essex buzzard

[Wurzel]

That carpet of Anemones looks beautiful Essex Surely that ' the only way'? I'll get me coat ...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

They really are a sight to behold, mark, aren't they. Shame they don't seem to attract butterflies; I don't think I've ever seen one nectaring from them.

[essexbuzzard]

Here in Essex, the bluebell Woods are now at their glorious peak. We have some fantastic bluebell Woods in the county, and they really are a sight to behold. They are something for us Brits to treasure too-nowhere else in the world can boast such a great woodland show. I traditionally thought of bluebells as a May flower, but nowadays they usually flower earlier, in late April. Perhaps because of climate change.

This time of year, of course, has another treasure , in fact many other treasures! Round my way, Orange Tips have been about for a week or two, but they only really appeared in numbers over the warm Easter weekend. These glorious butterflies appeal not only the butterfly specialist, but also to the general naturalist, like no other. They are the ultimate symbol of longer, warmer Spring days, and a countryside full of colour and new life.

They make good use of flowering rape fields. After all, I suppose rape flowers are just yellow cuckoo flowers!

[Goldie M]

Lovely shot of the wood land Blue Bells essex and the Orange Tip's , nothing more beautiful at this time of year Goldie

[David M]

Talk about 'carpets' of bluebells! That is a scene that could only be taken in the UK.

I've never seen Orange Tips on rape blooms, Mark. The background colour almost gives a sepia effect. Very nice.

[Andrew555]

That is a mighty fine Bluebell scene Mark. Love the OT on the rape flower, not seen that myself yet though there are fields of rape at Billingshurst that I walked through recently.

Cheers

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks everyone, the Orange Tips feeding on the rape reminded me of the Provence Orange Tips I see in Gibraltar, which often settle on yellow flowers.

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen the Pearl Bordered Fritillary. So, with a last minute change of plan, I got my chance on Monday to head down to Rewel wood in Sussex. It was nice to meet several other enthusiasts on the main east-west ride, including our very own Neil Hulme, who was doing a very successful timed count of the PBF population. But we all got to see many of these lovely spring Fritillaries!

[ernie f]

Mark - Nice set of Pearl shots. Not seen them this year so far. Also you've also got a pic of mating OTips. It was my first time getting one this year and yet I see other people on this forum have done the same. The OTips seem to be having a great year and with luck may do next year too. Also - I agree about the Bluebells - I too had noticed them peaking in April rather than in May. A sign of things to come.

[Wurzel]

Lovely sets of Pearl shots Essex - they've started emerging at Bentley Wood but nowhere near the numbers you seem to have seen Not long until the Marshies now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

..It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen the Pearl Bordered Fritillary. So, with a last minute change of plan, I got my chance on Monday to head down to Rewel wood in Sussex. It was nice to meet several other enthusiasts on the main east-west ride, including our very own Neil Hulme, who was doing a very successful timed count of the PBF population. But we all got to see many of these lovely spring Fritillaries!

Sounds like a highly satisfying day out, Mark. The numbers Neil H was talking about would be incredible in a location where PBF was long established, let alone somewhere that has only recently been managed for them.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Ernie, Wurzel and David. The mating Orange Tips were unexpected, as they were my first sightings this year. I too can’t wait for mashies. The numbers of PBF are rich reward for all the people down there who help it happen.

Leaving Revel wood, I headed for Chantry Hill, Storrington. Unfortunately it had largely clouded over by then, and not much was about, though I did see my first Greens of the year, and the views very splendid. But blue sky was visible over the coast, so I headed to Mill Hill, by 5PM, and had a great couple of hours in the sunshine, soon clocking up several Dingy and a couple of Grizzed Skippers, Walls and a couple of Greens.

Later, I had the pleasure of watching the Skippers going to roost, a great was to end a rich, successful and most enjoyable day.

[trevor]

That's a very fine ' twin spot ' male Wall Brown ( and image ), Mark.
I found one earlier this week, but the twin white spots on yours are far more distinct.

Glad you enjoyed Rewell Wood.
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Lovely looking Wall Essex and love the behaviour shot of the Dingy I still can't remember the name of that Wall aberration - I'll need to go and look it up.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

You've really used your time well and filled your boots, Mark. Lovely Wall Brown with its 'planetary system' forewing ocelli and Dingy, but that Grizzled Skipper is extremely boldly marked, but short of being an ab. A fine specimen!

[Neil Freeman]

A great selection of species in your recent reports Mark

Interesting photo of the Orange-tip on the yellow rape flower. Despite there being fields full of the stuff around here I don't see many butterflies on it apart from the occasional white.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Goldie M]

essex, you've got a load of Greens from me lovely Butterfly shots Goldie

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks everybody for your comments, which are always nice to read.

The wonderful springtime Orange Tips fly down every Essex hedgerow. Here, the main caterpillar foodplant is garlic mustard. However, being an annual, it’s appearance each year is highly variable, depending on a fresh crop of new seedlings, unlike cuckoo flowers, whose population is more stable. Flowering mustard plants are scarce this year-certainly most of the seedlings in my garden shrivelled in last years heatwave-so it’s possible we will see a temporary decline in Orange Tip numbers next spring. However, as they can also use other crucifers, including charlock, rocket and honesty, the egg-laying female should be able to find something of interest.

Ina couple of weeks, the number of adults will begin to wane, as their all too short season draws to a close. So it’s time to have another look at these spring beauties!

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots Essex especially the open wing shot of the male - could that orange be any more so?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Here, the main caterpillar foodplant is garlic mustard. However, being an annual, it’s appearance each year is highly variable, depending on a fresh crop of new seedlings, unlike cuckoo flowers, whose population is more stable. Flowering mustard plants are scarce this year-certainly most of the seedlings in my garden shrivelled in last years heatwave-so it’s possible we will see a temporary decline in Orange Tip numbers next spring.

That’s really surprising, Mark, as I was only telling my neighbour the other day that I’d never seen so much of it round my way. I wonder whether the hotter, drier conditions in the SE during last year’s heatwave played a role?

[trevor]

There is nothing that heralds the arrival of Spring more than the Primrose, and the Orange Tip.
Fortunately they are not a localised species, so can be enjoyed by many.

Great stuff, Mark.
Trevor.