In February, I visited RHS Wisley and the butterfly house. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was here that my Canon 10D died. I took many photos, most of which ended up plain black. These pictures were taken before the camera's demise.
Lee Hurrell
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
And so to 2014.
In February, I visited RHS Wisley and the butterfly house. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was here that my Canon 10D died. I took many photos, most of which ended up plain black. These pictures were taken before the camera's demise.
In a coincidental foretelling of how I would be photographing butterflies for the early part of this season, I also started experimenting with my mobile phone while I was there. With 8MP, my mobile has more than the Canon's 6MP. I found out later you can also adjust ISO, exposure value, take burst shots and macro images. As you can tell, I had some way to go!
In February, I visited RHS Wisley and the butterfly house. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was here that my Canon 10D died. I took many photos, most of which ended up plain black. These pictures were taken before the camera's demise.
In a coincidental foretelling of how I would be photographing butterflies for the early part of this season, I also started experimenting with my mobile phone while I was there. With 8MP, my mobile has more than the Canon's 6MP. I found out later you can also adjust ISO, exposure value, take burst shots and macro images. As you can tell, I had some way to go!
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
1st March 2014
I didn't get to explore my new home too much last year, something I am determined to put right this year. To start, I visited Howell Hill NR in Ewell, not very far from home, even walkable. It is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust and looks like a very lovely site. It's a chalk grassland site which holds Small Blue and Green Hairstreak and I aim to pay return visits to watch what happens throughout the seasons. All 4 Surrey Hairstreaks have been recorded here and that fills me with excitement!
No sightings on this day though.
Unless otherwise stated, all photos from here on will have been taken on my mobile phone.
I didn't get to explore my new home too much last year, something I am determined to put right this year. To start, I visited Howell Hill NR in Ewell, not very far from home, even walkable. It is managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust and looks like a very lovely site. It's a chalk grassland site which holds Small Blue and Green Hairstreak and I aim to pay return visits to watch what happens throughout the seasons. All 4 Surrey Hairstreaks have been recorded here and that fills me with excitement!
No sightings on this day though.
Unless otherwise stated, all photos from here on will have been taken on my mobile phone.
- Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 1st March 2014
- Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 1st March 2014
- Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 1st March 2014
- Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 1st March 2014
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: Lee Hurrell
Happy birthday Lee 
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Neil Hulme
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Happy Birthday from me too. And thanks for such a vivid reminder of those heady days last autumn when, for a short while at least, the Long-tailed Blue was a British butterfly! 
Best Wishes, Neil
Best Wishes, Neil
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Happy birthday from me too, Lee. Keep the images and reports coming.
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Pete Eeles
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Good man! And Happy Birthday, Lee!Lee Hurrell wrote:I didn't get to explore my new home too much last year, something I am determined to put right this year.
Cheers,
- Pete
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Thanks Susie, Neil, David & Pete. I've had a wonderful day, despite the weather.
There are many reports and photos to come
Lee
There are many reports and photos to come
Lee
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
8th March 2014 - Season Under Way
A visit to my Mum's in Somerset in lovely spring weather just had to produce my first sighting of the year. I wasn't disappointed
On 8th March, in the village I saw a Red Admiral and a Comma. My first species of the year had gone back to being a Red Admiral; it had been a Peacock for the last two years. 2014 was off to a start!
I went for a longer walk but saw nothing else, despite going to my favourite field and where there were many Commas last autumn. This really is one of my favourite places to visit and I never see a soul there. Complete tranquillity.
9th March 2014
The next day things had really woken up with all 5 hibernators seen. I saw a male Brimstone flying through the garden while just around the house there were 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Peacock, 3 Comma and 4 Red Admiral.
The photos do get a bit better... 
A visit to my Mum's in Somerset in lovely spring weather just had to produce my first sighting of the year. I wasn't disappointed
On 8th March, in the village I saw a Red Admiral and a Comma. My first species of the year had gone back to being a Red Admiral; it had been a Peacock for the last two years. 2014 was off to a start!
