Trevor

[David M]

That's an amazing Meadow Brown, Trevor. The dark sex brands stand out markedly in contrast to the largely grey hindwings.

[trevor]

Yes David, the Meadow Brown was worth the patience until it settled.

Back home on Tuesday 5th, Wurzel. No HB's but still an enjoyable ( if sometimes frustrating ) few days.

On one day of doubtful weather we visited a Tropical butterfly house.
A highlight was a freshly emerged Lunar moth, I spent a good 20 mins marvelling
at the underside markings. My image only shows the underside of part of the moth
as the top was obscured by the pupae rail it had been attached to.

Trendy designers note.............
Trevor.

PS. Click on image for a better view.

[Wurzel]

Sorry to hear that you didn't get the HBF's Trevor Still you've got to leave something for next year Interesting that there was a Tropical Butterfly House - I visited one in Devon a few years ago - did it also have Otter pens?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel, We went to most of the well known HB sites, where even Dark Greens were hard to find.
The weather was the real problem, sunny and windy or calm and cloudy. Maybe we were too late for HB's.
The butterfly house was at Buckfastleigh and had an Otter pool, so I guess you've been there too.
The South Devon Railway had a real treat for me, and made the trip worthwhile.

Tilshead was heaving with Skippers early this morning.
Trevor.

PS. Met a slimline Philzoid the other day!.

[trevor]

TWO DAYS AT CHIDDINGFOLD LAST WEEK.

On the first of two visits, I was watching a particularly large White Admiral.
Keen to obtain a shot of it ( it was still in good condition ) I spent quite a while
waiting for the right opportunity. Eventually it flew vertically up a field maple
and out of sight and apparently dropped straight back down from the tree again.
But just like an excellent piece of continuity in a film, the WA had turned into a
Purple Emperor!. Landing nearby. I could see that the Emperor was not settled
so grabbed some awful shots hoping for better. It was not to be, all I could do was to
watch this immaculate specimen shoot off at high speed.

[Wurzel]

Buckfastleigh that was the place it was a bit like a Family Outing campus - train rides, butterfly farm, Otters and picnic parks Those shots may have been less than you'd hoped for but there a darn sight better than I managed this year - I think I use all my luck up earlier in the season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. There's always next year.

My other visit to Chiddingfold was on Friday 8th July.
Despite two Emperor flypasts neither landed. Throughout the morning I saw four
Summer brood Wood Whites, three of them bobbed along non stop and disappeared
into the distance, as they do in warm sunshine. But the fourth spent ages examining
a small area at the edge of the track and paused several times.
It was only when I went through my shots at home that I discovered what she was up to.

Trevor.

[trevor]

Tilshead, Wilts. Sunday 10th July.

On what was promising to be a hot day, an outing for butterflies had to be made early.
So at about 7am I arrived on the M.O.D site at Tilshead. The Marbled Whites, although
still at roost, were able to detect a man with a camera from ten paces.
Even those with wings closed took off at the slightest disturbance, persistence paid off
in the end. Among the many Skippers I found a solitary, fresh, Chalk Hill Blue, unlike on
the Sussex Downs, there are never many at Tilshead.
The Skippers, Large, Small and possibly Essex were easy to approach, it was only the
long grass that made life difficult. The building heat ended my stay.

Trevor.

[trevor]

Something a bit different this afternoon.

[Wurzel]

Lovely Smessex Skippers Trevor - I'm wondering about the Essex, the antennae do seem to 'flick' out which would mean Small but I'll let someone else confirm or deny I'll start keeping an eye out for sightings at Shipton - it's almost that time already

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice Wood Whites, Trevor. I see Emperors are still playing hard to get though!

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David.

I think I will use your comprehensive term ' Smessex ' for all smallish Skippers in future, Wurzel.

My PE sessions were better this year than the last two David, with two groundings.
That perfect shot will have to wait.

Last evening when it had cooled down a little ( still 31c ) I was intending to visit
Horseshoe Plantation. but a serious accident had blocked the A259 at East Dean
and I was turned around by the police. With the prospect of a long winded detour
I gave up and came home.

Never mind,
Trevor.

[trevor]

Purple Hairstreaks and aching arms.

Early this morning I drove over to Abbots Wood to look for Purple Hairstreaks.
None were found low down, but there is one Oak they seem to favour over the others.
There are several large rocks in the picnic field which are conveniently placed
for a seat from which to study the Oak. There was much PH activity from the start,
and eventually three dropped down just low enough for some arms out stretched shots.
Try keeping that up for over an hour. Most shots were too poor to use so had to be taken
again time after time. In the end I managed shots of all three that were visible,
one of which was clearly a male.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

That swing makes a handy marker for the favoured tree Trevor I know what you mean about the aching arms - I experienced that with 'Papa Purps' this year, I'm convinced the extra metre I gained made all the difference though although in your case it certainly worked out well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

For a change of scene this morning I spent a couple of hours in the gardens
of Herstmonceux Castle. Indeed I was hoping to see some ' garden ' species.
The stars of the morning were the Small Tortoiseshells with many seen.
Fortunately some cloudy spells encouraged them to bask on the stone slabs
of the path, this setting showed off their colours to perfection. Other species
associated with gardens were present too, including a few each of Peacock,
Painted Lady, Comma, Red Admiral and many ' Whites '.
Another species I was hoping to see was the Clouded Yellow, one was seen
flying very fast with no chance of landing. From what I saw it was far from fresh.

Chatting to two members of staff I was kindly offered the opportunity to
explore some areas ' off limits ' to visitors in a future visit. Thanks Guy!.

Trevor.

[Neil Freeman]

A very nice selection of Small Tortoiseshells there Trevor, they have all but disapppeared around my way now and I am seeing reports of them tucking up in the usual places for hibernation.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Katrina]

Great Small Tortoiseshells there but I particularly like your nectaring Painted Lady

[Wurzel]

Cracking collection of Small Torts Trevor - always great to see them featuring in reports from round your way

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Many thanks Neil, Katrina & Wurzel.

Strange to think that the Small Torts around your way, Neil, are hibernating
while those at Herstmonceux have probably not peaked yet. Last year there
were even more around on Aug 15th, numbers dwindled after that.

Early this morning I drove up to High and Over for Wall Browns.
A surprise awaited at gate in to the meadow at the bottom of the steps.
A herd of Goats had settled right by the gate.
Having no experience of Goats, and noticing their sharp horns, and some
had young I cautiously and slowly walked past them. No worries, those closest
to me just moved slowly away. They were obviously used to visitors.

Most Walls were worn males with just one in good condition.
Best of all were several female sightings and all were near perfect.
On site I thought I had photographed five females, but at home it was clear
that only three were seen. By the seat where the paths from the car park converge
two males were in dispute over a small area of bare ground.

Trevor.

[trevor]

Spot the Brimstone !.

This afternoon a male Brimstone was found resting on one of my trees, very obvious.
It was not so obvious when it flew into one of my Acers. Even though I saw where it
had landed relocating it was not easy.

The lower shot was taken in Devon on 3rd July.

Trevor.