June 2013
Re: June 2013
A week's break on the Welsh Coast and off to Morfa Harlech for the afternoon. This site is said to have colonies of Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary and Marsh Fritillary but either there aren't any, I'd left it too late or I was looking in the wrong place.
The Dark Green Fritillaries were out in force though. Also plenty of Common Blues.
The Dark Green Fritillaries were out in force though. Also plenty of Common Blues.
Re: June 2013
That's a great shot with the three DGFs lined up. Excellent stuff, particularly given how difficult this species can be to 'stalk'.
Re: June 2013
We have been searching for over a week. This evening I visited the wood after work and found 3 Black Hairstreak flying around the Blackthorn. Phil saw another 2 on his way to meet me. My first Large Skipper of the year.
Re: June 2013
Lovely Large Skipper shot Ros. Phil has just emailed me the Black Hairstreak news, very well done, as tough a species as any to find, makes it all seem a bit more like a real summer now doesn't it
Very Best Wishes,
Bill
PS...Said you were a superstar
Very Best Wishes,
Bill
PS...Said you were a superstar
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
Re: June 2013
Thanks Bill It was a lovely summer evening for a change
Re: June 2013
Three sites visited during the course of today:
Sand Point, Somerset
No Glanvilles, just Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Speckled Woods and Common Blues
Collard Hill, Somerset
Two Large Blues, 40-ish Meadow Browns, 20-30 Small Tortoiseshells, a dozen or so Speckled Woods, 3 or 4 Large Skippers, 2 Painted Ladies, 2 Small Heaths, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Dingy Skipper:
Alun Valley, Glamorgan
4 Dark Green Fritillaries, 2 unidentified (DG/HBF) and 1 certain High Brown. 2 Small Pearl Bordered Frits, 10 or so Speckled Woods, singleton Small White, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Peacock, Large White & Comma:
Sand Point, Somerset
No Glanvilles, just Meadow Browns, Large Skippers, Speckled Woods and Common Blues
Collard Hill, Somerset
Two Large Blues, 40-ish Meadow Browns, 20-30 Small Tortoiseshells, a dozen or so Speckled Woods, 3 or 4 Large Skippers, 2 Painted Ladies, 2 Small Heaths, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Dingy Skipper:
Alun Valley, Glamorgan
4 Dark Green Fritillaries, 2 unidentified (DG/HBF) and 1 certain High Brown. 2 Small Pearl Bordered Frits, 10 or so Speckled Woods, singleton Small White, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Peacock, Large White & Comma:
Re: June 2013
Had my first proper butterflying day of the year on Monday. I set off early from Sheffield and arrived at Bishop Middleham Quarry at 9.30am. Despite good forecast weather, there was persistent drizzle. As soon as it stopped at 10am I got out of my car and entered the reserve. I saw my first NorthernBBrown Argus straight away. It looked pristine, and even better than that, the cold conditions meant it was very torpid. So I got some great photos.
Over the next hour I saw around 10 more Northern Brown Argus in a very small area and without even trying. Also saw 5+ Common Blue, all male. Again all looked pristine. I was also very pleased to see a Wall. All in all its a great reserve and I'd recommend visiting if you're ever in that area.
Following that I drove to Chambers Farm Wood in Lincolnshire in search of Marsh Fritillary. It was a bit of a gamble as the weather forecast was poor and I suspected that the flight season was over for them. On arrival there was a hint of sunshine so I jogged to little scrubs meadow before the looming black clouds arrived. Disappointingly I only saw one butterfly in the first hour, a female Orange Tip, probably my last of the season.
Finally after nearly giving up hope I saw a flash of orange from the corner of my eye. A Marsh fritillary! I located it and spent 20 minutes photographing it. It was quite faded but in otherwise good condition. However it seemed very torpid and by the end of the 20 minutes I very much got the impression it was breathing its final breaths
Despite the slightly sad end, a reminder of the short season these lovely creatures have, I was really pleased with the outcome of the day. Now for the long trek to Collard Hill today....
Over the next hour I saw around 10 more Northern Brown Argus in a very small area and without even trying. Also saw 5+ Common Blue, all male. Again all looked pristine. I was also very pleased to see a Wall. All in all its a great reserve and I'd recommend visiting if you're ever in that area.
Following that I drove to Chambers Farm Wood in Lincolnshire in search of Marsh Fritillary. It was a bit of a gamble as the weather forecast was poor and I suspected that the flight season was over for them. On arrival there was a hint of sunshine so I jogged to little scrubs meadow before the looming black clouds arrived. Disappointingly I only saw one butterfly in the first hour, a female Orange Tip, probably my last of the season.
Finally after nearly giving up hope I saw a flash of orange from the corner of my eye. A Marsh fritillary! I located it and spent 20 minutes photographing it. It was quite faded but in otherwise good condition. However it seemed very torpid and by the end of the 20 minutes I very much got the impression it was breathing its final breaths
Despite the slightly sad end, a reminder of the short season these lovely creatures have, I was really pleased with the outcome of the day. Now for the long trek to Collard Hill today....
Re: June 2013
College Lake today my first large skipper of the year, small blue (3), common blues (30+), few small heath and meadow brown. Cheers Sezar
Re: June 2013
Annual "standing-in-blackthorn-thicket" pilgrimage to Monks Wood with Phil and Rosalyn for Black Hairstreak.
I just spotted them - and Phil got the pictures! About 10 seen, though all up in the tops of the bushes, except the one that I found and then realised I had left the CF card at home
(Hence, Phil has the picture! I don't think he will let me forget that one!)
