Fantastic photos Paul. I have just returned to the forum after my winter hibernation and I had to step back a page to see the Kingfisher photos that folk were complimenting you on. Wow ! They are absolutely amazing. Congratulations.
Out of interest, what camera do you use, now that it is back with you and repaired?
Bugboys mission
Re: Bugboys mission
Good to see you're having better luck with the Brimstones than me Bugboy 
One man's wasteland is another's heaven! 
Have a goodun
Wurzel
One man's wasteland is another's heaven! Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Bugboys mission
Thanks Otep and welcome back. My camera is a Canon 800D but it’s the lenses that do all the donkey work. I have a Sigma 105mm for my macro stuff and a Sigma 150 – 600mm for my birdy shots (also very handy for getting shots of Purple Emperors when they are playing hard to get in the treetops!)
Here Wurzel, have another Brimstone
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March 2022
Wednesday 23rd. With the ever-increasing cost of train fares, any trip into Sussex these days needs to be packed full to get my money’s worth. Today I fancied a stab at snagging an early Grizzlie, and where better than Mill Hill overlooking Shoreham-by-sea. Failing that there was also the chance of an early White of some description or perhaps a Specklie. As it turned out it ended up being a rather expensive trip to find just the five species already seen this year. At least I had beautiful scenery under a cloudless sky with temperatures nudging high teens, and any day outside London in this weather is a win for me
.
All five species were present at Mill Hill, Comma, Peacock and a single tatty Red Admiral breakfasting on Blackthorn, whereas Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell were regularly disturbed as they caught some early rays. The Only Brimstone I managed to sneak up on has already let himself go a bit
.
I also found a Spot-winged Beefly, a new species for me.
So after two circuits of the site and not coming up with any sign of the target, I set off for a wander on to pastures new for me. First a walk up the lane to the beeding car park where I took a right along the footpath that according to google maps takes me to Southwick Hills, a walk that should take 1.5 hours… I did it in closer to 3. It was 3 hours being serenaded by Skylarks though! I did come across a few more Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell in the sheltered valleys along the path but the best spot of the day was a very smart looking Black Redstart, a species I have technically seen before but only on account of a birder pointing out a tiny black dot on a distant roof top at Newhaven station!
The butterflies started appearing en-masse again once I found myself on the outskirts of Southwick Hills, the first stands of Gorze and clumps of Bramble hosting a handful of Small Tortoiseshells whilst further on Peacock and Comma made up the bulk of sightings, a couple of female Comma’s who still looked fresh as a daisy distraced me for quite some time
Since I was in the area, I paid a quick pit stop at Southwick harbour before heading off but only disturbing a single Small Tort. Nevertheless I think I managed to get my money’s worth and Southwick Hills does look like it would benefit from future visits through the season.
Ps. If anyone is wondering why the weather has taken a turn for the worse now, I have a confession. I have two weeks off work from tomorrow so that certain law has come along to laugh in my face
. I’m back to work on the 9th of April so stick that date in your diaries, I’m pretty sure you can all get back into the swing of things again then !
Here Wurzel, have another Brimstone
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March 2022
Wednesday 23rd. With the ever-increasing cost of train fares, any trip into Sussex these days needs to be packed full to get my money’s worth. Today I fancied a stab at snagging an early Grizzlie, and where better than Mill Hill overlooking Shoreham-by-sea. Failing that there was also the chance of an early White of some description or perhaps a Specklie. As it turned out it ended up being a rather expensive trip to find just the five species already seen this year. At least I had beautiful scenery under a cloudless sky with temperatures nudging high teens, and any day outside London in this weather is a win for me
. All five species were present at Mill Hill, Comma, Peacock and a single tatty Red Admiral breakfasting on Blackthorn, whereas Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell were regularly disturbed as they caught some early rays. The Only Brimstone I managed to sneak up on has already let himself go a bit
.
- Not every Small Tort had been looking after itself either!
Ps. If anyone is wondering why the weather has taken a turn for the worse now, I have a confession. I have two weeks off work from tomorrow so that certain law has come along to laugh in my face
. I’m back to work on the 9th of April so stick that date in your diaries, I’m pretty sure you can all get back into the swing of things again then !Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
The timing of your leave from work is uncanny, Paul. Is it too late to change it? It's a shame your excursion into Sussex wasn't very productive - but then mine to Denbies last week was possibly even less so. It looks now as if the more usual April site specialists will actually wait to appear then after this exceptional March spell. Some nice Commas there - impossible to tire of seeing them.
Cheers,
Dave
It's a shame your excursion into Sussex wasn't very productive - but then mine to Denbies last week was possibly even less so. It looks now as if the more usual April site specialists will actually wait to appear then after this exceptional March spell. Some nice Commas there - impossible to tire of seeing them. Cheers,
Dave
Re: Bugboys mission
I think that ST and brimstone had been to the same party Paul - a good one I reckon!
Bad luck on the timing of your leave but there’s plenty of time for the luck to turn around - hopefully see you at one of the Sussex sites as the season progresses….
Bad luck on the timing of your leave but there’s plenty of time for the luck to turn around - hopefully see you at one of the Sussex sites as the season progresses….
Re: Bugboys mission
Sadly yes Dave, I have to get in fast to book my leave or you just get left with the dregs which are no use to anyone who spends large chunks of their spare time chasing butterflies! Our wonderfully unpredictable weather patterns are the unfortunate fly in the ointment though.
I think the Red Admiral was also at that party Ben! It’s fairly likely we’ll bump into each other at some point .
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March 2022
Friday 25th. A lunchtime wander at work added a couple of new species to my 2022 list, a female Small White stopped ever so briefly and a couple of male Speckled Wood jostled for dominance in a sheltered suntrap.
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Monday 28th. The first day of my two-week break, just in time to not only see the end of this unseasonably warm spell but also for the return of winter, snow fall predicted over large swathes of the country in the coming days. Well today there was just enough sun and warmth to tempt me into deepest Sussex. I’d seen quite a few species being reported from Burpham Meadows at North Stoke in recent days so in the interests of seeing something new before the snow, that is where I set off to.
It was a rather cool misty start to the day but I was pleased to find the site wasn’t ankle deep mud like it was last time I visited at this time of year. The mist lifted gradually but never really cleared, leaving a hazy sun but the warmth was enough to awaken some butterflies after 11. Before then there was plenty of other life to watch, a pair of Green Woodpeckers yaffling at each other, lots of pheasants which in this part of the world always have a look of abject terror about them when they see a human (understandably), and a Roe Deer doe who looked to be carrying a fawn or two.
The first butterflies to appear were a couple of Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell, all of whom escaped my camera. Commas, as seems to be the theme this spring, became the butterfly of the day with nine or ten seen, all of whom were far more willing to sit still. From a distance they do look rather like something else… or perhaps that’s just my mind playing games with wishful thinking.
I did add a couple of new species to the yearly tally, but the Green-veined White and Orange-tip were merely flybys who’d vanished from sight before cloud obscured the sun. Looks like I'll end March on nine species.
I did eventually manage a few long-distance shots of Peacock and after the cloud thickened in the afternoon, a wander along the river Arun threw up a few Small Tortoiseshell.
Hopefully next week will warm up a little bit... 
I think the Red Admiral was also at that party Ben! It’s fairly likely we’ll bump into each other at some point
. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 2022
Friday 25th. A lunchtime wander at work added a couple of new species to my 2022 list, a female Small White stopped ever so briefly and a couple of male Speckled Wood jostled for dominance in a sheltered suntrap.
Monday 28th. The first day of my two-week break, just in time to not only see the end of this unseasonably warm spell but also for the return of winter, snow fall predicted over large swathes of the country in the coming days. Well today there was just enough sun and warmth to tempt me into deepest Sussex. I’d seen quite a few species being reported from Burpham Meadows at North Stoke in recent days so in the interests of seeing something new before the snow, that is where I set off to.
It was a rather cool misty start to the day but I was pleased to find the site wasn’t ankle deep mud like it was last time I visited at this time of year. The mist lifted gradually but never really cleared, leaving a hazy sun but the warmth was enough to awaken some butterflies after 11. Before then there was plenty of other life to watch, a pair of Green Woodpeckers yaffling at each other, lots of pheasants which in this part of the world always have a look of abject terror about them when they see a human (understandably), and a Roe Deer doe who looked to be carrying a fawn or two.
I did eventually manage a few long-distance shots of Peacock and after the cloud thickened in the afternoon, a wander along the river Arun threw up a few Small Tortoiseshell.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
March 2022
Wednesday 30th. As I was posting my last entry, I noticed things looked to be brightening up outside. A quick check on the radar on my phone app showed what seemed to be a spell of hazy sun drifting across London so I grabbed my camera and went for a quick wander on the marshes. Given that it was still borderline weather I figured I'd head for my Small Tortoiseshell hotspot, who seem to cope better in slightly cooler conditions. On the way a Comma nearly took my head off but was in no mood to stop. I was in luck when I reached my destination, the sun came out properly and I found four Small Tortoiseshell flitting over the nettle bed, the first one being particularly intensely coloured, the mugshots:
Wednesday 30th. As I was posting my last entry, I noticed things looked to be brightening up outside. A quick check on the radar on my phone app showed what seemed to be a spell of hazy sun drifting across London so I grabbed my camera and went for a quick wander on the marshes. Given that it was still borderline weather I figured I'd head for my Small Tortoiseshell hotspot, who seem to cope better in slightly cooler conditions. On the way a Comma nearly took my head off but was in no mood to stop. I was in luck when I reached my destination, the sun came out properly and I found four Small Tortoiseshell flitting over the nettle bed, the first one being particularly intensely coloured, the mugshots:
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
Thank you for the camera information Paul - and congratulations on yet another lovely set of photos. I liked the description of woodpeckers 'yaffling' at each other. 
