Susie
Re: Susie
Butterflying is always a pleasure and even better when you can share it with friends. Today I was joined by old friend and forum member ChrisC as he was looking to find his first pearl bordered fritillaries. We were successful in locating four or five on a site near Arundel, a single speckled wood, a single peacock and a single orange tip, before the weather got the better of us. A first for me were the crossbills he heard and then pointed out to me. It was a great morning.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
it certainly was a pleasure both meeting up and and seeing the pearls Susie, as with your walk at Denbies last year for silver spotted skippers the target species got and in fine company. bit of a contrast to the butterflies of the old Hayes days eh.
Thanks again for the tour catch up again soon.
Chris
Thanks again for the tour catch up again soon.
Chris
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
It was my pleasure. Took me right back to Minet Country Park and the old days. It was good to catch up after so long and you bolting off early at the social last autumn.
Shame about the weather though. Here's hoping for some proper summer sunshine over the next few months.
Shame about the weather though. Here's hoping for some proper summer sunshine over the next few months.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Today I went on a walk at Heyshott lead by Neil Hulme for Sussex BC in conjunction with the Murray Downland Trust.
Fantastic things have been done on this site and a load of hard work put in by volunteers, include UK Butterfly members as you will know from their diaries.
There was a really good turnout and the orange tips and green veined whites I had seen flying on the way to Heyshott put me in great spirits and I had high hopes for the day, which was mild and partially sunny.
It was nice to see quite a few familiar faces on the walk.
Not only had Neil organised the weather but as he was addressing the crowd by the Murray Downland Trust tent we had the benefit of a magnificent fly past of what I was told were euro fighters. I must say that Mr Hulme really spoils us BC members.
I understand that later on the planes were going to display for the Queen ... but we saw 'em first! 
Later on we saw more planes and helicopters. With the butterflies, birds and planes sometimes it was difficult to know where to look first. 
When we reached the cratered chalk hillside the butterflies weren't shy in appearing. Two duke of burgundy were spotted immediately, and then a shout went up that there was a pristine virgin female sitting on a cowslip not far away. The overcast conditions meant that when butterflies were spotted that sat nicely enabling us to have a good look and plenty of photographic opportunities. I also saw grizzled and dingy skipper and small heath.
I am not sure of the total number of dukes seen today but there were quite good numbers. They seem to be quite behind at the moment so I hope that numbers will continue to build on this fabulous site over the next few weeks. I'll certainly be going back soon!
I really didn't want to leave at the end of the walk but domestic duties called. I hope those I left behind continued to have a cracking afternoon.
Fantastic things have been done on this site and a load of hard work put in by volunteers, include UK Butterfly members as you will know from their diaries.
There was a really good turnout and the orange tips and green veined whites I had seen flying on the way to Heyshott put me in great spirits and I had high hopes for the day, which was mild and partially sunny.
It was nice to see quite a few familiar faces on the walk.
Not only had Neil organised the weather but as he was addressing the crowd by the Murray Downland Trust tent we had the benefit of a magnificent fly past of what I was told were euro fighters. I must say that Mr Hulme really spoils us BC members.
I understand that later on the planes were going to display for the Queen ... but we saw 'em first! Later on we saw more planes and helicopters. With the butterflies, birds and planes sometimes it was difficult to know where to look first. I am not sure of the total number of dukes seen today but there were quite good numbers. They seem to be quite behind at the moment so I hope that numbers will continue to build on this fabulous site over the next few weeks. I'll certainly be going back soon!
I really didn't want to leave at the end of the walk but domestic duties called. I hope those I left behind continued to have a cracking afternoon.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Today started off cool, cloudy and windy but by lunchtime the sun was out and orange tip males were racing around my garden. I was surprised that they appeared in mint condition. Small white and holly blue flew backwards and forwards over the garden fence, the small whites stopping to nectar on white sweet rocket.
After dropping my eldest at college for an exam I drove on to Kithurst Hill to see if small blue were around. There is one place I was hopeful of seeing them if they were out but my first sighting was of what I thought was a small copper. It sat in the undergrowth and to my amazement it was a duke of burgundy. I was convinced it was a male at the time but I was wrong, she was a female. Then a small blue caught my eye, and then another. I thought I'd check in the meadow for more small blue when I was hailed by a familiar voice, our Sussex Kipper with first instar lepidopterist Sussex Nipper in tow (she is growing into the most gorgeous girl and was an absolute treasure! .
