Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Cheers Mike This site is definitely one of the best bestowed - fantastic butterflies and then a quick walk downhill to a shady pub and a glass of something refreshing! Proper butterflying

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Bentley Wood 09-07-2022
I’d debated on whether to visit Savernake but as it’s a ‘later’ site and also as I’d never visited before so didn’t know where to park or where to head I bottled it and went to Bentley instead. On the drive over I kept my fingers crossed that I’d made the right call…

Once there I paused in the car park and had a look around. A few Ringlets and the odd Meadow Brown flew along the margins and verges and up high what looked like an Emperor flew over briefly. Hoping that this was a good sign and that they wouldn’t just hang around up high and glare down at me imperiously I set off down the main track. On the journey down ducking in between the shade and sun of the overhanging trees there were scores of Browns and Large Skippers, the foliage was alive with them. Once at the Crossroads I paused again and introduced myself to the couple of people that were already waiting for His Nibbs craning their necks upwards. Over the time that I was there I saw at least three Purple Hairstreaks and a brace of Emperors quartered the airspace above the crossroads, slicing their way through the air from one Oak top to another. Last time a White Admiral had stopped down low but this time it was a male Silver-washed. He was in really good condish with only the slightest on nicks in one of his hind wings so I leaned in and grabbed some shots so as t ‘open my account’ for the morning. Shortly after this the Emperors must have noticed our clamouring for a photos, any photo, and so decided to tease us. One Emperor came down, and down, and down and was looking like he might land when no, he buggered off back up to about half way up the same Oak that was so popular last weekend. I tried a few shots standing on tip-toes and extending my arms out as much as possible but the finished product after much, much cropping looks more like an edition of ‘Where’s His Nibbs’ than anything else. To make it even more frustrating (and leave me wishing for a telephoto lens) a Purp fluttered down and landed just below the Emperor. What a shot that would have been…had I of had a massive lens!

Can you see them?

So to stave off Lens envy I decided to call it a day for Emperor watching and took my leave of the few stalwarts that remained. I took the right hand rack and made for the Whitters spot, ever the optimist me! There wasn’t much to add to the list from the walk there – a Red Admiral and Holly Blue and when I arrived at the final corner of the main track my heart sank somewhat as the collection of Wytch Elms looked in a really bad way. Still I pressed on and set about my observations. First up to catch my eye/lens was a pair of Ringlets in cop. One of the pair had enormous eyes which gave it a slight look of the ‘lancelota’. There was also a Red Admiral which lay sunning itself on the track. I turned my attentions back to the Ringlets and a Meadow Brown kept hassling them and wouldn’t leave them in peace and after they’d moved a few times I took pity on them and offered them my finger and then hide them way at the top of a Bramble bush well away from the irate Brown.

I then had a little look around and took to wandering three of the four tracks. I started with the shady track that leads down to the memorial and after about 1`5minutes of staring directly upwards I’d added Whitters to my Tally. I had two sightings of the small, grey and square cut butterfly jinking around the tree – whether this was one or two individuals I couldn’t say, I was just chuffed to see them. I then made back to the thinnest track which carries on when the main track turned (and where the pair of Ringlets had been) housed a few Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Hedgies and Large Skippers. Among the Ringlets I found another nice looking Ringlet with an unusual collection of spots. A couple of H.Commas dropped as well and then I tried the continuation of the main track as it curved round to the right. The broader ride and more open verges allowed for the sun to flood the track with light and the butterflies played in the sunbeams. There was a H.Comma, a Silver-washed flashed, an Emperor passed over and among the many, many Browns a Brimstone fed peacefully on bramble blossom. One final check of the thin, initial track saw the H.Comma countries to three in one view and also added a Green-veined White.

Ever the glutton for punishment I deemed it time to retrace my steps and try the Switchback again so off I toddled. On the return leg I stopped at the first cross-track and watched as a female Silver-washed bundled into the bush for some reason? A Small Tort nipped past and a few Marbled Whites started their weakfish flight along the margins of the woods. ON the left one section of the wood had been cleared and in what is now a small field I spotted a Bentley DGF and once back on the path I’d only got as far as the next dip in the track when I stopped again. This time it was for two Emperors which were playing among the tops of the smaller trees. One of them seemed bigger and promptly shot off into foliage when they’d had enough so I was left wondering if I’d seen an Empress? The other rested up, but again, too far for my macro lens.

