Buchan Boy

[Goldie M]

Every thing seem to happen in the South this time of year, we in the North can only long

Love your Clouded Yellow photo's in fact all your photo's look great Goldie

[Buchan Boy]

2015 begins.........

Saturday 7th March 2015

Ah,its good to be back.

Upto 13 degrees Celsius today with some sunshine.I scoured my local ex-landfill site for anything resembling a butterfly but no.

Some lovely clusters of Coltsfoot though.Quite breezy on this exposed site.

Kilnwood Landfill Coltsfoot

Kilnwood Landfill Coltsfoot (2)

I hope to have a good year studying this site before all is lost to development as Crawley tries to join Horsham! Crawsham or Horshley anyone.

Crossed the A264 and settled into the woodland around Buchan Park,first butterfly,a solitary male Brimstone that didn't settle..
Into the meadow and a solitary Peacock that wouldn't settle,or maybe I'd lost my "approaching butterflies mojo" over Winter.......
My first Adder sunbathing,spooked before camera was ready.
Up to Target Hill at the top of the park,and my first butterfly photographed of 2015.

Buchan Park Red Admiral

Buchan Park Red Admiral (2)

Excellent,we're off(forgot how to post,that took ages!)

[Buchan Boy]

Friday 27th March 2015

First chance of the year to wander around the Cherry Lane and Willoughby Fields area of my town.About 12 degrees with quite a stiff South-Westerly(not warm)breeze.A reasonable showing of post-hibernators,not quite up to 2014's levels

though.(It has been quite chilly,of late,and the weekends have been lacking any sunshine!)

Small Tortoiseshells and Commas prevail,one Peacock.

Cherry Lane Small Tortoiseshell

Willoughby Fields Comma

Willoughby Fields Small Tortoiseshell

It was cool to see butterflies again,it seemed a long winter..........

I did manage to get some shots of this cheeky fellow a few weeks back on the River Mole that flows through this patch,mixed feelings on these,live and let live I guess.

River Mole Mink

First Mink I've seen this side of the town for a while.

[Buchan Boy]

Early April 2015

Thought I'd have a quick jolly down the Brecon's to do some early season hill-walking on these.

The Black Mountain and Red Kite country.

Also to photograph these.

Llanddeusant Red Kite

Llanddeusant Red Kite 2

Llanddeusant Red Kite 3

And one of these,quite a light individual.(Big bird)on a wire.

Llanddeusant Buzzard

The warmest day of the trip was spent on Welsh Moor,Gower looking for Marshy nurseries,good to see.

Marsh Fritillary youngsters

Marsh Fritillary youngsters 2

My brother has moved down here for work, needless to say the adult Marshy's are on the hit list this year,anyone know much on these Gower colonies?

Thanks

[Wurzel]

Carcking shots of the Red Kites Buchan Boy. If you're after info about Welsh Marsh Frits then I'd ask David M as he's down teh neck of the woods.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Buchan Boy]

Thanks Wurzel,

I noted that Jonathan Mullards New Naturalist on the Gower has quite a useful distribution map,I'll talk to David M.

Thanks

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots of the Red Kite and especially the Buzzard on the fence, it looks so regal Goldie

[Maximus]

Hi Dave, your Red kite 3 photo is absolutely stunning it really does justice to this beautiful bird

Mike

[Buchan Boy]

Thanks Guys,Red Kites are the best,full stop.

Saturday 11th April 2015

A quick jaunt around the ex-landfill site adjacent to where I live produced 15 Small Tortoiseshells and 4 Peacocks,actually a good showing of Small Tortoiseshells now around the town,I would say on par with last year,and Peacocks are having a better year than last year I would say.Red Admirals are still fairly scant.

Kilnwood Landfill Small Tortoiseshell

Kilnwood Landfill Peacock

I then wandered up to the raised plateau at the site,which last year housed a couple of nice colonies of Small Coppers,but the breeze was knocking six bells out of everthing,no chance.
However it was worth noting summer coming back from its migration!

Kilnwood Landfill Swallow

Species Count for Kilnwood Landfill 2015
(1) Small Tortoiseshell
(2) Peacock

Thanks

[Buchan Boy]

Friday 17th April 2015

Easterlies cooling things down,but I figured a few sheltered spots on the Downs might produce my first Dingy's and Grizzled Skippers of the year.

