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Some recent family issues have had me and the kids confined somewhat to spending a lot of time indoors. Today I got the nod to take the kids out for a couple of hours and so chose to go Bookham Commons where I spent some considerable and succssful time last year looking for Brown Hairstreak. The morning had a good feel about it as I observed a Peacock and Comma on my Buddliea, only the second and third butterflies this year to visit my butterfly bush (the other was a Small White)

Bookham as expected, was much more overgrown in the herbaceous department, with the small 3-4ft blackthorn sprigs invisible under a blanket of overgrowth.

First interesting encounter was this Common Darter Dragonfly. In last years' 'hot-spot' the vegetation had been severely mown back much to my annoyance (bramble, mint and fleabane all good nectar sources, obliterated as part of some clearance operation . I consoled myself with the thought it might be a conseravtion measure to assist blackthorn growth to aid the Brown Hairstreak. Despite this there were plenty of Meadow, Browns; False Brostreaks and the Silver-washed Fritillary (most in the slightly-scuffed category). Other species seen were Brimstone; fresh Peacock; Large White Large Skipper and Purple Hairstreak (tree-top in the car park). Over 2 hours later and no Hairstreaks . I decided to call it a day and make my way back to the car (around 13:45, the kids wanted their lunch ) Despite missing on my target species I felt moderately contented . Suddenly Francesca pointed to a butterfly and said "is that one dad" .... and it was . The butterfly, was a male and took off but I managed to follow it and see it land on the ground . As I took my photos it looked to be mud-puddleing the way Purple Hairstreaks do on occasion. Despite this feeding activity the butterfly was quite twitchy and having decided I'd taken enough pictures, made it's way off into some nearby Sallows. Thoroughly chuffed with this outcome I decided to check a meadow area which last year was fruitful for Common Blue; Brown Argus and the occasional Brown Hairstreak . The kids by that time had had enough and sat under a tree in the shade while their mad father attempted to wade through neck-high vegetation, some of it decidedly spikey. Realising this was not a clever move I made my way back to the spot I'd seen the hairstreak for one last look, and low an behold, a female Purple Emperor in the Sallows . I called for the girls but they were too late to see it as it slowly made its way into the centre of the tree.
No photo of this but male Brown Hairstreak and Female Purple Emperor within 10 minutes of each other Brilliant or what

Due to insufficient time I didn't get around to doing a posting of Dawney's Graylings (again ) Here are some of the pictures taken:-

Typical I finally catch up with Silver Spotted Skipper today and then you go and get Brown Hairstreak Cracking shots Philzoid

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel Swings and roundabouts for missing out on the grounded Emperor

With another couple of warm days since my last Wall Brown count around my circuit at the back of Seaford I decided to try again to see if I could beat my highest ever count of 44 from 2010. By the time I had reached the end of the footpath called The Comp I had already seen 32. The bottom path towards High and Over has not been so productive for the last couple of years but this year has seen some recovery and the numbers kept climbing. Unfortunately the stiff breeze did keep many out of sight in the undergrowth and this was very evident at High and Over where less than expected were seen. However, a grand total of 66 shows that this is a particularly good year for the Wall Brown in this area. A poor picture is attached showing the differences between the male and female. The female at the bottom of the pic. is very fresh with the male at the top showing the sex brands on the forewing. The circuit is approx 3.5 miles in length.

Nice shot Bob! Reminds me of my childhood when Wall were abundant!

Cheers,

- Pete

This morning I went back to Lydden Nature Reserve to see if any Silver Spotted Skippers had appeared since my previous visit last Saturday ( it's one of the few members of the Skipper Tribe that I am able to identify with any degree of confidence..)

My luck was in and I quickly had one buzzing past my knee-caps at high speed In all I saw about eight of them.

Another new addition since last Saturday were Wall Browns Chalkhill Blues were in abundance No mystery why! I also saw Common and Holly Blues,Brown Argus,Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers,Large and Small Whites, Two Peacocks ( and four more when I got home ), a Red Admiral, a Brimstone and a Small Copper

Peacocks are out on Norfolk coast as well now. Saw 2/3 @ Titchwell, 6/7 Holme NOA & 2/3 in short period @ Holme NWT. Several walls seen as well & quite a few large white also this faded DGF @ Holme NWT (not yet common here). Eric

Today I had large whites, small whites, peacocks and a speckled wood in the garden. I also saw this lovely small copper at Prees Heath on Thursday.

