnows safely back into the river pointed out a Peacock that was trying to (unsuccessfully) blend in with the dead grasses. An OT and Small Tort by the reserve entrance as we were leaving. A quick check at the corner of Upper and Middle Street added another Small White to the days Tally but again it was a fly-by. I had at least a shot of an OT and my nether regions felt ‘normal’ and pain free so one the drive back I mentioned that a trip to Five Rivers might be on the cards…
On the way I saw another or possibly the same Peacock and a couple more Brimstones and after making sure that they were alright and that Little L was putting fresh water from the pond in her collecting jar I set out to walk to the other end of the reserve. Along this part I went past a couple of the ‘soak-aways’, the small areas of rough ground that are lower than the raised pathways. The first held a Peacock and 2 Small Torts and the one at the end had another Small Tort. The middle of the three is overgrown with Willow and shrub but will be worth checking later in the season for Specklies.
I was almost at the end of the reserve when my progress was hindered. A Peacock and Small Tort had decided to bask in the middle of the path. In order to get round the nearer Peacock without disturbing it I’d end up putting the Small Tort up so I stood and waited wondering what to do. In the end I didn’t have to worry as the Small Tort noticed the Peacock and set about it! Returning the victor a few moments later and letting me get a shot or two of it basking in its glory. Well that’s what I thought would happen but the Small Tort nipped off as well. On my return the Small Tort was still around but it must have mellowed as the Peacock was also back and basking. A Small White flew towards me but didn’t stop and left me wondering if I’m ever going to get any shots of this species on this side of the season?
I retraced my steps finding a gorgeous Small Tort on the way and collected the girls who having released their catch of Minnows safely back into the river pointed out a Peacock that was trying to (unsuccessfully) blend in with the dead grasses. An OT and Small Tort by the reserve entrance as we were leaving. A quick check at the corner of Upper and Middle Street added another Small White to the days Tally but again it was a fly-by. I had at least a shot of an OT and my nether regions felt ‘normal’ and pain free so one the drive back I mentioned that a trip to Five Rivers might be on the cards…
Work 29-03-2019
So we won the quiz! I hurried through the estate to get to the path and the main part of the transect as quickly as possible. Once there I slowed down slightly but I had to remind myself to bend more slowly each time I went for a shot. Apart from the discomfort from that area it was actually pleasant along the path and I was soon racking up butterflies with a maximum count of 6 Small Torts, 4 Brimstone and 3 Peacocks.
I pushed on today and carried along the path that took me round the furthest side of the field striking out towards the Pits. Along the way I added a brace of Small Torts to the tally for the day and a Brimstone looked a little lost as it quartered the recently mown part of the field looking for any nectar sources which had escaped the chop.
Once at the Pits I found another Peacock, well it found me erupting from the old wood pile and giving me a bit of a shock as well as a Small Tort which must have been roosting/basking close by. Both butterflies shot off across the field making for the unmowm ‘meadow’. I was just cursing them when a smaller bright white butterfly hove into view flying along the border hedge. All I could manage were a few blurry record shots but I was convinced that it was a Small rather than a Green-veined White; my first for 2019. I carried on back into work still aching and wincing from the occasional sharp twinge but happy none the less.
I pushed on today and carried along the path that took me round the furthest side of the field striking out towards the Pits. Along the way I added a brace of Small Torts to the tally for the day and a Brimstone looked a little lost as it quartered the recently mown part of the field looking for any nectar sources which had escaped the chop.
Once at the Pits I found another Peacock, well it found me erupting from the old wood pile and giving me a bit of a shock as well as a Small Tort which must have been roosting/basking close by. Both butterflies shot off across the field making for the unmowm ‘meadow’. I was just cursing them when a smaller bright white butterfly hove into view flying along the border hedge. All I could manage were a few blurry record shots but I was convinced that it was a Small rather than a Green-veined White; my first for 2019. I carried on back into work still aching and wincing from the occasional sharp twinge but happy none the less.
Work and then later t’Vera 28-03-2019
Today was going to be a long day. Not only were the Year 11’s completing their final ‘walking talking Mock’ but I had duty, a data analysis meeting and to cap it all tonight was the PTFA quiz which meant I was probably going to be out of the house for a good 14 ½ hours with the prospect of the final few of those hours sitting on a hard chair.
