Cheers, Wurzel - those Holly Blues are opening up every day I go out at the moment (probably because they need to warm up!). Thursday 2nd May promised more than it actually delivered - though it was reasonably warm, the sun didn't really break through and my trip down to Denbies nearly resulted in a...

It's funny how these things go, Trevor - one good day (those Dukes are splendid! ) and then the next one has very slim pickings (though the Red Admiral on the bluebells looks rather good). With Pearls out elsewhere in Sussex, it can't be long before your more local ones appear.

Cheers,

Dave

But that layer of nutrients is only "waffer thynn", Wurzel... :) :wink: I shall be listening closely for any news from points west. :) May kicked off on Wednesday 1st with nothing exceptional locally. However, there is always something of interest, starting with another puddling Holly Blue...

Highlights of a beautiful sunny morning near Heathrow. A brand new Speckled Wood... SpW1 050524.JPG ...a Holly Blue laying on goats' rue... HB1 050524.JPG ...and my first Small Copper of the year. SC1 050524.JPG Sometimes there's just no need to go any further afield... :) More in my PD soon. Dave

It sounds as if that's a healthy and established colony there, Paul. It just shows they could be more common and widespread than we think.

Cheers,

Dave

I wondered if the Walls would be out, Trevor... Nice shots of some new-looking butterflies. You were lucky to get some sunshine today - it was wet and cloudy all day up here.

Cheers,

Dave

Before embarking on the journey into May, a quick overview of April in my corner of the world. The highlight of the month has to have been the first Green Hairstreak I've ever found here in over 15 years of looking. That took my species tally for my local patch over this period to 29: 25 "regul...

Cheers, Wurzel and Trevor - the first ones are always good to see, and that one was actively seeking out cowslips to pose on! :) Yes, give it another week or so, and everything will be out. May is always like that! :) Returning home from the Chilterns on 30th April , there was still time for a local...

A very nice spring female GVW, Wurzel. They can be very annoying, as they do tempt you by stopping regularly but often not long enough for you to make the shot. Worth the effort, though.

Cheers,

Dave

The forecast for the last day of April promised a whole day of good weather - sunshine, warmth and not too much wind. I took this as a signal to go further afield again, and once again headed out to Incombe Hole on the Chiltern Hills. On arrival, I could tell things were going to be better than on m...

Great shots from Noar Hill, Mike - it was a toss-up for me on Monday whether to head down there or head north to the Chilterns...I chose the latter and had a good day, but it looks like you probably had the best deal in the end! I shall no doubt visit Cotley when Wurzel sends up the smoke signals, s...

Best day of 2024 for me today in terms of numbers: 21 Orange Tip 7 Brimstone 5 Speckled Wood 4 Peacock 3 Green Veined White 3 Large White 2 Holly Blue 1 Red Admiral 1 Comma And for most on the forum the numbers and species varieties will probably be considered crap :lol: That sounds pretty good to ...

Monday 29th April was a much better day locally - temperatures back up to the seasonal norm at 16 degrees, and lots more sunshine. I was up and out quite early again, but on a day like this it's hard to beat the Holly Blues. HB2 290424.JPG HB3 290424.JPG HB7 290424.JPG HB10 290424.JPG HB1 290424.JP...

That's a lovely dusky fresh Duke, Katrina, and I love the two lizards apparently plotting something...

Cheers,

Dave

I made a return to Incombe Hole today (30th) in beautiful weather, and as well as a handful of Dukes and quite a few Green Hairstreaks... DB1 300424.JPG DB3 300424.JPG GH1 300424.JPG ...I saw my first Grizzled Skipper of 2024. GS1 300424.JPG By the time I left there were quite a few folk there looki...

Sunday 28th April was a bit of an improvement - slightly warmer and the meagre two hours of sunshine came in short bursts and later in the day. The total of 16 butterflies from 6 species seen locally was not very impressive, really. This broke down to: Orange Tip 6 GVW 5 Large White 2 Small White 1...

Cheers, Wurzel - it certainly looks a lot warmer, though it does look as if the further west you go the greater chance of a bit or rain. :( There could be some sunshine between the showers... Friday was a much better day, Trevor - but Saturday 27th April was cool and cloudy almost all day. In the on...

Much better weather today, and better numbers of butterflies in my neck of the woods. A handful of highlights: Not the freshest, but a very obliging female Holly Blue... HB1 290424.JPG ...the first Comma I've seen for ten days... Comma1 290424.JPG ...and a very fresh female Large White grounded by a...

26th April - after lunch. With the continuing sunshine, things actually warmed up a bit, reaching the dizzy heights of fifteen degrees. Unsurprisingly, the butterflies responded, and I saw the first Brimstones for over a week - that shows how dull it has been. In the end, eight species appeared, an...

I think it must be something to do with the habitat that makes the Hollies paly ball, The hedges they fly along are not too high, and there's lots of bramble for them to sit on and await those bursts of sun. They have a steady emergence too, and I see new ones throughout April and May most years and...