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Wales 31-07-2022

The drive down wasn’t as expected. For one thing instead of the usual wall of grey cloud and rain as we crossed the border this time there was blue sky and it was relatively sunny…for about 5 minutes and for another the trip passed by in almost the blink of an eye. During the odd brighter spell along the quieter stretches the odd white flew but the best thing from the journey were the signs accompanying the speed cameras in Port Talbot; “Air pollution kills, slow down save lives” it said in full view of the blast furnace and the coal fired power station!

By the late afternoon the weather had improved so much so that it was pleasant walking in just a T-shirt so I took myself up the Lane. I only had about 20 minutes to spare and so I limited myself to walking to the ‘corner and back’. A Small White plopped down in one of the rose bushes as I made my way through the back garden but all else was quiet until I was out on the road as much of the Buddleia has already turned to seed. On the way up I concentrated on looking out for Hedgies and when I found them I tried to get a shot or three. Most proved to be a little worn although there were still some fresh-looking females. In the late afternoon sun most were willing to sit and bask so getting shots was just a matter of watching them go up from some undisclosed perch in the hedge as I passed by, following their jinking flight and then waiting a short time for them to settle again. I found a few interesting looking individuals although they weren’t any ‘excessa’. The variation that I notched this time was centred around the forewing eyes. One tired old male had a much larger eye than expected so it appeared noticeably bigger and out of proportion with its size. Others fell at the other end of the extreme with eyes with one pupil so small as to appear non-existent and others with misshapen eyes like a belt was tightened around the middle. Once at the corner I turned around and made my way back this time focusing my attentions on counting – this short stretch held 21 Hedgies. After tea the sun was still shining and from previous experience of holidaying in Wales I’ve learnt that while the sun shines you make the most of it. So my wife and I took a stroll out. Well my wife strolled and I, once we’d reached the hedge, stopped and took photos and then ran to catch up. Again the Hedgies were ridiculously abundant but as the evening wore on they basked less frequently and once settled they’d shut up shop. We walked almost to the Telecom tower and on the way as well as the numerous Hedgies I also spotted a couple of Small Whites, a brace of Meadow Browns and a Magpie Moth. The weather for tomorrow looks set to deteriorate but hopefully I’ll be able to get out before it gets too bad…
Back walking Welsh turf
With the sun still shining…just
Hedgie paradise
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi! Wurzel, Snow forecast here tomorrow, but the first Green bin collection of the year came today, nearly Spring Goldie

Cheers Goldie We got a dusting just enough to be cold and miserable and then turn to minging slush but they had more where I work so I had a snow day! However most of it was spent re-planning all the work because of lessons missed today Oh well hopefully the weather will improve soon!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wales Day 2 01-08-2022

