Maximus

[Pauline]

Absolutely stunning!

[Wurzel]

Totally agree with Pauline By the way have a word with the OT's, they still haven't got here yet

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Maximus]

Thanks Pauline.

Thanks Wurzel, you must have seen them by now


We recently managed a visit to Noar Hill on a glorious spring afternoon. As we walked up the lane the Badger sett had bedding drying outside, a sure sign it was occupied.

As we entered the reserve we were greeted by a Chiffchaff, the first of many. We also heard a Buzzard mew and saw above us a Wake of nine individuals, the most I have ever seen together at once.

As we walked up through the chalk pits we saw many Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Brimstones along with several Commas and one very worn Red Admiral. We were treated to a quick flypast by a male Orange-tip but he wasn't stopping for any decent photos.

We also saw plenty of Bee- Flies (Bombylius major) and although it was fairly easy getting a shot of one on the ground it took longer to get the photos we wanted.

No sign of the Duke yet

[Wurzel]

Yep they got here yesterday - but didn't show any signs of stopping Great shots Mike, especially the Beefly - they're tricky little Bu££ER$ The Dukes can't be far away now...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Bee flies seem to be everywhere this spring!

[Neil Freeman]

Some great photos there Mike, especially that last Bee Fly I have these in my garden but haven't managed a really good photo of one yet.

Cheers,

Neil

[Maximus]

The Bee-flies can be tricky, you just need to find a laid-back BF and its easy. I believe the Dukes are now with us

Bee-flies are everywhere David, I even saw one today in the garden.

Cheers Neil, if they're in your garden it won't be long before you get some cracking shots.


The last couple of days have been spent catching up on those garden jobs which were on hold due to the wet weather. When in the garden I make sure that my camera is near to hand and sometimes this pays off. The first picture is of our last Orange-tip at the point of release.

Female Orange-tip release

Two male Brimstones paused long enough for a photo.

We also found the following larvae which I have so far been unable to ID, does anyone have any ideas, they were both approx 5cm in length.

Ist larva

2nd larva

We also had flying visits from, male Orange-tips, Small Whites and Small Tortoiseshells.

[Maximus]

We paid another visit to Noar Hill, once again in brilliant sunshine, although out of the sheltered areas the cool breeze kept the temperature down. After about twenty minutes of searching we found our first Duke of Burgundy of 2014, and how delightful he was.

Walking up through the reserve we found more Dukes.

While looking for Dukes we also found our first Green Hairstreak of the year, what a glorious butterfly this is.

There were lots of Orange-tips to be seen, but most were not hanging around for long. But I got lucky with this male nectaring on a Dandelion.

During our visit we saw a total of 8 Duke of Burgundy (always two males together in each location), 1 Green Hairstreak, 2 Green Veined Whites (also a first of the year), loads of Orange-tips, 6 Peacocks, 6 Small Tortoiseshells and several male and one female Brimstone. All in all we had a great day out in a really fabulous place, which for us means so much. Three firsts for us of the year in one visit!

[ChrisC]

I should know the first, but your second caterpillar I think is Old Lady,

Chris

[David M]

Great haul for mid-April. It can't be long before Green Hairstreaks are out down my way.

[Wurzel]

Cracking shots Mike - looks like you had a great day - hopefully they'll be around my area by Friday

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pauline]

Great photos Mike. I particularly like the first Duke and the first OT - striking!! I'm hoping to go back there soon to see the females

[Maximus]

Thanks Chris, it is Old Lady, as you identified. We googled it to make sure and to see what the adult moth would look like.

We were nowhere near a haul like this at this time last year. Just shows what a proper Spring can do. Hope you are seeing them right now in Wales, David.

Cheers Wurzel, I'm sure you will now have seen your first

Thanks Pauline, hope you get to see the females.


Our first two Purple Hairstreak larvae, (which were not kept in the fridge) pupated 26 days after hatching. These two larvae had a selection of Oak twigs to move around and feed on but were invariably always together, and appeared to follow one another around.

The first two 24 days after hatching

The lighter coloured larva at 24 days

The old larval skin still attached to the pupa

Pupae at 34 days after hatching

The Purple Hairstreak larvae we kept in the fridge are well behind these two. Of the original 17 eggs we collected only 5 hatched, some for reasons unknown although others had probably been parasitised.

Our Brown Hairstreak larvae hatched over a period of a week or so and the oldest are now 29 days. We also kept two back in the fridge longer and these have now hatched and are also well behind the others in their development, in fact they are very difficult to find on the potted Blackthorn plant.

Brown Hairstreak larva 29 days after hatching

[Pauline]

Great account of the Hairstreaks Mike and smashing photos.

[Maximus]

Thanks Pauline, they are fascinating to observe, always something to see, if you can see them


The first of the (fridge) Purple Hairstreaks we are rearing moulted again today at 16 days since hatching, I think that means they are in their third instar!

Purple Hairstreak larva 16 days old, moulting

[David M]

This forum is fast becoming a minefield of incredible images.

Superb shots, Mike.

[robpartridge]

Agreed, incredible pictures like these recently, and the forum is a great example of how modern technology and communications are taking forward our ancient fascination with the natural world,

Rob

[Maximus]

Thanks David and Rob, I agree the forum is great for displaying images and exchanging information.

The weather for a Bank Holiday Monday was much better than expected today and so we decided on a quick trip out to Wrecclesham to see what was on the wing. Before we left, though, I spotted a female Green-veined White fly into my garden and settle on some Honesty which my mother had given to me yesterday. It was still wilting from the shock of being transplanted into pots, so I was therefore surprised when I took a closer look and found the Green-veined White was ovipositing on the limp Honesty leaves. She laid about half a dozen eggs before departing, which gave me time to grab my camera and take a couple of photos..

The previous egg laid can be seen to the left and below her wing

Nectaring afterwards on Garlic Mustard

We got to Wrecclesham around two o'clock, but by then the cloud cover had increased and, although it was quite muggy, there weren't many butterflies on the wing. We did see a few Orange Tips, mostly males, and a couple of females, a Green-veined White, a couple of Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells and one Speckled Wood, which settled long enough for a photograph, my first of this species this year..

[Neil Freeman]

Great Hairstreak reports and Photos Mike, fascinating stuff

Cracking shots of the Gv White and eggs too, I particularly like the open wing photo on Garlic Mustard, great stuff.

Cheers,

Neil.

[PhilBJohnson]

Hi,
I really like the Green-veined White pictures. Very special I think.
Best wishes,
Philip