millerd
Re: millerd
There is indeed, David!
Back home in the south, Saturday 30th August provided warm hazy sunshine, enough to tempt me out for a walk around my local patch. There was no shortage of variety, with once again seven species seen in as many minutes: Red Admiral, Comma, all three Whites, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood. Over the couple of hours I was out, good numbers of all these were seen, plus a Peacock, two Common Blues and several Small Heaths. The Red Admirals and Commas were largely new, as were some of the Whites and Speckled Woods, but both species of Blue were getting rather worn. As well as fermenting blackberries, and a wild buddleia in bloom for the second time, the ivy is now coming into flower and attracting the Red Admirals in particular with its nectar. Despite fluttering around the ivy a great deal, the Holly Blues were more inclined to nectar on what bramble flowers remained.
One extra point of interest was when a large and brightly coloured insect fluttered across the path - clearly not a recognisable species of butterfly. I tracked it down to where it had hidden and found it to be a Red Underwing moth: a large and very handsome species rarely seen flying during the day. Dave
Back home in the south, Saturday 30th August provided warm hazy sunshine, enough to tempt me out for a walk around my local patch. There was no shortage of variety, with once again seven species seen in as many minutes: Red Admiral, Comma, all three Whites, Holly Blue and Speckled Wood. Over the couple of hours I was out, good numbers of all these were seen, plus a Peacock, two Common Blues and several Small Heaths. The Red Admirals and Commas were largely new, as were some of the Whites and Speckled Woods, but both species of Blue were getting rather worn. As well as fermenting blackberries, and a wild buddleia in bloom for the second time, the ivy is now coming into flower and attracting the Red Admirals in particular with its nectar. Despite fluttering around the ivy a great deal, the Holly Blues were more inclined to nectar on what bramble flowers remained.
One extra point of interest was when a large and brightly coloured insect fluttered across the path - clearly not a recognisable species of butterfly. I tracked it down to where it had hidden and found it to be a Red Underwing moth: a large and very handsome species rarely seen flying during the day. Dave
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Re: millerd
Sunday 31st August: With reasonable weather forecast today, I made an effort to see some Brown Hairstreaks without going too far from home. This meant a shortish drive down to Bookham Common, where I was lucky enough to find one last year. I parked in the Hundred Pound Bridge car park at midday and set off down the small path at right angles to the main track. Compared to last year, the bracken has spread enormously along this path, and combined with bindweed and encroaching bramble, the blackthorn in some places is becoming swamped. I started to see a few butterflies: Speckled Woods and a couple of Meadow Browns, followed by two or three Commas.
As I progressed to where the path runs between hedges next to a field, I spotted a fluttering of orange in the next patch of sunlight. Round the kink in the path, there it was - a female Brown Hairstreak. It was a bit worn, lacking tails, but it briefly half-opened its wings before disappearing high into the hedge. However, within five minutes, I caught sight of another female down on a bramble leaf. This one was in better condition, but wasted no time while the sun was shining, skipping off to some blackthorn low down where she wandered animatedly in and out of the twigs looking to lay. If the sun went in, she stopped dead - completely invisible to casual observation - and then a burst of sunshine would revive her activity. After a few minutes, she re-emerged and basked again, before disappearing on the field side of the blackthorn hedge, where there were many more egg-laying opportunities. Unexpectedly, I had seen two Hairstreaks, and without really looking! I took a few moments to examine the younger blackthorn shoots nearer the ground, and within a short time, I had found an egg - only a foot above the ground at most. Another good result. I walked on a bit to where the hedge next to the field peters out and is replaced by wildflowers, and soon came across a Common Blue or two and a Small Copper. Pleased with a most successful outing, I ambled gently back down the path, encountering nothing more than a few more Speckled Woods and a Small Tortoiseshell. However, just before the car park, there is a small pond near the eponymous Hundred Pound Bridge, very overgrown but currently with some of the rampant vegetation cut down. I saw a Comma down there, briefly jousting with something smaller, so went to investigate. The something else turned out to be a third Brown Hairstreak, which obligingly sat for a few minutes before flying a little way to investigate some low-growing blackthorn. After emerging from here, it flew up into a tall piece of the same shrub (a tree, really) and stayed put. From here it was less than fifty metres to the car, but astonishingly I saw a fourth Brown Hairstreak before I reached it. One appeared at ground level, fluttering for some distance over the grass and settling briefly on it at one point. Having reached my car before me, it flew vertically up into an oak tree and disappeared.
