www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

It was indeed Dave, lucky you saw her land, don't think we'd have noticed her otherwise, she was very well camouflaged.


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July 2024

Thursday 11th part 2. As I often do at this time of year I moved on from Bookham to spend the second half of the day at Box Hill. However, it was actually rather hot, so I killed a few hours in the Stepping Stones pub before venturing up the slope. Marbled White and Dark Green Fritillary were starting to their age but some were still presentable. Other more recently emerged species and individuals were showing them up a bit though. Early on in the walk I came across a writhing mass of orange next to the path. Initially I thought I’d stumbled across a courting/mating pair of DGF but it turned out to be two males who it would seem were intoxicated in a pheromone induced frenzy and were completely oblivious to my presence. Presumably a female had emerged here earlier leaving a patch of pheromones.

July 2024

Thursday 11th. After three days filled with Purple Hairstreaks it’s back to a work report. Only female Essex Skippers were found today, the males presumably completed their role for the species. A few Large Skippers were also active. Gatekeeper numbers were starting to build, this one looked very photogenic perched on a mass of thistle seed heads. A few Green-veined White were the only other species that allowed a photograph.

More fantastic Purps Bugboy but contrary me, now I'm more intrigued by the 'wing waiting' Hedgies

Have a goodun

Wurzel

ThanksWurzel. They’re nothing extreme but there’s a few that were nearer the front of the queue when spots were being dished out .


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July 2024

Tuesday 16th. A week after my previous wander around Epping Forest I returned to see if the Purple Hairstreaks were still numerous. The Hogweed that had been so attractive was now a platform of brown seeds but I had little doubt that I was being watched from nearby Oak trees by numerous hairy eyes.

The residents in the usual clearings along the main rides kept my attention, Gatekeeper in particular coming into their own now. A few of the males seemed to have reduced markings on the hindwings. There were also plenty of Skippers which seemed to consist mostly of Smalls. When I reached the second Hairstreak hotspot only one showed itself, but he did present itself for the camera, albeit above my head. Along the rides various Nymphalids provided splashes of colour, mostly looking freshly minted. As I would expect, Whites were represented by the Green-veined variety Before leaving I stopped by the Hogweed again and was rewarded by the sight of a female Hairstreak basking in a nearby Oak. Not every species had a bad season this year!

Great to see the Purp - they had a terrible time over this way Also good so see a few David Skippers in there as it means that I'm not that far behind you now and as I'm recuperating after a bit of an op I might even catch up that is if the painkillers don't knock me out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel. I hope you have a speedy recovery, can’t have you speeding ahead of me! Still a couple more reports featuring them Purple flavoured Hairstreaks

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July 2024

Thursday 18th. Another lunchtime wander at work. The (David) Essex Skippers have now all gone but the Large Skippers have peaked, a very odd. There were also two mating pairs of Gatekeeper in the same sunny glade.

July 2024

Saturday 20th. A rather gloomy, grey start to the day at Bookham but there was enough warmth in the air to stir a few butterflies from their slumber. Gatekeepers and all the three species of Skippers found here made themselves available for photographs. There was also a nice fresh Peacock. Since it didn’t look like it was brightening up anytime soon, I went looking for White Admiral babies and was pleasantly surprised to easily reach double figures with little effort, thirteen 1st and 2nd instars and likely many more went unseen. Back into the rides a bit more warmth had encouraged some more activity But it wasn’t enough to keep me for much longer so I moved on to Ashtead Common to see what I could find there. More Skippers, (although only Small and Large were positively ID’d) and a few Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown I also added Comma to the days tally And Purple Hairstreak…. Sort of...

Cracking set of shots, although I don't think you can really claim Purp The first Hedgie looks interesting; what is the pale/whiteish spot? Is that some sort of abrasion pattern, rain damage or pathological? Intriguing...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

ThanksWurzel. I think that was a pathological thing on that Gatekeeper. Some more below for your appraisal

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July 2024

Sunday 21st was a two site day down in Sussex, starting off at Mill Hill where I hoped to tick off Chalk Hill Blues for the year. It was cool and overcast when I arrived but a few butterflies were stirring, here an Essex Skipper is just poking its head above the parapet to check there’s no strange men lurking around with cameras. A short time later I came across my first of the target. There were only a few around but the weather conditions ensured I got plenty of snaps. A few more Essex Skippers were active but the most numerous lepidoptera by a significant margin were 6-spot Burnet moths with numerous pairings found. Gatekeepers became numerous as the morning warmed, not a huge amount of variety but hindwing ocelli seemed an optional extra. Some Buddleja in full flower halted my exploring for a while, a couple of Painted Ladies and a Small Tortoiseshell, had made it a temporary home. Curiously, there were a lot of Thymelicus but not a single Small amongst all the Essex

Well done with the Small Tort. A species I keep an eye out for every time I go out.
My total for the year so far is six.

ThanksTrevor, I Suspect this one came up from somewhere along the Adur River.


