www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Glad the Hill paid off Trevor and an ab. to boot! I saw a similar one there a couple of years back so it could be genetic. I'll keep my eyes peeled tomorrow if my planned recce comes off!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

This afternoon and early evening I had my best ever session with the Wood White.
Doug and myself left home after lunch with the aim of getting to Chiddingfold forest
for some more relaxed Wood Whites, even the weather was just right, It was warm
with some cloud and milky sunshine.
On arrival we met Mark Colvin and his Son, who had see quite a few Wood Whites.
We were soon treated to some classic Wood White behaviour, with many ' head to head '
pairings, and even a three up on one occasion.
We estimated that about twenty to thirty were seen along the various rides.

Great Wood Whites Trevor - did you see any Bee Hawk Moths on your wanderings?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That's a real feast of Wood Whites, Trevor. It's great watching their curious head-to-head behaviour. I must find time for another trip down there before they disappear, though I have to say last year's second brood here was excellent so here's hoping for the same again.

Dave

This morning I set out to look for the Adonis Blue.
At home the conditions looked ideal, sun breaking through murky cloud, and not too warm.
Mill Hill near Shoreham seemed the best place to head for. But on arrival I was met by a
cool breeze and an evil looking sky. In the event only one Butterfly was seen, which happened
to be an Adonis Blue male. Further searching was curtailed by light rain, which by the time I
reached the car turned into a rain storm of monsoon intensity.
Anyway I did get what I went for !.

After a week of weather enforced idleness on the butterfly front, today I made an unplanned
visit to a Tropical Butterfly house.
I had promised two of my young grandchildren a trip to London, to visit the Science Museum.
Unfortunately the railway company ( Southern ) organised the chaos to perfection.
Needless to say our time in London was restricted to about three hours.
Walking past the Natural History Museum ( with queue's around the block ) I noticed that the
Tropical Butterfly house was less busy, so in we went.
Many of the species seen were new to me, so I am unable to name them, so please enjoy
the images ( taken on my ancient pocket camera ).
I like the one on Tom's head,' bang on trend' don't you think.

Trevor.

So far this season I've not had the opportunity to photograph the Small Blue.
Those that I have seen have been too quick for the camera, mainly owing to the wrong time of day.
However this morning I had to pass the turning for Kithurst Hill, so I thought I would try my luck.
My luck was in ! , and I was greeted by many Small Blues and as the time was a little after 09.00
I found them active, but not hyperactive, on a perfect Summer's morning.
The Small Blues outnumbered all other species by a considerable margin, including the Common Blue.
I also found a solitary, faded, Dingy Skipper.
It would seem that the Small Blue is another species that's having a good year.
Trevor.

Hi Trevor, that was a great looking Marsh Frit ab. you saw at the hill I never got there this year which is a shame as it's a brilliant site. Great Wood White behavioural shots, they're lovely little butterflies,will have to try to see some second brood as I've missed the first. Nice Small Blues too, they do seem to be having a good year, we saw plenty on the Isle of Wight.

Mike

Hi Trevor. Your exotica are: Emerald swallowtail (Papilio palinurus), from South-East Asia, common morpho (Morpho peleides), from Middle and South America, autumn leafwing (Doleschalia bisaltide), from South Asia and Australia, lime swallowtail (Papilio demoleus), also from Asia and Australia, and the common mormon (Papilio polytes), again from Asia.

None of them can hold a candle to a little blue, though, in my opinion!

Guy

Early this morning I witnessed the changeover from Spring to Summer species.
Within moments of arriving at Friston Gallops I spotted a very fresh Large Skipper,
and within a few minutes the first of two Grizzled Skippers, both in good condition.
I was very surprised to find these two species together in one day.
Common Blues were conspicuous by their absence, only about a dozen seen, and no Adonis at all.
However a blue badge Small Copper was a very welcome sight, and once again many Small Heaths
were present.

Trevor.

Lovely photos Trevor, I'm glad you found some Grizzled Skippers, I hope that means I may still find some next week when I'm down South. Goldie

Seldom do I go out to look for certain species, not see any, and come with two surprise finds.
This happened this morning, when a trip to look for species of Blue failed, but instead it was
several freshly emerged Cinnabar Moths and a very fresh and feisty male Wall Brown that greeted me.
Both worthy substitutes for the lack of Blues !.

Cracking Wall shots Trevor I've finally seen one but still no photos...yet

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Today was actually better than forecast, the high cloud allowing some weak sunshine through.
To make the most of this I headed to Birling Gap and Horseshoe Plantation, where the wild flowers
were magnificent. It was here that I found a pure white wild rose of a type I have never seen before.
It was a small plant with formidable thorns, and was alone in the acres of grassland.

On the Butterfly front, a few Common Blue males were seen ( they don't seem to be as common this year )
and in a favoured spot, about six Large Skippers were relaxing between chases.

On my way home this evening I called in at Kithurst meadow, in less than ideal conditions.
But as I was passing it was worth the risk. Only three Butterflies were found, but one female
Common Blue alone was worth the visit. For she was the bluest example I've ever found.
Unfortunately I only managed a poor open wing shot before the cloud sent her into roosting mode,
never to open up again.
Also seen, a very old, worn Small Blue.

Trevor.

Recent reports,and images of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, have reminded me that once
this species could be seen here in East Sussex, where they are now extinct.
Early one morning in June 2012 I called in at Park Corner Heath for a brief visit whilst on my way
to Horsted Keynes. I only stopped off because the weather that morning was perfect, the hope was
that the Small Pearls could be found warming up, and indeed they were doing just that.
From memory about eight were seen that morning.

I hope the following images will serve as a reminder to us all that no Butterfly colony can be taken for granted.

Hi Trevor,

Yes, sorry to hear of the demise of the Small Pearls in East Sussex. If memory serves me right, I saw quite a few, maybe a dozen, about 20 years ago at Park Corner Heath -certainly after it was designated a NR.

Nice shots of the blues by the way.

ATB

Peter

Hi Trevor, it's crazy that SPB Fritillaries were flying in Sussex as late as 2012 but are now lost, and that's in this enlightened age. If we want to see them, Bentley is the nearest site. However, reading between the lines they may also be struggling there! Nice shots from 2012 by the way.

Mike

Luck was on my side this morning when this Grayling landed on a branch
near to where I standing. A most fortunate find !.

That Grayling looks very bright and unusual Trevor, I don't know too much about these things so maybe other's will comment, great shot. Goldie