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On Saturday the 17th I’d met up with Wurzel and had headed out to East Blean woods to see lots of Heath Fritillaries and a fair few White Admirals too. It was a cracking day’s butterflying . Photographing the butterflies at East Blean wasn’t easy in the blisteringly heat so the forecast of fresher weather for this weekend (24th – 25th) was a welcome relief in more ways than one. However, when Saturday came, the weather was cooler and cloudier than I’d anticipated . All the same I decided to check out Dawneys (a Heath site nr. Woking) for Silver-studded Blue and Grayling. The air of pessimism remained when I walked onto the site and was greeted by the sight of more scrub-clearance added on from that of last year. It had left large areas looking like a wasteland of bare baked soil seemingly only suitable for the sprouting gorse rather than the heather it was designed to promote. The night before I’d been out moth-trapping on Fairmile Common nr. Esher and was told it was a good site for the Silver-studs. I was now wondering whether I should’ve checked it out .
It took some considerable searching to find my first Silver-stud and numbers were very much lower than usual at this site. However, there was a good mixture of males and females and of varying condition . The site had three grazing ponies (large; medium and small) and the biggest was keen to come over and say hello . Whilst giving him a pat I noticed some largish green-eyed flies which kept landing on him . I tried to photo them but the (inconsiderate ) horse wouldn’t keep still, understandably as I later found out they were biting deer/horse flies (Chrysops viduatus I think) and according to the literature I was lucky not to get bitten myself . I continued searching as the weather threatened a downpour but held off. It was then that I came across a ½ size plastic ‘wild boar’ that presumably someone left there as a joke . I had been forewarned that a “strange wild animal” was on the loose. 20minutes before I’d encountered it, a dog walker had approached me and showed me a (blurred) picture he’d taken at distance on his mobile phone asking if I could identify what it was. He said he thought it might be a wild boar and he seemed worried for himself and his dogs so he decided to leave the site . Therefore, after my own discovery and sensing a wind-up, I quickly scanned the area to see if I was being set up but couldn’t see anyone around. Tbh, I’m still not sure whether the dog walker was genuinely concerned or it was actually his idea of a joke. When I eventually left 2 hours later, the boar was still playing sentinel, terrorising the dog-walkers around the perimeter of the site . Undeterred by the pantomime boar (if it’s not errant dogs; joggers or trail bike riders halting one’s butterflying progress it’s plastic pigs …. whatever next ) I continued on with my searching and was at last able to get a Grayling. Usually I find the Graylings make more effort to utilise their camouflage by the choice of their landing spot but this one just sat out on the open bare earth. Also seen was a female Orthetrum cancellatum (Black-tailed Skimmer) and what I think is a Woodlark (short tail) despite the black and white primary covert bar not being visible. Sunday 25th …and the weather was better than forecasted . Although I had limited time I decided on a recce of Straits Inclosure, part of the Alice Holt forestry complex and a site known for its Purple Emperors. Normally I’d go there in the first week of July, but as butterfly emergences are early this year thought I’d chance it.
There were dozens of Ringlet and Meadow Brown along the ride as I made a brisk pace to get to the first observation tower spot. It was only then that I got to see my first Silver-washed Fritillary. There were a few White Admiral too but unlike East Blean the week before, you couldn’t get anywhere near them. There were also lots of Large Skipper too + the odd Smessex which didn’t stop. Other species seen were Red Admiral; Comma Large White And finally, on the way out I was able to get my Emperor ……. OK Emperor Dragonfly but nice all the same . ...…. and I also received my customary deer fly bite on my hand … one of these days I get away with it.

….... and a Marbled White by the Frith Lane exit. I suppose I’ll have to wait another week or so for the Purps ... (Emperors and Hairstreaks)

Phil

Cracking reportage Philzoid - it really was a great trip out , although I still have the hundreds of shots to sort through Great stuff finding a Grayling - that must be one of the first few this year Definite Woodlark - far too dumpy to be a Pipit

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks for the confirmation Wurzel

That Lark took some careful stalking and I would never have got it without the Lumix FZ-72. Would not recommend it for butterflies though

The Grayling was a case of perseverance paying off

Straits looks to be getting back to some of its former glory with butterflies everywhere ... just not Emperors and Hairstreaks

As for the plastic pig? If it scares a few dog walkers that's fine by me

Phil