www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Today was the first time I've caught a butterfly in a net since I was a teenager.

I was out feeding the chickens when I noticed a pristine Small Tortoiseshell settled on the concrete path in the back yard. I tried to shoo it but it kept circling and alighting nearby, and several times I had to frighten the chickens away as they had clearly spotted it and would have mercilessly ripped it apart (even our Muscovy duck tried to swoop on it as it fluttered around unaware of the danger).

We have a net for catching birds in the aviary so I got it out and managed to catch the insect, whereupon I took it through the house and released it via the front door.

I've been in Abergavenny for a week and seen plenty of butterflies, but today was the first time I spotted a Red Admiral. Large Whites are particularly noticeable, though given the huge patch of nasturtiums we have perhaps this is not surprising.

The Buddleia in my garden is still doing a lively trade with the local butterflies,attracting 4 Red Admirals and 2 Small Tortoiseshells on a daily basis.

However, it is Hoggers' Juicy Plums that are proving irresistible :

I used to like watching late summer butterflies take fluids from the over-ripe, fallen plums in my mum's garden in the Isle of Man. They would be at them all day and if you went out after 5pm the things could barely fly they were that p*****d.

I wondered why they keep crash landing into the neighbour's garden..

Paul Luxton wrote:Just got back from a visit to Portland in Dorset for the Monarch that was found today.

It was nectaring on a buddleia in a small park/patch of open ground off Park Estate Road near the Health Centre in Easton, Portland. It looked a bit worse for wear but was still stunning to see in the sunshine. It dwarfed the nearby Red Admirals and Painted Lady.

There has been an influx of American wading birds into the UK after last week's bad weather so it may have some chance of being a genuine migrant.

Monarch, Easton, Portland, Dorset7th Sept 2012 #3.jpg

Monarch, Easton, Portland, Dorset7th Sept 2012 #4.jpg

Monarch, Easton, Portland, Dorset7th Sept 2012 #1.jpg

Monarch, Easton, Portland, Dorset7th Sept 2012 #2.jpg

Typically how many of these do we get each year? I'd love to see it but can't get down for it for a few days. I'm guessing I'm pushing my luck. How long is it likely to stay around given its wing condition, migratory nature, variable weather forecast, length of flight period.

Thanks.

True migrant Monarchs are only seen in autumns where low pressure systems track rapidly across the atlantic from the eastern seaboard of the US and Canada. The best systems are often former hurricanes! In those circumstances american birds and Monarch butterflies get caught up in the circulation and get blown across the atlantic.

One autumn a few years ago, I was bird watching in the Cot Valley in west Cornwall a few hours after a front had moved through. That afternoon an american Yellow-billed Cuckoo was found in bushes at the top of the valley. It was clearly exhausted and sadly wasnt seen next day, presumably it had died. What I did find next day in the same valley nectaring on a large buddleia - a pristine Monarch, unfortunately I didnt have my camera with me at the time.

Re. the Portland Monarch:

Apparently It was still present today in its usual location feeding on the buddleia bush. Interestingly at 5:50 PM it was reported roosting in a nearby pine tree. That's just what wild Monarchs do in their wintering grounds.

Hello,

I have a problem separating the females of Adonis Blues and Chalkhill Blues. The 73 recorded were all identified as Adonis Blues on Mill Hill, but I suppose some could be Chalkhill Blues, but all the recent Chalkhill Blues have been rather tatty and these were mostly in good condition.



