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Goldie M wrote:Well done Janet! you didn't go a cross the road to see the NB then at Latterbarrow Goldie

No - wasn't thinking straight Goldie! Actually I should have gone on to Irton Fell to see if the Mountain Ringlets were there (it's easier than Grey Knott) seeing as I was already halfway there

Found only one butterfly on my transect today - a female Large Skipper - maybe the rain took its toll yesterday. Back home in the garden a Large White fluttered into a bush and rested there. Passing the window box of nasturtiums I noticed a little batch of eggs.. I guess people are not generally so excited to see 'cabbage white' eggs on their plants!and the butterfly resting after her labours

Janet Turnbull wrote:So I'd heard the Large Heaths were out at Foulshaw Moss and went up there to investigate...

That's a new one for me, Janet? Where exactly is Foulshaw Moss?

Well done on getting any kind of image of this most difficult butterfly. If only the weather would remain decent I'd get out and have a try for them myself this weekend!

[quote="David M" That's a new one for me, Janet? Where exactly is Foulshaw Moss?

Well done on getting any kind of image of this most difficult butterfly. If only the weather would remain decent I'd get out and have a try for them myself this weekend![/quote]

From the M6, Foulshaw Moss in Cumbria is to the left off the A590, David, just before the turn for Witherslack, which is on the right. It's currently famous for the ospreys nesting there.

A 7 mile walk with butterflying possibilities! BC Cheshire gives Coombs Dale as a place to see Dark Green Frits so we headed there in hope. I also found this walk from Eyam which takes in Coombs Dale, and we sat and had our sandwiches in the very place described as the best place to look... and didn't realise it. The hillside was awash with birdsfoot trefoil and rock rose and the butterflies came to us each time the sun appeared and I was thrilled to get this lovely Brown Argus and a very Dingy Skipper. Earlier we came upon a colony of Chimney Sweeper moths and a Yellow Shell. Small Heaths were present most of the way round the walk, but in the lane at the bottom of the lunch-spot hill was a colony of what I think are Cistus Forester moths - a first for me and a delight to behold. A few Large Skippers were nectaring at the edge of the lane and a Brimstone, who seemed to be on a very important mission, decided to return and landed on a red campion, while a Clouded Border flew across the path into the she shady side and slapped itself on a leaf, looking like a bird dropping.
Finally returning to Eyam (and realising what a gold mine we had almost missed) I went searching for the plague stone marked on the OS map and which largely seems to be ignored as it is less famous than the boundary stone where the villagers left money in vinegar for the food which was brought for them. In the recently mown hayfield where the stone is located, I found a very tired Small Tortoiseshell with shredded wings - could it possibly be an overwinterer still? Back at the car I noticed a tiny green and black bug with long antennae on my boot - but I cannot identify it. But we did not see any DGFs - probably too early.

Janet - What a great location you have there. I visited Eyam once years ago on holiday. A pretty and interesting village.
You found quite a variety while there. I particularly like the Chimney Sweeper moth. Its smart isn't it? I have only ever seen these once - on the Isle of Mull! For ages I thought it was a moth only to be found in more northerly parts but after your pics I decided to look it up and found it is in fact able to be found nationwide. I cannot understand why I have never seen any down here.

Best Regards

Hi! Janet, DGF's have been seen at Arnside Knott, if you go, try up the slopes near the small gate which leads into the field .Goldie

Great pics, Janet. I'm always amazed by how long some of the vanessids can cling on, and that Small Tortoiseshell must be heading for an old-age record!

Ernie - Chimney-sweeper is far, far more common and widespread up north. I've seen it at three sites in the last week (two in Cumbria - one in my PD! - and one in York), without actively looking for it at any of them. I think down south you'd probably have to go to a known site or get quite lucky.

Great to see the the Small Tort hanging on in there Janet And great work with the Chimney Sweeper - they can be a right pain to approach

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for the information regarding Foulshaw, Janet. Yes, I know the area and I believe there are a few similar sites in the vicinity.

Strange that Large Heaths are out and about but you've seen no DGFs. Perhaps they just happened to escape your gaze that particular day?

