Neil Freeman
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Sunday 21st September
After a dull and dreary Saturday, Sunday was forecast to be much better and after a cold night the morning started off well with some good sun. By mid-morning it had started to warm up nicely with a least 3 different male Specklies dancing about and chasing each other around the garden.
By late morning however, clouds had started to build up and by the time I had an hour or so free in the afternoon, it had become mostly overcast with just occasional short sunny spells. As I had not been out to any of my local spots since before my week in Dorset, I decided to nip around to Bickenhill to see what I could find.
The conditions were far from ideal with the clouds getting thicker and darker and a bit of a breeze that had a cool feel to it but nevertheless I saw half a dozen Speckled Woods, plus a couple of Commas and a single Green-veined White.
In the end, a day that failed to live up to the promise of the forecast, a shame really as at this stage of the season, each time out could potentially be the last. Checking my notes from last year I see that I managed to get out on each of the last weekends in September and into early October so here's fingers crossed for the next few weeks.
Bye for now,
Neil.
After a dull and dreary Saturday, Sunday was forecast to be much better and after a cold night the morning started off well with some good sun. By mid-morning it had started to warm up nicely with a least 3 different male Specklies dancing about and chasing each other around the garden.
By late morning however, clouds had started to build up and by the time I had an hour or so free in the afternoon, it had become mostly overcast with just occasional short sunny spells. As I had not been out to any of my local spots since before my week in Dorset, I decided to nip around to Bickenhill to see what I could find.
The conditions were far from ideal with the clouds getting thicker and darker and a bit of a breeze that had a cool feel to it but nevertheless I saw half a dozen Speckled Woods, plus a couple of Commas and a single Green-veined White.
In the end, a day that failed to live up to the promise of the forecast, a shame really as at this stage of the season, each time out could potentially be the last. Checking my notes from last year I see that I managed to get out on each of the last weekends in September and into early October so here's fingers crossed for the next few weeks.
Bye for now,
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
Some lovely autumnal shots there Neil and I particularly like the GVW image - lovely ![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
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.
Re: nfreem
I agree with Pauline Neil - that Green-veined White is a cracker and great to see some of those Specklies in such good nick
Have a goodun
Wurzel
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Thanks Pauline and Wurzel for your comments, very much appreciated as always
Friday 26.09.2014
Not a bad week weatherwise it seems, or at least the bits of it I have seen whilst at work seemed rather pleasant for late September. The opportunities to see anything in the garden are diminishing rapidly now with just a short window between getting home from work and the sun getting too low.
Nevertheless, most afternoons I have seen something, usually a few Specklies or one or two Red Admirals that have been attracted to the Ivy flowers.
This week there has been a significant increase in leaves falling from the trees and it is feeling decidedly nippy in the morning on my way to work. Nightime temperatures earlier in the week were down to low single figures and the word 'frost' was mentioned a couple of times on the local weather forecasts. Since then, there has been more cloud about at night which has kept the temperature up a bit and today there was a warm feel to the slight breeze. The weekend is not looking too bad, warm and dry but possibly a lot of cloud about, fingers crossed.
Bye for now,
Neil.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Friday 26.09.2014
Not a bad week weatherwise it seems, or at least the bits of it I have seen whilst at work seemed rather pleasant for late September. The opportunities to see anything in the garden are diminishing rapidly now with just a short window between getting home from work and the sun getting too low.
Nevertheless, most afternoons I have seen something, usually a few Specklies or one or two Red Admirals that have been attracted to the Ivy flowers.
This week there has been a significant increase in leaves falling from the trees and it is feeling decidedly nippy in the morning on my way to work. Nightime temperatures earlier in the week were down to low single figures and the word 'frost' was mentioned a couple of times on the local weather forecasts. Since then, there has been more cloud about at night which has kept the temperature up a bit and today there was a warm feel to the slight breeze. The weekend is not looking too bad, warm and dry but possibly a lot of cloud about, fingers crossed.
