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The Orange County

Well ... not quite, but West Sussex is getting more Orange by the day. I didn't have time to do a count, but a flying visit to the lanes around Five Oaks gave me the first opportunity to photograph male Orange Tips this year. Getting close to these butterflies while they are open wide to the sun is always a joy!

Beautiful images Neil of what must be one of my favourite butterflies.
Honesty just blooming in my garden so perhaps I will get to see an Orange Tip soon!

Yes, they are delicate and strikingly beautiful. What's more, because their appearance coincides with early spring, they take on an additional symbolic importance.

First Dingy And Greenstreak

I made an early start at Mill Hill this morning (6th April) and the butterflies were only just beginning to stir as I made my first pass along the lower slope. However, at the very far end of the site I found my target for the day - a freshly emerged Dingy Skipper. About 30 minutes later I notched up another Sussex first for the year as a Green Hairstreak came speeding past me. Historical data for the county show the emergence dates for these two species to be remarkably well co-ordinated in recent years. There were plenty of Grizzled Skippers on the wing but I didn't have time for a count before moving on to another venue. Other species seen included Green-veined White, Comma, Peacock and Speckled Wood.
By early afternoon Hannah, Mia and I were wandering along the quiet lanes near Five Oaks, having arranged to meet my parents and my brother and his family on holiday from Antwerp. I played the perfect host , went off piste and disappeared for quite a while, having squeezed through a hedge in pursuit of an Orange Tip. As I followed it into a wooded valley I stumbled upon a real Aladdin's Cave of butterflies. The sloping banks of a small but beautiful stream were bathed in dappled, warm sunshine and strewn with colourful spring flowers, including wood anenome, bluebell and cuckoo flower. It was one of those places where time seems to stand still and the area is so sparsely populated or visited that I doubt anyone has been there for years. In one small area 8 male and 1 female Orange Tip, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood and a Comma sunbathed, topped up on nectar and finally, reluctantly, the 'whites' closed their wings for another day. Photographing them under these conditions was not only easier than usual, it was also more pleasurable. It's a magical place and I'll be returning soon.

Gorgeous photos Neil I still can't find Grizzlies let alone Dingy Skipper despite trying today

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Neil

I would have written privately but doubtless others will also be interested.

I hope to visit Rewell Wood for the PB Frits. However, to get a cheap deal (non refundable) at the nearby Travelodge, I need to book 21 days in advance. Short-notice bookings are much more pricey.

So knowing of your expertise, when would you suggest the best time to visit? Very end of April/early May is normally ideal. My thoughts are that they would be a little later this year – say from 5th May – but you will have a far better idea. So what is your best guess for this season? I won’t of course hold you to account for getting it wrong, but on past form you are likely to be very close indeed.

Jack

Hi Jack,

As you know, to make the trip worthwhile you need a reasonabale number of PBF to be on the wing, so I'll just talk about the ideal timing of a visit, rather than the significantly earlier first appearance date. Killing two birds with one stone, bearing in mind that other readers may wish to participate, here are the details of two trips I'll be leading this spring.

The Pearls of Rewell Wood (Part 1)
Sunday 29th April 2012
2.00pm
Rewell Wood
SU983076
Notes: Open to all. Those wishing to photograph the butterflies will get the opportunity to linger until they settle down in the early evening. At all other times access to Rewell Wood is restricted to the public rights of way, so please use this opportunity if wishing to visit some restricted areas.
Terrain: Flat and easy going.
Distance: 2Km (1.25 miles).
Target species: Pearl-bordered Fritillary and other spring species.
Leader: Neil Hulme
Tel: 07778 306816
Email: nh@nhulme.eclipse.co.uk
Meeting/parking place: Park around the woodman’s saw mill having taken the concealed, minor turning off the A27 while travelling east between Fontwell and Arundel, and then driven up the track through the open metal gate. The turning off the A27 is difficult, so use the overhead cable crossing the carriageway as a guide to its location when approaching. Please exercise extreme care when leaving and joining the A27.
Dogs – No
Children – yes, accompanied by adult

The Pearls of Rewell Wood (Part 2)
Saturday 5th May 2012
2.00pm
Rewell Wood
SU983076
Notes: Open to all. Those wishing to photograph the butterflies will get the opportunity to linger until they settle down in the early evening. At all other times access to Rewell Wood is restricted to the public rights of way, so please use this opportunity if wishing to visit some restricted areas.
Terrain: Flat and easy going.
Distance: 2Km (1.25 miles).
Target species: Pearl-bordered Fritillary and other spring species.
Leaders: Dr Dan Hoare and Neil Hulme
Tel: 07778 306816
Email: nh@nhulme.eclipse.co.uk
Meeting/parking place: Park around the woodman’s saw mill having taken the concealed, minor turning off the A27 while travelling east between Fontwell and Arundel, and then driven up the track through the open metal gate. The turning off the A27 is difficult, so use the overhead cable crossing the carriageway as a guide to its location when approaching. Please exercise extreme care when leaving and joining the A27.
Dogs – No
Children – yes, accompanied by adult

Of course setting the date of field trips each year is fraught with difficulty, bearing in mind the degree to which the phenology of particularly the spring species can vary. But I reckon (hope) that those dates are just about perfect for 2012. At the moment I suspect the first weekend would be the best for mint-fresh specimens.

