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Plaistow, 30 September 2011

A single specimen of the Pink-barred Sallow (Xanthia togata) came to my bathroom light last night.

Frog Firle, 30 September 2011

It was already 21°C when I arrived at Frog Firle shortly after 9am and by the time I left, some three hours later, it was 28°C and very humid … and boy did it feel like it!

When I visited this site a week ago conditions weren’t good, with strong winds not helping my quest to find and photograph 3rd generation Wall. Within about five minutes of my arrival today I had already clocked up five species including Red Admiral (of which I saw many and all appearing to be heading south and towards the sea after nectaring on ivy blossom), Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood and a pristine female Brown Argus. It wasn’t long before my first Wall of the morning presented itself on the path in front of me.

Although I have been an entomologist for many years I have only been photographing insects since the end of June this year ... I am certainly an entomologist first and a photographer second. I have to say that to date, the Wall has been the most frustrating butterfly I have tried to photograph. It’s not that I didn’t see plenty this morning because I did, but the Wall must have some kind of extrasensory perception when it comes to someone armed with a camera closing in – even when they are operating in 'stealth' mode! In total I probably saw 9 or 10 individuals, all males and all defending their territories against anything that flew past, including a dragonfly. At one point I watched three males spiraling into the air, all appearing to be fighting for air supremacy! It was also interesting and very useful watching the same individuals regularly coming back to the same or nearby vantage points and it was only this behaviour that got me my shot in the end. He was not the best of specimens but I was happy nevertheless …

On leaving Frog Firle I headed southwest and popped into the area of waste ground directly to the west of the Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve, which is located just outside of Newhaven. It is sad to the think that despite me finding a number of different butterfly species, including a single female Wall, this whole area is due for imminent development as a retail park.

The heat finally beating me I headed home …

Species seen included:

Brown Argus
Small Copper
Small White
Large White
Red Admiral
Comma
Peacock
Meadow Brown
Small Heath
Wall
Speckled Wood

Hi Mark,

Do you know of any (online or other) guides to identifying sawfly larvae? I come across a fair few whilst looking for butterfly and moth caterpillars, including the colourful sallow-feeding one you have photographed. There is also a green sawfly that feeds on sallow that I find fairly regularly whilst looking for Purple Emperor larvae, that I have never been able to put a name to.

Hi Matsukaze,

I’m still looking ...

The only publications I currently know of are:

British Sawflies: A Key to the Adults of Genera Occurring in Britain: (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) by Adam Wright. Published by The Field Studies Council. If you speak German (I don’t) I am told that Die Larvalsystematik der Blattwespen (Tenthredinoidea und Megalodontoidea) by Herbert Lorenz and Manfred Kraus is very good despite not covering every species. I believe this was published in 1957 by Akademie-Verlag in Berlin. I am currently waiting to hear on details of a Finnish publication, written in English.

If you find a good reference for the larvae please let me know.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

i hope you don't mind me mentioning that there is a sawfly yahoo group with a reasonable selection of larvae in the photos section and also a food plant guide in the files area http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/sawfly/

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the information.

Kind regards. Mark

Plaistow, 1 October 2011

A specimen of the Cypress Pug (Eupithecia phoeniceata) found in my garden earlier this evening.

That is a cracking photo of a wall, Mark.

Hi Susie,

Thanks for your kind comment.

Susie wrote:That is a cracking photo of a wall, Mark.

I'm glad you like it as it took me almost three hours to get!

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks folks for the sawfly information.

Oaken Wood, 3 October 2011

Today I visited an old friend … one that I have neglected and not visited since early August.

I’m not quite sure what I hoped for when I entered Oaken Wood but I was not expecting much. To reflect on earlier times of abundance and of majestic Emperors, of the delicate Wood White, of Fritillaries and the beautiful Marbled White, would be enough to feed my yearning of earlier times.

Having walked just a short distance along the track and into the wood, a Comma flew past and alighted on a nearby flower - one of few visible nectar sources remaining. As I approached for a photograph, a Red Admiral flew down and gave chase. I waited patiently. The Red Admiral, victorious in its endeavour, returned and settled close by, the Comma nowhere to be seen. The Admiral was in pristine condition and allowed me to approach and take several shots as it rested and then whilst feeding on mineral salts and horse dung. With the current migration south underway, one couldn’t help but wonder if this lone individual had missed the boat and was here for the winter …

A long walk followed which produced just two Speckled Wood and a further Red Admiral.

With the wind gaining strength and recent rumours of a cold spell ahead one feels that time is running out …

Species seen included:

Red Admiral
Comma
Speckled Wood

That is one beautiful butterfly. Probably too new to have made up its mind which way to fly.

Dave

That is a lovely shot of the Red Admiral Mark...I can almost feel the freshness.

Cheers,

Neil F.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your comment.

millerd wrote:That is one beautiful butterfly. Probably too new to have made up its mind which way to fly.

