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Noar Hill 20-04-2019

Having gotten home from a great day I was starting to think what I could do with the final remaining days of my holiday. I’d caught up with pretty much all that I could butterfly wise barring one species a Duke. We’d had good weather for a few days and as they’d started emerging 3 weeks before hand I thought that they should be starting to appear in sufficient numbers to make finding them relatively easy even in the Labyrinth that it Noar Hill. So I made the spur of the moment decision to head over to see what the score was.

Come the morning the weather looked great, my only fear was that the warmth and sunshine might make them a bit too hyper. As I obediently followed Shelia my Satnav with Iron Maiden Killers at just the right volume (loud enough to melt ear wax but not quite cause bleeding) I was happy to see butterflies along the verges en route including a Holly Blue on one of the narrowest and therefore slowest parts of the drive. I made really good time and only encountered one or two cars over the whole journey. Pulling up I grabbed my gear and made my way up the hill. Once the ascent was complete I made straight for the biggest ex working; ‘Pit 1’. I climbed down into it feeling the temperature rise as I did so and slowly strolled to the other side sweeping my gaze left and right. I was almost at the end of pit when a little brown job buzzed out from the undergrowth ahead of me. Job done, it was a Duke. After a quick coffee and more than a few shots I checked the time and found that I had about an hour to go before I’d be joined by Philzoid and so I set off to do a recce and see if I could find some more Dukes. As I climbed up the steep bank I was joined by a male Orange-tip and as I worked into the second Pit with was more of a scrape with a few little cuttings in it I spied a couple also enjoying a Duke. It turned out that they were Mr and Mrs Whitlock and after the introductions we chatted and watched. There were two in the little, narrow cutting one of which was very really well marked with immaculate fringes. He posed well, tightrope walking along a dead grass stem so I was able to get below him with the light streaming through his wings. The next pit on was much quieter although there was a brief blue blur as a Holly Blue landed on a large Juniper(?). I was followed by a Greenstreak that almost played ball with us; he’d look like he was coming in to land low down and then veer up to perch above us from where he’d peer cheekily down at us. Eventually they carried on but I wanted to keep trying for the Greenstreak and so wishing them well I turned my attentions back to the cheeky little chappy. He kept up this game for a while and I was just thinking about moving off and leaving him to it when he did his last turn. Again looking like he was going to perch within easy distance of my lens but instead of the final veer upwards he landed so that was able to kneel down level to him. Brill. As I carefully straightened up I noticed a notebook on the floor and so set off to the last pit, Pit 4, hoping to catch up with Ashleigh. Once I had and the book was safely back in the bag we had a look around. Various Whites flew by including a male and female Orange-tip and a Small White. A Specklie put in a very brief appearance. But these were just ‘fillers’ as I was waiting for a particularly well posed Duke on a Cowslip which was being enjoyed by another enthusiast. Once I’d had my turn I wished all luck and started to make my way back to the first Pit ready to meet Philzoid. I did alright managing to get from 4 to 3 to 2 but then things went a little strange and I got a little sucked into the space warp that is Noar Hill. I followed a very familiar path out over the top of Pit 2 and it should have been a shirt walk across the path and then down into Pit 1 where I’d started. Only it wasn’t, over the top of the Pit 2 was a buckled and uneven field, no big scar dug into the earth just turf. Wandering a little confused and lost into it I stumbled across a couple of Greenstreaks one of which was exceedingly fresh, it looked so new I think the paint was still wet! As I clicked away I realised that the bushes and scrub that the Greenstreaks favoured was actually the same scrub that lined the top of Pit 1 and so I headed back into the reserve following the line of trees and there before me was Pit 1. Relived I sank down into it, poured a coffee and reacquainted myself or possibly introduced myself to the Duke which was holding territory at the end. Occasionally I would climb back up and scan the horizon looking for Philzoid and soon there he appeared. Right to business… Have a goodun

Wurzel

Lovely shots of the Dukes and Hairstreaks Wurzel and I'm guessing there is more to come. Noar Hill always delivers

It's nice to see the Green Hairstreaks on the gorse, Wurzel something I've only seen once before. Also nice that you got to Noar Hill, one of our favourite places, guess you didn't hear the Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs though Lovely Dukes and Greenstreaks yes that is Juniper that you saw the Holly Blue on.

Mike.