Once I got back to the Switchback I kept one across towards Donkey Copse. As the path swept round to the right a watched another Emperor do a circuit, but just like all that I’d seen this one disappeared up high. By the time I’d reached the cutting I’d had enough of the Emperor and I couldn’t find one here. However a Spotted Flycatcher was feeding in the locale; flying out and acrobatically snatching its prey from the air before returning to a different perch and staring out vigilantly. Perhaps this was the reason for the lack of Emperor here? Something large flashed past me and dropped to the deck but it wasn’t a butterfly it was actually a Horse fly, or judging by the size of it more likely an Elephant Fly. It was huge, about the size of my thumb and so after grabbing a few shots I left it in peace and hightailed it out of there before it decided to try feasting on human blood!

I wandered back hot and tired, another year past without a grounding…to make matters worse when I got home there were loads of shots from Savernake! Still I had time left and so once I was back at the car I set off immediately and cut across from the Southampton Road and through the forest to call in at Godshill. I strode across the cricket pitch and then down the hill with plenty of the mining bees and Jewell wasps on the way. About half way down a worn Silver-stud fluttered up the hill to greet me and after a few shots I carried on to the bottom of the hill and then out across the heather – once the cattle had moved on that is. There were plenty of Hedgies on way down as well as the odd Meadow brown which was good because I needed to get my eye. Graylings have a distinctive flight, a lot like a Wall Brown but more so but after a year I felt a little rusty when it came to spotting the Graylings from among the other Browns. However I needn’t have worried as a slightly larger, noticeably darker butterfly took off from deep within the heather. It flew more powerfully than the flappy Meadow Browns, with less jink than a Hedgie and their flight was punctuated with long glides with their wings held open in a shallow V (at about 30 degrees). I watched it as it flew along the miniature canyons created by the older growths of Heather and when it went down I made my way to its rough locale. Then I had the fun task of finding the needle in the haystack only this time it was pretty easy as the butterfly had landed in the grass and the shaded side of the wings stood out like a dark shark fin slicing through the turf.

I followed it round a couple more times and then on the third time it landed on some dried up cow pat so taking care not to let my shadow fall on it I circled round to the other side of the pat and then got in closer and closer, getting lower and lower until eventually I was shuffling along on my knees. Looking back at the shots later behind the butterfly I could see some pale orange globules that it looked like it had released. I didn’t know whether this was merconium, frass or even eggs?

Still puzzling I took to walking the site in the hope of turning up a few more Grayling but I must have come very early in their flight for I didn’t find any other Graylings. During my wanderings I did find a few Small Heaths to add to the Brown Tally for the day as well as an errant Small Tort. But the real star was a male Silver-stud that, unlike all the others that I saw, was in really good nick. Time was running out and, so not to lose any Brownie Points, I decided to head off home and get back earlier than expected. On the way I did make a few stops for this and that – some mining Bees, a Jewell Wasp and also a Small Copper which was waiting for me at the top of the hill to wave me off.

Just like the advert
Should have gone to Savernake
Something for next year
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Great report Wurzel.
I've not been to Savernake for the same reasons. It's encounters like yours
with His Majesty, that those with luxury length lenses are envied.
At least you managed some good shots of just about every other species on offer.

Just not what you went for
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Trevor I always spout the maxim "you've got to save something for next year" but int he case of His Nibbs it's getting to the point of giving up. Perhaps that's the way - go with the intention of finding a White Admiral and ignoring anything Purple and He'll get so miffed that He'll practically be begging for me to take His photo?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[bugboy]

That's an interesting looking Ringlet, with 3 embryonic ocelli orbiting the fully developed one. As for HIM, well it all sounds exceedingly familiar to me, it's ben a few years now since I've seen on one the ground!

[Wurzel]

Cheers Bugboy I did everything this year - I was in the right place at the right time, had some good bait, the weather was right and I even let a couple that I met in the car park that had never seen an Emperor before walk several paces ahead of me but still no joy!

Alners Gorse 16-07-2022

Due to the heat an early morning visit seemed like the best plan, also somewhere shady and cool so I started running through various locations; looking for Grayling over broiling heathland was crossed off as was Bentley Wood due to the fact that I’d given up on Emperors for another year and also the rides are very exposed and the stones reflect the heat straight up, Perham was not an option as again it’s very exposed, too early for Shipton…where to go? Then it hit me, somewhere with lots of shady nooks, somewhere where the butterflies perform early in the morning and somewhere with an interesting range of species…Alners Gorse or course!