Because of this I was determined to make the most of my ‘freetime’ and so as soon as the bell rang at lunch I was out of the door and away down the edge of the field. As I worked along the field margin I kept an eye out at likely looking little clumps of wildflowers and rough grass that had escaped the attentions of the new groundskeepers as they grow too close to the neighbouring gardens. However my eyes were temporarily directed skywards as a trio of planes passed over head.
I didn’t see my first butterfly until I reached the far corner of the field where a Small Tort played too hard to get. As I set off down the narrow path I was kept company by a trio of different yellow flying ‘machines’ as I counted 3 separate Brimstones by the time I’d reached just beyond the half way point. One of these was slightly frenetic than the other two so I attempted (some very poor) flight shots – they were so poor that I didn’t bother with any of them.
I don’t know what was up with everything today – possibly the sun was shining quite strongly revving them all up - but nothing was stopping for very long save for a solitary Comma. After my run in with him I carried on to the end adding Small Tort, 2 Peacocks and another Brimstone to the list all busy flapping about and not stopping – is there a change in the weather coming I wonder? The return journey was made on the hurry up but I didn’t add anything new to the list.
Later after Bus Duty and the Data Meeting was completed I had a couple of hours to spare prior to the PTFA Quiz and so I nipped over to the Vera. Things were looking good as I got onto 2 Small Torts almost as soon as I’d walked through the gate. However I was wrong as after walking twice round the circuit, staring at every likely looking patch of leaves that showed the slightest white speckling (just in case it wasn’t bird poo but it was a roosting OT) I had added zero butterflies to the Tally for the day. Shame really – give it a couple of weeks and there should be OTs a plenty here, fingers crossed I’ll be able to get back.
Anyway to cut a long story short we blitzed the Quiz winning by 10 points clear!
Because of this I was determined to make the most of my ‘freetime’ and so as soon as the bell rang at lunch I was out of the door and away down the edge of the field. As I worked along the field margin I kept an eye out at likely looking little clumps of wildflowers and rough grass that had escaped the attentions of the new groundskeepers as they grow too close to the neighbouring gardens. However my eyes were temporarily directed skywards as a trio of planes passed over head.
I didn’t see my first butterfly until I reached the far corner of the field where a Small Tort played too hard to get. As I set off down the narrow path I was kept company by a trio of different yellow flying ‘machines’ as I counted 3 separate Brimstones by the time I’d reached just beyond the half way point. One of these was slightly frenetic than the other two so I attempted (some very poor) flight shots – they were so poor that I didn’t bother with any of them.
I don’t know what was up with everything today – possibly the sun was shining quite strongly revving them all up - but nothing was stopping for very long save for a solitary Comma. After my run in with him I carried on to the end adding Small Tort, 2 Peacocks and another Brimstone to the list all busy flapping about and not stopping – is there a change in the weather coming I wonder? The return journey was made on the hurry up but I didn’t add anything new to the list.
Later after Bus Duty and the Data Meeting was completed I had a couple of hours to spare prior to the PTFA Quiz and so I nipped over to the Vera. Things were looking good as I got onto 2 Small Torts almost as soon as I’d walked through the gate. However I was wrong as after walking twice round the circuit, staring at every likely looking patch of leaves that showed the slightest white speckling (just in case it wasn’t bird poo but it was a roosting OT) I had added zero butterflies to the Tally for the day. Shame really – give it a couple of weeks and there should be OTs a plenty here, fingers crossed I’ll be able to get back.
Anyway to cut a long story short we blitzed the Quiz winning by 10 points clear!
Work 27-03-2019
At lunch I again decided that discretion is the better part of valour and so cut straight through the housing estate to the half-way point. This meant that I could complete half of my usual transect without being late. As I turned left to start my way along the path which is narrowing ever more each day my attention was called to a Small Tort which was just on the other side of the fence somewhere they are more commonly frequenting this year. Luckily it was close enough that I was able to place my lens close to the grille and focus through the gaps. On the other side of the path taking advantage of the Muscari which grows close by to the south facing fence (it’s like a well-appointed restaurant or butterflies) was a second.
Slightly further along and a Comma seemed out of place down on the deck when it should have been behind me on the Bush. The butterflies then came thick and fast as I carried on along the path. Another 2 Small Torts, a Brimstone feeding on a Dandelion before a final flourish at the end of the path of 3 Small Torts and another Comma. The bank widens here to about the size of a small garden, raised like a plateau with more Muscari and other nectar sources growing on the edge as the ‘plateau’ dives down to the neighbouring field. All four of these final four were taking advantage of this little area and I spent a very extravagant four minutes here (almost a sixth of my entire time) enjoying them bimbling about.