Four individual butterflies, an egg, and some interesting behaviour - quite a walk!
(And Brown Hairstreak is my 50th species of 2014 too.
)
Dave
EDIT: I took some video of Hairstreak No.2 as she meandered through the blackthorn - and upon reviewing this I now realise I caught her in the act of laying the egg pictured above. now I'll just have to work through the process of posting the footage!
D.
As I progressed to where the path runs between hedges next to a field, I spotted a fluttering of orange in the next patch of sunlight. Round the kink in the path, there it was - a female Brown Hairstreak. It was a bit worn, lacking tails, but it briefly half-opened its wings before disappearing high into the hedge. However, within five minutes, I caught sight of another female down on a bramble leaf. This one was in better condition, but wasted no time while the sun was shining, skipping off to some blackthorn low down where she wandered animatedly in and out of the twigs looking to lay. If the sun went in, she stopped dead - completely invisible to casual observation - and then a burst of sunshine would revive her activity. After a few minutes, she re-emerged and basked again, before disappearing on the field side of the blackthorn hedge, where there were many more egg-laying opportunities. Unexpectedly, I had seen two Hairstreaks, and without really looking! I took a few moments to examine the younger blackthorn shoots nearer the ground, and within a short time, I had found an egg - only a foot above the ground at most. Another good result. I walked on a bit to where the hedge next to the field peters out and is replaced by wildflowers, and soon came across a Common Blue or two and a Small Copper. Pleased with a most successful outing, I ambled gently back down the path, encountering nothing more than a few more Speckled Woods and a Small Tortoiseshell. However, just before the car park, there is a small pond near the eponymous Hundred Pound Bridge, very overgrown but currently with some of the rampant vegetation cut down. I saw a Comma down there, briefly jousting with something smaller, so went to investigate. The something else turned out to be a third Brown Hairstreak, which obligingly sat for a few minutes before flying a little way to investigate some low-growing blackthorn. After emerging from here, it flew up into a tall piece of the same shrub (a tree, really) and stayed put. From here it was less than fifty metres to the car, but astonishingly I saw a fourth Brown Hairstreak before I reached it. One appeared at ground level, fluttering for some distance over the grass and settling briefly on it at one point. Having reached my car before me, it flew vertically up into an oak tree and disappeared.
Four individual butterflies, an egg, and some interesting behaviour - quite a walk!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Dave
EDIT: I took some video of Hairstreak No.2 as she meandered through the blackthorn - and upon reviewing this I now realise I caught her in the act of laying the egg pictured above. now I'll just have to work through the process of posting the footage!
D.
Last edited by millerd on Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: millerd
Congrats on the big 50 Dave - I've never reached those heady heights
Some great reports recently with cracking shots of a great range of species, those Commas are especially lush
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
Thank you, Wurzel - I haven't seen a Wall yet, so maybe number 51 is still possible...
31st August continued... After the unexpectedly productive sojourn at Bookham, as I was halfway there anyway, I carried on to Denbies. The main surprise here was the appearance of a van selling tea, coffee and a whole variety of snacky food - that wasn't here last time! So, fortified with a cappuccino and a piece of flapjack I set off down the slope. At this stage of the season, numbers were very much depleted, but Chalkhill Blues were still to be found, though invariably rather worn. Adonis Blues were less so, and some of the males still caught the eye with that glorious sky-blue. I saw quite a few female Blues overall, but when they are as worn as these were, telling the three species apart I find very tricky. There were also a few Brown Argus and a few Small Heath, quite a number of Meadow Browns with several mating pairs seen, and even one or two Silver-spotted Skippers. I spoke to a couple of chaps who intended to look for Brown Hairstreaks at the top margin of the hillside - I didn't encounter them again so don't know how successful they were.
