essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

The 24 August saw me back at the splendid Lydden Temple Ewell reserve for the afternoon. I was pleased to find a couple of fresh, late Chalkhill Blues. This is by no means unusual here, I have seen fresh adults at the beginning of September before.

There were also a few Adonis Blues.

And of course, the excellent Silver Spotted Skippers were here, now in good numbers.

And lastly, a scenery picture.

[David M]

Those are three butterflies I wish I had near me in late summer, Mark.

That last habitat shot also makes me highly envious.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David. The Downs are certainly where I like to spend my time in late summer. Several of my favourite species can be found there!

Commas were late to appear this year, but were worth waiting for, as in mid September, they emerged in good numbers. I suspect the wet summer, resulting in lush growth from elm, wild hops and nettles, contributed to the Comma bouncing back, after a poor spring and summer, locally at least. They continued to be seen until early November.

[essexbuzzard]

Copper numbers were low this year on my local sites, but I managed to catch up with a few in mid September. This one was living dangerously, for the eagle eyed among us will spot a spider in this picture...

I was pleased, and pleasantly surprised to see this fresh, third generation Green-veined White on the same day. There weren’t many new brood autumn butterflies this year.

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots Essex - I reckon that Small Copper won't be so cocky after the spiders been through another few ecdysial moults

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

That's a lovely shot of the Comma underside, Mark - iconic pose on their favourite fruit!

Not so sure about the spider though. I hate these sneaky critters. They must take hundreds of thousands of butterflies each year.

[essexbuzzard]

Speckled Woods continued to be seen throughout September, although their numbers had dwindled by late month. We are fortunate that this lovely species is so abundant nowadays, as is was not particularly common in the 80’s, when I was growing up, apart from in the south-west of England. We are also fortunate that it can be seen at almost any time from April to September, and sometimes beyond.

A warm, sunny day on the 20th found us back at the Lydden Temple Ewell reserve. Most butterflies had finished, but I did get my best view of a Clouded Yellow in 2021.

[essexbuzzard]

Later on the 21st, this Painted Lady was seen at Broadstairs, my last of the year.

October was a cloudy, wet month, and little was seen apart from the occasional Red Admiral. So I was surprised to find this Small White on the 26th.

[essexbuzzard]

After the cool, wet summer, autumn was late this year. So we left in until the end of October to visit Sheffield Park, Sussex, which is famed for its autumn colours.

[Wurzel]

Great shot of the Painted Lady Essex It's got the blue spots in the eyes which I've only seen a few times
Hope you and Esther have a Brill Xmas and a cracking New year!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

After the cool, wet summer, autumn was late this year. So we left in until the end of October to visit Sheffield Park, Sussex, which is famed for its autumn colours.

Wise move, Mark. Those colours are absolutely stunning.

Wishing you and Esther a very happy and productive new year.

[essexbuzzard]

Thank you to you both, and hoping you enjoy the rest of the festive period and have a happy New Year!

[essexbuzzard]

November was an excellent month. The late autumn meant many trees were still green as we entered the month. But a cold first week, followed by two weeks of mild conditions, resulted in the best show of autumn colour I’ve witnessed locally for several years.

Normally, bright November days are cold days, but not this time. This meant there were still a few butterflies about, including this Comma, on the 9th.

[David M]

...Normally, bright November days are cold days, but not this time...

Very true, Mark, especially towards the latter end of November, but this year things remained mild even when there were clear skies overnight!

I wonder whether this was the reason why the trees held onto their leaves for longer than usual and gave us such a show of colour?

[essexbuzzard]

Yeah, not sure, David. I suspect the wet summer and late autumn, then a sudden rush in November, might have had something to do with it.

The second and third week of November saw the autumn colours reach their peak, the best for several years. Here are the glorious scenes from Epping Forest.

Latton Woods, Harlow.

And Hartswood, Brentwood.

[David M]

That's an epic autumn display, Mark.

It'll be interesting to see what effect the mild winter has had later in the year (although a cold snap can't be ruled out for another few weeks).

[essexbuzzard]

Yes, we’re only half way through winter, but there is no sign of cold weather so far. Last year, things were running late, by recent standards at least. A week of severe weather in February, followed by a cold April and May, saw to that.

The middle two weeks of November saw the peak of the colours. Thankfully, we were also treated to some very good weather during this period!

There were still a few Red Admiral about.

And a few pictures from 20th November

[essexbuzzard]

By contrast, December was dull and cheerless, even by British standards, but not particularly wet. Here is a picture taken on a rare, bright day mid month, showing there was still some autumn colour about.

And a belated merry Christmas, everyone!

[Wurzel]

A belated Happy New Year as well Essex That is a cracking Xmas jumper I'd love one Not long to go now, the Aconites are out at my work so it could only be a couple of weeks before the first Small Torts

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Seems quite incongruous to see Christmas jumpers in a scene where so many leaves remain on the trees, Mark. I'd have said the image looks from mid-November had I not known the truth!