www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

ABerryman wrote:Still lots of G.Hairstreaks around - at least 7 today on a quick circuit including this one about 50m from the front door!

Wow! I have them within walking distance of my house but not that close!

Nicely marked individual too.

Nice photos in your recent posts Alex and well done for stopping the council workers strimming the Green Hairstreak area, far too much of this goes on.

Mike

Thanks guys. Some G.Hairstreaks looking very fresh today including this lovely caecus (?) individual ...

Great shots and good to see you being so constructive with your revision breaks I hope the exams are going well. I tried a brief search into why a lot of butterflies have black and white antennae but it didn't revel anything - as they're important organs I can only suggest the stripiness breaks up their outline perhaps offering some protective camouflage?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel; despite my research I to have failed to come up with a definitive answer, though your suggestion seems the most likely. Note with the photo above the legs are also this striped pattern!

That's got to be one of the best Green hairstreak shots I have ever seen Alex. I love the way the colours and shape of the leaf mirror the butterfly wings. When I see a photo like that I find myself thinking 'how on earth did they do that?' - a perfect butterfly in a perfect position

It's hatched...so much for 2-3 weeks! Absolutely tiny!!!

Good luck with your charge

Have a goodun

Wurzel

It has been far too long since I posted on here! Butterflies have had to take a back seat the past few weeks as I have been focussing on a few bird-related projects (including visiting the Farne Islands the past week which was just amazing!). I did however take a trip to Botany Bay last weekend and saw 4 Purple Emperors, though unfortunately none descended.

I have since begun spending a large amount of time at a local site which is proving to be rather special! In just 2 hours this morning I clocked up 20 species. For an area of this size I find it rather astonishing, no more than 200-300m of path! Given the total size of the area, it seems likely other species such as G.Hairstreak, P.Hairstreak etc. occur, I just need to find them!). Perhaps most impressive is the presence of Marbled Whites (very scarce in NE Hants) and even more so Dark Green Frits. I first discovered this colony last year and this morning there were once again at least 6! Considering the habitat is predominantly coniferous woodland with small clearings made up of a few bits of bramble and thistles, this seems rather surprising! As far as I am aware, this is the only colony of this species in NE Hampshire (certainly in the extreme NE of the county) so I am pretty pleased to have found them! If anyone knows otherwise please let me know as it may give a clue as to where exactly they have originated from.

In addition this, over 25 species of Odonata can be found on site including the Nationally rare Brilliant Emerald, no less than 4 individuals today! If anyone wants to combine superb lepidoptera and odonata, this is the place for you! I just wish access was a little easier, only 1 nearby car parking space (otherwise 3+ mile walk) and this is on a private road; thankfully I know the landowners! If anyone wishes to come and have a look just let me know!

Good to see you back Alex - and some cracking shots on your return

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wow it's been a frighteningly long-time! Fear not, I have certainly been out enjoying the butterflies this year, just no time to write about them! I've been very lucky in that I've travelled around a bit and photographed a number of species. Rather than waffle on about each of them, I'll just share the images!

Noar Hill, Hampshire
Cotley Hill, Wiltshire
Scotland
Shropshire
Alner's Gorse, Dorset (from yesterday)
Now for some Silver-spotted Skippers

Thanks for looking,

Alex

Welcome back Alex! Another great set of images but I would expect nothing less from you Don't leave it so long before the next post please

Great photos Alex, it's obvious that you've been really busy this year

Greta shot Alex, good luck with the Silver-spots - they're out in good numbers and easy to find at Broughton Down

Have a goodun

Wurzel

A trip up to Aston Rowant this morning was absolutely brilliant, with hundreds of Chalkhill Blues shimmering in the sunshine and no less than 30 Silver-spotted Skippers (almost certainly an underestimate).

Good stuff, Alex. You don't post that often but when you do you come up with the goods.

Excellent!

Absolutely cracking photos Alex, Impossible for me to choose a favourite from that lot. I look forward to your next post.

All the best

James

Once again it's been a rather unfortunate gap between posts. I now attend UEA, so am based up in Norwich where it must be said the Butterflies aren't great - but then I was rather spoilt living in Hants! I did return home for a week where a trip over to Chiddingfold yielded a number of Wood Whites (they seem a lot later this year) and good numbers of Green Hairstreak (6 on one group of Wood Spurge) including this rather strangely coloured individual.
Of course in the last week or so things have rather picked up in Norfolk with the emergence of the ever enigmatic Swallowtails, which I am lucky enough to have a short 10 minute train ride away. At least 7 were on the wing this morning and suspect this afternoon they are up to very good numbers

Great images, Alex, particularly the Wood White with open wings.

You've been busy then Alex That Greenstreak is a great find - it looks like it ran out of paint before the job was done

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for the kind comments folks.

I am trying to cram as much in as possible before a 5-week venture to the rainforests of Costa Rica in the middle of July (some exciting butterfly species to see for sure!). With this in mind, I paid a visit to Kent for Heath Fritillaries, a new species for me and one I have been after for a while. A dozen or so were flying in optimal conditions in a single clearing and showing very well ... a trip well made!