Bye for now,
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
As ever, lovely Speckled Woods, Neil. Up in your part of the world tomorrow, not sure where we'll end up.
Dave
Dave
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- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Cheers Dave, unfortunately Saturday was a dull, gloomy day up here, despite the forecast having it down as the better day, Sunday turned out to be much better....
Sunday 28th September.
After a dull grey Saturday (Sept. 27th) that totally failed to brighten up all day, Sunday started off much more promising with some nice sun that was warming things up nicely by mid-morning.
The Specklies in the garden were soon making the most of it with a male and two different females soaking up the morning sun,
Later in the afternoon it was still very pleasant with some nice sunny spells broken up by occasional fluffy white clouds, and with a couple of hours spare I decided to nip round to my local spot at Castle Hills to see if anything was about.
At first the only butterflies seen were a few Speckled Wood around the hedgerows plus a single Comma basking on some brambles,
I remembered that last year I had come here at around the same time and found good numbers of Small Tortoiseshells on a couple of large patches of Michaelmas Daisies, so I headed to the same spot and sure enough found three Small Tortoiseshells on the larger of the two patches. This patch is something like thirty feet across with the flowers in the centre being at least five feet tall which made getting photos a bit tricky as the butterflies kept settling down amongst the flower stems in the middle of the patch.
After a while watching the Small Torts and taking a few photos when they came close enough, I wandered over to the other patch which was a short distance away and was pleased to find a couple of Small Coppers there, both males. One of these was a bit worn and faded but the other one looked to be in quite good condition.
Both of these were very active and were constantly chasing anything that came close to them, mostly various bees that were all over the daisies.
I then spotted another nice looking Small Copper, a female this time by her size and the shape of her wings and abdomen. She was flapping about in a far more relaxed manner amongst the flowers and settling for longer on the flowers to take nectar and posing nicely which gave me the opportunity to take a number of photos,
After watching her for a good fifteen minutes she few off over the daisy patch and was lost to view so I started wandering back and spotted another Small Copper on the way. This one, another male, was the most worn and tatty one that I had seen today but nevertheless he made it a total of four Small Coppers seen here this afternoon
Although there were not that many butterflies about in total, there were enough to have made for a very enjoyable couple of hours and I was particularly pleased to see the Small Coppers. This species seems to have had a better than average year around here with me seeing them at all of my local spots, much better than a couple of years ago (2012) when I only found a couple of examples at a couple of sites.
Bye for now,
Neil.
Sunday 28th September.
After a dull grey Saturday (Sept. 27th) that totally failed to brighten up all day, Sunday started off much more promising with some nice sun that was warming things up nicely by mid-morning.
The Specklies in the garden were soon making the most of it with a male and two different females soaking up the morning sun,
Later in the afternoon it was still very pleasant with some nice sunny spells broken up by occasional fluffy white clouds, and with a couple of hours spare I decided to nip round to my local spot at Castle Hills to see if anything was about.
At first the only butterflies seen were a few Speckled Wood around the hedgerows plus a single Comma basking on some brambles,
I remembered that last year I had come here at around the same time and found good numbers of Small Tortoiseshells on a couple of large patches of Michaelmas Daisies, so I headed to the same spot and sure enough found three Small Tortoiseshells on the larger of the two patches. This patch is something like thirty feet across with the flowers in the centre being at least five feet tall which made getting photos a bit tricky as the butterflies kept settling down amongst the flower stems in the middle of the patch.
After a while watching the Small Torts and taking a few photos when they came close enough, I wandered over to the other patch which was a short distance away and was pleased to find a couple of Small Coppers there, both males. One of these was a bit worn and faded but the other one looked to be in quite good condition.
Both of these were very active and were constantly chasing anything that came close to them, mostly various bees that were all over the daisies.
