David M

[David M]

Thanks, both. The 'tickling' approach definitely works with Emperors, and I have employed it with other species with varying degrees of success.

Friday 26th June 2020 - After the Lord Mayors' Shows.....

Two successive days with two successive target species; both highly desirable - Large Blue & Purple Emperor.

It's highly likely that I saw Essex Skippers on both of these outings, but I had neither the time nor the inclination to verify this whilst paying major attention to other species.

However, once back in Abergavenny, I found myself with Essex Skipper top of the list for once, and not for the first time I saw several in the long grass of Mill Street Orchard:

I spent 3 summers living in Abergavenny and never saw a single Marbled White, but it appears they are expanding their range (probably along the River Usk) as I saw one last year and today I saw three:

I'd be delighted if it established itself round these parts. Always good to see butterfly species spreading rather than contracting in range.

[Janet Turnbull]

I have not heard of tickling butterflies before, David - I must give it a try! Glad you got to see the Emperors. I didn't go this year and am suffering withdrawal symptoms.
Janet

[essexbuzzard]

Good news indeed, David! I have no idea these two species could be found in those parts.

[David M]

I have not heard of tickling butterflies before, David - I must give it a try!

Doesn't work all the time, Janet, but if you do it ever so gently you can usually elicit a response from the butterfly without actually spooking it.

[bugboy]

Just catching up with your summertime outings David which are rather different from your usual offerings (I can actually name everything without needing to read the text for starters ). with regard to the Large Blues laying on Marjoram there's an excellent explanation on pages 350-351 in a book by some bloke called Mr Eeles

[David M]

Thanks for reminding me, Paul. I shall get my copy out and take a look later today.

I hope to have a few less readily identifiable species appearing over the next few days!

[trevor]

Your long distance trips have been well rewarded this year David.
When we invest time and petrol on such expeditions we have to hope
the British weather plays ball too. It's a case of good planning and luck!.

Stay well,
Trevor.

[David M]

Thanks, Trevor. I don't normally make so many long journeys in the UK, but given I've only been able to take one foreign trip in 2020, I have had more time to devote to our native species.

Sunday 12th July 2020 – Frustrating little butterfly…..

I’ve looked on with envy at images taken by those on here who can find White Letter Hairstreaks at comfortable heights/distances.

That’s because in my part of the country, they stubbornly refuse to leave the tree canopy. There is a good colony at Glanymor Park in Loughor, where there is a healthy elm plantation, so I made my way down there and suffered my annual hour and a half stiff neck for very little reward.

In fact, it is this ash tree that seems to be the gathering point for WLHs here:

Not at any time did one settle below 20 feet up in this darned tree, and the only reason I managed to get a distant image of this one is because it perched on a branch with no leaves obscuring my view:

Oh for a cherry picker!

[trevor]

From your image of the Elm it doesn't look as though there is any
incentive for the WLH to come down low.
A site in Brighton I visit has plentiful bramble and thistle blooms
below the Elms on which the WLH can regularly be found nectaring.

Having said that I missed them this year as it was too windy when I went.

Keep well,
Trevor.

[millerd]

From your image of the Elm it doesn't look as though there is any
incentive for the WLH to come down low.
A site in Brighton I visit has plentiful bramble and thistle blooms
below the Elms on which the WLH can regularly be found nectaring.
Keep well,
Trevor.

That's also the case with the WLH I regularly go over and see in Essex, and in all the other places I've seen them, come to think of it.

Dave

[David M]

Thanks, both. The image is deceptive, as there are copious bramble blooms all around the central ash tree, as well as other potential nectar sources should this butterfly ever develop the urge to come down and visit them....trouble is, they don't round these parts. It's almost like it's a different species. Same with Purple Hairstreaks; they're permanently ensconced in the upper environs of the trees.

I guess it's payback for the ease with which we can see Marsh, Small Pearl Bordered and High Brown Fritillaries.

[David M]

Sunday 19th July 2020 – Good numbers…..

After some deplorable weather lately, I couldn’t miss the chance to get out in the warmth and sunshine today and decided to drive down to Alun Valley as it’s probably the best site in Wales in terms of numbers of species.

