millerd

[essexbuzzard]

However do you manage to find those Holly Blues? For late October, quite remarkable .

[Wurzel]

Stunning Dave They say 'good things come to those who wait'...well you must have been, very, very patient for that one!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Lovely to see you Holly Blue photos Dave, I have hardly seen any all year.

[David M]

Wow! Yes, I predicted it, Dave, but that doesn't detract from the joy of actually seeing it.

What a lovely specimen she is and how lucky you were to encounter her. A female Holly Blue at any time is welcome, but in late October a fresh individual like that is simply off the scale. I hope there's still enough warmth in the season for you to get chance to encounter a few more. Your patch is certainly blessed at this time of year. Let's hope there is more to come!

[millerd]

Once again, thank you all for the appreciation of the Holly Blue. To be honest, once found it was a very obliging insect and though it changed position a few times it didn't fly far and the lower power of the October sun caused it to open up a fair bit to keep warm. The newer of the two males I saw was much more active. As David says, that female was a really uplifting sight as we move into the darkest third of the year now...

Today (Thursday 26th), though still quite warm, was almost entirely grey, gloomy and distinctly damp. In a smidgen of brightness I did see a single Red Admiral quite high up, but nothing else at all. Sunshine, but noticeably cooler conditions promised tomorrow, though.

Dave

[Andrew555]

Another one!? Beautiful, I like the Comma in sunshine as well.

[millerd]

Thank you, Andrew - beautiful is just the right word for that Holly Blue.

Friday 27th October: As forecast, a lovely sunny day, though a bit chilly at the start. As I had to pop into Egham this morning, I decided to carry on afterwards down the motorway and have one more look at Bookham Commons. Buggy had predicted that the Coppers might still be around at the end of the month, so it was definitely worth a look. He was quite right - in the usual spot along one particular hedgerow I found at least three individuals, one of which was still in reasonable condition. They made for very autumnal photos!

Aside from the Small Coppers, I watched around half a dozen Red Admirals flying energetically south towards the sun. They seem to be aware of the sharp downswing in temperatures forecast after the weekend, and are heading for warmer climes. Very sensible.

Whether the Coppers will make it into November here, I don't know, but it'll be a close thing!

Despite endless traffic on the way back, I still had time before the sun slipped down too low to have a quick look at the nearest part of my local patch. Noticeable was the lack of Red Admirals now - I only saw two, one of which was patrolling the usual territory and posed nicely.

I imagine the others have, like the Bookham ones, headed south.

However, I did find three Commas - they of course are still nectaring and will do so until it gets quite a bit colder.

Looking up at the strangely empty ivy, I then spotted the little silver triangle of a Holly Blue.

A wasp disturbed it and it came down a lot closer, revealing itself to be a female (quite possibly the one I saw on Wednesday). It was very cooperative, and whether the same one or not it was a lovely sight in the autumn sunshine.

Another really good day.

Dave

[bugboy]

Great stuff Dave, Holly Blues at this time of year, quite bizarre. The last Copper I saw at Bookham last year was 2nd November (also saw a Peacock on the same day), so there's only a few more days for them to cling on and judging by the condition one or two might just make it if they are able to find shelter from the chilly wind and cold nights that are approaching. I might pop down this weekend if we get enough sun to tempt me out, that hedge should be enough to keep the worst of the predicted northerly wind at bay at least!

[Wurzel]

More fantastic Holly Blue shots Dave Will them hanging on this late have repercussions next year?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

What a day you've had, Dave....again! Those Holly Blues keep rolling along.

Beautiful!

[Andrew555]

A good day indeed, great stuff Dave

[Goldie M]

Great to be seeing Butterflies so late Goldie

[millerd]

The Coppers were probably still around today, Buggy - it wasn't too bad a day at all. Though I've seen Holly Blues on my local patch into November before, they aren't usually quite as fresh as this one was.

Thank you Wurzel! Fingers crossed it doesn't impact them next year: to be honest it hasn't done in the past and the numbers around now are not really very high. That female was the same one as seen two days earlier (I looked closely at the photos) which in this context is a good thing!

An excellent day, David and Andrew - there really can't be many more of these this year now!

It is good to still be seeing them, Goldie. Hopefully, as long as the sun shines and it doesn't get too cold or really wet, Red Admirals will still put in an appearance.

Saturday 28th October: the sun was hazy today, and there was more breeze, but it still became quite warm. I took in more of my local patch today, making the most of the brief period around midday when the sun still has some strength. All I saw today though were Commas and Red Admirals, but surprisingly in higher numbers than I expected - I counted four of the former species and nine of the latter.

The clocks change tonight, a real sign of impending winter, and the weather is expected to reinforce this with a very chilly night tomorrow night and a cold day on Monday. Of course the clock change makes no difference at all to the butterflies: I shall just have to remember to advance my excursions by an hour to keep in step with "real" time.

Dave

[trevor]

Lovely fresh Red Admirals and Commas, Dave. And as for that female Holly Blue, well........... !.

Trevor.

[essexbuzzard]

Agreed, I will certainly be using BST if there is any sunshine on my days off the next week or two. Seems like there is every chance of something other than Red Admirals at the start of November, in the far south at least. I for one will certainly be keeping an eye on sightings.

[Wurzel]

It seems you had some more good weather Dave, it was a lot chillier over this way and they reckon we might even get some frost next week Fingers crossed that we don't cos that could be that for the butterflies

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

You did well to see butterflies on Saturday, Dave. It was cloudy all day by me and the forecast generally was pretty ordinary.

There may yet be time for you to find a few surprises before the first frosts put paid to butterfly activity.

[Goldie M]

You cheer me up no end Dave yesterday was a horrible day here, rain all day and cold with it, keep it up Goldie

[millerd]

Thank you all once again.

The continuing sunshine, despite lowering temperatures, seems to be keeping the butterflies going. I suppose there are many spring days when it's actually cooler than it is now during which Commas and Red Admirals (and a few more besides) are happy to fly.

Sunday 29th October: more sunshine today, and a bit of a breeze early on which eased around lunchtime. In the sun it felt warm, but the air had a slight underlying nip to it. The Commas were out nectaring again, with three individuals seen today.

One or two of the Red Admirals were on the ivy as well, but most were basking on nettles or defending territories. It seems that though some elect to migrate south (I'm sure many from round here have done this) others decide to stay put, establish territories, chase females and stick it out through the winter. I wonder what factors influence this decision? I managed to count ten individuals in various spots, quite well spaced out along my walk.

Finally, you mentioned surprises, David... Today's unexpected sighting was that of a male Small White, doing its best to make its way between dandelions.

Dave

[bugboy]

Do my eye's deceive me or is that first RA another ab 'buggeri'