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With my search for rarer quarry I've been neglecting my local patch in recent weeks so with an early finish from work today I nipped out in the late afternoon sun to see what was about.

I was hoping to see some early Common Blue, Small Copper or Brown Argus but it was not to be. There were a few butterflies catching some rays before bedtime, a single Peacock and Comma, a few Whites including a male GV who allowed some close attention. The ever present wind made focusing a bit difficult though, don't think I've had a butterflying day this year where the breeze hasn't been a menace to photography! A Green Shieldbug also soaking up the last rays Also at work today I watched a female Orange-tip laying eggs on some Garlic Mustard. Hopefully I will start doing a regular transect at work soon, sacrificing one lunchbreak a week is a small price to pay . Just needs sorting out with the bosses.

HI Bugboy,
I might go back and try for a Holly Blue hat trick !.

All the best
TREVOR.

Good luck Trever

I’ve not really been able to take much more than a cursory glance on here in recent days, work and butterflying taking over. I shall try and catch up soon though.

In search for Dukes, again! 12th May

So with a half day and a sunny afternoon I shot off from work and had another attempt at receiving an audience. Back up to Aldbury Nowers Nature Reserve from where I planned to walk over to Ivinghoe Beacon, what could go wrong? Well the wind made a good effort!

I get to the nature reserve at about 2, the wind blowing a gale so and figure my best chance is along the hedges. Not much shows itself at first and I bump into a couple of other butterflyers who tell me that they seen some Grizzled and Dingy Skippers and Small Heaths and that there was apparently a report of a Duke the previous day. As we chat, a dingy Skipper lands in front of us, just to prove they weren’t lying! It quickly flies off and we go of on our separate ways. Within a couple of minutes, flitting around a little sheltered sun trap I get my first 2015 newbie of the day, a pristine Small Copper. She’s very active but does sit long enough to get a handful of close-ups (I’m saying ‘she’ based on the shape of the forewing, didn’t see her abdomen so I may be wrong). Whatever sex, she was beautifully marked and positively glowed in the sun! Crossing into a second field where I was told the Heaths were I was welcomed by a particularly finely marked individual, 2015 newbie #2 for the day. A few meters further on and I was greeted by 2015 newbie number 3, a Brown Argus. Yet again a pristine animal, there was obviously a mass emergence very recently. As I was stalking it another appeared and they proceeded to tassel in the air and then land right in front of me. From what I could tell both seemed to be trying to mate the other in a dominant 'male like' fashion, perhaps being newly emerged, males get confused and over excited until the females start to appear? Well anyway after they finally vanished I made the move to get to the Beacon. It was fine until I got to the exposed ridge top walkway where I was getting blown ragged. The walk itself isn’t too bad and takes under an hour (as long as you don’t get side tracked like I do).
On the outskirts of the Beacon a Mother Shipton landed in front of me (when I say landed I actually mean the wind put it there!)
At the Beacon (my first visit to the site) I now had to find where the Dukes live. It was getting close to 4 now so chances of finding any were dwindling but quite quickly I stumbled across a sheltered scrubby area, infested with Cowslips. Add to that a scattering of people slowly wandering around like they had lost their keys I’m confident I found the site! I may have found the site but after an half an hour there was no sign of anything Duke (or Duchess) like so I made my way back.

I stopped off at the north end of the reserve this time, an area I had yet to explore and was rewarded by a handful of Dingy Skippers, several more stunningly marked pristine Brown Argus a Grizzled Skipper and a few more Small Heath. It’s interesting how differently each Heath is, easily individually Identifiable without any effort. And some other inhabitants So anyway, despite not a sniff of my intended quarry and a pretty intense ‘breeze’, a damn decent days butterflying was had

That's a great report Buggy accompanied by some smashing shots, especially the Brown Argus .Interesting observation too re Brown Argus. Your description of the outing left me feeling like I had actually been there - an interesting read

Thank you Pauline for your kind words .I think my pics still have some way to go before they are as good as yours though!

Abbots Wood part 1 13th May

What a difference a day can make, pouring with rain today. Luckily my day off this week fell on the sunniest day.