Well the Weather people pulled one of the fastest U-turns in history and instead of the forecast grey murk when we woke it was blue skies as far as the eye could see – which from the vantage point at the top of the hill was pretty much all the way across Cardigan Bay to Ireland – it made a nice, if but rare, change for the forecasters to get it so wrong in a positive fashion. To make the most of it was nipped out to Cei Bach for a stroll along the beach while the Outlaws got ready for the day and broke fast. The air was still cool and various little nooks and crannies were still clinging onto their shadows so there was little hope of seeing any butterflies. Instead I enjoyed the spectacle of a brace of Sandwich Tern diving for their breakfast with Newquay in the distance. Upon our return we did a few jobs to help out and then while it was still sunny I grabbed my camera and once again made my way up the Lane. I had a little more time today so I planned to head up to the Telecoms Tower and then turn round. On the first stretch up to the corner I counted 11 Hedgies and a few other species put in brief appearances; a Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and a Small White. So far so normal but then I changed it up a bit. The right hand Hedge often gets short shrift as it has a smaller range of nectar sources and the vegetation is taller and sparser probably as it remains in shade for most of the day due to its aspect. However now the sun was just as the right height to light up some of the branches that were on the edge of the hedge so after the passing the few houses beyond the Corner I crossed over and started counting. I added a Peacock to the tally and a Comma actually sat still. However the main pull here were the Hedgies with 36 in total; four of which made up two mating pairs. I’d reached the turn off for the Farm and looming in from a few fields over I could see the threatened/forecast cloud so I decided to head back. As the cloud rolled in the breeze picked up and with that the butterflies started to dwindle. It wasn’t all bad however as those individuals still out and about were slightly more approachable. As the cloud continued to build the little gaps in it started to decrease in size and frequency but it was still possible to find your quarry and wait for a little patch of sun to brighten up the shot. In this way I bagged a Red Admiral followed by a Small Copper on the end corner of the right hand hedge just by the houses. As I stood up happy with my shots of this I was greeted by two unusual sights. The first was a Hedgie with little streaks instead of eyes and as I turned from that I saw a car coming towards me. Nothing unusual about that you might think – but to all intents and purposes it looked like this was a ‘dog drawn’ carriage. Out in front on a long leash was a little black and white Jack Russel. Cruising behind at a snails’ pace was the owner driving her car! I couldn’t work out whether this would be classed as taking the dog for a walk or for a drive? Chuckling I made it back in time for lunch. Once the repast had been completed and the utensils were being washed and stowed away I wondered what to do as I would have a little free time and so as I dried the finally teaspoon I looked out of the kitchen window. It looked a fair bit gloomier and duller than it had at breakfast time but there was still a little light which really caught the yellow of the odd Dandelion in the lawn. However there was something Blue on the yellow? I flipped the spoon into the drawer, grabbed my camera and slipped outside. As I started towards the Blue a Hedgie flew in from who knows where, ‘had a word’ with the Blue which promptly nipped off. I was about to curse the Hedgie but dropped any ill feeling towards it the moment I got a fix on it with my lens. Instead of a few eyes this had a single large, black ringed eye lower down on its hind wing and up the top a streak and small white spot – a nice variation for my collection. As I was outside already I popped round to the Verbena at the side of the house. The feathery lilac florets held 2 Small Torts, I presume ‘the’ male Common Blue but unfortunately the wind was whistling round the side and whipping the bush swinging the butterflies all over the place. Hence I made my way back to the garden and stood and watched the Dandelions from the little alcove between the kitchen and the Conservatory. A Small White dropped in but was gone almost as soon as I took my first step towards it. It was quickly replaced by a female Common Blue and I managed a few shots of this one as it walked across the grass from one Dandelion to another. Pleased I made my way back in to make a coffee. About 20 minutes later I was back in the kitchen and there was, I thought, the female Common Blue. I grabbed my camera and nipped out once again and made my way towards the Buttercup it was perched on. As I focused in a realised that this one was fresher and in much better nick so it was well worth the faff of finding my shoes for a few minutes outside. Love is in the air?
Or so it seems for Hedgies
Weather’s closing in…
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Day 3 02-08-2022

The ill-fated weather forecast had finally caught up with us and so the day was spent locked away in the warm and dry waiting for the clouds to pass which of course they never did…

Day 4 03-08-2022

The rain had moved on to another part of the country (I’m convinced that there is always somewhere in Wales where it is raining ) and so we once again braved the elements and took a post breakfast walk. Instead of heading up the Lane or driving to Cei Bach we crossed over the main road and took the little track past the church and down the hill to the farm and beyond this the Cove. As we clattered along the stony path we were hemmed in in one side by a tall hedge whilst on the other I could see an interesting looking field but the grass strewn wire fence prohibited entry. Of course the butterflies seemed to sense this and I could easily make out 6 male Common Blues and a Painted Lady all frolicking on the wrong side of the tracks! We carried on, the girls feeling like they were in an Enid Blyton book whilst I grumbled and chuntered away about inconsiderate lepidoptera. The track narrowed even more and then cut sharply down in a small wood with a narrow bridge across the fast flowing stream before opening out once again onto the lush pasture of the dairy farm. Whilst the grass looked fresh our noses were assailed by the smell of the dairy, an aroma which is both sweet and pungent at the same time and which takes me right back to when I was a nipper and visiting various of my parents friends. The scraggly bushes lining the farm buildings held a few butterflies; 2 Red Admirals, Meadow Brown, assorted Hedgies and a Small Heath (the only one from the trip as it happened). As the cows were being milked we had the fields to ourselves and so we quickly reached the perilous paths leading down to the Cove. While the girls had a brief breather I scrambled about on the steep banks/miniature cliffs that had been cut away by the action of the gushing and bubbling stream. Whilst I was here I spotted 2 males Common Blues basking very close to each other. Normally these butterflies would have been scrapping as they weren’t involved in feeding but as I moved closer I could see the reason for their inaction for doing its best to imitate a Brown Argus was a brown female Common Blue. She seemed to weighing up her options whilst the males tried to get enough early morning sun to settles the matter for her. Close to this trio a Small Copper was also bimbling about on the slopes and a Wall flew in, made a fuss and then flew off again before I could get a photo. Sufficiently rested up we all set off again up the steep tracks and then the long, gentle decline down into Abereron on the paths clinging to the cliff side in places. The knee high hedges of bramble and bracken were crawling with Hedgies although almost all would fly off the minute I set eyes on them. I didn’t mind as all the ones I saw seemed to be ‘normal’ in terms of spotting r at least not noticeably different. One Hedgie did sit still about half way along and I was glad that it did as it was an uneven ab.excessa (one spot on one fore wing and two on the other). As we reached the end of the path one or two more Hedgies played fair and there were also a few whites around. The track cut across a flat grass covered field at the foot of the Council Offices and then wound its way up through the edge of the housing of Aberaeron. Things became much quieter as we entered the conurbation (LOL) but there was a Small Tort in one of the gardens as we strolled up the street. We then crossed the road and set off uphill again along the path which would take us at a slightly gentler slope to intersect with Ruw Goch. The first part was overhung by mature trees and I watched a Large White and a Green-veined White flutter about but only the Specklies sat still for my camera and then only the most tired looking one at that. Slightly further on and the track widened out with the usual Welsh hedges on either side – banked up to about knee height with the vegetation growing out of the top to just above head height. As it opened up the butterflies became more frequent but also harder to photograph as they could fly ahead and try and cut though any gaps or gateways. This behaviour always seems odd to me because all they would have to do it actually juts fly up and over the hedge? On the way a Peacock kept us company whilst along with a Red Admiral, another Specklie and 5 Small and 4 Green-veined Whites. There was also a passed on Shrew just lying in the middle of the path – the dropped lunch of a passing Kestrel? The track eventually merged with the footpath along Ruw Goch and I was back on familiar territory. So much so that I was able to make rough predictions of what we’d see. Sure enough the first little section produced a male Common Blue and the Buddleia near the post box had a Small Tort and 2 Red Admirals. After a final push we made it back home…so much for a quick walk, more like a mini expedition!
Out after Breakfast
Down to the Cove and then back
What a massive walk!
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Day 4 03-08-2022 Part 2