Neil identified the duke of burgundy as a female. He also found a female small blue too. He staked out the female DoB while I looked elsewhere. She was resting in between bouts of egg laying and she had a perfect area to do so thanks again to Neil's efforts at scrub clearance during previous years. Hopefully there will be plenty more DoB here next year.
I found around 8 dingy skippers and a few male brimstone before locating two more duke of burgundy, this time they were male and one was very battered.
More searching for small blues turned up three more, including two which briefly courted and then coupled.
A few small heath, small white, orange tip and a holly blue and speckled wood rounded off today's none too shabby total.
After dropping my eldest at college for an exam I drove on to Kithurst Hill to see if small blue were around. There is one place I was hopeful of seeing them if they were out but my first sighting was of what I thought was a small copper. It sat in the undergrowth and to my amazement it was a duke of burgundy. I was convinced it was a male at the time but I was wrong, she was a female. Then a small blue caught my eye, and then another
. I thought I'd check in the meadow for more small blue when I was hailed by a familiar voice, our Sussex Kipper with first instar lepidopterist Sussex Nipper in tow (she is growing into the most gorgeous girl and was an absolute treasure! . Neil identified the duke of burgundy as a female. He also found a female small blue too. He staked out the female DoB while I looked elsewhere. She was resting in between bouts of egg laying and she had a perfect area to do so thanks again to Neil's efforts at scrub clearance during previous years. Hopefully there will be plenty more DoB here next year.
I found around 8 dingy skippers and a few male brimstone before locating two more duke of burgundy, this time they were male and one was very battered.
More searching for small blues turned up three more, including two which briefly courted and then coupled.
A few small heath, small white, orange tip and a holly blue and speckled wood rounded off today's none too shabby total.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Today I managed to squeeze in two short walks. They were glorious; this is one of my favourite times of year and with the hot sunshine, spring flowers and birds singing I was in paradise.
My first short walk was at Denbies Hillside. I arrived at about 9.45 and the only butterflies I saw were some small heath, dingy skippers, a couple of common blue, female brimstone, small and green veined white, orange tip and a very fleet small copper. I wish I could have stayed longer but had to tear myself away for my dance class. I hope to return at the weekend by which time after the heatwave I expect a large number of blues to have emerged. There were masses of St Mark's flies at the site, including this mating pair. It gave me a good chance to look at the difference in head size that Wurzel had mentioned in his diary.
My second walk was a quick march up to my local patch to look for dragons. I didn't see any scarce chasers but there were hundreds of large red damselflies (clouds of them! ) and a small number of banded demoiselles. I got a couple of snaps before having to dash home. More common blue and white around and a speckled wood. The meadow is a mass of buttercups and is really beautiful. It is nearly as pretty as it was five years ago when I first saw it when it was a sea of yellow. The following year the buttercups seemed to be attacked by a virus which made them all curly (sorry, can't think of a better way to put it!) and then they died away so it is good to see them bouncing back.
Finally in the garden were holly blue, green veined and small white and orange tip. I spent a very pleasant time just sitting and watching the bees before Chelsea chopping some of my flowers to extend the nectar season.
Back to work tomorrow so no more butterflies until the weekend.
My first short walk was at Denbies Hillside. I arrived at about 9.45 and the only butterflies I saw were some small heath, dingy skippers, a couple of common blue, female brimstone, small and green veined white, orange tip and a very fleet small copper. I wish I could have stayed longer but had to tear myself away for my dance class. I hope to return at the weekend by which time after the heatwave I expect a large number of blues to have emerged.
There were masses of St Mark's flies at the site, including this mating pair. It gave me a good chance to look at the difference in head size that Wurzel had mentioned in his diary. ) and a small number of banded demoiselles. I got a couple of snaps before having to dash home. More common blue and white around and a speckled wood. The meadow is a mass of buttercups and is really beautiful. It is nearly as pretty as it was five years ago when I first saw it when it was a sea of yellow. The following year the buttercups seemed to be attacked by a virus which made them all curly (sorry, can't think of a better way to put it!) and then they died away so it is good to see them bouncing back.
Back to work tomorrow so no more butterflies until the weekend.
