Trevor

[Wurzel]

Wow, wow and wow

Have you seen Lulworth Skippers yet Trevor? Might be worth a trip in 2023?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Cheers Wurzel. I've been to Corfe Castle several times, and may have seen some Lulworths
without knowing it. We mainly went to that area to ride on the railway.

Wouldn't mind Alners Gorse next year.

Trevor.

[David M]

That Worthing 'hot-spot' might just as well be Andalusia, Trevor.

Makes you wonder what species will be on offer in another 10-20 years if this warming trend continues.

[trevor]

Thanks David. If only the Map would hop across the channel, you can see their home from Dover!
That would be a nice surprise.

After Worthing I continued to be kept busy with the third brood Wall Browns at Herstmonceux.
This brood lasted for about five weeks from the start of September until early October.
Strangely I have never seen a Spring brood Wall at Herstmonceux even when good numbers
are on the wing at High and Over. Something to watch out for in 2023.


Wishing everyone a great Christmas and a much better new year!
Trevor.

[essexbuzzard]

Always love your end of season collection of Walls, Trevor. The much weaker sunshine of late September and October makes them much easier to photograph.

With everything else going on as well, what a great autumn it was!

[trevor]

I can assure you Mark they were still lively!
One thing I enjoy about Wall Browns is the challenge they present.

Glad you enjoyed them,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic Walls Trevor - there are some real show stoppers there
"Wouldn't mind Alners Gorse next year."...sounds like plan - hopefully get some Valezina there
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

The thought of a valezina is quite enticing Wurzel.
I've only ever seen one back in about 2010, I thought it was a new species!
Only managed a very bad ' proof 'shot,

As you say ' have a good'un '
Trevor.

[David M]

Great selection of Wall Browns, Trevor. Not an easy species but you have made it look so.

[trevor]

Wall Browns are very good at evading the camera, David, particularly when that
would be a perfect shot is lined up in the view finder!

Two notable sightings in Wiltshire over the Holiday'
First ,near the Stonehenge visitor centre on my journey to my Daughters,
a very large flock of Lapwings were landing in a field, right near the road
as I was passing. Not seen so many for years.

On Boxing Day and only 7c, A Red Admiral flew over the house at just after 1,30pm.

A happy and fruitful New Year to all.
Trevor.

[Goldie M]

Fantastic shots of the Wall Trevor love the one on the purple flowers Goldie

[Wurzel]

"First ,near the Stonehenge visitor centre on my journey to my Daughters, a very large flock of Lapwings were landing in a field, right near the road
as I was passing." That little stretch of road is a cracking little spot for birding - I've seen Merlin, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Golden Plovers and Great Bustard along that stretch Good work spotting that Red Admiral

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

..On Boxing Day and only 7c, A Red Admiral flew over the house at just after 1,30pm.

Excellent sighting, Trevor.

I was on the lookout myself on Boxing Day as it was fairly pleasant in the late morning sunshine. Nothing doing, sadly.

[trevor]

Thanks Goldie. Hope to see some shotss of Wall Browns from you in 2023. Happy New Year.

Cheers Wurzel. The Lapwings were landing in a field just off the roundabout by the visitor centre,
on the A360 heading for Shrewton. An amazing sight!

Another Red Admiral sighting this morning David! ( Jan 2nd ).

A New Years greeting from Hailsham this morning.

Before setting out to photograph the early Daffodils, a Red Admiral flew between the houses
and fluttered at eaves level around several houses looking like it would land to bask.
With camera in hand all I could do was watch it eventually disappear over the roof tops
OH Well!

[Goldie M]

WoW! Trevor, those Daff's are early not seen one here yet, mind you it's been too wet to go into the Garden Goldie

[David M]

...Before setting out to photograph the early Daffodils, a Red Admiral flew between the houses and fluttered at eaves level around several houses looking like it would land to bask. With camera in hand all I could do was watch it eventually disappear over the roof tops
OH Well!

Shame it escaped the camera lens, Trevor, but that's still some sighting.

How they have survived ten solid nights of hard frost this winter I don't know. Perhaps they're evolving to become more cold hardy?

[Padfield]

How they have survived ten solid nights of hard frost this winter I don't know. Perhaps they're evolving to become more cold hardy?

I suspect hard frost is good, as it keeps their metabolism low. What red admirals can't survive is long, mild periods of inactivity, during which they simply run out of fuel (not being true, deep metabolic hibernators). In Switzerland, they frequently appear on the wing in January and February after prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures, but rarely make it all the way through to spring.

Guy

[Wurzel]

Those Daffs seem to be about right Trevor - they're fitting in with the Supermarkets calendar - just in time for the Easter Eggs

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

I suspect hard frost is good, as it keeps their metabolism low. What red admirals can't survive is long, mild periods of inactivity, during which they simply run out of fuel (not being true, deep metabolic hibernators). In Switzerland, they frequently appear on the wing in January and February after prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures, but rarely make it all the way through to spring.

That makes sense, Guy, and I suppose if they can fly during much harsher Swiss winters then there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to do likewise in the more southerly parts of the UK, even when we get abnormally prolonged cold snaps (by our standards).

[trevor]

The Daffodils are magnificent Wurzel ( image taken yesterday, 13th ),
along with a fine assortment of Easter eggs on display in Tesco!

Trevor.