www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I'm beginning to feel exactly like that little Skipper James after another dreary day - thank you for your comment.

Glad you like the photos Goldie - I enjoy reading your diary too.

Just hope it's not going to be a repeat of 2012 David when I spent most of the Summer taking photos in cool, grey and wet weather. Where did the beautiful Spring weather go to?

The rumour is that the Small Blues are out at Paulsgrove but they certainly weren't one of just 4 species I saw there today. I managed to catch a few quick shots of this beautifully bright and vibrant Small Tortoiseshell, which in flight appeared quite red.

Given the lack of butterflies I turned my attention to the many newts in the pond. I was assured by a local that there are 3 species of newt here. I have never tried to take underwater shots before and probably won't again:
Some concern has been expressed about the Peregrines which apparently do not appear to have nested yet this year. Their perch at the very top of a pylon and even higher flight was beyond the limits of my camera as can be seen:
Edit: I have just looked at the close-up of the last photo. Are these actually Peregrines and is that a nest at the top of the pylon as there were some folk with cameras looking for the nesting site presumed to be at the top of the cliff which is in the opposite direction?

It certainly seems as if my cats are looking to pupate. They have left their little leaf cocoons and have headed South. Perhaps if I am lucky they will return to their food source for a while longer but they are quite large cats now.

Hi Pauline,

I was told by locals last year the peregribmes nest on the cliffs and the nest in the pylon is in fact a Raven's nest.

Not been there yet this year but will when the weather is favourable. I was thinking the small blues should be about pretty soon.

Hi Pauline,
I like your variety of pictures. They look a bit like Common (or Smooth) newts to me. If you see the larger (and generally scarcer) Great Crested Newt, it's definitely worth another picture although I think they prefer slightly deeper water. They can sometimes be spotted coming up for air if one doesn't want to put waders on!
I hope you don't mind me going off topic (butterflies),
best wishes,
Philip

Hi Pauline
Good shots of the newts - looks like one is a great crested.
The nest in the pylon was indeed one started by a pair of ravens last year but as it is in quite close proximity to the peregrine nesting site they drove them off!
Two species I never thought I would see nesting within a hundred miles of here in my youth
Not seen any small blues here yet and given the forecast for next week might be a while yet
Kind regards
Mark

Hi John, good to hear from you. I was told last week by 2 locals that they had seen a male Small Blue. Although their main interests were the birds they seemed to know about butterflies - the Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady influx etc so I hope you get lucky. Might even bump into you again

Thank you for the ID's Phil. I have been doing a bit of research myself and don't think the newts I saw were Greater Crested but the differences between the other 2 types seem quite subtle. I read something about the back feet/toes. I wonder if these shots will clinch it:
The fact that you know it is an old Raven nest explains things Mark as there were certainly no Ravens around during my visit but the SB is supposed to be out.

Anyway, back to the main subject. I always like to try to visit one new site each season and I wasn't going to let this miserable weather stop me. I hadn't realised that I was so close to Rewell Wood - just the other side of Chichester, however finding it wasn't quite so easy with the signage and entrance set well back into the bushes. In 2012 I got quite used to walking around with my camera up my jumper to protect it from the rain and today was no different. It was good to see that I wasn't the only one to be searching for Pearls in such inclement weather and given the conditions it was no surprise that I didn't get any open-winged shots. Just as well that I prefer the underside of this cracking little beauty but the dark skies and poor lighting did provide a challenge. A return visit is definitely on the cards but in the meantime a few shots from today:
As an afterthought I decided to include a close up:

Hi Pauline

Lovely shots of the Pearls I notice they are now emerging in the New Forest with one spotted over the weekend I went out for butterflies with an umbrella for the first time yesterday I have sent you a PM.

Fantastic images of PBF there, Pauline.

Hi Pauline
The newt pictured looks like it could be a female Smooth Newt and with hindsight some of the others look like males
Mark

Hi Pauline,

Lovely PBF pics. Had planned a trip to Rewell wood after work today myself but the weather never turned out as forecast so gave it a miss. Not had much luck with the weather year when I've had any free time!

Those two newt pics are of a female common/smooth newt. I was quite chuffed to see amy first female smooth newt in the quite small pond I dug in our garden last easter. Also had a large red damselfly emerge this morning but was intent on playing hide and seek on the reed it hatched out on so couldn't get a photo damselflies are a right pain for that!!