I went for a longer walk but saw nothing else, despite going to my favourite field and where there were many Commas last autumn. This really is one of my favourite places to visit and I never see a soul there. Complete tranquillity.
- Field next to Stone Wood, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 8th March 2014
- Field next to Stone Wood, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 8th March 2014
- Field next to Stone Wood, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 8th March 2014
The next day things had really woken up with all 5 hibernators seen. I saw a male Brimstone flying through the garden while just around the house there were 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Peacock, 3 Comma and 4 Red Admiral.
- Red Admiral, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 9th March 2014
- Comma, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 9th March 2014
- Comma, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 9th March 2014
- Peacock, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 9th March 2014
- Small Tortoiseshell, Brompton Ralph, Somerset, 9th March 2014
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To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: Lee Hurrell
Hi Lee, I really enjoyed your Long Tailed Blue entry it brought back memories of a very exciting day!
Best Wishes,
Hoggers.
Best Wishes,
Hoggers.
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Thanks Hoggers, it was a day to remember, that's for sure!
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
16th March 2014 - Surrey wakes up
After seeing 5 male Brimstone from my bedroom window on the 15th March, Sunday 16th was going to be a good walk. 3 male Brimstone were seen in Epsom on the way to Howell Hill, nearby in Ewell.
A further 15 male and 1 female Brimstone, 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 10 Comma were seen.
Another new site isn't far away: Warren Farm. This old farmland borders Nonsuch Park with it's manor house and a good walk around both (huge) made me want to come back again later in the year to look for hairstreaks. Warren Farm, like Howell Hill, also holds a Small Blue colony. Today though, 2 male Brimstone, 2 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Comma were seen.
I will certainly be visiting again.
NB - the photos on this post only were taken with a Canon compact (not sure of the model, it wasn't mine). Back to mobile phone photos from here.
After seeing 5 male Brimstone from my bedroom window on the 15th March, Sunday 16th was going to be a good walk. 3 male Brimstone were seen in Epsom on the way to Howell Hill, nearby in Ewell.
A further 15 male and 1 female Brimstone, 1 Peacock, 2 Small Tortoiseshell and 10 Comma were seen.
- Comma, Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 16th March 2014
- Peacock, Warren Farm, Ewell, Surrey, 16th March 2014
- Comma, Warren Farm, Ewell, Surrey, 16th March 2014
NB - the photos on this post only were taken with a Canon compact (not sure of the model, it wasn't mine). Back to mobile phone photos from here.
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
More Howell Hill
19th March - 2 Small Tortoiseshell were seen but no other sightings.
29th March - I have found a new way to reach the nature reserve, which takes me around some local field margins, woodland edges and mature hedges, which again look worthy of future investigation later in the year. Today though, they held my first spring emergee; a male Small White Also seen in the way to the reserve; 10 male Brimstone, 5 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Comma.
In the reserve itself, 7 male and 1 female Brimstone, 3 Peacock and 2 Comma.
19th March - 2 Small Tortoiseshell were seen but no other sightings.
29th March - I have found a new way to reach the nature reserve, which takes me around some local field margins, woodland edges and mature hedges, which again look worthy of future investigation later in the year. Today though, they held my first spring emergee; a male Small White
Also seen in the way to the reserve; 10 male Brimstone, 5 Peacock, 5 Small Tortoiseshell and 3 Comma. In the reserve itself, 7 male and 1 female Brimstone, 3 Peacock and 2 Comma.
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
9th April 2014
My first Holly Blue of the year at Barons Court underground station (which is above ground and has some big ivy bushes along one wall).
My first Holly Blue of the year at Barons Court underground station (which is above ground and has some big ivy bushes along one wall).