Hence on a beautiful blue-sky morning I was bombing along the Blandford road, Maiden wailing at a little past 7am. The drive was quite quiet (Maiden aside) and I managed to shave 14 minutes off the Satnav whilst sticking to all the relevant speed restrictions and so at a little past 8am I was set to saunter down the hill. As I broached the gate I bumped into the warden who took great delight in calling me an early bird and then denting my hopes somewhat by informing me that on the previous day the Whitters came down, fed up and then were tucked up asleep by 7:30 in the morning…I carried on down the hill with slightly less spring in my step but after a metaphorical shake started to focus in and scan more.
The butterflies were all up and awake and as I strolled down the hill and along the hedge at the bottom. Meadow Browns and Hedgies were all over the place either flapping up laboriously from the grass or jinking Hairstreak like from one perch in the hedge to another it was great to watch the poof and then scatter of so many with each couple of footfalls and soon I was walking through the gate and into the small clearing where the Hairstreaks frequent. I scanned about looking for small, grey and square cut butterflies but despite much straining of the eyes all remained brownish tinged with orange – either Meadow or Hedge Browns. Perhaps I’d missed them or perhaps I was actually too early? Not wanting to miss out on all that the reserve had to offer I decided to walk the site and eventually end up back at the clearing for some concerted hedge staring, so off and away I went.

Along the way the Browns dominated in almost plague proportions but when I reached the boundary hedge at the back a Silver-washed flashed past which I took to be a good sign. The Mulberry Bush was devoid of Purps so I continued onwards, down along the path at the back of the reserve enjoying the coolness of the shade I stuck to the treelined side of the path and then when I rounded the corner at The Banks I was greeted by a cacophony of butterflies – Hedgies, Meadow Browns and Ringlets flew across the tops of the grasses and over the patches of Bramble that either engulfed or spilled out of the tree filled hedge. Also here were Silver-washed Frits in the best numbers I’d seen all season. In this small space I saw at least 15 all flying at once including a couple of courting pairs (neither of which were successful), greeny cardinal like females, battle scarred males with ragged wings and not one but two Valezinas. I alternately watched in awe or did my best to fill the memory card, it was awesome to see. A Marbled White, Specklie and Large Skipper joined the days tally but they, to my embarrassment, got short shrift as I concentrated mainly on the Ginger Beasties. Last year I felt that I hadn’t given them enough attention so this year I filled my boots and made up for it.

Chuffed I made my way back but took a quick detour into the field just back from the Banks. A few Silver Washed flitted down from the line of trees and fed atop thistles in the field but the slight breeze made capturing them on film tricky as they would rock back and forth like a giant pencil topper. Smessex Skippers were about as well as another Valesina and a Marbled White which landed on blades of grass and lowered their wings down rather than holding them up – due to the heat? An Emperor passed over momentarily and then I made my way back into the reserve proper trying my best to walk in the shade as the mercury was now rising more and more quickly.

To be continued...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Was that 3 Valezinas in total? Amazing.
I award you - I've never seen one and you got beautiful photos!
Makes me want to find a time machine to go back to July and visit Alner's Gorse!

[trevor]

A few mrgreens for the Valezinas from me too . I've heard that Alners Gorse is good for them.
. I've only ever seen one before and only managed a very forgettable shot of it.

Great stuff,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Katrina Yep three in one sitting it really is a good site for them and well worth a visit as it's possible to find two or three different species of Hairstreak in one visit as well as White Admiral, the usual Browns and it has quite a good record for Clouded Yellow as well
Cheers Trevor We need to sort a visit out for next year - might be able to pick up some Hairstreaks as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Alners Gorse 16-07-2022 Part 2

Once I was back in the Reserve I wandered along the back tree line and at the Mulberry bush as few Purps flitted up high, flashing like little floating snatches of Aluminium foil there were plenty more Meadow Browns and Hedgies. They kept erupting from the grass in front of me bewilderingly. On another stretch of Bramble when almost back at the Hairstreak clearing a Silver-washed played hard to get but I didn’t mind as a White Admiral presented itself for a few shots. I didn’t mind that it was slightly tired looking as it gave me some of the closest shots that I’ve had for a few years. After this I arrived back in the little Clearing where I spent some time staring into the hedge or across the clearing, checking each Bramble flower and each thistle top meticulously before moving on to the next. When I’d checked over one section I’d take a step and repeat the process again and in doing so I slowly worked my way along and round the hedge and back. I was about to make a second pass when high up I spotted a small, grey and square cut butterfly; a Whitter for sure but unfortunately it went the wrong way and headed back into the hedge and not out from it and down. I’m not one for waiting around usually so I decided to have another look along the first stretch of hedge.

