16th May 2014 - Denbies Part One
After seeing reports from Susie that Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus and Small Heath were out and finishing early on a Friday, I had to visit after work, arriving at 18.00. I spent an hour and a half on site, walking parts that I hadn't on many previous visits; this really is a such a superb site.
There wasn't a great deal flying, most things seemed to have bedded down but eventually the flash of brilliant blue led me to a male Adonis Blue. I found several and spent some time just watching them. Common Blue were also about in good numbers along with Small Heath, which I couldn't get near to. They seem to have a sixth sense! A single Grizzled Skipper, a handful of Dingy Skipper and an odd looking Brown Argus rounded off a lovely evening.
With his forewings tucked away, the Brown Argus looked normal.
![20140516_185043.jpg (531.39 KiB) Viewed 507 times Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_864a4137d06b70db7ec1eb0af998b76a)
- Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
But when his wings popped up, it revealed a elongated spot, which made a square shape on the underside.
![20140516_185113.jpg (446.59 KiB) Viewed 507 times Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_d116f1c7146f4342cb1799dbb06bc78e)
- Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
Both sides were the same.
![20140516_185607.jpg (592.88 KiB) Viewed 507 times Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_00b62a12f8a2c5e88b0b091b3e383d48)
- Brown Argus, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_184600.jpg (441.07 KiB) Viewed 507 times Common Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_b49e31b836f6ce569749a19d2b591fc3)
- Common Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_184615.jpg (534.6 KiB) Viewed 507 times Common Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_4ec4ada5cb8635b7b4f8757c6c568eb0)
- Common Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
However, apart from the view, which never fails to take my breath away, the star of the show tonight were Adonis Blues. There is just
something about the light at sunset. Gets me every time.
![20140516_182325.jpg (523.95 KiB) Viewed 507 times Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_702f8fcfe080165f07f00e460e6d7d13)
- Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_183310.jpg (608.47 KiB) Viewed 507 times Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_2c3859a18eda3a92eb415ab1a092727b)
- Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_183407.jpg (551.98 KiB) Viewed 507 times Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_c43f93b20b524224cacfa78457a97fe3)
- Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_190112.jpg (541.25 KiB) Viewed 507 times Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_2d03b7b7a42f5bc02193b58ad69969a7)
- Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
![20140516_190159.jpg (537.48 KiB) Viewed 507 times Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_0c7130b24f484350477aa7f640ac8040)
- Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
Just part of that stunning view.
![20140516_191025.jpg (481.58 KiB) Viewed 507 times Sunset view from Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014](./files/thumb_6364_ac24a60f7b32394a563c99d0cbdbab3a)
- Sunset view from Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 16th May 2014
Sightings: 10 Adonis Blue, 12 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 10 Small Heath, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 5 Dingy Skipper.
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.