Thanks
Dave, I did actually notice the red spots when I photographed that Chalkhill but then forgot to mention it in my post
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I got lucky with that Hawkmoth I think, there were two who more often than not saw me way before I saw them, took me ages to get up close to a settled one!
Thanks
Katrina, I think it was Dave who helped with the ID one one I'd photographed a couple of years ago
They look more like some top secret alien stealth bomber up close
Wurzel, I do like a nice close up that puts a different perspective on the subject
Thanks
David, it's easy to overlook the common or garden species isn't it!
19th August, a romping victory at Bookham!
There were no train themed disasters today so I managed an early start at Bookham. It was a bit windy but substantially less so than the previous day but despite the mostly blue sky, butterflies were yet again thin on the ground. Gatekeeper numbers have dropped to the point where Meadow Brown's probably outnumber them now, and they are still emerging from the looks of things.
A few Common Blues are still around as well as one or two Coppers but I'm still waiting for the late flush of Commas and Red Admiral to appear here. A fair few fresh Speckled Woods were also emerging with some lovely females enjoying the sun.
The main event for the day also took a while to show itself but a female Brimstone kept me occupied for a while, to preoccupied with feeding to worry about me getting up close and personal.
I wasn't alone today, I got chatting to a couple who had never seen a Brown Hairstreak before so I gave them some tips on what to look for and where. It was shortly after we separated that one flew over my head and the hedge. I darted over and quickly located a female fussing around low down in the Blackthorn. This tatty little lady soaked up a few rays amongst the leaves in between laying eggs.
![IMG_0076.JPG (176.23 KiB) Viewed 516 times IMG_0076.JPG](./files/thumb_13753_5f15c1c8220c669c76eaaa9c59e48fa7)
I also just about managed some shots of an egg being laid. Like Pauline the other day I was hampered by various types of thorns whilst trying not to disturb her so they're not going to win any prizes but interestingly they show the egg coming out coated in some form of liquid. The top of her abdomen hovered over the freshly laid egg for 10 or 15 seconds before she pulled away, possibly exuding more of this substance, is this liquid some sort of glue like substance to help adhere the egg in place? I lost her shortly after another egg was deposited and going back the first one the liquid had mostly gone (dried/evaporated?) and now looked quite normal.
I wandered back along the path to find the couple had found their own female, a better conditioned one with just a few nicks. They were both very excited about finding one.
The three of us continued our search and I called them over when an exceptionally large fresh female appeared in front of me. She didn't sit perfectly for us but we got some acceptable snaps nevertheless before she fluttered off across the field out of sight.
Nearby I found the fresh Meadow Brown from earlier had found herself an equally fresh new friend!
Our next sighting was the second one reappearing, recognizable from the nicks in her wings and she set about laying an egg in front of us in a very un-Brown Hairstreak position, a rather old blackthorn stem seemed to suit her.
All this egg laying and I hadn't even had my lunch yet, so much for egg laying being an afternoon activity. I set off to go and see what's going on with the White Admiral caterpillars, munching on a sandwich when another female flutters down in front of me, my forth of the day and the couple's third, a good result for Bookham!
I searched all the usual spots for White Admirals but today only one third instar was located. I've no idea if it's one that I'd found before who's moved leaves or one I've missed. Also not sure if this one will try and go through to adult this year or hibernate, he's cutting it a bit fine if it's the former.
During my searches I did however locate an egg, my first. I presume this is one that was laid during the main flight which failed rather than from a second brood animal. I'll check on it on my next visit though.
All this recent rain seems to have caused a minor fungus explosion in the wood. I don't really know my fungi but I couldn't resist this fairy playground landscape
On my way back to check on afternoon Hairstreak activity my only Nymphalid of the day caught my eye, a bright fresh one.
Unfortunately the sun had all but gone by this time and I didn't see any more Hairstreaks, still a 0-4 win for me though, no complaints from me
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
(a 1-11 agg lead)