www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I agree with the others Hoggers, its great to show ones emotions, and talking to butterflies, well theres nothing wrong with that, quite normal in my book.
You finding these two Clouded Yellows reminded me of the first time i saw these beautiful butterflies for myself, i did`nt even know what they were. I was with a friend who was a keen butterfly photographer at the time and, i was acting as a spotter for him when i found three individuals, two males and a female Helice form of the species. I remember the day as if it were yesterday, i kept telling my friend to stop whatever he was taking pictures of and get over here now, and there they were, all three nectaring,............ with their wings open, what a day................

All the best, Nick.

Clouded Yellows are one of those butterflies that uplift you above and beyond - and then hold you there for a hell of a long time. It's quite true what Nick says the memory of them stays with you. When I found my only ever Clouded Yellow I spent the next 6 weeks telling everyone who would listen (as well as many who didn't want to) about it And what a shot too

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks guys for your comments. Well, would you believe that I've just had another "Clouded Yellow Moment"? Just as my train from London was pulling into Ashford this afternoon I saw a Clouded Yellow flying around Brambles on the embankment!
Marvellous!

I had an early finish at Canterbury today so dropped in at East Blean Wood to see the Heath Fritillaries again I didn't stray much further than the car park It has become rather overgrown in places with thick entanglements of Bramble but the Fritillaries were enjoying the flowers.

I saw roughly 20 of this charming butterfly Not quiet in the Biblical numbers one might have hoped for But plenty enough to entertain and delight A beautiful butterfly I also saw a few Meadow Browns and Speckled Woods there.

Back home I saw a fresh Red Admiral in my garden then out with the dogs, a Small Tortoiseshell And some lovely Pyramidal Orchids

I added two new butterflies to my Season's List today. On my walk with the dogs this morning a darting flash of gold in the grass caught my eye A Small Skipper Almost a fortnight later than in 2012.

I want to watch the Women's Final at Wimbledon this afternoon so thought I'd do my butterflying before they step out onto Centre Court. I chose to visit near-by Orlestone. It was very quiet there (apart that is from the Biting Flies!) I saw a few Meadow Browns My eyes were peeled for White Admirals but it began to look like all I'd find were hungry Mozzies.

However,while following a grassy path I saw just ahead the jinky flight of a dark little butterfly with soft creamy edging to its wings and then it settled My first Ringlet, 12 days later than last year. I saw only two others whilst there this morning.

I also came across another Small Skipper and this splendid Large Skipper too

I'll be in front of the TV this afternoon watching the Men's Final at Wimbledon so took my daily dose of Butterflies early (another reason for going out early being the fact that it's boiling out there!)

So on my morning stroll with the hounds I saw lots of Meadow Browns, two Small Tortoiseshells, two Common Blues, several Small Skippers And one Large Skipper I then had a feeling in my bones that the Marbled Whites on my Patch might well have emerged today so I walked to the "Hot Spot" and sure enough there they were I saw four in all, all of them "Juiced Up" and in active search for females . I had a difficult job getting close enough for a photograph. I sometimes wonder what people passing by must think seeing me scampering about in the field. No wonder Lady Glanville ran into so much trouble with her relatives.

In 2011 they emerged here on 23rd June and in 2012 on 27th June, so not a lot of difference between the hot 2011 and the wet 2012.

But the cold start to this year certainly does appear to have had a palpable effect on their emergence But late though they are, I'm mighty glad to see them.

There's something incongruous about coating oneself in Insect Repellant before going on a Butterfly Hunt but if you visit Orlestone Forest near Ham Street in Kent, as I did this morning, some form of defence against the Mozzies is strongly recommended. The blood suckers in there give Vampires a bad name. And so reeking of Jungle Formula "Maximum" I set off for a ramble hoping to find White Admirals which,because of this run of fine weather ,I sort of had a feeling might be out now.

In 2011 I saw my first one in this wood on 7th June and in 2012 it was 26th June. I had a good look there last Saturday with no luck so I hoped things would be different today.

The first thing I noticed was that Ringlets are now out in force Together with Meadow Browns and Small Skippers I also saw a couple of Large Skippers and three Speckled Woods (but no Marbled Whites as yet.)

Not long after arriving at my favourite White Admiral spot I saw a white flash near some Brambles: I was in luck My first White Admiral of the year I'm not very good at counting butterflies as double counting is so easy to do, but over the next couple of hours I'd say that I saw four White Admirals in total Including this one which appeared to be taking on nutrients from a bird dropping Setting aside my camera for awhile I was able to just relax and watch them, admiring their great beauty and gracefulness in the air in this fine woodland setting.

And I owe the manufacturers of Jungle Formula a debt of gratitude for my sense of wellbeing and contentment because if it wasn't for them I'd have spent most of my time nervously jerking about trying to spot the origin of that unmistakable high pitched whine made by the incoming hungry Mosquito.

Boy, I can't wait for the weekend when I can get out and see these insects. They're SO beautiful when fresh out of the chrysalis.

Well done, Hoggers, and thanks for the images.

Hi David, many thanks for your comments. I'm lucky in that Orlestone is just a 15 minute drive from my home and so it's easy for me to get there to see the White Admirals. They are so graceful, I love to watch them fly through the green shadowed leafy branches and along the woodland rides. Good luck with seeing them at the weekend.

Tomorrow I'm off to Heddon's Mouth for a short break and have just seen Neil's diary report of his recent visit there: it's certainly got my juices going!

I hope to stop off at Collard Hill too, either on the way there or on the way home.

I've got my fingers crossed for a happy butterflying holiday!

Cheers.

