June 2017

[David M]

Midsummer approaches....

[adrian riley]

Hi, Gang,
Latest sightings from Bugalert:

Black Hairstreak, Cambs
Dark Green Fritillary, Dorset
Lulwoth Skipper, Dorset

For full details, visit http://www.bugalert.net.

Cheers,
Adrian Riley

[bugboy]

Can anyone guess where I spent the day

[David M]

Can anyone guess where I spent the day

Glapthorn/Whitecross Green Wood?

[bugboy]

Can anyone guess where I spent the day

Glapthorn/Whitecross Green Wood?

Close but no cigar, Monks Wood with invaluable help from our PhiliB. They're about a fortnight early and will most likely all be gone in two weeks time here!

[David M]

Shame the M40 Compensation Area is out of bounds.

That's easily the best place to see them in numbers in the UK.

[Matsukaze]

Large Blues are on the wing in Somerset.

[Pete Eeles]

Large Blues are on the wing in Somerset.

I'm sure I'm going to wake up in a mo. It's 1st June isn't it?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Rosalyn]

I feel I should warn anyone thinking of visiting Monks Wood this weekend the Tour of Cambridge race is on Sunday 4th. Sections of the B1090 and B1043 around the wood will be closed from 11 am until 4 pm. You will only be able to gain access from Abbots Ripton end of the B1090. Parking is here TL198792, near the old CEH building, between Alconbury Hill and the Woodwalton turn.
http://www.golazocycling.com/Tour_of_Ca ... eshire.php

[peterc]

A Small Tortoiseshell larva and adult today at Norton Green. The adult was very fresh, most probably second generation and found about 20 yards from the large nettle bed where three larvae, all dispersed, were discovered.

ATB

Peter

[walpolec]

Visited Totternhoe Quarry (Beds) today, mostly to look for Small Blues.

Well, I hit the jackpot! I saw a total of over 220 in two sections of the site. They really are stunning tiny creatures and it was thrilling seeing them in such numbers. At one stage when the sun went in and it was rather dull, I stumbled across a clump of vegetation where at least 30 or so had congregated in the space of less than a couple of square yards.

I recorded a few video snippets which I have put together here:https://youtu.be/loA8XMXwE20 - in the last scene does it show a male getting a little confused and trying to pair with another male?

A memorable day for me!

[Allan.W.]

Some brilliant video footage of Small Blues there Chris,think a trip to my local site may be in order !! Nice One !!
Regards Allan.W.

[walpolec]

Some brilliant video footage of Small Blues there Chris,think a trip to my local site may be in order !! Nice One !!
Regards Allan.W.

Thanks Allan!

I think the site is pretty special and the Small Blues are out in pretty good numbers at the moment. I imagine that you're OK, but do you need any details of where I found them in greatest densities?

Chris

[Allan.W.]

Hello again Chris,
Thanks very much for your kind offer,but I,m down in Kent, and I have a couple of pretty good Small Blues sites in striking distance of home, so if I get an hour or two spare over the next few days,i may well visit one of them ! but thanks for the offer .
Regards Allan.W.

[Rivoldini]

Hi Walpolec, I was at Totterhoe on Thursday and Friday and only saw 25, along the whole of the path below the chalk cliffs. Was I in the wrong place or maybe a bit too early?

Thanks

Ron

[bugboy]

Mountain ringlet out at Irton fell.

[David M]

Mountain ringlet out at Irton fell.

Wow! That's really early.

I've just returned from France where things are pretty late, so the UK has obviously been relatively well blessed so far in 2017.

[walpolec]

Hi Walpolec, I was at Totterhoe on Thursday and Friday and only saw 25, along the whole of the path below the chalk cliffs. Was I in the wrong place or maybe a bit too early?

Thanks

Ron

Hi Ron,

If you mean yesterday and today (1st and 2nd June) then I think your timing was "spot-on". I saw 100+ in the spoil heaps ("Lime pit") in the left hand side of the site. It was beneath the chalk cliffs on the southern side when I saw 120+. But not actually on the chalk itself - it was on plants on the side of the path away from the cliffs that they tended to settle. When I realised that, every 2 or 3m that I walked I would stop and pick out 2 or 3 individuals either settled or on the wing. Hopefully attached pic (with Small Blue) will show you what I mean.

Chris

[Philzoid]

I decided to pay a visit to Hutchinson’s Bank for Glanville fritillary although reports were not encouraging. And so, it turned out to be, and I dipped on the species I’d come to see Some species were in abundance though; Common Blue and in particular Small Blue although most were past their best (a function of the 'June Gap' perhaps ). Most of the examples pictured are of the ‘tidy’ ones I was able to find.

Other species seen were Speckled Wood 4; Brimstone 12+; Small Heath 12+; Green Hairstreak 2; Peacock 2; Small Tortoiseshell 2; Brown Argus 2 and Dingy Skipper 1.

My daughters came with me on this foray, ‘bribed’ by the promise of a visit to IKEA in Croydon for some bedroom furniture (so I had to leave earlier than I normally would’ve done). As I was making my way out I met James B’Rex ….. nice to see you again James . Last and only time we met was nearly four years ago at the Large Blue stakeout at Upper Beeding, so some initial recognition confusion was inevitable. Sorry I didn’t have time much time for a chat and I hope you got that elusive Glannie by the end of the day .

Phil

[Greenie]

Managed to get a few open wings over the last few days :

A very ' blue lady ' Common Blue , at High Elms LNR ,

A ballet dancing pair of courting Brimstone at Hutchinson Bank ,

and a Small Heath , just having taken off , below Biggin Hill Airport .