Superb PBF photos Pauline, your reward for tenacity in these appalling weather conditions

Hi Pauline,
Excellent shot of the newt coming up for air. Nice "Pearls"
By the way, my phone has a case that is meant to be fully waterproof but I don't think I would try and use the camera on it underwater. I will leave that idea for someone else.
I wouldn't get many shots of butterflies like that, anyway!
best wishes,
Philip

Thank you all so very much for your kind comments which I very much appreciate. I take my hat off to you Paul - I can hardly manage my camera but juggling it with an umbrella has got to be an acquired skill. Perhaps something I need to get to grips with if the current forecast is correct

Thank you for the compliment John. I like your Common Blue and Chalkhill but even better I think are the mating DGF . I was about to congratulate you on the newt in your pond but see below

I must try to include some butterfly stuff tho it's not easy with the rain stotting off the ground and thunder crashing I have already publicly embarrassed myself (more than once) over the rearing of these cats. Vince really does know what he is talking about and I must listen carefully and take more notice of his advice (thank you for your help Vince). I have been checking my PH pupa and I am not sure whether it is my imagination but I do think a couple of them are darkening and I am wondering if this is significant:
As far as the butterflies are concerned I decided to have a (very) quick look at Paulsgrove. As luck would have it the sun shone whilst I was there and many butterflies were on the wing. I guess if the SB had been out I would have spotted it as I scrutinised 3 discrete areas where I have seen it before. Needless to say I was drawn back to the pond. It was teeming with life and on a small corner there must have been at least 50 newts and many tadpoles. Initially I thought I was witnessing a mating event as there was much thrashing about which attracted several newts. I really must get some specs . Anyway, the breadth and depth of knowledge on this site about all things natural never fails to impress me so I am wondering if anyone can explain the following:

Hi Pauline

Could it be that a newt has grabbed an emerging dragonfly for lunch. The pictured insect appears to be headless, possibly due to the newt. It could be a Hairy Dragonfly as they emerge fairly early in the year. Very interesting.

Pauline wrote: I have been checking my PH pupa and I am not sure whether it is my imagination but I do think a couple of them are darkening and I am wondering if this is significant:

Hi Pauline,

I have to stress that I have never reared Purple Hairstreak, but a sudden darkening of the pupa would generally indicate that the adult should emerge within a few days. However, it is my understanding that the pupal stage for this species should last for around 4 weeks (presumably less under controlled conditions), so keep an eye on them. What I do is to take photos every few days so that any changes can easily be spotted.

Keep up the good work

Vince

Hi Pauline,

Beautiful PBF photos

I also like the newt coming up for air with the ripples on the water surface in your previous post and the series of photos of the newt with what looks like a Dragonfly lunch

I cannot comment on your expertise or otherwise on the hairstreaks, I have never reared any, but it is still interesting to read about your experiences with them. Keep at it

All the best,

Neil.

Hi Pauline,
Paul is correct. That's a Smooth Newt with a Hairy Dragonfly in its jaws. Great sighting!
BWs, Neil

You are fast becoming a 'must see' diarist on this forum, Pauline.

The diversity of themes in your photos is simply wonderful.

First things first! I knew I could rely on you guys . Thank you for the ID's Paul/Neil. I have since looked up the Hairy dragonfly so I now know a little more than I did before.

Thank you for your very kind and encouraging comments Neil. I shall do my best and I am trying to learn as I go.

David, what can I say! One of the best compliments I have received. Butterflies are my passion and to take better photos is my ambition .... but in pursuit of these there is always so much other stuff to see and wonder at and I just can't help but mention it.

Why didn't I think of that Vince? The simple ideas are always the best they say. I have been keeping a close eye on all of them. After my latest panic about losing some BH (another recent panic as I found a slug roaming round the pot), my head count was back to 5 ... but then I lost 2 of them . I lifted up one of the pots and found this:
It was tucked right up in one of the drainage holes of the pot so I hope it is OK. 2 hours later I took some more shots of it:
Still one AWOL!

Today I didn't have much time (just an hour) but I did have a choice. I have a few great sites within 10 mins of me and it was tempting to go to Noar Hill to see the Dukes. However, I was blown away by the White Admiral larva posted recently and decided that I just had to see one for myself. Thanks to the details in Bob's post it didn't take long to find one:
On the same plant I also saw this but not sure what it is yet:
With regard to the White Admiral, I am wondering if it will stay in the same place, how much longer will it continue to grow, and when and where is it likely to pupate? I have marked the spot and intend to return.

Pauline wrote:Butterflies are my passion and to take better photos is my ambition ....

I think you've already arrived at your destination, Pauline.