Hi Hoggers, lovely White Admiral photos, I just love the undersides of these beautiful insects

I stopped off at Collard Hill on my way back on Monday, still got a couple of reports to do yet

Cheers,

Neil F.

Lovely White Admirals Good luck with the trips - see some HBF's for me

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Oh I remember those Orelstone mozzies very well. The bites from those come up pretty good!! Not been there since moving to Hampshire 3 years ago. I'm working in Ashford for a few days starting next Friday so might have to make a visit or two as I pass it on the way to my mum's where I'll be staying. Might have to try some of that Maximum!

I used to spend many a fruitless lunch break chasing the white admirals around the rides there at midday when they would never ever settle!!

Had to make a visit to Ashford last Saturday and had a very early visit to East Blean before stopping in Ashford (Also first visit snce moving to Hampshire). I discovered they also have the same Mozzies around if you go early!!

Gorgeous weather,stunning scenery,wonderful butterflies and staying in a pub - Hoggers Heavenly Holiday at the Hunter's Inn,Heddon's Mouth!

I'd originally planned to visit South Wales but "Things Happened" and I had to make different arrangements. I wanted to see Fritillaries so Heddon's Mouth came to mind.

On our way there we stopped off at Collard Hill to see Large Blues. We arrived to begin our search at 3pm. This turned out to be very unwise of us: it was baking hot, so hot that no sensible butterfly would be out and about (apart from Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites) so we didn't see any Large Blues. Never mind: we determined to try again on our way home on Friday morning.

So Wednesday evening we were safely ensconced at the Hunter's Inn carrying out a purely scientific survey of the local ales which set us up perfectly for a whole day's butterflying on Thursday.

We got off to a cracking start with the first of many Silver Washed Fritillaries I noticed a Buddleia Bush by the stream close to the pub which was bustling with Fritillaries including the much prized High Brown We then headed out along the road past the cottages to find the meadow mentioned by NeilF in his diary (Neil had also kindly posted me some directions). I'm not sure that we did find it but nonetheless there were meadows on either side of the road with thistles and Cow Parsley type flowers and in them we found Silver Washed, Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries These meadows whilst ornamented by these beautiful insects are also populated by large numbers of big ugly blood-sucking monster flies that seem to be immune to Jungle Formula "Maximum". Fortunately I had my brother with me - they find him to be a tastier meal,so he acts as a diversion. I think I should hire him out.

But biting flies aside, Heddon's Mouth is a fantastic place to see Fritillaries and for me, to see High Browns is a marvellous treat.

We set out early on Friday morning with Large Blues in mind. This time we arrived at Collard Hill at a sensible hour. Within minutes of our arrival we saw our first Large Blue Though a bit flighty! We saw 3 or 4 in total What a debt of gratitude we owe to the marvellous people who saved this butterfly from extinction here.

I'd also been sent directions on how to find the Silver Studded Blues at Fairmile so we stopped off there A Wonderful way to end our short break.

Back home, on my walk with the dogs this morning I believe I've found an Essex Skipper Black on the antennae and a short straight sex brand - An Essex? Certainly looks different to this Small Skipper

Beautiful pictures and I love the clouded yellow.

I talk to the butterflies too

Debbie

Fantastic report - I need to get to those places next year I'd go for Essex for your Skipper, the antennae looks like a drum stick which is one method I use, and there is no "kink" in the sex brand.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Debbie: I walk my dogs every day in the field where I saw the Clouded Yellows and now I just stand there looking across it remembering!

Thanks for the ID Wurzel - I'm always cautious about these Golden Skippers but I agree that one was indeed an Essex.

On my morning walk today I saw no less than 8 Small Tortoiseshells Several Small Skippers and at least one Essex Skipper And my first Gatekeeper of the Year

Hi Hoggers,

Glad to see you had a good time at the Hunters Inn/Heddon Valley. I too sampled a few of the local ales, purely out of curiosity of course

I remember those flies now you mention it but fortunately didn't get bitten, just lucky I guess as I don't use any insect repellent, always worried it will keep the butterflies away too.

That Buddleia was not quite in flower when I was there, just shows the difference a few days sun can make.

Cheers,

Neil F.

I haven't let myself forget the horrid and protracted Winter so recently endured. Thinking back to those freezing, dispiriting months is an inspiration to me to make the most of the current heat wave.

So when the joint astrological influences of Family and Work came into favourable conjunction on Monday, I jumped at the chance of nipping down to Dorset to see those marvellous little projectiles, Lulworth Skippers Amongst the numerous Marbled Whites, Small Heaths, Meadow Browns and the graceful Dark Green Fritillaries I quickly came upon some Lullys Quite a few were infected with mites It was sweltering up on the hill so I repaired to the Cove and bought an Ice Cream. Then I went to Durlston Country Park for more Lulworth Skippers And more Ice Cream!

Before heading home I visited Studland Heath near Swanage in search of Graying He's there somewhere..Ah! There he is They've got to be one of my favourite butterflies Marvellous aren't they?

I stopped in at Bookham Common on my way home, arriving at mid-day. I saw (but couldn't get near enough to photograph) many Purple Hairstreaks and a single Purple Emperor. A fine end to a smashing Butterflying Excursion.

Another great report - you certainly cover the miles But the range you see definitely makes it worth while I'm hoping to get back to my Dorset homeland next week so hopefully I'll haul in a few Skippers and avoid being mistaken for a grockle

Have a goodun

Wurzel

You've sure been busy, Hoggers.

Good to get around while the weather's like this. Abnormally hot conditions can make butterflies do unpredictable things.

Give it a week and someone will have a Purple Hairstreak puddling shot along with White Letter!