Katrina

[Katrina]

Thank you Trevor and Wurzel. I certainly haven’t nailed the SSB on flower shot yet

[Max Anderson]

Some nice shots of the SSB here, Katrina! I’ve not actually been up to Iping common before, but I’m keen to make the visit at some stage soon if possible..

[Katrina]

Thank you Max.
It is a bit of a drive but it is worth it.
I didn’t go very early this time but it can be deserted if you do. Very peaceful.
Worth taking binoculars for the birds too. Dragonflies and lizards around too.
I can recommend it

[David M]

Lovely SSBs, Katrina, especially that last one which is cute and dainty, just like this species should be!

[Benjamin]

Good to see you Katrina! I didn’t have any success finding emerging butterflies unfortunately but it was very enjoyable to spend some time with this species on home soil. The next hot day should see numbers build quickly I’d have thought.

[Katrina]

Thank you David
Good to see you too Ben. I think you are right about the next hot day.

[millerd]

Good to see the SSB, Katrina - I've only found a few in Surrey as yet, and certainly no females. The males are far better at locating them than I am at the start of the season! Hopefully as suggested, a spell of warm sunshine will spark a bigger emergence. The second shot is great - unusual to get one without a congested heathery background.

Cheers,

Dave

[bugboy]

You've whetted my appetite for the SSB there Katrina, just in time for a week off (shame about the weather )

[Katrina]

Thanks Dave,
Certainly the male did a better job than me. I had just submitted an irecordButterflies report saying only males seen when I went back with Ben and he spotted the pair!
Thanks Paul,
I am keen for another go too but limited time and there are the BHs to consider

[Katrina]

I spent the afternoon at Ditching Common dodging showers. It was a pleasure to bump into Neil and John.
I saw quite a few BHs fly down near the top of bracken and then go back up without landing.
Finally one landed near me but I was on the wrong side in terms of light so not the best photo but a start.
The surprise of the afternoon came in one of the heavier showers when I went to shelter under a tree and saw a large terrapin walking down the path. I followed it a little way until it turned into the undergrowth
Other butterflies seen included Meadow Browns, Small Tortoiseshells and Speckled Woods.

[trevor]

Sorry to read that your visit to Ditchling Common wasn't a total success.
I was intending to go today but the forecast put me off, will try tomorrow.

Good luck if you go again.
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

I've only ever seen Black Hairstreaks the once and they were just as frustrating for me as it sounds in your post At least you had the Terrapin to cheer you up - it looks like it's spent far too long in the pub though

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Yes it was the unexpected star of the day. I wonder if it had been out egg laying. I was reading although they survive here their eggs don’t hatch as it is not warm enough.

[David M]

...The surprise of the afternoon came in one of the heavier showers when I went to shelter under a tree and saw a large terrapin walking down the path. I followed it a little way until it turned into the undergrowth..

That must have been quite a shock, Katrina.

I've been having to avoid tortoises on the roads in Greece this last week but at least they are expected!!

Keep trying with the Black Hairstreaks. I'm sure one will present itself for you eventually.

[Katrina]

It was a bit surreal as it was tipping it down. I did read in one species rain can trigger egg laying. Not sure which species it was.
Went back yesterday for the BHs but still none down so I think I will move on to some prettier and less contrary species.
Surprise of the day yesterday was when I was sitting down applying sun tan lotion I noticed 2 stoats looking at me with heads coming round a patch of long grass close by. They didn’t wait for a photo but sometimes it is more about the experience rather than the photo. Saw my first DGFs of they year yesterday

[Katrina]

I went to Iping and Steadham Commons this morning. The butterflies were active but plentiful.
Some of the females seemed to have a bit of green on their wings - maybe a trick of the light.
I found 3 pairs.
The weather was hot.
Also seen were a Red Adminral, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Painted Lady, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and an Adder.

[Wurzel]

Love the second shot in particular - that's another "I wish I'd taken that one" one

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Great stuff, Katrina. They are such stunning and delicate little butterflies.

[Katrina]

Thanks Wurzel - something a bit different looks a bit cross legged.
Thanks David

[Katrina]

This morning I went to Botany Bay/ Chiddingfold.
Only one brief encounter with PE - it buzzed Dave Miller and myself flying right past my nose. Teamwork - Dave identified it as a PE and I saw roughly where it landed which was in a muddy side path so located it. Despite staying well back it flew off quite quickly possibly disturbed by the wind.
It was a pleasure to bump into Dave there.
Also seen were White Admirals, SWFs, Large Skippers, Speckled Woods, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and a Red Admiral.