Hoggers

[David M]

You really have an affinity with Small Coppers, don't you, Hoggers?

I haven't seen one personally for a few weeks now and I hope they will burst forth over the coming few weeks so that we can delight in their presence.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots of a brill butterfly Hoggers, the little cracker is certainly that

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Hoggers]

Warm thanks for your kind comments, Gents: I wonder if there are any other locations in the UK with Small Copper populations as large as at Dungeness?

I had an early finish at work so I though I'd drop in to Lydden Nature Reserve on my way home to see if there were any Chalkhill Blues yet. I usually only start to think about Chalkies in late July but everything seems to be running so fast this year and I'd read a report in "Sightings" of them being out in Sussex, so I thought it was worth a try.

Well, out they most certainly are

On the hillside I immediately came across three chasing around

I'd arrived at the hottest part of the day so others were just sitting quietly

Several more appeared

In total I saw around 15

It won't be long before there are thousands here

I found one female

As for other butterflies, I've never seen so many Marbled Whites, they were everywhere, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Small Heaths, Large Skippers too.

It was now too hot for me out on the hill so I headed back to the car feeling very pleased at having seen the Chalkhill Blues right at the start of their season.

[Wurzel]

Cracking shots Hoggers I keep checking my local Chalkhill site but none emerging yet but they can't be far off now.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Willrow]

Yes indeed Hoggers, most of us are chasing our tails just trying to keep up with the species emerging so quickly one on top of tother'

Your Chalkies are a delight among my many favourite species, at last count there were another 58 or so

Enjoyed!

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

[Maximus]

Great to see that the Chalkhill Blues are out in Kent, Hoggers, your PD represents Kent at its best
My sister lives in Hythe and Lydden is one of her favourite sites, which she plans to visit next week. I guess that the Chalkhill Blue numbers will have increased by then.

Mike

[Hoggers]

Thanks for your comments Gents,there'll be hundreds of Chalkies out at Lydden very soon, a spectacular sight.

Today I visited Beckley Wood in East Sussex just up the road from Rye. It's the first time I've been there but it's been on my radar since reading about it in Dave Brown's PD last year. It's a site that Dave recommended for seeing Silver-washed Fritillaries. They're scarce in Kent. I've seen the odd one at Hamstreet Woods and rather more at High Elms in North Kent so another site close to where I live was of interest, even if it meant crossing the border into Sussex..!

I arrived there at about 1030 and it was already very warm and sunny. Using the entrance on the charmingly named Starvecrow Road I was immediately on a wide flower-lined bright ride and Silver-washed Fritillaries were zipping up and down at speed but occasionally settling

And I was delighted to witness for the first time the Silver-washed Fritillary courtship flight, something I'd only read about in Thomas and Lewington, in which the female flies a steady level course while the male repeatedly swoops under her, then up in front of her again.

I followed one such pair when they settled on Brambles. A flurry of wing flapping ensued but the lady obviously wasn't impressed and gave him the cold shoulder

Lots of other butterflies about including White Admiral, Red Admiral,Comma, a Peacock, Essex and Small Skippers

Meadow Browns

and Ringlets, Speckled Wood, Large and Small Whites and a Holly Blue.

I really enjoyed my visit to this beautiful wood and its butterflies

[dave brown]

Pleased you caught up with them at Beckley. Now consider Bourne Wood at Hamstreet (nearer home). We saw 11 there the other day by taking the path up the small hill from the main entrance and following the main track with the coppiced area on your left. Stay on the main track and walk to the second crossroads with a seat.
Keep your eyes peeled for Purple Emperor as one was reported last year, but subsequent searches by us has failed to repeat the sighting.
Dave

[Hoggers]

Cheers Dave - I will give it a try!

Best Wishes,

Hoggers.