For the benefit of those not in the know, Rewell Wood is NOT an open access area (and nor was it when it was on lease to the FC from the Norfolk Estate), so at other times please keep to rights of way and do not obstruct entrances which may be in use by large forestry vehicles. The organised visits (which allow for relaxed wandering around restricted areas) should be seen as an ideal time to visit, courtesy of the Norfolk Estate.

Those that annually meet me for individual visits are welcome to contact me as usual, so that I can make arrangements with the Estate Office.

Neil

Thanks Neil for the info and invite. I might or might not make it now as the normal cheap hotel deals don't seem to be available.

Jack

Green-veined Whites

It might not be so immediately glamorous as the Orange Tip, but one of my favourite spring species is the Green-veined White. I always feel slightly sorry for the GVW as it undoubtedly gets tarred with the same brush as its Small and Large relatives and, although entirely innocent, is much despised by many vegetable gardeners. However, in habits and behaviour it is much more similar to the Orange Tip, with which it often hangs out.

Yesterday afternoon I spent a couple of hours in woods on the Angmering Park Estate between Worthing and Arundel. This is one of the most reliable spots I know for both Orange Tip and GVW, with 7 and 6 of each being easily located along a short section of track. I was just wondering whether a female GVW I was watching was still virgin (she appeared to be very freshly emerged and still unsteady on the wing), when a male barged in and just got on with the job; courtship it wasn't.

The only other species seen was a stunning, female Holly Blue. She posed with wings flat open but, mesmerised by her beauty, I failed to even point the camera at her before she disappeared into the canopy.

More Of The Same

I can't get enough of 'em, and before we know it that magical period of early spring will be over again, so it was back out watching Orange Tips this afternoon (13th April). In Angmering Park Woods the 5 male butterflies that were patrolling a short section of track soon started showing the characteristic signs of getting ready for bed. It pays to keep a close eye on as many individuals as possible, as very often the decision to land and close-up tight can be rapid.

Hi Neil,

Great photos as always and an inspiration to me as another Lumix user.

I have been out looking for Orange Tips myself this afternoon and am happy to say I saw a few, my first this year.

All the best,

Neil F.

..."before we know it that magical period of early spring will be over again" true, and I'll miss the Orange-tips when they're gone, so I agree lets make the most of them while they last!
On the plus side when early spring is over there will be fritillaries and blues, and Grayling and golden skippers etc etc...So I'll be moving onto my next favourite butterfly

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Neil F

....an inspiration to me as another Lumix user...

They really are great cameras as Neil so consistently demonstrates. The only problem I have had with my FZ38 is the fixed screen, a limitation for me with my difficulty bending down or otherwise getting low to the subject.. Many wouldn't find that a limitation but I much prefer a flexi-angle screen. So I have just placed an order for a Lumix FZ150 with its free-angle screen. I don't anticipate better quality photos but will be able to take them more easily. (Incidentally, my FZ38 has a possible worthy new home lined up for it.)

Jack

The Appliance Of Science

Butterfly photography is made considerably easier by really knowing your quarry, which itself increases the chances of being in the right place at the right time. Yesterday (14th April) I looked out of my study window and, with the eye of faith, convinced myself that there were thinner patches in the cloud on the horizon. When I stepped outside and felt a cool breeze I nearly shelved any thoughts of venturing out. However, I'm glad that I checked the online weather station at Shoreham Beach, which showed a temperature of 10.8 deg and rising, and a NE wind direction. These conditions leave the lower slopes of Mill Hill sheltered and free from any wind-chill factor. The Grizzled Skipper flies at c. 11 deg. It had to be worth giving it a go.

As I walked along the crest of the slope I thought I was probably wasting my time, but sure enough, as I descended the famous bank, conditions became more promising. I soon encountered a freshly emerged Dingy Skipper and eventually located about half a dozen Grizzled. Sure enough, they were all struggling with difficult operational decisions; whether to attempt flight or be pushed back into the hangar for another day. As photographic subjects they were 'sitting ducks', and much easier than had the day been warm and sunny.

So here in Norfolk with just 4 degrees and a 15 to 20 knot wind this Sunday morning I guess that I might be that I might be wasting my time?

Seriously though, some data as to minimum temperatures, etc, for flight activity would be worth gathering. Red Admiral seems to most cold tolerant being active down to absurdly low temperatures such as a mere 2 degrees. Peacocks seem to need 10 C. Spring species such as Orange Tip, and as you have observed, Grizzled Skipper seem to require about 11C but significantly more if there's not strong. sunshine

Jack

Hi Neil,

Great work ... enough said!

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Mark. Your local woodland Grizzlies must be out soon now.
Best Wishes, Neil

Cool PBFs

It was just a tad warmer today (17th April), but more cool weather ensured there were still very few butterflies on the wing in Rewell Wood. Solitary Brimstone and Green-veined White were only just outnumbered by Pearl-bordered Fritillary and I suspect it will be at least another week or so before the main course is served.

That's a stunning photo!

Yes,a great shot of a exquisite butterfly.