www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thanks Wurzel, I do like Grayling. At the risk of anthropomorphising them, they do look like they are having the time of their lives as they bound up and down paths and over heather playing hide and seek
Thanks Zigzag, that’s one of the conundrums of species that live on colonies rather than wandering far and wide. Different colonies seem to exhibit slightly different habits which often repeat generation after generation. If I were to write a book about Brown Hairstreak habits based on my own personal experiences, I would state Hogweed is the favoured nectar source for males and females, yet at other sites males rarely if ever descend and other nectar sources are used.
Haha, well I gotta keep you guys on your toes Trevor


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August 2021

It was a little while before I was able to get back out properly, sunny days were only on days when I was at work. A few snaps from work during the intervening days. There was much general cloudy dreariness and late afternoon drizzle on the 5th which caught this Small White out, photographed in light drizzle and a stiff breeze. The 10th was a much better affair and I managed a few nice specimens walking my transects

Lovely Holly Blue shots there Bugboy August seemed a bit hit and miss at times from what I can remember of it - I know it wasn't that long ago but having been back at work for a month it feels like a year ago

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel. I know what you mean, this year seems to have flown by, Brown Hairstreak season seems like months ago (even though I actually found one, likely the last of the year, just a few days ago).


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August 2021

Friday 13th, perhaps a risky day to go out but then again it had been over a week since I’d been able to get out for some proper butterflying and the sun was apparently threatening to come out, according to the seers over at the met office. Since my last visit to Bookham there had been much Brown Hairstreak action at Bookham, on the internet at least, including some nice fresh females and I really didn’t want to miss out. Although I got there early there wasn’t a great deal on the wing, save for a few Specklies, the threat of some sun didn’t seem to be coming to much. There’s always something to find at Bookham though, so I spent the morning checking on some youngsters. My Orange-tip pupae was still safe and well but the same couldn’t be said for many of the White Admiral caterpillars I’d found last time, there were many ‘abandoned’ leaves where once a caterpillar had been busy munching away There were however several new additions so I think I roughly broke even as far as numbers were concerned. Most of them seemed to be second instars with a few preparing for the final moult this side of Christmas. 3 hours later there was still little sign of the sun but it was relatively warm so I headed of for an area known as Nightingale Corner where much of the Hairstreak activity seems to be happening this season, probably partly on account of its rather sheltered aspect. On the way I encountered a battle worthy of any documentary voiced by Sir David Attenborough. I noticed a scuffle on one of the benches, two of Britain’s most feared invertebrate apex predators in mortal combat over lunch. I’m not sure who made the initial kill or who was stealing from who or even how long the battle had been going on but eventually one retreated leaving the victor to suck the unfortunate victim dry. After that bit of excitement I continued my way to the Hairstreak hotspot, not being overly confident at seeing much since it was still a bit on the gloomy side. Things brightened up metaphorically speaking quite quickly though since it would seem the Hairstreaks were also fed up with waiting for the sun too and were out in pretty good numbers. The first one I saw was another male but nearby I spied something a brighter shade of orange with slightly rounder wings which dragged me away from him . The Hogweed here was peaking and seemed to have enjoyed this year’s weather, I can’t remember a year when it’s been so lush and plentiful and the Hairstreaks were making full use of the food source, although they seemed oddly flighty today, easily spooked. Nevertheless they would always return to a nearby flowerhead and I was soon racking up a camera full of images. Some of the males were now looking a little worse for wear but most were still in good nick, the females all seemed to be freshly minted though. With all the activity it was difficult to get an accurate handle on numbers but a guesstimate would be close to double figures and I’m not entirely sure if I managed pictures of each one seen. As well as the first females of the year I also managed my best male upper wing shots to date (sorry Trevor). As with my previous visit I planned to spend the afternoon elsewhere but Bookham made it very difficult to leave. The sun had finally broken through and a pristine female near Bookham station flirted irresistibly with me, many more pictures were taken! In amongst all the Brown Hairstreaks, a few other species caught my attention including a couple of Purple Hairstreaks who, not content with causing confusion up in the Ash trees, had now taken to nectaring on the Hogweeds too. A damn good return for my early start, a veritable deluge of Hairstreaks !

Wow - days like that don’t come around too often! Glad you made the most of it and great photos too. I always thought I might find a brown hairstreak somewhere around the Lea Valley, but never did. I imagine you have similar fantasies…..

There was definitely a spell in August where it seemed impossible NOT to see a Brown Hairstreak down on hogweed at Bookham... Would that it were always like that, but if the hogweed is early, or not so lush, or vanishes altogether, it will be back to cricked necks and fuzzy yellow-orange blobs up in the trees when glimpsing males. Some great shots, Buggy, especially the open-winged male which looks fresher than any I came across down there.