I then spotted another nice looking Small Copper, a female this time by her size and the shape of her wings and abdomen. She was flapping about in a far more relaxed manner amongst the flowers and settling for longer on the flowers to take nectar and posing nicely which gave me the opportunity to take a number of photos,
After watching her for a good fifteen minutes she few off over the daisy patch and was lost to view so I started wandering back and spotted another Small Copper on the way. This one, another male, was the most worn and tatty one that I had seen today but nevertheless he made it a total of four Small Coppers seen here this afternoon
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Although there were not that many butterflies about in total, there were enough to have made for a very enjoyable couple of hours and I was particularly pleased to see the Small Coppers. This species seems to have had a better than average year around here with me seeing them at all of my local spots, much better than a couple of years ago (2012) when I only found a couple of examples at a couple of sites.
Bye for now,
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
Great Specklies and lush WPCs Neil
Catching up up after a hectic 3 weeks at work
so it was great to revel in your shots
Have a goodun
Wurzel
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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Re: nfreem
Lovely shots Neil, I like how the Copper shows up on the wings of your SC's making them shine, they're really well named Goldie ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Thanks Wurzel, it has been a bit hectic this week at work for me too, my department is on the move in a few weeks so lots of planning and preparation going on.
Thanks Goldie, I tried to capture the light reflecting off the Small Coppers wings in a couple of shots but the moments were so fleeting I didn't really do justice to how beautiful it looked in real life.
Friday 3rd October.
With the evenings rapidly drawing in there has been very little opportunity this week to see much in the garden after work. On Monday afternoon there were three Speckled Wood plus a Red Admiral hanging around but since then there has just been an occasional Specklie to greet me on getting in from work.
After a cloudy morning it started to brighten up when I finished work today at mid-day and by the time I went around for my usual Friday afternoon visit to my mom, it had turned into a very pleasant afternoon. A quick half hour walk around the park by her house produced a few Speckled Woods, all looking worn and faded now plus a couple of Whites and a single Red Admiral that all passed by without stopping.
With a band of rain forecast to cross the country tomorrow and cooler weather following in its wake, this quite possibly marks the end of the season around here. That is not to say that there will not be some hibernators still around if the weather picks up a bit, but realistically I think that is about it for this year.
Bye for now,
Neil.
Thanks Goldie, I tried to capture the light reflecting off the Small Coppers wings in a couple of shots but the moments were so fleeting I didn't really do justice to how beautiful it looked in real life.
Friday 3rd October.
With the evenings rapidly drawing in there has been very little opportunity this week to see much in the garden after work. On Monday afternoon there were three Speckled Wood plus a Red Admiral hanging around but since then there has just been an occasional Specklie to greet me on getting in from work.
After a cloudy morning it started to brighten up when I finished work today at mid-day and by the time I went around for my usual Friday afternoon visit to my mom, it had turned into a very pleasant afternoon. A quick half hour walk around the park by her house produced a few Speckled Woods, all looking worn and faded now plus a couple of Whites and a single Red Admiral that all passed by without stopping.
With a band of rain forecast to cross the country tomorrow and cooler weather following in its wake, this quite possibly marks the end of the season around here. That is not to say that there will not be some hibernators still around if the weather picks up a bit, but realistically I think that is about it for this year.
Bye for now,
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
Familiar-looking Speckled Woods, Neil - very much like those near me. Is it my imagination, but do the pale spots acquire an almost greenish ("mouldy") tinge when they get worn?
Dave
Dave
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Re: nfreem
Nice to still see a few Specklies in October. With this weekend looking to be a washout, I doubt that there will be many who will see this species again prior to next April.
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.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Cheers Dave, I know what you mean about faded Speckled Woods having that greenish yellow tinge about them sometimes, almost like a thin layer of moss growing on them.
Hi David, the weekend wasn't a total washout in the end around here. After waking up to heavy rain yesterday morning that lasted until around mid-day, it cleared up in the afternoon with some sunny spells but also with a stiff cold breeze. Today was dry but with a lot of cloud about which didn't really allow the weak sun to raise the temperature much so it remained a bit nippy all day.
