www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Later, rather than trying to dodge the Bank Holiday traffic, we kept it local,by spending afternoon at Hylands Park, Chelmsford. A hot, sunny day, it was busy, but it was great to see so many families out enjoying themselves among the glorious flowering horse chestnut trees and hawthorn, and everyone was having a generally good time. The Orange Tips were flying, too. That made this splendid day even better!

That's a lovely looking OT Essex I've struggled with them this year as my shots keep bleaching out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I usually turn my exposure down by a couple of stops, Wurzel.

On Wednesday afternoon, we had time to visit Trosley Country Park, on the North Downs in Kent. This is home to the two spring Skippers,Dingy and Grizzled. Much conservation work has taken place here,including grazing by goats, and these have done a good job, helping break up bramble, dogwood and wafering tree scrub, which threatened to overwhelm parts of the site. These conservation efforts have opened up downland, resulting in a fresh crop of wild strawberry plants, and the site now looks in excellent condition. Indeed, one of the Grizzled Skippers I saw was laying eggs right here, in this new area. By late afternoon, high cloud was increasing, bringing an early end to the action, but a managed to watch a few Skippers going to roost. An enjoyable afternoon in the company of these lovely little butterflies.

Nice to find different spots for these species, Essex. I do sometimes think I should try a few new locations and see what's out there. Very nice Skippers too - the Grizzlie perched on the hawthorn sprig especially.

Dave

Lovely shots of the Skipper's essex, I visit Kent at the wrong time it seems Where about in Kent is Trosley CP , if I don't manage the Grizzlies this year I can try for them next year and fit my next visit to Kent earlier in the year. Goldie

Lovely pictures of the Dingy Skippers. A very underrated butterfly in my book! Can't wait for them to appear up in the dry chalk valleys up here - must be any day now.

A that's the trick - now I'll have to work out how to do that, I just set it to 'flower' usually Cracking Skippers, I do think though it's about time that we changed the name of the Dingy to something a bit more flattering

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Beautiful skipper images, Mark, especially given that Dingies have somehow eluded me thus far in May, even though I have seen reports of them being spotted in many Welsh locations.

Thanks everyone. Goldie, if you do find your way down here in May next year, let me know, I would happily show you around a few sites. And if you get fed up with butterflies, there are plenty of orchids in Kent.

I agree, when dingies are fresh, they are exquisite. Perhaps we can re name that the exquisite Skipper! Or the cryptic Skipper?

Thanks David, they should be around for a couple of weeks yet, so hopefully you will get your chance.

Next up - Dukes!

Hi! essex, I'll certainly do that because if we don't set off soon to find them they'll be gone this year.
No Dukes at Gait Burrow yesterday so I may have to go back next week but I'd sooner find the Grizzled Skipper first if Possible, love your shots of the Skipper's Goldie

Before going anywhere yesterday, I went for a morning walk around my local park. The countryside is full of colour at the moment, and the hawthorn, or May blossom , is absolutely glorious this year! Then I was off to Bison Hill, on Whipsnade Downs, to see if the Duke of Burgundy have emerged. They had, I’m pleased to say, in good numbers, and I soon began to spot the males. They were holding territory, intercepting any insect that passed. This one was using cowslip, the caterpillar food plant, as a launch pad. New adults were emerging throughout the day, and I eventually found a few females, mint fresh. Soon after emergence, they were found by males, and mating was almost immediate. Here are another pair, found in an area sheltered from the wind. To be continued...

Great Duke pics, Mark. Looks like they are having a bumper year.

Lovely shots of the Dukes essex, makes up for me not seeing them at GB Goldie

Excellent Skippers and Duke's Essex.

Lovely shots of the Dukes Mark. Question for you (or anyone else who has experience of mating Dukes) - have you ever seen one or both open their wings during cop apart from prior to separation?

Great shots of the Dukes, Essex. They really don't hang about when going about mating, do they? Courtship isn't in their dictionary...

Dave

Great set of in cop shots Essex, something I'l like to add to me 'connoisseurs collection'

Have a goodun

Wurzel

The countryside is full of colour at the moment, and the hawthorn, or May blossom , is absolutely glorious this year!

Isn’t it just, Mark. It’s been a delightful May thus far and as you say the colours have been vibrant and spectacular. Your first image shows this off to good effect and quite how there are millions of people out there who don’t seem to appreciate such beauty (or who at least aren’t inclined to go and experience it) will forever remain a mystery to me.

Well done with the Dukes too. Sadly, I'm likely to miss out on them in the UK this year.

Just catching up on your recent reports Mark, some great stuff accompanied by some cracking photos

Cheers,

Neil

Thanks for the feedback. Pauline, no I haven’t. Not often have I seen mating Dukes anyway, but when I have the wings have always been closed.

Agreed, David. Many people are bemused by my love of the British country side but, coming from a farming background, it is second nature to me to notice, and enjoy, such stuff. My next pictures follow a similar theme...

As you say, we’ve had some glorious days recently. We all bemoan the British climate, myself included, as well as the forecasters. But when the weather is as good as this, the hedges and fields are full of colour, and the air is full of birdsong, is there anywhere better?