Trevor

[essexbuzzard]

Glorious images there Trevor.

I’m hoping to catch up them this year, having missed them in Cornwall last year.

[trevor]

Thanks Mark. Do go if you can, I've never seen the view from the hill
looking so beautiful as it is at the moment. The Hawthorn blossom
is fabulous around there.

[trevor]

On arrival at Cotley Hill, I took the path to the right of the entrance gate.
Exploring the hillside here started my fear that I was too early for Marsh Frits,
not a single one was found there. Returning to the main path up the hill I was
surprised to see several Demoiselles flitting about, even these are not immune
from a Specklie challenge as they tried to land. Fortunately one landed where I could
focus the camera on it. A frisky Red Admiral was found as I retraced my steps through
the wooded area back to the main path.
I then headed for my favourite area of the hill to the left of the main path.
My first spot here was a patrolling male OT, one of several seen throughout the morning.
I was surprised to see an OT land in full, warm, sunshine and promptly close up!
Another treat was the sight of a very fresh, and slightly larger than normal, male Common Blue,
and better still it was in a perfect position for a shot.
The most frequently encountered species found on this side of the hill was the Dingy Skipper,
but all were old, worn and tatty, so it was refreshing to find my final butterfly of the morning,
a very fresh Grizzled Skipper.
I was clearly too early for some species eg. no Adonis Blues, but it was an enjoyable visit
in perfect weather.

Trevor.

[bugboy]

That's a very vivid Common Blue, at a quick glance I thought it was an Adonis!

[trevor]

Cheers Paul. I think that Common Blue had only just dried it's wings. Quite a large specimen too.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Trevor, yes the hawthorn blossom alone makes it worth going. Love the stuff!

But if I can get a few Marsh Fritillaries as well...

[Wurzel]

Cracking shots from the Hill Trevor - glad it worked out. The other side was the hill was very quiet this year - possibly a little overgrown? Cracking Common Blue - we missed that by a day it seems

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

That Common Blue, along with the Grizzled Skipper, are absolutely gorgeous, Trevor.

[millerd]

That Common Blue just shows how variable the colour can be with the species - so many are a shiny blue-violet, but that is a glorious sky-blue (as Paul says, close to Adonis in shade).

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. Cotley Hill did indeed work out. Early days for the Marshies last Sunday.
All had pretty ' standard ' markings and colours. Weather was perfect.

I was fortunate, David , that the Common Blue and Grizzled Skipper stayed still in
bright, warm sunshine, and both were fresh.

Thanks Dave. That Common Blue had only recently dried it's wings and posed perfectly.
On my early morning visits for this species they are usually facing downwards.
PS. Someone else we know was wandering the hills of Wiltshire last week!

[Chris L]

That's a very vivid Common Blue, at a quick glance I thought it was an Adonis!

And me !

[Chris L]

The Common Blue photo is brilliant Trevor but that Grizzled Skipper photo is absolutely awesome. I would be dining out on that photo all year if I had taken it.

[trevor]

Thanks Otep. The Common Blue and Grizzled Skipper posed perfectly and were
in no hurry to move, they made life easy for once!

[trevor]

Three images of grounded Pearl Bordered Fritillaries I forgot to post at the time.
Park Corner Heath 16th May. Hopefully SPBF soon!

[Wurzel]

Lovely looking Pearls Trevor Fingers crossed for some Small Pearls - they too seem to be a little late this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Three images of grounded Pearl Bordered Fritillaries I forgot to post at the time. Park Corner Heath 16th May. Hopefully SPBF soon!

Very nice, Trevor. Hope the SPBFs are imminent!

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David. Those grounded PBF were taken at near their peak,
it was a little different this afternoon..................

This afternoon I spent two hours at Park Corner and Rowland Wood, with only
four butterfly sightings to show for it.
The first was the one and only faded Pearl seen today, found nectaring on Bramble blossom.
The shot below would have been impossible a couple of weeks ago, as there was no Bramble
in flower then! My next two sightings were of a very tatty. old Peacock, and then an almost
transparent Dingy Skipper. Finally a new species for this season, a solitary Small Heath.

The afternoon had a June gap feeling about it.

[Katrina]

Thanks for posting Trevor. Was on my shortlist for tomorrow but I think will aim for one of the other option.

[Wurzel]

I think we're missing the June gap over this way Trevor - Glannies are still going and Small Pearls have only really just started in Somerset - you'll have to take the A303

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...The afternoon had a June gap feeling about it.

Feels like this 'gap' has lasted all year.