www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I went to Seasalter on Sunday my second visit after seeing the Small Heath there, strangely when I was there last year at the same time I found lots of different Butterflies, this time I didn't see a Common Blue or any thing else other than the Small Heath, that's why I decided to go back there one more time, I found the Common Blue but was disappointed not to see any thing else.

I went on afterwards to Monkton NR and once again no Butterflies, I'm not sure if they're late around here or what, but I do seem to set off for places and find very little activity these days which is disappointing, talk about( press on regardless) Goldie

Hi Goldie,
Your not alone in finding it difficult to locate butterflies here in Kent at the moment. We are out in the field most days somewhere here in Kent, but we also are finding Butterfly species and numbers very low this year so far. Brimstone numbers being the exception, but most other species seem to be struggling. Not sure for the reason but it is slightly worrying. Orchids on the other hand seem early and in reasonable numbers. Hopefully things will improve quickly.

Lovely looking Blues Goldie Things certainly seem to be 'low and slow' this year, it's a case of getting anything when you can Hopefully things will pick up soon...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Goldie M wrote: ↑Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:09 pm...I went on afterwards to Monkton NR and once again no Butterflies, I'm not sure if they're late around here or what, but I do seem to set off for places and find very little activity these days which is disappointing...

Much the same round here Goldie. A really worrying lack of butterflies virtually everywhere I go.

Sorry for the delay in replying Dave, wurzel and David, I got a new Kitchen put in and it's been attic, plus I got a covid Jab 1st of June and that knocked me for a bit, excuse's ,
I have got a few shots mostly of Holly Blues the weather here having been poor, today though I went to Castle Park in Tankerton and saw my first Meadow Brown, that was a bit of a surprise I thought at first it was a Speckle until it landed, I couldn't resist another Holly Blue and I think this one had just laid some eggs, not sure though.Goldie

Goldie M wrote: ↑Wed Jun 19, 2024 2:20 pmSorry for the delay in replying, David,

Panic not, Goldie. Stuff happens in people's lives.

Right now, I'm way, way behind, mainly due to foreign trips and unreliable internet connections.

Things will clear up for you soon, I'm sure.

Just got your post David, I've looked at your photos and the colours of those Butterflies are out standing I bet you've had a great time taking those shots well worth being behind a little, you'll soon catch up Goldie

No worries Goldie Good to see you're back out there, love the second Meadow Brown, nice sheen on that one

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Goldie M wrote: ↑Wed Jun 19, 2024 10:20 pmJust got your post David, I've looked at your photos and the colours of those Butterflies are out standing I bet you've had a great time taking those shots well worth being behind a little, you'll soon catch up

Not sure I could have coped had I been permanently in the UK this year, Goldie. I've never seen things so poor on the butterfly front over here.

Catching up will take a while. I still have several overseas jaunts to come!

Hi! Wurzel, I'm having trouble posting not sure why it's just when I try to post my shots, I'm hoping this post will get through, I'll just try once more.

Shots from Blean wood yesterday, looking forward to seeing more Jaunt adventures David

It's actually posted too many now and I can't seem to delete some It wouldn't let me drag and drop, I give up Goldie

Pleased you went to East Blean Goldie, Judging by your shots your visit
was not a waste of time! Wish lived closer, it's 70 miles from home.

Lovely shots.

Hi! Trevor, I couldn't miss going after seeing your lovely shots You put me to shame I didn't think they'd be out so soon with the weather like it's been, I'll go back there again , want to see if the Purple Hair Streak is there, they love the oak trees in the car park and start coming down the tree later in the day, it was great seeing the Heath as the other Butterflies have been few and far between.