We needed some extra bits to make tea…In times past this would mean jumping in the car and driving down Ruw Goch and into Aberearon. Then there would come all the fun of parking before paying slightly elevated prices in the ironically named ‘Costcutter’ before having to coax the car back up either Ruw Goch again or the almost as steep coastal road. So all in all a massive faff! Now however Ffos-y-ffin has a Nisa. So it’s a two minute drive there and back job done. Even better there’s a scraggly old bit of waste ground behind the car park behind the shop. ‘Bit of old waste ground’ in terms of butterflies generally equates into ‘cracking habitat’ so I volunteered to head to the shops warning that in all likelihood I would be quite a bit longer than the expected 5 minutes round trip.

Once I’d parked up and dutifully picked up the bits that we’d needed Is towed them in the boot, swapping the shopping bag for my camera. I closed the boot and then turned and admired the undulating mess before me. It looked fantastic but I reckoned the best bet would be to get to the clumps of yellow flowers or the thistle beds which stood out like little colourful islands in a sea of grass and so I waded in…At the first patch, one of the smallest a Painted Lady immediately caught my eye and once I’d got a quick record shot I scanned across the tops of the flowers – a male Common Blue and a Hedgie stood out against the glaring background. At the second clump there was the same Painted Lady but a different Common Blue and 2 Small Torts. By the time I’d reached the third clump, the largest and furthest in things really picked up. I scanned across the tops again but this time there was a Small Copper, 8 male Common Blues, three Small Whites and Hedgies galore in amongst them. The Hedgies seemed to prefer the far side where the clump succeeded through a smattering of thin wispy trees into the tall and menacing hedge. They’d drift down from a perch and settle in a flurry of brown and orange as they’d displace another Hedgie that was already settled. Occasionally they’d come a little closer, move into the middle of the clump and so I’ get eyes/lens on them. As I made to leave to visit the creeping thistles at the other side of the field a female Common Blue showed up looking to all intents and purposes like a Brown Argus – she acted like on too, all belligerent and up in the grill of anything that got near her. I worked my way along the Hedge with all of its Hedgies and picked my way into and through the mass of thistles of various species on the other side of the field. Once again I took to scanning across the tops – this time looking for anything that wasn’t a purple or bluey green colour. I counted 1 through to 7 male Common blues, a female sat more discretely lower down trying to keep a low profile. A Small Copper turned up looking fabulous while a few Small Torts buzzed about. These were actually harder to photograph than usual as the open nature of the field plus its aspect at the top of the hill meant that even the slightest breeze sent the thistles swinging backward and forward and the butterfly perched precariously on top would rock all over the place. Time had run away with me and conscious that I’d allowed myself 30 minutes I somehow pulled myself away and returned to the first clump. The Common Blue and Painted Lady were still present and now they had been joined by a brace of Small Torts. After a few more shots I wished them well and made my way back home. And that’s where the story should have ended. However after being trapped inside all day the day before we took my mother Outlaw out for a ‘roll’ (she’s in a wheelchair so it’s not a walk anymore). We rolled down the newly laid path with its smooth tarmac and the Buddleia on the corner held 2 Small Torts and a Red Admiral and slightly further along a Common Blue did a fly-by leaving me wondering if it was the same one that had greeted us as we’d left the track earlier that day? When I got back as I still had my camera around my neck and shoes on my feet I checked out the Verbena at the side of the house. There were the standard Small Torts and a Red Admiral but also a Common Blue and most surprisingly a DGF! It must have come from one of the neighbouring fields and was now busy feasting greedily. What a busy day
Here, there and everywhere
Butterflies galore