Despite spending a good amount of time in the garden this afternoon, today was the first dry day since June that I have not seen a Speckled Wood there.
Cheers,
Neil.
Hi David, the weekend wasn't a total washout in the end around here. After waking up to heavy rain yesterday morning that lasted until around mid-day, it cleared up in the afternoon with some sunny spells but also with a stiff cold breeze. Today was dry but with a lot of cloud about which didn't really allow the weak sun to raise the temperature much so it remained a bit nippy all day.
Despite spending a good amount of time in the garden this afternoon, today was the first dry day since June that I have not seen a Speckled Wood there.
Cheers,
Neil.
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Re: nfreem
More lovely shots Neil
- somehow I missed this post first time round
I too know what Dave is referring to WRT the Specklies, they end up looking a bit like battered chocolate limes
Have a goodun
Wurzel
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Confused :?](./images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Thanks Wurzel, I love that description of the worn Specklies, like 'battered chocolate limes'
Nothing seen this past week, most of the time its has either been wet and cold or sunny with a cold wind. Time to start going through all the photos I have taken this year for the 'favourite photos' threads and maybe some looking back on my season.
Cheers,
Neil.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Nothing seen this past week, most of the time its has either been wet and cold or sunny with a cold wind. Time to start going through all the photos I have taken this year for the 'favourite photos' threads and maybe some looking back on my season.
Cheers,
Neil.
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.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Saturday 15th November - Butterfly Conservation National AGM and Members Day.
Yesterday, I spent a very enjoyable day at the BC national AGM which this year was held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire which is only a 30 minute drive from my house. As well as the official AGM stuff, the day was spent listening to some excellent and very interesting talks and presentations including;
Conserving the Wood White in Northamptonshire - Sharon Hearle, Regional Officer, Eastern England
Dukes on the Edge: the successful conservation of the Duke of Burgundy in South East England - Dr Dan Hoare, Senior Regional Officer, South East England
The restoration and creation of habitats to help Warwickshire’s rare butterflies - Mike Slater, Warwickshire Branch
Successes for butterflies and moths on Butterfly Conservation’s nature reserves - John Davis, Head of Reserves
Butterflies and Moths: the Third Dimension (3D film presentation) - Bob Pryce, Warwickshire Branch
During breaks between the talks and at lunchtime there was plenty of opportunity to mingle and chat and also browse the stalls that were stacked with loads of very tempting stuff. It really was difficult to resist the temptation to spend a fortune, particularly on some of the books that I noticed or on Richard Lewingtons stall with his wonderful paintings.
I was very pleased at last to meet Pete Eeles who was manning the UK Butterflies stand, along with Gary and Lisa, and also fellow UKB members Colin Knight and William during the course of the day
.
Although I have attended a few Warwickshire BC AGMs, this was the first national one that I have been to and I must say what an enjoyable day it was, not only for the presentations, but also from just chatting to so many like-minded enthusiasts.
A great day
Bye for now.
Neil.
Yesterday, I spent a very enjoyable day at the BC national AGM which this year was held at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire which is only a 30 minute drive from my house. As well as the official AGM stuff, the day was spent listening to some excellent and very interesting talks and presentations including;
Conserving the Wood White in Northamptonshire - Sharon Hearle, Regional Officer, Eastern England
Dukes on the Edge: the successful conservation of the Duke of Burgundy in South East England - Dr Dan Hoare, Senior Regional Officer, South East England
The restoration and creation of habitats to help Warwickshire’s rare butterflies - Mike Slater, Warwickshire Branch
Successes for butterflies and moths on Butterfly Conservation’s nature reserves - John Davis, Head of Reserves
Butterflies and Moths: the Third Dimension (3D film presentation) - Bob Pryce, Warwickshire Branch
During breaks between the talks and at lunchtime there was plenty of opportunity to mingle and chat and also browse the stalls that were stacked with loads of very tempting stuff. It really was difficult to resist the temptation to spend a fortune, particularly on some of the books that I noticed or on Richard Lewingtons stall with his wonderful paintings.
