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I have now finally caught up with postings........ well almost 
I have had to leave out several unsuccessful visits searching for White Letter Hairstreaks to be able to do it though 
I could not have planned it better if had tried. Right at the start of Brown Hairstreak season, good weather and 10 minute walk from one of the best sites for this species in the country (Sussex Kippers words) Although my job does not normally give me much scope for private entertainment within the working day , this was an opportunity not to be missed So I managed to get myself an extended lunch break by grovelling to my boss , but this still did not give me very long to do the business. Neil then arrived and immediately spotted a Painted Lady a few feet away which we had not noticed. I watched, listened and learned as Neil photographed the Painted Lady. We were then joined by UKBer Mark Colvin. It was a great pleasure meeting you all and putting faces to the names I regularly read on this site. My short time there was spent with eyes glued to the Ash and Blackthorn, trying not to be distracted by the numerous Gatekeepers, and ears focused on Neils informative conversation. I also saw 14 other butterfly species, not bad considering I was not really looking. My humble 'point and shoot' stayed firmly in my pocket, being slightly embarrassed in the company of better equipped and more experienced company. A thoroughly enjoyable if unsuccessful hour spent in good company 
At least you have all the insider information now 
All the information has been logged into my memory banks so I decided to delay my normal early morning start and try an afternoon visit, as the weather looked much better PM. I left home at 1pm only to immediately get stuck in traffic One of the perils of living near the Rosebowl Cricket Ground I then managed to get stuck at the petrol station for a while after a camper van managed to collide with another vehicle at the pumps 
, causing chaos and panic amongst the Sainsburys staff. I eventually got on my way rather later than intended, I was beginning to wish I had gone out in the rain All I could think of whilst driving up to Noar Hill was Sussex Kippers instructions 'you MUST be there between 11am and 2pm for Brown Hairstreak' , it was almost 2pm as I arrived.
Once I got into the site proper there seemed to be butterflies everywhere and within a few minutes I also had spotted a Clouded Yellow An unsuccessful attempt at a photo told me I would have to learn this species pretty quick if I was to be successful. It was Peacocks and aged Silver Washed Fritillaries which seemed to be the most numerous species as well as the whites of course. Every head of Hemp Agrimony seemed to be adorned with several of these two species. These were closely followed in numbers by Common Blues, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Brimstones. Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Heath and Small Skipper also made an appearance. The latter being very faded now.
at which point I was in two minds as to what to do. Should I let nature take its course or should I intervene Thankfully, after a few seconds frantic flapping of wings, it managed to free itself apparently unscathed. I also managed to get some of the best Brimstone photos I have managed to date. Snapshots to most I imagine, but with my basic camera I am easily pleased 
giving me 50% success on my days targets, I decided to have another look at the triangle, just in case. It was well outside of the 11am-2pm window now, infact nearly 4pm. Again no success, so I wandered through a wooded area and found a clearing behind the Triangle where a large Ash Tree had fallen. At the other side of the clearing was another large Ash tree, the side of which was catching the late sunshine. As I looked up a small brown butterfly caught my eye, gradually working its way up the tree, settling momentarily every now and again, until it disappeared into the foliage near the top. Brown Hairstreak......... 
well who knows, it was too far away to get a good view and of course I had no binoculars 
It could have been a speckled Wood of course, but in my mind it was a Brown Hairstreak 
On Monday he informed me that he had seen a Swallowtail and 3 Clouded Yellows However, in the past he has demonstrated an expert ability to pull the wool over my eyes So I will reserve judgement on his claims until I can see some evidence. I have not heard anything from him since then. Being lucky enough to live on the South Coast means the world is my oyster when it comes to finding a suitable location at the moment. It is almost exactly a year since I visited Fort Gilkicker in Gosport, hopefully it would deliver what I was in search of. I know that in the past many migrants have been recorded here, including Swallowtail and Long Tailed Blue.
Within 10 minutes it was right overhead and I was drenched there is no shelter at all here. I briefly considered calling it a day, but I could see that beyond the downpour was blue sky, this was all the incentive I needed The shower was soon over and I forgot all about being soaked once the butterflies started to come to life in the sunshine. I took a walk along the scrubby area at the back of the beach towards Strokes Bay. Here I encountered lots of Common Blues each one of which I scrutinised very closely, just to make sure they were not anything exotic. I spotted one fresh male Common Blue in the middle of the path. I felt it necessary to move him to a safer spot, but he was unwilling to leave my finger Large White, Small Heath and Small Copper increased the days species list. However, still no migrants spotted, not even one of those 'common old' Clouded Yellows.
