28th March, Local patches again
These past three days have been excruciating, stuck at work with just lunchtime breaks to go hunting. Whilst I’ve been reasonably successful at work, I really needed a good day full of butterflies so I was praying this sunny spell would hold on for just one more day, thankfully it did and the reward for my ‘patience’ came in droves.
The plan was the same three local site trip as a few days ago, with targets for the day to get a picture of a Peacock and some shots of anything on Blackthorn blossom, (with maybe a Holly Blue or Orange-tip thrown in). Before I even got my camera ready a Peacock appeared, things were looking good. He sat for a bit but with the departure of the recent chilly breeze the sun was able to warm everything up and he was soon swooping off across the field. In the same nettle bed, I also found a Comma lurking, the first of many.
A few more Comma’s turned up further along the path, one feeding on Blackthorn blossom
The other one decided I was much tastier! Several times I tried to encourage him onto the blossom but it would seem I was secreting some particularly tasty mineral salts today. Even when I did manage to get him off he would take to the air in ever increasing circles until he relocated the source of his addiction again I finally.
Eventually I escaped my lepidopteran stalker and found another butterfly enjoying some blossom.
There were two here but only the better looking one posed for me, oh well. Like last time a Small white put in an appearance and I had a Brimstone flyby today as well.
Several more Comma’s later I made my way to where the Small Tortoiseshells normally hang out (others have Comma corner, I have a Small Tortoiseshell path). As expected I found my quarry, two in fact, looking resplendent in the March sunshine.
With the morning coming to a close it was time to head of over to Abney Park but it was difficult to tear myself away, what with more Tortoiseshells and a Brimstone distracting me.
Like last time the hour I spent at Abney was ruined by cloud which only started to clear as I left, waking up another Comma and Small White.
Last time at Tottenham Marshes was butterflyless, this time was the complete opposite. I had a Small White flyby before I even had my camera out of my bag and this was quickly followed by a couple of Commas, and then another couple after which the Small Tortoiseshells began to appear in droves, including a courting pair. Well the male was courting, I’m not so sure the female was in the mood!
All these Nymphalids were easy to find as they were concentrated at the bottom of a lush bank of nettle, Cow Parsley and Comfrey. If there’s an opposite to hilltopping this is what they were doing. I suspect it was the strong breeze that was keeping them down here. This context shot, facing south shows what is so attractive, full sun all day! The fence on the left stops you falling into one of the River Lea navigation canal thingies.
Next stop was my other butterfly hotspot at this site, a similarly sheltered path which also runs north/south and so receives full sun for most the day. As long as you visit at the right time of year in good weather butterflies are guaranteed and today was no exception, at least five Peacock and four Commas jostling for territory.
- Not too sure if this chap could still fly, missing most of its left forwing.
I mentioned on Wurzels diary a few days back how I was jealous of his double figures tally of Tortoiseshells in one day. Not any more, today was one of the best days for me in recent memory, a conservative tally of 15 individuals. Add to that 14 Comma, 12 Peacock and 3 Small White It’s easy to forget we’re still in March, things are looking good for 2017, touch wood!