Maximus

[Janet Turnbull]

Superb shots of the Glanvilles, Maximus! It looks like an excellent year for them. We were there last year and saw quite a few but nothing like hundreds!

[Wurzel]

Wow! I need to get over to the Isle of Black again

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

Wow, that is amazing numbers of Glanvilles. We were there for a couple of days a few years ago and we only saw three!

[trevor]

A very worthwhile ( and enviable ) trip to the IOW, Mike.
Plus some of the best images I've seen of this species.

I think a Glanville fix is on the cards !.
Trevor.

[bugboy]

Fantastic images . I used to go on family holidays to the the Isle when little but it was always during the summer holidays, so I've still never seen a true wild Glanville in their last remaining truly native colony.

[millerd]

A wonderful set of images of this lovely species, Mike. It makes a trip over there very tempting indeed, though I suspect it'll have to be accomplished pretty quicky this year now!

Dave

[David M]

Well done, Mike. Nice to see the Glanvilles thriving in their natural home.

They've had great conditions during their flight period this year. Let's hope it helps their populations to increase.

[Andrew555]

Love your Glanville shots Maximus. Great to hear about the numbers.

[Neil Freeman]

Great report on the Glanvilles from the IoW Mike and some lovely photos

You have got me thinking about plans for next year already

Cheers,

Neil.

[Maximus]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.


...During our stay on the Isle of Wight we found that like the Glanville Fritillaries, Adonis Blues were also having a good year. We found very good numbers of males on the upper slopes of Bonchurch Down (the lower ones were far too overgrown), supported by a luxuriant growth of Horseshoe Vetch.

Bonchurch Down with male Adonis in centre foreground

Common Blues and Brown Argus also appeared to be doing well, and we found plenty of fresh examples among the tall grasses along the lower part of the down.

Dark Female Common Blue

Fresh males

Female Common Blue

Male Brown Argus

Female Brown Argus

I watched the female Brown Argus ovipositing

..

[Pauline]

Good to see the egg this time Some seriously good images there Mike - pin sharp and showing the gorgeous colours to perfection

[Maximus]

..We didn’t find any Small Blues on Bonchurch Down this year but we found them in good numbers at Wheelers Bay, Compton Bay and Afton Down.

Mating pair with three male interlopers!

Dingy and Grizzled Skippers also appeared to be more abundant this year and we saw them at all the sites that we visited. We also found some lovely Small Coppers at Compton Bay and saw plenty of Sorrel growing there. There were also some lovely Bee Orchids just coming into flower.

Our first Large Skipper of the year

Brading Down is a great spot for Holly Blues and we found plenty of Females egg-laying on the prolific Dogwood. We used to see Wall Browns here in the past but saw none on this occasion.

Brading Down looking a bit overgrown.

[Maximus]

Thanks, Pauline, and another egg to finish

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots Max, I particularly like the little Holly Blue in the flower Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of Blue shots Mike (as always ) Three interlopers She must have been the Helen of Troy of butterfly world

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

That's a proper Small Blue melée going on there, Mike. Some lovely colours in those images. The orchid is stunning.

[Katrina]

I like the Grizzled Skipper on the flower too

[Maximus]

Thanks, Goldie

Thanks, Wurzel, Helen of Troy indeed

Thanks,David, a right melée it was too!

Thanks, Katrina


13th June

Spent a lovely day in the sun at Ditchling Common today photographing the recently discovered Black Hairstreaks, and also met up with a few UKB members. It was nice to put a few faces to the names, at long last

[Vince Massimo]

Good to meet you today, Mike. It was a great day out

Vince

[millerd]

I recognise those butterflies, Mike! Very nice shots indeed.

It was a very good day and a very sociable one as well - great to meet everyone and chew the fat.

Cheers,

Dave