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Spring has Sprung (12th/13th April)
On the weekend of 12th and 13th April, I spent a family visit in rural Worcestershire. Spring officially started on Saturday 12th when a male Orange Tip flew through my nan's garden
The village is only 5 minutes from Grafton Wood, a BC reserve I always visit when I am there (although to date this has not coincided with the star attraction, the Brown Hairstreak. I may put that right this year). On Sunday 13th, in and around the wood, the number of butterflies was astonishing. 19 male Orange Tip, 2 Green Veined White (with other unidentified whites), 2 male Brimstone, 26 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Holly Blue. Phew!
Some mobile phone pictures:
On the way home driving south on the M40, at 4pm it was still blazing sunshine, so I figured it be rude not to stop at Aston Rowant I was glad I did, as along with the 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Peacock seen, a Green Hairstreak landed at my feet when I was heading back up the slope to the car park.
That makes 11 species by 13th April!
I couldn't resist this wise old tree.
On the weekend of 12th and 13th April, I spent a family visit in rural Worcestershire. Spring officially started on Saturday 12th when a male Orange Tip flew through my nan's garden
The village is only 5 minutes from Grafton Wood, a BC reserve I always visit when I am there (although to date this has not coincided with the star attraction, the Brown Hairstreak. I may put that right this year). On Sunday 13th, in and around the wood, the number of butterflies was astonishing. 19 male Orange Tip, 2 Green Veined White (with other unidentified whites), 2 male Brimstone, 26 Peacock, 1 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Holly Blue. Phew!
Some mobile phone pictures:
- Grafton Wood, Worcestershire, 13th April 2014
- Orange Tip, male, Grafton Wood, Worcestershire, 13th April 2014
- Brimstone, male, Grafton Wood, Worcestershire, 13th April 2014
- Speckled Wood, female, Grafton Wood, Worcestershire, 13th April 2014
I was glad I did, as along with the 3 Small Tortoiseshell and 5 Peacock seen, a Green Hairstreak landed at my feet when I was heading back up the slope to the car park.That makes 11 species by 13th April!
I couldn't resist this wise old tree.
- Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, 13th April 2014
- Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, 13th April 2014
- Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, 13th April 2014
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
18th April 2014 (Good Friday)
In somewhat overcast conditions, I had a long walk and explored the area around Howell Hill in Ewell, Surrey. On my new route to the reserve along one of the field edges, I found 4 larval nests of Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars, all in close proximity. Luckily there are a lot so nettles so they won't go hungry. I look forward to watching them develop in return visits. Nearby could have been one of the parents as 1 Small Tortoiseshell along with 1 Peacock and 7 Small White were seen.
I think these are both Small Tortoiseshell:
In Howell Hill itself, just 1 male Orange Tip, 1 Peacock and 4 Small Speckled Wood were seen. With the paucity of butterflies, I took to trying my mobile on some of the flowers.
Tomorrow's weather looked a bit brighter...
In somewhat overcast conditions, I had a long walk and explored the area around Howell Hill in Ewell, Surrey. On my new route to the reserve along one of the field edges, I found 4 larval nests of Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars, all in close proximity. Luckily there are a lot so nettles so they won't go hungry. I look forward to watching them develop in return visits. Nearby could have been one of the parents as 1 Small Tortoiseshell along with 1 Peacock and 7 Small White were seen.
I think these are both Small Tortoiseshell:
- Small Tortoiseshell larval nest, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
- Small Tortoiseshell larval nest, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
- Buttercup, Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
- Speedwell, Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
- Hawthorn, Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
- Dandelion, Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 18th April 2014
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Saturday 19th April 2014
Surrey Skipper(s)
I was hopeful of my first spring skippers today and Denbies didn't disappoint. I only visited the Silver Spotted Skipper field and searched well. After a male Orange Tip and a female Brimstone, first up was a Dingy Skipper.
A grey blur could only mean one thing...
It was what the forecasters call sunny spells, so the periods of cloud cover meant I could find and approach the butterflies when they stopped flying and they were quite docile. I spent a lovely couple of hours with the skippers.
Sightings for Denbies; 1 male Orange Tip, 1 female Brimstone, 3 Dingy Skipper, 2 Grizzled Skipper and this fearsome looking beast.