The return journey saw a smaller count of three Small Torts and the Brimstone stopped for its photo again and I was just about to start back when a Peacock flew in and landed in the middle of the small ‘valley’ of the half way point. I managed to approach it and get within range of a decent-ish shot but rather than nip off as soon as I got near this one used a different evasion technique, it started by rotating it’s way round the Dandelion and then one it had orientated itself in a way that it found pleasing it started rocking forward and back opening and closing its wings as it did so. This meant I have a lot of blurry photos of said Peacock (or at least I did they’ve now been binned).
My final stop of the lunch time visit was for an Oil Beetle which was lumbering along the path.
Slightly further along and a Comma seemed out of place down on the deck when it should have been behind me on the Bush. The butterflies then came thick and fast as I carried on along the path. Another 2 Small Torts, a Brimstone feeding on a Dandelion before a final flourish at the end of the path of 3 Small Torts and another Comma. The bank widens here to about the size of a small garden, raised like a plateau with more Muscari and other nectar sources growing on the edge as the ‘plateau’ dives down to the neighbouring field. All four of these final four were taking advantage of this little area and I spent a very extravagant four minutes here (almost a sixth of my entire time) enjoying them bimbling about.
The return journey saw a smaller count of three Small Torts and the Brimstone stopped for its photo again and I was just about to start back when a Peacock flew in and landed in the middle of the small ‘valley’ of the half way point. I managed to approach it and get within range of a decent-ish shot but rather than nip off as soon as I got near this one used a different evasion technique, it started by rotating it’s way round the Dandelion and then one it had orientated itself in a way that it found pleasing it started rocking forward and back opening and closing its wings as it did so. This meant I have a lot of blurry photos of said Peacock (or at least I did they’ve now been binned).
My final stop of the lunch time visit was for an Oil Beetle which was lumbering along the path.
Work 26-03-2019
Another day and another lunchtime out. Again I cut through the estate and headed directly to the large Comma bush where there was only a single Comma again today.
After checking in here I set off down the narrow path bordered by the bank on one side and the field on the other. As I worked my way along it I’d stop occasionally as butterflies would come into view as I rounded the corner of the miniature scallops cut into the briars and other scrubby vegetation that litter the bank. First was a second, different Comma from the Bush and then I worked through the usual suspects. When I recited the list in my head whilst trying to remember the order of occurrence (I must start remembering my notebook) I felt like I was singing out dance steps; more of a case of Small Tort, Peacock – Peacock, Small Tort – Comma, Small Tort, Small Tort rather than slow, slow quick-quick, slow.
I then turned round and made my way back to work counting on the way and occasionally stopping. Once back at the Bush a Comma was again present and chuffed by this and the fact that I was having a good day pain wise I carried on along the path aiming to see what else I could find. In the end I managed to add a further 3 Small Torts to the tally one of which I managed to get a shot of through the diamond patterned wire fence.
By the time I’d gotten back to work the best minimum count was a brace a piece of Peacock and Comma and a quite respectful 9 Small Torts.
After checking in here I set off down the narrow path bordered by the bank on one side and the field on the other. As I worked my way along it I’d stop occasionally as butterflies would come into view as I rounded the corner of the miniature scallops cut into the briars and other scrubby vegetation that litter the bank. First was a second, different Comma from the Bush and then I worked through the usual suspects. When I recited the list in my head whilst trying to remember the order of occurrence (I must start remembering my notebook) I felt like I was singing out dance steps; more of a case of Small Tort, Peacock – Peacock, Small Tort – Comma, Small Tort, Small Tort rather than slow, slow quick-quick, slow.
I then turned round and made my way back to work counting on the way and occasionally stopping. Once back at the Bush a Comma was again present and chuffed by this and the fact that I was having a good day pain wise I carried on along the path aiming to see what else I could find. In the end I managed to add a further 3 Small Torts to the tally one of which I managed to get a shot of through the diamond patterned wire fence.
By the time I’d gotten back to work the best minimum count was a brace a piece of Peacock and Comma and a quite respectful 9 Small Torts.
Work 25-03-2019
When I picked my camera up at the start of lunch I made the decision to take the short cut through the housing estate to the back path rather than investigate what had emerged at the Pits and the back hedges.