When I returned to the clearing I poured myself a coffee and stood in the shade. After a few sips I’d nip out into the sun and the heat and have a mooch about to see what I could see and then when it got a bit too hot it would be back into the deep shade where if I spent too long I was in danger of getting a chill. As I was taking a sip of coffee and chatting to a couple that had just arrived in the Clearing I spotted something flutter down onto a thistle top. It appeared greyer and smaller than the Meadow Browns and so I left the comfort of the shade and stepped out into the sun. There was a Whitter down and taking nectar – the wait had paid off. After racking up several shots I spotted a second flying along the top of the hedge and managed some distant shots as well. The butterfly was almost bomb proof as it pirouetted around the top of the nectar source. When it had exhausted one source it would have a little jinky flight to check out other nectar sources before repeating its little drinking dance.

After spending some time with the butterfly I went for another wander about finding similar stuff to before with the addition of a few whites and the odd Peacock. It was also good to spot a few more Purps and once again Alners produced me an unusually marked Hedgie with the orange on the wings faded to almost white. I was soon back in the Clearing once again relishing the pocket of shade and sipping on another coffee. Once again I’d walk slowly along the hedge staring intently into it as I shuffled along. For some reason I looked back the way I’d come and as I turned my head right next to me in line with my eyes was a Whitter – possibly the same one as before. As I was getting a few shots of it a Silver-washed dropped down so close to me that I was worried that I’d to be able to focus on it. The Whitter was in shade so I got a few of the Silver-washed and then back to the Whitter and then back to the Silver-washed and so it would have continued had the Whitter not moved slightly so as to not be in silhouette. Then it started to wing roll so I clicked away hoping for a glimpse of the topside.

I was made up, after a couple of visits where I’d unexpectedly come across a Whitter the last couple of visits when I’ve actively sought the species out were unsuccessful but today, boom there it was. However the sojourns in the shade were having less and less effects and so I decided to head for home victorious and whilst my success still tasted sweetest. A Beautiful Demoiselle waved me off from the bottom of the reserve and a few whites including a Brimstone accompanied me on the tiring trudge up the slope but unfortunately the Warden wasn’t about so I couldn’t crow about the Whitter. As I was getting some water from the car a Purp flew down from one of the roadside Oaks and I managed a very distant shot (the best yet this year) which if not exactly the icing on the cake was very likely a smattering of sprinkles.

A long time coming
Not red but White-letter day
At sun drenched Alners
Have a goodun

Wurzel
PS. Looking back at the shots now I’m pretty sure that they’re of 2 individuals?

[bugboy]

Good work with those valesina and WLH. Alners Gorze seems to be a good place for that SWF variety and I know you don't have the luxury of a colony of WLH that routinely come down like I do.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Bugboy Alners is a top place for Valesina - they've been easy to find there on all of my last three visits They do seem to fare slightly better in Dorset as Garston Wood is another almost 'surefire' site for them

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

The Devenish 22-07-2022

Another Academic Year was over and either I was one of the lucky 23% of the profession that wasn’t suffering from mental illness or I was masking it well! Normally on the last day I stop somewhere to start the break as I intend to continue but I didn’t get away as early as usual plus Brostreaks and Silver-spots weren’t out. So instead called in at The Devenish for 20 minutes or so hopefully to pick up some Chalkhills…

As I strolled into the Orchid Meadow closing the gate behind me I cast my gaze hither and thither and almost the first butterfly I clap my eyes on is a ghostly blue Chalkhill. It settled and so I leant in to get some shots of a wonderfully fresh butterfly. To my mind they always look like the ghosts of Blues when they fly with their faded denim colour lending them a spectral look. I clicked away happy that my quarry had been found so easily, in fact it had almost presented itself to me! Eventually it shot off as a passing Common Blue had taken a disliking to it and so I took to mooching around in the Meadow and trying to follow its progress. It settled again and this time was chased away by that most belligerent of butterflies, a Brown Argus. Onwards it went appearing almost white at times when it caught the sun at a particular angle and again it settled only briefly though as now a Meadow Brown decided to have a pop at it. It obviously had excellent taste in perching spots as each time it chose somewhere to settled a different butterfly had already marked it as ‘theirs’! In the end it decided enough was enough and it shot off up the tunnel track to the side of the Down.

