www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Cheers Dave & Paul, Opportunities like that don't come along very often.

The rest of the morning was quite rewarding too. Not many PBF were around
it was just too chilly, but that did not stop a very fresh Grizzled Skipper from
making the most of what warmth was available.
I also found the first of many Small Heaths quite early on, and a few Dingy Skippers.
A very obvious Crab Spider was waiting on top a Bugle flower spike for it's next victim,
with Butterflies very much on the menu.

It was now time to leave for my own breakfast.
Trevor.

Nice Grizzled Skipper Trevor - I haven't seen one yet this year

PS. Don't forget a bowl of water in this hot weather

Cracking set of shots Trevor Loving the Grizzlie - looks good for an ab.intermedia (or some such; the perils of a Westcountry dialect and Latin mixing ) In other news I saw a report today of Marshies at Tilshead Down so something to look at for either this year if Lockdown is eased or something to bear in mind for 2021

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Nice continuation, Trevor. The Grizzled Skipper is a beauty, although I cannot say the same for the crab spider. I know nature should be left alone to do its own thing but the sneaky way they operate is somewhat distasteful to me.

I've just been catching up on your diary, Trevor, and I wouldn't have enough space for all the Mr Greens! Grizzlies are something special and your photos are superb. I didn't see one last year and it doesn't look like I will this year either, so it's good to see yours. Thank you - keep them coming!
- Janet

Many thanks everyone. With complements like those, Janet, you may call again!.

Today is my Birthday, and Boris sent me a present, in the form of unlimited car travel.
I can now visit sites outside of my local area for species not found around here.
I have been to Park Corner Heath recently, which I clocked at 6.7 miles from home.

Let's hope the virus continues to decline before the Emperor season starts,
we don't want total lockdown again.

Keep well everyone,
Trevor.

PS. A present to myself, my favourite PBF image from this year.

Many happy returns Trevor - looks like you had 'happy returns to butterflying proper' too Looks like "the Hill is Alive..." again

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

trevor wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 7:03 pm Many thanks everyone. With complements like those, Janet, you may call again!.

Today is my Birthday, and Boris sent me a present, in the form of unlimited car travel.
I can now visit sites outside of my local area for species not found around here.
I have been to Park Corner Heath recently, which I clocked at 6.7 miles from home.

Let's hope the virus continues to decline before the Emperor season starts,
we don't want total lockdown again.

Keep well everyone,
Trevor.

PS. A present to myself, my favourite PBF image from this year.

Hear, hear, Trevor.

If we can salvage something out of Emperor season, that'll be a welcome bonus.

Many happy returns.

This morning I went up to High and Over, at 9.8 miles this was my longest car journey
since the lockdown. The car park was closed but the layby across the road was not.

The Wall Browns were lively, despite the light breeze and temperature of only 9c.
Four were found on or near the steps, and in the meadow. All were fairly worn.
The best specimen defended a territory around one of wooden seats.

The Walls were a new species for the year, and so were some very fresh, male Common Blues.
Fortunately, as the cloud built, the Common Blues landed and rested with wings closed,
allowing plenty of time for closed wing shots. But patience was required for the Sun to return,
when it did return I had to be quick to capture the exquisite fresh blue as they opened up.

A great, rewarding morning.
Trevor.

Good to hear the Walls up at High & Over are in fine fettle, Trevor. Hopefully I shall be able to visit them at some point soon as well...

Cheers,

Dave

Make it soon Dave, they're getting past their best.

Very few Pearls flying this morning, but one very fresh Small Pearl scooted past me,
but was swept out of view by a gust of wind.

Stay well everyone,
Trevor.

Even when they're getting on a bit the Pearls still look lush Trevor Double figures of Marshies reported form The Hill yesterday...it's all kicking off!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Cheers, Wurzel. I've been watching the Wilts. BC sightings page.
The Larkhill circular, what ever that is, turned up Marshies and Dukes.
And Cheverell Hill ( near my Daughter ) has Marsh Frits, but does not
look very easy to get to.
I will have to miss out this year, can't stay over, or a day trip of 270 miles.

Never mind, stay well,
Trevor.

When I was commenting on essex buzzard's diary this morning,
it occurred to me that if I was to see a Duke of Burgundy this year, then I had better be quick.
So I drove over to Kithurst flower meadow, enjoying the bright sunshine on the way.
On arrival it was breezy and only 9c, and worse I soon acquired my own personal cloud, or so it seemed.
The sunny breaks soon encouraged a few butterflies to show. The first was one of quite a few,
fresh, Grizzled Skippers seen throughout the morning, and a couple of Dingy Skippers
appeared at about the same time. The first of four Dukes seen only appeared when some
warmth had built up.
To me the butterfly of the day was a fresh, very obliging Green Hairstreak, one of the best
specimens I've ever seen. By now the cloud cover was almost complete, so back to the car.

Stay safe, all,
Trevor.

Well done, Trevor. You’ve got the same species as me there! Lovely pictures.

I was going to warn you to be quick!

Isn’t it great to get out and about again?

An early start this morning to look for Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries.
About six, allowing for multiple sightings of one individual, were found,
one of which was newly emerged.

Glad you got a Duke or four Trevor Great work with the Small Pearls as well - I manged to find a couple yesterday at Bentley Wood which is a relief as last year I was worried that they could be extinct at this site but they were nowhere near as obliging as yours

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Cheers, Wurzel. I'm pleased to say that the local SPBF seem to be thriving.

And that's where I spent a few hours this morning, arriving at just after 7am.
The weather was for once ideal, and it was not difficult to find a few Small Pearls
soaking up the early morning rays of sunshine.
It was more difficult to locate any still at roost. The area that catches the last of
the evening sun, is also the last to receive it in the mornings, thus the SPBF that
chose to settle down where the sun is casting shade for longer, were still fast asleep.
The undoubted highlight of the morning was a stunning, fresh, beautifully marked female SPBF.

Just one Brimstone was seen nectaring on some, still fresh, Bluebells.

Stay well all,
Trevor.

Glad to see they're still there Trevor . Any other year I might have bumped into you today but if they have a good spring maybe a few will come out for a second brood and I'll be able to pop down your way for a day out of London

Cracking shots Trevor Looks like I need to call in at Bentley again

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel