Trevor

[trevor]

Cheers Dave. Some SS Skippers were off like a shot on approach.
Then I found one on Wild Carrot, after many shots it was still there when I left.

I seem to be having luck finding ' Blue ' females this year, Wurzel, long may it continue!

Thanks Mark. That site was in perfect condition for SSS and Adonis Blues several years ago,
all I saw there the other day was a few Meadow Browns.

Home visitors today.

Firstly this morning a Box Tree Moth on the ceiling of my lounge. At 20.05 it's still there!
And this afternoon a Red Admiral was found basking on the retaining wall in the garden.

[Goldie M]

Great SSS shots Trevor, They actually posed for you as well Goldie

[David M]

Nice work with the Skippers, Trevor, and that female Common Blue is utterly resplendent.

[trevor]

Thanks Goldie & David. It was very rewarding catch up with the Silver Spots again.

I've been under the weather for the past week, so it was good to get out this afternoon.
Herstmonceux was my destination, it was warm but cloudy so there wasn't much flying.
One species that did show well was the Small Copper with about twenty seen, including
a fine ' blue badge ' specimen, perhaps Wurzel would class this one as a high ranking officer!
It was pleasing to seen a lone Small Heath, a species notable by low numbers around here this tear.

[Katrina]

A reviving splash of colour there - thanks for posting

[trevor]

Thanks Katrina. The first of many I hope.

THOROUGHLY RECCOMENDED! Warminster, Wilts. 3.9. 2023.

[Wurzel]

"perhaps Wurzel would class this one as a high ranking officer!" looks like a Chief Superintendent to me Trevor
Those flowers are fantastic for showing off the butterflies
The powers of Buddleia never fail to impress me, even an image attracts the butterflies like a magnet

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

A reviving splash of colour there - thanks for posting

Indeed. Those ornamental flowers really complement the butterflies excellently.

Love the caeruleopunctata, Trevor. Don't often see them with blue spots as bold as those.

[millerd]

For a maintained garden Herstmonceaux seems to do really well for late season butterflies, Trevor. So many artificially created flowery areas are often bereft of insect life whereas this one definitely isn't. Nice to have it on your doorstep too...

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David.
I know you and Paul are keen to visit Herstmonceux Dave, I'll let you know when a visit might be worthwhile.

I spent the weekend in Wiltshire, which of course meant a visit to Tilshead.
On Sunday morning I arrived to warming sun and the butterflies were starting to stir.
Then as if from nowhere a thick mist came down and obliterated the sun, I waited
patiently tor over an hour for some patchy sun to return.
It was interesting to see Small Heaths perched on plants rather than on the ground.
All Adonis Blue males were worn, but some fresh females were present, and were worth waiting for.
I was pleased to find several ' bkue ' female Common Blues.

[Wurzel]

Cracking Tilshead Treasure Trove Trevor That blue female Common Blue would give any other blue a run for its money

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

Some lovely colour combinations in your photos from Herstmonceux Trevor.

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & Neil. Hopefully more September colour to come.

Four more shots from a fabulous day at Shipton Bellinger. 4/8/2023.

[David M]

I love those Small Heath images, Trevor. They go under the radar but when they're fresh and well-marked like those then it's a really attractive butterfly.

[trevor]

Thanks David. Those Small Heaths were still at roost. I was pleased to see them off the ground.
I like the one on the Wild Carrot seed head, it looks like a cosy nest.

I saw some more small butterflies today!

[Pauline]

Very nice BH images Trevor - particularly like the 1st and 3rd.

[trevor]

Thanks Pauline. Those male BH were some of the easiest subjects to photograph.
They were so content on the Wild Parsnip they stayed put for ages. We even had four to choose from.

[trevor]

This morning I travelled up to Whitehawk Hill for my first session with the Long Tailed Blues of the year.
On the way there the weather was ideal, sun and cloud, but on arrival the sun was winning.
From the start LTB's were seen zooming around, and then a dogfight of three individuals confirmed
the presence of quite a few LTB's around their usual leking area.
None were fresh, but varied from good condition to very worn, and only males from what I saw.
In the heat action was non-stop with hundreds of sightings of possibly only twenty or so butterflies!
Few were allowed to settle without being challenged by a passer by, thus many shots were missed.

Finally as I got off the bus at Woodingdean I found a fresh Red Admiral on the pavement, coaxing it
on to my finger it became clear it was having difficulty with flight, and had probably been hit by a car.
So I placed it carefully on a plant away from the road and hoped for the best.

A great morning!
Trevor.

[Katrina]

I like your top photo particularly nice blue sky reflecting the current weather

[trevor]

Thanks Katrina. Worth a visit if you don't mind them less than fresh.