May 2015
Re: May 2015
A single Painted Lady at Hutchinson's Bank 4.45pm today. So they are now quite a way inland.
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Re: May 2015
Cheers David, yes, i was pleased to sight both the Dukes and those lovely uncommon Moths.David M wrote:Lovely Dukes, Testudo Man, but even more impressive are the images of anania funebris, which is not at all common.
Well done.
Dropped in on a local Church yard (on the way home from work) on the 13/5/15, to finally capture some close up shots of an Orange-Tip this season! Also on the wing at the church, were- Peacock, Comma, Large White, Holly Blue.
Location - Kent...cheers Paul.
Re: May 2015
Saw a Red Admiral today locally - also a few Speckled Wood. Whites are thin on the ground as yet although Orange-tips have been around for a while. Actually managed to snap a male today feeding on some Lady's smock.
![Image](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7705/17547877478_7b76ecbefa_c.jpg)
![Image](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7705/17547877478_7b76ecbefa_c.jpg)
Re: May 2015
Had a good couple of hours on the downs near Wye (Kent) today ,and was lucky enough to find 5 Dukes on the wing ,two or three of them seemed very drawn to the Cow Parsley growing there. We also added 3 Green hairstreak,5 Peacock,3Dingy Skips,1 Painted Lady,1 Small Copper ,several Brimstone ,green veins ,a single Holly Blue, I don,t know if Painted Ladies, are being seen in numbers yet ,but I seem to be seeing at least one on most days ,and 6 ,on Walland marsh last weekend. We were also lucky enough to hear a Turtle dove purring ,not as usual here as it once was. Later at the Devils kneading trough ,at Wye we added 4 Wall brown,and a single Large White.
- Jack Harrison
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Re: May 2015
I have been reading on ukb and in some private correspondence just how well the Dukes have been doing this year.
No doubt habitat management/improvement has been a major reason for the success, but surely there must be some other clues in the weather last summer? Perhaps it was a little wetter than is often the case so the cowslip (and primrose) foodplants of the caterpillars weren't too dessicated. I have a recollection that Neil Hulme touched on the benefits of a more showery summer.
Just some thoughts.
Jack
No doubt habitat management/improvement has been a major reason for the success, but surely there must be some other clues in the weather last summer? Perhaps it was a little wetter than is often the case so the cowslip (and primrose) foodplants of the caterpillars weren't too dessicated. I have a recollection that Neil Hulme touched on the benefits of a more showery summer.
Just some thoughts.
Jack
Last edited by Jack Harrison on Wed May 20, 2015 2:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: May 2015
Haugh Woods, Herefordshire was my destination today, my target species being Wood White and Pearl-bordered Fritillary - in the case of the former, reasonable numbers were seen on the lower South Trail, but worryingly in the case of the latter only 5 or 6 were seen in their 'hot-spot' for the second year running. I hope to provide lots more detail on my visit to this rather nice traditional woodland in my Personal Diary over the next day or so ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I spent ten minutes or so mid-morning photographing Holly Blue on Bluebells, what a contrast in colours, I was also fortunate to get some open-winged pics, something I have often missed in the past![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Before my visit was over I discovered a Pearl-bordered Fritillary enjoying the warmth of a bare earth banking, it looked rather out of place in this pose
and it did not appear to be taking on any minerals either!
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I spent ten minutes or so mid-morning photographing Holly Blue on Bluebells, what a contrast in colours, I was also fortunate to get some open-winged pics, something I have often missed in the past
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Before my visit was over I discovered a Pearl-bordered Fritillary enjoying the warmth of a bare earth banking, it looked rather out of place in this pose
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
Bill
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
"When in doubt - venture out"
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
Re: May 2015
Nice images, Bill, particularly of the Holly Blue, which I've never seen nectaring on bluebells before.
You're braver than me...I have to say this site is 'out of bounds' for me these days due to the huge numbers of biting flies.
I hope you took your Deet spray?
You're braver than me...I have to say this site is 'out of bounds' for me these days due to the huge numbers of biting flies.
I hope you took your Deet spray?
Re: May 2015
Very poor return locally for the time of year.
Mainly sunny, 12c temperatures and moderate winds saw butterflies dive for cover seemingly.
In 1.5 hours at two sites (the former a sheltered quarry and the latter the prime Marsh Frit site near my home) this is the full list of butterflies seen:
Peacock 2
Brimstone (male) 1
Large White (male) 1
Green Veined White (female) 1
Dingy Skipper 1
Orange Tip (male) 1
Green Hairstreak 1
Mainly sunny, 12c temperatures and moderate winds saw butterflies dive for cover seemingly.
In 1.5 hours at two sites (the former a sheltered quarry and the latter the prime Marsh Frit site near my home) this is the full list of butterflies seen:
Peacock 2
Brimstone (male) 1
Large White (male) 1
Green Veined White (female) 1
Dingy Skipper 1
Orange Tip (male) 1
Green Hairstreak 1
Re: May 2015
A couple of hours wandering around Hutchinson's Bank near Croydon , produced 16 species . Although it must be said , a singleton was
all that was recorded from 9 of them . Brimstone (21) still the most numerous , Dingy Skipper (7) , Small Heath (6) , Com. Blue (5) ,
Lg.White (4) , Orange Tip (3) and Green Hairstreak (2) were those that broke the singleton status . Best of the singletons was my
first Brown Argus of the year , a female Holly Blue and a very fresh Comma . No sign of MrSpOck's Painted Lady .
all that was recorded from 9 of them . Brimstone (21) still the most numerous , Dingy Skipper (7) , Small Heath (6) , Com. Blue (5) ,
Lg.White (4) , Orange Tip (3) and Green Hairstreak (2) were those that broke the singleton status . Best of the singletons was my
first Brown Argus of the year , a female Holly Blue and a very fresh Comma . No sign of MrSpOck's Painted Lady .