The tale of the Comma nearly taking your head is one that resonates with me. I have yet to receive a butterfly headbutt in 2022 and I am doing well. However, the butterflies that have been closest to doing it have been quite a few Commas. Normally they are never contenders and it is nearly always a Peacock that wins that title. The Commas seem very energetic and feisty locally.
The tale of the Comma nearly taking your head is one that resonates with me. I have yet to receive a butterfly headbutt in 2022 and I am doing well. However, the butterflies that have been closest to doing it have been quite a few Commas. Normally they are never contenders and it is nearly always a Peacock that wins that title. The Commas seem very energetic and feisty locally.
Re: Bugboys mission
Cracking set of reports recently Bugboy 
I haven't seen a Black Redstart for ages - the last time was inside Salisbury Cathedral 
Good to see so many Small Torts as well fingers crossed that translates into plenty of the next brood I like the shot of Mr Yaffle brought back fond memories of Bagpuss
Have a goodun
Wurzel
I haven't seen a Black Redstart for ages - the last time was inside Salisbury Cathedral Good to see so many Small Torts as well fingers crossed that translates into plenty of the next brood I like the shot of Mr Yaffle brought back fond memories of Bagpuss Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Bugboys mission
One can only take a wild guess at the reason for your visit to North Stoke,
but I'll bet you gave every Comma a second glance!.
Shame about the weather on your two weeks off, you might have the chance
to play snowballs today, but they say it will warm up next week. PBF in about
three weeks time. Bring it on!.
Might see you soon!.
Trevor.
but I'll bet you gave every Comma a second glance!.
Shame about the weather on your two weeks off, you might have the chance
to play snowballs today, but they say it will warm up next week. PBF in about
three weeks time. Bring it on!.
Might see you soon!.
Trevor.
Re: Bugboys mission
Thanks for the comments. It wasn’t just that visit, this whole two week break was aimed at that species you allude to Trevor, bloody weather!
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March 2022
Thursday 30th. A week ago I was topping up the tan in shorts and t-shirt on the south coast, today it back to winter woollies, the weather people really weren’t over egging this cold snap. Despite the weather there is still stuff to find and there’s some White Admiral caterpillars that can’t fly away and hide from me so a few hours in Bookham it was. It was sleeting when I left London but some sunny spells did brighten up my visit, where I found a female Great-spotted Woodpecker pecking some wood, as they do. It was at this early point that I discovered the battery in my camera was running on fumes and I’d forgotten to re-charge the spare last time I used it. A few expletives later, camera turned off, I headed off to find the caterpillars hoping sods law wouldn’t present me with a Large Tortoiseshell sitting next to a Camberwell Beauty the moment the battery gasped its last gasp .
Whilst walking along I took a few context shots on my phone to illustrate the amount of winter habitat restructuring that's been done.
The first two caterpillars were still sleeping, no evidence that the recent warm spell had stirred them.
The third one I found was a new one. Some Honeysuckle had become dislodged from the Silver Birch it was scrambling up and was now within easy reach. A quick scan found some recently nibbled leaves and sitting underneath was the culprit. The feeding technique is now pretty standard caterpillary nibbling, completely different to their distinctive pre-hibernation feeding technique.
The final one was on the same patch of Honeysuckle I’d found one stirring last time, but on the other side. Once again it was nibbled leaves that first drew my attention although it was sitting some distance away. I also found another empty hibernaculum that had gone unnoticed until now.
Unsurprisingly there were no adult butterflies to be found, not even (or thankfully) a Large Tort sitting next to a Camberwell Beauty!
