Andrew555

[Andrew555]

Thanks Wurzel. True, though it was a bit too much on that day (and it was bloomin' windy!).
Yes definitely! Particularly when they were flying about, like little fluorescent lights.

Cheers

[Janet Turnbull]

Just caught up with your review of 2017 Andrew - and what a lovely finish with the Clouded Yellow!
Hope you have a similarly great summer this year.
Janet

[Goldie M]

That's a lovely Brimstone Andrew, it almost looks like it's on a swing enjoying it's self. Goldie

[Andrew555]

Thank you Janet, good luck to you as well.
I don't know how far north they can range, but I was very happy to see one local to me.

Thanks Goldie. It was a bit windy so it probably felt like it!

[David M]

Despite the best attempts of my local weather to deny me, I managed to break my photographic duck for this year on Saturday at White Hill.

And what a way to do it, Andrew!

I've waited for weeks to get an image of a settled male Brimstone but it's way short of the quality of yours.

Well done!

[Andrew555]

Thanks a lot David.
I was just thinking about leaving and turned around to head back to the car, when the Brimstone's appeared.
How many times does that happen ?

[David M]

I was just thinking about leaving and turned around to head back to the car, when the Brimstone's appeared.
How many times does that happen ?

Those last few moments are akin to a football team looking for a winner in injury time, Andrew.

Your senses are heightened and you look for things more keenly than at the beginning of the excursion.

I've lost count of the number of times I've seen notable things in the final few minutes. It's always worth an extra glance!

[Andrew555]

Very true David, I like the analogy.

[Andrew555]

Sunday 15th April

Not great weather but I popped by White Hill and found this male Brimstone.

This Bee Fly was also willing to pose for me.

Like a few people here, a lunchtime walk at work brings me some butterfly spotting opportunities.
In fact I'll often get my first sighting of a species during one. This Speckled Wood seen on Friday, along with Holly Blue, is one such.

Cheers

[millerd]

A nice little selection, Andrew. A Holly Blue on holly as well!

Dave

[Wurzel]

I'll trade you a Small Tort for a Specklie Andrew - still not seen one The butterflying lunch in my opinion is essential to a healthy lifestyle - I'm surprised there hasn't been a government initiative about it

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Hi! Andrew, no Holly Blues or Speckies here yet, so well done with them, love the Brimstone . Goldie

[bugboy]

Holly Blues are next on my hit list, seen a few but only had my phone on me so far to get any images. Hopefully on a lunchtime stroll in the next couple of days!

[Andrew555]

Cheers Dave. Yes, in it's proper place.

Wurzel, done!
There are a few desk jockeys here that would benefit from such a scheme!

Thanks a lot Goldie.

Best of luck Bugboy!

[David M]

Nice selection of spring species for a short lunchtime walk, Andrew. One hopes the good weather will return shortly to afford further opportunities.

[Andrew555]

Thanks David. There were some good spells during the week, Orange-tips and Small White's now also seen.

[Janet Turnbull]

That first Holly Blue is a lovely shot, Andrew. When I was at work I never thought about hunting butterflies at lunchtime. All those wasted opportunities! But since retiring and discovering the joys of butterflies at least I can go out anytime. If it would just stop raining...!

[Andrew555]

Thanks Janet. I count myself lucky there are some nice green areas close by, come sun or rain I'm out there.

[Andrew555]

Saturday 21st April

I wanted to see some Orange-tips. So inspired by recent posts and using the excellent The Butterflies of Sussex as a guide I headed down to Five Oaks. Once there I plotted myself a meandering route to Billingshurst and back and set off.

I soon started to see OT's, along the edges of the fields and lanes, that first flash of colour in the morning sun made me very happy.
Most were not stopping, males whizzed by, but there were some photo opportunities.

Thought this colourful chap deserved a pic.

There was a nice variety of other species to see.

I have to say it was really lovely walking through the meadows, cool shaded woodlands and quiet lanes of this landscape, with Orange-tips fluttering alongside.

When I got back to the car I decided to return to one particular area for another look around, there it was a pleasure to meet fellow enthusiast and UKB member John W.

Activity had died down a bit from my morning walkthrough but I found a resting female for us and John directed me to a subduded male.

After a while John announced he was going to Mill Hill to try and see some Grizzled Skippers, and would I like to come along ?

Ermm... hell yes please?!

Cheers

[bugboy]

Wonderful stuff Andrew