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Chiddingfold Forest, 11 July 2012

His Majesty …

Earlier today I joined good friend Nick Broomer in search of the elusive, beautiful and highly seductive Purple Emperor; a species that is several weeks late in showing in prime local territory this season.

Dressed in the very best Emperor hunting fashion (wellies and waterproofs) our day commenced under heavy cloud as we waded through chest high wet grass in search of Dark Green Fritillaries. These we soon found, including a freshly emerged female, though any approach other than for a quick record shot was not forthcoming. After several heavy showers, including a brief spell of thunder and lightening, the sun started to break through the cloud; the air became hot and humid. Although storm clouds still lingered, conditions were more promising for our target.

As we left the Dark Greens to play we slowly headed along the forestry track; eyes focused like that of an owl on the ground ahead. As we passed a small meadow, favoured for Dingy and Grizzled Skipper earlier in the year, we both instinctively froze and waited for the other to give the shout! Gracing us with his presence, a pristine male Purple Emperor was circling the track in front of us. At one point he took chase of a small bird as if saying “this is my territory keep out”, before finally landing on the track ahead. We moved with caution allowing him time to settle and commence taking salts, his characteristic yellow proboscis clearly visible. We then approached and took our shots of what I believe to be the first recorded Emperor in this location this season. Pleased with our find and pictures in the bag we headed on and found two further individuals, the first of which and the only one which showed its upperside clearly, carried extensive hindwing damage and wear suggesting emergence some days previous.

A great day in great company …

Species seen:

Purple Emperor (3)
Red Admiral
White Admiral
Comma
Small Skipper
Large Skipper
Common Blue
Ringlet
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Dark Green Fritillary
Silver-washed Fritillary

Great report and photo, Mark

Hi Mark,

I agree, a great day in great company, a great butterfly, and a great photo.

All the best, Nick.

Hi Mark

Whereabouts in Chiddingfold Forest is best for Dark Green Fritillary? I'm planning a visit there at the weekend.

Agreed about the Emperor photo. I wasn't expecting to see any photos this year.

Thanks

Clive

Hi Mark,

Congatulations on the PE, a great photo and the first that I have seen of HIM this year

A good tally of species for the day as well.

All the best,

Neil F.

Thank you all for your kind comments

It would be fair to say I was rather happy when we found the Emperors today as I feel we may not see a great deal more this season, though I'd like to be proven wrong. Torrential rain fell over Chiddingfold Forest last night and further is predicted for tonight. To my knowledge there were no Emperor sightings today. Regarding the Dark Green Fritillaries, they can be found throughout the main Chiddingfold Forest complex though are not guaranteed. Park at any of the main entrances and just keep your eyes peeled. If the weather is good this weekend I'd say you stand a reasonable chance of a sighting.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Chiddingfold Forest, 11 July 2012

Ringlet revisited …

I have recently taken quite a few images of Ringlets. These range from a rare captive bred aberration (ab. lanceolata), to a number of specimens in their wild environment. Although I have been relatively happy with the pictures I have produced, in my own mind something was missing i.e. truly showing them in their natural habitat. Yesterday morning whilst heading into Chiddingfold Forest, I came across a small patch of damp sedge and grass alongside the forestry track where several Ringlets had settled. A beautiful female, resting on the wet sedge, caught my eye.

The Ringlet in its natural environment …

The PE is cracking, I can't decide between your shot of Nicks - so I'll split my envy between you both
Will the weekends weather be good for PE or will the rain and wind cause them to perish in the tops of the trees?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel,

My shot is obviously the better one

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Alder Platt Meadow, 15 July 2012

The only way is …

It’s amazing what you miss or turns up on your local patch. Despite walking through Alder Platt Meadow for a good number of years, I have never previously encountered an Essex Skipper - at least not until this evening. Sadly the light had all but disappeared when I found this solitary pristine male; the following photograph being taken at 7.45pm. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to find him and his friends in better light …

A Sussex Essex at roost …

Nice shot that, Mark. Really shows the antennal tips off well.

Hi Mark,
Very nice portrait of an Essex.
Neil

Excellent photo Mark

Now that is the sort of shot that I should take

Last year I spent a day going around some local spots purposefully looking for Essex Skippers and taking head on shots of every small golden skipper that I found. I was surprised by how many actually turned out to be Essex with good populations at two sites . I now have another site to check out

Cheers,

Neil F.

Springhead Hill, 18 July 2012

Out of the blue …

A brief visit yesterday afternoon was more than enough to tempt a return visit earlier today to the beautiful Springhead Hill in West Sussex. Initially arriving at 6am, the light was poor and continuous drizzle ruined any chance of a decent photograph. I quickly decided to leave and returned shortly after 8am, by which time the drizzle had almost stopped and a trace of blue was just starting to peep from behind the wind blown covers. As I walked through the small field the ground below me moved, as numerous Meadow Brown, Marbled White and good numbers of freshly emerged Chalkhill Blue lifted from the beautiful herb filled meadow. The scent of marjoram, thyme and numerous other exotic perfumes filled the air around me.

An hour later I had to leave …

Thats a cracking shot of the male CHB Mark.

All the best, Nick.

Hi Nick,

Many thanks for your kind comment

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Springhead Hill, 20 July 2012

Unfinished business ...

Early this morning I paid a repeat visit to Springhead Hill and timed my arrival just prior to the first rays of sun began heating the ground and the numerous Chalkhill Blues roosting in the meadow. My objective, to find and photograph a female warming her wings in readiness for the first flight of the day. Amongst the many males I encountered, I managed to find just two females during the time I was there, the first still roosting and the second positioning her wings towards the rising sun. The latter posed beautifully for around ten minutes, at which point she and her many admirers started to take to the air.

A great way to start the day ....

Hollingbury Park, 20 July 2012

Hairstreak hunting ...

After leaving Springhead Hill I headed east towards Brighton.

The Brighton & Hove City Council website states "Brighton & Hove has always had a high population of Elm trees and currently has over 17,000. These were originally planted in large numbers by the Victorians and Edwardians. This was because of the trees' tolerance to the thin chalk soil and salty winds. There is a wide variety of Elms around the city, most notably at Preston Park, Shirley Drive and Carden Hill. These include many species such as English, Jersey and Cornish Elms. The 'Preston Twins' are located at Preston Park and are widely considered the largest and oldest surviving English Elms in the world. In the early 1970s the council introduced a new programme to control a highly infectious form of Elm disease which was introduced by imported Rock Elm from North America. The success of the programme to fight the disease is still clear today from the many thousands of Elms throughout the city. In 1998, due to the success of the local Elm disease control programme, the city was granted full National Collection status by Plant Heritage".

My destination this morning was Hollingbury Park, which is situated just off Ditchling Road and close to the South Downs National Park boundary; my target, the elusive White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album). I had never seen this particular species before so was keen for success. After seeking advice from those in the know I slowly paced the western edge of Hollingbury Wood, paying particular attention around the several sheltered bays whilst trying to look skyward at the same time. After about an hour of careful searching my target was spotted, as a single male descended to briefly nectar on a thistle below the canopy ...

My first ever White-letter Hairstreak ...

Congrats Mark - and a cracking shot to boot!

Cheers,

- Pete

Nice one Mark, well done.

I have not seen a WLH yet this year and only saw 2 last year, both of them from a distance.

All the best,

Neil F.