Trevor

[trevor]

BATS...............

I have just returned from my Daughters house. We all had a meal in the garden. At dusk
she asked me if I would like to see the Bats emerge from the roof.
Her house in an immaculate ten year old end of terrace, and at the apex of the roof there is
a very small gap on the underside of the roof. She took a pen and writing pad to record the
number of Bats as they took flight.
Estimated numbers from a previous rough count suggested about 100 were resident in the loft.
To night we counted 522, and could still hear some chattering from inside suggesting that there
were still more to emerge.
What a fantastic sight !.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

It seems that you've been really busy Trevor - I'm breathless after trying to catch-up! Great Purp shots of and congrats on the Hairstreak - they're one of those species that you just have to be lucky with

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

A short visit to the old railway in Hailsham produced two ground searching male Holly Blues
this morning. Right on cue, the first one, after indulging, flew onto nearby vegetation and partially
opened its wings.
Back at home a fresh looking Comma flitted around the garden, allowing a couple of shots.

Trevor.

[trevor]

Through no fault of my own, I realised that I had left the search for White Letter Hairstreak a bit late.
The co-incidence of time and good weather only merged this afternoon.
But after much searching I managed to find three WLH, the most patient of which was quite worn.
The best specimen settled on a bramble leaf for a few seconds, allowing two lousy shots !.

Also a lovely Red Admiral landed on the shirt of a well known Sussex Butterflier, who was hoping for
a WLH sighting.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Trevor,

Great reports and photos recently

White letter Hairstreak is one of those species that I have seen often enough but usually fluttering around high up. I really must make the effort to get some decent photos sometime.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

Whitters are a tricky one Trevor - they seem to come down lower only then they're past their best! Those are all in pretty good nick though

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Oh! for the sight of just one Trevor, I don't care what condition it's in Goldie

[trevor]

Many thanks Wurzel, Neil and Goldie.

I left things a bit late this year. Last year was fabulous, I even found one in my home town.
The site near Brighton has Thistles and Brambles beneath the Elms. This combination seems
to bring them down. This is an afternoon site owing to the position of the trees relative to the Sun.

Trevor.

[Maximus]

You did really well with the Emperors, Trevor, your lovely shots all show that brilliant full purple sheen, Emperor No. 4 is really stunning

Nice shots of the White letter Hairstreaks too, these are a species I've not yet seen at close range. You seem to be blessed with good populations of WLH in your neck of the woods!


Mike

[trevor]

My brief visit to Eartham woods this afternoon found few active Butterflies, despite a temperature of 22c.
A particular Red Admiral, basking on the track, allowed a close up shot to be taken. I am very pleased
with the resulting image ie. the Butterfly is posing perfectly and that gorgeous red has been captured.
A nearby Peacock was not so obliging, taking off many times and landing for a split second each time.
Also present were several Large Skippers, and a few worn Ringlets.

[trevor]

QUANTITY, QUALITY, DIVERSITY and ABUNDANCE.

Those four words just about sum up today.
Doug. and myself decided to visit Chiddingfold forest on a hunch that the summer brood Wood Whites
might be on the wing. Indeed they were !, but not in concentration, and were widely scattered. 15 to 20
would be a rough estimate.
I was indeed fortunate to see one egg laying, on what I am sure was Bird's foot trefoil. After she had flown
off I turned the leaf over and there was a small clutch of eggs ( see my poor image ).

The other highlight of the morning was the sheer numbers of Butterflies seen, and the diversity of species present.
Apart from the Wood Whites there was nothing rare on offer, but it was a joy to see so many.

None of them need naming on here, so here are the images from a truly memorable day.

Hope you enjoy,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

I'm glad there are some butterflies in abundance somewhere Trevor - things over this way are still a bit tricky hopefully things will buck up and the late summer species will ramp up

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

It was a fabulous visit Wurzel, maybe I should have mentioned the species seen
but not photographed yesterday.
They were; Comma, Red Admiral, Large/Small White, Large/Small Skipper, Ringlet,
Holly Blue and one Purple Emperor ( seen in the air, by another visitor ).

All the best,
Trevor.

[trevor]

I was fortunate, this morning to find this male Holly Blue basking with open wings,
probably taking a break from ground searching.

Trevor.

[millerd]

Most envious of the Holly Blue, Trevor. And the WLH as well, something I always struggle to find. A local spot has had the elms succumb unfortunately and they don't seem to have relocated anywhere nearby.

Dave

[Goldie M]

Lovely photos of the Wood Whites Trevor and your Holly Blues are great too. Goldie

[trevor]

My neighbour has a Buddleia bush which partially overhangs my garden fence.
Needless to say I am getting quite a few visitors to my garden. This evening at 17.28,
this pristine Red Admiral took a break from the Buddleia and rested on my back fence.

[Wurzel]

Cracking Holly Blue Trevor They're one of those species that I seem to miss out on, I just don;t get time to put the effort into them
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

As I was running a little late this morning I had to restrict my visit to Eartham wood to about 10 mins.
In this time I managed to see many Red Admirals and a few Peacocks nectaring on Thistles and
Hemp Agrimony.
Once at work the action continued, with Red Admirals flying erratically around the yard, one of them
chose to bask on one of the restored vintage buses.

Trevor.

[Goldie M]

Great shots Trevor, I'd love to see the peacocks but their not moving here yet ,Goldie