essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

A recent visit to Bedfords park found this nice pair of Small Coppers, but no Commas. Numbers of Hutchinsoni were reasonable, so where are they all this year?

[millerd]

Nice pair of Coppers, Mark. I have also noticed a dearth of Commas this autumn - just one freshly-emerged one a few days ago when normally there are quite a few still around. September weather (until the last week) was pretty good too.

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbuzzard]

Yes you’re right Dave, September’s weather was outstanding, so that can’t be the problem.

However, it’s been so wet the last few days that here, we had already beat the October average of rain by yesterday lunchtime.

Let’s hope that doesn’t bring an early end to sightings.

[bugboy]

I'm with you both on the dearth of Commas this autumn. They had a fantastic spring, plenty of hutchinsoni and then almost nothing

[Wurzel]

Cracking shot Essex - a species I#d love to get in my 'In Cop Collection' Perhaps the Commas sensed something that was coming and went into hibernation early - it looks like we're in the middle of a three week cycle of crud weather now and who knows what lies beyond that?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

A recent visit to Bedfords park found this nice pair of Small Coppers, but no Commas. Numbers of Hutchinsoni were reasonable, so where are they all this year?

Been a peculiar year for Commas, Mark, and like you I'm not sure why.

Common in the earlier part of spring, but they then practically vanished, rallied a little around midsummer but failed to turn up in anything other than small numbers afterwards.

Oddly enough, I've seen one or two every time I've been out these last 3 weeks or so.

[trevor]

Yes, that is a shot and a half Mark, superbly captured.
I think this Autumn has been excellent for late butterflies, including Small Coppers.

Stay safe and well,
Trevor.

[Neil Freeman]

Cracking Small Coppers Mark, very nice

I think this Autumn has been excellent for late butterflies, including Small Coppers.

It has been a very poor autumn for butterflies around my patch here in the midlands. Apart from the Small Coppers the other week there has been very little else still flying.

Cheers,

Neil.

[essexbuzzard]

Yes, I’m with Neil on that one!

However, on Tuesday there was some sunshine, so I headed back to Bedfords park, more in hope than expectation. However, despite all the rain, the cold and lack of sunshine, there were still a few Small Coppers flying. They are clearly tough little insects!

And today, at work, I saw a Small Tortoiseshell!

[Wurzel]

Cracking Small Coppers Essex I think it's very nice of nature to leave such a great looking species until late in the season

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Great to see those Coppers, Mark. Haven't stumbled across any for a couple of weeks now so I fear my next ones will be in late April 2021!

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Wurzel and David.

GR!

Recently back from my trip to southern Greece. The fact that this holiday went ahead at all is a triumph over adversity, considering the hurdles in the way. Even once arrived, there was a chance we might be called back home at any moment. Then, while we were there, lockdown in GB was announced, and there was the anxious wait to see if our flight back would be changed or cancelled. In the event, the trip went without incident - we were incredibly lucky.

That considered, we were always going to have a great time here. There is something rather nice in being able to walk around in shirts and shorts in November! This was no butterfly trip, instead this late-autumn holiday to the Peloponnese was to see the famous array of autumn flowering bulbs,which avoided the heat and dry of the long summer by responding to the autumn rain, and flowering then. But I did see butterflies, including a couple of real belters, and as this is a butterfly site, I’ll start with these.

First up was this black Skipper. My first instinct was Mediterranean Skipper. But having checked the books,it appears to be Pygmy Skipper, although it was quite large. Having never seen either before, I’m happy to be corrected by anyone with more experience!

[David M]

Well done for getting away, Mark. Your timing was excellent.

As for your skipper, I'm not even going to try to 'correct' you. I had my own issue with Mediterranean/Pygmy Skipper during my trip to Spain last August. Even Tolman & Lewington is ambiguous, or even plain wrong, on the differences/distribution of these species.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David. The joy of actually getting away in the end cannot be exaggerated.

I’m not certain on the identification of the Skipper either.
Although the White spots confirm it’s a female, the differences between the black Skippers seem small and confusing, especially for those of us who are not familiar with them. But still, it was great to see it!

The other new species for me was the Plain Tiger. Good numbers of these were present at some of the coastal sites we visited. They were a splendid sight. What a great thing to see in November!

They were clearly breeding here, too, for we found the caterpillars.

Whether they live here year-round, or whether the Plain Tigers migrate here in spring, breed and fly in summer and autumn, before flying south, I’m not sure. Certainly, they were an unexpected pleasure!

[Neil Freeman]

I'm glad to hear that you got away Mark

Those Plain Tigers certainly brightened up a dull and drizzly Friday

Cheers,

Neil.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Neil.

It’s amazing to think I was seeing stuff like this a couple of weeks ago!

Other exotics were seen. Walls and Large Walls were seen in several places.

Bath Whites were common throughout the area, though few settled. This early morning adult did land to bask.

Here is a Mallow Skipper. Several were found on a patch of waste ground near Athina (Athens).

[essexbuzzard]

This Langs Short-tailed Blue didn’t go unnoticed among the Plain Tigers.

This Speckled Wood is rather more familiar.

Brown Argus were one of the species mostly frequently seen.

Perhaps the most abundant species was the Clouded Yellow, common everywhere.

Other species seen, but not photographed ,were Large White, Small White, Small Copper,Long-tailed Blue, Common Blue, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Heath and Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

[trevor]

Certainly a destination for a November break, Mark.
Some great sightings and images to look back on.
Glad this covid bug didn't spoil things for you in the end.

Stay well,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic stuff Essex - those Plain Tigers certainly hit the spot on a dreary and cold November evening - nothing that plain about them to my mind

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

..The other new species for me was the Plain Tiger. Good numbers of these were present at some of the coastal sites we visited. They were a splendid sight. What a great thing to see in November!

Great to see this stunning species in any month of the year, Mark. They look in beautiful condition too.

To make things even better, you saw early stages as well! Fabulous! The way things are going we may see them turning up here in the next 20 years or so.