First off, thank you for your earlier comment Goldie which kinda got overlooked as it slipped off the end of the page
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
but I won't be swapping my fox encounter for your Heron
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
However, if you are ever in my area (I am 30 mins away from the Wood Whites) it would be lovely to see you and I could provide you with an up close and personal meet and greet with a fox
What is happening with this weather???!!! Today we have had several episodes of hail, lots of wind and the temperature is really quite chilly. It is nearly June and I am still wearing jumpers
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I wanted to check on the eggs at Noar Hill - since I found the first batch of Dukes I have found several other batches - and then there's the Brimstones, and the BH. I did my personal 'transect', photos being very difficult because of that strong breeze, but first stop was the Brimstones which have now hatched and a quick look revealed half a dozen 'little'uns' and a lot of feeding damage. Getting 'evidence' was to prove a little more difficult but this is the best I could do:
![P1480643ad.jpg (204.29 KiB) Viewed 512 times P1480643ad.jpg](./files/thumb_1095_03232cade1e3dd21902b3d13f5eec584)
![P1480649ad.jpg (158.96 KiB) Viewed 512 times P1480649ad.jpg](./files/thumb_1095_18fffbb735481f29e8befc87525de856)
Next stop was the Blackthorn where feeding damage is very apparent but larva? ....... well, even with a hand lens I couldn't see any. I thought I would be the only one daft enough to be on a hill in these conditions, but no, a walk, birders I think, wrapped up in waterproof clothing with binoculars, were surveying the surroundings. How wise they were! The heavens opened and hailstones the size of golf balls were pelted down, soaking the back of my jumper as I bent over to take a shot of various Duke eggs. The first lot I discovered had not changed:
but the next pair had definitely changed, with one becoming very transparent:
There were some brief periods of sun and it was during these periods that the Dukes came out to play. There were not as many as I expected and most of them were looking very worn. With the conditions in my facour I decided to try to get a few 'stained glass' shots for Wurzel but certainly didn't reach his standard, my excuse (again
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
) being the wind
Just trying to take my mind off stuff really.
A few more Duke shots whilst I had the chance:
With the hailstones pelting down again I made my way off the site, stumbling over this Small Heath as he made a dive for cover:
I was Just approaching the car when I almost stepped on this chap:
I was concerned for his safety on such a track and also wanted to ID him so I have brought him home. I originally thought it was some type of moth but he seems to want to pupate and looking at the info on this site I am inclined to think it is a DGF. I cannot recall seeing one in this area so it is very possible I am wrong. Any ID would be appreciated.