Trevor

[trevor]

Cheers Paul, we certainly did pick the right week.

For those interested either Neil Hulme or Dave Cook will probably post
an image of a pretty unique event at Ditchling Common today.
This should be found on the Sussex BC sightings page.
I dashed over there but missed it by a few minutes.

Do look,
Trevor.

[kevling]

Trevor,

Great photos of the Swallowtails at Strumpshaw Fen. Without knowing it, we may have crossed paths, as I was there on Monday 3rd June too. About to finally post my images.
It was a great morning and they were showing well, particular on the hillside beyond the doctors house.

Regards
Kev

[David M]

It's quite incredible that there are so many images of Black Hairstreak pupae right now.

They must have had an exceptional year in 2018 for this early stage to be so conspicuous?

[trevor]

I just missed something more exciting than a BH pupae today, David.

This lunchtime I had one of those Dave Cook phone calls.
" if you can make it, I am looking at a mating pair of Black Hairstreaks ".
Of course I could try and make it, but Ditchling Common is about 45 to 50 mins away.
Despite making good time I arrived too late, and they had separated.
But the booby prize was seeing up to 10 Black Hairstreaks low down,
in less than ideal weather, or maybe after Saturday and today's performance
it was ideal weather!.

It was good to see Dave and Neil on top form.
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots Trevor of a species that I've still to see Mind you I think they're mis-named it as it looks more like the Velvet or Moleskin Hairstreak

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Great shots Trevor Like Wurzel I've yet to see them Goldie

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & Goldie.

This morning I stayed local, and had a good look around part of Abbots Wood.
I was amazed at how Meadow Brown numbers have built in the last few days.
An area of bramble, now in full blossom, and ready for the White Admiral
any day now, was host to many Meadow Browns.
On another patch of Bramble, a lone Red Admiral nectared almost oblivious
to my presence, and may have landed on my back briefly.

Trevor.

[millerd]

Bad luck on missing that Black Hairstreak pairing by a whisker, Trevor. At least there were a few around to otherwise entertain. They do seem to be active even without bright sunshine, and appear to come down a bit lower on the vegetation when it's cloudy as well.

Red Admirals are definitely on the increase now, after a pretty poor start to their season - they are turning up everywhere.

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

Great stuff Trevor - really like the way the Red Admirals colour changes from chocolate brown to silky black at the different angles

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Doug and I visited East Blean Wood today.
On arrival a male Holly Blue was flying around the car park,
and eventually settled briefly for a couple of shots.
Later I spotted another Holly Blue, a female, apparently ovipositing on Heather!.
I watched her for some minutes, landing on several Heathers, always on the
tip of the plant, and curl her abdomen up. There is no doubt about the
butterfly species, but I do doubt her choice of plant.

Has this been seen before ?.
Trevor.

[bugboy]

Doug and I visited East Blean Wood today.
On arrival a male Holly Blue was flying around the car park,
and eventually settled briefly for a couple of shots.
Later I spotted another Holly Blue, a female, apparently ovipositing on Heather!.
I watched her for some minutes, landing on several Heathers, always on the
tip of the plant, and curl her abdomen up. There is no doubt about the
butterfly species, but I do doubt her choice of plant.

Has this been seen before ?.
Trevor.

Page 150 of Thomas & Lewington and page 276 of Blencowe & Hulme

[trevor]

Cheers, Paul. Live and learn !.

[trevor]

Of course the real reason for visiting East Blean was to see the Heath Fritillary.
It is some years since I have been to East Blean and the Heath Fritillaries have been in fresh condition.
Our last visit two years ago was a little late, but a fresh, female, open wing Purple Hairstreak made up for that.
Today we had ideal weather, apart from the breeze, of Sun and cloud. The cloudy spells certainly calmed
the Heaths down and allowed some good photo opportunities.
It was also good to seen the Heaths flying in many areas of the wood, as well as the coppiced areas.

Wellies are recommended for anyone planning a visit soon,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

I was waiting for the Heath shots Trevor And they were worth it - a great selection Having seen Glanvilles this year I don't think I'll be able to see Heaths as well, I can't justify the travelling I've been there twice now - the first time it was cloudy all day so under wing shots were the order of the day and the second time it was wall to wall sun so topsides filled my memory card - looks like you got exactly the right balance of sun and cloud

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Lovely Heath shots Trevor, I usually see Purple Hair Streaks there but I've never got one with open wings yet, last year I even saw a Silver Washed Fritillary in the Car Park but it didn't stay long enough for any shots Goldie

[Neil Freeman]

...But the booby prize was seeing up to 10 Black Hairstreaks low down...Trevor.

Blimey!...that's one hell of a booby prize Trevor

That would have been one of my highlights of the season irrespective of missing the pair in cop.

Nice Heath Fritillaries too...have another

Cheers,

Neil.

[millerd]

Some nice Heath Fritillaries there, Trevor - good to see they are doing fine in Kent as well as well as in Essex. There's loads of variation between individuals there too - at least in the UK there is only one species they could be!

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

Good to hear the Heath Frits are around in decent numbers in Kent, Trevor. Looks like this population is stable at the very worst.

[trevor]

Many thanks everyone for the kind comments.

Today was a bit of a ( mini ) marathon.
I started at my local Abbots wood, but it was still early and thus quiet.
Then on to Ditchling common. Even at 9am the place was well populated with enthusiasts,
including at least three UKBers. While I was there I managed images of three Black Hairstreaks,
but several more were seen and photographed by others.
My third BH was, for a pleasant change, seen taking honeydew from a Oak leaf.

Then on to Iping common............

[trevor]

It is quite some time since my last visit to Iping common, and as I traced my way
to my usual spot for Silver Studded Blues, it was noticeable how much clearance
work has taken place. Shortly after arrival at my chosen spot a few male SSB's
were flying nearby, but one male located a mating pair and tried to get in on the act.
This disturbed the mating pair, which conveniently flew to a much better position
for a few shots. With the prize of the day in the bag, I carried on searching, and
many male SSB's were found, but only one other female was seen, in the air.

A long, but rewarding day,
Trevor.