Katrina

[Katrina]

I went down to Castle Hill about 5.30 this evening. I was hoping to find some SSSs but it was not to be. I did manage to find some roosting Chalk Hill Blues and Meadow Browns. It was tricky photography conditions and quite windy. I was pleasantly surprised to find some in good condition after the weather this weekend.

[trevor]

Nice moody shots, great atmosphere to them.

Stay safe,
Trevor.

[Pauline]

The weather here is even worse today Katrina - it's like November! It's good to know I'm not the only one venturing out in it and as we've proved, it's still possible to get some good shots .

[Wurzel]

The evening shots really do hold a lot of atmosphere Katrina, especially like the first shot

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you Trevor, Pauline and Wurzel. It was a case of trying to press the shutter in the second the wind dropped to get them.

[Katrina]

Today I went to Chantry hoping to get shots of SSS. I only saw one that whizzed past. I did see more roosting Chalkhills
I stopped at Pulborough Brooks where the Buddleia in the children’s play area had about 10 Red Admirals, 2 Peacocks, one Small Tortoiseshell and a worn SWF. I stopped at Steyning on the way back where it was a pleasure to meet a couple from Leeds and John W. I did not see any BHs.
Lastly I visited my friend who had kindly alerted me to a Large White Pupa in his garden.

[David M]

Hope you catch up with Brown Hairstreaks soon, Katrina. Glad you saw a couple of Peacocks - this is one species I have only seen in very small numbers this summer. Maybe they all aestivated during that heatwave we had in mid July?

[Pauline]

I'm guessing from the text that the view is an early sunrise? Beautifully captured Katrina.

[Wurzel]

The butterfly mix is a lovely photo - this year seems to have been quite good for the Vanessids.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you David - I must try again for the Brostreaks.
Thank you Pauline - it was early morning.
Thank you Wurzel.

Today I went to Chantry closer to midday for a change. I saw SSSs, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Brown Argus, Chalkhill Blues . 2 Red Admirals, 1 Brimstone , 1 Small Copper and some Small Heaths.

[Katrina]

A Red Admiral visited my Hemp Agrimony- rare event in my city centre patio!

[Wurzel]

That must have been a nice sight Katrina - the butterflies that you don't have to travel for always count double in my book

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[trevor]

A lovely sight on your patio. I've now had TWO Small Torts in my garden this year.

Stay safe,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

Thank you Wurzel and Trevor. I don’t get many butterflies in my patio so this was a joy and stayed for 20 mins.
I particularly like the 3 blue scales above the orange band on the hindwings.

[bugboy]

Those blue scales probably make it ab merrifieldoides

[Katrina]

Thank you for looking that up Bugboy!

[Katrina]

I wonder if it was named after this lady … from Brighton, interested in nature

https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/booth/ab ... errifield/


If anyone wants to see better specimens they are some here
https://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/collecti ... a11e68f68e

[Pauline]

Fantastic observation Katrina and a lovely specimen. I doubt whether I would have even noticed that; you've got me checking my old images now!

[Katrina]

Thank you Pauline , again I think I have bugboy to thank. I don't know how many blue scales you need to count as an ab but no one has contradicted us so far .....

[Katrina]

I went back to Steyning today and in total saw 5 Brown Hairtstreaks down.
I must thank everyone there for their teamwork and generosity . William from Linlithgow found the first one I saw, then the couple from Kent, then Ken (I think), finally I found one myself and while we were photographing it Lisa found another in the same area.
Most people were wandering to an extent so may have had different tallys
I was a pleasure to see Bob again and meet new people.