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Re: May 2015
I just had to return to Denge Wood/Bonsai Bank in Kent, for my 2nd session with the "Duke" on Saturday 16/5/15.
With more time on my hand, and another camera, I had a really great day. Highlights were obviously finding a mating pair of the Duke and his Duchess too
Other species on the wing were - Orange-tip, Painted Lady, Large White, Peacock, Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak...But the day belonged to The Duke and Duchess of Burgandy.
A small selection of photos, cheers Paul.
None of these photos are cropped at all, cameras used were Nikon D7100 and Panasonic FZ150, with the Raynox 150 also used.
With more time on my hand, and another camera, I had a really great day. Highlights were obviously finding a mating pair of the Duke and his Duchess too
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Other species on the wing were - Orange-tip, Painted Lady, Large White, Peacock, Small Heath, Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak...But the day belonged to The Duke and Duchess of Burgandy.
A small selection of photos, cheers Paul.
None of these photos are cropped at all, cameras used were Nikon D7100 and Panasonic FZ150, with the Raynox 150 also used.
Re: May 2015
First two Glanville fritillaries seen at Bonchurch this afternoon with a small copper and a common blue.
Also, an unnamed caterpillar was seen. Any ideas what it is?![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Also, an unnamed caterpillar was seen. Any ideas what it is?
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
- Pete Eeles
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Re: May 2015
Excellent news, Ian! I think the larva might be an early-instar Oak Eggar.
Cheers,
- Pete
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
Re: May 2015
The Glanvilles are also flying at Hutchinson's Bank, the numbers are still increasing as they have been hatching this weekend.
Last edited by MrSp0ck on Sun May 17, 2015 7:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: May 2015
Aberbargoed Grasslands NNR, Gwent, South Wales. Three Marsh Fritillary seen this morning during a quick 'look-see' at my local patch, blustery north wind kept things emphatically quiet, only a couple of Dingy Skipper and singles of Peacock and Small Heath seen ![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Oh! for a few days of real warm weather to get things moving here in South Wales
...I bet David M (in Swansea) is pulling his hair out in frustration...
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Oh! for a few days of real warm weather to get things moving here in South Wales
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Bill
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
"When in doubt - venture out"
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
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Re: May 2015
To be honest, Bill, I've had a gut's full of this weather over the past couple of weeks. I'm also surprised you found Marsh Frits this morning, since conditions were very unseasonal in Swansea today and the sun probably only shone for half an hour all day.Willrow wrote:I bet David M (in Swansea) is pulling his hair out in frustration.
I'm still turning on the bloody heater in my car on a daily basis!
If I wanted to live in such a climate I'd have relocated to either northern Scotland or Iceland by now.
It's surely not too much to ask for the occasional day to see temperatures into the 60s?
Things HAVE to get better soon, surely?
Re: May 2015
I share your frustration.David M wrote:To be honest, Bill, I've had a gut's full of this weather over the past couple of weeks. I'm also surprised you found Marsh Frits this morning, since conditions were very unseasonal in Swansea today and the sun probably only shone for half an hour all day.Willrow wrote:I bet David M (in Swansea) is pulling his hair out in frustration.
I'm still turning on the bloody heater in my car on a daily basis!
If I wanted to live in such a climate I'd have relocated to either northern Scotland or Iceland by now.
It's surely not too much to ask for the occasional day to see temperatures into the 60s?
Things HAVE to get better soon, surely?
Only 14 degrees here in the sunny south!
Ian
- Jack Harrison
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Re: May 2015
David M
Jack
When I was young only posh cars had heaters. I didn't own a posh car (but it did have a windscreen wiper!)I'm still turning on the bloody heater in my car on a daily basis!
Jack
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Re: May 2015
On the larger, earlier sites the Pearl-bordered Fritillary is now in the later stages of its flight season and a thorough search of Rewell Wood produced 25 individuals spread over a wide area, with females now out-numbering males. I also saw several Grizzled Skipper, 5 Small Copper, a mating pair of Speckled Yellow moths and a Drab Looper.
I then moved on to perform a detailed survey of Heyshott Escarpment, which took a total of 3.5 hours to cover. My tally of 86 Duke of Burgundy is a little lower than 2011 and 2014 daily maxima, but they might not be at peak yet and some are certainly still emerging here. I was also pleased to find 5 Pearl-bordered Fritillary, including 2 females. We need some decent weather within the next 7-10 days, so that these rarer spring species can really make hay.
Speckled Yellow pair
Drab Looper
PBF female at Heyshott Escarpment
I then moved on to perform a detailed survey of Heyshott Escarpment, which took a total of 3.5 hours to cover. My tally of 86 Duke of Burgundy is a little lower than 2011 and 2014 daily maxima, but they might not be at peak yet and some are certainly still emerging here. I was also pleased to find 5 Pearl-bordered Fritillary, including 2 females. We need some decent weather within the next 7-10 days, so that these rarer spring species can really make hay.
Speckled Yellow pair
Drab Looper
PBF female at Heyshott Escarpment
- Tony Moore
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Re: May 2015
Jack Harrison wrote:When I was young only posh cars had heaters. I didn't own a posh car (but it did have a windscreen wiper!)
You're taking me back, Jack
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Lot's of butterflies then - including a Chalkhill Blue caught at Shirley, near Birmingham! Even the members of the Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society were amazed at that one! Happy days
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Tony M.