I was very pleased at last to meet Pete Eeles who was manning the UK Butterflies stand, along with Gary and Lisa, and also fellow UKB members Colin Knight and William during the course of the day
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Although I have attended a few Warwickshire BC AGMs, this was the first national one that I have been to and I must say what an enjoyable day it was, not only for the presentations, but also from just chatting to so many like-minded enthusiasts.
A great day
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Bye for now.
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
Agreed, Neil. They're great events.
I went to the one at Cheltenham Racecourse a couple of years ago and briefly met Pete and Gary. The whole thing was highly interesting from start to finish.
Sadly, my time right now is taken up with studying for an important work-related exam on December 4th, so I can't justify the indulgence but I'd love to have been there.
I went to the one at Cheltenham Racecourse a couple of years ago and briefly met Pete and Gary. The whole thing was highly interesting from start to finish.
Sadly, my time right now is taken up with studying for an important work-related exam on December 4th, so I can't justify the indulgence but I'd love to have been there.
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.
- Neil Freeman
- Posts: 4467
- Joined: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:25 pm
- Location: Solihull, West Midlands
Re: nfreem
Looking back at 2014.
Well, it is about time that I started looking back on my 2014 season, I was going to start last week but a dose of Man-Flu left me feeling like I couldn’t be bothered to do anything, but now that I am feeling better I have been cheering myself up by going back through all my photos.
Right at the start of the year I had made my mind up that I was not going to stress myself out with trying to get as many species as possible but instead just try and make the most of my usual family breaks and maybe a couple of 3 night trips with my wife Jane to try for a couple of species that I had yet to see for the first time. I also wanted to spend more time around my local area and maybe check out some new spots.
The season started off really well for me, as it seemed to do everywhere, with loads of Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas coming out of hibernation along with Brimstones, although I never do see as many of the latter as are around in other parts of the midlands and further south. These were followed by the emergence of Green-veined whites, Orange Tips and Speckled Woods, all of which were around locally in good numbers and with all these species regularly visiting my garden. On the other hand Holly Blues seemed to be a bit scarce compared to previous years with only a handful seen in the spring and even fewer later in the summer.
Through April and May I went a little further around Warwickshire to see Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and Small Blue and also went to the Wyre Forest to see Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
My first trip away from the midlands this year was down to the Isle of Wight for 3 days at the end of May to try for my first ever Glanville Fritillaries. The weather was a bit ‘iffy’ but there was just enough sun and warmth for me to see not only my first Glanvilles , but also plenty of other butterflies including first brood Adonis Blues plus Dingy Skippers, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreaks, and Small Blues.
My other ‘firsts’ this year were both seen during a 3 day trip up to Arnside and Cumbria. With me having to book time off work in advance, I had done a bit of research into previous years flight times, and took a bit of a chance and booked our stay to try for Northern Brown Argus around Arnside and also hopefully try for Mountain Ringlet at Irton Fell. With a lucky combination of timing and weather, I managed to see both of my targets along with good numbers of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and also managed to see Large Heath at Meathop Moss before coming home.
With a couple of family breaks in Dorset, first a week in June and then again in September, my final tally for the year was 44 species. Highlights for me during these breaks included loads of Lulworth Skippers by Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth and Silver-studded Blues on Portland, both in June, Graylings at Durdle Door in September and Clouded Yellows during both stays.
As mentioned earlier, I had decided that I was not going to worry about missing some species and in fact I did indeed miss out on such notables as Purple Emperor, Duke of Burgundy and Wood White, all of which I could potentially see with an hour and a half drive from my house, but I simply chose to use my available time on other species this year. Oh well, plans for next year are already beginning to stir in the cobwebs of my mind.
