Cheers Dave
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Yep what is going on this year? So few 'good butterfly' days and then when teh weathers okay things haven't emerged as early as they have before OR if they have there are such low numbers
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
It's all been very worrying
Cheers Trevor
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I might remain a little behind with my PD as I've been plugging away at the Corfu sightings - over 2500 shots to sort through
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
The threatened warmer weather came yesterday when it should't have and then not at all today when it should - I can't keep up with the terrible forecasts!
Middle Street 19-02-2023
As the temperature had risen to above 10 and as the sun was shining I decided that even though I was still only mid-February it would be worth a look in at Middle Street. Even though I drove over I forewent the usual accompanying music of Maiden so as I strode through the gate instead of the usual ringing in my ears I could hear the plinking of the cooling engine and ‘cooing’ from some of the local Wood Pigeons. I walked across the middle path scanning to ‘the end’ on my left and the edge of the football pitch to my right with no luck. This continued when I reached the Bank path and examined first the End and then Dip3 and Dip2. All was quiet and only the odd yellow Celandine or smattering of white Daisies broke the depressing monotony of greys, browns and dull greens of the ‘winter growth’.
As I was checking the side of the Bank Path on my way to Dip1 there was a flash of colour so different from what I’d seen so far that it almost hurt my eyes. It was a Small Tort sunning itself. I tried for a few shots but I was a little rusty so it moved on, luckily not too far on so I pressed my luck a second time. I sometimes find myself wondering if these gorgeous butterflies are our reward for surviving the gloom and drear of winter?
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Once I stood back and marvelled at it, drinking in the colours, it seemed to get a little subconscious so up and away it went. As it flew along the brim of Dip2 another Small Tort intercepted it and they locked together in a bitter dispute, spiralling upwards into the heavens. At the point when they were only just visible they broke apart and drifted down separately. One came back to down to the Bank only slightly further on whilst the other returned to Dip2. I choose to try for this one and got lucky as it appeared to be the second individual and then back in Dip 1 the first Small Tort became much more amenable and so too did the second. It was almost as if they were egging each other on locked in a battle of one-up-man ship.
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Shots in the can I carried on round to the old Hotspot which was pretty overgrown with the dried up pond now impenetrable unless I buy a Bill Hook with me and further on I went round past the reed beds. The Reed Buntings were flitting about and the tinkling calls of Goldfinches were lent some percussive beats as a Cetti’s ripped the air asunder with tis staccato syncopation. I’d ended up back at the Bank after a fruitless trawl though Dip1 and the/a Small Tort was still flitting about along its length. As I strode down into Dip2 there was a flash of vivid lemon and so I added my third species to the yearly Tally. I watched as it fluttered tantalisingly over some Primroses but it was just flattering to deceive as it swiftly crossed the river! During its flight I’d tried for some of the usual ‘First Brimstone shots of the year’ and this came out as the usual blurry yellow blobs taken in Sports mode from too far away. Still at least I’d seen one.
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I caught up with another (or possibly the same one) a little later at the End. Here it actually went down a couple of times so I was able to get a few closer ‘grab shots’ but really what it wanted to do was frustrate me. To this end if flew to the boundary hedge where it would pop up from the neighbours side, make as if to land before disappearing back to the other side safe on private property.
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Giving up and leaving it to its malarkey I left the confines of Middle Street and moved onto the corner of Upper Street. The little patch of green here has always been good – often offering the same set of butterflies as the reserve only in a microcosm. So it proved today with a Small Tort sitting on the bank. I got my dose of shots just in time as some passing cyclists sent it packing never to return. Chuffed I strolled back to the car – it seemed that the season was underway but whether it would keep going remained to be seen. The danger of a ‘second winter’ is always possible and when it comes to the weather who can really tell what’s going to happen – certainly not the weather people
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
. For now the three species would suffice and I returned to waiting patiently, camera at the ready…
Cool February
With Torts and Lemon yellow
Delightful to see
Have a goodun
Wurzel