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wales 04-08-2023 Final Day

I didn’t get out until the afternoon for a final fling up the Lane. I primarily went to do a final count of the Hedgies but as I surveyed the ancient hedge it like everything else was popping up to wish me a good bye. The various species were interspersed with counts of one of my favourite butterflies but the sightings of the Hedgies started to merge into one big mess of orange and brown and so in an effort to not fill my memory card entirely with Hedgies I tried only for shots of the individuals that looked a little different from the norm.

The first little stretch up to the corner was reasonably quiet apart from the many bickering Hedgies but a female Common Blue took off from the road surface where I think it might have been siphoning up minerals and flew directly up and over the top of the hedge. It dropped promptly and I could just about make it out as it perched in the middle of the top of the hedge. I wrapped my camera strap round my wrist a few times and set it up ready for one handed shots. With my free hand I gripped onto the top bit of the bank under the hedge and swung myself up in a fashion not too dissimilar to that of a basketball player slum dunking only instead of the dropping a ball through a hoop I locked my legs and peered through the viewfinder and started clicking almost as soon as I came to a stop. Gravity soon worked out that I’d payed a trick on it and I pushed off and out dropping neatly onto the road. The butterfly had stayed still throughout this and a quick check of my shots showed one or two passable ones! Chuffed with my acrobatic endeavour I pressed on and luckily for my knees and hips the other butterflies were much better behaved when it came to choosing places to perch. The next up to wish me adieu was a Meadow Brown and a Green-veined White sandwiched in between three Small Whites, although the greeny didn’t pose, possibly it was a bit put out by the attention I’d paid to the Smalls? By this stage I’d rounded the corner, gone past the collection of houses and on either side of the hedge the fields swept away and the rad itself took on a much gentler gradient. This is usually the prime area for activity. Once again this stretch maintained its reputation and I racked up the Hedgies. There was only the single ab.excessa and this one was only just as it had one small, brown blob on each forewing. The variation on the hind wings more than made up for the poor showing from that on the fore wings and I soon found some good examples of ab.postexcessa. Probably the most interesting find here was a female that much reduced orange blocks on the hind wing upper and instead of the little eyes she had a single white dot on each hind wing. Her variation added a little variety to the proceedings which was welcome in some respects as the Hedgies were coming thick and fast; in fact it felt like all I was doing was noting down Hedgie sightings in my notebook! I was just congratulating myself on finding something a little different when and getting back into the routine of spotting ab.postexcessa when another female caught my eye. This one was a ‘blind’ postexcessa with only the large of the three ‘eyes’ having pupils, the others formed clearly defined brown dots that stood out against the orange hind wing panel. She was even more of a looker. I hadn’t noticed in my Hedgie revelry that Id passed the turn off to the farm and this was when the Lane became steepest. Girding my loins I started up the hill towards the Telecom tower, my turn around point, and I was spurred in by a lovely Small Copper. Trying to keep up with it so as to get within range with my lens as it frenetically flitted onwards meant that I covered almost all of the ground to the top of the hill. As my brain finally listened to my overworked lungs and I tried to catch my breath the Copper chose this exact moment to sit perfectly perched supping nectar from a Bramble flower. I held my breath to avoid camera wobble and stepped in quickly towards the hedge. A couple of clicks later I was back on the tarmac and I was on the move again as the Turning Point was within reach. A Meadow Brown fluttered past me looking as if it was going to fall from the sky at any moment and then a Large White honed past at breakneck speed. As I reached the Turning Point I added one final Hedgie to the tally bringing my total to 57. None too shabby that and I reckon there were easily twice this number as I was only counting two out of four sides of the hedges. The walk was a much more sedate affair as gravity was on my side and I was able to just mooch along. A Red Admiral drifted down from where I still don’t know and started enjoying a little tipple of Blackberry Liquor oblivious to my lens stuffed in its face. A Painted Lady dropped by a little later as I drifted home happily and I even managed to catch up with the only ab.excessa from earlier. All in all a nice way to end the visit. Last trip up the Lane
Final flourish of Hedgies
Makes a nice send off