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March 2022
Thursday 30th. A week ago I was topping up the tan in shorts and t-shirt on the south coast, today it back to winter woollies, the weather people really weren’t over egging this cold snap. Despite the weather there is still stuff to find and there’s some White Admiral caterpillars that can’t fly away and hide from me so a few hours in Bookham it was. It was sleeting when I left London but some sunny spells did brighten up my visit, where I found a female Great-spotted Woodpecker pecking some wood, as they do. It was at this early point that I discovered the battery in my camera was running on fumes and I’d forgotten to re-charge the spare last time I used it. A few expletives later, camera turned off, I headed off to find the caterpillars hoping sods law wouldn’t present me with a Large Tortoiseshell sitting next to a Camberwell Beauty the moment the battery gasped its last gasp
.
- This path was quite shaded once the trees that have now been felled came into leaf
- Same path looking the other direction
- This fork shows the difference very clearly. The right hand path hasn't been widened (although some vehicles have obviously used it.) The left hand path was a similar dimension last year!
- an untouched path. Its along this one that my White Admiral caterpillars are found.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
A battery running low on charge is one of the many perils of butterfly photography! Still I've had worse - on one trip my girls were rowing so much that I got distracted, travelled all the way down to Slop Bog minus my camera The air was certainly blue that day and it wasn't because of a multitude of Silver-studs! 
Looks like its's going to be another one of those years where the season moves in fits and starts Hopefully you'll be able to get something out of your break
Have a goodun
Wurzel
The air was certainly blue that day and it wasn't because of a multitude of Silver-studs! Looks like its's going to be another one of those years where the season moves in fits and starts Hopefully you'll be able to get something out of your break Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Bugboys mission
Nice to see those Small Tortoiseshells from the earlier post, Paul, and like you I'm glad there were no Large ones (nor Camberwells) at the moment your battery was near incapacitated.
It's such a shame the weather is on a downward spiral. I guess we were spoiled from mid-March onwards so there's an inevitable price to pay. At least you'll be able to rely on those WA cats to keep your spirits up.
It's such a shame the weather is on a downward spiral. I guess we were spoiled from mid-March onwards so there's an inevitable price to pay. At least you'll be able to rely on those WA cats to keep your spirits up.
Re: Bugboys mission
Camera woes Paul!. Your not alone. One day I arrived at Chiddingfold, on switching of
engine a moment of sheer horror came over me. Checked the camera, and sure enough no memory card.
It was still in my lap top. The upside was that no Emperors came down that day.
We will have to tie a knot in it.
Trevor.
engine a moment of sheer horror came over me. Checked the camera, and sure enough no memory card.
It was still in my lap top. The upside was that no Emperors came down that day.
We will have to tie a knot in it.
Trevor.
Re: Bugboys mission
Thanks for the comments again
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April 2022
Friday 1st. Well April arrived with showers, snowy showers that is! Butterflies, it would seem, would be off the menu for a few more days so I took a wander on my local patches to see what birdlife was around. Mr Kingfisher was nowhere to be seen, I suspect he’s found his queen and have gone off to somewhere more secluded to nest build. Nothing much else was seen on the wetlands so I moved onto the marshes. Golfinches and Linnets were on the horse paddocks
And there were still some Winter Thrushes hunting worms.
I found a couple of Heron posing nicely on the waterworks nature reserve.
When the sun did break through the clouds, and you were out of the stiff arctic breeze it did feel quite warm and I found myself checking every patch of Blackthorn blossom for adult hibernators, I wasn’t expecting a Speckled Wood to be the only butterfly I saw all day. He was very fresh and had yet to set up a territory so fater a couple of quick shots he fluttered off over a hedge, 5 minutes later it was snowing again making him the only butterfly I’ve seen a on the same day it’s snowed!
The final encounter worthy of record was an unusually friendly Grey Squirrel. In central London parks it’s pretty standard to be accosted by them, but not here. It would also react to you clicking your tongue and come hopping over. I had some hazel nuts for nibbles and it willingly, and very politely took some from my fingers, and was more than happy to try and mug me by rifling through my pockets for more. I can only presume this one was hand-reared and recently released (technically illegal since its non-native). Hopefully it’ll learn that humans aren’t the only source of food, especially those with dogs!
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April 2022
Friday 1st. Well April arrived with showers, snowy showers that is! Butterflies, it would seem, would be off the menu for a few more days so I took a wander on my local patches to see what birdlife was around. Mr Kingfisher was nowhere to be seen, I suspect he’s found his queen and have gone off to somewhere more secluded to nest build. Nothing much else was seen on the wetlands so I moved onto the marshes. Golfinches and Linnets were on the horse paddocks
- Goldfinch. This is most likely a pair, the female on the left has noticeably less red on her face than the right hand bird.
- Linnet
- Redwing
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
Snow and a butterfly on the same day, not something I've experienced (yet) so full marks for perseverance Bugboy!
