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Mike Robinson
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 4:19 pm
by Mike Robinson
If I have gotten this right, this will be a Diary of my Butterfly watching activities.
Having spent approaching four years in search of Birds I feel I need a change.
Most of my birding activities take place locally beside the (tidal) Thames at Crossness and on the nearby Erith Marshes (formerly NW Kent now SE London).
So here I am; in search of both Birds and Butterflies. Not that I really know much about either of 'em although I'm old enough now not to let that bother me too much! As long as I can enjoy myself, that's all that really matters.
I have set myself a target of twenty-five Butterfly species for the year; reasonable I think/hope.
Especially since today I reached seventeen * with a Meadow Brown tucked away on the Erith Marshes.
I also managed to spot a Large Skipper; my second of the year. Why they are called Large Skippers is however a mystery since they seem so teeny!
* the seventeen species seen so far this year (the majority on the Erith Marshes) are as follows:
Brimstone
Comma
Common Blue
Green Hairstreak
Green-Veined White
Holly Blue
Large Skipper
Large White
Meadow Brown
Orange Tip
Painted Lady
Peacock
Red Admiral
Small Heath
Small Tortoiseshell
Small White
Speckled Wood
Mike …..
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 5:51 pm
by Neil Freeman
Hi Mike,
Good start to your diary, looking forward to see your further posts.
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 10:50 am
by Wurzel
Good start Mike
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Looking forward to reading further posts - I reckon you should easily be able to reach your target, especially if yo can get out onto some Downland in the coming weeks
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
When you see a Smessex (Small or Essex) or Grizzled Skipper you'll soon understand why they're called Large Skipper
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:07 pm
by Willrow
Yes, good luck with your target Mike, and I reckon you can surpass 25 species this year comfortably
Bill
"When in doubt...venture out"
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:51 pm
by Mike Robinson
Gentlemen: many thanks for the kind words of encouragement.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:09 pm
by Mike Robinson
We decided to venture further afield today (Sunday 8 June); and made our way down the A2/M2 to the Queendown Warren Nature Reserve. Not too easy a place to find.
We saw a few Butterflies; and quite a few Dogs!
Truth to tell, we didn't see too many Butterflies but we managed to spot a Green Hairstreak, a few Small Tortoiseshells, a few Common Blues and possibly a couple of Brown Arguses viz. see one below:
I have determined this to be a Brown Argus Butterfly due to the seeming lack of a forewing spot and the black line around the edge of the wing.
On looking at some pictures after arriving home I wondered if we had managed to spot a Small Blue Butterfly; see below:
The tentative identification is based on the pattern of the spots on the outside of the wing.
We were restricted by time so had to rather rush round.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:11 pm
by MikeOxon
As Wurzel wrote - you have to understand 'Large' in the context of the Small Skipper.
Perhaps I should warn you that, if you go looking for Large Blue, DO NOT expect something like a Blue Morpho or you will be severely disappointed
Mike
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 7:15 pm
by Mike Robinson
Mike: Thanks; I'm coming to terms with the 'Large' Skipper now.
Kind regards ~ Mike …...
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:51 pm
by Wurzel
That looks like a Brown Argus to me Mike, you're correct to use the lack of the spot on the fore wing to help ID but they don't always show you that part
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I'm not too sure about the Small Blue - they tend to end up looking browny/purple when worn rather than blue as those scales quickly rub off the males.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Anyway a few more species to get you towards your tally target
Have a godun
Wurzel
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 7:13 am
by Mike Robinson
Dear Wurzel:
Thanks. I'm relaxed with the Brown Argus (this and other characters). However, I was 'hoping' rather than 'thinking' that the other Butterfly was a Small Blue Butterfly; not really the right way to look at it. I think that I shall continue to seek my first Small Blue Butterfly.
Kind regards ~ Mike …..
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:23 pm
by Mike Robinson
Back down to the Erith Marshes today before it rained early-afternoon. Except that it didn't rain at all!
The usual characters were present including the first Comma Butterfly I had seen there for a few weeks:
I noticed a very faded Peacock Butterfly; however I spotted a couple of hundred or Caterpillars so we should have some nice new Butterflies fairly soon:
I always seem to manage a few Large Skipper Butterflies:
Hopefully some Small Skipper Butterflies and Essex Skipper Butterflies will make their presence known fairly soon. I imagine I shall have some awkward moments trying to identify them though!
There are quite a few very fresh looking Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies whooshing around; also a few Common Blue Butterflies:
Additionally, a few Small White Butterflies were busying themselves.
I know less about Moths than I do about Butterflies (which ain't very much!); but I managed to spot and identify a couple of Cinnabar Moths and a (rather handsome to my mind) Burnet Companion Moth:
So rather a good outing; by my standards at least. Plus I also spotted six Lapwings on the Marsh; occasional visitors during the Summer. And six Teals on the nearby Thames.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 6:03 pm
by David M
Mike Robinson wrote:
The usual characters were present including the first Comma Butterfly I had seen there for a few weeks
Great stuff! Personally I've not seen a Comma since April and was beginning to worry about them.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:30 am
by Mike Robinson
Thanks for noticing this &c. …..
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:31 am
by Wurzel
Great shots Mike, they put the butterflies nicely in context
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I too haven't seen a Comma since the spring - so the one you have there is the summer form hutchinsoni - it looks more golden and 'two tone' than the spring/late summer adults - very nice find, I'll start keeping my eyes open for my own now
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:53 pm
by Mike Robinson
Thanks ….
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 3:38 pm
by Mike Robinson
A few visits down to the local Erith Marshes and the nearby Thames during the past few days. However, with it being sunny and warm I'm turning red!
That being said, I have been lucky and managed to see a variety of Butterfly species viz.:
Brimstone
Comma:
Common Blue:
Large Skipper:
Large White
Green-Veined White:
Meadow Brown:
Painted Lady:
Peacock (which landed on my foot)
Red Admiral:
Small Skipper:
Small Tortoiseshell:
Small White
Speckled Wood
I'm now thinking it might be possible to see at least twenty Butterfly species here on the Marshes and the surrounding area. I know we shouldn't really think numerically (just enjoy what we have) but I think I would find that very pleasing.
It is fairly quiet in terms of birds although the Reed Warblers, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge Warblers &c. have been noisy. However, I managed to snap a Common Tern whooshing and swooshing above the Outfall of the Crossness Sewage Works:
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 3:59 pm
by Hoggers
Hi Mike I've really enjoyed reading your diary and you've identified a moth for me - the Burnet Companion Moth.
I've seen a few on my patch, mistaking them for butterflies, and I never knew their name until I read your diary!
Cheers
Hoggers
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 4:07 pm
by Mike Robinson
You are very kind. Thanks.
I think Burnet Companions are very handsome arrangements.
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:00 pm
by Pauline
Great shot of the Large Skipper, Mike and well done for spotting a Small Skipper
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. I was looking for them today but no joy
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Re: Mike Robinson
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:27 am
by Mike Robinson
You are very kind; thank you …..