www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Rather a solemn day today. However, I felt lucky to be able to take advantage of my geographical location and walked half-an-hour across Staines Moor to the A30 bypass and a spot I guessed to be less accessible (and therefore less thronged) than some. While I waited in the pleasant intermittent sunshine, a Painted Lady performed a vigorous flypast, and a couple of Red Admirals zoomed around over the uncharacteristically quiet road. Looking up, I spotted two Red Kites wheeling majestically above the scene - suddenly replaced by the more mundane and far less graceful sight of two TV news helicopters.

Then came an all too brief glimpse of extraordinary pageantry and history, and a sudden sense of being part of the spectacle and experience that seems to have gripped a significant part of the nation for the last ten days. Dave

Hi
Don't post a lot these days, but have been on the site since, virtually, day one.
However - this weekend we had a fabulous walk around the Roseland Peninsular in Cornwall. Excellent showing of Clouded Yellow with a dozen or more in view at one time between St Anthony Head (wasn't he the librarian in Buffy - Guy?) and Portscatho. Countless whites (small and large) pestering each other - seemingly unconcerned by sex or species. Small Copper in great numbers, and any area with flowering ivy hosting Red Admiral in good numbers. The Speckled Wood was the only brown - except for fantastic showings of Wall Brown - especially Nare Head which had 8 plus in view at any one time. Excellent butterflying. No Monarch sadly.
Roger

Maximus wrote: ↑Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:10 pmA very fresh female Queen of Spain Fritillary and an unusually fresh late Large Skipper seen today.

Amazed to see a Large Skipper flying so late in the year, Mike. I presume, like Dingy Skipper and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary, that this species sometimes has a partial second brood?

Rogerdodge wrote: ↑Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:32 pm...Small Copper in great numbers..

Hi Roger.

This is also the case near where I live, which seems bizarre as there were scant numbers in spring and mid-late summer.

Saturday 10th, Port Eynon, Gower:

Small White 40-50
Red Admiral 7
Painted Lady 7
Speckled Wood 3
Large White 2
Peacock 1
Common Blue 1
Brown Argus 1

5 ! Q of S Frittillary reported (and photographed )from Walmer (near Deal ,Kent ) today ..........all fresh .Also a Pale /Bergers Clouded Yellow ,from Cliffe Pools (isle of Grain ,Kent ) .
Allan.W.

Allan.W. wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:35 pm5 ! Q of S Frittillary reported (and photographed )from Walmer (near Deal ,Kent ) today ..........all fresh .Also a Pale /Bergers Clouded Yellow ,from Cliffe Pools (isle of Grain ,Kent )

Pale/Berger's Clouded Yellow would be an exceptional sighting, Allan. Can't remember the last one.

David M wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 8:56 am

Allan.W. wrote: ↑Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:35 pm5 ! Q of S Frittillary reported (and photographed )from Walmer (near Deal ,Kent ) today ..........all fresh .Also a Pale /Bergers Clouded Yellow ,from Cliffe Pools (isle of Grain ,Kent )

Pale/Berger's Clouded Yellow would be an exceptional sighting, Allan. Can't remember the last one.

Did the person who saw it definitely rule out Helice Clouded Yellow?
Ade

Definitely not helice - images here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 478176845/

You may need to be a member of the Kent Butterflies Facebooko group to see it though!

Cheers,

- Pete

An even more amazing sighting is this American Painted Lady in Cornwall!!!

https://twitter.com/ukbutterflies/statu ... 4374379523

Cheers,

- Pete

A trip to Kent this morning rewarded me with fantastic views of Queen of Spain Fritillary. The cool , cloudy weather made for easy photography. There were 6-8 individuals

Andy02 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 1:59 pmA trip to Kent this morning rewarded me with fantastic views of Queen of Spain Fritillary. The cool , cloudy weather made for easy photography. There were 6-8 individuals

Oh, good heavens above!!

Well done, Andy, and yes, that's about as good as they get.

Andy02 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 1:59 pm F24D7D4E-B1AC-4233-A7DF-AAE44772312A.jpeg

A trip to Kent this morning rewarded me with fantastic views of Queen of Spain Fritillary. The cool , cloudy weather made for easy photography. There were 6-8 individuals

Hi, do you have specific directions for the site? Thanks

Pete ,
I don,t do facebook myself (or twitter ,or any other ) i just flick on to the site from time to time ,and have a quick look ,before i,m asked to sign in .
Allan.W.

Lawts wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:10 pm

Andy02 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 1:59 pm F24D7D4E-B1AC-4233-A7DF-AAE44772312A.jpeg

A trip to Kent this morning rewarded me with fantastic views of Queen of Spain Fritillary. The cool , cloudy weather made for easy photography. There were 6-8 individuals

Hi, do you have specific directions for the site? Thanks

It’s on the Kent butterflies Facebook page. It’s an public page. If you need other info , message me privately

Bath White as well Keinton Mandeville, Somerset briefly.

Andy02 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 3:49 pm

Lawts wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 2:10 pm

Andy02 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 1:59 pm F24D7D4E-B1AC-4233-A7DF-AAE44772312A.jpeg

A trip to Kent this morning rewarded me with fantastic views of Queen of Spain Fritillary. The cool , cloudy weather made for easy photography. There were 6-8 individuals

Hi, do you have specific directions for the site? Thanks

It’s on the Kent butterflies Facebook page. It’s an public page. If you need other info , message me privately

Cheers.

Lawts wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 4:23 pm Bath White as well Keinton Mandeville, Somerset briefly.

In flight

- Pete

Lawts wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 4:23 pmBath White as well Keinton Mandeville, Somerset briefly.

This continues to be a standout migrant year - Clouded Yellows, Long Tailed Blues, Queen of Spain Fritillaries, Camberwell Beauties, Pale/Berger's Clouded Yellows, American Painted Ladies....and now Bath White.

All we need now are a few Monarchs!

Pete Eeles wrote: ↑Wed Sep 21, 2022 11:30 am Definitely not helice - images here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6671878 ... 478176845/

You may need to be a member of the Kent Butterflies Facebooko group to see it though!

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks, Pete.
Ade