Trevor

[essexbuzzard]

I didn’t see any Common Blues there either, but I did see your Painted Lady!

[Andrew555]

Lovely PL Trevor, the same one I saw on Sunday I reckon. Southwick has been a new site for me this year, with 3 visits so far. What a great place.

[trevor]

Many thanks, Mark & Andrew.
That painted Lady was probably the easiest going Butterfly I've ever met.
Hope it was as well behaved for you both.
Yes, Southwick is a fabulous end of season site.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic Cloudy images Trevor And that Painted Lady is a beaut - I've still to find one with the blue ocelli on the hind wings

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

A very nice Painted Lady, Trevor - and the Cloudies too. It continues to be worth a visit, clearly!

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

I arrived at Southwick much later than I would have liked, a later start and
heavy traffic were to blame. Two familiar faces were already on site, Katrina and
Bugboy. Paul pointed out a female Clouded Yellow on an egg laying mission.
She was certainly very busy, and very active searching out suitable Trefoil on
which to lay.
When an egg was located, the challenge to obtain an image of it proved very trying.
After Katrina and Paul left for Mill Hill I found another egg and had a little more
success with this one.
Quite a few male Cloudies spent the morning patrolling, and rarely settled for
more than a few seconds. There seemed to be more around today compared to recent visits.
Other species present included Red Admirals, a male Common Blue, several ' Whites ',
and a surprise Speckled Wood.

An interesting morning, in good company,
Trevor.

[millerd]

Southwick continues to impress, Trevor. I may have to make one more trip, despite the impending end to the warm weather (there will still be sunshine, though, which is perhaps more important). There may well be butterflies into November again at this rate.

Cheers,

Dave

[bugboy]

The way that female was laying eggs that bank must be heaving with them!

[trevor]

Many thanks, Dave & Paul.
You are probably right Dave, even on a cool sunny day that bank soon heats up.
It was unbearable with a long sleeved top on today, which was soon shed !.

Let's hope all that egg laying is not in vain Paul, given the time of year.

[Wurzel]

Great stuff Trevor What are the chances of those eggs coming to fruition I wonder, a small colony makes it through the winter most years down at Southbourne, fingers crossed for them

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

Enjoy these last few days while they last, Trevor, as the arctic blast, followed by wind and rain next week, could finish things off.

That Southwick site is south facing and sheltered, so if Clouded Yellow immature stages could survive anywhere, this site has surely a good a chance as any.

[David M]

That trip out looks to have been first class indeed, Trevor! Great to have Clouded Yellows as regular autumn companions. Right now, there appear to be more of those around that all the vanessids combined!

[trevor]

Many thanks, Wurzel, David & Mark. I went back for more today !.

The temperature this morning was much cooler than yesterday, and with what
is promised for the next few days I thought I would make hay while the sun shines !.
So it was back to Southwick, and some less active Clouded Yellows.
There was much more basking and nectaring today, compared to yesterday,
when the warmth made them almost hyperactive. Fewer were seen today, suggesting
that some have dispersed. One other welcome sight was a reasonably fresh Common Blue.

Keep warm !,
Trevor.

[millerd]

Some more decent Cloudies there, Trevor. More sunshine to come, but a great deal colder with some ground frost. I wonder if the proximity to the sea will be enough to keep the temperatures up down there overnight. It will be interesting to see what survives.

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbuzzard]

Nice to see a Common Blue, Trev!

[Wurzel]

A great selection of Cloudies there Trevor and a very fine specimen of Common Blue I wonder how this sudden drop in temperatures will affect them - as it's only for a couple of days maybe they'll be able to hang on?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Could be the swansong for those Cloudies, Trevor (as well as the Common Blue). You may have caught them on their last true day of carefree activity.

[trevor]

I found this Clouded Yellow image from October 2016.
I don't think it was posted at the time.
If nothing else the Butterfly really stands out!.

[Wurzel]

That is possibly the most yellow Cloudy that I've seen Trevor Looks like it should be called a Clouded Canary

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

I found this Clouded Yellow image from October 2016.
I don't think it was posted at the time.
If nothing else the Butterfly really stands out!.

Something of an understatement, Trevor!!