The Pearls are terrific, aren't they?
It was well worth the detour on the way back to take in Rewell Wood. Though it's a bit of a trek from parking at Fairmile Bottom, with a short steep climb to start with, the scenery along the path through the bluebell woods is a delight in itself. It was just under half an hour's drive from Mill Hill to Fairmile Bottom, despite the crawl along the A27 around the back of Worthing. I think another go might be in order - I can see why it's actually a fair way for you though Trevor, and that with Abbots Wood within walking distance you can stay close to home.
Thanks for the info on the Grizzlie, Allan - interesting...
I reckon they'll be flying at Bentley if the sun shines, Wurzel and Andrew - far more important than the actual air temperature. Down near the ground it'll be much warmer, so there should be a bit of basking going on!
Back on home turf on
Wednesday 1st May, and it remained pretty warm, despite only very hazy sunshine. I thought I'd go over to Bedfont Lakes Country Park to see if Green Hairstreaks had appeared - one of the few colonies in Middlesex, and pretty reliable though in small numbers. The two sections of the Park lie to north and south of the Waterloo - Reading/Windsor railway line, with no connection between the two (except as the butterfly flutters, of course
). I started off at the quieter southern part, which has the railway to the north, an industrial estate on one side and the Feltham Young Offenders establishment on the other. It is not signposted, the entrance gate is easily overlooked and parking is by the roadside. However, once inside, it is a quiet and very pleasant location.
I spotted my first Green Hairstreak immediately inside the entrance (in fact the second gate you go through), down on the grass where there are trefoil plants growing.
After that initial success, I had to walk to the path bordering the railway to find another, and it was a friendly Holly Blue that actually disturbed it.
This pattern was repeated a bit further on on the far side of the lake, where another Holly Blue became involved in a tussle in the trees between two more Hairstreaks.
Finally, returning nearly to the start, I found another three squabbling in the mixed shrubbery.
Seven is the highest total I have ever found here. Also seen: 8 Speckled Woods, a couple of Peacocks, and 9 of those helpful Holly Blues.
I drive round the relatively short distance to one of the car parks for the northern part of the Park. After an annoying interaction with some unrestrained dogs (another owner who seemed to think the bye-laws didn't apply to her), I soon found two more Green Hairstreaks along the path on the northern side of the railway.
I'm guessing the populations do move between the two bits of the park, the railway not representing a barrier to them. The sun had largely disappeared by this time, and aside from these two butterflies, one Holly Blue, four GVW and another couple of Peacocks were all I could find.
The closest Green Hairstreaks to home, and good to see them apparently doing well. They appear to be widely spread throughout this bit of habitat too, rather than concentrated in one spot.
Unexpectedly, the sun returned in the late afternoon, so I had to fit in a trip around my local patch too. A very good idea that turned out to be - amongst nearly 50 butterflies seen altogether were my first two Brown Argus of the year. I was pleasantly surprised, having seen none at either Denbies or Mill Hill the previous day. Only one presented itself for the camera - the other was smaller and shyer, with much smaller orange-red spots on the upperside.
I also found another Small Copper (not the same one as a couple of days before)...
...several Orange Tips...
and one or two Holly Blues - well, 23 in fact...
Once again, a good day - always worth venturing out.
Dave
Isn't there an aberrant Grizzlie that is half way between ab. Taras and the 'type' - your one looks like a good candidate for this? 
Maybe see you in Bentley soon... 