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Family Trip to Glyn-Ceiriog, Llangollen August 2022

Day 1 – Getting there…20-08-2022

The drive up wasn’t too bad overall. The first leg from Salisbury up through Marlborough to Worcester was relatively smooth sailing. The worst bit came after when all I could see was concrete bridges, concrete walls, concrete buildings and rows and rows of cars. Shuddering inwardly we got off the Motorway and made for Wrexham so stock up on victuals. As the roads changed from smoky, asphalt chock-a-bloc with cars to smooth, relatively quiet and lined with verdant verges and central reservations bedecked in wildflowers I hoped to spy an errant butterfly as we ate the miles. But there was nothing. After Wrexham we made for our accommodation and the scenery became even more picturesque, the road following the curves of a fast flowing and exuberant river at the foot of steep slopes with trees clinging on for dear life above. Yet still not a single butterfly showed itself even when we started up the dangerously narrow and steep road/track to the converted barn we’d be staying at. Finally we reached the top of the hill and as we pulled up a Red Admiral flew across from one side of the Barn to the other and a Holly Blue nipped over the hedge as I manhandled luggage from the car on the first of many trips.

We unpacked, had something to eat and then went out to explore the vicinity. After thrashing the girls at Table Football/Babyfoot I left hem trying to work out how to play Pool in the games shed and took a stroll round the garden. I followed the track to the top part where there were several paths running across the site to little alcoves which were presumably used for caravans or tents during the height of summer. These paths between the saplings curved round to the other side of the side when they opened out onto a flat, rectangular field. It was like an enlarged terrace cut into the side of the hill. I could take or leave the field but of much more interest was the unmown bank that ran its length. The long grasses and wild flowers poking out amongst them looked like prime habitat for Blues and sure enough there was a male sitting out the slight chill of the evening as the cloud covered the setting sun. I managed to approach it from both sides and the difference this made was quite surprising; from a limpid blue background, slightly round it became much greener and finally when all the way round it changed again to a pinky-peach backdrop. Lush! I headed back in for a G&T and to plan the next day’s excursions…
Arrive in North Wales
Along with the setting sun
Come the roosting Blues.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Day 2; Chirk Castle and home 21-08-2022

When we woke up it was surprisingly cool and the cloud had built up with the threat of rain so we decided to visit Chirk Castle as the grounds and obviously the castle itself would offer some shelter. The drive up was impressive if slightly spilt by the girls humming the Downton Abbey theme tune as we wound our way across the parkland that ran from the foot of the castle seated at the top of the hill. As we were making out way in a White fluttered by despite the grey skies overhead and then once in we had lunch before we wandered up the final bit of the slope before entering the castle proper.

When we came out some time later the sky had cleared and so we had a very quick look around the grounds. I’d gotten just round the first corner when I spotted a Painted Lady fluttering about on what I think is Boules Mauve? It seemed quite content to feed as I clicked away and only moved off once I’d backed all the way off to the path. Despite some more searching there weren’t any further butterflies braving the cool and the family wanted to get ‘home’ so off we went. Once back we unpacked everything and will I washing out flasks and water canisters I watched through the kitchen window as a Red Admiral as it flew past up the hill. I took this as a good omen and so after a brew and a bit of a sit down I grabbed my camera and made my way out. I stopped off in the Games Room/shed to play a little pool and Babyfoot before making my way, victoriously, up to the bank of the little field. As I worked along its length a Small Copper went up, flew for a few seconds before realising that it was perhaps a little too cool and dropped back down. I stalked in and managed to get a few shots of it nestled in the grass. The sun came out for a little bit and off it went again, this time it set off across the short mossy turf of the field only to get caught out by the clouds which covered the sun forcing the temperature back down. I didn’t mind as this meant that after a little gentle stalking I was able to get some nice open wing shots. I retraced my footsteps and walked back along the bank towards the Games Barn (finally got the right name!) and a Common Blue showed itself from where it was clinging to the grass blades. As I clicked away I wondered if it was the same individual from the previous evening but the lighting wasn’t quite as good, much more insipid so after a short while I cracked on. As I walked through the gateway I happened to look to my left into the Goat/Pony Paddock. Standing out against the green and straw background there was a small flash of bright orange. As the Paddock was empty I pushed through the gate and carefully waded through the long grass towards the little glowing ember. As I got closer it took shape and resolved into a Small Copper. The markings on the wings and the odd little chunk missing from the margins showed it to be a different individual then earlier so I settled into a half crouch and clicked away. The occasional growl my stomach told me that it would soon be time for tea and so I backed up leaving the Small Copper perched, wings held wide apart soaking up the final rays of the day. As I strode back in I mused over how there had only been a small selection of butterflies but they’d all added some much needed colour to the overall grey day.
A cool grey steel day
With a scattering of jewels
Shining in the gloom
Have a goodun

