Great Ormes Head.

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:15 pm

Please can someone tell me when is the best time to visit Great Orme to photograph the Silver-studded Blue, I was thinking of going weather permitting on the 20th June. Thanks Peter.

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:07 pm

A good place to start is Pete Eeles' diary from last year (page 24):

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=3977&start=460

I reckon this year we're 7-12 days ahead so my guess is that if you visited slap bang mid-June you'd be in clover!!

selbypaul · Post by **selbypaul** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:46 am

Hi Nomad.
I agree. I've seen them between mid June and end of July in the years I've visited. Although I'm not sure when the "peak" is
Paul

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 4:59 pm

Thanks guys, I have seen Peter's nice images, but missed his very informative blog post. I will either visit next weekend or the following one.

Peter.

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:48 pm

Let us know how you get on!

Cheers,

- Pete

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:29 am

Will do Peter.

Johncob · Post by **Johncob** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:41 pm

Just a tip. They are generally easy to find on the sheltered path edges that skirts the foot of the Great Orme leading from West Bay to Haulfre Gardens. I think its called Lovers Path !!
See last years image attached.
Let me know how you get on. Regards

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:30 pm

Just to let you know, I be visiting the Great Ormes this coming weekend, I will certainly post any images here. Thanks again for the helpful advice.

Peter.

maverick · Post by **maverick** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:25 pm

Ive just come back from spending a few hours at the Orm today,as i arrived at first i was unsure of where to find the silver studded blues but i didnt have to worry, they where all over the place.
Among other there i spotted small heaths, medow browns, large skippers,greylins,ringlets and fritillarys (not to sure what type as they where non stop)

maverick · Post by **maverick** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:31 pm

[attachment=0]DSCF2769.JPG[/attachment
i think i got the two sexes together

maverick · Post by **maverick** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:37 pm

[attachment=0]DSCF2751.JPG[/attachment

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:29 pm

I was able to enjoy lovely sunny weather during my visit to the Great Ormes Head above the seaside town of llandudno this past weekend. Arriving at teatime on the Friday, I made my way up to the rock rose carpeted slopes above the Happy Valley. At 5.30, the numerous Silver-studded Blues were still flying and basking in the late afternoon sunshine. Like Peter , I very much enjoyed the wide range of the blue females of ssp caernensis. By 7.30pm, the sun sunk behind the cliffs and caernensis settled down for the evening with many resting communally in the long grass and low brambles. Saturday promised to be a hot day and I was up in the Happy Valley by 7.30 am and already the blues were flying and basking in the warm sunshine. I was soon up among the rocks and cliffs above where the Silver-studded Blue were joined by a decent colony of the other Great Ormes speciality, the Grayling subspecies thyone. The Grayling on Great Ormes is a really hard butterfly to get close too, they instantly feel your approach, probably by vibrations caused by any movement.

After I had my fill of the glorious Happy Valley, I was off northwards towards the summit and was surprised to see the chalk flora give way to heather and dwarf gorse where Dark-green Fritillaries flew at high speed. After some refreshments at the main car park, I headed west to the Gogarth path back to llandudno. High above the sea on steep slopes, the Silver-studded Blues were again plentiful. Here along the path there is a large colony of the Graylings, but they are hard to photograph here and follow on the very steep ground. The winding path runs high above the West Bay and both endemics were found right along to Haulfre Gardens. I spent a interesting 15 minutes following a egg-laying Hummingbird Hawk- Moth as she searched for Bedstraw. Along with the butterflies the chalk flora is very special and I enjoyed seeing the beautiful blue Spiked-Speedwell and the rosy-red Bloody Cranesbills. All in all a wonderful weekend and a must for butterfly and nature enthusiasts.

: Limestone slopes above the Happy Valley.

: Male. Silver-studded Blue ssp caernensis

: Male

: female

: female

: female

: Male resting.

: Evening.

: Gogarth path looking north

: Grayling ssp thyone

: Feeding on Thyme.

: A mating pair high above West Bay.

: On tip toes, the rocks get hot during the heat of the day.

: A very pale individual above West Bay.

: Spiked Speedwell

Post by **Pete Eeles** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:41 pm

Great report and photos, Peter! Just wish I could fit in another trip myself; just too much going on at the mo!

Cheers,

- Pete

David M · Post by **David M** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:58 pm

Nice images. Those female SSBs are wondeful.

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:45 pm

Thank you Pete and David, I am pleased that you liked my images.

Regards Peter.

Willrow · Post by **Willrow** » Tue Jul 08, 2014 11:22 am

Don't know how I missed this excellent report...so much has been happening

Wonderful images and a good overview of this special place.

Much enjoyed Peter, thank you for sharing

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

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