One of the sheltered hollows at the Brockham,ex Limekilns Quarry,nature reserve would surely be harbouring something interesting,in fact the sheltered spots were rather pleasant.

Just the one Dingy,enough to make my day though.

Brockham Quarry Dingy Skipper

Theres some good work going on here and the creation of corridors from one lump of ideal habitat to the next should bear fruit soon.Or at least have disparate colonies a chance to cross fertilize.
I spent some time on the slopes of Boxhill but in the stiff breeze nothing else was to be found.

Brockham Quarry Slowworm.

Lovely sheltered Dingy hollow centre bottom. Exactly one day earlier than 2014.

Brockham Quarry

All good,thanks.

[Wurzel]

That is a cracking find Buchan, is it the first of the year for the UK? It's all kicking off now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

Lovely Dingy, Buchan. I must get along to Brockham next time I visit Box Hill. I'm glad you reminded me about it!

Dave

[David M]

My brother has moved down here for work, needless to say the adult Marshy's are on the hit list this year,anyone know much on these Gower colonies?

BB, Marsh Frits can be guaranteed on both Welshmoor and on certain parts of Fairwood Common at the right time of year.

I'd be happy to give you precise details if you wish to PM me.

[Buchan Boy]

Many thanks and David,yes I'll be in touch.

Saturday 18th April 2015

Yesterday the North Downs to find one Dingy Skipper,today the South Downs to have a hunt for Grizzled's.I figured the Easterlies that were howling in would keep a check on the butterflies in exposed areas so somewhere sheltered I reckoned.

A quick scan of the old Ordnance Survey explorer 122 had me on the train to Lewes,Malling Down being my destination,more precise,the combe at Malling Down.Being a rare combe that has its mouth towards the West and therefore Easterlies

should ping right over the top,I was right it was gorgeous.I reached the site just as the sun was started to warm the Northern flank,on which about half way up,the first Small Copper of the season was noted,over the stile up behind the

allotments and another Small Copper,bag on floor,camera out,I'll hang around here for a while.The Coppers were warming up.

Malling Down Small Copper

Amazingly just out in the periphery of vision whilst trying to get the shot I noted what I first took to be a Dingy,but realized rapidly my first Grizzled had arrived

Malling Down Grizzled Skipper

Just when I thought that was it,a day of Grizzled's is before me,nothing else happened,searched for half-an-hour,futile.Moved up the Northen arm of the Combe before finding the spot.

The Spot

Then my first Green Hairstreaks of the year starting to wake up and the morning then descended into Small Copper vs Green Hairstreak battle fest,much overlapping of territories going on,causing much friction.I had to take my chances carefully as the floor was covered in lovely,young stinging nettles,and early in spring,they are without doubt at their most vicious

Malling Down Small Copper 2

Malling Down Green Hairstreak

Malling Down Small Copper 3

Malling Down Green Hairstreak 2

Noted quite a few Small Tortoiseshells as well,who became my guide for hunting Small Coppers,nice tactic that one
It was approaching midday now and all was rather lively.All the butterflies had definitely congregated here,twas hectic.I tried,in vain,to get a shot of the Green Hairstreaks nectaring on the bugle, frustratingly difficult and not successful!

The Bigger Spot,Lewes out yonder

The Peacocks were as classy as ever,smooching around,a rather good showing as well.

Malling Down Peacock

Malling Down(worn out)Peacock 2

No more Grizzled's though,I checked the more Southern arm to the Combe but it was almost empty bar a couple of Kestrels that were remarkably unfazed by my presence.
Sat there and watched them for a while,a little nap,time to go.Somedays are just lovely and that winter seemed to go on forever,or maybe I'm getting older.

Malling Down Small Copper 4

Thankyou very much!

NB.5 Green Hairstreaks
12 Small Coppers
1 Male Orange Tip
2 Female Brimstones
1 Grizzled Skipper
loads Small Tortoiseshells
2 Very stung up calfs and wrists,tingled for days!
2 Sheep ticks,tuck those clothes in boys and girls.

Thanks

[Buchan Boy]

Saturday 9th May and Sunday 10th May 2015

Brockham Quarry,North Downs

I do seem to be getting quite drawn this marvellous site more and more,I figured Dingy and Grizzled Skippers would be worth a go,although I'm not entirely sure how the Grizzleds are here.

This reserve is looked after by the Surrey Wildlife Trust and they seem to be doing a rather fine job,the butterflies seem to agree.

