essex buzzard

[trevor]

Some great Wall images there Mark, especially that fresh female.
You were lucky to have a tall plant, like the Ragwort, for them to nectar/pose on.

Great stuff,
Trevor.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks for your comments, I'm well chuffed with those Walls, and it's a delight to still have them as an Essex species. Now all I need is a bit of Clouded Yellow action...and a bit of sunshine.

[David M]

...Now all I need is a bit of Clouded Yellow action...and a bit of sunshine.

Good luck with the latter, Mark! I can't ever remember a second half of September so dull and cloudy as this. Maybe October will see a change.

Here's hoping.

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Mark,

Good to see that you made it to Osmington and were rewarded with some nice Adonis Blues and that beautifully blue spotted Small Copper

Cheers,

Neil

[essexbuzzard]

Following Trevor's report of Clouded Yellows from Shoreham in Sussex, it was inevitable I would be down there as soon as the weather allowed. Sunday was rather cloudier than forecast, but some sunny spells lunchtime were enough to produce the sightings. Once the sun came out, butterflies appeared instantly. At the harbour, several fresh Clouded Yellows, including a helice, were seen. The markings were heavier on some males than others.

In between these Yellows, several Small Whites and a Large White were spotted. Common Blues were found, including some nice females and a fresh male. Red Admiral and two Small Coppers were also present.

[essexbuzzard]

Then onto Mill Hill. A few more Clouded Yellows were seen in any sunny spells, as were Common Blues, though these were more faded than the ones at the harbour. Meadow Browns were seen, some surprisingly fresh-why a Meadow Brown would rather emerge in October than July I have no idea. Several Walls were still present, and one each of Comma and Painted Lady completes the list. That's 10 species, quite acceptable for October. Had there been a bit more sunshine, I'm sure I could have seen two or three more.

[Wurzel]

10 Species for October is a very haul Essex, and those Cloudies are the icing on the cake

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

Pictures from Mill Hill. A successful day I've been waiting a long time for. Thanks for posting, Trevor.

[millerd]

Great Clouded Yellows and Blues from Shoreham, Essex. Worth the trip I'd say. That last one is beautifully marked. It's good to see Mill Hill is still going strong too - and like you, I can't understand how Meadow Browns work at all. My first sightings (including a female) were on 2nd June this year.

Dave

[trevor]

I'm pleased that the journey from Essex to Shoreham paid off.
Your helice could be the 4th one that site has produced, not bad for a fairly small population.
The heavily marked CL earns you a mrgreen, and is possibly the second example with such markings.

Great stuff, Mark.
Trevor.

[David M]

That 4th Clouded Yellow in your 9 October post is an absolute beauty, Mark. Really defined underside forewing spots. Great that you got a helice and the female Common Blue is notably attractive as well. A productive trip for sure.

[Goldie M]

Love all your shots I think they're outstanding! Goldie

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks everyone for all your comments. As always,a bit of luck is needed to get these sightings,especially in October, and not least from the weather. It was certainly well worth the trip down there.

Today we were off to Dungerness. We were hoping to see some of Hoggers 's Small Coppers, and also Clouded Yellow or two. In fact, not only did we see some of Hoggers 's Coppers, we also saw a Hoggers-great to meet you! Although a lot of cloud at times, there was enough brightness to find 10-15 Coppers, some still fresh.

We also saw 3 Clouded Yellows near the power station fence, where we also met Hoggers,

Elsewhere at Dungerness, I was pleased to see two Peacocks in the moat area, while 1 Common Blue, 2 Painted Ladies, 2 Red Admiral and a Small Heath, which looked like it had had a lucky escape, complete a successful days sightings.

[Allan.W.]

Good to see you had some joy at Dungeness yesterday Essex ,by the time we arrived there the sun had completely disappeared, but still managed half a dozen Coppers and a single "ghost" of a Clouded Yellow, there was something going on in the moat ,while we were there ,with about twenty parked cars ,and like number of birders ,intently scoping the bushes ........kept well away , maybe re-found yesterdays Raddes ! Also saw a couple of singing Black Redstarts ! regards Allan.W.

[Goldie M]

That's really great for October, wish I'd payed a visit to Kent instead of Decorating my Daughter's coming here instead Goldie

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Alan. Yes, we saw all those people and cars down in the moat-so that's what it was, in those bushes? Twitchers. Funny things, them. But I suppose they might say the same about me when I'm chasing butterflies!

Thanks, Goldie. Yes, it would have been great to take you round Dungerness yesterday. But it seems you have been doing pretty well, with those garden sightings!

[Wurzel]

Great set of Coppers and Cloudies Essex and a really lovely dark painted Lady

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Lovely selection there, Mark. I'm almost getting bored with Clouded Yellows and Small Coppers so it's nice to see a Small Heath make an appearance.

[Andrew555]

Right, this is clearly another for the 'list of places I need to visit'
Great selection essex, I do like those pictures with pebbles in the background.

Cheers

[essexbuzzard]

No worries, Andrew. Add it to next years list, I would definitely recommend it. Lots of good birds in the area, too.