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Lovely SWF, Wurzel! Is it me, or are most SWF photographed facing downwards? Most of mine are...

Dave

Cheers Dave I know what you mean about them being head down - perhaps it so they can make a rapid escape by just dropping into space?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thats a great photo of the fresh Silver-washed Fritillary Wurzel, in such lovely condition for the end of July, you must have a magic wand.

All the best, Nick.

Cheers Nick It's that Imp again, I topped up his baccy and switched it to Cutters Choice

Godshill 28-07-2013

I spent all of Saturday last waiting for the rain and then waiting for it to stop. The forecast for the Sunday was better so after the girls had been picked up by their Nanny and Dad-Dad I grabbed the camera and set off to Godshill near Fordingbridge. The weather app stated that it was going to be showery and so I found myself once again racing the clouds. All the way along the Ringwood road I cast half an eye and muttered to myself that it was starting to look grey. As well as cursing the slow Sunday drivers (it was Sunday so I suppose I should have expected them) was trying to work out which way the wind was blowing and in which direction the clouds were moving.

Luckily for me they were moving in the opposite direction and so when I pulled up in the car park the sun was shining and it felt lovely and warm. I usually judge temperatures by my clothing. Earlier in the season if it’s comfortable in a shirt and fleece then there might be the odd Small Tortoiseshell or other hibernator around, just a shirt with sleeves rolled up means reasonable temperatures for butterflies and when my shirt is damp with sweat it means that there will be butterflies around but they’ll be too turbo charged to photograph. Today was shirt and sleeves the only problem was the brim of my hat was blowing up and down - which suggested that it might be too windy so I’d have to try and find sheltered spots where the gorse blocked out the wind. With this in mind I headed straight down the hill seeing a few Meadow and Hedge Browns keeping low to the ground and straight to the “triangle”.

This was where I had a lot of success last year and again it proved to be the hotspot. Almost as soon as the hypotenuse path had been swallowed up by the gorse bushes I found my first Grayling. As usual it was the jinking yet fast flight that put me onto them as it was sitting on the dusty path before veering off into one of the breaks in the gorse hedge. Here there had been a fire and it blended in so well with the blackened ground and bleached sticks that I almost stood on it before I relocated it. It did a circular flighty out over the Heather before landing back 10cm from where it had originally flown from. I then found my second one slightly further along the path – I’d got my eye in. After I‘d found a few Grayling took a look around the main path area of the adjacent. It wasn’t as bare as last year and grass had started to grow over what was once stone and sand so I didn’t see any Grayling here. However there were other butterflies including a Large and Small Skipper as well as the Heath specialists – Meadow Browns, plenty of Hedge Browns the occasional Small Heath (aptly named for once) as well as fading Silver Studs that were looking well past their best. This was the first time I’d seen Silver Studs here but I’m unsure whether a visit could be timed here to see both these and Grayling looking resplendent? As I started the return journey back along this part of the path something even more orange passed by and luckily landed right in front of me. A Small Copper added itself to the day list and didn’t look too shabby for all the wear amongst the Heather and the Gorse. I then got back on the Grayling watch. During the morning I saw a couple and I was surprised that there were only a few around. However when I started back I reached an area where the Heather had died back and there were loads present. They seemed to prefer the burnt/cleared barer patches compared to the area around the triangle. Again I was amazed by the variation shown by this species in terms of their colouration as I saw individuals that ranged from black and white through to sandy colours. One looked more different than the others as it appeared grey with a very noticeable white band across the wing . I stayed here for another half an hour or so practicing my stalking and getting as close as I could for as many shots as I could get of these cracking butterflies. Crossing over the bridge Gatekeepers wished me goodbyes and a Silver Stud and Grayling accompanied me up the hill. It was an excellent couple of hours with possibly my second favourite butterfly just because of they are almost the complete package – unusual habitat, flying at a great time of the year, interesting behaviour, challenging to find and get a photo and beautiful detail in their simplicity .

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great Grayling shots Wurzel, looks like you've got some females there!

Regards,

Mike

Cheers Mike How do you tell the difference between male and female? Something I'll have to look into...

Studland, Knoll Beach 31-07-2013

We arrived at Downshay on Tuesday last week and having set up the tent, revelled at being back in Dorset proper and had a cuppa we took a trip to Wareham to do the food shopping so there wasn’t really an opportunity for butterflying.

