Katrina

[Katrina]

My sister brought a moth trap on holiday with her, I try not to get too involved but she caught amongst many other things another couple of Large Emeralds and a White Ermine which I particularly liked,
I think the commonest moths were the bordered whites and true lovers knots.
We found some Bee Beetles while out looking for butterflies.

[trevor]

I can return some of your mrgreens for your Northern Brown Argus ( lovely shot ),
and your Mountain Ringlet . I have never seen either!.

Stay safe and well,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Have some of these for the NBA and Mountain Ringlet - two species still on my list and calling to me every time I look through a butterfly book Love the first photo of the Bee Beetle, like a Pokemon staring out at you

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thanks Trevor, I thought the NBA shot was a bit grainy.
Thank you Wurzel, I do like a Bee beetle.

[David M]

We don't see too many images from that beautiful part of the UK, Katrina, so thanks for sharing.

Some interesting insects in your posts, but obviously the two that stand out are Northern Brown Argus (artaxerxes) and Mountain Ringlet. Just shows how emergences differ depending on where you are in the country. It's hard to believe that I saw both these species more than five weeks ago now!!

[Katrina]

Thanks David, not sure what the emergence difference is but we saw the mountain ringlets on 10th July.

[Katrina]

We saw deer near the house we were staying in a few times and on one occasion a male chasing a female deer.
Red squirrels came to the feeders outside the windows. Birds on the feeder included great spotted woodpeckers and siskins. Unfortunately the amount of birds attracted a sparrow hawk.
We also saw treecreepers in the garden
Insect wise another new one for me was the Wood Tiger Moth which we found on 2 separate occasions while out looking for fritillaries

[Katrina]

I went to Chiddingfold / Botany Bay this morning. I saw no Purple Emperors although spent most of the time looking for them on the ground and only about 10 mins with the binoculars out.
There were however a wide variety of other butterflies including SWFs , WAs , Skippers, Red Admirals, Large, Small Green-veined, Marbled and Wood whites, Commas, Ringlets a Purple Hairstreak and a Peacock and a Painted Lady.
They were all quite active.

[Katrina]

This morning I went to Chantry Hill in variable weather. The Gatekeepers were there in good numbers. Also seen were Chalkhill Blues, Meadow Browns, a few worn Dark Green Fritillaries, 2 fresh Red Admirals, one Small Heath , a few small / essex skippers and some whites.
This evening it was still quite windy so I thought I would try Mill Hill . I found one butterfly holding on tight. There were also a few brave Meadow Browns flying.

[Pauline]

Take my hat off to you Katrina for braving the 'variable' weather. I, too, was out there today in the wind and rain but not sure I did as well as you. Nice images.

[Katrina]

Thank you Pauline, at least I dodged the worst showers. I did nearly make it to Kithurst after Chantry but wimped out of driving through the ginormous puddle across the whole of the beginning of the access road.
I take my hat off to you with your fantastic Painted Lady sequence.

[Wurzel]

You did brilliantly with that Wood Tiger Katrina - they're normally bombing bombing about breaking the speed limit Cracking shot of the Chalkhill clinging on for all its worth

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Some lovely images, Katrina, especially the Brimstone on the creeping thistle.

[trevor]

Well done for braving yesterdays windy conditions Katrina.
Amazingly you managed some decent shots, all in sharp focus!.

Stay safe,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

Thank you Wurzel, it was not bombing about as much as the DGF and SPBF that I didn’t get photos of that day. We saw two on holiday and the first I initially thought was a fritillary in flight from a distance as it looked orangey.
Thank you David - some compensation for the PE no show.
Thank you Trevor there were some times in the morning with sun and no wind

[Katrina]

I went to Chantry Hill this evening and saw Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Chalkhill blues, Brown Argus , Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals, Silver-spotted Skippers , Marbled Whites and a Painted Lady, Not much was in the mood for stopping for a photo.
I then went onto Kithurst where I saw a hot air balloon in the distance and managed some photos of Chalkhill Blues
Still a large puddle covering most of the start of the road to Kithurst.

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots Katrina especially the second Chalkhill - I'd love for one of those in my 'On Dandelion Clock' collection and an aberrant to boot!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you Wurzel - at least I got some reward for risking the puddle!

[David M]

Nice image of the Chalkhill ab, Katrina. Venturing out in the evenings is paying dividends.

[Katrina]

Thank you David.