I had a quick check of the far end of the Meadow and spotted numerous Meadow Browns, Hedgies as well as a few Whites (about 5 or 6) and an obvious Ringlet plus a couple of Smessex. However I was after Chalkhills and so I followed my beleaguered friend somewhat belatedly up the Down. From about half way up the steep climb I looked back down and along the foot of the Down. I spied several more Chalkhills and also a female which I managed to follow and get close enough too for a few shots. This was no mean feat as she flew low to the ground, negotiating her way through the stems slalom style. As I watched her I noted a few Marbled Whites and several (4 at a rough count) DGFs.

Usually when I visit this site in late mid-summer the Hemp Agrimony clinging to the side of the down in a series of clusters is the place to look and so I took the diagonal track down towards the treeline where the clusters began. As I trawled the vegetation I looked out for either dark or white shark fins cutting through the sea of pale pink florets and I started scribbling initials down in my notebook. A Small Tort and a Red Admiral were first to be noted down and Meadow Browns and Hedgies were all over the place, so many in fact I didn’t get any shots as I wouldn’t have known where to start! Much easier where the singletons or pairs; Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, a passing Holly Blue, a distant Peacock darkly brooding in a shaded corner and the star of the show a beautifully fresh out of the box Painted Lady. It was gorgeous to behold with the orange made all the brighter by the black margins, streaks and spots and a series of orange dashes cutting along the margins.

As I continued the Gully was really good for Whites with all three species being represented and joined by the odd Brimstone and there were more Brimstones fluttering around the top in the first of the scallops that reach to the very edge of the reserve. However checking my phone I realise that I’ve been slightly longer than the planned for 20 minutes. I must have lost track of time with the beguiling Lady and so I shifted up a gear what with the rescinding of Brownie points in the offing! However just because I was in a hurry didn’t mean I had to race along with my eyes closed and as I cut a dash along the top of the Down plenty of Marbled Whites and Ringlets flew as well as the odd Smessex. I would have loved to have had the time to turn them from Smessex into either Small or Essex but instead I consoled myself with a brief stop by the broken bench for a Small Copper and then another at the edge of the Tunnel track for a Chalkhill which was bimbling about top the Bramble. Then it was away home pronto…

Ghostly blues flutter
The tattooed hussy nectars
Summer hols begin

PS I did lose a Brownie Point or two but it was worth it and there are still plenty in the bank

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots as usual Wurzel Chalkhills nearly finished now but I did see a few today Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Goldie I've been in North Wales for the week so I've yet to see the state of the Chalkhills for myself - 'not good'I'm reckoning - at least the Adonis will be in good nick...hopefully

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Godshill 23-07-2022

I strolled across the Cricket pitch and a Swallow nearly took my head off as it cut through the air and snapped up a winged snack from out of the ether. I never reasoned that ‘Bird Strike’ would be a risk of butterflying! Still it made for a memorable start to my visit. I carried on down the hill keeping my eyes open for more marauding birds ay the same time as trying to scan the deck and the heather tops on either side of the path – I wasn’t so much cross-eyed as ‘quad-eyed’. Still it paid off as there were Meadow Browns and Hedgies in the Bracken and down low there were many mining bees and their associated parasitic wasps. About half way down the track I diverted and started walking first across a small patch of almost lawn and then along narrow tracks with the old heather scritching and scratching at my new boots. A butterfly went up from a spot I’d just been staring at intently. After a few powerful wing beats it glided for a short while with its wing held in a shallow ‘v’. It dropped down again and promptly disappeared from view. Classic Grayling behaviour so I was already onto my quarry if only I could find it again? I looked for dark or white patches and blobs that looked out of place and somehow managed to spot it. It did a few flights and eventually I managed a photo with only the minimum of errant grass stems in the way.