The next day was to be different however and though most of the morning was spent sitting in a cloud we eventually packed the car and headed out for lunch by the river in Wareham. Then we moved onto Studland reasoning that it would be quieter if the sun wasn’t blazing. As we pulled into the car park at Knoll Beach we saw the Activity Centre that’s been built by the National Trust, which most importantly for the girls had loos. While they disappeared off I had a mooch around the centre and the hedge around it. The first butterfly was appropriately a Gatekeeper and then something larger and darker flew into view and settled on the sandy track briefly - a Red Admiral which seemed slightly out of place until following the path to the activity centre I saw a couple of Buddleia behind the building. What I find amazing about Buddleia is how it manages to get everywhere but also how the butterflies manage to sniff it out wherever it gets too! As I carried on towards the centre down the boardwalk I met the girls coming the other way who spooked a butterfly towards me. It flew directly at me, then around my head before landing high up on the white panelling of the building. It was a Grayling and obviously felt a bit out of place so high up and pretty conspicuous so it took off again and landed on the board walk. Again it must have worked out that it was sticking out like a sore thumb so flew about a metre away and landed on the sand where it seemed to calm down as it blended in remarkably. As we left the centre area to head to the beach I noticed a Gatekeeper in the hedge. There was a small Bramble growing and it had created a glade in miniature. In this little area were 9 Gatekeepers in an area of about 1m by 1m. They were so closely packed I couldn’t get them all in shot unless I stood on the other side of the road, and then they weren’t in focus. Down on the beach the odd white would fly by at the waters edge before veering back into the dunes and the girls played in the sand. I packed the camera away safely and joined in. Sand castles were built, moats were filled and then we set about looking for crabs. Cracking time! While they carried on playing with some other children they met I had to head back to pick up my wife’s camera and on the way I spied a Med Gull and so quietly approached it to get some shots. Back at the car park I checked the “glade” but it only held 6 Gatekeepers now although a stump opposite had a Common Lizard laid out flat basking amid the grey. I had a quick look at the Buddleias behind the building and there were a few whites, the Red Admiral (I presume) and a Grayling feeding on it. I couldn’t get any shots though as it flew off, circled me again and landed on my right arm, mid way up my wrist and despite manipulating my camera into my left hand it was too close for a shot. It flew off to then repeat the manoeuvre this time landing in the crook of my elbow still out of reach! So I looked at it, it looked at me and we shared a moment We drove back to camp, tired, happy and with excellently exfoliated soles of our feet . Plus I had the happy memories of a wondrous encounter with my second favourite butterfly . Hopefully tomorrow I might get to see and photograph my favourite?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Wurzel,
Great images and very impressed by the Lizard and Med Gull.
I had a week in the Trossachs and managed to find none of the local specialities. It rained a lot and when the sun came out I only ever saw small whites and ringlets.
However I did take a picture of this dragonfly which is the largest I have ever seen. Its body was the length of a standard bic biro (without the lid!)I suspect that you may know what it is? I have failed to get any new species recently so am determined to find some on Saturday to add to my tally of 43!
Flutter on!
CJB

Cheers CJB Sorry you didn't get any of the Northern specialities Still I reckon you could pick up Chalkhills and Silver Spotted Skippers this weekend (weather permitting ) at Denbies or Stockbridge Down.

The Dargonfly looks like a Golden Ringed to me, cracking

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Wurzel

Your Lizard looks suspiciously like a female Sand Lizard with all those white dots in dark spaces although its head is quite narrow. You were in the correct area to find Sand Lizards.

Hi Wurzel,

Just catching up after my few days away, great reports and photos

Love the last lizard photo, I never get close enough to them, they always see me first

Cheers,

Neil F.

Cheers for the ID correctionPaul
Cheers Neil This one was flat out basking otherwise I'd never have found it

Lulworth Cove 01-08-2013

Finally we got some good weather and despite waking once again in a cloud I could see that the mist was soon going to burn up and so we headed to Lulworth Cove. I can assure you that this wasn’t my suggestion imagine my surprise when my wife said that that’s where we were going!