Pearl Bordered Fritillaries weren’t on my ‘to see’ list this year, I was staying closer to home this year but then everyone started posting their gorgeous pictures and temptation got the better of me. A quick look on google earth to find the closest train station to Abbots Wood,the closest colony to me, and the trip was planned.

Getting there was a nice easy trip, a pleasant walk from the station to the wood and then......oh, now where do they hang out? I’ve never been here before! Best plan I figured was to walk around looking for clearings. I found a clearing after 20 mins and within 30 seconds in front of me I saw something orangy fluttering. It was quite pale but never having seen a PBF before I didn’t know any better. Getting closer my initial excitement was dashed, it was a Painted Lady..... I felt guilty about being disappointed, it was after all my first of the year and it had travelled a long way to see me! So a couple of shots and off I went again. Walking towards me was someone obviously doing some butterfly recording. A pleasant chat and some pointing at his little map of the wood and I was on my way with a rough idea of where I was going. Even if I didn’t see any I was having a lovely day so far, English woodlands in May are wonderful places to explore. Several GV Whites and a few large whites later I arrived at what I thought was the site I was directed to. Sure enough there it was, my very first PBF! Another appeared and both tormented me by flitting around but rarely settling for long enough to get a picture and I only managed one long distance shot. Out of the corner of my eye, something small and brown distracted my attention as it flitted low over the bramble and a beautifully pristine Green Hairstreak landed in front of me. She was a stunner and allowed me some nice close-ups as she looked for somewhere to lay and basked in the rays. The Fritillaries appeared and vanished but no more than 2 so I was beginning to think I hadn’t found the main site after all and I never managed another picture .

A single Grizzled Skipper made some brief appearances but again I only managed the one distant shot. Oh well, it was the middle of the day so maybe if I wandered back later they would be more willing to settle. I spent another hour or two exploring the wood, Brimstones and Large whites making regular appearances and also this little creature somehow caught my eye by the side of the path, a male Oak Hook-tip. A new species for me! Upon my return, the Fritillaries were indeed more willing to settle but still vanished more often than not and still only the two, not the masses I’d been lead to believe. I must have been in the wrong place but where was the right place? Maybe I should have asked some people on here for proper directions...... I couldn’t go home with just 3 PBF pics but on the other hand it was a lifer for me and I had seen plenty of other stuff and it was a bloody lovely day for a walk in the woods!

Great reports Buggy with some lovely shots - Greenstreaks, BA's and that Brimstone is a cracker - it looks like about to be flung off by the recoiling Bluebell I was at my Marshies site yesterday - bucket loads there were so it's looking good for your visit

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Well done Buggy, Pearls can be difficult to get close to in the heat of the day. If you would like to know the "right place" send me a PM and I'll give you a grid ref.

All the best

James

Butterflysaurus rex wrote:Well done Buggy, Pearls can be difficult to get close to in the heat of the day. If you would like to know the "right place" send me a PM and I'll give you a grid ref.

All the best

James

Watch this space James

Wurzel wrote:Great reports Buggy with some lovely shots - Greenstreaks, BA's and that Brimstone is a cracker - it looks like about to be flung off by the recoiling Bluebell I was at my Marshies site yesterday - bucket loads there were so it's looking good for your visit

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel and great news about the Marshies, I can't wait for that lifer, just hope the weather is on my side!

Abbots Wood 13th May (part two)

I was still trying to get a decent close up of the Fritillaries when a small party of people turn up about 3pm. The first question I'm asked is, ‘how many have you seen’. Obviously there’s no need to explain what we are talking about and I answer ‘two’. Same as the day before apparently and I ask where the main site is. Turns out I was only a short walk from the original release site and then I’m offered a lift to this year’s main site. On the short drive I find out that my host is in fact the guy behind the original release so if anyone knows where they are he should!

As an aside, aren’t all butterfliers very nice people! I’ve Met a fair few rude birders/twitchers but I’ve yet to meet a butterflier without a smile and time for a pleasant chat.

