Trevor

[millerd]

Wood Whites are durable creatures, Trevor. That one is the same individual as one that I photographed last Saturday, and it was not exactly new then! The nick out of its wing and the curious orange mark are unmistakable. Good to see the SWF getting properly underway as well.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks David & Goldie for your earlier comments.
Goldie, if you are going to Blean again keep an eye on the coppiced Sweet Chestnut leaves,
we found Purple Hairstreaks on those a few years back.

Thanks Dave. Remarkable when you think that Wood White has probably been around since May.
Tough and delicate at the same time.

[trevor]

Our trip to Chiddingfold Forest on Thursday was primarily for the Purple Emperor.
Up until mid Morning we had seen no Emperor action in the environs of the triangle,
so I went for a slow wander up to the ' high point '. Once clear of the tree canopy I soon
saw several Emperors flying high around a tall conifer, this made me think that possibly
the grounding period was over, particularly as I had witnessed so many groundings the
previous week. So it was with some surprise when I found a very fresh male down on
the side of the track on my walk back to the triangle. It was clearly settled and approachable.
The only problem for photography was the butterfly was in semi shade, and the strong wind
was causing the trees to cast shadow then bright sunlight as they blew around.
A certain law dictated that purple could only be seen side on to the Emperor, and none
looking at it square on, but it did frequent wing flicks giving glimpses of gorgeous purple.
Fortunately for him Doug was within shouting distance, and was able to enjoy our only
grounding of the day.

[millerd]

A nice bonus, Trevor. They do seem to relish those semi-shaded kind of situations - I have dozens of photos in ever-changing light like that. At least they generally open their wings when it's like this.

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

More cracking shots of His Nibbs Trevor I've only gone looking for them once so far this year with no luck as they seemd to arrive out of the blue and at exactly the same time as dire weekend weather Still I have your shots to admire for now and something to look forward when I (if I ever can) retire

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

An Emperor grounding is always to be cherished, Trevor. You have captured it well.

[trevor]

Cheers Dave. Although in semi shade the dense forestry protected the Emperor
from the very strong breeze blowing through the tree canopy.

Cheers Wurzel. While you patiently wait for retirement have you thought about
the monument in Savernake Forest. Never been myself, but heard it's reliable
as the Emperors are attracted to minerals in the stonework.

Thanks David. Even better when a grounded Emperor is a relaxed as that one.

I thought I would try my luck in Abbots Wood early this afternoon.
When I arrived it was cool and there were just a few Meadow Browns bobbing around.
I was about to give up after a short while, when the cloud thinned and some warmth
could be felt, Gatekeepers came from nowhere, and soon Commas, a fresh Red Admiral,
Large and Green Veined White and a frisky SWF were all over the bramble blossom.
Not bad for a day when the sun never appeared!

[Wurzel]

I have though about Savernake Trevor but it's getting the right day to go, this season the weather hasn't been particularly conducive to Emperors at the weekend . Love the twofers-great getting shots like that

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. The ' right weather ' is at a premium this July.
In all my life I can't remember wearing long sleeves before at this time of year.
You're owed some decent weekend weather!

The only butterfly of note today was a sheltering Green Veined White.
Wind, drizzle and grey skies were the order of the morning.

[essexbuzzard]

I can, Trevor. Last year!

Glorious shots recently of the purple one...

[Neil Freeman]

In all my life I can't remember wearing long sleeves before at this time of year.

Indeed. The almost constant dull cloud and cool weather has had me dressing more like early spring most of the time. Chances to go out without a jacket have been few and far between.

Great Purple Emperor photos Trevor and I do like that Gatekeeper double

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Cheers Mark and Neil. One warm, calm(ish) day yesterday.

I had a Purple Hairstreak workout yesterday, arms above my head, standing on tiptoe,
neck exercises, and even running when a PH was seen to drop down low from a distance.
Unfortunately most were worn or even tatty, probably by being blown around in the Oaks
in the strong winds of late.
Later on I drove over to Horseshoe Plantation primarily for the Dark Green Fritillary.
Just five males were found, despite plentiful Knapweed. I also saw my first Small Skippers
of the year. Marbled Whites were present too, but not not for pausing, so it will have to be
an evening visit for those soon.

[Wurzel]

Great to see the Purps Trevor- I've only seen them this year and not been able to photograph any I reckon that your Skipper could be an Essex? The Creeping Thistle is starting to come out...not long now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. Hopefully not too long before you see some ' shark fins '
on top of those thistles. It looks as though I'll be coming alone, so I've
negotiated a short notice overnight stay with my Daughter for a two day visit.

[trevor]

I spent this past weekend with family in Wiltshire, so as Sunday dawned
bright and clear, I headed over to Tilshead to see what was around.
I was keen to photograph some Marble Whites, but nearly all were worn
or battered, except for one which was in good condition and better still
took refuge on a grass stem during a cloudy spell.

[trevor]

On the same Sunday morning visit to Tilshead I was delighted to find
my first two, fresh, male Chalkhill Blues. Clearly freshly emerged neither
were in a hurry to fly off. They were the only blues of any kind to be seen.
By a long way the Small (or' Smessex' ) Skippers were the most plentiful
species at the site with probably thousands over the huge area of grassland.

[Wurzel]

Cracking sights Trevor Great to see the Chalkhills are out - just need some nice weekend weather now and I might be able to see some myself

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice selection lately, Trevor. Good to see those gleaming Chalkhills.

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & David. It was great to find those glowing, fresh, Chalkhills.

Yesterday I went over to Herstmonceux Castle gardens for the first time this year.
Hopeful of finding some Small Tortoiseshells, I found just one damaged specimen.
With the Verbena Bonariensis in full bloom it was somewhat depressing to only find
one Red Admiral nectaring on it. Indeed, discounting Whites and Meadow Browns,
only twelve butterflies were seen, one Gatekeeper, four Peacocks and the rest were
Red Admirals, what is more the weather was near perfect! I have never known the
gardens so quiet at this time of year, especially with so much nectar on offer.

[Benjamin]

Oh no Trevor - not Herstmonceux - not yet! I look forward to these annual reports from your trips but it always means the season is once again drawing to a close…….
On this occasion I’ll put it down as an early recce and convince myself that with some good weather later in the summer we’re really only about half way through…….