We drew up in the car park and I had to try and conceal my desire to check out the small filed at the top of the car park by the path to Durdle Door. Instead we made a move directly to the beach so I checked out the Butterfly garden near the toilets while the girls visited them. A Comma joined the many whites floating about the place and then a DGF! I couldn’t believe it and I couldn’t get my camera out quick enough so it shot away.

Once down on the pebbles we settled down and the girls did a bit of paddling and digging in the small areas of sand so I took my first sortie. The right hand side of the Cove swings round sharply into the cliffs and the beach ends abruptly. Here there is a little steep path up the cliff to the more rolling grasses on top. I took this path last year and half way found Lulworths, Small Skipper ovi-positing and a faded Small Cooper. This year however things weren’t living up to expectations and it was only when I got to the top that I started seeing butterflies. They were of course Lulworth Skippers looking a little faded and aged but Lulworths none the less. Since last year I’d forgotten how small they were and also how gregarious. When you see two Smessex Skippers it either a prelude to breeding, a rebuff or a fight over a females/territory/”cos youse looked at me funny”, but with Lulworths even when there was one on its own another 2 or 3 weren’t far away! There were other butterflies amongst the grasses here and I include a couple of shots to break up the Lulworth Skipper fest but I went a little bit Lulworth crazy – snapping away at any little group of them! All too soon my 20 minutes was up and so I bounced down the path back to the beach with the girls so we could have a paddle and do some rock pooling around one side of the Cove. Even here just sitting back watching the girls splashing and paddling butterflies went past over the sea with a Gatekeeper and another DGF! While I was rock pooling with my older daughter a Marbled White alighted on the seaweed briefly – and I cursed that I didn’t have my camera (rocks, slippy seaweed and seawater not happy bedfellows of cameras).

After lunch we headed back down to the Cove and got another space on an even smaller bit of beach. The girls were happy making a castle out of some of the only available sand in the cove. No messing about from my girls; who dragged massive pebbles up the beach to make the foundations, covered it and smoothed it with wet sand and then knocked the castle down to make a swimming pool. Chuckling over their antics I took another walk up the side of the Cove...This time I took to ambling along the narrow paths that clung to the side of the Cove. There were small patches of Thistles that acted as butterfly magnets with Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and three species of Skipper all feeding on them. I carefully pushed my way past some of them that overhung the path and then settled down for 10 minutes or so to watch a se what it produced. Again I was amazed at the sociable nature of the Lulworths. It meant that at a glance you could have a rough idea of which Skipper you were watching. One on its own for more than 3 seconds was probably a Smessex, more than one definitely a Lulworth. It also seemed form my brief observations that the minute something else landed on a flower head the Lulworths would move off. This might be because the other butterfly was bigger as in the case with a Meadow Brown but I also saw it happen when an Essex Skipper landed (so they are here Willrow ).

I carried on my way and saw a crazy sight – loads of people all on the clifftop of the Cove, having squeezed through barbed wire. Muppets! Shaking my head in disbelief I carried on sticking to the unrestricted and well worn paths and as I was making my way back down something orangey buzzed me. I thought at first that it could be a DGF but it was smaller and the flight was wrong, reminding me of something else? I followed it as it flew round below me before dropping back down and landing on the path just below me. I could see that it was a Wall Brown but the problem I had was getting to it. Using the path I was on would mean either spooking it or splatting it under foot so I had to run all the way round, down the other path and then stealthily back up to where it was sitting on the path. I managed a few shots and then it was off again but landing up near the Thistles. The problem I had now was similar in that the quickest route to the butterfly would spook and unsettled it as well as it being face-on so now I had to run my previous circuit backwards. I say run because I could see some other walkers approaching. I made it in time and got some nice side on closed wing shots which complement those open wing shots from earlier in the year. Hot, sweaty and with calves of steel from all that cliff running I headed back down happy to the enjoy the girls swimming pool with one brief stop-off for what I think is male Lulworth but it’s so worn I’m not sure . Time was up and we had to make a move back to the camp so we could get showered before the block got busy. Despite the rushed nature of the outing and not getting to that top part of the car park I was immensely happy to have reacquainted myself with the Lulworth Skipper! Stunning scenery, the feeling of being home, how small and sociable they are – my favourite Butterfly !

