Trevor

[millerd]

I don't think I've ever seen Painted Ladies courting - it looks like they go about it the same way as their close relatives do! That's a great spot, Trevor.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks, Dave. The flying display of those two Painted Ladies was as good as any air show.

Very early this morning I went up to High and Over to catch some ' Blues ' at roost and
more importantly opening up before flying off.
Finding some was hard work, as they were very scattered. I initially only found some
worn male Common Blues, and only one fresh one. All fresh specimens happened to be females.
I also found an old male Wall Brown peeking from between the slats of a seat.

I only stayed for an hour and left before the rush hour traffic built up.

At around 1pm I was host to a very special visitor, that's for later. I'm off to the pub!.

Stay well all,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Lovely shot Trevor That last one is brilliant- I've often wondered where Walls get to when they disappear from view I'm intrigued as to who/what the special visitor was

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[trevor]

My special visitor this lunchtime was a lovely fresh Small Tortoiseshell.
This was the first one to visit my garden ever, that I am aware of.
It was first seen on some Sweet Williams in the front garden at about 1pm.
It then flew up into the shady side of my Conifer, and remained there for about 30 mins.
It then resumed nectaring on the flowers before landing and basking on the brickwork of the house.

I know ST's are still seen regularly in other parts of the UK, but around here it is a memorable
occasion when one is seen!. The one below was my second one of the year.

[millerd]

Great to see a garden Tortie, Trevor. Someone from your neck of the woods was grumping to me the other day that he'd seen as many Large Tortoiseshells as Small this year... That shows how uncommon they've become!

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Until yesterday that was my comparison, Dave. ie. Large Tort 1, Small tort 1.
In the last two years I have seen 6 each year locally. Hopefully I'll improve on that this year.

[trevor]

I saw my first Meadow Brown today, in fact three were flying together.
A Speckled Wood completed my day out.
Not a very exciting day, but more exciting times are almost upon us.

Bring it on !.
Trevor.

[trevor]

This morning I drove the short distance to Abbots Wood.
Everything in my favourite area is looking good for the imminent arrival of
the White Admiral and Silver Washed Fritillary, and hopefully the Purple Hairstreak.
Early signs of summer species making an appearance were seen in the form of
another Meadow Brown, and my second Large Skipper ( the one on Monday got away ).
Finally, a Speckled Wood took to the shade of a overhanging branch.

Stay safe all,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Great to see you get another Small Tortie Trevor I can't be long now until the White Admirals are out - I've seen Heath Frits and WA's on the same trip to East Blean before?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

I'm glad you are keeping an eye on Abbots. I was wondering myself when a SWF would be seen. Nice skipper shot

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. On one visit to East Blean we had Heath Frits, WA,
and my first ever open wing Purple Hairstreak.
Strange and sad to think that you can as many ST's in your lunch break,
as I will see in a whole year around here!.

Thanks Katrina. I can thoroughly recommend an early am visit to the periphery
of the picnic field at Abbots when things kick off.

Keep well both,
Trevor.

[trevor]

An image of a Bee Orchid I forgot to post the other day.
And can anyone identify this plant that has appeared in my back garden ?.
It has the appearance of tall grass ( I almost pulled it up ) but has tiny pink
pea like flowers. I'm sure it's not a garden plant, and I've never noticed it in the wild.

Help appreciated,
Trevor.

[bugboy]

Your mystery plant looks like Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia, a native I believe

[trevor]

Cheers Paul, Where the plant came from is a mystery, possibly a neighbours wild bird seed.
There's a bird table just the other side of the fence. Even though you've named it it's new to me.

Live and learn!
Trevor.

[Matsukaze]

It's my wife's favourite meadow plant, and is doing well in the grass we have let grow in our garden the last couple of years.

[millerd]

It definitely looks like grass vetchling, Trevor. It grows abundantly on parts of my local patch and is a favourite of the local Common Blues when they first emerge, just before the birds'-foot trefoil comes into flower and diverts their attention. After flowering, it blends in with the grass and you'd never know it was there.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

My special visitor this lunchtime was a lovely fresh Small Tortoiseshell.
This was the first one to visit my garden ever, that I am aware of.
It was first seen on some Sweet Williams in the front garden at about 1pm.
It then flew up into the shady side of my Conifer, and remained there for about 30 mins.
It then resumed nectaring on the flowers before landing and basking on the brickwork of the house.

I know ST's are still seen regularly in other parts of the UK, but around here it is a memorable
occasion when one is seen!. The one below was my second one of the year.

That's quite a statistic, Trevor.

I've noticed a reduction in their numbers even round my way, but nowhere near the extent to where I'd get a shock if I happened to see one.

I've probably only seen 40 or so this year, although I did see my first couple of summer brooders the other day.

[trevor]

Many thanks Matsukaze & Dave for help with the plant. It's still a new one on
me, I'll now look for it in the wild.
Thanks David, with so few Small Torts seen each year around here
I feel doubly fortunate that one visited my property.

Today's stunning finds deserve a posting of their own.

I went over to Ditchling Common today where a very fresh, female Silver Washed Fritillary
had been located. I was very kindly tipped off, and shown the butterfly which was resting
on the bracken with wings closed, resulting in my best image yet of a SWF underside.
But it really was a WOW moment when she opened up!. They don't come fresher than that!.

As the Black Hairstreak hunt had gone quiet I went for a wander and came across a fresh
male SWF. I'm glad I took a shot as first found because as I carefully waded through the bracken
and had lined up perfectly on the camera it flew off!. Win some , lose some.

More later,
Trevor.

[Maximus]

What a lovely Silver Washed Fritillary, Trevor Shots one and three in particular are stunning

[Katrina]

I agree, for the first shot.