Sheepleas
I then moved on to Sheepleas "Nettle" Meadow, in between East and West Horsley, which I had been reading about in the Surrey BC magazine (also called Surrey Skipper). The branch has been trying to make it the county's second reserve (Oaken Wood at Chiddingfold is the first) but for now the meadow remains managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust as part of the wider Sheepleas complex. It is essentially a large square area surrounded by mature hedges, woodland and what looked like a stable. Sheepleas is a large area of many meadows with different flora types as a result of being farmed, or not. The "nettle" meadow contains mainly just that thistles and grassland. It is marked as simply "farmland" on the notice board map so presumably has been farmed until fairly recently with the farming resulting in the "weedy" (I read good for wildlife) plants. Another meadow that had escaped the plough holds primroses and cowslips for example. The wider woodland also holds hairstreaks, emperors and admirals, which means I will be returning in high summer
But for today, it had clouded over by the time I had arrived and no (adult) butterflies were seen. No matter, I came to explore after reading about it and I will be back later in the year. I walked the perimeter and did find a Small Tortoiseshell larval nest though although I didn't do a thorough search.
Just some of the many nettles.
Surrey Skipper(s)
I was hopeful of my first spring skippers today and Denbies didn't disappoint. I only visited the Silver Spotted Skipper field and searched well. After a male Orange Tip and a female Brimstone, first up was a Dingy Skipper.
- Dingy Skipper, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 19th April 2014
- Grizzled Skipper, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 19th April 2014
- Grizzled Skipper, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 19th April 2014
- Grizzled Skipper, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 19th April 2014
Sightings for Denbies; 1 male Orange Tip, 1 female Brimstone, 3 Dingy Skipper, 2 Grizzled Skipper and this fearsome looking beast.
- Agalenatea redii (Gorse Orbweaver), Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 19th April 2014
I then moved on to Sheepleas "Nettle" Meadow, in between East and West Horsley, which I had been reading about in the Surrey BC magazine (also called Surrey Skipper). The branch has been trying to make it the county's second reserve (Oaken Wood at Chiddingfold is the first) but for now the meadow remains managed by Surrey Wildlife Trust as part of the wider Sheepleas complex. It is essentially a large square area surrounded by mature hedges, woodland and what looked like a stable. Sheepleas is a large area of many meadows with different flora types as a result of being farmed, or not. The "nettle" meadow contains mainly just that thistles and grassland. It is marked as simply "farmland" on the notice board map so presumably has been farmed until fairly recently with the farming resulting in the "weedy" (I read good for wildlife) plants. Another meadow that had escaped the plough holds primroses and cowslips for example. The wider woodland also holds hairstreaks, emperors and admirals, which means I will be returning in high summer
But for today, it had clouded over by the time I had arrived and no (adult) butterflies were seen. No matter, I came to explore after reading about it and I will be back later in the year. I walked the perimeter and did find a Small Tortoiseshell larval nest though although I didn't do a thorough search.
- Small Tortoiseshell larval nest, Sheepleas "Nettle" Meadow, Surrey, 19th April 2014
- Sheepleas "Nettle" Meadow, Surrey, 19th April 2014
Last edited by Lee Hurrell on Sat May 24, 2014 3:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Diary entries for 2014 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: Lee Hurrell
Very nice photos of the Skippers at Denbies Lee a site I have yet to visit.
Mike
a site I have yet to visit.Mike
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
Many thanks, Mike, very kind of you to say. Not bad for my mobile!
I'd be happy to show you around Denbies if you do visit, it's a wonderful place.
Best wishes,
Lee
I'd be happy to show you around Denbies if you do visit, it's a wonderful place.
Best wishes,
Lee
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Re: Lee Hurrell
agalenatea redii for your spider Lee.
Chris
Chris
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Lee Hurrell
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Re: Lee Hurrell
That's great, thanks Chris. I'll edit the post.
Best wishes,
Lee
Best wishes,
Lee
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To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.