Hoggers

[Wurzel]

Such variation Hoggers Glad to see you got your radiata too
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Another wonderful range of Coppers, Hoggers. Those radiata seem to crop up with unusual regularity on your patch.

[Maximus]

Well done with the radiata, Hoggers a nice find

[bugboy]

I like how you say 'first radiata of the year' like you expected to find one and expect to find more

[Hoggers]

Hi Buggy, I live in hope!

The radiata variety is quite rare at Dungeness. We see Coppers with reduced orange bands on the hind-wing but the full radiata is a lucky find.

That said, last August there was a spate of them! Something to do with the weather last Summer, perhaps?

The one I found on Saturday looks about 2 weeks old. It's a male so there's a chance it's holding a territory : I'll have look next time I'm down there

Thanks for all the messages

Hoggers.

[Hoggers]

Mess with a Small Copper

And there'll be trouble

Here's typical behaviour of one male goading another into a punch up

The one sitting quietly but the other pushing him

then fluttering on top to provoke a reaction

These three young Blades put on a great display

No shivering Peacocks today: my car dashboard read 15c outside

The first brood still has a lot of life in it

But numbers are on the wane

I counted 50 today

Not bad given it was very windy

I also saw my first Small Heath

and 6 Grizzled Skippers

A good day's Coppering

[David M]

Wonderful images, Hoggers, especially the in-flight shots, which are very difficult when you're dealing with such a small subject.

I've seen 9 Small Coppers myself today, so I suppose I shouldn't complain, but having the wealth you have on your local patch must be wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoy all the posts you publish as few if any of us can see such numbers of this delightful butterfly on a single site.

[Hoggers]

Thanks for your comments David, much appreciated.

I remember visiting Dungeness in the Spring of 2010 and the Blackthorns were absolutely covered in Small Coppers! It was amazing and made a lasting impression on me.

I love to watch the male's aerial displays but it's so fast it's just a blur. When I take snap-shots it freezes the action, I can see what's going on and really appreciate what highly skilled, agile and acrobatic creatures they are.

Hoggers

[Allan.W.]

Some absolutely brilliant in-flight shots there, Hoggers,and some very interesting observations,haven,t been able to get to
Dungeness much for the first brood,so I,m making do with looking at yours ! hopefully will get more time for brood 2 !
Regards Allan.W.

[SimonC69]

Oh Wow! those in flight shots (especially the first one) are awesome.

[Hoggers]

Thanks for you kind comments Allan and Simon - much appreciated.

I always enjoy watching these sparring matches and try to get some photographs. Most come out completely blurred (or I get a beautiful shot of the pebbles!) but now and again I'm lucky and can see what they're doing. It opens up a whole new world!

Best wishes,

Hoggers.

[Hoggers]

When I arrived at Dungeness today I was greeted by my first Painted Lady of the year

And later saw a second individual

As for Small Coppers, I counted only 26

They're in the sort of numbers (and condition) I associate with the last week in May

The males battered and worn

And a high percentage of females

with the occasional individual in pristine form

It's certainly been an early season for them

I bumped into the reserve warden and he said they'd had rather cold conditions and some heavy rain this week, which would have had an impact on numbers.

I also saw three Brown Argus, Small Heath, Red Admiral and Peacock

[David M]

As for Small Coppers, I counted only 26

For many of us, this would be an annual tally, Hoggers!

I'm pleased to say I'm seeing more and more of them on my patch, although my 2017 total still hasn't reached 20, and I will consider it an achievement if I can mark off a century or more.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Hogger's fantastic Coppers in flight, I didn't realise the Grizzlies were there has well, I must try to get down to Kent in May but that may take some arm twisting I try when I'm down there in July or August to get to Dungeness with out success , it's difficult when your visiting family, you've to go a long with the flow.
How long do the Grizzlies last at Dungeness Goldie

[Hoggers]

Hi Goldie, thanks for your comment - The in-flight photos are a favourite of mine. I can really see what's happening in those very fast duels!

I found my first Grizzled Skipper at Dungeness in early April and I know about 6 were spotted over the last weekend, so I'd say the sooner you can visit the better!

Hoggers

[Hoggers]

David Walker (the warden of Dungeness Nature Reserve ) has just emailed me this photo of a stunning Small Copper found by him just outside the reserve

As I'm stuck at work I don't know if to thank him or throttle him!

Hoggers

[Goldie M]

I'd get there has quick has I could Hogger's thanks for your feed back, I can't get there now but I'll have to get down there in May instead of July next time I visit, hope you see the that Copper! Goldie

[Hoggers]

Walking the dogs this morning I was delighted to be joined by a Small Copper which flew past me along the footpath.

Seeing a Small Copper before breakfast was inspiration enough to head down to Dungeness.

The whole estate is in bloom and there were plenty of butterflies including Painted Lady

Brown Argus, Common Blue, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and a Small White.

As for Coppers, I counted only 8

This is the sort of number I'd expect in late May/early June.

I didn't find any fresh models

This Lesser Spotted Copper caught my eye

It's an interesting variation I see now and again.

And this female with a nice "Ray" pattern on the hindwings

But we're definitely at the fag end of the first brood now

Still, that means the second brood is on its way!

ps. A photograph I took of a beetle at Dungeness on 29th April was seen by the reserve warden who then took expert advice and it's been identified as Hister quadrimaculatus, only the fifth British record!

I'd named it the "Open Bracket - Close Bracket Beetle"...

I think I'll stick to Small Coppers!

[Hoggers]

It's not often I allow anything blue in my diary

But with the emergence of fresh Common Blues at Dungeness I couldn't resist

Just as I photographed this pair

They separated

The female flew away pursued by the male (not something that happens with Small Coppers)

I noticed that the male Brown Argus often behave like their Coppery counterparts

Sallying out to intercept passing butterflies

As for the Coppers, they're in low numbers,bashed and very faded

Though a few are not so bad

Amongst them however I did find this interesting individual

The tail-band looks like a row of orange diamonds

This is the only fresh Copper I found (a female)

These last remaining members of the first brood may be faded and worn, but they're ever vigilant and full of vim

[trevor]

Keep this up Hoggers and you'll be getting a reputation for Common Blues !
Great to see your Coppers too. Dungeness is on my to do list this year.

Best wishes,
Trevor.