September 2013

[CJB]

To add to this incredibly flimsy thread, the only other thing to note was that it preferred to rest on rocks rather than plants; well surely that seals it........

Does anyone what the Cardinal's flight pattern is like?

The plot thickens, like a watered-down gruel..........

Flutter on!

CJB

[Padfield]

Hi all.

Firstly, to reply to the cardinal thread - the description so far emphatically does not fit cardinal (sorry to be a wet blanket). I'm not saying it wasn't one - just that the description is wrong. Firstly, cardinals (of the European, rather than North African subspecies) do not look dusky brown in flight. The males lack the orange brightness of silver-washed but the olive green is reflective and the whole effect is of a rather pale butterfly. This is even more true for the females, which have an almost matt paleness, like a seasick silver-washed fritillary. In the last three weeks I have seen one dusky individual but it was dusky green rather than dusky brown. Secondly, both males and females have a very unbouncy flight. As some will know, I have spent a lot of time recently watching for cardinals among many other species, including silver-washed, and the flight is very distinctive - direct, extremely powerful, with occasional flat glides but no bounce at all. It twists and turns on a mid-air sixpence - altogether far more athletic and muscular than silver-washed. I do hope I'm wrong and have misinterpreted the descriptions...

For myself, I arrived in Suffolk last night and cycled out to the East Coast at lunchtime today to see if I could share this incredible clouded yellow year. About half a dozen male clouded yellows were zooming around a field of ragwort and adjacent clover field. It was a real pleasure to see this species on my childhood turf. They were moving almost incessantly - and I saw one arrive from somewhere south of this patch - but I did manage a couple of record shots of two individuals:





Guy

[CJB]

Hi Guy,

There is now way I could possibly dispute your knowledge!!!

I did say that it was a flimsy argument!! Onwards and sideways!

Flutter on!

CJB

[MikeOxon]

I'm sure that many readers of this thread will be familiar with the story, in E B Ford's book, relating to A W Bennett's capture of a Cardinal in a valley near Tintagel. Ford, at the time did not know the European butterflies and suggested sending the specimen to a 'celebrated entomologist', who returned it with the words Argynnis paphia pencilled on the wrapper - and one antenna knocked off!

There are several lessons - it was seen as such an unlikely event that the entomologist didn't even consider the possibility, when he had a specimen in the hand, whereas the finder immediately recognised it, in the field, as something different.

I have never seen this species but Padfield's comment seems to demonstrate that they are, indeed, very different, when seen in the field. It is often these differences of 'jizz' (as birders call it) that are the key to identification and which make experts despair of trying to identify from a photograph, which misses out so many of the 'field characters'.

As a photographer, I have been reminded of this last point many times, and the only way forward is to develop ones own field experience. As I came into butterflies quite late, I find it difficult enough to manage the British species and fear that I would be totally overwhelmed by the challenge of becoming familiar with all the European species. I think it is one of those things best done when younger and more receptive to new information

Mike

[Cotswold Cockney]

Back in July-August 1969, on holiday in Cornwall, I saw several SWFs far removed from Woodland Habitats and in narrow country lanes with only high hedges resembling anything like a copse let alone trees. They alighted on bare ground too.

So who knows.

The year previously whilst watching Adonis Blues on downland above Lewes in Sussex, I saw a massive butterfly pass overhead a couple of metres and fly out to sea. A Monarch?Milkweed ? Who knows. I do not and never will now.

Move on several decades to summer 2006 in one of my favourite haunts since my schooldays, Edge Common in Gloucestershire. I saw what I believed to be a Scarce Swallowtail flying fast over the shrubby areas.

During the average lifetime for the Butterfly and Moth observer, there will be many mystery sightings like this which will remain and unresolved puzzle for the rest of their lives.

Your BIG Frit is just one of those...

That Edge Common grassy downland which was very extensive during my schooldays in the 1950s has seen much change. The open areas where both Pearl and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries flew in hundreds has now been completely overgrown with larger trees. Both Ash and Beech and that is now fast approaching the climax woodland so familiar on the tops of many Cotswold Hills which were previously open grassland. I suspect the open areas of remaining downland on Edge is less than fifty percent of what it was back in my schooldays.

Nothing lasts forever.

[selbypaul]

Spent the afternoon at Aston Rowant.

Probably around a week or so too late for Silver Spotted Skipper sadly. Saw none. Was also hoping for either Clouded Yellow or Red Admiral. Saw neither.

But there was a profusion of other butterfly species. Meadow Brown in particular were in profusion, plus Small Heath and Common Blue were also very common. In the wooded areas Speckled Wood were abundant. In one particular area there were lots of tattered Chalkhill Blue. Plus Small White and Green Veined White, the odd Brown Argus too.

The other thing missing was people. In 4 hours I saw one other person. On such a lovely day, I felt like one of the few people enjoying the last of the summer sunshine!

[CJB]

Good Morning Mike and CC,

Thank you for your responses and interest.