Wurzel

April 2023

Hopefully things will start happening butterfly wise now!
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Day 3 Trip to Llangollen
The weather forecast showed that the blue skies that had greeted us when we awoke were due to be short lived and so I decided to make hay while the sun still shone and took a walk round the site first thing. The girls were already up and in the Games Barn playing Pool in their PJs and as I walked across the stony drive to greet them I spotted a fearless rodent. It sat still for a few shots and then scurried away and through a ridiculously small crack. As I looked up again I saw a few butterflies clinging to the spindly Buddleia on the corner of the drive and the Games Barn. I watched a Hedgie supping nectar in between a photographing one of a brace of Red Admirals. The Hedgie looked a little tried but the Admiral was wonderfully fresh with neither a mark nor nick anywhere to be seen. Something about it didn’t seem ‘normal’ and then I realised that the red epaulet was broken mid-way along its length; ab.fructa? I followed the drive way round to the left and through the wide gate onto the field. The small field on my right wasn’t worth a look as the goats were back and feeding so any butterflies would have been quickly disturbed so I carried on along the bank of the main field. It held the usual – a Small Copper and a Common Blue so I contented myself with getting some shots of the Fuzz before retracing my footsteps back to the Games Barn. From there I followed the other branch of the drive way up towards the main house and its burgeoning Buddleia bushes. They certainly lived up to their reputation and common name of ‘Butterfly Bush’ as the butterflies were almost dripping off them. Mind you the surrounding foliage was also not doing too badly for butterflies; perhaps they were giving the Buddleia a run for their money? Over the space of a few minutes I racked up a Specklie, 6 Red Admirals, 2 Peacocks and a Small Tort. After grabbing a few shots and promising myself that I’d be back I went in for my late breakfast and to find out what we’d be doing for the rest of the day. It was decided that we’d have a look around Llangollen which I didn’t mind as through the windows I could see down into the valley below and there was the forecast cloud creeping up choking out the sun as it went. While I was waiting for everyone to load up I took a final chance to grab some shots as a Meadow Brown and a Red Admiral were flapping about on the various bushes near the parked cars. After that the day remained butterfly free. The cloud rolled over the urban sprawl of Llangollen so we sought refuge in a local bar which had a cracking Vegan All-day Breakfast. The dull weather remained with us for the rest of the morning and on the way back we made the mistake of ‘going over the top’. It seemed simple enough and was a third of the distance plus Satnav was adamant that it was the best route to take but we thought it wasn’t, winding, narrow near vertical roads with other cars hooning down towards us; not the most pleasant of journeys! To calm us all down we took a more scenic drive in the afternoon to the Aqueduct. There was still a dearth of butterflies but we were able to walk across to England and back and there was a cracking comical sign at the entrance to the ridiculously long tunnel! Have a goodun

Wurzel

A bit of a break from usual 'running behind' posts. A few highlights from a very recent trip to Corfu...I'll let you have a go at working out what they are, it'll be something to do while the rain passes Have a goodun

Wurzel

Very nice Wurzel! Worthy highlights! And two of those would have been lifers for me …

Guy

An excellent haul from Corfu Wurzel, hope you all had a great time.
Looking forward to more. Nothing seen in Wilts over Easter.

Trevor.

That's a great set of Kerkyran Crackers, Wurzel! Looks like a good time of year to be out there - I thought it would be, and I am suffering a definite tinge of My favourites have to be that Orange Tip (whichever flavour one it is - Eastern??) and the Southern Festoon. Have another or three.

Looking forward to some more Grecian Gems...

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Guy You've got me trying to work out which two those are...the Eastern varieties?
Cheers Trevor It was great even if the weather was a bit hit and miss. I've actually written the posts - just need to sort through over 2000 photos now If there is such a thing as a pleasant chore then this is it
Cheers Dave Those were my main lifers - there may be a couple more (included the dreaded manni) in among the 2000+ shots that I took- so should be ready by Christmas...2025

Day 4 Erddig House 23-08-2022

And so dawned another day and with it some rising optimism that I’d get onto some good butterflies. We packed up and convoy set off for Erddig House near Wrexham...