Cheers

Andy Horton

More Monarch news in my diary at base page viewtopic.php?t=4065&start=1000
Neil

07/09/12
With a reasonable prolonged spell of good weather I took the opportunity of getting back to Bookham Commons for the increasingly diminishing chance of seeing Brown Hairstreak (peak for Brostreak at BC's was last week in August I've been told). On Wednesday 5th, a good condition female was seen but I was unable to get a shot off before she shot off and so I was left feeling somewhat cheated and determined to pay another visit.
Unfortunately I have been running into unexpected traffic jams on my way over to Cobham and Downside and this latest led me to change my mind and go to Denbies. My only Adonis this year were seen at Hod Hill and despite poor reports I expected Denbies would deliver as it usually does.
On arrival I made my way over to the Eastern side of Steers field. Butterfly activity seemed to be confined to Meadow Browns, lots of fresh looking (lighter coloured) examples mainly female. Next species seen was a Small Heath and then a pair of SH in spiralling courtship. They carried out their aerial duel for over 5 minutes , after which time I gave up as my eyes got too tired to keep on tracking them .After the SH came the Common Blues, a nice blue female and males in varying worn condition. Other blues appeared, mainly worn Chalkhills which we not easy to photo in the hot conditions, and at last an Adonis I had been expecting more Adonis but I reckon on about three males in total and they were still outnumbered by the Chalkhills, who were on this part of Denbies outnumbered by Common Blues and Brown Argus. This courting / fighting Brown Argus were going at each other like a couple of sumo wrestlers (head-on). I assume it is a male and female with the female either playing hard to get or trying to fight off the male . Perhaps someone can clarify whether 'battles' of this sort are between individuals of different sex

Next came a Silver-spotted Skipper which had been seen in this part of Denbies over a month earlier (Susies trip) and finally, (and to re-awaken that old debate) a female Adonis My visit to Denbies was so enjoyable that I didn't get to Bookham until 13:30 where I met Dennis Kallmer who had got photos of a nice fresh looking female Brostreak. Despite a further 2.5 hours no more sightings .. dagnabbit . I had to make do with a Small Copper and a Small white, oh and the sighting of a female Silver-washed Fritllary in surprisingly good condition (faded but intact) Weather is set to change cool (unfortunately). Will that have a negative impact on the migrants

Phil

Our Andy took this photo at Smardale this afternoon... DGF semi-pallida or just kn*ck*r*d ???

At least 30 RA and 6 Comma this afternoon on ivy bushes.
Plus the odd Small White and Speckled Wood. N
That DGF looks like a bit of both could be possible....

just been out in the garden to find 20+ silver-y nectaring on just about anything that's flowering. Fantastic morale boosting sight.

Chris

On my morning walk with the dog I was thinking how things seem to be winding down for the year . I saw a fair number of Small Whites and a few battered Brown Argus and that seemed to be about it.

But walking on further I saw this Comma which was a most welcome sight.

Then just a few steps away I came across this fresh Small Copper A beauty in itself without more, but it was only when I later looked at the photographs that I realised it had lovely blue marks on its hind wings. I was over the moon as I've never seen one before.

Back at the ranch, 1 Small Tortoiseshell still on my Buddleia and 4 Red Admirals and a Comma on me plums

Yep - end of season feel to things. Certainly the Comma and RA are stoking-up for hibernation (or return to the Continent).
I had at least 16 RA and 4/5 Comma on one sheltered ivy bush this morning....
Not often you get the chance to get this many in one frame! A bit of RA video
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=484772761548073
Edit:
Another Comma today...

I have just been to Great Yarmouth, the place where I did my early butterflying between 1945 and 1957.
It wasn’t a specific butterfly visit this time but what might be the last opportunity to see aged relatives and friends before I move to Tobermory in a couple of months time.

I had a brief walk on Yarmouth’s North Denes this morning. I was aware that there are Grayling colonies not far along the coast at Winterton. But nowadays the marram habitat in Great Yarmouth is superb and far more extensive that it was in my youth. Despite the autumn chill and the lateness of the date, I wasn’t too surprised to find a Grayling. I suspect a strong colony now exists on Yarmouth’s North Denes – and no doubt Dark Green Fritillaries are also present in season.

(I still prefer the name "Cryptic Brown")

Jack

NickB wrote: ...Not often you get the chance to get this many in one frame!

It certainly isn't! Great photo - how did you get them all to face the same way at the same moment?

Dave

NickB wrote:Another Comma today...

That's a truly excellent Comma underside shot, Nick.

Well done.

Cheers, guys. Hanging around in the Cemetery can be rewarding!
I was lucky enough to find a sunny, sheltered place with 30 or so butterflies nectaring on ivy.... N

I wish I could be out to do the same! Sadly, south Wales has not been blessed with such balmy conditions since late last week when I was out of action.

I hope very much that there'll be a window during which I might be able to enjoy large numbers of butterflies one last time before the autumn sets in with a vengeance.

Has anyone heard any news on the Monarch at Portland since the 10th?

Thanks