The first butterfly I found was a Comma on the single bush but today it was too far round to get anything but a visual conformation that it was there, plus I couldn’t flex too much and stretching to reach was right out. I carried on hobbling on the way along the main path and picked up several Small Torts along the way. I reckoned there was a minimum count on the ‘outward’ run of 5 one of which posed really nicely on a Bramble in what I refer to as ‘The Batman’. At the end there was the/a Peacock again but I was partially expecting it so this time I was ready with the camera. Even so it was more ready and so I could only manage a distant record shot as it basked annoyingly out of reach on a path in one of the back gardens.
On the return journey there were again plenty of Small Torts to keep me occupied though this time I could only manage a count of 4 though I was slightly distracted by a fly-by Brimstone which looked momentarily like it was going to land.
I was just girding my loins for the slog back through the housing estate when a fresher looking Peacock appeared (the payment for getting those poor record shots). It also didn’t really play fair landed at an awkward angle just over the barbed wire fence but with very, very careful manoeuvring I managed to get some reasonable side on views of it.
So quite a pleasant half hour butterfly wise if nothing else…
The first butterfly I found was a Comma on the single bush but today it was too far round to get anything but a visual conformation that it was there, plus I couldn’t flex too much and stretching to reach was right out. I carried on hobbling on the way along the main path and picked up several Small Torts along the way. I reckoned there was a minimum count on the ‘outward’ run of 5 one of which posed really nicely on a Bramble in what I refer to as ‘The Batman’. At the end there was the/a Peacock again but I was partially expecting it so this time I was ready with the camera. Even so it was more ready and so I could only manage a distant record shot as it basked annoyingly out of reach on a path in one of the back gardens.
On the return journey there were again plenty of Small Torts to keep me occupied though this time I could only manage a count of 4 though I was slightly distracted by a fly-by Brimstone which looked momentarily like it was going to land.
I was just girding my loins for the slog back through the housing estate when a fresher looking Peacock appeared (the payment for getting those poor record shots). It also didn’t really play fair landed at an awkward angle just over the barbed wire fence but with very, very careful manoeuvring I managed to get some reasonable side on views of it.
So quite a pleasant half hour butterfly wise if nothing else…
Hengistbury Head 17-03-2019 and 24-03-2019
17-03-2019
I’d not been to Hengistbury Head for years but the Head has provided me with several bird lifers over the years (Storm Petrel, Snow Bunting and Ring Ouzel) however today was more of a recce for future visits as the weather had reverted to more seasonally correct and there was a slight nip in the air. While I waited for the girls to visit the Ladies I hung out with the local bother boyz, the Starlings which at this time of year look like a cross between a Goth and a Punk!
Once we started walking we only stopped once for a very furry caterpillar and soon we were strolling on the sands past the beach huts looking for a secluded and empty bit of the beach to set up camp. Finding a piece of the strand which was empty from one Groyne to the other we settled down using the Groyne as a wind break and set the Kelly Kettle to boiling. The girls played chicken with the waves and explored the Groynes while I noodled around looking for Hagstones. After this it was time to head back the long way round…I’m sure we’ll be back.
24-03-2019
Last week I said we’d be back and sure enough we were a week later. In the interim though I’d had a smallish surgical procedure done and was still quite sore and not exactly fully mobile. Still as my nieces were coming with us at least we wouldn’t be going at a great pace…then they turned up on scooters and bikes! So once again we set off along the road that winds through the woods before breaking out at the Natterjack pond and the surrounding beach huts onto the Spit. This week though it wasn’t exactly a stroll, more a hobble come John Cleese silly walk. Still my somewhat slower pace meant that I found some interesting caterpillars. I got quite excited having seen the crumbling cliffs on the other side of the Head the week previously as well as noticing the red heads and black bodies but instead of Glannies they were Cream-spot Tiger cats.
Once on the beach we again found an unoccupied stretch and again got the Kelly Kettle to boiling. All the girls went off to do beaching things and the youngest was soaking wet within 5 minutes but it was great to just listen to the sounds of them playing whilst the waves cascaded in and the gulls mewed and called. As I waited for the second boil something flopped down on the sands. Grabbing my camera I scuttled bow legged towards it and managed only two record shots of a Peacock. After this I had a bit more of a mooch and concentrated on the gulls as well as eating lunch.
