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Cracking few of the Orchids - not long to go now!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel. Not long to go ?, it came a little closer today!.

Because of the bright sunshine this morning I left my planned visit to Rowland Wood until
this afternoon when some cloud had built up. Unfortunately on arrival a huge black cloud,
which took ages to clear, nearly ruined the afternoon.
When the sun re-appeared a few Meadow Browns were quick to respond, and Large Skipper
chases were taking place.
Eventually I made it over to Park Corner Heath and during a chance meeting with Andrea Gibbs
she told me that she had seen a White Admiral only moments before. Her tip off proved fruitful
and after a few minutes I spotted it and managed three shots before it was lost. Thanks Andrea!.
On the way back to the car I found my first Ringlet of the year.

I think my finds today confirm the start of the silly season.
Trevor.

Cracking stuff Trevor I've still to catch up with the Large Blue and my plans for this weekend have been scuppered by the weather so I hope the silly season slows a little

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel.

Today I went over to Ditchling Common hoping to see some female Black Hairstreaks.
Eventually three were seen, but all were in egg laying mode and mostly stayed well
within the Blackthorn bushes, walking along the branches then flying on to another.
Photographing them was almost impossible.
Two fresh Commas were seen, and were absolutely manic in the heat of the day,
but I did manage a couple of grab shots of one of them.
The only other species seen in any number was the Meadow Brown.

The tails on that Blackstreak are impressive Trevor You did well to get anything in the heat we had today

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That Ringlet and the White Admiral almost overshadow your Black Hairstreak, Trevor. This is a great time of year to see mint-fresh butterflies.

Thanks Wurzel & David.

Talking of fresh butterflies David the Purple Emperor has been seen in
three locations in the South today. Knepp, Bookham and Southwater.

After last evenings high winds and later thunderstorm this morning was cool and showery.
An empty fridge dictated a trip to Waitrose after lunch. On the way back to the car with my
shopping the sun had appeared, and although there was still plenty of cloud around, and with
my camera already in the car things were looking good enough for a local trip to Abbots Wood.
On arrival a fresh female Red Admiral was immediately found in the car park. A surprise find
was a female Painted Lady basking during a cloudy spell. Many Meadow Browns were seen
including a very fresh female with wings open wide and not easily disturbed.
A few Ringlets and Large Skippers completed the afternoon. The hoped for White Admirals
and Silver Washed Fritillaries did not show. Maybe tomorrow!.

Trevor.

I love those type of Skipper shots Trevor - really captures the essence

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel.

No sign of His Majesty today, But the supporting cast put on a good show.
White Admirals were out in force, basking nicely early am, but lively later.
One specimen gave a very convincing Purple Emperor approach flight by swooping
and weaving it's way towards us. It really had our hearts pumping!. I have never been
so disappointed to see a White Admiral.
Both sexes of Silver Washed Fritillary were seen, and all were obviously fresh,
but numbers have yet to build. Photography was difficult today in the harsh, bright sun.
Not my favourite weather, but at least the air was very fresh.

Trevor.

Lovely shots of the Admiral Trevor, I went to EB woods looking for one but beat an hasty retreat when I saw a Camper van there with three dogs roaming about without leads on ( once Bitten twice shy )
I always think the closed wings look great Goldie

A very good selection, Trevor - I plan to join you very soon... Just a week ago, none of those were around at all!

Dave

"I have never been so disappointed to see a White Admiral." I don't think I've ever experienced that Cracking shots - I would rate the underside of the White Admiral as possibly the best the UK has to offer I've got my fingers crossed that His Nibbs doesn't show up until next week so that I might be able to wangle a trip over that way Sorry about that

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Goldie, Dave & Wurzel.

Today was a day of two halves. An early morning visit to Abbots Wood and a late evening
trip to Horseshoe Plantation for roosting Marbled Whites.

Abbots Wood was quiet until 7.50 ,when the first White Admiral appeared. Thereafter
several more appeared along with several Silver Washed Fritillaries, but all seemed to
prefer inaccesable places to settle. Butterfly of the morning for me was a perfect, fresh,
Painted Lady, surely too fresh to have flown from over there.

This evening the target was the Marbled White, for me this is the only time of day
when it's possible to sneak up on them, even then they seem to be able to detect
a human from a distance. My final shots were taken after 8pm.

Trevor.

Some fine, fresh specimens in your last few reports, Trevor. I presume you'll be Emperor-hunting very soon?

Thanks David. The PE is not playing ball for me yet.

Early this morning I drove over to Chiddingfold Forest, arriving bang on 8.
Unfortunately the early sun gave way to fairly relentless cloud coming in from the west.
It was the few sunny breaks that produced some butterflies, including three surviving
Spring brood Wood Whites. No Purple Emperors were seen, but I understand a flypast
was observed in the afternoon. It may have been too breezy for them today.

Trevor.

Wow, those first brood Wood Whites are hanging on, Trevor?

Won’t be long until the second generation starts to emerge.

Cheers Mark. I'm sure the few Wood Whites seen this week were Spring brood survivors.
However I think it was 2019 when a few of both broods were seen on the same day.

Missed you again, Trevor! I was down there on Thursday in the heat and saw nothing Purple, though I also spotted a tired looking Wood White and any number of White Admirals down on the track doing very poor impersonations. Forecasts are (as ever) a bit up in the air this coming week, but I will give it a go tomorrow perhaps, and then play it by ear. Unfortunately, the theme seems to be breezy for at least the first few days, and possibly showery too.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Dave. Everywhere seems to be kicking off except Chiddingfold, maybe next week.
John Williams messaged me saying he had a swift flypast pm on Friday, so that's a cause for optimism.
I'll give it another go next week if the weather forecast is OK.

Fingers crossed,
Trevor.