www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Beginners Luck

Hi all
this is my first post!

Having had the absolute pleasure of reading these amazing personal diaries for a couple of years i have decided to create my own.

Armed with my new trusty Canon 7D i today visited Dene woods (North Tonbridge, just a 5 minute drive away) as I heard a couple of Purple Emperors had been spotted at the weekend.

No luck with the PE but I was rewarded with two Lifers - White Admiral and Silver-Wash Fritillary!!

Here are some of my pics.

David (kentishman)

Hi Kentishman

Welcome to this friendly forum. A great start I have never seen a mating pair of Silver Washed Fritillaries before. Looking forward to more posts

Welcome aboard.

Hi kentishman. Welcome to UKB!

If you are keen to see Purple Emperor in your area (which I suspect is gradually getting a firmer foothold in the wooded landscape spanning the Kent/E. Sussex border), you might wish to try around Eridge Rocks (Eridge Green), to the SW of Royal Tunbridge Wells. There are several sites around here which are now consistently providing sightings, despite receiving little in the way of attention from Emperor fans.

BWs, Neil

Welcome from me too. Great shot of the mating SWF

Back to Dene Park this morning for a very brief visit.

Nothing appeared to be flying at all but then the cloud broke and within a few minutes saw two female PE in the clearing just 100 yards from the car park.

The first (with damaged wing) settled very briefly and i managed just one proof shot.

The second (undamaged specimen) landed on my companion's leg but flew off up over the oak trees within seconds before i could get the camera on target.

I am amazed big these insects are and how fast these things fly!

Particularly chuffed as the enthusiasts i was with yesterday said they visit the park regularly but had not seen a PE for about 4 years.

Welcome Kentishman I see the beginners luck is continuing - I had to wait three seasons for my first PE shots and 4 for my first mating pair of Silver Washed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great start with your PD David...and a warm welcome to UK Butterflies

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

Hi y'all

Today's collection including my best White Admiral pics to date.

Can you please help me out here. is this an Essex or Small Skipper?

Cheers
k

Super White Admiral pictures.

I'm still not competent enough to confidently differentiate between Small and Essex Skippers (the males are easier, I think).

kentishman wrote:Can you please help me out here. is this an Essex or Small Skipper?

Looks like a male Essex; you can just about make out the sex brand of the forewing, which is parallel with the leading edge of the wing.

Cheers,

- Pete

Hi kentishman,

Your 'male Ringlet' is in fact a male Meadow Brown.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Welcome from another Kentish Man (although now in Surrey). I agree with Essex Skipper. I know Dene Park well although when I lived nearby I didn't manage to see a PE there!

Best wishes,

Lee

Just got back from Dene Park, Tonbridge, Kent.
PE definately flying saw several individuals circling the master oak.
here are some severely cropped images taken with my 200mm zoom.

Weather permitting I'm heading for Strumpshaw Fen from Kent early this Friday 2nd June hoping to see Swallowtail for the first time.
Currently travelling (by car) alone but room for 1 or 2 members/diarists if you can make TN10 by 0730.
I would welcome the company and expertise!
PM me if interested.

Hopefully i'll have something to report on here come the weekend!

Dene Park today. Didn't think i'd would have any joy with it being heavily overcast and 18C. But then someone important dropped in for lunch!

Excellent. Any audience with his imperial highness is something to be savoured.

Cracking stuff Kentishman, that's the way with Emperor's; expect the unexpected

Have a goodun

Wurzel