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Re: Pauline
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:27 pm
by David M
Nice observations with the Glanville larval webs, Pauline.
Your latest Comma looks to be a hutchinsoni, which surprises me given the time of year.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:42 am
by MrSp0ck
Was the Hibernation web near to the web that was abandoned, as thats may be where the larvae moved too, they do like to go into longer growth to hibrnate, with the strong web and protection from wind. They were flying later at Wrecclesham, so probably will all hibernate, if its a mild winter and warm spring again it looks like a good year for Surrey Glanvilles next year. Hopefully there will be no major works in that field.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:03 pm
by Pauline
Cheers Wurzel - it was the last of the reared to emerge!
Mmmm, now you mention it.........but please don't ask me to explain it! Your input is always valued D.
Hi Martin, it was about 20-30 paces away - seems a long way for a little larva?
As I type the rain is torrential and there is a massive thunderstorm. I really need this weather to dry up to help me sell my car as unfortunately I cannot drive 2 at once. I am told there are only 49 in Europe. My old car:
![0be7_1[1].jpg](./download/file.php?id=150054&sid=8187342b12460f59d9a8441b9731864d)
- 0be7_1[1].jpg (20.06 KiB) Viewed 3588 times
My new (old) car:
Actually, the weather wasn't all that bad this morning - calm, warm with periods of sunshine. There were a couple of other observers searching for BH at Noar Hill but none of us had any luck. I still can't find a single egg which is a little worrying. I couldn't find Mike's Chalkhill either but there were 4 Painted Ladies in the top pit and someone pointed out a Spotted Flycatcher to me?? A few from this morning:
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 7:40 pm
by Wurzel
My girls would love your car(s) Pauline that would get them a score of two out of three in "Yellow, Mini, Soft-top"
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Looks good for a junvenile Spotted Fly Pauline, you can make out the ever so slightly upturned bill
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:32 pm
by Pauline
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:51 pm
by David M
Pauline wrote:..As I type the rain is torrential and there is a massive thunderstorm. I really need this weather to dry up to help me sell my car as unfortunately I cannot drive 2 at once. I am told there are only 49 in Europe. My old car...
You're full of surprises, Pauline. I would never have associated you with that kind of vehicle.
How long have you owned it?
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:53 pm
by MikeOxon
Gosh, end of your season already
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
A wonderful series of fascinating posts illustrated with splendid photographs. I loved your 'collection' of wing patterns. While I've not seen much that I felt worthy of reporting - apart from the Scilly sub-species - I have enjoyed following various diaries and posts. I was up at Bald Hill at the Eastern end of the Aston Rowant reserve a few days ago (it's much quieter than the better-known section by the M40) and was surprised by how few Silver-spotted Skippers there seemed to be but plenty of Chalkhill Blues and several Frog Orchids.
until next year
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Mike
Re: Pauline
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:14 pm
by millerd
Goodness, is it really that time already? As ever, your diary is a fascinating read, Pauline, and includes an enviable level of detail that I know I would never have the patience to achieve. I shall miss dipping into it in the coming months, but I hope you are blessed with a few more butterflies this season - a Clouded Yellow or two maybe?
All the best,
Dave
Re: Pauline
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:46 am
by Jack Harrison
Wurzel:
My girls would love your car(s) Pauline that would get them a score of two out of three in "Yellow, Mini, Soft-top"
You Pauline have the perfect car. I have an [almost] identical Skoda (VW clone) in that same stunning yellow but mine is a hard top. Wife has an open top Silver Mini Cooper S
Open top cars are fun, perfectly practical but the wind noise level is high. Although we do drive each other’s cars from time to time, I much prefer my Skoda. Fortunately Stella opts for the Mini so no clashes. Moreover, the yellow car is much more economical (perhaps my driving style is to an extent responsible
![Evil or Very Mad :evil:](./images/smilies/icon_evil.gif)
) and if I get below 60 mpg, I am disappointed.
Mind you, the Mini can reach absurd speeds before you can blink - but what’s the point
Jack
Re: Pauline
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:13 am
by Goldie M
Hi! Pauline, I hope you sell your car , if I lived nearer I'd love it
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
My Daughter has a mini and I've offered to swop her , (my car for her's, ) no takers though
You've certainly been busy this year, your photos are always excellent , It's always sad to see you Finnish off it means nearly the end of the season keep in touch .Goldie
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: Pauline
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:24 pm
by Wurzel
I hope all goes well during your hibernation Pauline
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Perhaps we can tempt you out for the Social?
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
If not see you next year some time
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Pauline
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:51 pm
by Maximus
That's a lovely photographic summary of your season, Pauline
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
and I can imagine how long it took to put it together
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Great stuff, see you next year
Mike.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:19 pm
by Neil Freeman
Blimey Pauline, that time already
That is a great look back on your season with some interesting comments and cracking photos
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
and thanks for the mention on my moth photos
Hope you have a good hibernation and looking forward to you resuming your diary next year.
