Re: Neil Freeman
Posted: Fri May 26, 2023 7:43 am
Wednesday 24th May – part 2.
As well as the Marsh Fritillaries and Duke of Burgundy described in the previous report, there were loads of other butterflies flying at Prestbury Hill, especially as the early cloud dissipated and the breeze dropped to leave warm sunny conditions.
Easily the most numerous species seen was Small Blue with hundreds flying all over the site. These were most numerous along the lower slope of the Bill Smyllie reserve but could be seen anywhere across both reserves.
Common Blues were flying in lower numbers with around a dozen seen, all fresh looking males.
One of the first butterflies that I spotted, soon after my arrival as I made my way down the slope was a Brown Argus roosting on a primrose flower head. Looking at the sky I noticed a break in the clouds coming over so I hung on to see if it would open its wings, which it duly did to reveal that lovely iridescence that fresh examples sometimes display when the light catches them right.
During the morning I saw maybe another dozen or so Brown Argus. These were difficult to separate from all the Small Blues in flight until they settled and I could get a closer look.
A nice surprise for me, although they are known to fly here, was some fresh male Adonis Blues. I have never seen these here before but that is probably due to me being a bit earlier in the year in my visits in the past. They were very active in the warm sun and when they did settle it was usually with wings closed. My best chance for an open wing shot was when a couple of males had a bit of a squabble during which I managed to take a couple of quick shots before they were off again.
I was also looking out for Green Hairstreaks and eventually managed to find three, two in the Bill Smyllie reserve and one in the Masts. These had all obviously been around for a while and were looking well past their best.
Small Heath were numerous although they were doing their usual thing of landing in the grass in the most awkward positions and after taking a couple of record shots I didn’t pay them much attention with all the other stuff on offer.
The same can be said for Dingy Skippers, most of which were looking a bit worn and faded now and as I had already seen and photographed much better looking examples this year I didn’t pay these much attention either.
Other butterflies seen were a number of Brimstones and a couple of Orange-tips all actively patrolling the hedgerows and along the paths.
Also seen was a single Small Copper of which I only managed to get one terrible blurred record shot that I won’t embarrass myself with by posting here.
Lots of day flying moths were also about including Common Heath doing a good job of impersonating Dingy Skippers and Burnet Companions doing Small Heath/Duke of Burgundy impressions.
Also seen were Five-spot Burnet Moths including a nice one with confluent spots which is apparently quite common in this species and far less so in Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet which is the species we get in Warwickshire.
A couple of Cistus Forester Moths made up the final tally for the morning.
And to finish off, a couple of views.
I finally made my way back up the hill to my car and left just after 1.00pm after a very enjoyable morning with loads of butterflies.
Bye for now,
Neil.
As well as the Marsh Fritillaries and Duke of Burgundy described in the previous report, there were loads of other butterflies flying at Prestbury Hill, especially as the early cloud dissipated and the breeze dropped to leave warm sunny conditions.
Easily the most numerous species seen was Small Blue with hundreds flying all over the site. These were most numerous along the lower slope of the Bill Smyllie reserve but could be seen anywhere across both reserves.
Common Blues were flying in lower numbers with around a dozen seen, all fresh looking males.
One of the first butterflies that I spotted, soon after my arrival as I made my way down the slope was a Brown Argus roosting on a primrose flower head. Looking at the sky I noticed a break in the clouds coming over so I hung on to see if it would open its wings, which it duly did to reveal that lovely iridescence that fresh examples sometimes display when the light catches them right.
During the morning I saw maybe another dozen or so Brown Argus. These were difficult to separate from all the Small Blues in flight until they settled and I could get a closer look.
A nice surprise for me, although they are known to fly here, was some fresh male Adonis Blues. I have never seen these here before but that is probably due to me being a bit earlier in the year in my visits in the past. They were very active in the warm sun and when they did settle it was usually with wings closed. My best chance for an open wing shot was when a couple of males had a bit of a squabble during which I managed to take a couple of quick shots before they were off again.
I was also looking out for Green Hairstreaks and eventually managed to find three, two in the Bill Smyllie reserve and one in the Masts. These had all obviously been around for a while and were looking well past their best.
Small Heath were numerous although they were doing their usual thing of landing in the grass in the most awkward positions and after taking a couple of record shots I didn’t pay them much attention with all the other stuff on offer.
The same can be said for Dingy Skippers, most of which were looking a bit worn and faded now and as I had already seen and photographed much better looking examples this year I didn’t pay these much attention either.
Other butterflies seen were a number of Brimstones and a couple of Orange-tips all actively patrolling the hedgerows and along the paths.
Also seen was a single Small Copper of which I only managed to get one terrible blurred record shot that I won’t embarrass myself with by posting here.
Lots of day flying moths were also about including Common Heath doing a good job of impersonating Dingy Skippers and Burnet Companions doing Small Heath/Duke of Burgundy impressions.
Also seen were Five-spot Burnet Moths including a nice one with confluent spots which is apparently quite common in this species and far less so in Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet which is the species we get in Warwickshire.
A couple of Cistus Forester Moths made up the final tally for the morning.
And to finish off, a couple of views.
I finally made my way back up the hill to my car and left just after 1.00pm after a very enjoyable morning with loads of butterflies.
Bye for now,
Neil.