I carried on letting gravity help me to stumble down the track and then over the now dry stream bed. I stopped for a moment to check the way ahead was clear from cattle and was pleased to see they were well away up the hill and almost out of sight so I was free to wander and pootle about as the mood (or more likely the Grayling) took. The few ponies decided to head back and herd on the other side of the main track and so they moved off, the final one proved to be a bit of a poser whinnying and snorting before cantering off. I meandered about following the myriad of tiny trackways between the clumps of ‘building’ and ‘mature’ heather. Over the course of the 20 minutes or so I found and photographed at least 6 with a maximum of three in view at once but there must have been many more than this as I most escaped view either by using the Craw-step or by flying right at me so that in the eventual spin around I’d lose sight of them. I marvelled at the variation; one had pale almost white instead of the orange fore wing tips, another was mottled with the white markings barely distinguishable whilst other went to the other extreme with one having the clearest white mark I’ve ever seen so much so that momentarily I wondered if I was looking at a Rock/Woodland Grayling. I was also treated to three separate ‘trouser-ings’.

As I continued up the slight rise there were ever more Graylings; possibly the most I’ve ever encountered here and at the top of the rise I was spoilt for choice about which to follow so again I stood back and enjoyed the show. This is one of my favourites as they have so much to offer and each is as individually marked as a fingerprint. There were other butterflies about as well, mainly Meadow Browns, Hedgies and the odd Small Heath but it was the Silver-studs brawling among the many Hedgies that diverted my attention away from the Grayling. One male was looking in particularly fine nick and could have merged only a day or so previously it seemed.

Having made it to the top of the rise I carried on down the track towards the old hot-spot but I was surprised to see not a one either along the track itself or in the little cutting n either side. Instead these were packed with Bracken so I was left wondering if the encroachment of the ferns and the shading of the fronds had forced the Grayling out onto the more open and mature expanse of heather? I strode across the level flats circling each of the Gorse bushes before they started growing too regularly and too close together and then I followed the path to the river bend. There there are a few Dragonflies blustering about above the small and now stagnant pool but none sat still. I used this lull in the proceedings to have my lunch and then I made back to side of the hill that had been so productive previously. On the way back I checked each and every Hedgie but only one slightly unusual one turned up along with an aged Large Skipper.

Back at Grayling Field I went for broke with the Graylings racking up as many shots as possible as I didn’t know whether I’d make another visit? As there were so many I felt like I could wait for them to settle on nice reasonably grass free perches so I changed my technique slightly. I’d wait for one to fly, do my best to follow it with my eyes and then slowly stalk it, stopping lower and lower as I approached it until I was crawling on all fours through the heather. This technique worked and it meant that I could get close enough without the usual ultrasonic sound that emanates from my knees when I kneel spooking the butterfly. Occasionally I’d get a little too close for comfort and the Grayling would raise its forewing flashing an eye on an orange background as a warning. As I’m human the threat didn’t work but if I’d have been a smaller predator it might have given me pause for thought and left me wondering what the big eyed monster was that was lurking in the heather?

Eventually my coffee ran out and so I wished the Grayling well thanking them for their hospitality, bade them well for the rest of the season and said I’d pass on my regards to their progeny in 2023.
Deep in the Heather
A massive eyed monster lurks?
No! Just a Grayling…
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel , great shots of the Grayling, I'm wondering if there's any to be found near Sandwhich in the bay area, it maybe a little too late this year now,
another for next year Goldie

[trevor]

Great Grayling shots, and you have managed some nice poses with raised forewing.
Cheers for the Trevor sign. As a small boy I was puzzled when my mother
told me my name came from Whales!!.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Goldie They could still be about (if they're normally found there) I saw shots of several from the New Forest today so might be worth a try?
Cheers Trevor My older daughter K was under strict instructions to get a photo when we drove past

Perham Down 27-07-2022

As I drove through Bulford the sun was still shining and I was metaphorically praying that the weather remained as it was rather than that which was forecast. Rather than parking in my usual spot I turned left and followed the narrow track down to the old barns. From here I could see the Hotspot and I realised I’d be able to reach it without the strenuous and ankle wrecking climb nor the long trek around the top of the windblown Down. Instead before me was a relatively flattish field and the gentlest to slopes leading directly, almost as the crow flies, to my regular hotspot. All of this I witnessed from the car for a pack of dogs had shown me an unhealthy interest when I’d arrived and the owner/walker had shouted out that I needed to get back into my car. I felt like shouting back “if you can’t control them you shouldn’t have them” or some such but that would have wasted even more of my precious time.

