essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

Hi Pauline, I’ve absolutely no idea. Certainly, I can’t recall seeing a butterfly like this before.

Hi Wurzel, could be? It’s an odd one.

Thanks Dave. The Dorset Coast is scenic enough in it’s own right, but for the butterfly lover, it has even more attraction! Yes, I get the impression Chalkhill have benefitted from this years wet summer, and the subsequent lush growth of horseshoe vetch. Would love to have visited Denbies this year, sadly, with the weather and other factors, I didn’t get the chance.

[Padfield]

I've never seen damage like that neat hole before, either. It looks as if it were made by some tiny creature actually on the wing and nibbling it out. If it had been punctured while the wings were moving, or in a dynamic attack, you'd expect to see tearing, not just a punched hole. Or if the butterfly were torpid at the time, you'd expect the wings to be folded and and damage to be symmetrical. Do let us know if you discover how it happened.

Guy

[Allan.W.]

I posted a shot of a female Gatekeeper with an odd hole through its wing in "Sightings" page 7. 2020 ,
Regards Allan.W.

[David M]

Some radiant Chalkhill Blues, Mark. I so wish we had them (and Adonis) in Wales.

That wing damage looks like a puncture wound. I wonder whether the insect has got caught on something sharp like a thorn although even then you'd expect the wing to tear.

As for the habitat shot; well, it just looks like butterfly heaven!

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks everyone. It will probably remain a mystery, though I will be keeping an eye open for answers. Very strange..

Here are some pictures from late July, on walks near my home. A time when local butterfly numbers were at, or just past their peak.

Surprisingly, this Large Skipper was basking with flat wings.

Large White.

Painted Ladies were fairly common during this period.

Silver-washed Fritillaries were about in good numbers.

This Green-veined White had rather attractive markings.

The Peacock emergence was in full swing, lasting until mid August.

[Pauline]

Lovely shots recently Mark. Re punctured wing, If you take a quick look at my diary Neil H explains how damage is done.

[Padfield]

Lovely shots recently Mark. Re punctured wing, If you take a quick look at my diary Neil H explains how damage is done.

I agree - lovely shots. I saw Neil's comment in your diary, Pauline, and I have to say, I'm still curious. Not doubting Neil at all ( ) - just still interested in how it ends up like that, with a circle of wing actually missing, rather than just punctured. Does the damage get reinforced when the butterfly flies afterwards? Or is there tension in the wing structure that pulls it out into a circle? I'm out looking for this myself now!

Guy

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks everyone. Yes, I saw Neil’s explanation on his diary. It’s a strange one. But that’s just one of the wonders of nature, it’s full of unanswered questions!

So, into August, and a holiday to Cornwall. In the run up, we had been hearing horror stories about excess tourists, traffic jams, clogged up roads and full car parks. We were also concerned about the washout summer ( in East Anglia and the south-east at least), and we half expected to get rained off most days.

But we needn’t have worried. The weather was good. Not always sunny, but mostly dry at least, and nice and dry underfoot. Clearly they had had a much drier , sunnier summer here than where I come from. And, with a bit of planning and common sense, for example getting out early, we avoided the traffic and crowds.

However, the only day that makes it onto a butterfly forum, is our day at Kynance Cove.

Perhaps my favourite place in the world, the reason for visiting now was to see second generation Small Pearl- bordered Fritillaries. Several were found in the sheltered areas and, under cloud, photography was possible.

Here is a female, on Cornish Heath.

[essexbuzzard]

Some wonderfully fresh Common Blues were present, reminding me of more exotic, European species.

Graylings have declined, but are still common here.

At this time of year, I always look for the autumn squill, found in August and September.

And of course, the Cornish Heath, found only on the Lizard, where it grows on the serpentine rocks.

And lastly, a SPBF at roost.

[trevor]

Superb 2nd brood SPBF Mark. Even the flora gives away which brood they are.
I have my doubts about the future of the Sussex Small Pearls.

Great stuff, stay well.
Trevor.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Trevor. It was lovely to see them, as it’s been a while for me. Even more special seeing second generation adults in Cornwall, they rarely appear elsewhere

Sorry to hear about the Sussex populations. With so many great people down there looking after them, I really hope their future is secure.

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of Small Pearls Essex Nice to see somewhere that they're doing okay That Cornish Heath looks really interesting, I love the way the flowers seem to be arranged around the growing tips

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Glad you managed to get away, Mark, and that you largely avoided the crowds.

SPBFs in August must be a delight, not to mention Graylings and the Cornish Heath!

That scenery does indeed look superb.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Wurzel. I hadn’t seen any SPBF since coronavirus hit, so while always a pleasure seeing them, it was a bit of a milestone for me.

Cornish Heath, while very restricted in the wild, is fairly common in domestic gardens, and is available in some garden centres. Sadly, it won’t grow on my heavy clay soil.

Thanks David. Yes, it was a relief to actually get there, after a couple of false attempts. My only trip to Cornwall for 2021, but I’m hoping to improve on that greatly next year. Spring, which can start in January in a mild winter, is my favourite time down there. I’ve really missed my spring Cornwall trips the last couple of years.

[essexbuzzard]

Returning from Cornwall, my first priority was to see some Silver Spotted Skippers. Perhaps my favourite of the late-summer butterflies, I love the character of these brilliant little insects. And so, I headed off to Aston Rowant on the 10 August.

On a familiar cloudy afternoon, a few sunny spells produced plenty of Chalkhill Blues and Meadow Browns. Other species included Common Blues,Brimstones and a few Dark Green Fritillaries.

But, although present, Silver Spotted Skipper Numbers were much lower than I expected. A few dozen adults rather than the many hundreds I normally see here. Whether this represented a slow emergence or a crash in numbers, I’d find out in a couple of weeks.

They find the stemless thistles irresistible!

They also love to bask among chalk chippings.

The effects of the wet summer this year were clear to see-lush, verdant vegetation is not what one expects on the Downs in late summer!

Ravens were much in evidence, and gave a wonderful display of synchronised flying, with up to 11in the air together. Throw in buzzards, kites, a kestrel and a small peregrine, it was a good show from the birds.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Mark, just catching up on your diary. I didn't make it to Cornwall this summer for the second brood SPBFs but managed to see some first brood down there back in May, although my impression was that the emergence was a bit more drawn out due to the poor weather around that time.

But, although present, Silver Spotted Skipper Numbers were much lower than I expected. A few dozen adults rather than the many hundreds I normally see here. Whether this represented a slow emergence or a crash in numbers, I’d find out in a couple of weeks.

From my observations, a number of species, SSKs being one of them, emerged over longer periods in 2021 giving the impression that there were less flying at any one time.

Cheers,

Neil.

[essexbuzzard]

The weather was so poor during August, that I didn’t make it to Lydden Temple Ewell reserve until Saturday 21st. By then, here at least, numbers of Silver Spotted Skippers had improved, if still a little below average. Another cloudy day, they spent much of their time n the ground, trying to warm up.

Here is another with a hole in it’s wing.

By now, the first second generation Adonis Blues had emerged.

Here is a Brimstone, roosting in the middle of the day.

[trevor]

Great Silver Spotted Skipper shots Mark.
A species I completely missed this year.

Stay safe and well,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Lovely set of Silver Spots Essex The cloudy weather must have made them a fair bit easier to photograph

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

On the 22 August, it was time for another trip to Aston Rowant. Silver Spotted Skipper numbers had improved, and a few Adonis Blues had emerged-I had the pleasure of showing them to a fellow enthusiast.

I always look for the Chiltern gentians on my late-August trips here, and there were plenty present this year. No doubt helped by the wet weather.