Last edited by Susie on Tue May 22, 2012 9:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
The wild flowers really do seem to be doing well this year, it's nice to see golden patches in the fields on my way to work that aren't Oil Seed Rape!
The St Marks flies dimorphism is odd to look at isn't it?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
The St Marks flies dimorphism is odd to look at isn't it?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Sure is! I have not noticed it in past years and it was fascinating to see close to, so I owe you thanks, Wurzel!
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: Susie
Did you have a chance to look at the Horseshoe vetch at Denbies,Susie? How is it looking this year? At Mill Hill last week it was much better than last year,more flowers.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
The horseshoe vetch is still in the process of opening so it is hard to tell at the moment but it has to be better than last year when it was frazzled.
Today I shelved my plans for this morning as it was so glorious and again went for a walk over my local patch. When I entered the meadow I was quickly greeted by a small copper sitting on a buttercup. Whoohoo! Then I realised that, like a numpty, I had left my memory card in the computer at home.
I managed one pic on the camera's built in memory and, considering everything, I am pleased with how it turned out.
The meadow was alive with damselflies and demoiselles again and without the camera I just had to watch and enjoy them. I took a pic on my phone though of the meadow, I am a camera junkie.
There were a few other white butterflies around; green veined, small, female brimstone and orange tip before it was back to work this afternoon.
Edit: I plan to prove there are purple emperor in them yonder trees this year! I'm on a mission.
Today I shelved my plans for this morning as it was so glorious and again went for a walk over my local patch. When I entered the meadow I was quickly greeted by a small copper sitting on a buttercup. Whoohoo! Then I realised that, like a numpty, I had left my memory card in the computer at home.
I managed one pic on the camera's built in memory and, considering everything, I am pleased with how it turned out. There were a few other white butterflies around; green veined, small, female brimstone and orange tip before it was back to work this afternoon.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Too hot and too windy to go out butterflying today so an afternoon down a couple of pubs followed by sunbathing in the garden was in order. I let the butterflies come to me and saw small and green veined white, oragne tip, female brimstone, holly blue, speckled wood and a very fresh peacock.
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Couldn't agree more Susie - put a similar plan into action here in Hants but didn't see nearly as many butterflies as you
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Funny how one only sees oragne (sic) tips after a trip to a couple of pubs
Mike
Mike
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
MikeOxon wrote:Funny how one only sees oragne (sic) tips after a trip to a couple of pubs
Mike
I think that has more to do with typing on my phone than drinking down the pub! Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Another day spent at or close to home and the usual suspects butterflywise passed through the garden.
The chaffinch babies have hatched in the nest on the back of the house and mum is working very hard to keep them fed and happy (as mum's do everywhere).
It's going to be a lovely day tomorrow but I don't have a clue where to go!
The chaffinch babies have hatched in the nest on the back of the house and mum is working very hard to keep them fed and happy (as mum's do everywhere).
It's going to be a lovely day tomorrow but I don't have a clue where to go!
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: Susie
Denbies or Botany Bay of course! But down south you have too many choices!
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Those are both good choices!
I chose to go to Denbies and Heyshott today.
This morning it was cloudy at home but the forecast was better further south so I started at Heyshott. Once past Petworth the sun came out and it was a glorious morning.
Orange tip, small white, green veined white, brimstone, red admiral, speckled wood, common blue, holly blue, small heath, dingy skipper, grizzled skipper and duke of burgundy were flying. I still didn't find a green hairstreak but the day was too gorgeous to feel sad about that.
A common blue female had a lot of blue on her and I managed a quick snap before she was off being chased by two males.
After a quick lunch and hanging out some washing at home (got to make the most of the weather!) I was off to Denbies. It was far too hot for me to get any decent shots but small heath, dingy skipper, common and adonis blues were around in good numbers and there was also the odd dingy, grizzled skipper, brown argus, brimstone and whites around.
This little blue was sitting around and didn't seem keen on flying although it was happy to feed. The wings were pure blue and looked like an adonis male but the abdomen was very swollen. I wondered if it may be parasitised or something?
I chose to go to Denbies and Heyshott today.
This morning it was cloudy at home but the forecast was better further south so I started at Heyshott. Once past Petworth the sun came out and it was a glorious morning.