I wasn’t disappointed on that score; some 18 different types of butterfly were seen, and overall numbers were pretty impressive too.
I’d just climbed the slope onto the Down when I came across my first Hedge Browns of the year:

Ringlets and Meadow Browns abounded, whilst there were plenty of Speckled Woods about near the wooded areas. All three (former) Argynnis Fritillaries were seen. The Silver Washed were looking fresh:

There were still quite a few female High Browns on the wing, some a little worn, but others looking very presentable:

Most were found in this clearing where there are plenty of thistles:

Three Dark Greens were also identified, but they are looking extremely faded now and will probably be gone by next weekend.

I managed to find one White Letter Hairstreak (again, up in the higher reaches of the trees) and also my first definite Purple Hairstreak of the year, although once again they were not in any mood to give me a chance of an image – this is the best I could get, perched on the end of the bare twig just left of centre

Other species seen were all three Whites, Peacock, Comma, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Large Skipper and Red Admiral.

[David M]

Tuesday 21st July 2020 - Dozen up....

One of the benefits of working from home is that on sunny days I can get out round the grounds of my estate at lunchtime.

This is what I did today and was able to see 12 different butterfly species within 300m of my house.

These were Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Large, Small & Green Veined Whites, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Hedge Brown and these two little beauties:

[David M]

Wednesday 22nd July 2020 – Quite a day….

At the moment, and unless something unexpected happens relating to Covid, I will be off to Spain next week. That meant that I only really had one chance to see reasonably fresh Chalkhill Blues in the UK this year, so I decided to head to the south coast.

I had set my alarm for 4.30am, intending to leave at 5.30, however I must have pressed the ‘off’ button rather than ‘snooze’ because I woke up at 5.26am and had to rush to get out before 6!!

Then I got caught in a horrendous traffic jam on the M5. I was wondering what had caused this at 7.20 in the morning but after half an hour I finally got past where the accident had happened – a van was on its side blocking two lanes.

So, rather than arrive at Portland at 8.30 I only got there at 9.40 and was feeling a tad irritated.

That didn’t last long though. I had seen two people with cameras by a buddleia near to where I parked my car on the way up. I walked down to where they were and a guy with a beard told me he was watching a Large Tortoiseshell.

It took me a couple of minutes to pick it up but eventually I could see it, although it was quite a distance away in the upper reaches of the bush.

It eventually flew into a better location:

After about 10 minutes, it flew off up the hill and although I walked up the path I wasn’t able to locate it again. Here's an overview of the area where it was seen:

I must thank Stevieb for sharing where he’d seen his LT a few days ago. He was spot on to within yards and I was also very lucky that the guy with the beard was there before me – had I arrived at the time I originally planned, I may have walked right past this area. Fortune shines on you sometimes.

[trevor]

Very well done, David. That is the location they were seen on the day I went.
Although I didn't find that out until back at home. I also understand that particular
bush was host to three Large Tortoiseshells recently.

You must take several mrgreens.

Stay well, good luck in Spain.
Trevor.

[Goldie M]

That last shot of your's shows it off really well David, that's certainly one I missed It's good to know they seem to be back.Goldie

[David M]

Thanks, both. I think the cliff areas and the quarries are probably the places to look for Large Tortoiseshell in the spring, when they will likely be using the rock faces to warm themselves. On a warm, sunny morning, I thought they would probably be more likely to be visiting nectar sources which is why I chose the spot I had been tipped off about.

Heart warming coincidence.....

After I'd left Portland in the early afternoon, I thought I'd make a short detour to Alner's Gorse, primarily to try to get close(ish) to White Letter & Purple Hairstreaks. Sadly, that never happened; I saw three WLHs in the elm trees and two Purple in the Oaks, but none came within camera range.

However, whilst checking out the marsh thistles in a sheltered nook, I saw this little stunner:

I spent 5 minutes or so with this male Brown Hairstreak before I noticed someone walking towards this spot. As he came closer I recognised him - it was the guy with the beard that had helped me see the Large Tortoiseshell a few hours earlier!!

Time to return the favour - I shouted over to him and beckoned him in. He'd been round the site looking for betulae without success, so I was delighted to step out of the way and let him take over. Talk about karma!!

[Pauline]

Some very enviable images recently David Well done!

[millerd]

Nothing like a favour repaid, David! I'm very envious of those sightings, especially the Large Tortoiseshell - still, the hours you put into that makes it well-deserved.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

Thanks, both. Yes, if you put the hours in the greater the chance of reaping the rewards.

One thing's for sure, if you don't go, you definitely won't see anything.