especially the top one which is a female (?)going by the blonde streaks along the wing edges. I especially like the image of the owl created by the back of the hind wings... 
- Owl.JPG (8.64 KiB) Viewed 422 times
Wurzel
essex buzzard
Re: essex buzzard
Lovely looking Marbled Whites Essex especially the top one which is a female (?)going by the blonde streaks along the wing edges. I especially like the image of the owl created by the back of the hind wings...
Have a goodun
Wurzel
especially the top one which is a female (?)going by the blonde streaks along the wing edges. I especially like the image of the owl created by the back of the hind wings...
Have a goodunWurzel
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2497
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: essex buzzard
So it does, Wurzel. Can’t say I’d noticed that!
The Ringlets had a spectacular crash last year, due to the previous years hot dry summer. However, equally spectacular has been its recovery this year, following the wet summer in 2023. They emerged from late June and, for a few short weeks, this lovely species could be seen in the damp grassland, all are gone now. The muggy grey skies and damp drizzle in July should have benefitted the Ringlet.
The Ringlets had a spectacular crash last year, due to the previous years hot dry summer. However, equally spectacular has been its recovery this year, following the wet summer in 2023. They emerged from late June and, for a few short weeks, this lovely species could be seen in the damp grassland, all are gone now. The muggy grey skies and damp drizzle in July should have benefitted the Ringlet.
Re: essex buzzard
"Looks like the face of a Husky to me!" yikes I can see that as well now, the Owl was more obvious on the original 
Ringlets are a cracking looking butterfly - the fresh ones always remind me of crushed velvet
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Ringlets are a cracking looking butterfly - the fresh ones always remind me of crushed velvet
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: essex buzzard
Nice Ringlets, Mark. They have a velvety lustre when fresh.
Hardly seen any this year, although that's mainly because they emerged late and I've had precious little time in the UK during July.
Hardly seen any this year, although that's mainly because they emerged late and I've had precious little time in the UK during July.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2497
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: essex buzzard
In early July, I headed off to Silchester Common, to find my only Silver Studded Blues of the year. Numbers were modest, with about a dozen seen. But I’ve never been to this site before, so I left happy.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2497
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: essex buzzard
By mid July, a few Small Tortoiseshell had emerged. Not high numbers, by any means, but better than nothing. A very welcome sight.
Meanwhile, the Hutchinsoni Commas continued to be present. I didn’t get many chances to see them, with very few warm sunny evenings, up until mid July. Here is one basking in the sunshine at 8pm.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2497
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: essex buzzard
By late July, the Chalkhill Blues were emerging. It is not found in Essex, as there is no suitable habitat, so my nearest colony is at the Fleam Dyke, just over the border in Cambridgeshire. This excellent chalk Dyke runs across the low flat arable farmland here, a great place to spot hares!
Chalkhill numbers were much lower than last year, but they were still lovely. A warm afternoon, they didn’t start to settle until evening.
A few Brimstones and Peacocks were present though, unlike 2023, there was no mass emergence this year.
Chalkhill numbers were much lower than last year, but they were still lovely. A warm afternoon, they didn’t start to settle until evening.