Debbie

A mid afternoon trip to Butser Hill today provided my first ever sighting of Silver Spotted Skipper and also my first Small Coppers of the year also seen -
Common Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Meadow Brown (lots)
Gatekeeper
Green Veined White
Brimstone
Dark Green Fritillary (one very ragged)
Small Skipper
Small Heath

Glad to see you out and about again Debbie Lovely photo of the Small Copper.
All the best, Nick.

Went to Aston Rowant on Thursday. Silver-spotted Skippers seem to be having a poor year,Chalkhill Blues a good one. There are plenty of SS Skippers on site,but dozens rather than the hundreds which i normally expect here.Chalkhills were more abundant than i've seen here for many years. This is almost certainly because SSS prefer hot,dry conditions,and these have been hard to come by this year! After expanding in recent years,i wonder if they contract back to their origional short hot turf habitat during a run of poor years like this?
Peacocks,Brimstones,Common Blues,Small Coppers and Brown Argus were now out,even a Small Tort or two. Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers,Small and Essex and one Large Skipper,one DG Frit,Whites but only one Small Heath,they were abundant in the spring. Purple Hairstreak in the oaks.

Flocks of Peacocks!!!

At least 30+ fresh Peacocks on the Buddlijas in my garden over the weekend - many years since I can remember these numbers in the garden - only 1 Small Tortoiseshell however in comparision . A couple of weeks ago we noted large numbers of Peacock caterpillars in the local area, Stinging Nettle patches are patricularly lush this year - must be all that rain Interested to know if this is mirrored elsewhere around the country?

regards;

Nick

Conditions weren't ideal, but there were still a number of Lulworth Skippers on the wing along the coast path and in the gully at Durlston yesterday. While some are beginning to look a bit tatty there were plenty in good condition including the pristine male shown below - for anyone trying to track down this species Durlston seems to be a good 'late' site for them
I also caught up with my first Adonis Blue of the year (a very fresh, 2nd brood male), plus a few Small Blue, Wall and one Dark Green Fritillary.
Guy

A few more Peacock around here too at the moment; saw 2 yesterday morning.
Back to the CB today....more females emerging to accompany the thuggish males as they slug it out over their "patch".. and a nice little toadlet.... Edit:
My first 2nd brood Brown Argus ....

Was passing near Llynclys Common at lunchtime so decided to drop in despite it being overcast and a bit drizzly. Really glad I did

Silver-washed Fritillary - 3-4 - still in good condition feasting on knapweed
Peacock - 4-6 - in pristine condition
Meadow Brown - numerous
Gatekeeper - numerous

Also Common Darter 1 male 1 female

The Silver-washed were magnificent but also something a little sad in watching these beautiful creatures live out the remainder of their lives - their function in life having been fulfilled.

Nickkor wrote:Flocks of Peacocks!!!

At least 30+ fresh Peacocks on the Buddlijas in my garden over the weekend - many years since I can remember these numbers in the garden - only 1 Small Tortoiseshell however in comparision . A couple of weeks ago we noted large numbers of Peacock caterpillars in the local area, Stinging Nettle patches are patricularly lush this year - must be all that rain Interested to know if this is mirrored elsewhere around the country?

regards;

Nick

Lots out in the Limewoods yesterday
Only 2 small torts though
Hugh

Yesterday a family picnic at 100 Acre Wood in the Forest Of Bere, Hampshire allowed a quick tour of the wood. Lots of fresh Peacocks (more than I have ever seen in one sitting before ), a few fresh Speckled Wood, some very ragged Silver Washed Fritillaries, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, one Small Skipper, one Large Skipper, a few 'Whites' and lots of Dragonflies

My first Small Tortoiseshell for ages yesterday - flying around my washing in the garden....

This morning I had a couple of hours at Folkestone Warren. The first butterfly that I came across was a Marbled White enjoying a day at the beach There were many Gatekeepers And I was delighted to see so many Common Blues ( around 30, all males ): Dingy Skippers were back: Several Small Coppers: Small Heaths: And three Wall ( none of which I could get anywhere near enough to photograph! )

Seems like a bumper crop of Peacocks in my part of the world!