www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Just got back from a flying visit to Devil's Ditch (at the Newmarket July racecourse end), where the Green Hairstreaks, Dingy Skippers and Brown Argus are all on the wing. A bit windy for decent shots, but down the windward side of the ditch, the newly-hatched butterflies are in great condition. Also saw Orange Tips, Brimstones, Red Admirals and Peacocks. Woo-hoo

Seems like a great rime of year. I have been seeing alot too, if you read my posts. The wind did make it hard for me to get great shots, but if you stay in general area where they fly and wait, you might get a good enough chance. I waited over an hour for a holly blue shot.

Trev Sawyer wrote:Just got back from a flying visit to Devil's Ditch (at the Newmarket July racecourse end), where the Green Hairstreaks, Dingy Skippers and Brown Argus are all on the wing. A bit windy for decent shots, but down the windward side of the ditch, the newly-hatched butterflies are in great condition. Also saw Orange Tips, Brimstones, Red Admirals and Peacocks. Woo-hoo

Trev,

I am going there tomorrow to find Green Hairstreak one I dipped last year (went twice!), where is the best place to see them. I was told the bombing gap? Any info appreciated

Thanks

Mark

Sorry for the tardy reply Mark. Hope you haven't left home yet... If the sun comes out, you will definitely see them today. The best place seems to be only about 100 yards from the steps near the parking area end (near the July racecourse). Go up the steps onto the Dyke and walk down to a sparse set of small hawthorn bushes which are immediately to the left of the footpath on top of the slope. I saw quite a few hairstreaks there yesterday. They seem to collect just on the slope side of these bushes. If you can't see them, just sit on the grass near the bushes and wait for the sun - they WILL show themselves. This area also seemed good for the few brown argus I saw too AND dingy skippers, so you don't have to walk too far. I made the mistake of taking only my new zoom lens(why??!! ), but I should have taken a different lens as I would have got much better shots.
Trev

Trev,

Went chasing a vulture instead so will go later in the week or next weekend, thanks for the info hopefully will get them this year.

Mark

So, a bird twitcher as well eh? Ever seen the Purple Swamphen on the Great Ouse? It has survived for a few years on the middle/lower river - an angling friend of mine has seen it two or three times in various areas over that time

Yep, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and dragonflies.

I have never seen the swamphen, tried once for it, it is still about met a birder at Fen drayton recently who had seen it.


Thanks

Mark

PS details of my escapades can be found on my blog sometimes with some reasonabl epics

http://www.hows.org.uk/inter/birds/2007blog.htm

Cheers Mark, I'll have a squint at the website later.

I went yesterday evening the weather was great for a change although there was a breeze from time to time, but only had a dingy skipper no green hairstreaks, I will try again.

Mark