A little later I set out to use the conveniences and on the way I caught sight of another butterfly. I didn’t hold out much hope of getting any shots as it fluttered by and away from me. However it hung a right and after a few circles round dropped down to the ground. Forgetting my discomfort I reverted to stalking mode and approached using the shot-step technique before risking lowering myself to kneeling for a nice close shot. Chuffed I carried on although slightly more carefully and gingerly now as I’d been a bit reckless in my stalking and the joy of getting a Peacock shot had masked my discomfort.
On the way back there wasn’t much to note just more of the Cream-spot Tiger cats but still I was chuffed with the 2 Peacocks.
I’d not been to Hengistbury Head for years but the Head has provided me with several bird lifers over the years (Storm Petrel, Snow Bunting and Ring Ouzel) however today was more of a recce for future visits as the weather had reverted to more seasonally correct and there was a slight nip in the air. While I waited for the girls to visit the Ladies I hung out with the local bother boyz, the Starlings which at this time of year look like a cross between a Goth and a Punk!
Once we started walking we only stopped once for a very furry caterpillar and soon we were strolling on the sands past the beach huts looking for a secluded and empty bit of the beach to set up camp. Finding a piece of the strand which was empty from one Groyne to the other we settled down using the Groyne as a wind break and set the Kelly Kettle to boiling. The girls played chicken with the waves and explored the Groynes while I noodled around looking for Hagstones. After this it was time to head back the long way round…I’m sure we’ll be back.
24-03-2019
Last week I said we’d be back and sure enough we were a week later. In the interim though I’d had a smallish surgical procedure done and was still quite sore and not exactly fully mobile. Still as my nieces were coming with us at least we wouldn’t be going at a great pace…then they turned up on scooters and bikes! So once again we set off along the road that winds through the woods before breaking out at the Natterjack pond and the surrounding beach huts onto the Spit. This week though it wasn’t exactly a stroll, more a hobble come John Cleese silly walk. Still my somewhat slower pace meant that I found some interesting caterpillars. I got quite excited having seen the crumbling cliffs on the other side of the Head the week previously as well as noticing the red heads and black bodies but instead of Glannies they were Cream-spot Tiger cats.
Once on the beach we again found an unoccupied stretch and again got the Kelly Kettle to boiling. All the girls went off to do beaching things and the youngest was soaking wet within 5 minutes but it was great to just listen to the sounds of them playing whilst the waves cascaded in and the gulls mewed and called. As I waited for the second boil something flopped down on the sands. Grabbing my camera I scuttled bow legged towards it and managed only two record shots of a Peacock. After this I had a bit more of a mooch and concentrated on the gulls as well as eating lunch.
A little later I set out to use the conveniences and on the way I caught sight of another butterfly. I didn’t hold out much hope of getting any shots as it fluttered by and away from me. However it hung a right and after a few circles round dropped down to the ground. Forgetting my discomfort I reverted to stalking mode and approached using the shot-step technique before risking lowering myself to kneeling for a nice close shot. Chuffed I carried on although slightly more carefully and gingerly now as I’d been a bit reckless in my stalking and the joy of getting a Peacock shot had masked my discomfort.
On the way back there wasn’t much to note just more of the Cream-spot Tiger cats but still I was chuffed with the 2 Peacocks.
Work 27-02-2019
After things worked out so well yesterday I again cut my way through the garages and made straight to the ‘Bush’ but today I was stopped as a Small Tort was bumbling along the tiny bank and occasionally it stopped for the briefest of basks on the Tarmac.
Down at the bushes there were three Commas – the first of which was the closest that I’ve found them at here but as I came round the corner it took off and landed high at the back of the Bush away from my lens so I had to settle for some shots from slightly further away. Aware that I didn’t have the luxury of a free directly after lunch I had to keep moving today and so set off on a rapid check of the path. There were a couple of Small Torts along the way, definitely three different individuals but because the vegetation hasn’t been cut back over successive years they’re in the habit of nipping over the fence and reappearing further along the track now rather than showing the previous behaviour of nipping to the next nectar source.
There were also a couple of Brimstones patrolling up and down the path on the return journey. Again there were three though again there could have been more. I’m basing the count of three on the fact that this was the maximum number I saw together at one time. They seemed to be slightly less inclined to keep perpetually moving and so I was able to actually get a few shots of them when they paused for breath/nectar. This is generally the way with this species at this time of year; first there is the sighting, then the feeble attempt at some in flight shots followed by distant/grab shots and hopefully eventually so decent shots while they’re still in decent nick. So I’m at Brimstone Stage 2…
After a brief final check of the Bush I legged it back to work – all change weather wise tomorrow so was that our summer?