I'm lucky living so near them, I'm going to Blean Woods near Canterbury next I saw the Silver Washed Fritillary there last year but never got a shot, they're also at EBW but there's too many tree's there and the paths are rubbish at BW it's all marked out for people also Heath Frits there, come to think of it it could be much nearer for you to get to depending of course where you set out from. Goldie

I went to Blean Village today and into Blean Woods ( not East Blean Woods ) the Heath Fritillary were there but in much smaller numbers, the Meadow Brown and Ringlets were also there but because of the Heat were mostly in the bushes, I thought at first nothing was there because nothing was flying like I'd seen at East Blean Woods the day before then just a few started to fly, I managed to get a side view of a Ringlet but it was in the bushs and awkward to see any way I was pleased to get some thing Goldie

Great to see all the shots of the Heaths Goldie I'm with Trevor - I wish they were closer to home There are some populations in Somerset but I need to investigate whereabouts exactly Now they're out fill your boots - I would

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi! Wurzel, I went to Monkton NR again to see if the Marbled White were out but no luck yet I did see lots of Orchids and the Small Heath were there hopping from one Daisy to another

I rang Monkton before I went yesterday because it was so hot here and they said the MW's were still not out yet but one had been seen so expect the rest will be out tomorrow (hope fully),
there only open Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week so i'll go again tomorrow and call at EBW on the way back if possible.

I've posted some shots of the Orchids and flowers there Goldie

Just got back from Blean Woods Village NR where I saw lots of White Admirals none stopped for any shots though and what I thought was an Admiral from a distance turned out to be a Ringlet At least I know where they are for next time
I did see another Heath Fritillary and managed a shot of that, it was funny really because it landed on this plant that was very much the same colour and started knocking it about I was convinced it was sure it was another Heath
I also saw a Marbled White there which was a first for me at those woods, I can't wait for a return visit, Monkton first though Goldie

Today I went to Monkton NR and called at East Blean Woods on the way back, I was looking for the Marbled White at Monkton and I'm pleased to say I found them, it was really hot but I'd gone there soon so I could get some relief from coolness in the woods later.

They were flying all over the meadow and not settling very much on the Flowers ,they seemed to be going for more rotting Plants , when they landed they closed their wings right a way, I waited ages to try for a shot , I got fed up and tried to take shots of them inflight not too good In the end I did get a few but I'll have to make a return journey I think.

At East Blean Woods the Heath were on the road out side the reserve, I parked my car outside of the car park and managed to get some shots of the Heath following a Red Admiral ,every time the Admiral landed the Heath would land by the side of it I also walked up the Drive and more heath were there, I didn't stay long the heat and the Sun had got me but I'd at least a few shots of sorts Goldie

More great Heath shots Goldie
"knocking it about" you could be onto something there, especially if another male had already landed there and left some pheromones behind (if they do that) Good work with teh Marbled White as well I saw my first one today but would it stop? Next time I seeone I'm going to ignore it out of spite

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Glad to see you are catching up with some nice butterflies Goldie

I know what you mean about the heat and the sun. I don't deal with it as easily these days as I used too. Never happy are we

Cheers,

Neil.

Hi! Wurzel, thanks for your post, Hopefully I may get more shots of the Heath if I go back to Blean Woods, I'm torned between the village Blean and East Blean now they've still left East Blean in a mess from the logging but it looks like it was good for the Heath, Village Blean is more for dog walkers the paths are all laid out with signs etc , but i found more Butterflies there this time ( Heath) lots of White Admiral , any way my Daughter thinks they're too lonely and to big for me to go on my own so I've promised to wait for her, ( I did go to EBW this last time on my own ) they were outside on the road though I told her

Hi! Neil. I saw a Burnett at Seasalter today but I couldn't see it's spots so not sure what to call it I set off early so I could get back before it got too hot, it's strange really when you think you'd see them in three's and fours together on a flower I only saw one this time, it gets much too hot for me I'm okay in the 20's and 22 degrees above that I turn red

I went to Seasalter today , I wanted to find a Skipper , last year I missed the large Skipper entirely hope I've not done the same this year I was pleased when I found a Small Skipper, but no large were there in spite of the fact there was lots of Flowers, I saw Large and Small Whites and still a few Small Heath, Meadow Brown were there but that was it Butterfly wise, if the weather changes again it'll be August before you know it Goldie