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My ambition this morning was to find some Purple Hairstreaks in Abbots wood.
I arrived just before 6am, and soon found four PH. warming up.

The real prize, however, was another ab. This time a White Admiral with no
white markings on the upper side at all. My initial thought, which was quickly
dismissed, was that I was looking at an extra large Ringlet, as several were
bobbing around the same patch of Brambles at the same time.
My attempts to obtain an underside shot were in vein, as it always landed with
wings open and was otherwise very obliging.

What a week !,

Trevor.

Amazing White Admiral ab, Trevor. Maybe you should call it a Black Admiral?

The Purple Hairstreak upper wing shots are very fine too.

Here are two more images of this mornings White Admiral ab.
I've had a search round to find the best match for this ab. and ab. nigrina seems to suit.
It would seem that none of this type of ab. have been reported in recent years.
As this is my third ab. in under a week, there could be many more out there in this
1976 type weather.

What a great find Trevor ! Nice one. I found an AB;Nigrina in Orlestone forest K ent in 1985 ,and with the exception
of one possible ,in the same wood last year (but I was hassled by two Alsatians…….so had to give it up !) it remains my only one .
Once again Great find (and in cracking nick !)
Regards Allan.W.

Woah that is awesome, I didn't know what it was at first glance, for a moment I thought "oh an off colour, spotless Ringlet, and then I looked again at the wing shape it it became much more impressive a find

Have a goound

Wurzel

Nice find Trevor , some nice Purple Hairstreaks as well, another species who's having a fabulous season.

Great find Trevor! Like the Purple Hairstreaks as well.

Wow! Trevor, what a great find, never heard of a an Admiral like that before, that's some thing else to look out for I don't think I'd have spotted that, Goldie

Offline for a while, laptop in for repair. Back soon

Good to see you back Trevor - hope that means the pc has been repaired?

Many thanks Pauline, yes I'm almost back to normal.

The main problem with my laptop was a failure with the charger.
There was also a problem with my camera. I lost my close up lens, probably in Abbots wood.
After an attempt to obtain a replacement from Hong Kong, which clearly stated for FZ 38,
what arrived was the wrong size.
In desperation I called at The Camera Centre, in Hailsham. Here I was once told that they don't
stock Panasonic products. This time however the owner served me, and was able to show me a
whole range of close up lenses intended for film cameras, and had thus been in stock for years.
I purchased three for £4 each !. I have to say that the result with the new lens is superb.

For now, here is an image taken in an early morning ' beat the heat ' visit to Abbots wood.

This morning I called at the Knepp estate to see what was about.
After about an hour I happened to notice a lot of Purple Emperor action around one particular Oak.
Straining my eyes, I could just make out that the Emperors were paying particular attention to one
small area of the tree, very high up.
Using full zoom ( sorry about the quality ) I could make out two Emperors, and a Red Admiral
enjoying a sap run.

Trevor.

Good to see you up and running again Trevor after your technological blip. I must say that male Purple Hairstreak is very crisp!

This morning I went on, what has now become a regular, ' beat the heat ', early morning
visit to Abbots wood, principally for Purple Hairstreaks.
I have found a spot where they regularly come down to bask in the early morning,
as long as the weather is to their liking. This morning I hit the jackpot, it was one
of those occasions where you think it can't get any better, then it does !.

First on the scene was a female PH. basking open wing, followed by another a few
minutes later. Better still I noticed a third PH. land in the grass, this time a male.
This Butterfly was clearly seeking moisture, I could see the proboscis searching
as it walked through the low vegetation. Then utopia ! when this PH flew onto
a patch of bare earth for some closed wing shots, and later opened right up !.
Had I managed full purple it would have been champagne and dancing girls,
but I was quite content, with a camera full of open wing Purple Hairstreaks.

Trevor.

Hi Trevor

Brilliant Purplestreaks

I have been out 4 times now and all I can get are closed wings, which are nice but....

So congrats and if I were you I'd open the fizz and bring on the girls anyway. You know you deserve it!

BTW were you wearing your tuna oil aftershave?

Cheers Peter. No the Tesco Tuna has been put away for another year.
It should be even better by the next Emperor season.
If you want an open wing Purple Hairstreak you will have to rise from your
slumber nice and early, in clear bright sunshine. The hours between 06.30
till about 08.30 seem to be best.
Today, bright sun awakened them, then some cloud cover calmed them down.

Good hunting,
Trevor.

trevor wrote: If you want an open wing Purple Hairstreak you will have to rise from your
slumber nice and early, in clear bright sunshine. The hours between 06.30
till about 08.30 seem to be best.
Today, bright sun awakened them, then some cloud cover calmed them down.

Good hunting,
Trevor.

Yes I am trying that, but today it was overcast and chilly. I saw three but they all stayed at 6-10 feet and kept closed! But I will keep trying

Meanwhile, I had a fantastic day with Chalkhills, so its not all bad.

Like your tactics Trevor, well rewarded.

That is a cracking Purple Hairstreak Trevor And thanks for the tip-off too, unfortunately early mornings and children don't seem to be a winning combination in the Wurzel household at the moment

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Here are some of the other species seen this morning.
Does anyone have any views on the female Gate Keeper, with the extra dark stripe
on the right hand forewing ?.