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July 2024

Sunday 21st part 2. An hour later I was wandering around Lancing Ring. In the old chalk pits there was similar activity around another patch of Buddleja A Gatekeeper with some extra spots and a particularly striking female Speckled Wood ab. postico-excessa Also adding to the days species count were singletons of Common Blue and Comma. Moving on to the high point where last years LTB’s were hanging out I found a few Wall’s which kept me occupied for a while. There were two or three but only one was in decent nick so he became the focus of my attention as he defended his territory against the older, battle worn interlopers, but luckily, it’s thirsty work. Also here was a fresh Peacock and what seemed like a fresh emergence of Thymelicus Skippers including a Small that looked like he was flexing his wing muscles ready for his maiden voyage. The Buddleja was still occupied when I walked past a couple of hours later and just before hitting the main road on the way back to Shoreham I stopped off at a sunny clearing which had attracted several butterflies soaking up the evening rays. Also seen today were Green-veined, Large and Small White, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Ringlet, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Silver-washed Fritillary and Holly Blue given me a respectable total of 22 species for the day.

Cracking report and images Bugboy Love the variety of Hedgies and that new Small Skipper is gurt lush I also really like the first Essex image from a post back although it couldn't help hearing "No we dun wan a Grail, we already got one" followed eventually by "Fetchez la Vache!"

Have a goodun

Wurzel

ThanksWurzel, even the most ubiquitous butterflies are worth a bit of time when they put the effort in!


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July 2024

Wednesday 24th. A wander at work. Nothing unexpected turned up. A fresh Peacock Large Skippers were still about although starting to look worn at last, It’s nearly August! And a few Gatekeeper and Speckled Wood

Your 'walks at work'seem to have had more diversity than mine this year Bugboy It was interesting to see the Large Skippers looking worn as a few weeks later whilst I was in France they were fresh out of the box

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, think I’ve got 24 species recorded on site so far, although some are random singletons (Silver-washed Fritillary & Marbled White) and one only recorded as an egg, White-letter Hairstreak.


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July 2024

On Friday 26th I was half day which at this time of year with the weather on my side gives me enough time to get to Box Hill whilst the sun is still high enough to make it worth the trip. The main target was female Dark Green Fritillary. I’d seen plenty of males so far but had yet to come across any females. All the usual suspects were in attendance. Skippers were decidedly well past it now but Gatekeeper were still looking fresh. It's not the best place to find Chalk Hills, they’re always around in season but never in huge numbers. Even so they were particularly sparse this year, I only saw two here today. The local Crab Spiders were still were putting a dent in the local butterfly population but it took around an hour and half before I caught sight of the primary target of the afternoon. I attempted to take a break from butterflying when it clouded over but found a rather nice Comma near the visitor centre and an equally fresh Red Admiral then stalled my return the slopes. However, another female DGF was waiting for me when I returned. With the afternoon a success I wandered down the slope, nabbing myself a Villa sp. Beefly (probably V. cingulata) and a backlit Brimstone.

July 2024

On Saturday 27th at work I came across an escapee, a Malachite, Sipreota stelenes enjoying a sunny afternoon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tuesday 30th. My first attempt at finding an early Brown Hairstreak down at Bookham, would there be a repeat of last years festivities? Well certainly not today, I came across not many butterflies at all in reality. Gatekeeper and Meadow brown were about in reasonable numbers. here's one of each with some extra spots. Essex and Small Skippers were still present A couple of fresh Brimstone were getting ready for Hibernation and a Peacock may have been thinking the same, or may be thinking about fitting in a second brood (I did find a batch of larvae at the end of August here). Considering they’ve barely registered on my radar all season, the highlight of the morning was a fresh Common Blue, it was too warm for any open winged shots though.

The malachite looks like a pretty butterfly.

That Meadow Brown is an interesting looking butterfly (not something you'd usually hear about this species ) what with it's extra spots on the fore wings, perhaps it identifies as a Gatekeeper?
"think I’ve got 24 species recorded on site so far"...that's a mighty haul for a work spot - I'm on 23 currently with the best being a Wall at the end of the field...I'm hoping a Marshie might drop in one spring

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Katrina, it is, large as well, comparable to a SWF. It’s a staple to most butterfly houses hence why I wasn’t overly surprised to find it.
ThanksWurzel. I believe officially it’s known as addenda, probably commoner than we think simply because they’re often overlooked.


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August 2024

Thursday 1st. It occurred to me that I’d not seen or heard a whisper about second brood Wood Whites so before the Brown Hairstreak season kicked off I thought I’d venture down to Chiddingfold to see what I could find. First off a little something for Wurzel! Wood Whites were actually a bit thin on the ground, only a few older females to start with were fluttering around suggesting I’d missed the main flight period. There was plenty of activity from other species. The clearing was alive with aged Silver-washed fritillaries including a valesina, I only ever find them when they’re old ! I got quite excited by the appearance of a Large Skipper too, being one of 2024’s victims. The primary target was here as well, and I managed a few in flight shots as she searched for somewhere to lay. Out along the rides I found a second valesina in much better nick, but she failed to sit long enough for a photo so you’ll just have to take my word for it! I focused on the odd few WW that were around, the odd male joining the females. Brimstones were plentiful, filling up for the long sleep along with a smattering of Peacock. On a more gruesome note, I found a Red-legged Shieldbug having caterpillar soup for tea.

Good to see that valesina, Paul. The only one I have ever managed to photograph was one I found in precisely the same spot as yours - and it was even more worn! I reckon they must skulk around in the shade while they're fresh. Nice Wood Whites as well - second brood females are almost unmarked on the upperside - very white.

Cheers,

Dave