Dave
31st August continued... After the unexpectedly productive sojourn at Bookham, as I was halfway there anyway, I carried on to Denbies. The main surprise here was the appearance of a van selling tea, coffee and a whole variety of snacky food - that wasn't here last time! So, fortified with a cappuccino and a piece of flapjack I set off down the slope. At this stage of the season, numbers were very much depleted, but Chalkhill Blues were still to be found, though invariably rather worn. Adonis Blues were less so, and some of the males still caught the eye with that glorious sky-blue. I saw quite a few female Blues overall, but when they are as worn as these were, telling the three species apart I find very tricky. There were also a few Brown Argus and a few Small Heath, quite a number of Meadow Browns with several mating pairs seen, and even one or two Silver-spotted Skippers. I spoke to a couple of chaps who intended to look for Brown Hairstreaks at the top margin of the hillside - I didn't encounter them again so don't know how successful they were.
Dave
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Re: millerd
Nice shots from Bookham and Denbies Dave, and a visit to Steyning might give you the 51
Mike
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Mike
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Re: millerd
I never cease to be amazed at the sight of certain species in decent nick that have long since disappeared in south Wales.
Brown Argus have vanished and Meadow Browns are looking ragged here.
Brown Argus have vanished and Meadow Browns are looking ragged here.
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Re: millerd
That is a great Silver Spot portrait Dave
Good luck with number 51
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
Thanks Mike - Steyning may be doable, definitely somewhere towards the south coast. Maybe I should wait for a third brood?
Things are hanging on in places down here, certainly, David - the Meadow Browns at Denbies were pretty fresh, by and large. Are they really one long emergence, not a second brood? Surely even the latest laid eggs from 2013 would have hatched long since and completed their life cycle well before now.
Thanks, Wurzel - nice to still see some Silver Spots some six weeks after the first ones were out. As well as possible Walls, do you think any Lulworths are left down near Swanage? I haven't seen them this year either.
Summer returned properly today, but I couldn't get away from work until four. At this time of year this left a very small window to see anything before the sun dipped low and the butterflies disappeared. I managed about an hour locally, and saw the same as at the weekend, with Whites and Speckled Woods predominating and a few Small Heaths and Common Blues making an appearance. Only one Comma and one Red Admiral were in evidence. There seem to be a lot of fresh Small Whites at the moment - towards the end of my walk, I was disturbing them from their resting places in the brambles every few metres. Dave
Things are hanging on in places down here, certainly, David - the Meadow Browns at Denbies were pretty fresh, by and large. Are they really one long emergence, not a second brood? Surely even the latest laid eggs from 2013 would have hatched long since and completed their life cycle well before now.
Thanks, Wurzel - nice to still see some Silver Spots some six weeks after the first ones were out. As well as possible Walls, do you think any Lulworths are left down near Swanage? I haven't seen them this year either.
Summer returned properly today, but I couldn't get away from work until four. At this time of year this left a very small window to see anything before the sun dipped low and the butterflies disappeared. I managed about an hour locally, and saw the same as at the weekend, with Whites and Speckled Woods predominating and a few Small Heaths and Common Blues making an appearance. Only one Comma and one Red Admiral were in evidence. There seem to be a lot of fresh Small Whites at the moment - towards the end of my walk, I was disturbing them from their resting places in the brambles every few metres. Dave
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Re: millerd
A Green-veined White was nearly on the doorstep when I arrived home this evening at half five.
Dave
I had seen a fresh-looking Holly Blue earlier in the day around some ivy very close to the office at Bedfont Lakes. Far too nice a day to be at work... ![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Dave
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Re: millerd
Lovely Whites Dave
The last Lulworth I saw was in mid August and it was pretty shabby looking although it wasn't at Durlston where they seem to last longer
Your best bet would be to check the 'Daily Diary' on the Durlston website or maybe give them a ring? Good luck with it
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
No sign of any Lulworths left at Durlston by the look of it, Wurzel.
