Trevor

[trevor]

Many thanks, Katrina, Dave & Wurzel.
You had the best of it last Thursday Katrina, all I could was sit indoors and watch the lashing rain.

Cotley Hill, Day two.

Today we had a blanket of grey cloud all day.
Occasionally the cloud thinned just enough for some weak sun.
Long before any Marsh Frits appeared I found a fresh male Wall, and Small Copper.
Many Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, including some fresh ones were seen.

Below is a selection of Today's finds................

[millerd]

A great selection, Trevor. That can be a twenty-species-in-a-day spot on a good day at this time of year.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Today's Marsh Fritillaries displayed almost the whole colour and wing pattern
variation this species is known for, including some stunning specimens.

Stay safe and well,
Trevor.

[millerd]

Wonderful variety, Trevor! There could almost be two or three different species on show here. Great collection of shots.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

Thanks Dave. I didn't bother with the area of the hill to the right of the gate.
The lower area bordering the field of barley performed well, and it's level!.
This part of the hill looks much better now that the spring ' soft ' growth has
established ie. tall grasses and field buttercups.
If you went to Cotley Hill I hope you missed the traffic on the A303 at Amesbury.
The roundabout was jammed and the tail back, early on Saturday, was several
miles long.

Stay well,
Trevor.

[millerd]

Hi Trevor!

Bugboy and I had no problems at all getting to Cotley (we arrived soon after nine), but you could see the traditional jam near Stonehenge on the other side of the A303 on our way back.

We found decent numbers of Marshies in every area of the hill we visited, including the bit up to the right from the gate. Imagining it without the recent rampant grass growth, I can see why it would have looked very bare where they've cleared the scrub. Overall, I'd say the only species that might have suffered would be Green Hairstreaks losing some of their perching spots. We didn't see many of those, but all the other regulars were around.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

Cheers,

Dave

[Benjamin]

Beautiful variety in those Marsh Frits Trevor! Think I’m going to miss them again this year so really is nice to see them popping up in the PDs.

[Neil Freeman]

A cracking selection of Marsh Frits from Cotley Hill Trevor, along with a great supporting cast.

Glad to see the 'management' doesn't seem to have done too much damage.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic Marshies Trevor - there's one in there that looks particularly stunning - the penultimate one - which seems almost white and brown, it could almost be a different species I don't think that I'll get to Cotley this year but have managed to turn up Marshies at four sites so far so I've gotten my fix One site could has proving itself to be almost as good as Cotley...possibly better

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Some fantastic late spring species in your last few reports, Trevor. The second to last Marsh Fritillary in your latest post is particularly striking - it looks like the debilis form found in the high altitude Alps/Pyrenees.

[trevor]

Many thanks Dave, Ben, Neil & Wurzel. Looking forward to your respective reports, Dave.
The habitat looks much better now, Neil, with all the spring growth.
I agree with that penultimate Marshie, Wurzel. Pity about the foliage in the way but I
never saw that one again, certainly an extreme specimen!.

This morning I found this female Brimstone taking a break from egg laying,
on a still fresh looking Bluebell.

Best wishes all,
Trevor.

[Pauline]

A great selection of Marsh Fritillaries Trevor - interesting to see the variation in colour.

[trevor]

Thanks David & Pauline. It was great to be among the Marshies again,
Travel restrictions prevented a visit last year.

It will soon be time for our annual meet up, Pauline!.

This morning, once again, I found a female Brimstone nectaring from Bluebell.
This time with wings daringly apart!.

Stay safe,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots Trevor - it's interesting to see more and more open wing or partially open wing shots of species like Brimstones that supposedly never open up

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel,
Species that never open up, but do occasionally give a glimpse of their upperside,
put me in mind of a lady showing too much thigh!, ie teasing and tantalising..

Never mind,
Trevor.

[David M]

...This time with wings daringly apart!

Seen this myself now and again, Trevor....Brimstones, Small Heaths, Clouded Yellows, etc...

It's rare for them to open up much, but occasionally a few will show a little of their uppersides for no apparent reason.

Not quite sure what causes it, but as you say, when it happens it is rather tantalising.

Nice images.

[trevor]

Thanks David, fortunately the species I saw today do open up!.

This morning I went over to Park Corner Heath/Rowland Wood to see
how the Small Pearls were coming along. Although sightings were reasonably
regular I think the males scooting around were each seen several times.
I would be confident in saying that three individuals were seen.
One settled for long enough for some quick shots, but it was a lovely female
SPBF that stole the show, and was in no hurry to escape from her several admirers.

Good to catch up with some old faces too,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

The first shots a beauty.

[Maximus]

I agree with Katrina, that first shot is a beauty

[trevor]

Many thanks, Katrina & Mike. I note that another similarly marked female
SPBF was seen there yesterday as well, numbers of SPBF at PCH are still
rather low.

Stay well both,
Trevor.