I would be very happy to give it my best shot Buggy but you would need to be there to make sure I found my way out! Honestly, at least twice I have found myself totally lost in such unfamiliar places which will come as no surprise to those who know me and my total lack of any sense of direction
Thanks Guy. I shall certainly try to keep an eye on these. Just for (my) record I was surprised at how much these larva varied in size given they have been subjected to the same conditions. I appreciate the eggs may have been laid at different times but I know for a fact that 6 eggs hatched within 24 hours of each other and these larva were mostly on those bushes. The question is - are these larva from those eggs or are the larva much more mobile in early instars than I had assumed and also witnessed when rearing. (Perhaps a greater risk from predators in the wild necessitates greater mobility?) One of the reasons I say this is that the eggs I found/saw being hatched were all on small (12-24") discrete bushes which I have checked carefully many times since without any larval sightings (bar one). I also know how well they can remain hidden hence the repeated checking, but if they are the same then that implies that they develop at different rates. Just a few rambling thoughts so hope it makes sense.
Cheers Neil. It was a great experience seeing that bird. Word has it that he (apparently it is male) has been coming for 5 years now and given their lifespan it is thought unlikely that he will return again. However, a second Cuckoo is 'learning' about the food source so you never know! Colin is identified by a white spot just above his left pupil which is just about visible in the shot below:
It's very kind of you to say so David. I am really trying to improve my bird photography but I think that shot was more luck than skill.
A few more of the immature stages taken recently:
I believe the first shot are Holly Blue eggs and the second shot is another Green Hairstreak, based mainly on the fact that I saw the appropriate butterflies egg-laying in different areas. I have yet to find both types of egg on the same plant:
If you should happen to read this Andrew, when it is freshly laid a GH egg is a blue/green colour and then fades to the colour below. I have seen them laid on the flower head and on the back of leaves:
Green Hairstreak larva:
Orange Tip larva:
I didn't bother taking any shots of the Duke eggs as none of the ones I found had hatched.