www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I got a bit of a shock reading that until I saw the date of your sightings, Andrew!! It might only have been a month or so ago but with the warm spell things have changed out of all recognition.

Cheers Wurzel. I don't often try 'butterfly handling' , but that went well. She was, but flew out of sight far too quickly.

Sorry about that David. My next post is up to date.

I took a trip to Ditchling Common on Friday to try and get my first sight of a Black Hairstreak. Only two seen during my 3 hour stay but one of them was feeding on Brambles right next to the path for a good 20 minutes or more.
There were many Meadow Browns, and Large Skippers were on guard.
I spent the rest of the day local, at Lullingstone Country Park with beautiful fresh Dark Green Fritillaries and Marbled Whites. Ringlets and Small Skippers were also out.
Fantastic to see the BS, my 3rd lifetime first this year.

Cheers

Hi! Andrew, love the shot of the Marbled White, Goldie

Great that you got to see your first ever Black Hairstreak at Ditchling, Andrew

Mike

Brill set of images Andrew Blackstreak, Marbled Whites and then a DGF too That would be a lifer and two FFY for me

Have a goodun

Wurzel

So glad you got your Black Hairstreak, Andrew. The DGF was a nice bonus too!

Thanks Goldie! I share your love of them.

Thanks a lot Maximus.

Cheers Wurzel, with the Ringlets and Small Skippers it was a 1/4 day!

Thanks David, it was an awesome day all round!

Andrew,

Nice shots of the Marbled White & DGF. Lullingstone CP looks a good place and less than 90 minutes from Suffolk too. Perhaps a visit is in order. Glad you got your Black Hairstreak too.

Regards Kev

Great set of shots Andrew. Specially love your shot of the Black Hairstreak and the side on shot of the Large Skipper.

Gary

Cheers Kev, give a shout if you need more info.

Hi Gary, thanks a lot.

23/06/18 Chiddingfold

My first time Emperor hunting at Chiddingfold, and blimey it was brilliant! I saw half a dozen or more individuals on the ground, regulars there were saying it was a really good showing. Up close encounters, really close! What a stunning butterfly.
Cheers

Some fabulous shots there Andrew - you will never forget your first encounter! What on earth is it feeding on in that last shot - another grub?

Fantastic stuff Andrew I had t wait three years for my first grounded Emperor

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks a lot Pauline, it was really special. I really don't know, and I'd like to.

Cheers Wurzel. Wow three years ? That was pretty jammy for me then!

More from Chiddingfold, the support acts were pretty good!
Comma, Wood White, Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Brimstone.
I couldn't resist another visit today, great to see Katrina and Trevor again. Star of the day was this Emperor ab.
Comparison shots, ab. on the left.
Cheers

I'm glad you posted the comparison shots - I was going to ask why it was an ab! It looks like you had a fab day. Wood Whites and Emperors together!

Brilliant comparison shots Andrew, captured those really well I'm hoping the Emperors over this way keep coming to the ground until I can get out next, fingers crossed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That ab seems to be cropping up in several posts recently....

Andrew - I've just been doing a "spot the difference" between the Purple ab and standard on Trevor's post but it appears you liked the idea too and put the shots side-by-side. Great.