Once the horrible hounds were gone I started off once again. As I walked across the flattish grass strewn field I spotted Blues, Common and Chalkhill, in amidst the Meadow Browns, Hedgies (looking a little lost away from the hedge) and the odd Smessex. As I progressed through the little track next to the copse the butterflies stopped being distinguishable blobs in the near distance and instead sat still for a few photos and so I opened up my account for the trip. The track reached the corner of the copse and the led onto another field. This was ever so slightly more sloped but the angle was so obtuse as to be unnoticeable. The turf here was close cropped, springy yet thinning in places, nibbled presumably by the rabbits that had left the odd scraping or burrow cut through the green carpet exposing the bright white chalk beneath. There were bushes of Hawthorn punctuating and then thickening around the margins of the field so as to enclose it giving it the look of a wide lawn or driveway, the kind seen in the largest of country piles. As I was taking in the view something went up from within the turf, it whizzed about veering sharply – it was a Silver-spotted Skipper. I’d only been walking (well walking and stopping for photographs) for about 5 minutes and here already was my quarry! Why hadn’t I come this way before?

I worked my way back and forth across the field my net movement gradually taking me up the hill and I was kept company and occasionally distracted from my progress by another 7-8 Silver-spots at least. The next patch separated by one of the many footpaths had longer vegetation and more brush but there were even a couple of Silver-spots to be found in this tangled mess and then I reached the foot of the Down proper and the turf dramatically shortened again so a close cropped lawn, nibbled to a Grade 1 in haircut terms. There were a couple more Silver-spots here as well a couple of Common and several Chalkhill Blues. I carried on climbing up towards the Hotspot with Hedgies flying in and out of the hedge as I did so. As I reached the hotspot I only had enough time to spot a single Silver-spot and Common Blue before frustratingly the weather report proved correct. A mass of cloud gathered overhead and the temperature dropped almost as soon as the light faded. I walked to the break in the cover on the far side of the Hotspot hoping to see blue sky behind the cloud away in the distance. Alas this wasn’t the case. The cloud formed a massive bar away into the distance and the wind direction meant that even though the cloud would be moving it would still be overhead for the foreseeable. To make matters worse the progress of the cloud was slowed further as with its coming the gentle breeze dropped to barely a whisper. The sun loving Silver-spots responded by hunkering down and sitting it out.

Somewhat disconsolately I made my way back to the foot of the down and then I wandered about as the light increased in the minutest increments. After about three quarters of an hour the light had infinitesimally increased, barely detectable to my eyes but the butterflies seemed to have picked up on it and they started to show themselves again. I tried to think positively reasoning that the cloudier conditions might calm them down slightly. However this hope was swiftly dashed as they seemed even more nippy and even harder to follow than usual. They’d fly up and away about a couple of metres and then just vanish. Even the trick of checking to the left and right where they vanished didn’t work. Still I kept on and eventually they started re-appearing and not flying as far so I was able to start clicking away.

"Can you see me yet?"

It was at this juncture that I bumped into two other enthusiasts one of whom I recognised from the InstaBook Tweety thing. It was Wayne and we had a chat over a few Silver-spots about the aforementioned species and other things like aberrants and collectors and all the while our conversation would be punctuated with one or both of us kneeling down to get a few shots. Wayne headed off and after a short while I too tore myself away from the lure of the most teddy bear like of butterflies. It had been a surprisingly productive morning despite the cloudy interval (and not the type of cloudy interval I approve of!) with shots of several individuals, open and closed wings, male and female. As I was leaving I bumped into a chap called Mervyn also on the Metatweetgram and he seemed to have arrived at the best time as the light had improved dramatically and the butterflies were back out in force. Wishing him well I retraced my steps from early back to the car.

The initial little field proved to be a winner as the patches of longer grass held Common Blues, Smeessex, Brown Argus and Chalkhills as well as a couple of Marbs. If only there were a few Silver-spots here it would be possible to photograph everything without having to leave the car. I could pull up, wind the window down and very slowly turn the car round, get my shots and then head off! My return saw me driving back through Tidworth and on to Bulford so I called in at Shipton Bellinger for a quick check. I’ve seen Brostreaks here before this date before but unfortunately the cloud that had taken its’ time to pass through at Perham was now stuck over Shipton. I walked round the Nettle Bed and up and down the main hedge but all I got for my troubles was a brace of Walls near the Nettle Bed and a few other Browns. Still I’d got my Silver-spots and found a much quicker route to them! I drove away praying again this time for a more accurate forecast on the morrow!

To fair Perham Down
Golden blur across green turf
Silver spots are out!
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel, lovely shots of SSK and I'm glad you found the Chalkhills in good nick you'd better luck than I with the Skippers.I'm looking forward to seeing your September calendar Goldie