Cheers,

Dave

Funny you say that Ben, the first Brown Hairstreak I ever saw was on Walthamstow Marshes in 2014, around the time I got back into proper butterflying. Obviously the result of an unofficial release, no records or sightings before or since to the best of my knowledge. I’m told there are also regular unofficial releases over at Epping Forest but again nothing seems to come from them.
You’re right there Dave, looking through future posts, every trip to Bookham up to last Friday features them, albeit in dwindling numbers and a more worn look about them.


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August 2021

Friday 13th part 2. Finally I managed to drag myself away from the Hairstreaks and headed off to Box Hill for the final portion of the day. The first thing to catch my attention was some more Robber Fly action, this time an amorous pair. The real reason for dragging myself away from all those Brown Hairstreaks though was to catch up with the Silver-spotted Skippers, last time there was just the one to be found but today, even in rather cloudy weather, there were plenty to be found and being a bit overcast they were relatively easy to get close to. Males were already starting to look a little worn but just like the Hairstreaks, the females were looking much fresher. A few worn Chalkhills were around but more photogenic were some fresh Common Blues

Great set of reports Bugboy I mirrored your double header only in a more Westerly aspect and I can heartily recommend trying for Brostreaks and Silver Spots on the same day - two of the best looking butterflies from their family - of which you managed to get some cracking shots

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, there is actually a place I visit regularly that they both occur on, Denbies Hillside. Unfortunately the Hairstreaks are nowhere near as reliable as they are at Bookham.

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August 2021

Monday 16th. After a couple of excellent days with Bookham’s Brown Hairstreaks I decided to have a go on Ashtead Common where I’ve had limited success in previous years, mostly odd females on egg laying duties. I knew a trio were busy searching a prime west country site for them today and I had my fingers crossed I’d be able to join the fun, albeit from many miles away. Sadly, as has become a recurring feature this year, the weather had other ideas and provided the proverbial spanner, the sun only really showing up late in the day.

Even though it was only the middle of August, the day had very much an end of season feel about it, most of what I did see was somewhat worn, if not barely clinging o to life. Speckled Woods were relatively plentiful but other species were few and far between. There were however signs of things to come, Red Admiral and Comma caterpillars were commonplace, suggesting a colourful flourish in a months’ time (weather permitting) And after much searching, I finally found a White Admiral nursery with several more babies to try and follow through the winter and into next year. When things brightened up a bit a few more species showed themselves but as far as the Hairstreaks were concerned, it was definitely a case of west is best today.

Love the Small Heath shots Bugboy - that one has a surfeit of spots I also like the way the White Admiral caterpillar has tried to write/eat an "x marks the spot" on the leave to help you out

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

bugboy wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 5:06 pm Funny you say that Ben, the first Brown Hairstreak I ever saw was on Walthamstow Marshes in 2014, around the time I got back into proper butterflying.

Interesting Paul - I didn’t know about the releases, and in case you were wondering, that brown hairstreak didn’t come from me - it’s true I’m completely incompetent when it comes to imprisoning adult butterflies (I do have to be very careful what I rear ), but I didn’t rear brown hairstreaks when in London.

Fabulous markings on your silver-spotted skippers - just look at those hypnotic campfires, crackling away in the dark.

Thanks Wurzel, I think the Small Heath slipped with its mascara pen that morning . White Admiral cats really do advertise their presence, I do often wonder how any make it through the first few instars without being snaffled up !
Glad to hear it wasn’t you discreetly secreting Brown Hairstreaks willy nilly Ben!

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August 2021

Tuesday 17th. Giving the Brown Hairstreaks a break (although there was always the chance of stumbling across one), I spent a few hours enjoying the masses of Chalkhill Blues on Denbies. It was another mostly overcast day with the occasional brighter spell, but Chalkhills are tough little things and still put on an excellent display, their more sedate nature in overcast conditions making them easy pickings and also allowed for a relaxed search for abs. Surprisingly though for a famously variable species there was actually very little variation in the underside spotting. I’m sure the Victorian collectors (not to mention some of the more excitable modern-day collectors) would have a field day with all the slight minor variations I saw but to my mind they were largely all well within normal variation, just the one female missing a few ocelli putting her in the ab. stakes. It was also good to find plenty of solo females, on my last visit every one was either attached to a male or in the middle of a bundle of very eager suiters. After much searching, I eventually found a more extreme female ab. missing most of her underside ocelli. Her uppers had a subtle but attractive flash of blue too. The other species that was notable due to numbers was the Silver-spotted Skipper. They weren’t particularly active through most of my visit but the ease with which I wracked up numbers suggested they too were having a very good year here. A mating pair, an egg laying female and a handful posing as though I’d placed them in situ (no staging was involved save for the removing of the odd errant grass blade) were all worthwhile distractions. Those two species probably made up 80 or 90% of what was about. Adonis were around but in very modest numbers, probably just scraping into double figures and only males were seen. I put this low number down to the relatively cool summer combined with all the rain making the grass to grow long and lush, not giving the temperature sensitive larvae the best conditions to survive in. Making up the remaining numbers were a few Meadow Browns, a Brown Argus, a Common Blue and a nice fresh Painted Lady. A flock of House Martins doing aerial acrobatics, fattening up for their forthcoming winter break in Africa provided a pleasant distraction on my walk back to Westhumble station. I very pleasant and satisfying few hours away from the big smoke

