September 2022

[Allan.W.]

One of the above.

Allan.W.

[David M]

Great to see this, Allan. An unexpected but very welcome cameo performance in a late summer/early autumn that has delivered so much.

[Allan.W.]

Thanks David , very pleased to see these beautiful insects ,certainly didn,t think i,d be seeing them in the UK ! and along with the locally found Purple Emperors my highlights of what has been (for me anyway !) a pretty average season.
Regards Allan.W.

[millerd]

As one of the merry throng down at Walmer today, I managed to see the cracking individual Allan has posted, plus several others. A terrific day, and many thanks are due to those bringing the sightings to wider attention and providing directions to the site. Here's a shot of the same butterfly from a less common angle.

Cheers,

Dave

[Allan.W.]

That ,is a beautiful shot David !! I didn,t see you this morning ................not sure that its the same individual that i posted .............if i,d seen you on site ,i would have said Hello . I saw 5 ,possibly 6 in the two hours that i was there .there is an absolutely superb image of a male and female ,side by side on the Kent facebook page ,for anyone interested . All the Queens that I saw settled were males ,but i know that at least 2 females were seen in the afternoon (i left at 10.45 am )
Regards Allan.W.

[Lawts]

A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me.
I set off from Wetherby just after 5am. A good run down to Walmer with no real hold-ups, arriving around 9.45, with one stop at Medway services. I was surprised how cloudy it still was in the south-east corner as I drove the last few miles, and it was evident that it had just stopped raining. The forecast was much more favourable though.
I found the QOSF site easily and parked up. I was directed to the top of the field, where I was told they "had one." Sure enough they had, and it performed superbly in an open wing pose, and I filled my boots. After it flew, it was nice to re-find what I think was the same individual, and it posed on flowers briefly, and gave more prolonged views on the path. Sadly I didn't get the closed wing shot I was really hoping for, but I was on a tight schedule.
Satisfied with my views, I set off at about 10.30am to Worthing. It took longer than expected, and I arrived around 1pm. I wasn't sure where to park, but as luck would have it, I'd pulled up just opposite the site. I was pleased to quickly say hello, and thank Neil, who'd provided really helpful information in his blog. It was good to meet Mike, ("Old Wolf") who'd wished me luck in advance.
I was immediately put on a male Long-tailed Blue who was sat, wings closed on a pebble. I had seen other people's pebble shots, which I really like, so was pleased to get the same. The same individual then flew up and down his patch, before settling in an open wing pose. The scene, the weather both perfect. The passers by really interested, which was nice. Several seen. Also several Clouded Yellow, including a Helice form that Mike picked out.
I knew I'd a long drive, so again, once I was happy with my views and shots, it was time to make the long slog home, and what a slog, with several hold-ups especially around Heathrow. I arrived home around 7.20pm after listening to England win, then lose, then win, and finally lose against Pakistan in the cricket, but it kept me going.
So....more tarmac than butterflies, and I'd have loved to have spent more time with both, but it was one of those days where it was just nice to get them both on the list, especially after missing a relatively local Camberwell Beauty recently, where news was slow to be shared, and which would also have neen new. Never mind, one for another day.
A pumping headache. I can still hear the car engine, but when I review the pictures tomorrow, it will all make sense. Happy days!

[millerd]

That ,is a beautiful shot David !! I didn,t see you this morning ................not sure that its the same individual that i posted .............if i,d seen you on site ,i would have said Hello . I saw 5 ,possibly 6 in the two hours that i was there .there is an absolutely superb image of a male and female ,side by side on the Kent facebook page ,for anyone interested . All the Queens that I saw settled were males ,but i know that at least 2 females were seen in the afternoon (i left at 10.45 am )
Regards Allan.W.

Hi Allan - I arrived around the time you left, so we missed each other, which is a shame as it would have been good to chat. I think I saw at least six individuals during the day, and will post more photos in my diary in due course. However, since you mentioned it, I do have one of the two sexes together as you described...

...though I believe this juxtaposition was somewhat artificially achieved. I also have one like your shot, but with the sun out on the butterfly.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me.

So glad you caught up with both of them following that marathon effort, Lawts.

It surely can't be long before Long Tailed Blue is considered a sufficiently regular immigrant to be assigned UK status, like Clouded Yellow.

[David M]

Saturday 17th, Botanic Gardens, Cross Hands:

Small White 38
Red Admiral 28
Small Tortoiseshell 5
Large White 5
Small Copper 3
Comma 2
Green Veined White 1
Painted Lady 1

[millerd]

It surely can't be long before Long Tailed Blue is considered a sufficiently regular immigrant to be assigned UK status, like Clouded Yellow.

My personal view is that Long-tailed Blues and their migrations more closely resemble those of Painted Ladies, David. Neither species can survive British winters at any stage of their life cycles, whereas there is strong evidence that Clouded Yellows have regularly done so down on the coast near Bournemouth (and perhaps elsewhere). Red Admirals can also just about manage it every winter these days, though if it wasn't for those few hardy individuals they too would be more accurately considered a regular migrant rather than a true resident.

The lines between these distinctions are somewhat blurry, and as far as I know there are no hard-and-fast definitions set down for each category. However, I am personally with you all the way in considering LTB to be a regular migrant now, and therefore just as much a British butterfly as a Painted Lady is.

Quite how the Queen of Spain Fritillary fits into all this remains to be seen, of course...

Cheers,

Dave

[Lawts]

A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me.

So glad you caught up with both of them following that marathon effort, Lawts.

It surely can't be long before Long Tailed Blue is considered a sufficiently regular immigrant to be assigned UK status, like Clouded Yellow.

Thanks Dave.

[jenks]

Re "A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me".

