essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Trevor and Wurzel. It was lovely to see the Marsh Fritillaries there.

After lunch in Salisbury, we headed off to Martin Down. Although we saw more Marsh Fritillaries, and many other species, our main target here was the Small Blues. Plenty were found scattered around the site, especially near the bushes and in the long grass. Photography was a challenge, given the heat, but I got a few pictures I’m happy with.

And I couldn’t resist this mating pair of Dingy Skippers.

When I’m here, I always look for the Burnt Orchids, which grow on the Bockerly Dyke.

[David M]

Those burnt orchids are spectacular, Mark. I think I've only ever seen these in the Pyrenees in late May.

Glad you got your Small Blues. I agree they can be tricky subjects to photograph, being so small and with reflective undersides.

[Neil Freeman]

Nice Small Blues Mark and I like those Burnt Orchids, never seen those myself.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots of the Small Blues Essex - I especially like the second one as you've caught the almost oily sheen of the wings Those Orchids are there every year - had previous visitors put stone circles down by your visit? About half along the Dyke near the plantation there are often Butterfly Orchids as well

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David. I agree, burnt orchids are one of many treasures at Martin Down in late spring.

Thanks Neil, yes they are lovely, and I always look for them. Their numbers vary each year, depending on rainfall.

Hi Wurzel, yes their were some chalk chippings around some of them. It was too early for butterfly orchids on my visit, though I did find them elsewhere a few weeks later.

On the 7th, after my first coronavirus injection, we headed of to Aston Rowant. I was delighted to see many Adonis Blues there.

Plenty of other stuff was there too, including lots of flowers, and still several brilliant Grizzled Skippers!

[essexbuzzard]

The next day, I had an afternoon spare, so headed to Chantry Hill, Storrington. This is a north facing site, and there were still plenty of Grizzled Skippers there.

Duke of Burgundies were present, too, though not as many as I normally see.

Dingy Skippers were also present, including a few nice ones.

Common Blues and Brown Argus were seen, too. Here is a BA.

[essexbuzzard]

This glorious yellowhammer was at the top of the Hill.

Then on to Mill Hill for the evening. Adonis Blue Numbers were still very low, but there were a few nice ones, including females.

[David M]

That's a beautiful image of the yellowhammer, Mark. I can't remember the last time I saw one of those.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David. I rather like that one as well!

A few days later, we were Kent bound. Spring butterflies, as you would expect, were now on the wane, but we saw several Small Blues at the Lydden Temple Ewell reserve.

Adonis Blues were in good numbers, too, especially on the Downs near Folkestone.

The bee orchid is an iconic species, and thankfully fairly common.

Not so the late-spider orchid, which is an extreme rarity, just about hanging on as a British species.

And lastly, a view picture.

[Allan.W.]

Some excellent posts there Essex ! funnily enough i took an almost identical Yellowhammer shot as yours at Lydden ,although must admit ,my shots not as crisp as that one ...................nice pic ! I also had a bit of a fluke ,concerning Late Spider Orchids ,i decided not to bother visiting the two popular Kent sites this season, but at another site where i was looking for Bee Orcs i stumbled (almost literally !) across a fair number(of Late Spiders ) ,so was well pleased !
Regards Allan.W.

[essexbuzzard]

Not surprised you were pleased with that, Alan. Finding such a rare orchid by chance is far better than visiting traditional sites!

Well done!

[essexbuzzard]

By late June, a couple of weeks later than last year, it was Essex Heath Fritillaries time. Unfortunately, their time also coincided with a protracted period of lack of sunshine and below average temperatures.

First up was Pound Wood. Just one comatose adult could be found, here he is.

Eventually giving up here,I headed on to Hadleigh Wood. The cloud by now was a little thinner, and mid-afternoon temperatures were about 15C. Numbers were higher, though most were still comatose. Most of the Fritillaries had their wings closed, but a few were open.

This female had unusual markings.

And lastly, here’s the Essex habitat.

[millerd]

It's amazing how warmth and sunshine-sensitive those Heath Fritillaries must be, Essex, compared to some species. On 26th June (which was a warm and generally sunny day), there were dozens in Pound Wood - they must have been hiding for your visit.

That female looks as if it should qualify as an ab., even in a species as variable as this one. It's a striking-looking individual!

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbuzzard]

That’s generally been the pattern for me this summer, Dave. Sunshine while I’m at work, and cloud, rain etc., on my days off. Today is a classic example. This week has seen some wonderfully warm, sunny weather, but I was off today. A dull and, eventually, very wet day.

Yes, she is different, isn’t she? Perhaps some sort of response to the cold weather...

[essexbuzzard]

The 23rd June saw a rare, sunny evening, so I enjoyed an evening with the Large Skippers near my home.

Fresh Meadow Browns were plentiful, too. Here is a nice male.

No Hutchinsoni Commas, though. It was probably still too early.

[essexbuzzard]

On the 26 June, we were Kent bound again. Among several sites we visited were Trosley CP, where we found our first Marbled Whites of the year.

And Lydden Temple Ewell reserve, where lots of fragrant orchids were present, and many more lovely Marbled Whites.

[essexbuzzard]

After a very dull week, there were a few sunny spells on Sunday 4 July, and temperatures had recovered, if still a little below average. So we headed off to Hadleigh Woods again, for another quick look at the Heath Fritillaries. Numbers were a little lower this time, but still a few good ones.

Then onto Hadleigh CP, for a look at the White-letter Hairstreaks. Numbers were lower than a couple of years ago, perhaps due to the wet summer. But there were still some nice Hairstreaks within reach of my camera...

[David M]

Nice splash of colour in your last couple of reports, Mark. Heath Fritillary followed by a close-up audience with White Letter Hairstreak sounds like a very satisfying day out.

[trevor]

Of all your Heath Frit shots , the one above is the standout one for me.
A beautifully marked specimen. Also you've found some stunning Orchids this year.

Great stuff, Mark. Stay well,
Trevor.

[essexbuzzard]

A few days later I was back for more White-letter Hairstreaks, this time starting at the Leigh Station end. Several were seen here, when I returned on the way back, they had gone.

Then on, past the castle, towards Benfleet Downs. I was pleased to find Hutchinsoni Commas in decent numbers.

Essex Skippers were also in good numbers. This is always a good, and early site, for them.

And of course, I kept an eye open for White Letters.