Never mind - More effort needs to be made next year.
Saturday 6th September: The sun started to filter through at lunchtime, so following the advice of Maximus, I thought I'd try for some more Graylings down at Pirbright. On the way down, where the A322 bypasses Lightwater, an unmistakeable Clouded Yellow flew across the road in front of me - good thing there was no traffic around! On arrival, I wandered gently all over the site, and though it was mostly warm bright overcast rather than true sunshine I did indeed find a few Graylings - perhaps half a dozen. They were very difficult to get close to as usual - or rather you could get very close, but you wouldn't actually know it until the butterfly launched itself from under your feet, up and away, jinking behind the gorse clumps and disappearing again. One pale wraith of an insect flew slightly differently, and turned out to be the most decrepit Small Tortoiseshell I've seen in quite a while. Shortly afterwards, however, I finally tracked a Grayling to ground as a thicker bit of cloud came over. I saw my first one here this year on 13th July, nearly two months ago - I had no idea they had such a long season or I'd have sought them out in September before. After this little bit of success, a bright orange blur whizzed across in front of me and turned into a Small Copper. It seemed quite content to fly, bask and nectar under the overcast skies. There were one or two Green-veined Whites around as well.
Returning home, the sun made more of an effort, so I had a look at my local patch too. Speckled Woods continue to emerge all along the riverside path and elsewhere, and I probably saw a good dozen altogether. A few Small Heaths were still fluttering low over the meadow area, and there were quite a few Small and Green-veined Whites: one of the latter was very yellow underneath, but sadly none was allowing any close approaches. This was unlike the last butterfly I saw, a Red Admiral patrolling one of the usual territories. If I stood still in full sun, it repeatedly came and sat on me for a few seconds at a time, even settling briefly on my hand if I stuck my arm out. I must appear very tree-like...
Dave
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Saturday 6th September: The sun started to filter through at lunchtime, so following the advice of Maximus, I thought I'd try for some more Graylings down at Pirbright. On the way down, where the A322 bypasses Lightwater, an unmistakeable Clouded Yellow flew across the road in front of me - good thing there was no traffic around! On arrival, I wandered gently all over the site, and though it was mostly warm bright overcast rather than true sunshine I did indeed find a few Graylings - perhaps half a dozen. They were very difficult to get close to as usual - or rather you could get very close, but you wouldn't actually know it until the butterfly launched itself from under your feet, up and away, jinking behind the gorse clumps and disappearing again. One pale wraith of an insect flew slightly differently, and turned out to be the most decrepit Small Tortoiseshell I've seen in quite a while. Shortly afterwards, however, I finally tracked a Grayling to ground as a thicker bit of cloud came over. I saw my first one here this year on 13th July, nearly two months ago - I had no idea they had such a long season or I'd have sought them out in September before. After this little bit of success, a bright orange blur whizzed across in front of me and turned into a Small Copper. It seemed quite content to fly, bask and nectar under the overcast skies. There were one or two Green-veined Whites around as well.
Returning home, the sun made more of an effort, so I had a look at my local patch too. Speckled Woods continue to emerge all along the riverside path and elsewhere, and I probably saw a good dozen altogether. A few Small Heaths were still fluttering low over the meadow area, and there were quite a few Small and Green-veined Whites: one of the latter was very yellow underneath, but sadly none was allowing any close approaches. This was unlike the last butterfly I saw, a Red Admiral patrolling one of the usual territories. If I stood still in full sun, it repeatedly came and sat on me for a few seconds at a time, even settling briefly on my hand if I stuck my arm out. I must appear very tree-like...
Dave
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Re: millerd
Hi Dave,millerd wrote:...No sign of any Lulworths left at Durlston by the look of it...
Dave
Just returned from Dorset this afternoon, visited Durlston a couple of times last week and didn't find any Lulworths there this year. The past couple of years they have still been around at this time albeit mostly rather faded.