Anyway, a short drive to the north end to the wood and I’m pointed up a path and told to look to the right. Sure enough I walk into a clearing and I’m greeted by several PBF flitting low over the ground. I walk around slowly, observing them, trying to work out the best tactic to get a shot. Quite easy to sex them from the behaviour, lots of egg laying females clambering through the low undergrowth and I quickly work out that you don’t really need to stalk them: pick your spot and await their arrival seems to be the best tactic! I then spent a fantastic hour enjoying the delights of a thriving PBF colony, they really are absolutely stunning insects and it was good to see some still looking very fresh.

When the clouds arrived at 4pm, they signal it’s time to make a move and head off home so I shall end this post allowing the PBF to speak for themselves with a small(ish) selsction of the 50 odd pictures I came home with

In Search of Dukes....3rd time lucky? 16th May Part 1

Dukes were beginning to take on an almost mythological form for me, having already had two failed attempts at finding the little blighters so I got an early start with the plan to get to Ivinghoe Beacon by noon, walking from Tring again. A secondary target today was Grizzled Skippers. I’ve not managed any decent pics since I saw my lifer on Denbies a few weeks ago.

The promised weather appeared although the wind had decided to pay another visit to one of my butterfling days out! I get to Aldbury Nowers Nature Reserve at around 10.30. Some Dingies were out and about in sheltered spots and so was a single Grizzled. He was intent on feeding on the Silverweed flowers and so was easy to get close to. I spend 10 minutes following him around from flower to flower, getting a nice stack of pictures . Hopefully the day would continue to be this good.

Walking through the Nature Reserve I disturb several Small Heaths and many more Dingies as well as having several Brimstones flybys, they really are having a fantastic spring. No sign of any Brown argus this morning though, maybe they're having a lay in this morning.

Moving on to the windswept walk to the Beacon I stop off at some sheltered spots covered in Cowslips I’d noticed on my previous trip. More Dingies and Grizzled but no Dukes. A red Kite did a flyby and lots of Yellowhammers calling from the hedges. I get to The Beacon just after 12 and make my way to the spot I’d found on the previous visit. Not a sign of a Duke. For 20 minutes the only butterflies showing any interest in the Cowslips are Brimstones. I decided to explore a little further afield, when I notice a small dark thing flutter in front of me, thinking it’s another Dingy I watch as it lands in front of me and there it is, breaking my duck, a beautiful little Duchess, freshly emerged (I like to think she emerged specifically for my visit and had been waiting for me all moring ). Having no experience of this species I’m very pleased to find they are rather easy to get close to and 5 minutes later I have a camera full of Duchess pictures . She eventually flies off and a very short distance away I put up a Duke holding a territory in a dry ditch. He quickly settles and I settle down for a load more pictures as he basks in the noon sun. I spend about 20 happy minutes in his company Needless to say I am having a bloody great day so far!

I'll write up the second half of the day later,it would seem the weatherman lied about sunday being drab and cloudy, all I can see is sun and gorgeous blue sky outside so I'm off to look for Common Blues on my local patch now. Hope you're all having as good a weekend as I'm having so far

Buggy

Not here Buggy, it's a cold wind again,I'm glad you found your Dukes wish I could take off and find the PBF but quite limited at present. Your PBF look great
My eye is better thank you but I've to be careful for the next couple of weeks. Goldie

In Search of Dukes....3rd time lucky! 16th May Part 2

Well no Common Blues out on Walthamstow Marshes yet but Holly Blues are very common now but more of that later, back to Dukes.

I heard rumours that there was a Butterfly Conservation outing on the Beacon today so I figured if I find them I’ll get more Duke action. I happen upon them as they return to the car park and am given directions to the main population. The walk continues to be stunning, the scenery is gorgeous on a day like this! you can just make out Whipsnade Zoos white Lion in the chalk bank in the distance. I find the site easily enough; I know I’m there because suddenly I’m putting up a new male every few feet along the sheltered pathway, I see probably eight or nine in total, undoubtedly there are more.The first one I see is rather weather worn! Others are somewhat less... Also present are 3 female Green hairstreaks, all looking to lay so I get myself another dose of GH action as well as the now ubiquitous Brimstone!