Cracking sequence of shots Bugboy especially the Silver Spots, I love it when they 'hunker down' on a flower like that I find myself starting more and more to question whether something is an ab or just variation. Some things are pretty obviously different but others can be so subtle I sometimes wonder if the 'collectors of old' weren't hedging their bets in a bid for naming glory

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Denbies was very good this year - some great shots there, Buggy, especially the unusual (dare I say aberrant) female Chalkhill.

And on the subject of variations: the Adonis on your hand has the marginal black dots on the hindwing, a variation which I believe may have been given a name at some point; the Painted Lady is also a bit different - on the hindwings, the second row of spots in from the edge are usually in the form of clearly separated dashes, but on this one, these are joined into an almost continuous line.

Cheers,

Dave

Glad you managed to get to Denbies this year, Buggy. I didn’t manage a visit myself, but there Chalkhill Blue seemed to do very well on all the sites I visited.

I have always found the Silver Spotted Skippers in very modest numbers at Denbies, compared to, say, Lydden in Kent. But you have some nice pictures there, and a mating pair as well!

Thanks Wurzel, the old “when does a variation become an ab.” question. Very subjective but those Victorian collectors were a very excitable bunch in this respect weren’t they!
Funny you should mention that Adonis with those ‘Lysandra spots’ as I call them Dave, I have quite a bit to say about this alleged ab. in my next report . I’ve actually noticed quite a few dusky Painted Ladies this year, both in the flesh and on social media, I’m putting it down to the cool summer.
Thanks Essex, yes I’ve never found masses of SSS at Denbies either but this year they seemed to do rather well .


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August 2021

Sunday 22nd. It was nearly three weeks since my Brown Hairstreak season had started so time to pop down to Bookham to see how things were going on that front. Sunny spells brought out a few species but the real action didn’t start until 11.30 when I came across my first Hairstreak of the day, a rather nice looking female. Purple Hairstreaks were still to be found, this world-weary female was very accommodating, I just wish they’d be so willing to sit when fresh. Not long after I left her, I bumped into Millerd and with two sets of eye’s looking for the target species we soon started racking up the numbers. The first was a male with what from a distance looked like a missing hindwing. Up close we discovered the ‘missing’ wing had in fact just failed to inflate properly. It hadn’t held him back though, giving he had obviously been around for a week or so and was currently feeding on a hogweed about head height. After finding another male we came across two females on egg laying duties who duly posed in-between laying eggs. We found several more males in varying degrees of disrepair before parting company.

Breaking up the Hairstreak party were a few other distractions, I noticed a Comma pupae hanging under a nettle leaf by the side of one of the paths, a few Silver-washed Fritillary were still hanging around, a Small Heath flashed me some upperside, a Small Copper was having to keep his eye's peeled from dive bombing flies, and another freshly minted Painted Lady positively glowed in the sun. I stayed on and went to see how many White Admiral cats were still around, managing eight, all of which were now third instar and now presumably fattening up for hibernation. My Hairstreak party hadn’t quite finished yet, a slow wander back to the station, along some more hedges that invariably come good for me at this time of year I found another fresh female, who for the first time this year actually chose something other than Hogweed to feed from. The twelfth and final Brown Hairstreak of the day was another aged male who was joined by an even older looking Purple relative. Another excellent and very full day at Bookham

Another delightful smorgasbord of shots Bugboy Those Purps are holding up well considering and the Brostreaks are lush looking ALso love the teasing view of the Small Heaths upper - they are coy little flashers if such a thing is possible

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

That was a good Hairstruck day, Buggy - I particularly like the shot of the female on the hawthorn berries as I failed dismally with that one... You also managed to find a few of the small purple one which also evaded me on the day. That Painted Lady looks familiar too - a fine example that seemed tied to those mint flowers.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Wurzel, Those Small Heaths do sometimes flash you a slither of uppers on occasion. It’s like they have a lazy wing, when you find one doing this it seems to regularly settle the same way.
It was indeed wasn’t it Dave, almost every corner we turned there was another one...or two...or three! I have several of that female on the Hawthorn berry posing at slightly different angles . Yes that Painted Lady was particularly accommodating to being pestered by strange men with cameras!