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Bugboys mission
Thanks Wurzel, this fortnight off looks set to be full of perseverance!
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April 2022
Saturday 2nd. Another day of occasional snow flurries in prospect, but at the same time we were promised a drop in the breeze and slightly warmer temperatures… Epping Forest was the destination, the extra shelter afforded by the trees might allow a bit of activity. It was wishful thinking though, no butterflies were to be found, but the birdlife did make my trip worthwhile. The first encounter of note started off rather oddly. Up ahead I could hear a faint noise that I couldn’t place, like wind rushing through a narrow alley, but there was hardly a breeze to speak off. It was no more identifiable when I reached the source. Up in the trees I could see movement but nothing I could identify, just lots of small birds making the still continuous eerie noise. It was only when I managed to get my long lens on one that I could see Brambling. I’ve only ever seen a couple of singletons before. They never came down so the only pics I managed were looking up at them.
There’s quite a few woodland ponds dotted around which are perfect for Mandarin Ducks (they nest high up in tree cavities). Being spring the males are in their full, outlandish regalia.
Mid afternoon and a nice gap in the cloud cover arrived so I made my way to a spot I know Speckled Wood flourish in generous numbers (just not today) but a nuthatch pulled several classic poses
and a Pair of Treecreeper flitted from tree to tree around me, clearly having found a suitable bit of flaking bark behind which they could nest.
Looks like things are warming up a bit next week, snow and arctic winds being replaced by cloud and rain
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April 2022
Saturday 2nd. Another day of occasional snow flurries in prospect, but at the same time we were promised a drop in the breeze and slightly warmer temperatures… Epping Forest was the destination, the extra shelter afforded by the trees might allow a bit of activity. It was wishful thinking though, no butterflies were to be found, but the birdlife did make my trip worthwhile. The first encounter of note started off rather oddly. Up ahead I could hear a faint noise that I couldn’t place, like wind rushing through a narrow alley, but there was hardly a breeze to speak off. It was no more identifiable when I reached the source. Up in the trees I could see movement but nothing I could identify, just lots of small birds making the still continuous eerie noise. It was only when I managed to get my long lens on one that I could see Brambling. I’ve only ever seen a couple of singletons before. They never came down so the only pics I managed were looking up at them.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
Lovely photos as usual Paul. I really like the Heron photo, though it feels wrong to single one photo out from the others. My Saturday featured 2 transect walks featuring sun and butterflies for 80% of the walks and 20% of snow and no butterflies.
Re: Bugboys mission
Thanks Otep, that Heron did pose rather well!
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April 2022
Sunday 3rd. After the previous days butterfly blank, it came as a little surprise to find ‘plenty’ today (when I say plenty I’m talking relatively, 16 individuals isn’t a brilliant total for the beginning of April). The forecast suggested the sun would be swallowed up by late morning, giving a very narrow window of activity but as it turned out, it wasn’t until mid-afternoon that it happened and with the strength of the April sun and lighter winds I managed a decent fix, all things considered. A fresh male Speckly kicked things off, dancing around a sunny glade that invariably has one or two throughout the season.
Small Tortoiseshell were once again active in the nettle strewn corner of their field, likely the same lot I was photographing last time. At least one was looking to lay, searching for that one special leaf.
A second Specklie was joined by my first White on my local patch, a Small enjoying the sun.
A little while later there was a sudden glut (a technical term for half a dozen ) of Whites, possibly at least one GVW but everything I could get a decent look at was Small.
I was a bit surprised I had to wait a while for a Comma to turn up, considering they were everywhere a week ago, and more surprised this was the only one.
Finally I found two or three Peacock shortly before the sky darkened and the temperature dropped markedly.
So for once East London saw more butterflies than West London!
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April 2022
Sunday 3rd. After the previous days butterfly blank, it came as a little surprise to find ‘plenty’ today (when I say plenty I’m talking relatively, 16 individuals isn’t a brilliant total for the beginning of April). The forecast suggested the sun would be swallowed up by late morning, giving a very narrow window of activity but as it turned out, it wasn’t until mid-afternoon that it happened and with the strength of the April sun and lighter winds I managed a decent fix, all things considered. A fresh male Speckly kicked things off, dancing around a sunny glade that invariably has one or two throughout the season.
) of Whites, possibly at least one GVW but everything I could get a decent look at was Small.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: Bugboys mission
Morning Paul - thought I would take a quick look at your diary whilst having a coffee and ended up reading pages of it. Your bird photography is stunning and I congratulate you on the Kingfisher shots which I have strived to get in the past (good shot of the fox too). Sorry to read about your misfortunes but a timely reminder to me to back up.