After driving down a long tree lined driveway (again the girls were producing a resounding rendition of the Downton Abbey theme tune ) we entered a walled garden to park the car with no sign of the country house that we were expecting. After we loaded up we wandered in and then there was the home – unusually not visible from the road. It was still a cracking sight from the formal gardens and the pond and surrounding orchards looked like distinct butterfly possibilities. However the weather gods conspired against me and the cloud stubbornly refused to dissipate. A lovely looking moth caught my attention in the ‘Wild Play’ area and a couple of whites played very hard to get in the corner of the formal garden. Dad and I settled everyone at the picnic bench and made our way back to the cars to get the lunch things through a small shower. On our return the sun came out again and a Red Admiral went up from some fallen fruits along the side of the path. In its inebriated state it sat at just the right height and stared quizzically at me. I think it was trying to work out which way to fly off but was seeing double so I was blocking every available exit. After this we looked around the actual house and, interesting artefacts witnessed, headed home with a bit of a stop off at the Aquaduct. A brace of Specklies entertained me while the others walked across to England and a few whites showed off by racing up the steepest section of the steep hill. Once home we unpacked and fortified by a brief rest and a strong coffee I set out to investigate the local environs with the white Buddleia up at the main house the particular attraction. I’d only just stepped out of the front door and a Red Admiral appeared settling itself down on the smallest sprig of Buddleia in the whole of Wales! Up at the main event the Aristocrats were enjoying dinner and a show from a bit of a Floozy; I counted 3 Red Admirals, 2 Small Torts and a Peacock all feeding away whilst a Painted Lady flitted and flirted from floret to floret. At one point on of the Small Torts completed a lazy glide down onto the slate wall and shortly after it was shooed off and replaced by the Painted Lady who was obviously having a tea break from titillating the ‘noblemen’ above. Leaving her to have her respite I carried on up to the top field with a Specklie on the way and a pair of distant whites. On my return back down the hill I saw more of the same – the Peacock in particular proved problematic but as I’d already seen plenty I carried on regardless. Back at the house a dragonfly perched on the gate, the Red Admiral (or another – it was hard to keep track of them all!) flew by and an ab.excessa Hedgie stopped briefly for a few photos. Another easy going day by all accounts…
13 558
14 577
Off to Erddig
But all the Action’s at home
With a dancing Tart!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Wurzel. A nice selection of late summer butterflies there

Your moth is a Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis corylana)

Cheers,

Neil.

Cheers for the ID Neil I wondered if it was something like that as I've seen something similar before - Apple Tree Tortrix? I was happy with the butterflies from that family trip - only a couple more posts to go and then I'll be in 2023 - only four months late this year - that's not bad for me

Have a goodun

Wurzel

The day we caught the train…24-08-2022

I didn’t hold much hope for the butterflying today as the weather reports suggested intermittent showers and when I looked out of the window before breakfast I could see the cloud in the distance edging its way towards the foot of the valley and filling it up like the frothy topping of a cappuccino. Behind the cloud was darker and much more ominous looking but this was Wales after all and rain is always expected here!
To make the most of the remaining dry weather we decided to take a pre-brekkie walk to try and find the local water fall. From the end of the driveway we walked along a stone path through the old quarry. One waterfall crashed down on our right but when we managed to get close enough I could see that it was only a trickle, the noise echoing out and amplified by the hard outpost of rock it was striking and also by the bowl like nature of the splash pool. The second sounded much more impressive only we couldn’t see it through the screen of trees. After this disappointment we carried on walking up hill and the trees receded and leaning on a handy gatepost I stared back down the valley. The view would have been impressive if not for that blanket of cloud which had now choked the valley floor. Luckily on the way back despite the murk a few butterflies flew. A brace of Specklies payed nice whilst a distant Small White didn’t – no doubt it was trying to pick its shelter before the rain came. Once back from this wander breakfast would have been richly deserved but I decided to forestall and have a quick check of the small field and its banks. As I walked the length a Common Blue flew up close by and at first I thought that it was one that I’d already seen. However when I got closer I could see that the orange lunules were completely missing and the ground colour was a washed out grey. T gave the butterfly a much more exotic look, almost like a foreign species had been introduced/released here in the wilds of North Wales! It was (and probably will remain) the most extreme form of the ab.flava that I’ve observed. With both breakfast and lunch consumed we decided to drive back to Llangollen and take the train to Carrog but first the girls wanted to play a few frames of Pool so while the giggling and the cracking of the white ball against spots/stripes rang out from the Games Barn I had another quick wander along the Bank. The spindly Buddleia on the corner held a Meadow Brown and a Hedgie. The former took to the wing and landed on one of the storage boxes by the Games Barn and so after a couple of shots I resumed my wandering along the Banks. The usual Coppers and Blues were missing replaced by a Small Tort that looked a little lost away from the White Buddleia. The Meadow Brown was still sitting on the box when I returned to collect the girls before we set off to catch the train… The train ride itself was very scenic winding along the river course and perched on the steep side of the hill. When we reached our destination there was a 20 minute turn around and while I stretched my legs by walking up and down the platform I gazed across the neighbouring field. The far corner had been planted in what looked like some form of Kale and it was alive with butterflies. They were too distant to be anything other than ‘Whites’ but they still made for pleasant viewing as some would ‘pop’ up and drift up vertically whilst others would dither forward and backwards in random zig-zags. I made a single sweep with my eyes alone and notched up a grand total of 48 in one tiny field! This proved to be the end f the day butterfly wise although we actually finished the evening with some excellent scran in Wrexham and a bit more of ‘Get Back’ ensconced in the snug with a G&T.
Despite a pale Blue
And Whites all over the place
Still a quiet day
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Return to Chirk Castle 25-08-2022

