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Hi David. I think we're finally ready for lift-off this weekend.

Thanks, Goldie and Wurzel. This weekend should get Grizzles going elsewhere. PBF will definitely be flying in Sussex this weekend, but I'd leave it to next weekend for Bentley.

BWs, Neil

Butterflies And Bluebells

Today (3 May) I met up with Jack Harrison, who is visiting from Scotland. We started the day at my favourite Wealden meadow near Five Oaks, where we saw Orange-tip, Large White, Green-veined White and Speckled Wood in good numbers, together with a few Holly Blue, Peacock and Comma. This was probably my last visit to the meadow this year, so it was with some reluctance that I left for Chantry Hill. Green Hairstreak numbers are now building here, with a dozen seen.

I finished the day on the Angmering Park Estate, in the woods near Blakehurst, where the evening sunshine illuminated the vast carpets of Bluebell. The Bluebell season is far too short and should be declared a national holiday.

Neil

That last bluebell shot is worthy of a wildlife magazine.

Regards

I totally agree with you about having a National Bluebell Day - I'm all for cramming in some extra butterfly days That is a particularly fine shot of the Holly Blue,almost metallic

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks, Ernie. As is your 'Chicken Licken' shot of the sky falling in; I wish I'd been there to see that!
OK, Wurzel. Let's raise this in parliament. I suggest 25 April - good for Dukes and PBF in most years.
BWs, Neil

Looks like my Sussex Orangetip trip will have to wait another year, then Neil. Couldn’t agree more about the bluebells National holiday, though we might have to move it about a little.

Noar Hill

With so much to enjoy on my own doorstep, I only get to Noar Hill once every two or three years; I went today (4 May) and I'm glad that I did. I spent quite a lot of the day chatting to some old friends, and to a few very nice folk for the first time. Despite this, there was plenty of time to enjoy the butterflies, which went bonkers every time the sun broke through.

Duke of Burgundy was the main target; with the season running so late, I desperately needed my annual 'Duke fix' (Noar Hill is always some way ahead of Sussex). They were clearly emerging throughout the day and one pit alone (probably by far the most productive) hosted 6 males and 2 females. Both of the females (one being ab. gracilens) were either coupled when I spotted them, or soon were! Over the entire site I saw 11 individuals, but I didn't search particularly hard. Other species seen included Green Hairstreak, Orange-tip and Holly Blue.

I headed home via Mill Hill, which was still bathed in warm sunshine at 7pm. Here, I found 7 Grizzled Skipper and 6 Small Heath at roost.

Beautiful Dukes, Neil...well worth waiting for. As for the Grizzlie...

Thanks, David. I think the patience shown by all is about to be rewarded!
BWs, Neil

Hooray For May

Yesterday (5 May) I arrived at Heyshott Escarpment to find Mark Colvin and Colin Knight already photographing a Green Hairstreak; not just any Green Hairstreak, but one of the most beautiful examples I've ever seen - well found Mr Colvin! The Duke of Burgundy is just starting here, with 3 males and a female seen.

Today (6 May) I started at Chantry Hill, where the Green Hairstreak is doing very well. I counted 47 over just one third of the site. I then moved on to Springhead Hill, to lead a walk for Storm Ministries (Worthing), during which we saw Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper (spotted by my daughter, Mia), Orange-tip, Brimstone (including many eggs), Green-veined and Large White.

April was hard going, but all the signs are that May will deliver in style.

That rubi is a gem, Neil.

I find it tends to be the females with the full array of white 'streaks' and yours, like Guy Padfield's snowboarding individual, is certainly a member of that group.

Bank Holiday Peace & Quiet

Yesterday (7 May) I enjoyed the Bank Holiday peace and quiet, sweltering heat and magnificent views from Heyshott Escarpment. Only Katrina Watson, and later Gary Norman, were there to enjoy the wealth of butterflies; the approach lanes and slopes were dripping in Orange-tip, Green-veined White and Brimstone, while the open grassland area supported 19 male Duke of Burgundy and a few Green Hairstreak, Grizzled and Dingy Skipper.

A late afternoon visit to Rewell Wood produced 8 Pearl-bordered Fritillary (including the first female).

Great Photos Neil, especially the Dukes and PBF's my next quest all being well is both Goldie

Nice PBF shot, Neil, particularly given how hyperactive they will have been in those hot conditions.

I look forward to seeing how things unfold at your managed sites over the next week or three.

Beautiful sights Neil, that Greenstreak is a stunner.

Thanks, all. Plenty more to report in these times of plenty!
BWs, Neil

Fritillaries for the Future Update - May 2018

I would like, once again, to thank our fritillaries captive-breeding team of Theresa Turner, Gary Norman and Mike Mullis, whose efforts over the last few years are now really paying off. Although the funded period of the project finished on 31 March 2018, the work is being continued by BC Sussex Branch and I've taken the summer off to ensure that I can give it my full attention.

Several reintroductions of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary (PBF) are currently underway, conducted in accordance with the 'BC Code on Introductions and Reintroductions 2010’ and with all the necessary permissions. I won't be too specific while the programme is underway, so as to give the butterflies the best chance of getting on with the job unhindered. However, the news is good, and many PBF have been released into high quality habitat in the recent fine weather. It's been very encouraging to see so many females being immediately paired by free-flying males from earlier releases; on one day last week I watched this happen twelve times!

There is still much more to do, but I'm filled with optimism. My thanks go to all who have supported the project in any manner.

Out With Steyning U3A

On Thursday (10 May) I led my annual walk for Steyning U3A. This year we visited Springhead Hill which, given at least reasonable weather, never disappoints. We saw Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone (plus numerous eggs on Purging Buckthorn), Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Holly Blue, Peacock, Speckled Wood and a fabulous display of Cowslips. Thanks to all who came along for such an enjoyable morning.

In the afternoon I monitored the Pearl-bordered Fritillary population at Rewell Wood. I was too late to get around all of the potentially productive areas, so was pleased with a count of 37.

Mill Hill Roosters

This morning (12 May) I'd promised to take my father out on a Duke of Burgundy and Pearl-bordered Fritillary hunt, but the weather clearly wasn't up to the job. We decided that the only option was Mill Hill, where roosting butterflies are relatively easy to find; others had the same idea. A less-than-thorough group hunt quickly produced 10 Grizzled Skipper, 3 Dingy Skipper, 4 Small Heath, 2 Common Blue and an Adonis Blue, the latter two being 2018 'firsts' for me.

I'd like to thank Chris Corrigan, Jonathan Crawford and the passerby for their invaluable help getting my father back on his feet when his knee gave way. He's now fine; many thanks from him too. Any siblings reading this - silent routine.

I've been thoroughly looking forward to this chapter and am please to say it has exceeded expectations, Neil!

I'm so pleased to know the PBFs are responding positively to all the hard work you and your team have been doing, and it must have been a delight to witness all those virgin females being paired off so soon after release (an even greater delight for the males probably)

That's a particularly fine example of a Duke of Burgundy too. Does it have darker than normal hindwings or is it just that you don't often see this species striking such an extended wing pose?