www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Cracking set of shots Trevor, it's been a while since I've seen mating Pearls so Also one of them looks good for an ab what with they thick, dark markings

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Few contrasts finer than a Green Hairstreak on a bluebell, Trevor.

Nice find with the PBF pair too.

Jealous of your recent Pearls Trevor I just about caught the start of them at Stansted Forest last week but in truth I was a few days too early for them there.

Very nice Green Hairstreak too

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks David, Wurzel & Neil. Mating Pearls and Green Hairstreaks on bluebells,
who could ask for more in one afternoon.

A visit to Rowland Wood this morning found quite a few very active Pearls,
including a female which was obviously busy depositing eggs, while others
were busy nectaring on the plentiful bugle.
Many of the specimens seen today were just starting to show signs of wear,
the fringe hair was worn, and some butterflies were faded but still in good condition.
A tour of Rowland Wood later on revealed my first Small Heath of the year,
and another PBF near the rush meadow.

It was clear this afternoon that a second brood of Speckled Woods were on the wing.
All were fresh, and lively in the warmth. The Cuckoo Trail has been virtually free of
Specklies for the last couple of weeks, and the last I saw of them they were all worn.
Another butterfly of interest was a hyper active, female Red Admiral, busy egg laying
in the nettles. Indeed her abdomen is curled round in my shot.

I have included a shot of the lush growth either side of the Cuckoo Trail path.

Nice specklies. The top one has a nice greenish tinge.

Thanks Katrina. No Specklies today!

Tilshead, Wilts. on my way to Cotley Hill.

I arrived at Tilshead, from home at 8.15 this morning. The site was not as busy as usual as ' the Blues '
have hardly started. But the site did deliver two species firsts for the year, two Dingy Skippers and
a fresh, male, Common Blue. I did not dwell for too long at Tilshead as I was keen to travel on to Cotley Hill.

While waiting for the main event at Cotley Hill there was plenty to see,
including two more new species for the year, a Large Skipper, and a Small Blue.
Quite a few Grizzled Skippers presented themselves, as did two worn GH's.
Seen but not photographed, a fresh Small Copper, Painted Lady, male Wall and GVW's.
Although I've seen them before at Cotley I had the chance of an easy shot of a Demoiselle.

Large Skipper, that must mean we're nearly half way through the year and summers just around the corner ... wouldn't know it going by the weather for the rest of the week though!

Sounds like plenty of action at Cotley!

Cheers Paul. I can honestly say the only cloud I saw yesterday was on the drive home,
and this morning back to grey gloom! I saw my first Large Skipper last year at Cotley.

Your new camera would get plenty of exercise there, Katrina!

The Marsh Fritillaries from Cotley Hill 20.5.2024.

Looks like your camera got plenty of action too. How many do you think were there?

Good to see they're out now, Trevor - lovely and fresh too. Now all we need is some more sunshine!

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Katrina & Dave. There were not many Marshies around on Monday, maybe 6 to 8.
Someone I was talking to said only one was seen at the weekend, so they had only just started.
Importantly all were fresh.

Finally Trevor They certainly took their time this year, I think the Diva was having a backstage strop Great set of shots and a Large Skipper too I missed out on my first at Martin Down by a few hours but luckily I picked up a few after work at Sidbury the other night

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2024 10:56 amThe Marsh Fritillaries from Cotley Hill 20.5.2024....

They're so beautiful when fresh like those, Trevor. Better late than never, I suppose.

Lovely Marsh Fritillaries, Trevor, your long drive paid dividends, great shots

Great shots of the Marsh Fritts Trevor, Kent misses out on them there so colourful Goldie

Cheers Wurzel. I've always headed to Cotley on or about May 20th, and been lucky.
Though last year the were earlier and few were fresh.

Thanks David. Marsh Frits really need to caught early when fresh, their full beauty is soon lost.

Thanks Mike. My return trip to Cotley Hill was 268 miles, quite enough for one day.

Cheers Goldie. You are a long way from Marsh Frit. sites, but you have Heath Frits. on your door step,
even those are a long slow trip for me. Glad you enjoyed my shots.

And now the reason for this post. Three images I intended to post at the time, but overlooked.
Two views from the hill, and my favourite Marsh Fritillary shot of the day, which when enlarged
seems to have a bit of a 3D effect.