It was our last full day and so we decided to revisit Chirk Castle and this time take in the grounds proper. When we arrived the sun was having a bit of a lie-in but all four weather Apps assured me that this would be temporary and by id-morning the sun would be out in full force. While we waited for the sun and for lunchtime to arrive we had a stroll around the kitchen gardens. Soon enough both did so and we were sitting comfortably at the picnic benches with our repast laid out before us. As I ate a Painted Lady did a fly-by as do a couple of Whites and a Small Copper sits amid some bright yellow-orange petals and nectars away. When I rejoin the others having returned all the picnic paraphernalia to the cars the Copper is still feeding away and so I grab a few shots while the others start the climb up to the Castle. I eventually catch-up with them only to fall behind slightly again to try and capture a few shots of the Green-veined and Small Whites that are zigging and zagging around the bramble bushes at the edge of the lawn. We then enter into the Castle grounds through the side gate and follow the paths along the side of the Castle. Once again the Boules Mauve is playing host to the butterflies included among them (and amongst assorted Whites) appropriately enough are a couple of Aristos; a Small Tort and a Painted Lady. The latter is a right beauty as it has small blue dots inside the marginal spots on the hindwing. I’ve seen this variation before but not in such a spectacular setting nor so close up. We carry on strolling along the paths and down the length of the formal garden to the wall past the Hawk House where both a Peacock and a busy Small Tort are seen and on down to the vista wall/Ha Ha which runs along the bottom of the lawn at right angles to the lawn itself. While the others wander ahead I find myself wandering backwards and forwards along the edge of the Ha Ha as a Painted Lady was bothering a Wall Brown. Eventaully I can catch the others up as I managed to get shots of both species. Whilst the Painted Lady was very impressive looking I was actually more pleased about the Wall for two reasons; first a hunch had paid off and second it was a nice addition to the trip list. I walked on along the top of the Ha Ha round to where the girls were having a sit down on one of the benches that had been thoughtfully placed so as to take in one of the impressive views. What I found more impressive was the discovery of a second Wall. This one liked to live up to its name, perching/clinging to the vertical face of the wall of the Ha Ha so the only way to get any shots was to lean over and hope that the camera didn’t slip through my fingers. We then retraced our footsteps and walked back past the Painted Lady and the original Wall and when we reached the main stretch of Law we kept walking a little way and this time come up the lawn about half way along its length on the opposite side so that we could take in the pond. Dragonflies quartered the surface and a Red Admiral tried to stay out of the way using the reeds for cover. Back up at the Boules Mauve the Painted Lady was still hanging around but now there were also 3 whites busying themselves around and about. I was starting to feel a little parched by now what with the August sun finally getting into its stride and luckily my folks suggested a cuppa from the courtyard café. While I sipped a Small Tortoiseshell drifted down the battlements and plopped to a stop in one of the only planters in the whole courtyard. This felt like a fitting end to the visit and so on the return I changed mode to ‘holiday dad’ rather than butterfly photographer. Once back home I spent a bit of time getting my things together ready for the off on the morrow and with this painful task completed I then took a quick walk up and along the fields. I headed up to the White Buddleia first and there was a Red Admiral and Small Tort which were joined by a Small White in their feasting. Up on the field itself a Meadow Brown cut a dash and the bank held both a Small Copper and a female Common Blue. She is one of the very blue variety and so there was nothing common about her really and she also has a nice line in spotting on the fore wing. And so ended a very restful and peaceful family trip! Chirk Castle again
Last day yet a first sighting
With Walls on a wall

Have a goodun

Wurzel