It was in absolutely pristine condition so very new indeed. I'd like to think it will be around early next season.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your kind comment.

nfreem wrote:That is a lovely shot of the Red Admiral Mark...I can almost feel the freshness.

It's certainly getting harder to find really fresh specimens at the moment with many species looking rather sad. That said, there are still things around but choice of location, good weather and the right wind direction is key.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Thorney Island, 4 October 2011

Cardiovascular entomology …

I was joined by Colin Knight today on what was to be an exhilarating and enjoyable hike around the perimeter of Thorney Island. Our aim, to search for Clouded Yellow due to a recent report from the western side of the island.

For those that don’t know, Thorney Island is a Peninsula in Chichester Harbour, West Sussex. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway of reclaimed land but was a true island up until the 19th century. Access is restricted onto the island and this is controlled by the fact that the southern part of the island is managed by the MOD. There is a single access road leading to the base and this is controlled by a military checkpoint. Public access is permitted around the coastline of the island by means of the Sussex Border Path and two unmanned security check points and an intercom system. No access to the interior of the island is permitted. At the southern most tip of the island lies the small local nature reserve of Pilsey Island. The reserve, together with the adjacent area of Pilsey Sand, forms one of the most important sites for passage and wintering waders in the area.

With an overcast sky and a moderate wind blowing from the southwest, our walk down the western side of the island provided nothing in the way of butterfly activity. The field to the south of the security gate, where on Sunday, 2nd October Clouded Yellow were reported, appeared lacking of any activity when viewed through binoculars (due to public access sadly not being permitted). The field certainly appeared favourable to butterfly activity due to the presence of a good supply of nectaring sources and being sheltered to some degree by the raised flood bank.

A shelterbelt is reached along the southwestern edge of the island as you approach Longmere Point. It was here that our first butterflies of the day appeared, several Speckled Wood and a Red Admiral. A few quick record shots were taken. Now heading north and with the protection of the island to our left, we entered a further area where Red Admiral and several female Speckled Wood were found. Continuing our walk past West Thorney (which for some reason is located on the eastern side of the island) further Red Admiral were seen along with a single Peacock and Meadow Brown.

The lack of butterflies was disappointing though not unexpected. The bonus presence of a Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) in a field at Thorney Deeps close to where we had parked, made a pleasant end to a long and invigorating walk in good company …

Species seen included:

Red Admiral
Peacock
Meadow Brown
Speckled Wood

Cissbury Ring, 6 October 2011

A blustery day … all I needed was a jar of honey!

Working in Worthing earlier this morning and having a meeting postponed until tomorrow morning, meant I was at a loose end around lunchtime today. With Cissbury Ring being just a short distance away I decided to pay it a visit.

Set on a chalk promontory on the South Downs approximately three miles north of Worthing, Cissbury Ring provides views across to Beachy Head in the east and the Isle of Wight to the west. Cissbury Ring is one of a series of Iron Age hill-forts and with its ditch and ramparts is the largest in Sussex and the second largest in England. Its hill-fort was built in 300BC as a symbol of power and a refuge in times of threat. Archaeological evidence shows that this strategic site was also important for flint production. Some of the strange hollows are the remains of Stone Age flint mines, dating back 5-6,000 years. Over 270 pits have been found.

I know that Neil and others have visited this area quite frequently and its gems have been recorded in detail. Previously, I have only visited Cissbury Ring on bird watching and ringing trips and have never visited with view to exploring its butterflies. With a strong wind blowing from the west I decided to head to the southeasterly corner where there is a large bowl situated at the northern end of Deep Bottom. In its time this area was used as a rifle range with the butts located in the large bowl to the north.

A Red Admiral was the first butterfly seen followed, shortly after, by a Speckled Wood - both on the eastern approach. A single female Brown Argus and two male Common Blue were found in the bowl. I managed one very quick record shot in the difficult windy conditions. Small Copper were around in small numbers with several still in very good condition. Meadow Brown were also observed, a female of which appeared very fresh.

A visit next season in less windy conditions is planned …

Species seen included:

Red Admiral
Common Blue
Brown Argus
Small Copper
Meadow Brown
Speckled Wood

Excellent diary-keeping Mark and a great photo in difficult conditions. You seem to be making the most of the few opportunities that remain for this season. I can recommend the Sussex Branch AGM on 29th October to keep the spirits up .

Cheers,
Vince

The first time I went to Cissbury ring to see butterflies I was disappointed. Subsequently I learned that they can frequently be found in the trench that encircles the top. Seems you had the sense to seek out a sheltered spot straight away.

I agree with Vince that our AGM is always worth going to. Shame it's right over the far side of the county though.

Dear Vince,

Many thanks for your kind comments which are genuinely much appreciated.

Vince Massimo wrote:Excellent diary-keeping Mark and a great photo in difficult conditions.

I plan to be at the Sussex Branch AGM ... see you there!

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark