Denise wrote:Hi Dave,
I recorded Inside Out on BBC South. I expected it to be on Chalkhill Blue with Chris Packham featuring our very own Lynn, but it was the Adonis instead.
Denise
Yes - the Beeb (and other channels) have a nasty habit of changing their minds - the listing I originally provided came from them!
Was great to see you in action. I loved the program on Chalkhill's. Well done, (and please, where did you get your butterfly cake tin?)
So next year I'm taking horse dung with me when I go searching. It doesn't make a great photo I know, but what a treat to see so many males together.
Hi Denise, It was great fun doing the progamme! So nice to share MHD & the CHBs with everyone. Yes the CHBs were attracted to the dung even when it had been down a couple of weeks so it is well worth trying.
The butterfly cake mould was a present from a friend who knows of my fondness for baking cakes for work parties! so I do not know where it came from. When I needed another I could not even find any on internet. But a friend found one on ebay. Hers was made in Italy. They are 100% silicone. If you discover them on sale please let me know.
Hi Denise and Lynn,
Rather than carry a bucket full of poo around when wishing to attract a large number of Blues, I can let you into a little secret! Both Matthew Oates and I have already had great success (he with Adonis, me with Chalkhills) in using belachan, the Purple Emperor bait extraordinaire. If you mix this up so it has the consistency of pollyfilla, then spread it over an area of bare ground quite early in the morning and quite early in the flight season, you will be amazed. Remember to wear a gas mask and plan your escape route 'upwind' (the gas mask will not be sufficient to protect you from this substance).
Neil
I have had this message from Jenny Craddock at the BBC..
"Next week there may be a break in the butterfly series. But don't worry Woodland Butterflies and Small Tortoiseshell are still there and will run!"