I take everything you have said Mike on board. It was one of those weird scenarios where the species looked out of place and as I am only a recent convert, I know I have a lot to learn, so am always receptive to new information!

I have seen a lot of SWF's at Bookham and that is why I wasn't convinced of its id and felt it was something different, including its behaviour. I freely accept that it is unlikely to have been a Cardinal but I can dream....!!

As CC has said

During the average lifetime for the Butterfly and Moth observer, there will be many mystery sightings like this which will remain and unresolved puzzle for the rest of their lives

.

Let's hope today's weather isn't the end of the summer and that there are plenty more weeks ahead.

Flutter on!

CJB

[Padfield]

I couldn't find any flowering broom or gorse this morning (for long-tailed blues) so went back to the coast to enjoy the clouded yellows a little more. I know everyone is probably bored with clouded yellow pictures, but my first two do have a nice East Coast feel, with a Martello tower in the background ...







Really lovely to see these beautiful butterflies in Suffolk!

Guy

[Jack Harrison]

Martello tower

Guy. You'll have to get your old dad to send us the potted history of Martello towers.

Were your sightings at Languard? That was the last place I saw Clouded Yellows - September 2007.

Jack on the Clouded Yellow no-fly zone of Mull. But at least it's brilliantly sunny here today unlike some other places I won't mention........

[Padfield]

Not Languard, Jack, but not too far away.

I'm very glad these coastal fortifications are failing to keep this particular foreign invader out! Conditions are right for other foreign invaders here too, though I didn't find any today before the weather broke.

Guy

[P.J.Underwood]

Guy,
Sorry to be a pain.I know you hate disclosing locations.But this looks so much like the territory of my youth-the sea wall between Shingle Street and Bawdsey.The days of secrecy in this area are long gone!
P.J.U.

[Padfield]

No, I never specify sites on the internet, even if a little detective work can usually reveal the location of my scenic pictures. There may be a thousand parties in a town but the gatecrashers all turn up at the one posted on Facebook ... And the thing is, what are now nectar plants will be the essential autumn and early winter food supply for finches very soon and I've witnessed the selfishness of photographers who want a photo. I'll gladly PM anyone in the region who has missed out on the CY phenomenon and would like a point in the right direction! And I've PM'd you with the location, PJ!

Guy

[P.J.Underwood]

Guy,
About 4yrs ago I went to Hod's hill for Marsh fritillaries and was amazed to see all the deeps had been trashed.At Wrecclesham 3yrs ago it was trampled to the ground.Thank goodness for Botany Bay where people keep to the paths.Tomorrow I hope to go to Oaken Wood that could do with a few more trashers!
P.J.

[Jack Harrison]

Guy makes a very good point:

...but the gatecrashers all turn up at the one posted on Facebook...

I must admit, I had never quite thought along those lines but it is a far better argument than the hypothetical worry about collectors.

For the record, I am prepared to disclose specific localities for Scotch Argus on Mull. They occur EVERYWHERE except my garden
None seen today, so possibly over for this year although a handful seen yesterday. THE butterfly of the moment is Peacock - literally eveywhere.


Devil's-bit Scabious - which is widespread and abundant - is a favoured nectar source.

Jack

[David M]

THE butterfly of the moment is Peacock - literally eveywhere.

Well, you definitely ARE three weeks behind southern Britain as most Peacocks down here estivated 2-3 weeks ago.

[Wurzel]

Small Tortoiseshell on the ceiling of my landing for the second night on a row, looks like I might be sorted for butterfly photographs through the closed season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[walpolec]

....as most Peacocks down here estivated 2-3 weeks ago.

Aha! So that's what happened to all of the Peacocks! That makes sense, thanks. (I had to look up the meaning of estivation though)

[Jack Harrison]

walpolec:

Aha! So that's what happened to all of the Peacocks! That makes sense, thanks. (I had to look up the meaning of estivation though)

I have to wonder whether Peacocks on Mull breed exclusively on nettles. Although nettles certainly do occur here, they are not ubiquitous* as they are in England.

*definition available on line. I used the word ubiquitous especially for your erudition** walpolec

**erudition.....

Oh shut up Jack!

[badgerbob]

For the last 3 days a Hummingbird Hawk Moth has been visiting the garden, I've tried a couple of times to grab a picture but as soon as the camera appeared the moth cleared off!! Today it stayed a little longer and I managed a few quick shots, not easy to get particularly with the wind blowing and the sun not shining but one shot I was quite pleased with. More on http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com

[David M]

Spent an hour or so walking down Cwm Tawe near Pontardawe and during the bright spells there was a fair bit of butterfly activity, mainly centred on the pathside buddleias which are still going strong.

Red Admirals were the predominant species, but I also saw Large & Small White, Comma, Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and even Speckled Wood nectaring on the purple blooms.

The most satisfying moment though was the appearance of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth; the first I've ever seen here in Wales. As others have noted, it's not an easy creature to photograph but they are an absolute joy to watch: