Cheers Goldie
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Hope you can get a lens sorted for ready for Dingies next season
Laverstock and on to Shipton… 10-08-018
I just bloody knew it! After days of insane temperatures with almost constant blue sky today was when it all changed and it was also the day when Philzoid and I had arranged to meet up for the annual pilgrimage to Shipton. As I walked down the path from the Tutor’s house and started across the field there was only a Hornet Hoverfly and a single Blue. I carried on diagonally across the Down making my way towards the Gully. I saw all the Blues and Browns that I’m now used to seeing here but it’s still really hard going being cloudy, blustery and cool. As I’m trying my luck on the slopes and generally making my way back I bump into the Tutor’s daughters and we head back together a different way. There’s lots of Blackthorn on this route and I’m left wondering if this could be a potential Brostreak site?
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After this I rush back and out again to meet up with Philzoid and as we catch up and race over to Shipton the weather gets a bit worse…When we arrive we head straight out and check the main hedge. It feels like we need about 30 minutes of sun but if doesn’t look like we’re going to get it. Along the main hedge there are Meadow and Hedge Browns but not much else, not even a Holly Blue up high or a Common Blue down low. I make a quick check in on the girls and then we move on up the main track up the hill to the area I’d visited previously. As we carry on the weather improves somewhat drying up and the odd sunny patch with it’s accompanying spike in temperature.
Walking our way through the clearings we find little groups of Specklies but never the individuals I’m used to seeing but generally 4 or 5 packed on one bush or Bramble. There were loads of Meadow Browns, most looking very small, almost Hedge Brown in size and only a few of the latter species. This was quite good as they’re very capable of flying by, catching your eye and allowing you to mistake them for a Brostreak; they’re the original False Hairstreak! In the more open clearings and on the exposed side of the hedge there were plenty of Blues with Small Heath and Brown Argus intermingled. But despite plenty of hedge gazing, neck crunching and intense scrutiny not one single Brostreak revealed itself. I thought that we were going to have a Bugboy and our spirits dampened even more and also quite literally as the heavens opened after a particularly prolonged sunny and warm period when we were just 25 m away from the main Hedge! The sky fell on our heads!
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Wr ran and dove back into the car and sat it out steaming ever so slightly. Due to where we were parked and the wind direction I could check the mirror and see what weather was heading our way. There looked to be a break and a slither of blue sky so out we tumbled and were ready and waiting at the hedge when the cloud cracked. But the blue sky came and went before the butterflies had a chance to come out and as a heavier, more persistent rain set in we once again took refuge in the car.
We still had time, approximately another 3 hours in the Golden Zone and so we made to sit out the rain and had lunch. It gave Philzoid a chance to show off his holiday snaps; possible Moorland Cloudy
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
, Large Wall
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
, Mazarine Blue
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
– I couldn’t wait to get out of the car
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Once lunch was done and we chatted about this and that I checked the mirror again and I could see a bigger, lighter patch on the horizon and heading our way. We were out and waiting at the hedge when it hit. This time the girls accompanied us so we had an extra 4 eyes for scanning. We started at the spot which has been so good this year and a Painted Lady dropped in. As it flew off we started seeing more activity on the Brambles with Meadow Browns and Holly Blues seemingly coming out of the woodwork. Then, as if just popping spontaneously into existence, there was a male Brostreak. Having found it we have to watch as it flies off! A Sliver-washed bundles into view trying to distract us and the Brostreak has gone.
We carry along the hedge a short way and manage to relocate it. It seems to like one patch in particular, returning when hassled by a Meadow Brown, he just does a slow circle round an adjacent bush and then plops back down two branches away from where it started. He outs on a little show for us; taking moisture from the leaves left by the showers and generally bimbling about amongst the blackberries. He even opens up for a bit basking, or at least attempting to bask, in what little sun is showing.
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We carry on to the end of the Hedge which always looks promising for females with the thorn whippings and various things turn up; Holly Blues, Common Blues etc. but no more Brostreaks. On our return the male is still in the same place so after a little re-acquainting we leave him in peace and call it a day. None too soon as the cloud layers up and the temperature starts to drop. As the rain starts again we’re already driving down the track homewards. Everyone’s happy, Philzoid and I got the Brostreak and the girls got lunchboxes filled to brimming with Blackberries!
Have a goodun
Wurzel