Botany Bay

[P.J.Underwood]

After a break of three weeks,I walked from the entrance to Botany Bay to the triangle.The wood is now becoming alive.I counted 18 Wood Whites,with more on the way back.They were behaving normally and confidently.Also seen were orange tips,a female brimstone,green veined whites,a small white and speckled woods.But a surprise was the little red fellow(identification please),and the young fawn-this photo is specially for Pauline!
P.J.U.

[MikeOxon]

I believe that your beetle is a Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis. There's a very similar one with a black head: Pyrochroa coccinea. They are fairly common but usually thinly distributed so it is always nice to spot one. Not to be confused with that garden pest, the Lily Beetle!

Mike

[P.J.Underwood]

Thanks Mike,you obviously know your beetles.
P.J.U.

[MikeOxon]

you obviously know your beetles.

That's a big extrapolation! I believe that there are over 350,000 beetle species and I know a handful - especially big brightly coloured ones

Mike

[P.J.Underwood]

I have been trying to take a photo of a Wood White with its wings open.Everyone seems to have them with the wings closed.So today a little luck.Not a brilliant shot,but enough to show the upperside of their wings.A Silver washed F. was seen by Don (from Yorkshire) today,about four Wood Whites,some Speckled Woods,a Red Admiral,a Brimstone some Meadow Browns,but very quiet compared with the same week last year.I note the usual flowers are not yet out,presumably due to the cold,and the butterflies are probably aware of this.
P.J.U.

[Pauline]

Thank you for thinking of me Philip. I have only just picked up your posts and that is a lovely photo of a fawn - wish I'd seen it. Hope to meet up with you soon tho I fear PE's may be thin on the ground.

[John W]

I have been trying to take a photo of a Wood White with its wings open.Everyone seems to have them with the wings closed.So today a little luck.Not a brilliant shot,but enough to show the upperside of their wings.
P.J.U.

Hi P.J.U.

I don't think I have ever seen a Wood White resting with wings open so very well done for getting that shot!

Cheers
John

[Jack Harrison]

Comment about PJUs Wood White

I don't think I have ever seen a Wood White resting with wings open so very well done for getting that shot!

And nor have I, the only brief open-wing (part from flying of course) is during courtship.

Could you tell us more PJU about that shot? The weather, how long it posed like that, etc.

And Guy: do all continental species of Wood Whites (Including Real's and the dreadfully named "Cryptic") normally settle wings closed?

Jack

[P.J.Underwood]

I am replying from the Brienne where there are Wood Whites everywhere.A different type I am told-cryptic or real.I'll ask Tony Williams whom we will see tomorrow.That photo of a Wood White was taken in flight-the only way I could do it.that is why it is not quite symmetrical.
The Brienne is Brilliant!Three of us have gone privately staying at Le Blanc.We have now seen both Purple Emperors,three Camberwell Beauties,both Swallowtails,Woodland brown,Large Chequered Skippers,banded Graylings loads of Fritillaries,etc and etc,and only three days gone.
Also the food is rather good!
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

The 11th July brought the situation of about 5 sightings of Purple Emperors the previous day-Mark,Nick,and Pauline's friend.Alas,on the 12th,nothing for me.But joy,the Silver Washed Fritillaries are now emerging in good numbers and lovely condition.
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

Could you tell us more PJU about that shot? The weather, how long it posed like that, etc.
Sorry,Jack,I was away when you added your post.It was a nice suuny day here at the time,and the first brood was coming to an end.She was fluttering around in a small area egg laying.This made it fairly easy to focus and I took about 6 shots in flight and this was the best.She stayed for about 3 mins.
Philip

[P.J.Underwood]

My first White Admiral.Well actually two.The sun appeared briefly,and then they appeared.Hopefully now P.E.'s.
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

Firstly,I saw my first second generation Wood White at Oaken Wood yesterday.Secondly,I saw the wounded probably as a result of the hailstorms we have had here.Thirdly,I saw a toad lumbering on the path towards me.There must be a moral somewhere.
Generally the numbers are down probably by 90%.But the Skippers,Ringlets and Meadow Browns are on the up.
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

Following my sighting of a solitary Wood White on May 2nd,and a further one seen at Vann some three days later,there has now been a lull for about two weeks due to the poor weather.Suddenly this afternoon I apprehensively made my way to Botany Bay for the umpteenth time.My garden thermometer registered 19 degrees,but the breeze was warmer than of late.I nearly didn't go into the wood,as the clouds appeared.Then Pauline turned up in her bright yellow car.So off we both went and the sun returned.This was the moment.The Wood Whites were emerging en mass.We saw about a dozen and due to the conditions they were amenable to be photographed.Here are a few of mine,but I am sure Pauline will have some crackers.
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

Today,May 18th was cloudy and very borderline for butterflies.I joined up with Philzoid and most of what we saw were hiding from the weather.I am posting three photo's of these thwarted butterflies-not enough sun to take off! For Philzoid I am posting a photo of an orange moth seen two days ago.This is different from all the yellow spots we saw today.
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

This is to record the sightings on the morning of Monday 8th July.The weather was perfect up to 30 degrees after two days of previous high temperatures.The first observation was the emergence of Ringlets.Last year their numbers were down,but they have obviously recovered.I noted my first Peacock of the season and also my first White Admiral.Another observer stated he saw five White Admirals.I noted my first Dark Green Frit. and the other person saw Silver Washed Frits.About six Wood Whites were observed.Speckled Woods were also around in numbers.Meadow browns were very common.The highlight was the first Purple Emperors on the ground.I also saw another in flight.I also saw this pretty moth-can someone help with identification please.

[Nick Broomer]

Hi Philip,

Well done for seeing the first PE at Chiddingfold Wood. your moth is the day flying Cinnabar.

All the best, Nick.

[Padfield]

And Guy: do all continental species of Wood Whites (Including Real's and the dreadfully named "Cryptic") normally settle wings closed?

I've missed the moment really, but certainly all the sister species (sinapis, reali, juvernica) invariably rest with wings closed. The only morsei I've ever seen did too, though I can't say they always do, and I presume duponcheli follows suit because if it didn't this would be a very useful way of identifying it (on those occasions when it settled wings akimbo).

Great to see the emperors, PJ!! Very nice.

Guy

[P.J.Underwood]

Thanks,Nick,if only you had been there to savour the moment........
P.J.U.

[P.J.Underwood]

Great to see the emperors, PJ!! Very nice.

Guy[/quote]
Thanks Guy,but my moment was made by seeing a large number of Swallowtails in Kandersteg,and all the lovely alpine butterflies which will take some sorting out.I am sure I will need help,also with my Croatian Blues and Fritillaries.Perhaps that is a task for the winter.
P.J.U.