Great shots Wurzel, lovely Green Hair Streaks and Dukes, I really miss seeing the Hair Streaks I'm wondering if I'll see any near Eastbourne when I go, hope so. Goldie

Just caught up with your Green Hairstreaks on the Gorse at Sidbury Wurzel, love the green on golden yellow colour combo

Nice selection of Dukes as well including your favourite 'stained glass' shots

Cheers,

Neil.

Cheers Pauline There is indeed, just got to get round to writing it, sorting and processing the photos It would be a bit a bit easier if I stopped going out looking for other stuff, like Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moths
Cheers Mike Thanks for the ID confirmation I find the bird song just about cuts through the static after the journey
Cheers Goldie They're still flying so you might be able to get onto them, fingers crossed you do
Cheers Neil I really like the gold and green, just missing the red and I'd have the Dorset shield colours (I don't like the gold, white and red flag )

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Splendid stained glass Dukes, Wurzel! I find it really tricky to get down far enough to achieve those shots, at least with any prospect of getting up again within the hour...

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Dave I know I joke about my knees but in all seriousness I'm getting my fill of these shots while I still can

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Noar Hill Part 2 20-04-2019

Once Philzoid had arrived we got straight onto the first Duke that was still frequenting the end of Pit 1. Happy that we’d gotten what we came for we caught up and slipped into the usual groove of chat interspersed with butterflies. As we left Pit one we notched up and Orange-tip and three Brimstones two of which were females but they didn’t stop. Climbing up and over the steep top of Pit 1 we made towards Pit 2 when another Brimstone passed us and disappeared over the edge and down the way we’d come. A Comma shot by and led us towards one of the smaller scallops in the flatter Pit 2. This proved to be a good thing as there were 2 Dukes here which we were able to spend some time with. I really wanted to try the little Gully which had been great earlier and was so good last year. Once again it held a 2 Dukes although one had the air of a Duchess about it, which much larger and longer orange markings. Looking back later at the shots I swear that I can see three pairs of legs (?). Whilst enjoying this lovely individual there were a couple of fly-bys possibly by the other Duke that was inhabiting the far end of the little gully but as one point there were three all flying together. We then carried on having a bit of a wander and skirted round the edge of Pit 3 following the path that ran around the top of the of it as it dove ever so slightly down through a very spindly spinney. We were stopped momentarily on the way as moff flew about and stopped a Holly Blue. It seemed confused and so settled down on the deck possibly seeking some moisture/salts. Try as we might Philzoid and I found this little fella to be very twitchy and I came away with only a few record shots to show for quite an expense of patience. Also along this little track was a Speckled Wood and when we broke out and into the sunshine both a Brismstone and Orange-tip patrolled past us. Onwards and upwards to Pit 4 where unfortunately the well behaved Duke from earlier had done a runner and so we watched a few whites one of which was the smallest female Orange-tip that I’ve ever seen. As it was so quiet here we decided to try and retrace our steps. Back in Pit 3 a five minute watch saw us achieve a tally of 3 Brimstones, 2 Small Whites and a Partridge…sorry, one a piece of Orange-tip and Holly Blue. The former could possibly have been one of the two that we’d seen together meaning earlier and the Holly Blue played very hard to get high up in the Juniper.

We temporarily set up camp and I got to pour a coffee. The little cutting was missing the Dukes from earlier instead we concentrated on the more level ground above and behind the gully where the turf was nice and short and there were some large stones and exposed scrapes allowing for less cluttered images. Over the time we were here an Orange-tip, a Brimstone and Peacock all passed through but it was as if I was wearing butterfly blinkers – I’d come for Dukes and so Dukes was what I intended to (almost) solely photograph. At one pint there were three present but for most of the time we watched a pair. One would have a little fly and enter the others air space and they would both tussle, spiralling upwards before breaking apart and then fluttering down to land reasonably close to where they’d started from. It was great to see and I stood over, knelt near and once or twice even lay down clicking away merrily completely oblivious to the fact that I was going to have to sort through an awful lot of images later! Having almost had my fill of the Dukes here we set out once again to seek some more. Once again we left Pit 3 aiming for Pit 2 only to end up in the field with lots of humps and nowhere near where we had expected to be! This place bends time and space I swear! Still we were here and so we had a look at what was about here and notched up a Duke, Small White and a further couple of Dukes. Following the lie of the land we moved on into another scalloped area and there was another Duke and finally ended up in a small area where I could have sworn I’d seen my Greenstreaks earlier in the morning. Here there were another 2 Dukes bringing the total to between 12 and 15 for the morning. I remember the very good year at my Duke Site when it had been really easy to pick up over 20 Dukes but this is an easy second place. Most of the Dukes were almost mint condish and it was a joy to see the little brown blur resolve into the chocolate and yellow as they landed. Somehow we found our way back to Pit 1 and from there headed downhill and home as a Greenstreak waved us goodbye. We stopped briefly en route for a Holly Blue that tried to lead us into a field of Oil Seed Rape but all too quickly the day was over, I’d wished Philzoid well and was motoring home with more Maiden. Still it may have been over too quickly (that’s the bending of the rules of time part of Naor Hill) but while it lasted it was brilliant.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