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Good work Wurzel!
As ever some great shots !
Thanks for the id on the dragonfly, what an amazing species!
Lots of talk about id of skippers! I stuck my neck out and promptly had it chopped!
Flutter on!
CJB

Great report Wurzel and smashing photos

Looks like you have identified another endangered species....Homo idioticus perhaps. Thinking about it are they a different species or just a sub-species of Homo grocklus

Cheers,

Neil F.

Cheers CJB Glad I could help with the ID. When it comes to Skipper ID if in doubt "Smessex" . Don't worry about your neck getting chopped - I'm sure it'll heal soon
Cheers Neil Homo groklus is a species in it's own right, you can tell by the unique behaviour patterns - it tends to hoard tat, burn in the sun and sub-consciously irritate all local Homo sapiens. I reckon Homo idioticus is more of an aberrant/form as it seems to crop up everywhere, unfortunately with increasing regularity

Downshay itself...

The camp site we stayed at is always worth a look as a few years ago it produced my first Wall Brown, the shower block attracts a nice range of Moths and as well as plenty of Gatekeeper variants last year I found what possible Red Admiral ova. The site is on the Cool Camping website and if you follow the link to Downshay you can see our bell tent .

However this year I didn’t get as many opportunities to get out because of the weather though I did a couple of times. I’d start by working my way along the hedge that divided the two main fields and then follow this onto the concrete path that cuts diagonally across the site. At the top this goes through a gate with a dry stone wall which is covered in Ivy and Brambles and the grass is left unmown here. It’s a cracking little area for butterflies and certainly beats just sitting by the tent watching one maybe two Meadow Browns fly by.

On my first visit amongst the usual Browns I encountered a haughty Red Admiral basking on the broken path and amongst the usual selection of browns and plenty of whites I found both Large and Small Skippers and also managed to creep up on a Comma that had placed itself just out of range of my camera lens. Or so it thought...it underestimated the reach that I can get by standing on tip toes, leaning with arms outstretched and peering through the view finder from my arms length away . On my second visit a few nights later there were almost exactly the same range of species but with whites in greater numbers than before and now there were a pair of Commas. I was a bit naughty and hopped over the gate and the habitat was even better with a stony path that is crying out for a Wall to be basking on and more grass and wildflowers for nectar so more butterflies, possibly Blues. I felt bad so didn’t hang around long but next time we visit I’ll ask permission from the farmer when he comes calling for the “rent”.

Back on the proper side of the fence I noticed a Meadow Brown that looked much, much paler than I’ve seen before. I know that they fade with age but this one seemed very washed out, so much so that the hairs around the “snout” and palps appeared grey/white – is this an aberrant? The Comma must have remembered me from the day before and this time it was much more approachable allowing all manner of shots from stained glass, close-up and some nicely posed ones too . All in all a great little find in the wilds of the Isle of Purbeck. I can’t wait for next year now !

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Looks like you had a great time Wurzel. Excellent report as usual, good find with the Med Gull and, a lovely photo, as with the female Sand Lizard. I have`nt seen either of those two for a few years now, [even though i know a good local spot for the Sand Lizard] keep it up.

All the best, Nick.

Cheers Nick I did indeed have a great time although I'll admit that every now and again my mind was busy imagining Silver Spotted Skippers and Brown Hairstreaks