Just catching up with your diary, great reports and interesting to see how things are doing in your neck of the woods.
Cheers,
Neil.
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Re: millerd
Cracking stuff Dave, that Small Tort is practically an OAB
On behalf of Dorset I apologize for the lack of Lulworths, we will try to do better next year
Also does that Small Copper have traces of blue spots?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
Thanks for your comments, chaps! Yes, Wurzel, that Small Copper does have some blue scales, and I saw another like it today. They don't seem to be that unusual, though really significant spots probably are. (Dorset is forgiven, by the way.
)
Sunday 7th September: the sun came out at midday, as the trailing cloudy edge of a defunct cold front moved very slowly southeast. So slowly in fact that I overtook it again crawling along the M25 down to Bookham. My success with Brown Hairstreaks was not repeated today, though by two o'clock conditions were warm, sunny and absolutely windless. I did however see a few Small Coppers: I think there are three different individuals here, one of them with some small blue spots. There were also a couple of Speckled Woods, a Green-veined White, a Peacock, a Red Admiral, and a Comma. Part Two:
Like last weekend, I carried on down to Denbies, and the sun had managed to get there ahead of me. There were still plenty of fresh-looking Meadow Browns and some fairly new Small Heaths, but everything else seemed to be well on the way to worn out now. The female Blues were especially difficult to identify, but I think one Adonis was recognisable. There were half a dozen or so male Adonis still gleaming brightly as well, and even a couple of male Chalkhills that were just about flying. I saw nothing that I would have said was a Common Blue, but there were a few Brown Argus around. I did find one female Silver-spotted Skipper, which was alternately nectaring and looking to lay eggs. She eventually found a tiny tuft of suitable grass in a rabbit scrape. Returning to the top of Steers Field for a cup of tea (the refreshment van was there again), I spotted a Painted Lady basking on the brambles. It looked far from new and I suppose could be a recent arrival on the winds from the continent. A bit further on there was also a Comma, sitting on a faded bramble leaf looking very autumnal. Dave
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Sunday 7th September: the sun came out at midday, as the trailing cloudy edge of a defunct cold front moved very slowly southeast. So slowly in fact that I overtook it again crawling along the M25 down to Bookham. My success with Brown Hairstreaks was not repeated today, though by two o'clock conditions were warm, sunny and absolutely windless. I did however see a few Small Coppers: I think there are three different individuals here, one of them with some small blue spots. There were also a couple of Speckled Woods, a Green-veined White, a Peacock, a Red Admiral, and a Comma. Part Two:
Like last weekend, I carried on down to Denbies, and the sun had managed to get there ahead of me. There were still plenty of fresh-looking Meadow Browns and some fairly new Small Heaths, but everything else seemed to be well on the way to worn out now. The female Blues were especially difficult to identify, but I think one Adonis was recognisable. There were half a dozen or so male Adonis still gleaming brightly as well, and even a couple of male Chalkhills that were just about flying. I saw nothing that I would have said was a Common Blue, but there were a few Brown Argus around. I did find one female Silver-spotted Skipper, which was alternately nectaring and looking to lay eggs. She eventually found a tiny tuft of suitable grass in a rabbit scrape. Returning to the top of Steers Field for a cup of tea (the refreshment van was there again), I spotted a Painted Lady basking on the brambles. It looked far from new and I suppose could be a recent arrival on the winds from the continent. A bit further on there was also a Comma, sitting on a faded bramble leaf looking very autumnal. Dave
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Re: millerd
That's an impressive collection of species for early September, Dave.
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Re: millerd
I agree with David that is an impressive selection for September Dave - especially a Silver Spot in such good nick
Also is it just me or is that Painted Lady a pretty dark example?
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
It has been good to see so many species still going strong, and the continuing good weather will no doubt prolong things even further. Looking back, that was quite a dusky Painted Lady, but I've seen so few lately that I had forgotten what they usually look like - and it was a bit worn too.