All the best,
Neil.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 11:02 am
by David M
As ever, that is a wonderful sequence of images showcasing your butterfly year, Pauline (though I can live without the ‘Spiders & Butterflies’ presentation).
I especially like the ‘Butterfly Wings’ image – it almost has a stained glass window effect.
Good luck with all your pets this autumn/winter and I will look forward to seeing you return on here next year…to coincide with the emergence of Dukes hopefully!
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:05 pm
by bugboy
I missed your summation of your hectic year a few weeks ago, once again it looks like you've had a busy season. Happy hibernation and look forward to your return next spring, maybe see you at the social again?
Re: Pauline
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:39 pm
by Pauline
Never having been known for being predictable but always willing to admit I was wrong I have decided I was indeed a little premature in ending my season - there is still too much going on. I'd like to thank everyone for your very VERY generous comments and rest assured, I shall not expect them to be repeated. When I have finished posting I shall just fade away this time............. I have managed to keep reading a few diaries. Paul, I am honoured to have a WA larva named after me
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Mark, you already know how much I loved the fox; I enjoyed the Marsh Frit larva David and Neil, that shot of the Wasp Spider was very reminiscent of shots I have taken recently. There are probably many more but I'm just working from memory now. I have made some notes so for the next however many posts I shall just do a cut and paste job.
13 August
Sods Law! The day after I closed my diary was the day that the Brown Hairstreaks showed themselves at Noar Hill (13 August). I was trying to get a shot of the Chalkhill originally spotted by Mike. It was being a bit skittish, leading me a merry dance but it led me right up to a nectaring female Brown Hairstreak – and then another – and then another!!! For about an hour I watched them laying eggs (at last!) Co-incidentally, it would seem that they were seen in some numbers at Shipton on the same day.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 5:00 pm
by millerd
The old adage proved right again, Pauline - expect the unexpected! You chase one thing that leads you to another... Great Brown Hairstreak shots: I'm pleased they finally appeared at Noar Hill for you.
You can probably hibernate happily now!
Cheers,
Dave
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 7:43 am
by Pauline
Thanks Dave - sadly the eggs had disappeared just 48 hours later. I shall be very interested in the results of the egg count for this season. If I can fit it in I may return to look again.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:08 am
by Pauline
15 August
Today, 15 August, was probably the best outing I have had this season so far. I hadn’t yet managed to visit a new site so when I saw reports of lots of butterflies from Thorney Island I thought it was time to pay a visit. I have been to Thorney Island before but only to one small area and never to West Thorney where there is a lovely old 13thC Church. It is a tricky area to navigate given the MOD presence and I had to stop at the checkpoint. I was not allowed through but a guard gave me some rough directions as to how I might get to West Thorney. As he was talking to me a fresh Green Hairstreak????? flew past. *** I was tempted to give chase but with another couple of guards conspicuous with weapons I decided against it. It eventually landed on some grass behind a guard with a gun. Lost again I had to ask a postman for further directions which led to a dead end. I had been informed that my destination was about a 20 minute walk but because I kept stopping it was more like 1 hour and 20 mins.
I had expected that the numbers of butterflies would perhaps have been exaggerated but quite the opposite. There were hundreds and hundreds of Whites, (if not thousands) mostly Small but all 3 were present and the report of 32 Painted Ladies was very understated. I probably saw at least double that. There must have been about 20 around the Church yard and on the buddleia there. What I didn’t see were the Clouded Yellows that had been reported from the area.
With so many Whites it was almost inevitable that I would see one in a spider’s web. I had stopped to photograph an impressive looking wasp spider but then was distracted by a Common Blue (well, I had to check them all just in case!). When I turned back to the spider it had already neatly wrapped up the poor butterfly.
I’m really going to try to get back here before too long!
Great camouflage!
*** I should clarify that the question marks against the Green Hairstreak are not there to express any doubt about the identity but because I couldn't believe I had just seen an immaculate Green Hairstreak at that time of year.
Re: Pauline
Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:50 am
by Neil Hulme
Hi Pauline
That's a rare but not unique sighting of an August Green Hairstreak. Here's the text I wrote for The Butterflies of Sussex:
"Flight Period
Nowadays this species flies from early April to early July, with a peak lasting throughout May. The average flight period recorded between 2010 and 2014 was 13 April to 10 July. During the previous atlas survey period the species generally emerged in early May, so the flight period has moved forward by about three weeks.
In 2013 the Green Hairstreak was recorded at Mill Hill (Shoreham), Fore Wood (Battle) and Cross in Hand during August, with the latest sighting on 28 of the month. This suggests a small second brood and it will be interesting to see whether a trend develops over future years."
BWs, Neil