www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I went back to Heyshott today following Neil's report of increasing numbers of Dukes. I was surprised to have the place to myself.There were indeed a lot more Dukes. I stayed for about 2 hours and found 15 Duke of Burgundys, 4 Brimstones, 1 Green-Veined White, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Grizzled Skipper,1 Orange-Tip 4 whites that weren't stopping for an ID and lost count of the Dingy Skippers. No sign of the PBF.

Wow. Lovely Duchess!
BWs, Neil

That is a cracking Duchess indeed Katrina

Have a goodun

Wurzel

At midday today I visited Mill Hill. The weather was cloudy and windy with occasional glimpses of sun. I was looking for the Walls, Small Heaths and Blues. I quickly spotted a Wall flying past which landed. When I tried to take a photo it flew off again and then started chasing a Small Heath! Sadly while trying to keep an eye on where both were landing I lost both for a while. I found the Wall twice more and on the first of these occasions it disturbed an Adonis Blue and the second a Green Hairstreak, again giving me choices about which to keep an eye on. So I saw my first Wall, Small Heath and Adonis Blue of the year. Final count was 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Wall, 1 Small Heath, 1 Brimstone,1 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Adonis Blues, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 3 Green Hairstreaks and about 10 Dingy Skippers. While leaving I came across a lifetime first slow-worm which was on the path. It was moving at all so I nudged it to make sure it was alive (it was). After never having seen any before I had to step over this one to get back to the car. I suppose that is part of the excitement of wildlife watching - you never know what you will come across.

This afternoon I went to Kithurst Hill. I saw 3 Dukes, 2 Dingy Skippers and a dragonfly. I was going to leave when I met Mark and Susie so decided to stay for a while. Another man kindly pointed out a roosting Brown Argus to us. I stopped at Mill Hill on the way back and found 2 Adonis Blues (I think - had to check in the book re ID with closed wings) and 5 Dingy Skippers.

Adonis! Oooh, lucky you! nice pics. Do you know what the dragonfly was? I saw it too but couldn't geta pic and it wasn't one I recognised I should go and look it up!).

Hi Katrina and Susie,
The dragonfly was almost certainly a Hairy Dragonfly, of which there are at least two males hawking over the site at present. More exciting species do occur here from time to time, including Clubtail and Scarce Chaser in recent years.
BWs, Neil

Was just about to post I didn't know what dragonfly but Neil has given us an answer. Did get a picture though.

cropped photo

Yep, that's the chap! Excellent. Well done Katrina and thank you Neil.

Thank you Susie for asking - I probably wouldn't have got round to looking it up and thanks Neil for supplying the ID!

Love the Dingy shot I like reading your posts as it alerts me to what to look out for in a week or two's time Katrina, for instance your Common Blue looks quite worn and 'aged' and I can't recall seeing any reports of them quite in Wiltshire

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I'll second that, the Dingy shot is great, It's also one BF I don't seem to be able to catch a good shot of Goldie

Thank you for the positive feedback. I liked it a lot but wondered how I didn't manage to get the very top of the plant in the photo.

I went for a walk round Pulborough Brooks today. I chose the wrong half of the day to go out as it seemed to brighten up just as I was leaving. I saw only one butterfly, a Green-Veined White. It was, however, a pleasure to focus on this butterfly that I often overlook if there are other species around.

Well worth it Katrina - cracking GVW photo!

Best wishes,

Lee

I went to Kithurst this morning and was joined by a friend. I saw 4 Duke of Burgundys, 2 Small Blues, one Orange Tip, one Green-Veined White, 2 Brimstones and several Dingy Skippers. We then went to Pulborough Brooks and saw one Speckled Wood, one Peacock and 3 Brimstones. The weather was so good I went back to Kithurst in the afternoon and saw one further Duke of Burgundy, 3 Small Blues, one Common Blue, one Red Admiral , one Green Hairstreak, one Grizzled Skipper, one Small Heath and several Dingy Skippers. Thanks to my friend for finding the last Duke - is it a Duchess? I couldn't believe my luck when one Small Blue decided to have a nap on a cowslip allowing plenty of time for photos.

Hi Katrina,

Katrina wrote:Thanks to my friend for finding the last Duke - is it a Duchess?

She sure is ...

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Mark

Cracking shots of the Small Blues Katrina, and that Green Hairstreak seems to be egg-laying