Sunday 16.3.2014 Bishopstoke to Home along the Itchen Navigation
I set out on Sunday with the hope of finding my first Comma and Red admiral of the year and perhaps some early non hibernators. Luckily the weather was fantastic again and my wife and boys had gone to LEGOLAND with friends for the day, leaving me with the day to myself
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
The only downside was I had no car so I got them to drop me off on their way out at 9am. I often walk for an hour along the Itchen Way whilst my youngest son has football training. So I had the ambitious idea of starting from there and walking the whole route and continue on to home, on foot. I estimated this to be a three hour walk if I did not stop. Not being in any hurry and expecting plenty of butterflies to enjoy on the way I guessed it would probably take me twice that, I was not far off
As I started along the Itchen Way footpath I noticed the signs warning of flooding along the route. These were rather vague so I pressed on
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
I had not got very far when I found the pathway underwater
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
I got as far as I could until the water was almost at the top of my wellies but I had to turn back as it became too deep and quite unsafe. At this point I managed to drop my rucksack in the river complete with camera, phone and shoes
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Thank goodness I was able to retrieve it immediately before any damage was done. Not a good start
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
After taking a slight detour to avoid this flooded section, I continued with the risk that I might have to turn back at some point further on.
![DSCN9013 - Copy.JPG (295.44 KiB) Viewed 505 times The Flooded Path which nearly saw me loose my rucksack and its contents!](./files/thumb_11661_589cc19b02b5a7dfd9366a902af92941)
- The Flooded Path which nearly saw me loose my rucksack and its contents!
![DSCN9062 - Copy.JPG (322.96 KiB) Viewed 505 times Comma](./files/thumb_11661_fb79871d95f4a5565bb2ae077d308c61)
- Comma
![DSCN9035 - Copy.JPG (289.45 KiB) Viewed 505 times Comma](./files/thumb_11661_bdc74615c0c560f1ca6b0090862eac35)
- Comma
Luckily my early start meant even with my little escapade with the flood I managed to arrive at one of the main hotspots just in time to see my first butterflies of the day at just after 10am. A couple of Peacocks nectaring high up on Sallow
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
It was not long before the first of many Brimstone appeared. These first couple of Brimstone giving me my only Brimstone photo opportunity of the day at about 10.15. I unfortunately was too slow to capitalise on this and missed out
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
these were the only two I saw stopping for nectar all day. It was not long before I spotted my first Comma of the year
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I spent quite a while here, counting 8 Brimstone, 3 Comma, 4 Peacock and 3 Small Tortoiseshell on my first circuit of the area. From this point on I saw a steady flow of Brimstone and the occasional Peacock for the next hour or so. I was almost at the point where the Itchen Way passes under the M27 when I ran into another stretch of flooded path. Luckily the level here did not rise above my boots and I could continue without having to turn back. Around the corner my reward was an oasis of butterfly activity along the bank of the river. Several Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell all putting on a good show. The action now seemed to be hotting up in the warm afternoon sunshine.
![DSCN9022 - Copy.JPG (323.96 KiB) Viewed 505 times Peacock taking nutrients from the ground](./files/thumb_11661_d8023b0bbdd3da41fc0abb201d619d8a)
- Peacock taking nutrients from the ground
![DSCN9059 - Copy.JPG (336.34 KiB) Viewed 505 times Peacock](./files/thumb_11661_13b4cf34ceffb74331c67da2395562ab)
- Peacock
![DSCN9031 - Copy.JPG (313.32 KiB) Viewed 505 times Comma](./files/thumb_11661_9195d72e04f75ed57badc1f3d7ba1491)
- Comma
I was now on the homeward stretch. After a short section on the road, a quick detour to investigate a patch of Elm Trees and a change of footwear ( by now my shoes had dried out
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
) I headed cross country around West End. I found a path around the edge of a large field along which there seemed to be Comma, Peacock or Small Tortoiseshell every few feet occasionally spiralling off into the air when they would encroach on anothers turf. By now it was mid afternoon and the Brimstones seemed to be dwindling away but there were definitely more Commas around
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Close to home and one of the last butterflies of the day was a white one which fluttered across the road in front of me, just too far away for a positive id. I would guess it was Small White but could not be positive. I thought that would be it for the day, but as I was almost within sight of home there were still a couple of Comma and Peacock fighting for territory at gone 3.30pm. One of these Comma had very unusual markings with blueish spots on the hindwings. I will return to try and get a better photo of this as it is only 5 minutes away.
![DSCN9072 - Copy.JPG (315.62 KiB) Viewed 505 times Peacock close to home](./files/thumb_11661_823b93f3e965db63063f5b7da814296b)
- Peacock close to home
![DSCN9074 - Copy.JPG (311.11 KiB) Viewed 505 times Unusually marked Comma close to home](./files/thumb_11661_87c68cb4bb4bf20fe1abd4b883a8c313)
- Unusually marked Comma close to home
No Red Admirals but very pleased with my Comma and no sign of a female Brimstone yet. A fantastic end to another great (and tiring) day so early in the season.
Total tally for the day
Brimstone 27
Peacock 23
Comma 18
Small Tortoisesehll 17
Small White 1 (possible)