Benjamin wrote: ↑Mon May 31, 2021 5:31 amA frustrating day running from clouds David! Glad to see you track down your target species at least though. Looking forward to seeing your results with the now vastly improved weather......
Thanks, Ben. Yes, things have improved lately and I'm already seeing an increase in general numbers.
Nature responds very quickly and I'm looking forward to at least another week of optimal conditions, as I'm sure are most other butterfly aficionados on here.
Saturday 29th May – Safe to travel…..
Travelling any distance to find butterflies has been off the agenda during May, not due to Coronavirus like last year, but due to the appalling weather and the equally appalling forecasts.
It was time to take a chance however, so, with 20c temperatures and light cloud predicted, I set off for Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire, arriving at around 11am.
I parked at the bottom of the hill and found 3 male Dukes of Burgundy in the hollowed-out grassland in this area:
Two males fighting over a prime perching shrub were the first of the day; this is the one in better condition:
Another male was found higher up the slope nectaring from the Hawthorn blossom:
This Duchess was seen away from the main leks:
All told, 16 of this species were recorded, which is a decent return given the largely cloudy conditions.
One of the reasons for visiting on a cloudy day was to be able to get a bit closer to normally hyperactive Adonis Blues. As it happened, I only saw one individual, and he was away from the main area where I generally see this species. He certainly looked fresh out of the bag though:
There were several other species – Dingy Skippers, Small Heaths and Common Blues all numbered into the dozens, while there were around 10 Brown Argus around too:
Two Painted Ladies were seen; my first of the year:
Peacock, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood and Green Veined and Small Whites were recorded in small numbers as well.
After such a dreadful few weeks, it was pure joy to spend time in such a lovely part of the country with butterfly numbers in three figures.