Maximus

[David M]

That's a healthy return, Mike, so it was a productive day in spite of the wind.

Some of those marshies look quite dark, or is that the norm on that site?

[Wurzel]

Brilliant shots Mike Glad the Hill paid off even it if was as hard work Did you try the other side of the Hill? I know what you mean about the aberrant. Dave found one there and then despite quartering every part of the Hill I still missed it.

"Several Wall Browns - this was the best shot I could manage." And it's mighty fine, I'd be more than happy with one like that

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Maximus]

Thanks, Goldie, I hope you get to see some Adonis Blues soon

They are quite dark, David, not sure if it's normal for that site, Wurzel would possibly know!

Thanks Wurzel yes we tried both sides, not so many on the normal side, but I saw the ab. there




We visited Wrecclesham last Sunday hoping to see some Glanville Fritillaries, but unfortunately we saw none. We did however find some stunning butterflies of various other species.

We planned to make a return visit this Sunday, and then this morning I also saw Pauline’s diary post, with the Glanvilles she saw there yesterday.

We were unable to get away early so we didn’t arrive there until 1pm. The weather was not good, a very strong breeze and some heavy showers made the going tough. We spent an hour without seeing any butterflies at all and were on the verge of calling it quits, when it brightened up a bit and felt a tad warmer. All of a sudden we saw some Common Blues in flight, so we resumed our search with renewed optimism. Within ten minutes I‘d found our first Glanville, a really fresh looking male. We then spent a very enjoyable hour, during which we found a total of six Glanvilles, all of which I think were males, all in mint condition, a very pleasing result.

We also saw some very fresh Common Blues, Brown Argus and Some worn Green Hairstreaks.

But the Glanvilles stole the show

[millerd]

Simply lovely shots of the Glanvilles, Mike. Sometimes less than perfect weather helps make the butterflies pose more amenably! They certainly cooperated for you.

Cheers,

Dave

[Pauline]

That's great news Mike - 6 is the most I have seen recorded from outside of the fence for a few years and perhaps more to come

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots Mike I'm a bit confused about this 'right side of the fence' as when I visited back when it was heaving with Glannies there was only a tiny bit of ground on the right side of the fence - was I approaching the site from the wrong side?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Great shots Mike, they look fantastic even with closed wings Goldie

[David M]

So pleased you found the Glanvilles, Mike. They really are beautiful insects, especially the undersides, which you have framed perfectly in your fourth image.

[bugboy]

Wonderful stuff with your latest few posts, Wiltshire's finest selection of late spring butterflies followed by some sublime Glanvilles, those undersides

[Maximus]

Thanks, Dave, Pauline, Wurzel, Goldie, David and Bugboy, for your comments


First shot, shows the Wrecclesham main site as it is now, taken from the bridge.

A few shots of the twelve Orange-tip larvae we rescued from a footpath which was already being strimmed. Although we have had various instar stages on the garlic mustard together, none have been cannibalized by their siblings. In fact they appear to enjoy close contact with each other, something that we have witnessed before. We have however seen first instar cats eating unhatched eggs, but perhaps that's part of their survival instinct.

It's not as though they have finished feeding, prior to pupation, as they are clearly still feeding! Perhaps their cannabalistic tendancies are not always as bad as reported?

[Maximus]

These are final instar larvae.

[Wurzel]

I didn't check out the main site this weekend Mike - it looks alot different from what it was back in the glory days Mind you the other field looks like it's safe from development for a while, fingers crossed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Thanks for the evocative (if a little depressing) shot of Wrecclesham, Mike. It's 8 years since I went so I can't pinpoint which area I visited, but that certainly looks to be a destructive scar through the landscape.

[Maximus]

Our local SSB site - 21st June.

Although this appears to be a late site for SSB emergence, in 2018 we saw our first (a male) SSB at this site on 8th June. A later visit on 15th June, and we found that numbers were building nicely at 30+.

This year we visited on 10th June and drew a blank. On 17th we found only one male during our visit. Today, 21st June we found a total of six males and one female during our two hour visit. Let’s hope that the warm weather forecast for next week encourages them to emerge in greater numbers!

It was nice to get out again, as this season our butterfly trips have been put on the back burner.

The single male from 17th June.

21st June visit.

And the stunning female

[Pauline]

It takes more than a bit of skill to capture that oily sheen to the extent you have on that gorgeous female. You have made it look easy!

[trevor]

Stunning female is an understatement, Mike!.
Can only agree with Pauline's comment.

Great capture,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

That female is something else Mike Also interesting to see the dark markings on the hind wing of the male, shot number 5
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[bugboy]

That really is an incredible shot of that female, she can't be more than a few hours old!

[David M]

Very nice, Mike, especially that female which has a lustrous glow to it.

[Maximus]

Thanks, Wurzel, Bugboy and David

I finally got to see some painted ladies, I didn't go looking but took my camera, just in case, and it paid off. There were perhaps half a dozen, with most if not all being females.

Nectaring on bramble blossom.

They appeared quite faded, and had probably travelled some distance with their precious cargo of eggs.

There was also a fresh looking Small Tortoiseshell with them, the first I've seen for some time.