13 species noted over the weekend,3/4 hours each day although Sunday afternoon was best for the count,Sunday midday best for photography.

30-40 Dingy Skippers across the site,I think they have now peaked here.

Brockham Quarry Dingy Skipper

Brockham Quarry Dingy Skipper2

About 10 Grizzled Skippers noted on Sunday and have just started I reckon,only 4 noted on the Saturday.Probably be good here next weekend.

Brockham Quarry Grizzled Skipper

Brockham Quarry Grizzled Skipper2

Brockham Quarry Grizzled Skipper3

3 Holly Blues,which I have always struggled to photograph.

Brockham Quarry Holly Blue

2 Common Blues,just hatched.

Brockham Quarry Common Blue

4 Small Heaths,quite fresh

Brockham Quarry Small Heath

A few Large Whites passing through

Brockham Quarry Large White

Half a dozen Peacocks vying for the sunniest spots as the angle dropped.

Brockham Quarry Peacock

Also noted 2 Green Hairstreaks that were in cop.that I lost sight of,would of made a cracking shot.
Brimstones,Orange Tips,GV Whites and one Comma,also made appearances.
Just as I was calling it day a rather light coloured Speckled Wood posed for me,at first I thought I had the first Wall Brown recorded around these parts for a while,but no(heart racing).Lovely all the same.

Brockham Quarry Speckled Wood

The Eastern end of the reserve.

Brockham Quarry

Next weekend again methinks.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Buchan Boy,

A cracking selection of species and great photos in your past couple of reports

Cheers,

Neil

[Goldie M]

I second that, just wish I could see so many species up hereGoldie

[Buchan Boy]

Wednesday 13th May 2015

Mount Caburn nr Lewes

Blimey,some sunshine,drove down to Lewes,parked at the small car park at Glynde and took a wander upto the old hillfort on Mount Caburn.I remember seeing Small Blues here some 20 years ago and thought it would be nice to see if I could still locate them.Also to check-in on Burnt Tip Orchids and Wart-Biters.It warmed up very quickly and I soon realised that butterflies were going to be "difficult" today!

Nevertheless it wasn't long before they started waking up,Dingy Skippers in good numbers,also worth noting 3 Painted Lady's on the wing,I wondered when they might start appearing from across the channel.Just the one Grizzled Skipper,but my window of opportunity was now closing as the temperature and sun rose.

Mount Caburn Grizzled Skipper

Common Blues now on the wing and my first Brown Argus of the year.

Mount Caburn Brown Argus

Got to one of the large bramble thickets here and the tell tale silvery flicker crossed my vision,hey Small Blue,a male warming up.Good to see they are still here.

Mount Caburn Small Blue

I then spent a while trying to locate more but as seems to be happening a lot this year so far,just the one,need to get back down here.
No Burnt-Tip Orchids yet,I couldn't even locate any shoots,they must be 2-3 weeks behind this year.
But,I did manage to locate young Wart-Biters,in good numbers as well,the second biggest colony in Britain.

Mount Caburn Wart Biter

Mount Caburn Wart Biter 2

That was good,after watching the paragliding guys for a while,which is quite a spectacle,decided to wander down the slope and try my luck at Abbots Wood for Pearl-Bordered's.
Now this might not look much,but it was the only shot of a Wall Brown that I could manage,four noted in total on the rabbit spoil,chalk,sunning,no approaching though!
I was rather chuffed,first time I'd seen them on these slopes,best get the record in,and get back here for better shots.

Mount Caburn Wall

Next,up the road to Abbots.......
And the Ouse keeps meandering

Ouse from Mount Caburn

[Goldie M]

Great photos of the SB,GS and BA, three species we don't get a round here except for the NBA which at present is absent Goldie

[Buchan Boy]

Thanks Goldie

Wednesday 13th May 2015

Abbots Wood

I drove along the A27 to the Abbots Wood spot to see how the Pearl-bordered's were faring this year, reports have been good.

It was now a cloudless sky and sun beaming down, the show should be full-on,and I was not disappointed.

I have no idea how many were flittering around but its the best showing I've seen in my neck of the woods for a long while and a true pleasure.Sat and watched them for a couple of hours before some cloud slowed them up and photos

were achieved.

Abbots Wood Pearl-bordered

Abbots Wood Pearl-bordered 2

Some days are just magic.

Excellent work to all concerned for keeping this a viable colony.