Trevor

[trevor]

I went back to Herstmonceux again today, and I'm happy to say that the thistles
have survived the grass cutting.
Today was nearly all about Wall Browns, with six males seen including two fresh ones.
Other species included a fresh Small Copper among the worn ones, two Clouded Yellows,
two Commas and a fast flying Red Admiral.

[Katrina]

Glad to hear there are still some fresh Walls to be found

[trevor]

Thanks Katrina. The two fresh Walls were only seen in the afternoon,
when the sun moved around to warm the wall at the Castle end.

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of reports from Worthing and Herstmonceux Trevor Cloudies, Walls, LTBs and a Helice here's one for each My favourite shots of the lot is the second shot from 25th - I don;t think I've seen a Cloudy feeding on flower with petals bigger than it before, they always seem to be on tiny little ones

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers for all the mrgreens Wurzel. That Cloudie spent ages on those flowers.

My ambition for today was see some Red Admirals on ivy blossom.
So I drove up to High and Over. Here I found plenty of Ivy blossom and Ivy bees
but not a single Red Admiral despite a thorough search. While searching a pair
of sparring Wall Browns appeared over the steps. As soon as I entered the meadow
from the steps a female Wall fluttered past me and briefly landed. She was a bit battered
but still good to see. In addition I eventually saw three male Walls in varying condition.

[millerd]

I'm guessing these are all third brood Walls, Trevor - looks like this year they will have absolutely no problem completing their third round, and with the recent rain their caterpillars will have plenty of lush grass to feed up on before the winter too. All being well, could be a bumper crop next year...

You did well to find anything today, though I suppose the thicker cloud and rain didn't get down there till quite a bit later.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

I think Wall Browns are perhaps now beginning to break this 'developmental trap' that decimated their numbers from the mid-80s onwards. Clearly, they are successfully generating a third brood in many areas which is able to complete its life cycle prior to conditions becoming too cool and any subsequent larvae being effectively unable to ingest sufficient food prior to hibernation.

They seem to have had an excellent year in a lot of southern parts of the country where they were traditionally quite scarce.

Interesting that you should find both worn AND fresh examples, Trevor. I'm struggling to see how a relatively short-lived butterfly such as this could eke it out as a 2nd brooder until the cusp of October, so I'm presuming that all those you are seeing are 3rd brood, but have emerged over quite a lengthy period.

[bugboy]

I think Wall Browns are perhaps now beginning to break this 'developmental trap' that decimated their numbers from the mid-80s onwards. Clearly, they are successfully generating a third brood in many areas which is able to complete its life cycle prior to conditions becoming too cool and any subsequent larvae being effectively unable to ingest sufficient food prior to hibernation.

They seem to have had an excellent year in a lot of southern parts of the country where they were traditionally quite scarce.

Interesting that you should find both worn AND fresh examples, Trevor. I'm struggling to see how a relatively short-lived butterfly such as this could eke it out as a 2nd brooder until the cusp of October, so I'm presuming that all those you are seeing are 3rd brood, but have emerged over quite a lengthy period.

Unfortunately it's a double edged sword, they are only breaking it because of climate change and its now routinely warm enough well into October for them to complete a third brood and allow the larvae to reach third instar before winter proper arrives. It will also likely mean well see similar declines further north in their range as increasingly warm autumn's tempt them to try and fail to fit in a third brood where currently two broods are the norm.

[trevor]

Thanks Dave and David. Wall Browns seen as September advances are more than likely to be third brood.
At High and Over a mixture of 2nd and 3rd broods can be seen at the beginning of September.
Which is which is easy to spot by the condition of the butterflies.

Talking of which I found another fresh 3rd brood male Wall this afternoon, among six seen in varying condition
Also among them was a very shy female. It would seem from today's images that I photographed
the same male twice. Other species were thin on the ground possibly due to the time of year, and the
very wet morning which didn't clear up until lunchtime.

[trevor]

On a further visit to Herstmonceux this afternoon I hit the jackpot, with a very fresh
female Wall Brown. If the one yesterday was rather shy, the specimen today was sheer brazen!
Along with another reasonably fresh male, three more males were seen. As I was photographing the female
a male skimmed along the top of the wall as two more were brawling near the steps up to the Sundial.

An interesting and rewarding afternoon.

[Katrina]

Good Walls on the wall shots!

[millerd]

Good Walls on the wall shots!

Very true - they are not called Wall Browns for nothing!

Some terrific shots there, Trevor, as it's not often you get such accommodating butterflies of this species. A lovely female in particular...

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks Katrina & Dave.
I think my luck yesterday was partly due to the weather. After a gloomy morning the Sun
was weak at best when I arrived, so for once the Walls were reasonably relaxed.

[trevor]

I had two choices this morning, Worthing or Herstmonceux. The clear blue sky and bright sun said Worthing,
but the very chilly air and breeze dictated that Herstmonceux would be a better bet.
On arrival the air was cold, and it took some time to locate my first butterfly, a basking Comma.
It was later when some Red Admirals were seen, five in total. Also only five Small Coppers were
found today, only two were fresh. Talking of fresh an unmarked male Common Blue had a liking for verbena.

As for Wall Browns a possible four males were seen, including another very fresh male. Wall Browns don't
need the assistance of a strong breeze to escape at high speed but they had that benefit today.

My final butterfly was a very late Peacock.

The population of butterflies at Herstmonceux is declining fast, today was quite hard work.

[Wurzel]

Great selection Trevor The numbers may be dwindling but the butterflies you've bagged, excepting the Walls, all seem to be in fine fettle and in very good nick That is a late Peacock - they're normally well tucked up in bed by now and are often the first to disappear

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Great line-up again, Trevor, especially the Peacock, which has been conspicuous by its absence near me ever since I got back from Spain on 9 August.

You seem to be almost Wall Browned out such is the sheer presence of this species down your way right now. I would never have believed this was possible a few years ago, but it's fabulous to see.

[Benjamin]

Top stuff Trevor - as usual at this time of year you’re still out having excellent butterfly filled days when many of us have started to focus elsewhere. The walls have been fantastic - lovely photos.

[Katrina]

Lovely fresh selection box of butterflies there - thank you for posting them

[millerd]

More great butterflies there, Trevor. That Small Copper seems to be glowing with its own internal light source, and the Wall underside is beautifully lit by the sun, bringing out all the subtlety of the design. That verbena bonariensis is just a brilliant attractant for them all too - it's growing in several gardens near me, but nothing is turning up on it at all for some reason.

Cheers,

Dave

[bugboy]

Herstmonceux really is a great late season spot. I imagine the walls around the site provide excellent shelter from the worst of the autumn elements whilst simultaneously providing perfect warm microclimates when the sun does shine