N
I just spotted them - and Phil got the pictures! About 10 seen, though all up in the tops of the bushes, except the one that I found and then realised I had left the CF card at home
(Hence, Phil has the picture! I don't think he will let me forget that one!)
N
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."
Re: June 2013
Yes, thank you Nick
I should also mention that another UK Butterflier, Gazillion, joined us for the afternoon and was rewarded with his first ever Black Hairstreak sightings and photo.
Re: June 2013
Alun Valley, Glamorgan was today's location, following in DavidM's footsteps of yesterday. Another mixed day with the weather, cloudy and rather breezy and then sunshine and rather breezy, so either way I got breezy Surprisingly the upper areas of the valley produced the best sightings of High Brown Fritillary with around ten seen there in all, while surprisingly the 'secret meadow' produced a mere three, still its early days yet and I'm sure numbers will increase throughout nicely. Getting side-view images of HBF was too difficult today, once the sun shone they (males) were on the hunt for females - that don't appear to be out yet.
Probably five Dark Green Fritillary seen and a further fifteen unconfirmed - HBF or DGF - its a mighty tough task to distinguish by jizz with these species when their on the wing I think I'll fore-go trying!!! Still I did manage a few record shots of grounded insects, but they certainly didn't want to pose today...miserable critters
Lots of Speckled Wood out and about, at least 30 seen. Other species were Large Skipper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and several Whites. Full credit to Richard Smith (Butterfly Conservation Wales) and all the volunteers that have made this site special, they deserve every praise. The High Brown Fritillary has few remaining colonies left in Wales and this means that the Alun Valley is of absolute vital importance.
Bill
Probably five Dark Green Fritillary seen and a further fifteen unconfirmed - HBF or DGF - its a mighty tough task to distinguish by jizz with these species when their on the wing I think I'll fore-go trying!!! Still I did manage a few record shots of grounded insects, but they certainly didn't want to pose today...miserable critters
Lots of Speckled Wood out and about, at least 30 seen. Other species were Large Skipper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and several Whites. Full credit to Richard Smith (Butterfly Conservation Wales) and all the volunteers that have made this site special, they deserve every praise. The High Brown Fritillary has few remaining colonies left in Wales and this means that the Alun Valley is of absolute vital importance.
Bill
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Last edited by Willrow on Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
Re: June 2013
Stunning Black Hairstreak photo Phil, pure inspiration
Bill
Bill
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
- Mark Colvin
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Re: June 2013
Hi Bill,
Kind regards. Mark
I think you'll find that's a male High Brown. The sex brands on the 2nd and 3rd veins from the base being distinctive. The outer wing margin of the forewing is also less rounded.Willrow wrote:No spot on the 'third spot' upper forewing on this DGF?
Kind regards. Mark
Re: June 2013
Yesterday 26th with a sunny day at last I travelled up to Chambers Farm wood. Found 3 Marsh frits in good condition. 1 Dingy skip, 1 Brimstone & 3 Meadow brown. Today not so lucky at Glapthorne, just distant views of 1 BH high in blackthorne & no photos. Eric
Re: June 2013
Two Clouded Yellows on a bit of waste ground in Ashford, Kent this morning
Will 2013 be a "Clouded Yellow Year"?
Here's Hoping!
Hoggers
More pictures in my Personal Diary.Will 2013 be a "Clouded Yellow Year"?
Here's Hoping!
Hoggers
Re: June 2013
Thank you Mark,Mark Colvin wrote:Hi Bill,
I think you'll find that's a male High Brown. The sex brands on the 2nd and 3rd veins from the base being distinctive. The outer wing margin of the forewing is also less rounded.Willrow wrote:No spot on the 'third spot' upper forewing on this DGF?
Kind regards. Mark
You'll notice I placed a discreet question mark ie. DGF? (just in case). I had noticed the sex brands, as a matter of interest do you know if Dark Green Fritillary also show these sex brands as clearly as High Brown???
Your confirmation HBF puts my count up to ten! Post has been duly edited
My Regards,
Bill
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
- Mark Colvin
- Moderator
- Posts: 1001
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:13 am
- Location: West Sussex
Re: June 2013
Hi Bill,
To answer your question:
Kind regards. Mark
To answer your question:
They are present but far less obvious.Willrow wrote:As a matter of interest do you know if Dark Green Fritillary also show these sex brands as clearly as High Brown?
Kind regards. Mark
Re: June 2013
Appreciate the information Mark, my thanks.
Bill
Bill
Why not visit my website at http://www.dragonfly-days.co.uk
- Neil Hulme
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Re: June 2013
Hi Phil (PhiliB),
Just noticed that you nailed a Black Hairstreak too (pretty sure I know which leaf it's on! ). Another epic shot. Glad that Nick's stay-away memory card didn't take the shine off the experience .
BWs, Neil
Just noticed that you nailed a Black Hairstreak too (pretty sure I know which leaf it's on! ). Another epic shot. Glad that Nick's stay-away memory card didn't take the shine off the experience .
BWs, Neil
Re: June 2013
No sugar-spray or similar beverage was used in the production of that picture!Sussex Kipper wrote:Hi Phil (PhiliB),
Just noticed that you nailed a Black Hairstreak too (pretty sure I know which leaf it's on! ). Another epic shot. Glad that Nick's stay-away memory card didn't take the shine off the experience .
BWs, Neil
Hence they didn't stay-down - and Phil was quick! (I got back with my other camera and was about to press the shutter when it decided to move-off. That happened twice!!!!!)
But you may be sure that those tactics may be used on subsequent outings
"Conservation starts in small places, close to home..."