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Wonderful to see you revelling in the good numbers of Chalkhill Blues, Goldie. Marbled Whites can be tricky, but as Allan says an early start is usually a good plan before they become hyperactive in mid-morning.

Hi! Wurzel, V for victory I think, I didn't think I'd survive the heat wave, it certainly knocked me for six, I got some one to fix a fan in my Light space I'll be ready for the next faze , ( I hope ) to tell the truth I've been really busy here, it's finding what will work and what won't , the windows wouldn't shut right, thank God for WD40

Hi! David, I did wonder If I'd made the right choice in moving at one point, until I saw the Chalkhill Blues But that heat wave was a killer, I've not been in any thing like that before, hope it doesn't go that way again. I've not been out butterflying since then, too hot for me, but hope fully this next week will be cooler.

I've not been out for a while because of the heat, I think I'm more used to the Northern weather I sat in the garden today and the Buddlieia is quite big
there's a seat which was left in by the previous owner under the bush and the Butterflies come onto it, today though I was surprised when this Small Tortoiseshell landed just above my head , I'd my camera with me and got a shot, I couldn't move much I was frightened I'd scare it off It did land in the garden at one point and looked really fresh

There's also a rough patch in the Garden which I hope to turn into a wild flower corner , in there I've seen lots of Gate Keepers and finally got a shot of one that stayed still for a while Also found a Large White in there, I can't wait for the rain so I can get going on the Garden.Goldie

Hope you're coping a bit better now that it's cooled down a bit Goldie Lovely Small Torts and one landing just above you is a bonus

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That was a record breaking heatwave, Goldie. Hopefully you won't have temperatures like those again.

Nice to see Gatekeepers in the garden. I guess that never happened up north?

Thanks Wurzel and David for your post's , I've had a lot to do lately and boy am I tired, there's a large tree bending over into my Neighbours garden, it's a shame but it'll have to come out, seems it's dangerous it's also near a small pond which has got a couple of Newts which are on the endangered species list, I've been trying to keep the pond free of leaves which are falling from the tree, I don't need to feed them they look after themselves but with the hot weather, I've kept topping their water up. now the rain barrel is empty, last night it rained , I was pleased for them

Trust me though to get something endangered I knew about them before I bought the house but we didn't expect 40 degree's

Hope fully I'll get another trip in before the week-end, I'm just glad I went to TE when I did, that motorway was awful with cars , hope fully things will settle down in August and I can pop there again. Goldie

Been trying to sort some box's out so I've not been out much except to shop, but at least things are coming together now.

I've also been in the garden trying to do a bit, I've still not planted my Boule's Mauve it's been so dry, the ground is really hard so I was surprised to see a Large White land on it I Bought the plants in the Spring and Butterfly wise, they've done great.

The day before in the garden I saw this lovely Female Gate Keeper, I never noticed before just how curved their Wings were round the edges, when this one landed on the side of the conservatory it really showed the curves.

This morning, although very dull the Whites and Gate Keepers were every where, none stayed very long until I found a Peacock Butterfly practically buried in the pot Of flowers also saw some Holly Blues but couldn't get any shots, it does look like I'll get lot's of Butterflies in the Garden which is great. Goldie

It's great that you're seeing so many butterflies M. Seems like they're all coming to you instead of you having to seek them out

Hi! Pauline, I'm up to the eyes in boxes at present, i didn't realise I'd so much stuff

I'd fitted wardrobes in my other home, and there's none fitted here so I've had to order some, I've clothes all over the place, the wardrobes won't be delivered until Sept, I wanted sliding doors so I'd have more room, ( room that's a good one )

I've had loads of Butterflies in the garden but none stay very long, I was lucky to catch sight of them, I've been doing a lot of pruning besides hanging Pic's etc, the Heat got me down bit too,
hope fully I can get out a bit more next week. Goldie

PS your shots have been great especially the Clouded Yellow, I keep hoping one of them will pay me a visit Goldie

Good luck in your new home Goldie. I would think you're in a good area
for migrant butterflies including Clouded Yellows. Maybe plant some Verbena
and Bowles Mauve to attract them, once you've got those boxes sorted!.

Trevor.

Cracking images Goldie - love the scalloped Gatekeeper Good to hear that you're starting to get through the boxes we've been in our house for 8 years now and there are still a few unemptied boxes (hidden away in the attic )

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Sounds like things have got off to a positive start, Goldie.

This is the time of year when butterflies start relying more and more on garden nectar sources. I've a feeling they'll be staying longer with you very soon.

I'm a bit on the late side with my posts, but thanks Trevor, Wurzel, and David for your posts

So far Trevor, every thing as been okay with the exception of my washer which as only just been plumbed in, luckily for me my Daughter's been great and done my washing I've seen lots of Butterflies in the Garden but the people before me weren't gardeners where has the people on either side of me have fantastic gardens, so up to now it's been up and over the fence for the Butterflies, I'll have to wait until next year to fix things in mine.

Hi! Wurzel thank god for attic's It's going to take me a while to get through mine My Grandson wasn't one for choosing and packed them all off to the attic Glad you liked that Gate Keeper I thought her unusual too, most I'd seen before kept their wings closed.

Hi! David, has I've said to Trevor , it's up and over usually for the bigger ones, I was lucky to just catch the Peacock and the Small Tort , I've had to have a tree cut down in the garden , it was hanging over my neighbours garden and the wind had blown it side ways, I told my neighbour I was going to and I've made a friend for life He said last year a branch off it blew into his garden just missing his green house When it was down we could see it was rotten in the base, thank goodness it's down.

