Cheers Nick for your kind comment
Cheers Neil
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
PBF's are one of my faves but you're right, they do fade quickly
Cheers Philzoid - agreed Brothers in Triumph, and long may it continue
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
And you never know Spurs might have a bad day
Cheers Susie for your kind comment - good to see you've added PBF to the tally too
Cheers David for your kind comment
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
- I've given up waiting for the weather to improve now so I'm just getting out there anyway
Cheers Dave
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
It makes a nice change for you to be envious of me
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
If you get the weather definitely get to Bentley Wood there will only be more of them by now.
Bentley Wood part 2
On Sunday I didn’t really get a chance to look through all of my shots as I was rushing in my excitement to get a posting out. So I had another look and there were a few that I’d skipped over and missed. So I thought I would post those as well because the weather for the next few days doesn’t look like it’s going to be up to much for butterflies.
![067 - Copy (2).JPG (142.11 KiB) Viewed 1155 times 067 - Copy (2).JPG](./files/thumb_9821_ea7d3fb72ed45ef519d3e1e8a7e0dc9f)
![117 - Copy-001.JPG (470.28 KiB) Viewed 1155 times 117 - Copy-001.JPG](./files/thumb_9821_56ac62b4d15380ea6b3aa3a06145cff5)
![428 - Copy (2).JPG (223.63 KiB) Viewed 1155 times 428 - Copy (2).JPG](./files/thumb_9821_6e7a4454fd32a4a5d930dc0bb888f82b)
I also did some reflecting about how we managed to find this species. Last year we headed out in similar temperatures and conditions but a week earlier. Like last year the day started bright but the sun disappeared from mid morning behind a thick blanket of cloud but that didn’t seem to be the key – Philzoid reasoned that temperature was the kick starter to bring them out from their hiding/roosting place and I reckon he’s right. The sun in the morning started to warm the site but the cloud that came over from mid-morning held the temperatures up and there the butterflies were. So it seems that brilliant sunny weather isn’t a must and they can handle the cooler temperatures just into double figures. But then this is the “April Fritillary”.
Also despite seeing the species across the range of Bentley Wood; Eastern Clearing, Cowleys Copse, East Howe Copse and along the rides to the crossroad and beyond, the area we found them in this year is pretty close to where we found them last year, in fact just further along the path. They seem to like to be on the dead Bracken and in amongst the previous years’ Bramble growth, venturing out along the twigs like tightrope walkers to warm up in the weak sun. So it’ll be worth checking this area in subsequent years.
In terms of numbers last year we found 5, this year only 2, but I’m not too concerned because the first was reported on the Bank holiday Monday and up until our visit no more were reported at the site so I think we were seeing part of the first wave of emergence. When we visited last year they had been seen in ones to threes for almost a fortnight before our visit.
The final thing I noticed was that one of the individuals from this year seemed much paler, more orange and cream than the orange and red on the underside of last year. I’ve posted a shot from this year and one from last year for a comparison. How much this comes down to lighting I’m not sure but to my eyes anyway there is a noticeable difference. I thought the same thing last year about the Small Pearls (browner and less “red”) compared to 2011.
![271 - Copy.JPG (212.15 KiB) Viewed 1155 times This year 12th May](./files/thumb_9821_6bd79ad391bf7ecb3c38631196367b73)
- This year 12th May
![268 - Copy-001.JPG (266.34 KiB) Viewed 1155 times Last year 6th May](./files/thumb_9821_9109bdfbda4433cedef0e01e0447cf78)
- Last year 6th May
This has to rate up there as one of my favourites as for me it is the first highlight of the year! Also the brilliant upperside looks fantastic against the dull browns and weak greens of spring and add to this the underside which is enough to get even the most uncouth Dorsetian waxing lyrical – sublime.
Have a goodun
Wurzel