I saw that the first Silver Studded Blues had been recorded at Prees Heath so G and I took a trip down there. The first SSBs we saw were a pair in cop, oblivious to the rest of the world. There was a major emergence and we were in danger of stepping on the little jewels anywhere off the main paths. Several other enthusiasts were there with cameras and all were equally excited to share their finds, especially the one who had found newly emerged SSBs being 'cleaned up' by ants. It is my failing that I forget to swap names - who knows which luminaries we may have met! Small Heaths, together with the Blues were harassing the Cinnabar moths, and a couple of fresh Small Coppers caught our attention. A Lacewing was ovipositing on the underside of a leaf, making it difficult to get a photo but here are my best efforts. One man told us he had come across from Whixall Moss where he had seen Large Heaths so after enjoying our fill of SSBs we went there - I just love that drawbridge over the canal! It seemed quiet at first but out on the moss we started to see flutterings, and it was not long before the LHs availed themselves for portraits. It was a rich area for other species too and we saw a few each of Brimstones, Large Skippers, Small Coppers, a Green Hairstreak which perched on young birch (no bilberrries in sight), and there were a number of Brown Silver-line moths playing hard-to-get. We explored the ponds and to my delight I accidentally caught a photo of the rare White-faced Darter which settled momentarily on the ground in front of me, but despite searching we could not find any more although there were dozens of Four-spot Chasers and damsel flies, and something small which bit my hand. Along the wooded track near the Manor House car park we disturbed a number of newly emerged Meadow Browns which were my first of the year apart from a suspected one which I'd glimpsed at Coombs Dale the day before. A lovely bright Red Admiral was showing its delight in life and landed on G's hat! A Speckled Wood hovered in the bushes and an indeterminate White did a fly-by.

Hi Janet,
If you were the lady returning to a white car with a company advert along the side then I am the man (but certainly not a luminary !) who told you he had previously been to Whixall Moss. Like you I forget, or am reluctant, to ask people I meet whether they post on UK butterflies. I made the long trip up to Whixall having met another enthusiast and keen photographer whilst walking alongside the River Wye at Dixton, Monmouth, on Monday. There I saw 6 or 7 Common Club-tail Dragonflies along with the commoner damselflies (hundreds of Beautiful,Banded and Common Blue) plus Emperor Dragonfly, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood,Small Heath and Red Admiral. The guy I talked to had recently visited Whixall and enthused about it saying it was easy to see White faced Darter and Large Heath so I decided to go. Saw both, WFD being a "lifer" for me. I even managed to get 4 photos on my small digital Panasonic by crawling on hands and knees to get close to those sitting on the path. Didn`t manage to photograph any LH though as they were too active and flighty. I also saw Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Brimstone (3 males), and Small Heath. Four spotted Chaser, Broad bodied Chaser, Common Blue and Large Red Damselflies made up the Odonata contingent. The Silver studded Blues must have recently emerged at Prees Heath as I counted 60 to 70 without thinking I was duplicating any.
Nice to have met you and good to see your visit to the moss was successful.
Jenks.

Lovely set of Silver-studs Janet I can't remember if those are considered a separate subspecies or not but the females certainly have more blue on them than I'm used to seeing Cracking blue badge Copper and Large Heaths as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Jenks - no, that wasn't me but I'm sure it was you who gave me the tip about Whixall that day - and I'm so grateful, it was so fruitful!

Wurzel wrote:... Cracking blue badge Copper and Large Heaths as well
Wurzel

Wurzel - Thanks for pointing out the caeruleopunctata - (I had to look that up) I had not realised it was special. I shot another Copper at Whixall which did not have the blue spots. Do you suppose there is a connection with the SSBs?

It's a handy 'double header' isn't it, Janet? Prees Heath & Whixhall Moss. That davus race is particularly striking although they are probably the hardest of all UK butterflies to photograph.

On the other hand, Silver Studded Blues are amongst the easiest so you go from one extreme to the other!

Hi Janet,

Great reports and photos from Prees Heath and Whixall Moss Those are another two sites I have not visited to for a few years now, I really must try and get up there again.
It can make for a great day out combining the two sites but I don't think I will be able to squeeze them in this year now.

Cheers,

Neil.

Lovely shots Janet of the SSB's, I've been going to visit Pree's Heath for years and not got there yet, it's time I made the effort
Goldie

Great Large Heath Janet, brings back memories of my 'eventful' trip there last year. Well done with the White-faced Darter too

It's great having the two places so close together, David, and totally different habitats.
Maybe next year then, Neil. I'll certainly be going again!
It's certainly worth the effort Goldie, it's an amazing place

The forecast gives a glimmer of hope for tomorrow - I'm off to Glapthorn Cow Pasture in search of the Black Hairstreaks everyone has been raving about. I do hope the high winds and heavy rain hasn't finished them. Is anybody else going that I could meet up with or have you all seen them now? It's my last chance for this year as we're going on holiday to Somerset on Tuesday (butterflying of course!)

I was thrilled when a Large White laid a few eggs on the Nasturtium I planted for them but the wind battered it so much the eggs all came off

Great diary, Janet, full of interest. Very nice SS Blues from Prees Heath, especially the male attended by ants. Those davus Large Heaths are also very striking, I'd hoped to see them this year but have probably left it a bit late now. Hope you find your Black Hairstreak

Mike