Susie

[essexbuzzard]

That last one wasn't in the butterfly house,was it?

[Susie]

Nope.

This little chap was though.

[MikeOxon]

Your second photo from Earnley is a wonderful composition - such perfect poise!

Mike

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Susie,

I'm really glad you managed to join us today and get some great shots at the same time.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Lee Hurrell]

Lovely photos, Susie. I really like the first one, with the combination of yellow and blue.

Good to hear your season is off to a good start!

Best wishes,

Lee

[Susie]

Many thanks, Mike, Mark and Lee. The first one is my favourite too.

I was in the Dorking area today so thought I would call in at Box Hill. I saw one male brimstone at the top when the sun came out but it was too quick for a photo.

I wandered past Box Hill Fort today, which surprised me because I have been to Box Hill many times before but didn't know it existed.It's quite a forbidding building.

One of the wardens on the site told me a little of the history and also that there is a restored fort at Reigate Hill.

This yew tree was interesting too. It's split right down the middle. I don't remember it being quite so hollow last year so the winter couldn't have done it much good. It reminded me of something out of Greek mythology; two petrified lovers, so close but never quite touching.

Leaning in for a kiss

I blame it on spring. Happy Ostara everyone!

[millerd]

I almost always call in at Box Hill before or after visits to Denbies - mainly for the National Trust cups of tea and homemade cakes! And there can be butterflies about at the right time and in the right spot.

Dave

[Susie]

I had a drink up there today, Dave. I resisted the cakes though, although they did look mighty fine and after a walk to the top of the hill I felt like I deserved one!

I heard a chiff chaff calling up there today.

[Lee Hurrell]

I saw my first ever Brown Hairstreak at Box Hill a few years ago although I didn't know about the fort!

Lee

[Jack Harrison]

I will be in the Box Hill/Denbies area 11th/12th April so possibly give that fort a look.

Denbies might by then have Green Hairstreaks and Grizzled Skippers - who knows?

Jack (currently in Ireland)

[Gibster]

Jack, you should also visit Colley Hill at the top of Reigate Hill (the carpark is about 150metres from the M25 turn off for the A217) The terrain is level since you are already on top of the ridge and the fort has been fully restored. They play re-enactment war games every so often which must be quite something to watch! There's also a beautiful watchpoint and a bench which commemorates the crash-landing of a Flying Fortress in WW2. We met a lady who was there at the scene, she was a mere child at the time but clearly recalled the carnage. Even now trees do not grow across the crash site. Cafe and facilities all present and correct too!

Cheers (and sorry for the digression...)

Gibster.

[Susie]

There's also a beautiful watchpoint and a bench which commemorates the crash-landing of a Flying Fortress in WW2. We met a lady who was there at the scene, she was a mere child at the time but clearly recalled the carnage. Even now trees do not grow across the crash site.
Gibster.

My mum was a child in London during the start of the blitz (she had been evacuated and then brought back home again when nothing had happened as many children were). During one raid she watched a German aircraft come down and ran to see if the pilot was okay. She stood near the wreckage by a smouldering tree trunk but couldn't find the pilot ... until she realised the tree trunk was actually his torso.

[Gibster]

So...(confused)...your mom must've been VERY old indeed when she had you, Susy?

[Susie]

So...(confused)...your mom must've been VERY old indeed when she had you, Susy?

Lol. What are you after, Gibster?

There is a 20 year age gap between me and my oldest brother who has just passed away though. I was the baby of the family.

[Susie]

Something completely different.
I didn't get to see any butterflies today even though it should have been a cracking day for them as I had to spend it indoors.

We were raising money for Sports Relief.


http://youtu.be/ng2MUnPWiag

[Susie]

I popped along to Denbies this morning. I was hoping for dingy or grizzled skippers and possibly a green hairstreak but didn't see a single butterfly the whole time I was there.

A huge amount of scrub has been taken out at Denbies and these were in the places I was pretty certain of finding green hairstreaks. I am sure they will still be there this year along the hedgeline but I think they'll be much harder to find than previously.

There are hardly any flowers out on the chalk hillside; only the odd dandelion, violet or eyebright. There were very few insects around generally. I did come across a couple of dor beetles. In the woods the bluebells and anenomes are flowering and there are some early purple orchids too.

[jenks]

I was in the Brecon Beacons today, walking up Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, hoping to see Ring Ouzels. Heard birds calling twice but couldn`t get a sighting. BUT I did see Green veined White, at least 2 male Orange Tips ( on Cuckoo flower ) and at least 5 sightings ( possibly the same individual ) of a large butterfly flying past very fast and purposefully. Tried chasing it to get a better view but running flat out up a hill is now beyond me. By a process of elimination, size, shape, colour, I can only think it/they were Painted Ladies. Has anyone else seen these this year ? All 3 species first time sightings this year for me.

Just to grip you southern englanders off, there is still snow on the top of the Beacons and 2 of the 3 reservoirs are full. And my back lawn after the deluge on Easter Monday is now Pontypridd`s harbour. Who mentioned drought ? !

[Debbie]

Love the purple orchid

[Susie]

Thanks, DMS.

Wow, painted ladies, Jenks? I am so envious!

I went out for a walk over my local patch but yet again failed to see a single butterfly. It is just too blooming cold for them even in the sheltered spots.

[Cotswold Cockney]

I was in the Brecon Beacons today, walking up Craig Cerrig Gleisiad, hoping to see Ring Ouzels. Heard birds calling twice but couldn`t get a sighting. BUT I did see Green veined White, at least 2 male Orange Tips ( on Cuckoo flower ) and at least 5 sightings ( possibly the same individual ) of a large butterfly flying past very fast and purposefully. Tried chasing it to get a better view but running flat out up a hill is now beyond me. By a process of elimination, size, shape, colour, I can only think it/they were Painted Ladies. Has anyone else seen these this year ? All 3 species first time sightings this year for me.

Just to grip you southern englanders off, there is still snow on the top of the Beacons and 2 of the 3 reservoirs are full. And my back lawn after the deluge on Easter Monday is now Pontypridd`s harbour. Who mentioned drought ? !

Male day flying Emperor Moths this time of year look remarkably like Painted Ladies in flight too. They are very swift in flight responding to a distant calling female....