Down at the bushes there were three Commas – the first of which was the closest that I’ve found them at here but as I came round the corner it took off and landed high at the back of the Bush away from my lens so I had to settle for some shots from slightly further away. Aware that I didn’t have the luxury of a free directly after lunch I had to keep moving today and so set off on a rapid check of the path. There were a couple of Small Torts along the way, definitely three different individuals but because the vegetation hasn’t been cut back over successive years they’re in the habit of nipping over the fence and reappearing further along the track now rather than showing the previous behaviour of nipping to the next nectar source.
There were also a couple of Brimstones patrolling up and down the path on the return journey. Again there were three though again there could have been more. I’m basing the count of three on the fact that this was the maximum number I saw together at one time. They seemed to be slightly less inclined to keep perpetually moving and so I was able to actually get a few shots of them when they paused for breath/nectar. This is generally the way with this species at this time of year; first there is the sighting, then the feeble attempt at some in flight shots followed by distant/grab shots and hopefully eventually so decent shots while they’re still in decent nick. So I’m at Brimstone Stage 2…
After a brief final check of the Bush I legged it back to work – all change weather wise tomorrow so was that our summer?
Work 26-02-2019
Another day and another trip to the Path during the lunch break. This time instead of working all the way round the fields and along the first half of the field I cut to the chase and made straight for the half way point and the “Bush’. To do this I cut through the garages and after the obligatory check of the tiny bank (nothing today) I made my way through the estate eyeing various of the ‘good spots’ on the way which also drew blanks. I didn’t actually see a butterfly until I reached the ‘Bush’ where there were two Commas feeding at about head height. One nipped off and so I made to follow it along the path and it didn’t get far.
A different points along the path I was accompanied by 4 Small Tortoiseshells. I saw the first and it took off from the wrong side of the fence, flew towards me and then disturbed the second which repeated the action of the first; disturbing the third. I was pretty confident that there were three individuals here as at one point all three piled into each other in one of those great to watch Spring skirmishes. I carried on along the path spying the fourth Small Tort while the other three were still spiralling about behind me. At the far end of the path a Peacock went up from the path in front of me; the large eyes serving their purpose and dazzling me so I didn’t get a shot off. I didn’t mind as even though I didn’t have my shot I had species number 5 for the 2019 Tally.
I was almost late back to work but as I had a free it wouldn’t have mattered anyway
A different points along the path I was accompanied by 4 Small Tortoiseshells. I saw the first and it took off from the wrong side of the fence, flew towards me and then disturbed the second which repeated the action of the first; disturbing the third. I was pretty confident that there were three individuals here as at one point all three piled into each other in one of those great to watch Spring skirmishes. I carried on along the path spying the fourth Small Tort while the other three were still spiralling about behind me. At the far end of the path a Peacock went up from the path in front of me; the large eyes serving their purpose and dazzling me so I didn’t get a shot off. I didn’t mind as even though I didn’t have my shot I had species number 5 for the 2019 Tally.
I was almost late back to work but as I had a free it wouldn’t have mattered anyway
Work 25-02-2019
As the summer progressed nicely (I’m not joking as I type this it feels like that could have been it!) to our third sunny and warm day on the trot, the obligatory trip to Southampton done for at least another 8 weeks and the lovely people at Castle Cameras having issued me with a ‘fill-in’ lens it was inevitable that I would be stuck in work. And so indeed it was. Still I manged to make the most of it and come lunchtime I grabbed my camera and headed out to the ‘field’ and the surrounding pathways at the back of the school.
All was quiet as I worked along the Pits and the margins of the playing fields and it wasn’t until I had taken my first step onto the path at the back that I saw my first butterfly. It was a Small Tort which unkindly kept on going when it reached the fence and decided to land too far away from my lens. I waited for about 15 seconds and it took off landing just on the other side of the fence so a quick dip down and poke of the lens through the wires of the fence and I had my first Small Tort shot of 2019. It moved around a little bit and perched for a while on an old yarrow (?) stem. As I recoiled and straightened up a Brimstone made a pass by.
I set off along the path eyes peeled for any movement but I added only one more Small Tort along the first half of the path. I wasn’t too concerned as this bit of my route often only has the stragglers/travellers from the two main areas that the Small Torts seem to like. Indeed as I reached the small hummock with the break between the houses I spied a second Small Tort which was swiftly joined by three more all bustling and knocking into each other. Right at the far end was another lonesome Small Tort which brought the total to 7 and there was another Brimstone too. Not bad for this time of year.
