September sightings

[David M]

That Small White looks in pretty healthy condition.

[millerd]

Yes - another look makes me think it was fresher than I originally thought. The poor Small Heath could hardlt fly though.

Dave

[NickB]

"......The poor Small Heath could hardly fly though.
Dave"

..the last 2 Small Heath's I saw on Saturday were both pretty knackered.
...as was the Small Copper I saw today.
N

[Piers]

I'm still seeing good numbers of Small Copper in excellent condition. Six in the garden here in South Wilts this afternoon, along with a nice number of fresh Red Admiral (and one Comma) feasting on the over ripe Victorias.

I also discovered a few Red Admiral pupae in the shaded patch of nettles by the side of the garage, so there's still a few more to emerge in this part of the country.

Felix.

[NickB]

My first RA for ages today - a rather battered affair, but a welcome sight
N

[Jack Harrison]

One of my buddleias still has several flowers. Three fresh Red Admirals.

Jack (South Cambridgeshire)

[Michaeljf]

I'm still seeing good numbers of Small Copper in excellent condition.

Yes, me too. I saw another lovely fresh individual on the walk home this afternoon, to go with several I saw locally on Saturday. They seem to be doing nicely here for this brood, whereas on some years you'd be lucky to see them. Mind you, they rarely come to nectar in the garden so it's luck if you go out and happen to see them, they're not demonstrative. I've seen plenty of small Frogs in the last couple of days too (not joking) but it has been the perfect weather for them...
Michael

[NickB]

I've seen plenty of small Frogs in the last couple of days too ...Michael

"The French are coming, the French are coming!" .... they tried Wales before, I believe....

[Gruditch]

I think there were some Welsh archers at Agincourt.



Oops, I mentioned Agincourt, but I think I got away with it.

Regards Gruditch

[NickB]

I think there were some Welsh archers at Agincourt.
Regards Gruditch

It was I believe a small French naval force that landed to support some uprising or other in the 18th century, when we were constantly at war with France. As I remember it, they sailed up, got drunk, their "support" evaporated and they either escaped or were captured and that was that. (I may have over-simplified that.... )
N
Found a link - Fishguard!
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wa ... hguard.htm

Edit - See also thread "Depression" re: Wales
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4624&p=37455#p37455

[Michaeljf]

"The French are coming, the French are coming!" .... they tried Wales before, I believe....

Reading the Fishguard link, it sounds like Jemima the great may have been related to the lady that's running the Crickhowell Campsite

[NickB]

Back in the world of butterflies - in the sunshine and light winds at lunchtime saw a fresh Comma, 2 Large Whites (first for a while) and a Speckled Wood...

[Ian Pratt]

Two classic autumn butterflies seen today.

[Piers]

Among the growing number of the Autumn Commas in the garden today was a nice fresh female f. hutchinsoni...

Felix.

[Bill S]

Popped to Stockbridge Down after work today in the hope of seeing a fresh Small Copper but only managed to find this Small Heath. Still looked nice in the late afternoon sun.

Bill

[Piers]

Hi Bill,

Try first thing in the morning; I was there first thing (around 08:00) on the 17th and counted up to thirty fairly fresh individuals sunning themselves on patches of bare soil.

Felix.

[Lee Hurrell]

Brompton Ralph, Somerset this afternoon:

3 Red Admirals (first Vanessids for weeks now)
2 Small Coppers
7 Speckled Wood

Cheers

Lee

[ChrisC]

as well as Red Admiral, Speckled wood and whites i was chuffed to see 3 (or more probably same individual) Brimstone in the garden today.
And in the space of about 5 minutes approx 300 swallows/martins flying North East which i thought rather strange.
Chris

[Bill S]

Hi Bill,

Try first thing in the morning; I was there first thing (around 08:00) on the 17th and counted up to thirty fairly fresh individuals sunning themselves on patches of bare soil.

Felix.

Thanks Felix, did you use the car park in the dip at the bottom, on the left as you head away from Stockbridge?

Bill

[millerd]

What a difference a bit of sun makes. An afternoon walk by the River Colne today threw up a dozen Speckled Woods, seven Red Admirals and four Commas along the more wooded bits, and at least fifteen Small Heaths on the grassland, some of which were fairly new. There were also several Whites, almost all small, but one male Large White was the sole butterfly in residence on a riverside buddleia.

It was interesting to see how well the first Small Heath below matched the dead flowers in which it had chosen to sit.

Dave