Here I chat to a couple of other butterfliers, one like me getting some pics and another, a national trust employee, recording numbers.

I spend about half an hour here before making my way back to the hill top. I figure one final sortie where my first sightings were is in order and almost immediately I almost trip over another Female, this one with much stronger orange markings. She casually basks whilst I stick my lense in her face and snap away before she flies onto the ground and starts feeding on a damp patch of the path. There’s no option left to me, I have to lay flat on the ground now and hope no one trips over me coming round the corner. She spends a fair few minutes spinning on the spot with my camera capturing as much action as possible. It’s interesting to note they have rather broad tongues, very reminiscent of Hairstreaks. When she flies off out of site I notice a Grizzled Skipper feeding on a dandelion next to me, practically asking to be photographed....OK then! As I take my final wanderings I chat to a mother and daughter couple doing a Duke survey, they record 4 males here. With so many people recording numbers and good habitat management it certainly seems the future for these gorgeous little critters is secure for the time being

As for me, well I left in the morning without ever having seen a Duke of Burgundy, I returned home with (after deleting all the rubbish ones) 95 photographs of them plus some decent Grizzled Skippers.
Today’s mission most definitely complete!

Hmmmm, 3 entries in one day..... too much? oh well!

So with the weatherman telling porkies about what to expect today I woke up mid morning to a beautiful blue sky. After doing a few bits and pieces I'd set aside for a cloudy day I grabbed my camera and went out to my local patch in search of my first Common Blues of the year. It's still early for my site, don't think I've ever seen them out before the first week of June but you never know.

As it turns out I didn't see any Common Blues but Holly Blues were in abundance, at least 6 individuals present, 3 male and 3 female, seen in a short space of time. The males had staked out territories around Dogwoods which is very plentyful on this site and is almost certainly the primary springtime LHP. They landed frequently to sunbath so I finally got some open winged shots. But in true Holly Blue style never long enough to get very close or up high out of my reach. I watched as an aged female entered a males territory a number of times but his attentions were unwanted and with a quick fluttery wing bashing he certainly got the message! I found another female, undisturbed by any males, ovipositing on Dogwood further on and she allowed me to get close. Photography was made rather difficult when she was laying though since she was being blown in and out of the shade so I ended up guessing exposure and snapping madly. Holly Blues were in fact the most numerous butterfly today, others seen were single males Orange Tip & Brimstone, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 male GV White, none of whom settled , and a single male Small White who I disturbed as a cloud passed over. I followed him as he dithered looking for another suitable resting spot and managed a few nice snaps of him before the sun appeared and he vanished on his eternal hunt for a mate!

Glad you got your Dukes bugboy and loads of nice shots too. Now Holly Blue open wing shots as well, it's all happening

It's not often you can say that Holly Blues were the most numerous species, Bugboy.

I'm glad you got an audience with them. They can be tricky critters, especially in spring.

Maximus wrote:Glad you got your Dukes bugboy and loads of nice shots too. Now Holly Blue open wing shots as well, it's all happening

It's all happening until tomorrow, have you seen the forcast! I suspect they might get it right this time

Dukes certainly are addictive, aren't they, Buggy! I'm pleased you found so many. And that Holly Blue female on the dogwood flower buds is a lovely one.

Dave

millerd wrote:Dukes certainly are addictive, aren't they, Buggy! I'm pleased you found so many. And that Holly Blue female on the dogwood flower buds is a lovely one.

Dave

So addictive! Staying with a mate next weekend so I can go to the Bison hill sites for another audience with them!

Yes that female was a right little poser

David M wrote:It's not often you can say that Holly Blues were the most numerous species, Bugboy.

I'm glad you got an audience with them. They can be tricky critters, especially in spring.

Very tricky but persistance pays off. Hope you get some good weather in your part of the world soon, looks like Thursday might be the start of a short warm spell.

Nice Holly Blues Bug Boy, lets hope the weather does get warmer Goldie