www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

The End Is Nigh

After keeping a Personal Diary on UKB for nearly five years now, I will be making my last few posts through late March, before embarking on some exciting new adventures in the world of butterfly conservation, beginning in April. This will mean that I will have to redirect my time elsewhere, at least for a few years, although I'll still be an enthusiastic supporter of this great website! I will continue to post news about butterflies, but from a different angle. More to come in due course.

This afternoon I continued my now traditional early season forays along the banks of Ferring Rife. Things are hotting up! 36 Small Tortoiseshells were enjoying the warm sunshine, along the east bank between the beach car park and the first bridge, including at least 6 courting couples. Egg-laying should begin very soon now, and I expect numbers to build considerably based on observations over the last few years. This is a fantastic venue to start the ball rolling for another great season of butterfly-watching.

Hi Neil,
Please "keep us posted". It is always interesting to know what you are up to even if it is less often. Your diary will be revisited many times because it has such a wealth of information as well as the superb photos. I will definitely be having a look to see "what was Neil doing this time last year?" (it could even be made into a topic itself) just to try and work out how far the season is behind or advanced?
All the best,
Philip

May I be 2nd in what I am sure will be a very long queue of UKBer's asking you to reconsider.
In all walks of life people who are at the top if their game, provide inspiration to those who aspire, those who
are still learning.
We can appreciate that your superb images are often complemented with time consuming analysis, so maybe just a
caption would suffice.
I am sure you will always take your camera on expeditions and even to a computing dunce like myself uploading
images doesn't take very long.
The Purple and Brownie seasons without the Kipper's input. Never!!.

Best wishes in your new venture,
TREVOR.

Neil Hulme wrote:More to come in due course.

Don't keep us in suspense, Neil.

You're not replacing Martin Warren are you?

Excellent photos, Neil - and congratulations (I'll leave it at that for now!). As a previous winner of the UKB Outstanding Contribution Award (and, therefore, inextricably linked to this community), I know you'll never be far away

Cheers,

- Pete

Congratulations from me too Neil...

Whatever project has snared you will benefit enormously and there couldn't be a better person to achieve whatever it is you are set to do. I can't wait to find out what it is!
Your fellow UKButterfliers will be "chomping at the bit" waiting for future news and any updates you are able to post in the future - wherever you are and however long the gaps in communication may be.

Cheers,

Trev

Pete Eeles wrote:Excellent photos, Neil - and congratulations (I'll leave it at that for now!)

Now I'm REALLY frustrated!

Put us out of our misery, Neil!

I agree with all that's been said Neil, please let us know SOON! Goldie

Good luck with the new venture, hope you are able to keep posting your news somewhere

Thanks for all your comments. I won't say any more for now, but the changes will be entirely positive and I will still be posting news and images on a regular basis, perhaps even more regularly than in the past! All will become clear very soon.

No more butterfly sightings for me over the last few days, but I did enjoy photographing this little chap on my garage roof this morning. This one's for Mikhail!

BWs, Neil

HI Neil,

A very fine little fella,and very good news! .

All the best ,
TREVOR.

Pity this isn't First of April otherwise I would suggest - tongue in cheek of course (I think tongue in cheek ?) - that Neil is standing for parliament for the Green Party.

Jack

Best shot you've taken all season Neil

Well good luck Neil with whatever it is that you're embarking on - if it involves lot's of butterflying and you need a hand give me a call

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks again, all.
BWs, Neil

Dun Cuttin

On behalf of the Murray Downland Trust and Butterfly Conservation Sussex Branch, I would like to say "thank you" to all those who have contributed to another highly successful work part season at Heyshott Escarpment. A huge amount has again been achieved. The Duke of Burgundy, Pearl-bordered Fritillary and a wide range of other fauna and flora will benefit greatly from this winter’s work. More at http://murraydownlandtrust.blogspot.co.uk/

Hi Neil
Since I found this website in 2010, your diary has always been one of the "must reads." Look forward to the "different angle" you say you'll be writing from in the future, but I really hope we don't lose the amazing insight and knowledge you have brought us all.

Can't wait to find out what your big news is!
Paul

selbypaul wrote:Hi Neil
Since I found this website in 2010, your diary has always been one of the "must reads." Look forward to the "different angle" you say you'll be writing from in the future, but I really hope we don't lose the amazing insight and knowledge you have brought us all.

Can't wait to find out what your big news is!
Paul

I'll second that!!

TREVOR.

Can't wait to find out what your big news is!

Might know on 8th May

Jack

I'd like to know sooner than that if at all possible!