Neil Hulme

[Butterflysaurus rex]

I'd recognise that face anywhere!

[Neil Hulme]

Paul: Many thanks (BTW it's BEM ).
James: A face that's launched a thousand ships (and I wasn't clenching ).
BWs, Neil

[bugboy]

Paul: Many thanks (BTW it's BEM ).
James: A face that's launched a thousand ships (and I wasn't clenching ).
BWs, Neil

I'll have a chat with Queenie, see what I can do about addressing my mistake, I don't like being wrong!

[David M]

That's tabloid journalism, Bugboy!!

[Jack Harrison]

In the light (!) of recent explosions of electronic cigarettes, I sincerely hope that you are nowhere near a Queen of Spain or Long-tailed Blue or other rarity if your "thingy" explodes: we wouldn't want them damaged or destroyed

Jack

[Neil Hulme]

Queen Of Spain Update

Here are a few images taken during visits to the Piddinghoe Queen of Spain site on Tuesday and Thursday (29 & 31 August). Two individuals (those most regularly seen to date - number three only having been seen once) were still present on Tuesday, but only one yesterday.

[millerd]

Just a quick thank you, Neil, to you for alerting us all to the presence of these lovely butterflies - and can you also pass on my thanks to the chap who found them and to the farmer for allowing us assorted waifs and strays to traipse across his land. As you can guess, I made the pilgrimage today (1st) and was very successful, seeing at least two QoS (I need to check the photos carefully in case there are more than two individuals). Absolutely brilliant!

Thanks again,

Dave

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Dave,

Glad that you (and others) have been able to enjoy them. The farmer has been so helpful that I'll make sure he is thanked in an appropriate manner. Dave Harris is a star for spotting the first one, with this sighting being the foundation for all subsequent discoveries.

Seeing this species on British soil is a real privilege. Despite having seen Queen of Spain before, it took me about 30 minutes before I got a reasonable shot, due to camera shake!

I'll be very interested to see your shots, in order to match them up with the individuals seen to date (upper-sides best for this).

BWs, Neil

[Neil Hulme]

Wart-biters

Despite seeing a lot of good butterflies today, including Adonis Blue, Clouded Yellow, Brown Hairstreak, Silver-spotted Skipper and Queen of Spain Fritillary, I was most pleased to find my first Wart-biter Bush-cricket. I spent a couple of hours helping South Downs National Park Authority and Natural England friends with a Wart-biter project, and after a crash course in location techniques found a nice female of this very rare (restricted to just five sites in the UK) and spectacular species.

[bugboy]

I've not seen one of those for many a year. Used to be involved in a captive breeding program for them. Magnificent looking insects

[David M]

Great images of the QoS and the cricket, Neil, and good to see the level of enthusiasm generated by the presence of this infrequent butterfly visitor to our shores.

[Neil Hulme]

Thanks, David. I estimate that approximately 200 people have come from far and wide to enjoy the Piddinghoe Queens.
BWs, Neil

[Neil Hulme]

Farewell To The Queen

On Saturday (2 September) I made what will probably be my last visit to see the Queen of Spain Fritillaries at Piddinghoe. I've spent a great deal of time observing their behaviour and should now move on to other sites, particularly as the 2017 season is entering its final chapter. However, if the good weather returns there may be more migrants to come.

There were still two Queens present, and at 3.40pm I watched as one headed off to roost in the hedgerow, passing through the same gap as the first I saw on 27 August.

[MikeOxon]

[quote="Neil Hulme"]Queen Of Spain Update

Re. the Queens' entourage photo - I do hope that Her Majesties received some Lady attendants as well

Mike

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Mike

No females were actually seen, but I wouldn't expect them to hang around a male lekking area, once mated. The valley they are in has been farmed organically for several decades, so the set-asides and conservation headlands higher on the flanks probably host Field and Wild Pansy. If present, I suspect this where any females are to be found.

If we get an Indian summer I'll be checking the area in mid October.

BWs, Neil

[Wurzel]

That final QoS image is a beaut Neil Fingers crossed for some more...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...The valley they are in has been farmed organically for several decades, so the set-asides and conservation headlands higher on the flanks probably host Field and Wild Pansy. If present, I suspect this where any females are to be found.

That's excellent, Neil. It's hard to imagine there being no females at all so with any luck they will be attracted to this area as you say.

[Neil Hulme]

Third Brood Wall

This morning I met my brother, niece and nephew, who are visiting from Antwerp, at Mill Hill. We were hoping to see a third brood Wall and soon bumped into David Cook, on the same mission. Wall has been flying for some time at High and Over, but the third brood is only just starting at Shoreham. Having almost failed, I got a call from David, who had just found a freshly emerged male on the middle level. This was the only example we saw, despite a thorough search, but you only need one when they're this good.

Other species included Clouded Yellow (4), Adonis Blue (c.10 including a couple of surprisingly fresh males), Common Blue, Small Copper, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, and some very nice Red Admiral, Peacock and Comma in the upper level glades. While David was photographing a Peacock he was outflanked by another.

[Allan.W.]

Hello Neil ,
Like yourself I was also at Mill Hill this morning ,hoping to find Round Headed Rampion ,a plant I,ve always wanted to see ,and was really pleased
to find about fifteen , also saw several Meadow Browns ,6 Small Heath, a couple of Small Whites, and a single female Wall in the top car park . A lovely reserve ,and what an incredible view , sorry I missed you ! Didn,t have any joy with any of the Blues (or Clouded yellows ) though !
Regards Allan.W.

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Allan,
Yes, a shame I missed you, and a shame I missed the female Wall in the car park!
I would check that it was Round-headed Rampion you saw; it's a little late in the year for this species and it's not a plant I've noticed there before. Devil's-bit Scabious looks similar at stages in its development. If not, it's a great excuse to come back again.
BWs, Neil