www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thank you Dave, Wurzel and Neil.

Nearly there Wurzel, but much more to come first!

Best wishes,

Lee

5th May 2014

I visited Hutchinson's Bank today as another Surrey reserve I had heard a lot about and as I was heading to Tunbridge Wells again for the evening. It's another chalk downland site with all that you would expect (and some things you wouldn't) but with much more scrub cover. It falls within Greater London, being near Croydon.
It was a little chilly at times and not that sunny but I still saw plenty. I was too early for any blues but this was made up for by this little chap, who landed in front of me and then posed nicely.
Can anyone say which snake this is? I presume it's either grass or smooth but I missed the head as it slinked into the grass. Around 60cm long.
I saw a couple of Grizzled Skippers but Dingy Skippers were more numerous. They are anything but dingy when fresh!
Sightings: 12 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Large White, 2 Green Hairstreak, 2 Grizzled Skipper and 10 Dingy Skipper.

Later, at my friend's house in Tunbridge Wells, he has been clearing out his garden and has befriended a pair of Robins that are nesting there.

I think I have an inkling of the things you wouldn't expect Great Greenstreak shot Lee and the Dingy is a cracker too

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel. I was particularly pleased with the Green Hairstreak and the first Dingy shot!

Best wishes,

Lee

6th May 2014

Being in Tunbridge Wells overnight meant I was halfway to Windover Hill and Abbots Wood...accompanied by my friend Michael, we set off south. The weather this time was much more like it and the first thing we saw in Abbots Wood was a glow worm larva.
We only saw one Pearl Bordered Fritillary in the end along with 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 2 male Orange Tip, 8 Green-veined White, 1 male and 1 female Brimstone and 1 Speckled Yellow moth.
After a while, we set off for Windover Hill. Checking the car park and the chalk pit opposite yielded 3 male and 1 female Orange Tip, 2 Green-veined White and 5 Dingy Skipper, including this well marked individual.
Setting off up the hill, it was so windy I didn't go to right to the summit this time but took a different route back down. 1 female Wall and 7 Dingy Skipper were seen.

This really is one of my favourite places.

Great Wall shots Lee I'll have to look more carefully as I've never seen a Glow worm larvae before.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel

Lovely Wall shots Lee, not the easiest to get, nice Shots of East Sussex too, also nice to see what a Glow worm larva looks like

Mike

Thanks Mike

I'm still surprised I got so close and that's twice for a Wall now...given I have to get right on top of anything to get a good shot with my phone.

That view alone is worth the drive, in my opinion - I love it.

Best wishes,

Lee

7th May 2014

A gloomy day but with some brightness, so I headed over to Warren Farm in Ewell to see if any more Small Coppers had emerged. They had.

I saw three, but these were my only sightings in the hour I was there. Still, what a sight they were.
Perhaps this male was freshly emerged, as he was flexing his, ahem, bits.

Beautiful fresh Small Coppers Lee I was looking back at your mystery snake and I reckon it could be a Slow Worm as they can grow to up to 50cm and have a more uniform beige appearance

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Lee,

I'll go along with Wurz on the 'snake' Super Small Copper images, they really are jewels when fresh.

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

Thank you Wurz and Bill!

16th May 2014 - Denbies Part One

After seeing reports from Susie that Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus and Small Heath were out and finishing early on a Friday, I had to visit after work, arriving at 18.00. I spent an hour and a half on site, walking parts that I hadn't on many previous visits; this really is a such a superb site.

There wasn't a great deal flying, most things seemed to have bedded down but eventually the flash of brilliant blue led me to a male Adonis Blue. I found several and spent some time just watching them. Common Blue were also about in good numbers along with Small Heath, which I couldn't get near to. They seem to have a sixth sense! A single Grizzled Skipper, a handful of Dingy Skipper and an odd looking Brown Argus rounded off a lovely evening.

With his forewings tucked away, the Brown Argus looked normal.
But when his wings popped up, it revealed a elongated spot, which made a square shape on the underside.
Both sides were the same.
However, apart from the view, which never fails to take my breath away, the star of the show tonight were Adonis Blues. There is just something about the light at sunset. Gets me every time.
Just part of that stunning view.
Sightings: 10 Adonis Blue, 12 Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 10 Small Heath, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 5 Dingy Skipper.

Lovely atmospheric shots Lee, gorgeous evening light and butterflies to match Great ab as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I agree wholeheartedly with Wurz on the sense of atmosphere, a quality that's often hard to convey...nice one Lee

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

So it's high time I caught up!

17th May 2014 - Part One

At this point, still using my phone.

Great Blue shots Lee, the SB is on my list for next year Goldie

Welcome back, Lee! Eighteen months to catch up - that even puts Wurzel in the shade...

Great Small Blues, too, and not far from me either. I must check them out some time.

Dave

millerd wrote:Welcome back, Lee! Eighteen months to catch up - that even puts Wurzel in the shade.

LOL!

Joking aside, it's really good to see you back on here, Lee, and I look forward to catching up on your sightings.