, at times almost invisible when settled on the pebbles. I stayed with it for some time as it crossed the main pathway on to the beach area. As I knelt, trying not to take my eyes off it, a couple of birders stopped to see what I was watching. I was pleased to be able to show them their first ever Clouded Yellow As we watched, another Clouded Yellow, a male, flew past. Shortly after they had left me to take my photos I bumped into them again and they enthusiastically informed me they had seen 3 more. I confirmed this by the time I left with a total of 5 seen as well as 2 Red Admirals just as I was leaving. No Swallowtails, Long Tailed Blues or Queen Of Spain Fritillary, but I left feeling fairly pleased with Clouded Yellows and the highest count of Common Blues that I have encountered at any site, probably because I was watching them more closely than usual
, indeed there was already a couple studying this particular bush as I pulled in. So I parked up and went off to have a look. The Buddleia had plenty of Large Whites busy nectaring and a solitary Small Tortoiseshell, but my attention was drawn further along the edge of the carpark where there was lots of 'white' activity involving all three varieties plus a fair few Common Blues and a Small Copper. Then I spotted something which looked a little different perched on some Bramble. This was a very pale looking female Clouded Yellow with a greenish tinge , I thought it was probably my first helice but was not sure. It was cloudy at this point and although the other whites were still very active this individual was not keen to take to the air, giving me plenty of photo opportunity. A male Clouded Yellow then flew over and started nectaring close by.
Whilst I was chatting my attention was drawn to more Clouded Yellow activity in the middle of the disused area of car park. Half of this carpark is closed off to cars and is overgrown with lots of what I think is Hawkweed. I could see several Clouded Yellows and Something smaller that looked different to anything else I had seen. I approached and found this was another 'pale' Clouded Yellow of some description with white upperwings and only a fraction the size of all the others. I was convinced I had found something very exotic and spent some considerable time trying to get photos to make sure I could identify it later. I had read in other recent posts that a backlit shot is vital for identification purposes. This particular individual also seemed to have darker than normal markings particularly on one hind wing. After I had pursued this individual for long enough I had a look around the area and found 2 more pale individuals and several other 'normal' Clouded Yellows. They all seemed to find the Hawkweed irresistible.
. I beat a hasty retreat passing the Buddleia on the way and adding a Comma to the tally and what I think was a Holly Blue which did not stop for a close look. I left feeling pretty happy with my special Clouded Yellows. I was later to discover that all 4 of the pale versions I saw were helice.
I too know that sinking feeling when you've become absorbed by butterflies and arrive home late Mind you I never learn and I regularly make it!
I am normally very aware of who/what is going on around me especially when in a location where I might look somewhat conspicuous. I have to say that on this occasion I was totally engrossed in the Clouded Yellows In other words I did a quick stop off after work for a few minutes to see what was about. Well in fact it was not really a 'Wurzel' because I was actually there for 15 minutes, which is probably 3 times too long for a proper one I had been working just around the corner from Riddlesdown in Surrey. I make a yearly visit to this location for work and manipulated my working day to allow me to stop off after work before enduring the Friday afternoon M25 for the long journey home. My kitchen is quite cool and does not receive full sun at all. After work the following day our new house guest was still in the same spot, so I gently moved him outside where it was still warm and sunny to allow him to find a more suitable spot. I think it would have been still there in spring had I left it in situ. This was actually the second one in a week. My wife found the first one in the bathroom earlier in the week. When I asked what sort it had been she said it was 'just an ordinary one' , maybe some education is in order Fifteen minutes us definitely at the upper end of the allowed time frame for a Wurzel stop off but you'll get quicker with practice Hi WurzelWurzel wrote:It's nice finding a little oasis isn't it
Have a goodun
Wurzel
So today I made a brief Saturday afternoon visit to Stephens Castle Down, my local site. In pursuit of Migrants and Brown Hairstreaks recently, I have managed to completely miss out on August' goings on' here.
Cool, windy and cloudy conditions greeted me with the occasional sunny spell. Needless to say there was not much flying. A couple of Small Whites fluttering around the gate as I entered the site was about it 
I spent a while looking around the best areas and just one Small Heath took to the air briefly. So I spent a bit of time looking for roosting butterflies. At previous visits I have found one particular area which the blues find attractive for roosting. Today I found a couple of male Common Blues and another Small Heath. I have been hoping to find Silver Spotted Skippers at this site but I have probably missed them if they are there, I will try again this week if the weather is appropriate.
I looked in danger of a soaking so I called it a day If you feel that you saw a Brown Hairstreak at Noar in the Ash, then it probably was 
