Trevor

[millerd]

Great shots of an immaculate butterfly, Trevor. I reckon that might even go up to 11 on the scale...

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel. I don't think it's possible to find a better specimen than that
beautiful female BH. Still after a male posing like that!

Wish you had been there Katrina, with all the time in the world for photo's.

Thanks for the score of 11 Dave, but I'm reluctant to mess with the ' Hulme ' system.
I remember, several years ago I showed him an apparently immaculate BH shot on
my camera which he marked down to a measly 9.5. I felt robbed and deflated!

Two more shots from Shipton Bellinger on 4th Aug.

A resting Oak Eggar moth on a wild parsley stem, it was there for a couple of hours.
Also a shot of the dense, very tall, wild parsnip growing along the length of the hedge.
Unless you are lucky enough to see a Brown Hairstreak land on it, try searching this lot
for one already down!

[Wurzel]

That is a familiar looking site shot Trevor with sage advice ...although to be fair so far I've only 2 out of 6 Brostreaks along the Main Hedge...hopefully plenty more to come

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Great work with the Hairstreaks, Trevor. I'll be concentrating on them myself towards the end of the month. Hopefully I will find a female in as fine shape as yours!

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel & David. Gook luck with the BH, they seem harder to come by this year.
,
On Monday morning I went over to Horseshoe plantation, immediately below the famous
Belle Tout lighthouse. Even at an early hour it was hot and windy, making photography difficult.
I did manage shots of a Small Copper, a female Chalkhill, and a tiny Brown Argus ( about the same size
as a Small Blue ). The few Silver Spotted Skippers I saw were flying around like little missiles,
so no luck there!

[Wurzel]

That's a very sultry looking Small Copper Trevor Next year when you're over for Brostreaks I'll show you round Perham - a very easy site to work for Silver-spots

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Compared to recent years the gardens at Herstmonceux Castle were a bit of a let down today,
with many of the species usually found there missing completely.
The only species found in some numbers were the Red Admirals, and it was also good to see two,
worn, male Silver Washed Fritillaries. Just one Peacock and a single Comma were seen.
Then full value for my entrance ticket appeared When two very fresh Small Tortoiseshells
were found. The first one posed perfectly during a cloudy spell, unfortunately I sent the
second one up which was basking on the path and I didn't see it until the last moment.

So that's now five Small Torts for me so far this year, and only three in my home county. Dire!!

[Katrina]

Thanks for posting Trevor, good to know what is around and small torts are becoming a rarity

[trevor]

Thanks Katrina. I was over the moon with the Small Tort.
The gardens are closing at the end of September this year, so will have
to look elsewhere for October.

[trevor]

I was amazed at the variety of species at Horseshoe Plantation this morning.
There were many female Chalkhills, with a few fresh males among all the worn ones.
Also I saw my target species, with four Silver Spotted Skippers found, only two obliged though.
A blue badge Small Copper was a surprise as she seemed to have the whole site to herself, a
search for more failed. The Common Blue males were mostly worn, except for one which was
fairly fresh and posed well during a cloudy spell. Sadly the Adonis Blue was absent today.
A fairly large army of Large Whites looked like recent arrivals from over the channel and were
very difficult to approach even as they nectared om Ragwort.

[trevor]

It was a pleasure to meet Katrina at Herstmonceux Castle this morning.
As far as butterflies were concerned, and considering the fine weather, it was the
quietest day I've ever known there at this time of year. The plentiful verbena bonariensis
only managed to attract the odd Large White, and a fresh Green Veined White.
A walk through the large, damp, meadow area produced a few hyper Common Blues which
were pausing for no one, we also saw an identifiable Holly Blue at the edge of the meadow.
One butterfly which did demand attention was a bright sulphur yellow male Brimstone which
was found as we re-entered the garden proper, and it was here that the only, but very worn,
Small Copper of the day was spotted.
In the area of the garden that is planted especially to attract butterflies the only takers were
more ' whites ', two Red Admirals, a Peacock and a very worn, male, Silver Washed Fritillary.

The pleasant company, and lunch under a sun shade, made for an enjoyable and relaxed visit.

[Katrina]

Thanks for an enjoyable day !

[trevor]

You're welcome!

[Wurzel]

Cracking Blue Badge-r from the previous post Trevor; they've not been that numerous this year so to find a blue spot is even better

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. Small Coppers aren't the only species scarce or absent around here at the moment,
as I have found out this week. Today was no different.

[trevor]

In order to hopefully track down my first Clouded Yellow of the year, I drove over to
Shoreham Harbour/Southwick Basin. The first surprise was the overgrown state of the bank
to the left of the steps where Clouded Yellows usually fly. no bare earth here at all, and no
Cloudies. The only species seen here were several very worn Common Blues.
A slow walk of the rest of the site produced only ' Whites '. Small, Large and GV were identified,
and that was it ! No other species at all today.
One highlight occurred when a fisherman called me over, and asked if my camera had zoom.
He had spotted what he thought was a Peregrine Falcon on a building on the opposite bank.
I duly obliged and the result was an identifiable Peregrine ( just!).

[David M]

It'll be interesting to see how many LTBs and Clouded Yellows turn up in this most awful of butterfly years, Trevor.

I'm sure a few will appear but those who see them will either need to work hard or get lucky.

[bugboy]

I was there last weekend, like you I was 'hopeful' for a migrant but came away with the same species you did. I wouldn't worry too much about that bank, its condition looks very similar to the south facing downlands, its just its small size that limits the butterflies seen. I had a good look at the BLEP but didn't find any eggs. Might have to wait till the end of the month to see if any LTBs made it over when offspring of any female will be much more obvious. Don't go holding your breath though!

[Wurzel]

At least you're getting out there and trying Trevor, you're doing the spadework Hopefully a few Cloudy's will make it across - I saw a few in Southern France last week and a couple of those were in the middle of the city so fingers crossed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Thanks David. Lets hope some LTB's are found this Autumn, as they extend the season into October.

Cheers Paul. It's not often we come away from Southwick with so little to show for the visit.

Thanks Wurzel. Leg work paid off today, a better day in quite a while.

A visit to Herstmonceux Castle today proved quite a revelation, particularly as recent visits
have taught me not to expect too much this year.

It might be easier to list what was around today...........

4 Painted Ladies.
2 Small Coppers
2 Red Admirals
1 Small Tortoiseshell
1 Comma
Plus many very fresh Large Whites, and 1 identifiable GVW.

So not a great number of butterflies, but a reasonable quota of species.
I came away quite happy!