Ffos-y-ffin 04-08

Having just got back from camping in my homeland we then spent a day sorting everything out and set out for my wife’s (adopted) homeland. Off to West Wales. As usual the minute we crossed the bridge it started to rain. I sweat that if Wales ever suffers a drought all the country will have to do is give me a call and the minute I pass under the first giant ”H” on the bridge it’ll be cats and dogs!
Once we’d settled in with the Outlaws it had cleared slightly so we set out amongst the intermittent showers “up the Lane”. I’m sure that I’ve detailed this before nut “The Lane” is basically a road from Ffos-y-ffin to...well I’m not really sure as it ends in a junction. The draw of it is the ancient hedges on either side. I’ve recognised three species of tree present in it so by my reckoning it must be at least 300 years old?
On the way up to the “Dog Cottage” where we normally turn around there was very little, possibly spooked by the girls who were scooting ahead. o the way back however I started to notice butterflies. Generally whites flying along the hedge conspicuously and then disappearing when they landed – it always surprises me how they manage to do that. Then there was as single Hedge Brown rather than the expected multitudes – perhaps it was too cool of damp for them? It fluttered weakly by and then dropped onto the top of the hedge where it was composed of Gorse. Almost back and I noticed that the field behind my Outlaws home is now open; no gate, no horses, so I ducked in a bit and scanned across the field and a roosting GV White caught my eye. I made myself a mental note to make a return visit here. The final part of the walk took me past a Neighbours Buddleia which again I made a mental note to keep an eye on – I had visions of Painted Ladies (not tattooed wenches, but butterflies ). So we’re here...looking forward to what it might bring!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Wurzel,
Some more great shots of yours!
I managed to make it to Ashton Rowant today and saw and photographed.....................(on the mobile!!) (Tally:44) Amazing 90 minutes! I am hoping to go to Steyning tomorrow in search of BHS and a Swallowtail?!?!?
Flutter On!!
CJB

Hi Wurzel, lovely shots as always, your Lulworth report was brilliant and made great reading. I would have posted this last night but I was completely kn*****ed. As to Grayling ID, I have some thoughts and observations but for now will keep quiet , as I don't need my neck 'chopping'. This will have to wait until I photograph a female myself, as all the Grayling I have seen so far have been males!

Best Regards,

Mike

Cheers Mike I reckon we butterfliers need to splice some Lizard genes so we can regrow our necks

Cei Bach

The second day of the break with my Outlaws was a washout with rain on and off pretty much all day. It would stop and brighten up for about 5 minutes so I’d grab my gear and step outside only for the rain to start again. I gave up in the end and we dug some Lego out of the loft and I built a Pirate Island, for my girls to play with of course .

The following day the weather was much better and after a trip out in the morning round the Lanes and down to Aberaeron we headed to the beach – to Cei Bach. You park in a small wood with ruined buildings and follow a path alongside the river down to the beach. We’d checked the Tide Timetables and arrived as it was well on the way out and once the girls were on the sand they were off – making sandcastles, paddling, carving their names in the sand with their spades and generally going loopy. The back of the beach is made from soft clay cliffs which are forever collapsing and when they do the scars and holes remaining soon fill with wildflowers and Buddleias. So promising my wife that I wouldn’t follow the cliff all the way round to Newquay (of Dylan Thomas fame) I set off for a 20 minute sortie...

I tried to reach a large Buddleia but could only get close enough to it to see the many whites and Peacocks and the single Red Admiral and Comma feeding on it. Approaching it from the other side was no better wither as my route was blocked by huge Brambles and as I was wearing my beachwear (along with my lucky hat of course) it was impassable. So I clambered back down and carried on along the beach and up a path. It hair-pinned around and continued up to a Caravan site I think, I couldn’t tell as I’d noticed that at the hairpin a smaller, wilder looking path carried on diagonally up the hill. For some reason I took this track rather than continuing up the main path and within 8 steps I was glad that I had. There were butterflies everywhere – Hedge Browns, Meadow Browns, a Marbled White, various assorted whites, a fly-by Peacock and also 4 male Common Blues having a right go at each other at every available opportunity. However what caught my eye was a little Orange blur, larger and brighter than a skipper, it turned out to be a Small Copper – what really caught my eye was it’s hind wings – the usually small tail seemed more accentuated on this individual – not as much as that posted by Mikhal, but very prominent and made more so by the orange band almost ending in an arrow head shape. Probably well within the usual range but noticeable when seen with the naked eye so impressive. It also had a damaged palp which helped me tell it apart from the other Small Copper which didn’t hang around that long. However I tore myself away and tried to focus on the four males Common Blues which were all bombing around and hassling each other every time they landed on a flower head. It made photography very tricky so in the end I merely waited, camera pre-focused, by a flower head. It worked as very quickly a Common Blue (not a very fresh on) landed, I got a couple of shots and then another buzzed it and they were both away. There was also a geriatric Skipper hanging around and trying to lead a quiet life in retirement. But I kept going back to find the Small Copper... My time was almost up so I headed back to family and we got down to some serious rock-pooling! A fantastic afternoon was had by all .

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great Lulworth Skipper shots Wurzel. It's a few years since I've seen them - must try to make the time next year.