Stunning shots Trevor It's all happening now - and to think last weekend I was still finding fresh Grizzlies Hopefully I'll have earnt some Brownie points by the time His Nibbs comes on the scene and a trip to Chiddingfold could be on the cards
Thanks Mike, Katrina & Wurzel. Those SWF's were the surprise of the day,
and, to me, kick started the silly season.
Of course the reason for today's visit was for the Black Hairstreak.
Despite very suitable weather and temperature only one was seen on the bracken.
But not only was it absolutely fresh and pristine, but it gave it's admirers a real treat
by moving several times to new and better photographic locations, and was seen
for about an hour. One couple from Plymouth, on a Nature Trek tour, had come especially
to see the Black Hairstreak, and returned to their hotel very happy.
More BH flypasts were seen, but they were not very frequent.
That is a terrific Black Hairstreak, Trevor. Wonderfully fresh and that lovely golden brown they have when new. Beautiful new SWF, too, absolutely stunning.
That was quite a day - If I'd known the sun was out in Sussex, I might have headed down there, but it's been relentlessly cloudy for days here!
I had arranged to meet Ben Greenaway somewhere in deepest West Sussex this morning.
Arrival was on time despite every delay possible on the way, and just as the over night rain stopped.
Ben had kindly offered to show me some Purple Emperor pupae he has been monitoring.
Walking through some lovely, but soaking wet woodland, we came to pupae No 1. There is no
way that the casual passer by could have found it, it was difficult to see even with a stick pointing to it!.
This also applied to pupae No2, which was higher up. This one was difficult to photograph and needed a
stepladder, and with the wind blowing the branch around it's a wonder that any usable images were obtained.
Apparently both pupae found contained a male PE.
In all I had a most enjoyable and enlightening visit thanks to Bens expertise and knowledge of the subject.
That is indeed a spectacularly fresh Silver Washed Fritillary, Trevor. They don't come any better than that!
Your Black Hairstreak images are notably good too. I particularly like the one where it is giving a glimpse of the upper surface of the hindwings.
As for the Emperor pupae, you couldn't be in better hands. The camouflage is amazing (I suppose it has to be) and I don't think it'll be long before the first adults are on the wing.
Thanks Wurzel & David. I've had some great experiences recently, ranging from
the Black Haistreaks, the finest female SWF I've ever seen to the PE pupae.
My good fortune continued this afternoon.
I went over to Herstmoceux Castle this afternoon, and counted a minimum of
eight Small Tortoiseshells, not only was that remarkable enough, I was treated
to four courtship chases ending in the typical nose to tail posturing.
In the warmth of the afternoon they were devils to photograph, constantly
flitting from one flower to another, and seeing off the many Meadow Browns.
I went over to Ditchling Common with Doug Neve this morning.
Quite a few people turned up during the morning, including another enthusiast from Plymouth.
About 9.15 Doug had to return to his car, and that law again, ensured that a Black Hairstreak
came down to settle on the bracken while he was away.
The only other one seen landed on the ground, and no one obtained a decent image.
I was also pleased to find a fresh, female, Large Skipper.
After a morning of rain, and an overcast afternoon it was not until this evening that I could get out.
One species that behaves better at this time of day is the Marbled White, and I like to find them
about to roost. They have only recently started at Horseshoe Plantation, so all were fresh.
Late this afternoon I called in at Fairmile Bottom to look for Dark Green Fritillaries.
To say I hit them just right is an understatement. As soon as I arrived I was greeted
by a DGF swooping low over the tall grass. Unfortunately the hazy sunshine didn't last
and the site was soon bathed in full, hot sunshine, and it was soon a case of supercharged
DGF's. Fortunately as time wore on nectaring became a priority and I was able to literally
grab a few shots, with no time to compose anything.
All that I saw were males and all were very fresh, so perhaps the females were a little behind.
Amazingly only three species were seen, and all in good numbers, Small Heaths, Marbled Whites,
and of course DGF. I was particularly pleased with today as I missed the DGF last year.
You're on a roll at the moment, Trevor. Great that you boosted your annual Small Tortoiseshell tally by 8 - I've noticed increasing numbers round my way these last few days.
The Marbled Whites are so fresh they seem to have a veneer, especially that final one which is much darker than the normal UK specimens usually are.
Good to see the DGFs posing for photos too....they ain't always so co-operative!
After the morning rain, this afternoon turned very warm and humid.
So I risked a trip to Park Corner Heath. Not long after arrival I had a quick glimpse
of a fast flying White Admiral.
Wandering along one of the paths through the shoulder high bracken I was almost
startled to see a very fresh male Silver Washed Fritillary basking on a bracken frond.
It was such a sudden find, and fortunately was in no hurry to move.
I think this beauty deserves two images!.
Stay well, all,
Trevor,
I went over to Rowland Wood this morning hoping the Sun might break through
the grey gloom, it never did. The cloud did thin for a short while and the temperature rose.
Three species were not put off by the conditions, and indeed two of them were season firsts.
The Ringlet and the Small Skipper. Many Meadow Browns were seen and were disturbed
by my approach, despite great care on my part.
I was particularly pleased with the Small Skipper shots, as they made a change from seeing
them perched on foliage.
Many thanks, Katrina ( and David & Wurzel earlier on ).
One thing I have achieved this summer ( though not planned ) is to
obtain images of each species when absolutely fresh.
It's all happening now - and to think last weekend I was still finding fresh Grizzlies 
Hopefully I'll have earnt some Brownie points by the time His Nibbs comes on the scene and a trip to Chiddingfold could be on the cards 