Yesterday I left every thing I should be doing and went to Reculver only to find all the grass had been cut down by the Roman wall, the only Butterflies I saw were Gate Keeper's and White's, one White did catch my eye, it looked like it had an extra spot under it's black wing edge
I also saw a Humming Bird Hawk Moth, it wasn't flying but was resting against the Wall , I've never seen one still before, I thought that unusual.

I decided to go to Seasalter , I thought maybe I'd see a clouded Yellow, the only Butterflies I saw were few , a handful of Blues which were hiding most of the time until I came to a bunch of Yellow flowers, I also saw this Skipper I think it's an Essex Skipper, anybody know? It was also on the same flower and looking quite interested in I think an Insect on the next flower Hope fully I'll get back to Temple Ewell shortly before the Butterflies disappear Goldie

"Yesterday I left every thing I should be doing and went to Reculver"...that sounds like the best thing to do
I'm struggling with the Skipper - normally there would be a bit of orange on the antennae tips if it was a Small so I was leaning towards Essex but I didn't know if the angle of the shot prevented that from being seen and the antennae do look like they flick out ever so slightly...I've got it..it's definitely a Smessex

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, I thought it was when I first saw it but I'm never sure about Skipper's

I'm still wanting to go to Temple Ewell but keep being put off by the family because of the traffic, they say I shouldn't go there, I could get stuck in the queuing , I wonder if it's just busy at weekends does any one know? Goldie

Shame things are currently a bit 'tired' round your way, Goldie. Maybe a few migrants might lift your spirits? Weather conditions look favourable so I suspect a few will get over. Might be worth planting some everlasting pea?

Hi Goldie ,
As David has said (RE;Migrants) ,it may be worth heading to the St. Margarets bay area if you get the chance there have been several records over the last few days of Continental Swallowtail (Gorganus ) ,and it generally turns up one or two Queen of Spains most years ,and if you,re feeling really energetic walk on towards Kingsdown Leas ,and keep your eyes on the Everlasting Pea along the way...............You just could get lucky !
park by the large monument ,around this area the Swallowtail (S) have been seen .
As for L/TE ,I,m having an early morning visit tomorrow to see whats about .............. hopefully a few Silver Spots !
Allan.W.

Hi! David , you've got my mood down to a T I think I'm just tired, but it was a disappointment when I went to Reculver, can't understand why they've cut all the grass down so soon by the wall. The Garden needs some work but there is a climbing frame with nothing climbing on it, Ideal I think for next year and the sweet Pea I was surprised to find lots of stones and very little soil in the Garden which isn't very good for my Boules Mauve, it looks like the edges of the garden have had stones tipped there at some point, hard work yet to come

Hi! Allan, when you've been to TE will you tell me about the traffic I know St Margarets Bay, also Kingsdown, I've been there a few times over the years but never seen anything, if I get there maybe I'll be lucky I'll also be lucky if I get there also if you see any Adonis at TE will you let me know
Goldie

Hi Goldie ,
Firstly ,at Reculver ,did you try the path i put you on to the other day ...............because that is (in my opinion ) the best butterflying area ,i rarely see much over the top past the towers and old graveyard area ,apart from a few Wall (which are very nice !) ,as i,ve said before the lower path below the sea wall is generally a cert for Clouded Yellows ,especially as a fair few are now being reported from all over Kent.
I did visit ,mainly the Temp /Ew end of the reserve first thing this morning ,and decided to try an area which i haven,t visited for some years ,but i did have a quick look around my normal walk first ,some surprisingly fresh Chalkhills about ,including a female ,still drying her wings ,2 (poss 3 )male Adonis ,3 Silver Spots,
a couple of Wall ,but i was most pleased to find excellent numbers of Common Blue ,which i,ve struggled with this season ,i was expecting to see more Silver Spots .............maybe a little early ...........who knows !
I had no problem at all with the traffic (coming from Ashford )and the motorway was clear ,can,t say what the traffic would be like coming from your neck of the woods ,but i would imagine that the recent problems have now improved .
Regards Allan.W.

Goldie M wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 1:22 pmHi! David , you've got my mood down to a T I think I'm just tired, but it was a disappointment when I went to Reculver, can't understand why they've cut all the grass down so soon by the wall. The Garden needs some work but there is a climbing frame with nothing climbing on it, Ideal I think for next year and the sweet Pea I was surprised to find lots of stones and very little soil in the Garden which isn't very good for my Boules Mauve, it looks like the edges of the garden have had stones tipped there at some point, hard work yet to come

You've had a draining year, Goldie. I sometimes wonder how you stay so positive through it all.

You'll soon have time for a long rest. Things will start slowing down on the butterfly front fairly soon and you'll have a few months to plan what needs to be done with your new garden.

I'm sure you'll do a great job of it!

Many thanks Allan, it looks like I'm in line next week for a visit to TE, if the Adonis are just arriving ,hope I'll be luckier this time round and not just come back with a female with closed wings at least I got one
I only had £ 2 10p for the parking at Reculver, it's expensive to park there , that's the price for 1hour, I thought I'd try by the wall first for Wall's ,by the time I did that and had a conversation with a person who wanted to know what I was filming, that was it I will try there again, I only live 10 min's away. Glad to know the traffic's easier going to Dover, that's a relief. Goldie

Hi! David, I think the garden will be okay for Butterflies, all I'll have to do is get them interested enough to stay a while for instance today there was Holly Blues, Gate Keepers, loads of Whites, none of which stopped in my Garden the only thing that does stop is a Fox, I know this because of the droppings Great!!!! Goldie