More great shots Wurzel, If only I'd got wings I'd be down there Goldie

Cheers Goldie I know what you mean, I'd love to get oop North for Large Heath, Scotch Argus etc

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Looks like you had a great time with those Dukes. They are irresistible though aren't they, full or character and relatively easy to approach

Cheers Bugboy There are indeed, brilliant little butterflies I've been fortunate enough to catch up with them at four different sites this season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Easter Sunday Kingston Lacey

Each year we like to take the girls for an Easter Egg Hunt at one of the National Trust sites. This year was Kingston Lacey and again they seemed to be ranging through the woodland walk area. However unlike last year we were bedecked in shorts and sunnies, sun hatted up and liberally covered in sun cream. I took my camera along but only got a couple of shots during the Hunt for several reasons. First up it was the busiest I’d ever seen it here which meant that every time a butterfly would land at the edge of the path and within range of my lens it would be gone by the tie I’d approached- spooked by an errant walker. Secondly it was hot! Even in the dappled light of the wood I could feel the odd prickle as sweat formed on the back of my neck. So the butterflies rarely stopped instead incessantly quartering the foliage for more nectar or mates. The main reason though was that I was just enjoying the whole experience; it was warm, the butterflies were flashing by like little fleeting jewels – diurnal shooting stars, there were marvellous scents and perfumes wafted gently by the slightest of breezes and I was surrounded by family. Hunt done we carried on across the gardens and down the Avenue lined with Bluebells before almost completing he circuit with a quick stop in the kitchen garden. As we were approaching the Pacific Garden I mentally went through a list of the butterflies I’d seen; Brimstone, Specklie, Small White, Orange-tip, singles of Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, a possible Large White and a single Holly Blue. All standard fare but very few shots I realised. It was then that an OT finally stopped long enough in a place relatively undisturbed. Within a few steps I‘d reeled off a few shots when it actually flew towards me and landed within reach a second time. Looking back I realised I’d gotten lucky with the positioning and lighting as I’d caught the topside with the underside markings projected through. A cracking end to a cracking day! Have a goodun

Wurzel

You've certainly overdosed on Dukes this season, and obtained some fine shots.
You mentioned Easter egg hunts, we took our three on one at Lacock. They all
answered the clues successfully, but when claiming their chocolate egg prize,
the person checking the answers pointed out that Jude, the six year old, had
spelled Ducks as DUX. Well it sounds exactly the same!.

Hope to visit ' the hill ' again tomorrow,
Trevor.

Wurzel - loved your commentary on your Noar Hill Duke visit.

By the way - you made a joke about a Partridge (in a Pear Tree). Of course this area has quite a lot of Red-legged Partridges (not all of them up in Pear Trees of course) but last year I also saw what is nowadays a far rarer species, the Grey Partridge - in fact two, I think it may have been a pair. When going to Noar Hill it's always worthwhile scanning the arable field boundaries en-route to the reserve proper.

Cheers Trevor Good job he didn't write an 'f' instead of a 'd' I am having a good season with the Dukes - seen them at four sites now Hope the Hill produces
Cheers Ernie Good point you've made there - I do have a tendency to 'zoom' in when on a butterfly trip so miss some of what is going on around me on a larger scale

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I love your Dukes. A butterfly I have never seen.

Cheers Nick I've been really lucky with this species this year I wonder what the likelihood is of them moving northwards as climate change hastens?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wurzel wrote:Cheers Nick I've been really lucky with this species this year I wonder what the likelihood is of them moving northwards as climate change hastens?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Well, they can be found in North Yorkshire so you never know.

Cheers,

Neil.