Wednesday 10th September: only the briefest look locally late in the day after work. Briefer than intended in fact, as my normal walk has suddenly been obstructed by a rather unexpected encampment of folk who were thoroughly suspicious of me breezing along nearby with a camera. I can't see Heathrow Airport being happy with the situation for long (it's their land I believe), so we shall see what happens. Anyway, back to the butterflies. There were half a dozen very fresh Speckled Woods by the River Colne, plus a couple Whites, which interestingly enough were both Large ones. There was also just one tired old Red Admiral, and that was it. One of the Speckled Woods was darker than usual with reduced spotting, but didn't come close enough or open up enough for a decent photo. Dave
Wednesday 10th September: only the briefest look locally late in the day after work. Briefer than intended in fact, as my normal walk has suddenly been obstructed by a rather unexpected encampment of folk who were thoroughly suspicious of me breezing along nearby with a camera. I can't see Heathrow Airport being happy with the situation for long (it's their land I believe), so we shall see what happens. Anyway, back to the butterflies. There were half a dozen very fresh Speckled Woods by the River Colne, plus a couple Whites, which interestingly enough were both Large ones. There was also just one tired old Red Admiral, and that was it. One of the Speckled Woods was darker than usual with reduced spotting, but didn't come close enough or open up enough for a decent photo. Dave
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Re: millerd
Great shots of the Specklies Dave
I never realized how much variation they seem to show, something I'l have to have a look at next year along with Hedge Browns and Meadow Browns...
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: millerd
They are worth a bit of study, Wurzel. Taken for granted most of the time until there's not much else around.
Friday 12th September: I had a chance to pop briefly into Aston Rowant en route to pick up a son from Cherwell Valley. It was warm and mostly overcast, and I didn't see a great deal. However, at the bottom of the slope, there were Brown Argus at regular intervals, easily a dozen in all. There were a few Blues as well, mostly Common Blues, but I think one was a female Adonis by the deep hue of the blue scales and hints of chequering on what remained of the fringes - easier to see in life than on the photos I took. I also saw a couple of Small Heath, and that was about it. I would like to have spent a bit more time as the sun was about to come out, but I probably would have just seen more of the same.
Dave
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Friday 12th September: I had a chance to pop briefly into Aston Rowant en route to pick up a son from Cherwell Valley. It was warm and mostly overcast, and I didn't see a great deal. However, at the bottom of the slope, there were Brown Argus at regular intervals, easily a dozen in all. There were a few Blues as well, mostly Common Blues, but I think one was a female Adonis by the deep hue of the blue scales and hints of chequering on what remained of the fringes - easier to see in life than on the photos I took. I also saw a couple of Small Heath, and that was about it. I would like to have spent a bit more time as the sun was about to come out, but I probably would have just seen more of the same.
Dave
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Re: millerd
Sunday 14th September: Firstly a walk along the Thames Path at Runnymede at lunchtime, and not a lot flying. One Red Admiral tore along the line of the river (downstream) at one point as I walked along concentrating on the blackthorn hedge that lies between the path and the Thames on the Surrey bank. I have yet to see a Brown Hairstreak here, though the hedge looks ideal. Today however I did see a bright orange insect fly up from low down and disappear over the top of the hedge, but I've seen too many false alarms to be certain of its identity. I think a winter egg search is the only sure way of knowing whether they are here. Immediately after this, a Meadow Brown fluttered up from the grass, but that was about all.
Returning home, a brief look near to home threw up more and more Speckled Woods, including one (The same? Another?) with the spotting rather obscured. There were at least four Red Admirals, several Large Whites, and at one point a fresh-looking Holly Blue was disturbed by a Speckled Wood and disappeared into the ivy generously festooning many of the trees. Still worth going out as often as possible while the sunshine lasts (though to be fair, all the above sightings were made in bright rather than sunny conditions). I saw a Speckled Wood yesterday too, very close to home, but all I could do was watch it fly unerringly into the clutches of a large (and by now, no doubt larger) garden spider.
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