With my three ‘firsts’ this year, I have now seen 56 mainland British species with just Chequered Skipper and Black Hairstreak left to see. Living in the midlands, there is really not much excuse for not seeing the latter yet other than I have usually been elsewhere in the country when they are the wing. I really must make the effort for this one next year.
Then to complete the list it will have to be a trip across the sea to the Emerald Isle at some point, and then there are all the various sub-species...and then I will be wanting better photos of everything...
Bye for now,
Neil.
Well, it is about time that I started looking back on my 2014 season, I was going to start last week but a dose of Man-Flu left me feeling like I couldn’t be bothered to do anything, but now that I am feeling better I have been cheering myself up by going back through all my photos.
Right at the start of the year I had made my mind up that I was not going to stress myself out with trying to get as many species as possible but instead just try and make the most of my usual family breaks and maybe a couple of 3 night trips with my wife Jane to try for a couple of species that I had yet to see for the first time. I also wanted to spend more time around my local area and maybe check out some new spots.
The season started off really well for me, as it seemed to do everywhere, with loads of Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas coming out of hibernation along with Brimstones, although I never do see as many of the latter as are around in other parts of the midlands and further south. These were followed by the emergence of Green-veined whites, Orange Tips and Speckled Woods, all of which were around locally in good numbers and with all these species regularly visiting my garden. On the other hand Holly Blues seemed to be a bit scarce compared to previous years with only a handful seen in the spring and even fewer later in the summer.
Through April and May I went a little further around Warwickshire to see Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and Small Blue and also went to the Wyre Forest to see Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
My first trip away from the midlands this year was down to the Isle of Wight for 3 days at the end of May to try for my first ever Glanville Fritillaries. The weather was a bit ‘iffy’ but there was just enough sun and warmth for me to see not only my first Glanvilles , but also plenty of other butterflies including first brood Adonis Blues plus Dingy Skippers, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreaks, and Small Blues.
My other ‘firsts’ this year were both seen during a 3 day trip up to Arnside and Cumbria. With me having to book time off work in advance, I had done a bit of research into previous years flight times, and took a bit of a chance and booked our stay to try for Northern Brown Argus around Arnside and also hopefully try for Mountain Ringlet at Irton Fell. With a lucky combination of timing and weather, I managed to see both of my targets along with good numbers of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and also managed to see Large Heath at Meathop Moss before coming home.
With a couple of family breaks in Dorset, first a week in June and then again in September, my final tally for the year was 44 species. Highlights for me during these breaks included loads of Lulworth Skippers by Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth and Silver-studded Blues on Portland, both in June, Graylings at Durdle Door in September and Clouded Yellows during both stays.
As mentioned earlier, I had decided that I was not going to worry about missing some species and in fact I did indeed miss out on such notables as Purple Emperor, Duke of Burgundy and Wood White, all of which I could potentially see with an hour and a half drive from my house, but I simply chose to use my available time on other species this year. Oh well, plans for next year are already beginning to stir in the cobwebs of my mind.
With my three ‘firsts’ this year, I have now seen 56 mainland British species with just Chequered Skipper and Black Hairstreak left to see. Living in the midlands, there is really not much excuse for not seeing the latter yet other than I have usually been elsewhere in the country when they are the wing. I really must make the effort for this one next year.
Then to complete the list it will have to be a trip across the sea to the Emerald Isle at some point, and then there are all the various sub-species...and then I will be wanting better photos of everything...
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Bye for now,
Neil.
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.
Re: nfreem
Great look back and shots Neil
Good luck next year with your quest and good news the man-flu has gone
Have a goodun
Wurzel
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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.
Re: nfreem
Love the Photo's Neil, you took some great photo's
Goldie ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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.
Re: nfreem
Nice sequence there, Neil. Your photos always cheer me up.
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.