www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Lovely PBF's Trevor, good to see the Walls back as well.

Great stuff Trevor I'm itching to get over to Bentley even though last weekend was too early, seeing these shots and knowing that we're a week behind has filled me with hope

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Katrina, Andrew & Wurzel. I hope you will also enjoy the fruits of today's expedition.

Weather, ideal for a further afield Butterfly trip, greeted me early this morning.
ie, A lovely blue sky with plenty of fluffy white cloud and a reasonable temperature.
Hoping to find several new species for this season, I set off for Kithurst flower meadow.
As I arrived so did a large party, led by Neil Hulme. My immediate thought was that
things might be a little cosy, but all had a fabulous time, with some seeing a
Duke of Burgundy for the first time.

Both the Duke and Duchess were present in small numbers, and all were fresh.
As the morning wore on the number of Dinghy Skippers seemed to build, and
later still a magnificent female Green Hairstreak was seen searching Dogwood
flower buds. After much flitting about she finally selected a suitable cluster of buds,
and kept mine and Neils camera very busy, as she deposited her eggs.

With some time to spare I the headed over to Chiddingfold forest, having heard that
the Wood Whites were out. Unfortunately timber extraction work is taking place,
and parking in Fisher lane, by the two entrances is suspended. Parking sensibly I
risked a very quick visit and having located one Wood White ,dashed back to my car.

So ended a very satisfactory day.
Trevor.

I did indeed enjoy the fruits Trevor especially the cherry on top - the Wood White

Have a goodun

Wurzel

First it was Wall Browns, then it was Pearl BFs and now its Wood Whites - and all within the space of a couple of days!

Trevor, you are the envy of us all.

Great stuff Trevor, Wood Whites now! Thanks for the guided tour Wednesday, shame the old railway line was a bit sleepy but at least things improved in the afternoon . I might get round to sorting out my images sometime next month

Enjoyment confirmed. Well done with the Wood White.

Goes for me as well Bugboy! I continue to have trouble keeping up with sorting pics, but I don't know what to do about it.
Take less, but higher quality shots maybe? Easier said than done!

… So ended a very satisfactory day.

Quite an understatement if I might say so, Trevor. That was a ‘boot filling’ day…and some more. Well done with the Wood White capture. First I’ve seen on here this year and let’s hope there are plenty more!

Andrew555 wrote:... I continue to have trouble keeping up with sorting pics, but I don't know what to do about it.
Take less, but higher quality shots maybe? Easier said than done!

I hear this...but when we can take so many photos of such beautiful subjects it seems rude not to

Great reports and photos again recently, particularly that Green Hairstreak

Cheers,

Neil.

Well done on the wood white, Trev! We understand your concern about the car, but fortune favours the brave- he who dares, wins!

Nice to see that Wood White and to know they are out and about. I shall have to stray down to Chiddingfold myself soon...

Dave

My thoughts exactly Dave! Some nice shots there Trevor

Many thanks everyone for your response to my last day out, seems you enjoyed it as much as I did !.

I am currently in Wiltshire for a few days. Early this morning I went over to the grassland site at Tilshead.
None of the three Blues found there are out yet, but Dingy and Grizzled were around in small numbers.
The morning did, however belong to the Green Hairstreak, with a good number spotted. Back at the car
a Green veined White was found nectaring on Bugle.

No Wall Browns in the local Church yard yet.

Trevor.

That's a fantastic Dingy shot, Trevor. I don't think I've ever seen the colours so vivid in a photograph.

Yes, a lovely new Dingy Skipper, Trevor. On new ones like that the marginal spots look almost blue...

Dave

I don't think it looks Dingy at all Trevor, I wonder who named it in the first place Goldie

A morning visit to ' The hill ' resulted in plenty of Green Hairstreaks, plus Grizzled and Dingy Skippers.
Very little else was on the wing except for some ' Whites ' and a patrolling male Orange Tip.
I would guess the Marsh Fritillary is still about a week to 10 days away.

Trevor.

trevor wrote:A morning visit to ' The hill ' resulted in plenty of Green Hairstreaks, plus Grizzled and Dingy Skippers.
Very little else was on the wing except for some ' Whites ' and a patrolling male Orange Tip.
I would guess the Marsh Fritillary is still about a week to 10 days away.

Hi Trevor,

Someone on the Wiltshire BC web site reported seeing them at Battlesbury Hill today which is only a few miles away so I would expect them to be flying at Cotley Hill any day now.

https://www.wiltshire-butterflies.org.uk/sightings/

Cheers
John

A couple more shots from today, including a hillside covered in Red Campion,
with part of Salisbury Plain in the distance.

Alright Trevor Great set of shots from the Hill and the Plain I was about to let you know that the Marshies have started emerging, the first was on the 11th at West Yatton Down and three were seen today at Battlesbury - check out the latest sightings on Wiltshire Butterfly Conservation and there's a Grid Ref

Have a goodun

Wurzel