My return route was much quicker as time had run away from me slightly and I needed to get back but I don’t think I added any new Small Torts to the days tally until right up by the Primary School when I was only seconds away from being back in the block.
Not a bad start 8 Small Torts and 2 Brimstones and it was great to see Small Torts again, I‘ve missed them more than most butterflies to be honest.
All was quiet as I worked along the Pits and the margins of the playing fields and it wasn’t until I had taken my first step onto the path at the back that I saw my first butterfly. It was a Small Tort which unkindly kept on going when it reached the fence and decided to land too far away from my lens. I waited for about 15 seconds and it took off landing just on the other side of the fence so a quick dip down and poke of the lens through the wires of the fence and I had my first Small Tort shot of 2019. It moved around a little bit and perched for a while on an old yarrow (?) stem. As I recoiled and straightened up a Brimstone made a pass by.
I set off along the path eyes peeled for any movement but I added only one more Small Tort along the first half of the path. I wasn’t too concerned as this bit of my route often only has the stragglers/travellers from the two main areas that the Small Torts seem to like. Indeed as I reached the small hummock with the break between the houses I spied a second Small Tort which was swiftly joined by three more all bustling and knocking into each other. Right at the far end was another lonesome Small Tort which brought the total to 7 and there was another Brimstone too. Not bad for this time of year.
My return route was much quicker as time had run away from me slightly and I needed to get back but I don’t think I added any new Small Torts to the days tally until right up by the Primary School when I was only seconds away from being back in the block.
Not a bad start 8 Small Torts and 2 Brimstones and it was great to see Small Torts again, I‘ve missed them more than most butterflies to be honest.
Middle Street 23-02-2019
After a week in Wales with cloud and rain and cold it as nice to get back home an enjoy the Spring weather that I’d been reading about. Unfortunately after 8 years of constant use and abuse my lens was starting to show signs of its age and was having a bit of a Restorative at Nikon (complete refit of the Autofocus) and so I would be using a ‘Nifty Fifty’ lens. Whilst any prime lens is better than the zoom lens the camera came with it was still a far cry from the 105. I wasn’t looking forward to having to get really close to the butterflies and didn’t think that they’d let me so as I parked up and watched several Brimstone fly along the boundary hedge I kept reminding myself that seeing butterflies out and about would be enough…
Once on site my wife sat among the reeds at the rivers’ edge and watched the movement I set off round the pond to check out the hollow seeing only a few Brimstone in the process. As I completed the circuit I was joined by my wife and we started out towards the other end of the reserve. There were no more butterflies on the way but as we almost completed the return journey Brimstones fluttered around the large ‘island’ of Bramble in one of the drainage hollows. Also here there was a Comma, at least that’s what I think it was.
On the homeward journey I pulled in at the corner of Middle and Upper Street as the little bank can be productive. So it proved today with a Comma down on the deck, a Red Admiral on the fence behind it and a pair of Brimstones bustling about. I ignored the Brimstones as they were patrolling and so wouldn’t stop and decided to try for the Comma first because it was between me and the Red Admiral and so it could have spooked it. It was a good call because while I was getting my shots the Red Admiral decided it was warmed sufficiently and took off so I could have missed out and not gotten any shots!
Chuffed to find three year firsts in one sitting we headed for home.
Once on site my wife sat among the reeds at the rivers’ edge and watched the movement I set off round the pond to check out the hollow seeing only a few Brimstone in the process. As I completed the circuit I was joined by my wife and we started out towards the other end of the reserve. There were no more butterflies on the way but as we almost completed the return journey Brimstones fluttered around the large ‘island’ of Bramble in one of the drainage hollows. Also here there was a Comma, at least that’s what I think it was.
On the homeward journey I pulled in at the corner of Middle and Upper Street as the little bank can be productive. So it proved today with a Comma down on the deck, a Red Admiral on the fence behind it and a pair of Brimstones bustling about. I ignored the Brimstones as they were patrolling and so wouldn’t stop and decided to try for the Comma first because it was between me and the Red Admiral and so it could have spooked it. It was a good call because while I was getting my shots the Red Admiral decided it was warmed sufficiently and took off so I could have missed out and not gotten any shots!
Chuffed to find three year firsts in one sitting we headed for home.