Well you deserve those 2 lifers, Lawts, after that marathon trek and especially with the cost of fuel at the moment. The headache will disappear and you will be left with the photos as a permanent memory. I remember making the long journeys from South Wales to Piddinghoe, E. Sussex in Sept 2017 and seeing 2 Queen of Spain Fritillary. And to Whitehawk Hill, Brighton on 14 Sept 2020 for Long tailed Blue. Photos taken of both on a small digital camera, not up to the standard of photos submitted by UK members but good enough for me. So I know how you feel. I for one will always be grateful to UK Butterflies website and to the local members who post records and directions of how to get to the sites. Its enriched my retirement !

Jenks.

[Lawts]

Re "A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me".

Well you deserve those 2 lifers, Lawts, after that marathon trek and especially with the cost of fuel at the moment. The headache will disappear and you will be left with the photos as a permanent memory. I remember making the long journeys from South Wales to Piddinghoe, E. Sussex in Sept 2017 and seeing 2 Queen of Spain Fritillary. And to Whitehawk Hill, Brighton on 14 Sept 2020 for Long tailed Blue. Photos taken of both on a small digital camera, not up to the standard of photos submitted by UK members but good enough for me. So I know how you feel. I for one will always be grateful to UK Butterflies website and to the local members who post records and directions of how to get to the sites. Its enriched my retirement !

Jenks.

Thanks!

[Testudo Man]

It would appear that a couple of scumbags were seen "netting" at Cliffe Pools yesterday (Sunday). I didnt actually see them in action myself, but the Warden/Ranger did see the "net."
I was in 2 minds yesterday...do i join the "crowd" an go for the QofSF's (100+ mile round trip) or do i go to Cliffe Pools (30 mile round trip) with a very slim chance of sighting the Pale Clouded Yellow. Well, i chose Cliffe Pools...an i didnt see no Pale Clouded Yellow! However, it had been reported 3 days earlier? I spent 5 hours on site, must have seen 6 to 8 normal Clouded Yellows (some fresh, some worn) all seemed to be males too.
8 species seen on the day, Walls, an Common Blues mainly.

Not sure how others feel about netting butterflies?? but i dont agree with it myself. Im sure in certain situations (scientific etc.) "netting for the good" has its place.

I would hate to think, that any butterflies were netted on site yesterday...much less a rarity or two. Im wondering how people would have reacted, if those lovely rare QofSF's were being netted yesterday??
Cheers Paul.

[Ian Pratt]

Three or possibly four clouded yellows seen by me today at Bonchurch near Ventnor IOW. Also a long - tailed blue reported recently at Whitwell .

[Old Wolf]

A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me.

Hello Lawts, good to meet you too and as I said on the day, I salute you for a sterling performance.

As with many others I spent Sunday afternoon in the company of my very first Long Tailed Blues down in Worthing. A great deal of thanks goes out to Neil Hulme for being a perfect host and as soon as I had arrived and introduced myself mustered the troops to find me my first LTB.A shame you had to head off but I met some great people on the day including Paul Day, UKB member Lawts and Katrina who although we never actually introduced ourselves to each other. Our paths must have crossed paths as her PD (so a belated hello from me) among many others from near and far.

Full report in my PD soon but I estimate the following:
7-8 LTB's (1 female)
Fair few Cloudies (1 Helice which only landed for 2 seconds and one which caused quite a stir among everyone who saw it fly)
1 Small copper
1 Red Admiral
Some whites, no idea how many but to be honest everyone was only interested if they were being LTB bait

[David M]

Not sure how others feel about netting butterflies?? but i dont agree with it myself. Im sure in certain situations (scientific etc.) "netting for the good" has its place.

I would hate to think, that any butterflies were netted on site yesterday...much less a rarity or two. Im wondering how people would have reacted, if those lovely rare QofSF's were being netted yesterday??

The 'Pale Clouded Yellow' would probably need to be netted to verify its identity in all honesty. So, if I saw someone trying to do just that I'd accept it, so long as it was released soon after.

However, Queen of Spain Fritillary is easily identifiable, so my assumption would be that anyone attempting to net them would be doing so for illegitimate reasons (possibly collecting).

That would have to be robustly challenged, and, if necessary, firm preventative action taken (same goes for Long Tailed Blues).

[Katrina]

A tough but very rewarding day providing two new British butterflies for me.

[/quote

As with many others I spent Sunday afternoon in the company of my very first Long Tailed Blues down in Worthing. A great deal of thanks goes out to Neil Hulme for being a perfect host and as soon as I had arrived and introduced myself mustered the troops to find me my first LTB.A shame you had to head off but I met some great people on the day including Paul Day, UKB member Lawts and Katrina who although we never actually introduced ourselves to each other. Our paths must have crossed paths as her PD (so a belated hello from me) among many others from near and far.

Full report in my PD soon but I estimate the following:
7-8 LTB's (1 female)
Fair few Cloudies (1 Helice which only landed for 2 seconds and one which caused quite a stir among everyone who saw it fly)
1 Small copper
1 Red Admiral
Some whites, no idea how many but to be honest everyone was only interested if they were being LTB bait

Belated hello back from me

[Ian Pratt]

Great to see the Queen of Spain fritillaries in Kent and the long-tailed blues too. Super photos by everyone.
I attach a photo of two Queen of Spain fritillaries seen in Bulgaria last July. I was pleased to get the topside and underside in one photo.

[Matsukaze]

Sunday 25 September - Geranium Bronze disporting itself amongst ornamental flower beds in the centre of Dinan, northern Brittany. I did not realise they got this far north in France. If they are truly resident here, and this isn't an accidental introduction of some kind, they should presumably be able to colonise Jersey (which is not very far away at all) and possibly parts of the Devon and Cornwall coast - the Torquay area springing to mind as being perhaps suitable.