Long tailed Blues in Kent

[Marc Heath]

There have been up to 4 Long tailed Blue seen in the last couple of days at Kingsdown Leas,near Dover. I made the trip down today in the hope of connecting with this rare species in the UK and was not disappointed. After a 20 minute walk to the area I managed to see 3 Long tailed Blue, 2 males and 1 female. I spent the next few hours along with a few others watching and photographing them. I have posted a couple of shots below but more can be seen on my Blog: http://www.marcheath.blogspot.com

Marc

[Mark Colvin]

Nice work, Marc.

Definitely worth the effort

[Padfield]

Brilliant photos of a butterfly that is usually difficult to approach. Well done!

Last year we had a rare invasion of long-tailed blues in Switzerland and I predicted there would be lots of sightings in the UK - but there was just one, if I remember correctly. This year I haven't seen any and the UK is enjoying good numbers. I've seen the species in Brittany and the Channel Islands in the past and wonder if they reach Britain via the west, coastal route, not the central European, overland route.

Guy

[Vince Massimo]

A great find and terrific images Marc

I have sent you a PM.

Regards,
Vince

[David M]

Excellent find, Marc. We're spoiled at the moment with all these Clouded Yellows followed by a handful of Long-Tailed Blues.

What's next, I wonder?

[selbypaul]

I read somewhere that one had been seen egg laying. What are the chances of a small colony building up? Does anyone know whether there are any limiting factors such as winter weather?

[Padfield]

There is virtually no possibility at all of long-tailed blues establishing a colony beyond one generation becaue the species seems to have no diapause and cannot survive as a resident outside regions where it can be continually brooded. It's not even resident in the Mediterranean climate of the Rhône Valley in Switzerland, where its presence is determined solely by immigration.

Enjoy them while they last!

Guy

[mud-puddling]

Excellent find and images Mark; not envious at all

[selbypaul]

There is virtually no possibility at all of long-tailed blues establishing a colony beyond one generation becaue the species seems to have no diapause and cannot survive as a resident outside regions where it can be continually brooded. It's not even resident in the Mediterranean climate of the Rhône Valley in Switzerland, where its presence is determined solely by immigration.

Enjoy them while they last!

Guy

Thanks for answering my question Guy

[Lee Hurrell]

What a lovely find - great photos too!

It's so nice to hear of rare immigrant species to the UK species landing here, particularly after the washout last year and this year's cold start. After reading about "good butterfly years" historically in various old books for years now, it's heart warming to hear of these sightings.

Best wishes,

Lee

[Lawts]

What's the flight period like for this species? I can't get down to see them until a week on Saturday. I guess I'd be pushing my luck by that date but just thought I'd ask, assuming reasonable weather in-between.

[Padfield]

The flight period of the species is as long as conditions remain good - they're always still going strong in Switzerland in September (when they arrive at all, that is). But the individual butterflies, I suspect, are not long-lived. If there is more than one male in a site they will spend a good percentage of their time beating each other up - or rather, zooming up to the stratosphere in a spiral of testosterone. It is really annoying when you are trying to photograph them - if one ever sees another you can put your tools down and just watch, despairingly, as they disappear into the ether. They twist and dart over their territories incessantly, looking for rivals to do this space dance with, and I really don't believe they can keep this up for terribly long! So if the weather remains good and the butterflies are active I doubt these particular ones will be much to look at a week on Saturday!

Guy

[Lawts]

Thanks. I guess any live state equals a new species sighting for Britain. I'll not plan too much though!

[Marc Heath]

A female Long tailed Blue has been found this morning on the North coast just east of Reculver. Good amounts of Everlasting Pea here. Weather permitting I will go over for a look later but it's currently raining hard!! I suggest we all check out this food plant and have a good look over the weekend, there looks like there may be others.

Marc

[Neil Hulme]

Good advice Marc, I'm certain we are only seeing the 'tip of the iceberg'. Looks like I might be in Kent next week, before withdrawing for a closer look around Sussex.
BWs, Neil

[aeshna5]

Apparently still 5 or 6 still present. I saw 2 females- one in reasonable nick but the other was incredibly worn + tatty but the underwing pattern still diagnostic.

Plenty of other butterflies around including several Clouded Yellows, many Common + Chalkhill Blues, Brown Argus + a couple of Walls.

[Podster]

Probably too late now, but does anyone know if there are any Long-tailed Blues still on show in Kent and if so where.;

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Podster,

I'd be surprised if there are any of that brood still standing ... most were on their last legs a week ago. But we are eagerly awaiting the emergence of fresh, UK-born LTBs along the White Cliffs in late September/early October!

BWs, Neil

[Neil Hulme]

Hi all,
See http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... CMP=twt_fd
BWs, Neil

[Rosalyn]

Given the weather we've had recently, and the forecast, does anyone think there is a possibility the Long Tailed Blues will survive and re-appear at the end of the month?