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Trevor - I just assumed the dark mark on the Gatekeeper wing was a shadow cast by the sun but you were there and know it was not. How odd that its only on one wing and not the other. Does that rule out aberration? Perhaps others with more knowledge than me would know. It could be a scorch mark but it has a feathered appearance when you use zoom mode to look closer.

Many thanks Ernie. Wurzel is a bit of an authority on Gate Keepers, it'll be good to have his opinion.

This evening I went up onto the Downs to find roosting Chalk Hill Blues.
The number of males found was matched by the variation in lighting conditions .

Only just catching up, Trevor... That Black Admiral is a splendid beast and those are terrific shots of such a great rarity. Congratulations! Then you follow it withsome amazing Purple Hairstreaks... I can't imagine what you'll come across next.

Cheers,

Dave

Cracking Chalkhills Trevor As for the Hedge Brown I'm at a loss as to me it looks like the shadow of a Bracken frond Failing that it could be a scorch mark or a smudge?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I too thought it was a shadow cast by an errant Bracken frond I need to get out and see some Chalkhills now!

Lovely Purple Hairstreaks, Trevor, but even they are eclipsed by that magnificent camilla aberration. A quite stunning insect!

Many thanks folks. The extra mark on the Gate Keeper was definitely not a shadow.
When I found the Butterfly it was resting with wings closed, as I was about to leave
it the Sun appeared and it opened up. My first thought was of a male, but the brown
stripe is in the wrong place. There was nothing in front of this Butterfly to cause a shadow.

One of those mysteries !.
Many thanks again,
Trevor.

I have long been convinced that East Sussex is one of this countries top Butterfly hot-spots.
This proved to be true this morning, starting off with Purple Hairstreaks, and ending
with Wall Browns and Chalkhill Blues, all within a short drive.

My first stop off was at Abbots wood where two Purple Hairstreaks were found basking,
this time, and more appropriately, on Oak leaves. Many other Butterflies were present,
but it was a fairly fresh female Silver Washed Fritillary that had my attention.

I then took a short drive up to High and Over, for Wall Browns. Here it was very warm and
the three Walls seen were very active and busy seeing off themselves and any Gate Keepers
that got in the way. Only an underside shot was possible, as they closed up on landing.
On the North facing slope of High and Over, Chalkhill Blues can usually be found, and
were found in abundance this morning. They seem to be able to detect Human presence
from ten paces away, and fly off before the chance of selecting one to photograph !.

Trevor.

That's a laudable variety of species in a day, Trevor. I particularly like the Chalkhills, although their arrival is tinged with trepidation as it means summer has but a few weeks left in it!

Great set of Chalkhills Trevor and even more Purple Hairstreak

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Early this morning I went, with Doug Neve , to Abbots wood, hoping to find him
a Purple Hairstreak in an area where they have reliably been found basking in recent days.
Although the sun remained stubbornly behind high cloud, one female PH flew down
to a low level branch to be admired.
We later travelled over to the Knepp estate, the highlight being the sight of three
Purple Emperors with enough energy left to give a great flying display.

A surprise find was a fresh male Holy Blue searching for moisture/minerals by a stream.
All other sightings were mostly of Gate Keepers and Meadow Browns, of which several
were either posing nicely or so fresh that they deserved some attention.
At least three very fast, fresh, Peacocks were also seen.

A great day,
Trevor.

Trevor - Going back to the odd mark on your Gatekeeper from a few days ago. I met a guy butterflying in Alice Holt and he mentioned that he had taken a picture of a Gatekeeper with one forewing marked in a strange way. I have never met you in person so thought it might be you talking about your picture. But no, it transpired it was someone else with a similar experience to you. It was a complete coincidence. It was even the same forewing but in his case the flaw in the wing was white rather than black as yours is. He said he had read somewhere that such marks can be due to problems in the pupa stage that then manifest as blemishes on the butterfly. I am not qualified to comment but thought I would relay the info anyway.

Cheers

Great set of shots Trevor especially the lightly marked Meadow Brown

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks Ernie. I'm glad you established that your conversation was not with me.
I haven't been to Straits for several years. We used to visit there for Emperors but
never had much luck with them there.
I've had a good year for abs. and Butterflies with odd markings.

Keep up the good work !
Trevor.

This mornings session with the Purple Hairstreaks was the best yet.
One Butterfly in particular posed perfectly for the camera.

I have also included an image of the Oak, from which most of my
recent PH's have originated.
On the way back to the car I spotted a female Silver Washed Fritillary
nectaring on Ragwort, who could resist !.

Have you been taking lessons and adapting them from Dave Miller Trevor? It seems that you have the way of the Purple Hairstreak

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great selections Trevor, some lovely specimens.

Hedge Browns (with a particularly stunning female), Purple Hairstreaks & Silver Washed Fritillaries.....all this points to summer being past its peak.

Let's hope we've a few good weeks left before autumn comes a calling.

On my way home from Wiltshire this morning, I made a detour via Chiddingfold forest.
This seemed the sensible thing to do, as it was only 15 miles out of my way,
whereas a return journey from home is 108 miles.
The reason for the visit was for second brood Wood Whites. I was in luck for two reasons,
1) I found about a dozen, and 2) it was quite cloudy by then. The cloud does not stop
them from flying but it does make them likely to land more often and is better for photography.

This visit was also tinged with a little melancholy. It was only about three weeks ago that
everyone was there enjoying the Purple Emperors. today the place was deserted save for a
female jogger with her dog.

The party is over for another year ,

Trevor.

Lovely set of Wood Whites Trevor How dd you get on in Wiltshire - did you manage to find any Walls?

Have a goodun

Wurzel