Trevor

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 5:26 pm

Does this mean that I need to try and get to Bentley Wood next week some time

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 7:35 pm

It certainly does Wurzel!.

For a change I took my exercise in Abbots Wood this morning, I arrived just after 9.00.
All was very quiet initially, until I spotted a distant Butterfly land on a Bluebell, from
where I was standing it was impossible to tell what it was, but closer inspection revealed
a Peacock. After several shots my eye was distracted in another direction by a low, fast
flying Butterfly which was almost certainly a Pearl Bordered Fritillary.
Half an hour passed before I had a definite PBF sighting, and this one was soaking up the
sun near the path. I crept up as close as I dare, taking care not to cast a shadow, and
managed several shots.
By now the strong sunshine prompted more PBF to become active, and several chases
were taking place, but luckily for me some landed to bask and a few more shots were bagged.
I would estimate that a good dozen Pearls were seen today.
Only four days ago in similar weather, but with no wind, none were seen at all.

A very enjoyable hour ( or two ).

Stay well all,
Trevor.

bugboy · Post by **bugboy** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:00 pm

Nicely done Trevor. It's safe to say this is another species I will be taking a rain check on seeing this year but at least I know they're about down there so next years batch should be in safe hands/wings

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 8:16 pm

Cheers Paul, I'm afraid if this lockdown continues there are many
species I will not see this year. Once the Spring regulars are over
things will get very difficult. Same for all of us I suppose.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:54 pm

A cracking find and set of photos Trevor

I've got to work on Mondayso I might be able to 'get lost' on the way home and find myself at Bentley Wood

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:22 pm

Lovely to see the PBF, Trevor. I doubt I shall see them this year either, but please have another walk over there and post a few more - they look splendid!

Cheers,

Dave

David M · Post by **David M** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 12:51 pm

Fabulous, Trevor. So nice to see. Unless we have some restrictions lifted in early May, I'll be struggling to see this species in 2020 in the same way I'll have difficulty seeing Dukes.

They usually last about 4 weeks so around 20 May is the cut off, so keep posting them whenever you see any - it'll certainly cheer me up.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:59 pm

Cheers Wurzel, Dave & David.

I will visit Abbots wood in the coming days to see the PBF.
At the moment I am waiting for numbers to build, and for some more suitable weather.
We need it cooler, with some sun and cloud and a nice early start for best images.
From what I saw the other day, it looks very promising for the local PBF's this year.

Stay well, all,
Trevor.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:17 pm

It's always nice when they come to me...........

A Small White resting on one of my Acer trees this afternoon.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:13 pm

Those are the best butterflies Trevor - the 'freebies'

Still envious of the Pearls

can I wait until Monday hhmmm

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Goldie M · Post by **Goldie M** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:24 pm

Fantastic shots of the Pearls Trevor, the Sun has certainly helped bring the Butterflies out,

keep the shots coming i'll be missing quite a few species this year. Goldie

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 10:24 pm

Trevor, you’re very lucky to have a site such as Abbots Wood on your doorstep like that. Unless restrictions are eased a little, I will miss many of the spring specialists this year. Spring Skippers, Dukes, Green Hairstreaks, Adonis Blues, the lot. Not to mention the spring orchids! Suppose we should concentrate on what we do see, rather than what we don’t. But it is tough...

Neil Freeman · Post by **Neil Freeman** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 7:41 am

Very nice Pearls Trevor

essexbuzzard wrote: ↑Thu Apr 23, 2020 10:24 pm Trevor, you’re very lucky to have a site such as Abbots Wood on your doorstep like that. Unless restrictions are eased a little, I will miss many of the spring specialists this year. Spring Skippers, Dukes, Green Hairstreaks, Adonis Blues, the lot. Not to mention the spring orchids! Suppose we should concentrate on what we do see, rather than what we don’t. But it is tough...

Indeed! Up until now I have not really missed travelling further but it has now reached the time I will be missing things.

Cheers,

Neil.

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 5:35 pm

Many thanks, Wurzel. Goldie, Mark & Neil,

It is an unfortunate fact that none of us will have all, or even most, UK species close to home.
Travelling has always been essential to our hobby, whether ( for me ) 8 miles for Wall Browns or
54 miles for Purple Emperor.
Of course if distance travel is eased we could enjoy more species, and social distancing has nearly
always been practiced by us when we're out at a remote spot anyway!.

More Pearls to come.
Trevor.

Wurzel · Post by **Wurzel** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:41 pm

"Of course if distance travel is eased we could enjoy more species, and social distancing has nearly
always been practiced by us when we're out at a remote spot anyway!." fingers crossed we'll be in a position to safely do this Trevo

r, it would be nice to see Lulworths this year and I was even going to try for Black Hairstreak

Anyway on a brighter note - looking forward to your Pearls

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:04 pm

Cheers, Wurzel, here are today's Pearls.

As I walked through Abbots wood this morning there was a distinct nip in the air.
So I had to be patient and wait for some warmth to build. My first Pearl Bordered Fritillary
was found basking on a bramble leaf, and although it was still chilly this Butterfly was
still capable of rapid flight.
As the warmth built so did the number of PBF, including two males sharing a single Bugle flower.
The next good find was the first female, she was much more placid than the males, allowing me
many shots including some of the underside.
With a camera full of images, it soon becomes clear that any extra time spent on site is not
going to produce many more shots, as things were getting too lively in the building heat.
On the way out of the woods a lovely, female, Large White nectared on a Dandelion.

A very enjoyable hour and a bit !

Stay well all,
Trevor.

essexbuzzard · Post by **essexbuzzard** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:28 pm

More lovely shots, Trevor. Just shows what can be achieved by an early start.

Pauline · Post by **Pauline** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 10:16 am

You and I are very lucky Trevor to be so close to some of the less common species. Thanks to Neil and others I have 2 lots of PBF in different directions but both are about a 20 - 25 min drive and I think that would probably be pushing it a bit. Some nice shots there

millerd · Post by **millerd** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:31 pm

Splendid PBF, Trevor.

Well worth getting there early for those great shots. I imagine that by midday they would have been manic! I hope your exercise regime will include further strolls in Abbots Wood...

Cheers,

Dave

trevor · Post by **trevor** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:33 pm

Thanks, Mark, Pauline & Dave. The PBF are either 1 or 3 miles from my front door,
depending on which access to the woods I use. Today I went to a different
area that has been managed for PBF for the first time this year.
Hope you enjoy today's shots.

Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor

Re: Trevor