[Wurzel]

Cracking shots of the female Silver Washed Hoggers . I managed to catch up with some this weekend but we're still behind down here on the Chalk Hills

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Hoggers]

I was able to get away for a couple of days this week and head west to Heddon's Mouth in Devon. My target was the High Brown Fritillary the rarest inhabitant of this gorgeous hidden location. It's about 280 miles from home,the longest trip I ever make to see a butterfly in any one year, but every mile spent travelling there is repaid in full by the beauty of the countryside and the excitement of seeing such a rare and dashing butterfly.

Neil Hume saw High Browns here in good numbers about three weeks ago and was good enough to send me some advice on where best to find the butterfly. Armed with this information, enthusiasm and a good dose of "Jungle Formula" I spent the whole of 10th July at Heddon's Mouth enjoying perfect weather and High Brown Fritillaries

I guess I'd arrived towards the tail end of their 2014 season here because although there were plenty of them about numbers had dwindled since Neil visited and most were worn to a greater or lesser extent

At first I attempted to chase after these highly mobile creatures in order to get a photograph but invariably ended up falling on my backside: here's my typical viewpoint

and so I altered my tactics by sitting down next to a thistle or bramble patch and waiting for them to come to me

Like something out of a comedy I'd still manage to fluff the job even when employing this stealthy tactic. I will never forget the magnificent High Brown that landed right next to me but which flew away never to be seen again, un-photographed by me because as I raised my camera a single drop of sweat infused with "Jungle Formula" rolled down into my left eye and temporarily blinded me..!

The perils of chasing butterflies!

But I managed to get some pictures to take home with me nonetheless

As for other butterflies I saw many Silver-washed Fritillaries

Only one Dark-green Fritillary, faded and rather like a ghost

Small Coppers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Large Whites and Red Admirals.

But it was the High Browns that I'd made this long journey to see and thanks to Neil's advice I was able to see them better than I've ever been able to see them before

They have the same effect on me as Purple Emperors do on others

So all the bumps, bruises, bramble scratches and flies were worth it for a brief audience!

A magnificent butterfly

I can't wait to see them again next year!

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Hoggers,
Great report and some nice pics. Glad you found plenty as I was slightly worried there would be very few left. Next year I'll treat myself to a stay in the hotel.
BWs, Neil

[Hoggers]

Cheers Neil, I can highly recommend the Hunter's Inn. Staying in a pub has its benefits!

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated,

Hoggers.

[David M]

Great stuff, Hoggers. So glad you managed to enjoy an audience with one of the UK's most precious species.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Hoggers, great report and photos from the Heddon Valley

I can also thoroughly recommend the Hunters Inn, we stayed there for three nights last year as reported in my diary at the time.

Your report brings back some great memories Definitely somewhere that I would like to return to sometime in the next few years.

Cheers,


Neil

[Mike Robinson]

Some really super pictures.
The thing I really like about photographing Butterflies is that flowers, vegetation &c. can add immensely to the overall picture.
As we can see here.

[Wurzel]

Great stuff Hoggers The under wing shots really show of the colouration compared to the greenish tinge of the Dark Greens

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Hoggers]

Many thanks for you kind comments, they are much appreciated.

Over the years I've managed to see High Browns in North and South Devon and in the Morecambe Bay area. Wonderful butterflies in outstanding countryside. I'd like to see them in the Arun Valley one year too.

I finished work early today but haven't gone butterflying: It's too hot!!!!!!!

(And that's something I never though I'd hear myself say!)

[Maximus]

Great report and photos from Heddon Hoggers We camped near Heddon for several days from 7th July and managed to find some HB Fritillaries, eventually!

Mike

[Hoggers]

Hi Mike, I've seen your report - great stuff as usual. High Browns at Heddon Valley: magic!

I counted 24 Peacocks in my garden today!

Often 5 or 6 on one flower

One even landed on my camera as I stood watching them

A Peacock Bonanza!

Also a Comma and 4 Red Admirals but no Small Tortoiseshells ( or Yellow-legged ones either - yes, I'm looking!)

Ever hopeful

Hoggers.