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August 2021

Monday 23rd. Taking another break from the Hairstreaks I went south to Mill Hill near Shoreham, hoping the Adonis were having a better time than at Denbies. It was yet another day where the sun struggled to break through the cloud cover, for the first part of the day at least, but there was just enough to awake a few Adonis, not masses but there seemed to be more than at Denbies . These males remind me of a recent discussion in the butterfly aberrations facebook group where someone posted a pic of a similar looking male asking what aberration it was. For me, these all look pretty normal to me but apparently, they all represent the same aberration to varying degrees. In 1896, male Adonis Blues with the row of black dots along the edge of the hindwing were given the name ab. puncta. Personally, given I see these spots so routinely (including in field guides) I’ve always considered them well within normal variation for the species. I did a bit of research in my old butterfly books (I knew they’d come in handy one day).
Frohawk 1914 "the hindwing usually has a sub-marginal series of minute black specks situated between the nervures". He uses the feature in his illustration for the species.
South 1906 "often there are a row of black dots on the outer margin of the hindwings".
Morris 1870 doesn't mention them in his description, but they are present in his illustration.
All this shows it’s not a variation that used to be rare either. The poster of the FB picture said that his local colony rarely had these spots, so my best guess would be habitat fragmentation has led to some populations routinely throwing these males up whilst others don’t. Anyway, for me these are all normal edition males.

Chalkhill females were still around so hunting down any Adonis females was tricky, and I only managed the one. It actually turned out to be quite a busy day with plenty of other butterflies to point my camera at, Particularly when things started to brighten up after midday. I found this Meadow Brown particularly attractive. A second had an extra spot on the underside but refused to open up so I’ve no idea whether her uppers tipped her over into the murky realm of abs. Also spicing things up were various freshly minted Nymphalids, Small Whites, Brimstones and Holly Blues. The remaining species making up the numbers included Walls, Common Blues, a Brown Argus, a Peacock and a Cloudie had all seen better days. I left with enough time to pitstop at Southwick, hoping for some fresher looking Cloudies. Much of the cloud cover had retreated now and the two or three that were around only stopped briefly, non were in better condition than the one I’d seen earlier though. There was quite a bit around today but apart from some of the Small Whites and a Common Blue, they too had all been around the block a few times

A cracking selection of species in your last few reports bugboy Particularly jealous of the Brown Hairstreaks, a species I missed again this year.

bugboy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:58 pm These males remind me of a recent discussion in the butterfly aberrations facebook group where someone posted a pic of a similar looking male asking what aberration it was. For me, these all look pretty normal to me but apparently, they all represent the same aberration to varying degrees...

You will know from my comments in that discussion, and previous posts in my own PD, that I am of the same mind with regard to this. Given that I find this form common at most of the Dorset sites that I have visited and also found some this year at Old Winchester Hill, plus the sites where you have seen them, it would appear to be present at more sites than not.

I believe that this whole subject of what falls within normal variation and what constitutes an aberration is worthy of a much bigger discussion...something for the winter perhaps.

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks Neil. Yes, I think we are both of similar opinions on this subject. I don’t think there’ll ever be a ‘one size fits all’ answer though, it’s so subjective. It would be like asking what Tuesday last December a subspecies became sufficiently distinct to become a species in its own right.


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August 2021

Friday 27th. It being August 2021 meant it was another dull, overcast day down at Bookham and so not much in the way of adult butterflies were found, indeed it had a very end of season feel about it, more akin to recent Octobers than the end of high summer . Just a small handful of butterflies were found but at least they were fresh and included my first second brood Comma. As always though there was plenty for me to check up on. First my Orange-tip pupae. Disaster! The stem it had used had snapped at the base. Luckily it was still being held upright with the help of a bracken frond. This was unlikely to last the winter though so I moved it further back into the undergrowth where it had more support that will hopefully last the winter. Next off to the White Admirals where I found the oldest had decided it was time to settle down for the winter, he hadn’t made much of an effort with his winter accommodation, save for making sure it was firmly silked to the stem to stop it falling. There were still a couple of second instars around but most were now very spikey thirds. Young Comma and Red Admirals were still commonplace along the woodland rides and the Comma pupae that I found on my last visit was still present. I could just make out the larvae hanging in the pupal tent. My first visit to Bookham this year turned up my first Brown Hairstreaks of the year, a trio of freshly minted males, so it’s fitting that my last visit of the month also turned up a small gaggle of males, albeit in somewhat less than perfect condition. They were joined as has been the tradition this year by an aged Purple. I found an attractive little beetle as I left, he didn’t like the attention I paid him though. Here he is playing dead, Platycis minutus.