essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David, yes, with the damp and very windy weather, it’s felt more like autumn the last few days!

One advantage of the collapse in weather, is I have been able to enjoy the local Ringlets at a much more leisurely pace than last week! In the woodland rides, sheltered from the wind, these lovely smokey black butterflies have been relaxing. Not the best pictures in low light, but definitely a pleasure!

There must have been something about this leaf that made it better than all the others!

[David M]

...One advantage of the collapse in weather, is I have been able to enjoy the local Ringlets at a much more leisurely pace than last week! In the woodland rides, sheltered from the wind, these lovely smokey black butterflies have been relaxing. Not the best pictures in low light, but definitely a pleasure!

Every cloud (and there are lots of them right now) has a silver lining, Mark.

The sun has been out here today, but with 20mph+ winds any butterfly watching has been rendered near impossible.

Looks like we've a few more days of it to endure, which is particularly disappointing given that this is the peak of the season.

I've never known such a bizarre year for weather in my lifetime. It's got to the point when I a crave 'normal'.

[Goldie M]

Not seen a Ringlet or much else here essex, the weather's been awful. Goldie

[essexbuzzard]

But what is normal, David? Our great British weather has always been rather fickle...

Same down here, Goldie, though not so wet as up your way. But plenty of cloud, wind and drizzle...

[Wurzel]

I wonder what is so special about that leaf Essex? I mean it looks like they've got the whole plant to choose form but they plonk themselves down next to each other - that's for you, there's always something to wonder about

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

But what is normal, David? Our great British weather has always been rather fickle...

I think the climate is still settling on that one, Mark. This time last week it was almost 30 degrees yet today has seen constant wind, rain and 15c temperatures round my way.

I'd settle for 21c with sunshine and occasional showers thank you.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Wurzel. Nature’s full of surprises!

Thanks David. Light winds would be nice, too!

In recent years, my local woods, ten minutes walk away, have been colonised by Silver-washed Fritillaries. No longer is it necessary to travel to southernmost parts of England to see this magnificent species!

With all the wind in the last week, rare sunny spells in woodland rides and clearings have been my only realistic chance to see butterflies.

[Wurzel]

Cracking shots Essex - especially like the first where it looks like the Silver-washed has muscled its way into the shot - feel sorry for the Comma

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

...In recent years, my local woods, ten minutes walk away, have been colonised by Silver-washed Fritillaries. No longer is it necessary to travel to southernmost parts of England to see this magnificent species!

That's excellent, Mark. This is one species that does seem to be extending its range. I particularly like the females; they remind me a bit of Cardinals.

[essexbuzzard]

Funnily enough, it’s another one of those situations, Wurzel. There were loads of bramble flowers to choose from, yet they both picked the same one!

Thanks David, it’s a very welcome new colonist. And you’re right, they do remind us of those magnificent cardinals, and only slightly smaller.

More good news shortly, but first,

With a short window of good weather this morning, I headed down to Denbies, in Surrey. Actually, it was fairly quiet, and Denbies has yet to really get going. But I did see my first Chalkhill Blues of the year. These are perhaps my favourite high summer butterflies, and will now be my constant companions on my downland walks for the rest of the summer.

There were also a few Dark Green Fritillaries present. By late morning, cloud had invaded, and the day was over.

[millerd]

I missed you again, Mark! I was at Denbies this morning as well, finding just a single Chalkhill, and getting stuck with an interesting Small Copper somewhere else on the hillside. It was generally pretty quiet like you say, but hopefully within a week or two things will change.

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbuzzard]

Yes, don’t know how I missed you! I saw 4 Chalkhills, three in the first section, and one at the bottom of the hill. Congratulations on your fantastic Small Copper!

[David M]

Lovely to see those Chalkhills, Mark, even if it does mean that summer is now starting to wane sightly.

[essexbuzzard]

Still much to look forward to, David. The downs are about to come alive with Chalkhill Blues, then by the end of this month, brilliant Silver Spotted Skippers will follow. Then, in late August, second generation Adonis Blues, to name but a few!

[essexbuzzard]

Well, I hope we, in England and Wales at least, got to enjoy the rain today. But life is full of surprises! When the rain stopped for a while, the common near my home produced this rather lovely, and most unexpected, Brown Argus. I had to go back and get my camera!

[essexbuzzard]

More good news!

The grassy common behind my house, where I spend so much of my spare time, is being colonised by Marbled Whites. Over the last two or three years, I have occasionally seen one over there, but put it down to the odd individual, wandering through the countryside. However this year, I’ve had multiple sightings, including up to three adults together.

Any increase in butterflies is welcome, but particularly so for the Marbled Whites, as they are one of the loveliest species of early to high summer. They have been common for many years near the Essex coast, and numbers have been increasing. But I live in the far west of the county, well away from these populations. The grassy common where I live is gently north-facing, and appears suitable. So I hope numbers will continue to increase in the coming years!

[Wurzel]

That's great news Essex - the first Marbled Whites for me are another one of the important markers of the season Those Chalkhills - stunning!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[bugboy]

I had a Marbled White on my local patch the other week which is only a few miles from the Essex Border, and since I've been visiting Epping Forest more often than usual this year for obvious reasons, I've got chatting to some local enthusiasts and they seem to be colonising the plains there too by all accounts. It's all good news on that front

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Mark, cracking Marbled Whites.

They are popping up all over the place around my local patch this year, definitely one of the success stories around here

Cheers,

Neil.

[millerd]

That's great to hear, Mark. They do seem to be spreading out everywhere - I've had a few on my local patch two years running now, and a very attractive addition to the local butterfly population they are too. I believe they are increasing their range in places like Yorkshire as well.

Cheers,

Dave