Orange tip, small white, green veined white, brimstone, red admiral, speckled wood, common blue, holly blue, small heath, dingy skipper, grizzled skipper and duke of burgundy were flying. I still didn't find a green hairstreak but the day was too gorgeous to feel sad about that.
A common blue female had a lot of blue on her and I managed a quick snap before she was off being chased by two males.
This little blue was sitting around and didn't seem keen on flying although it was happy to feed. The wings were pure blue and looked like an adonis male but the abdomen was very swollen. I wondered if it may be parasitised or something?
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
Good to see you managed to get out and about! I reckon that the blue has a swollen belly as it's been gorging itself on nectar- could also explain why it didn't want to move, far too stuffed 
Have a goodun
Wurzel
I reckon that the blue has a swollen belly as it's been gorging itself on nectar- could also explain why it didn't want to move, far too stuffed Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
-
essexbuzzard
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:23 pm
Re: Susie
That Adonis does look peculiar though-i've never seen a male as fat as that!
I'm glad you thought one of my choices was worthwhile!
I would like to go to Denbies,too,and i'm off work on wed or thursday. But i would also like to visit some orchid sites in the Chilterns,as well as look for some of my scarce Essex species. But if i fail to see,say,an Essex Green Hairstreak,then i've wasted my day! Oh what will i do-and what will the weather do?
I'm glad you thought one of my choices was worthwhile!
I would like to go to Denbies,too,and i'm off work on wed or thursday. But i would also like to visit some orchid sites in the Chilterns,as well as look for some of my scarce Essex species. But if i fail to see,say,an Essex Green Hairstreak,then i've wasted my day! Oh what will i do-and what will the weather do?
Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: Susie
I have some video of the butterfly and it's abdomen seems to be moving so I do have a feeling there is something in there other than just food .... ALIENS!!!
I had wanted to go back to Denbies early to catch the butterflies while still roosting but I just could not wake myself up this morning so didn't get there until gone 9am by which time it was very hot and the butterflies were extremely active. It seemed more like the mediterranean than England being so hot so early. Many adonis and common blues were busy egg laying and the horseshoe vetch is better than it was this time last year but I certainly wouldn't call it lush. There were loads of small heath around, I think this is the best year I have known for them. A group of male adonis were feasting on a big, and particularly stinky, dog poo (I'll spare you the photograph!).
I spotted a couple of chaps with nets on the slopes and decided to have a "chat" with them. I was quite polite with my enquiry as to what they were doing. The last time I questioned someone about their use of a net, which was quite a few years back now, it turned out that he was putting butterflies into a site and had a licence to do so! Anyway, these chaps seemed quite defensive and said that they weren't taking butterflies and that they were after lace border moths, as if that made it alright. Grrrrr. Anyway, there was nothing I could do so I left them to it, but I left a message on the site ranger's phone just so he knew they were there. For all I know they could be telling the truth and be harmless, they just didn't seem like your normal friendly butterfly enthusiasts to me.
Female adonis blue - when I took this I though the spots were unusually large but now I think they aren't out of the ordinary.
I checked every blue I came across yesterday and today for signs of deformity or aberration but apart from one crumpled one yesterday and the one with the odd abdomen so far I haven't found anything so last years large number of aberrations must have been down to the weather.
I had wanted to go back to Denbies early to catch the butterflies while still roosting but I just could not wake myself up this morning so didn't get there until gone 9am by which time it was very hot and the butterflies were extremely active. It seemed more like the mediterranean than England being so hot so early. Many adonis and common blues were busy egg laying and the horseshoe vetch is better than it was this time last year but I certainly wouldn't call it lush. There were loads of small heath around, I think this is the best year I have known for them. A group of male adonis were feasting on a big, and particularly stinky, dog poo (I'll spare you the photograph!).
I spotted a couple of chaps with nets on the slopes and decided to have a "chat" with them. I was quite polite with my enquiry as to what they were doing. The last time I questioned someone about their use of a net, which was quite a few years back now, it turned out that he was putting butterflies into a site and had a licence to do so!
Anyway, these chaps seemed quite defensive and said that they weren't taking butterflies and that they were after lace border moths, as if that made it alright. Grrrrr. Anyway, there was nothing I could do so I left them to it, but I left a message on the site ranger's phone just so he knew they were there. For all I know they could be telling the truth and be harmless, they just didn't seem like your normal friendly butterfly enthusiasts to me. Diary entries for 2012 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.