Katrina

[Katrina]

On Saturday I had a short trip to Malling Down inbetween a hairdressing appointment and lunch with a friend. I saw Cardinal Beetles ,Dingy Skippers, Small Heaths, a Green-Veined White, an Orange-tip and a pair of Common Blues.
On Wednesday I went late afternoon to Iping Common for an hour hoping to see the Silver-Studded Blues. It was intensely hot and sadly I didn't find any but there were plenty of dragonflies around.

[Gary.N]

Lovely Shot of the Blues Katrina.

[Katrina]

Thank you Gary. The grass is a bit more in focus than the butterflies unfortunately, but on the other hand the male was a bit worn so looked better from the front than the shots after he swivelled into the more standard position.

[Katrina]

I went to Iping and Stedham Common early today. I saw only one white moth then retreated first to my car and then to Pulborough Brooks due to bad weather. At Pulborough Brooks I saw baby newts in the pond by the visitor centre. I returned later in the morning to Iping. A short period of white clouds,brought out eight male Silver-studded Blues. I had a look at Stedham Common but by then there was intermittent drizzle and dark grey skies again and I saw no butterflies.

[Wurzel]

Cracking Silver-stud Katrina Hopefully the weather will pick up and then we can really enjoy them, they're at their best on balmy evenings with the smell of Gorse drifting across the Heather

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you Wurzel, yes lets hope for better weather!

[Katrina]

Mid morning I went to Chantry Hill and then spent half an hour at Kithurst. The weather was mixed sunshine and showers with a blustery wind.
At Chantry I saw 13 Small Heaths, 5 Common Blues including a mating pair, 4 Large Skippers, 4 Brown Argus and a Meadow Brown. Also thanks to a couple I met who pointed me in the right direction one Painted Lady. There was also a Burnet Companion moth and a Cinnabar moth.
At Kithurst I saw 3 Small Blues, some Small Heaths, a Meadow Brown, a Common Blue and a Small Tortoiseshell.

[bugboy]

Thats a beautifully composed Small Tort shot

[Wurzel]

Indeed cracking compostion as Bugboy says - there's something about it, I think it's the way you're drawn in looking at it being almost being symmetrical but then the Small Tort jars that and then that's all you can see - brill

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you Bugboy and Wurzel. I have to confess it was more a well cropped photo than composed.

[Katrina]

I went to Chantry this morning getting up too late for dawn. The weather forecast was not promising and the actual weather somewhat worse. The permanent mist reminded me of a holiday in Shetland a few years ago. The one thing that was in abundance was wildflowers. There were also many small brown/white moths. I found myself wishing for a single butterfly and eventually found a Small Heath followed by a yellow moth (yellow shell I think) a Large Skipper and 2 Meadow Browns.

[Katrina]

My sister and I went to Monks Wood to try and see Black Hairstreaks for the first time. We had a brilliant time. There was plenty of mud and flies but also plenty of interesting wildlife. Initially we found numerous bees and hoverflies. We found a variety of habitats including 2 fields and a ride. We saw Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large Skippers, Speckled Woods a Blackneck moth and a deer. We then found seven Black Hairstreaks flying well above head height. We also met Rosalyn and Phil who extremely kindly found a female at perfect height for us. Thank you so much it will be a highlight of my butterfly year! Later my sister found a female egg laying at head height. On the way back to the car we also saw a probable Holly Blue, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Red Admiral. Then just as I was looking in my bag for the car key my sister found another Black Hairstreak nectaring in the car park less than 2m from the car. We then looked a bit closer round the car park and found a Marbled White which was my first of the year.

[Wurzel]

Great stuff Karina - a species I've still to encounter Spot on ID of the Yellow Shell too

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Lucky Girl !! A couple of Black Hairstreaks and lovely photo's to come home with.
Like Wurzel I've never seen one.

[bugboy]

Your pictures are too much temptation for me. Think I'm gonna have to have another go at Black Hairstreaks at Monks wood next week (this time I'll remember the insect repellent!) but as has become the norm this year it looks like the best day of the week is one I'm working!

[Katrina]

Thank you for the ID confirmation Wurzel.
Thanks Trevor, I am feeling we were lucky.
Bugboy, I think it's definitely worth another go. We think we saw at least 11 Black Hairstreaks although mainly they were flitting up high and landing either out of sight or behind lots of branches.

[peterc]

Well done on finding the Black Hairstreaks at Monks Wood, Katrina. I was thinking of going there myself yesterday but instead went to nearby Brampton Wood where the species is also found. 10-12 people were there looking for it between about 1230 and 1430 hours but only the odd one was seen high up by two people.

I had seen it at Glapthorn Cow Pastures about 5 years ago but that was one of my lucky days

ATB

Peter

[Rosalyn]

It was nice to meet you both. We try not to let anyone to go away disappointed and Phil does seem to have the knack of spotting them hiding in the low branches. I think they are used to him and come to say hello

[Katrina]

Thanks Peter, we considered Brampton Wood but went for Monks Wood in the end . We were there from about 9am until 3pm in the end (as ever staying longer than planned).
Many thanks again Rosalyn, it was extraordinarily kind of you and Phil.

[Katrina]

This morning I went to Chantry hoping to see roosting Marbled Whites. I had difficulty finding any roosting butterflies but later a lot of Meadow Browns appeared followed by Large Skippers, Ringlets, a few Small Heaths, a worn DGF, a second DGF and then 2 active Marbled Whites and a Small Tortoiseshell.