Andrew555

[Andrew555]

Abbot’s Wood near Hailsham is a place that some of you here are familiar with I think, I went there for the first time last year and returned this year.
I didn’t actually know that the Pearl-bordered Fritillary could be found there, only discovering this fact after I read the information board in the car park! But being July it was too late to see them.
The aim was to have a good walk around, see what was about and learn the area.
I did a circuit of the main paths, visited the lake and also explored some of the lesser paths that branched off.

At a small clearing with some thistles in it, something big and orange caught my eye,
a male Silver Washed Fritillary was busy feeding.
This was the first one I’d seen up close, a very impressive butterfly!

I came across an area with Ringlets.

And a lovely Leopard Slug on the path nearby.

An Angle Shades moth caterpillar ? maybe..

Comma, Meadow Brown, unknown White and some moths and dragonflies also seen before the end of a very enjoyable day.
With the SWF as a highlight.

I returned in May this year with the hope of seeing some Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.

There were lots of these Speckled Yellow moths about.

Green Veined White and Orange Tip by the side of the paths.

Then in a larger open area, a PBF!

The best side view I was able to get.. damn you twigs!

Then I saw these, which look like Small PBF's to me, an unexpected but welcome addition!

I spent a while watching them, and getting a few shots, Painted Lady and Small Copper also dropped by.
It was fantastic to see all these lovely butterflies, Abbot's Wood is somewhere I will definately return to.

Cheers

[bugboy]

Lovely shots Andrew. You got lucky with those SPBF, newly reintroduced to Abbots Wood but kept hush hush in their first season to give them their best chance of settling in . You did well to get that Speckled Yellow as well, they really are very skittish little sods!

[Andrew555]

Thanks Bugboy, ah I see, in that case I'm glad I didn't join UKB earlier and post them as soon I took them!
Agreed on the Yellows, there was a large mass of cloud passing over, that seemed to calm him down.

Cheers

[David M]

Great images, Andrew, and although your butterflies are magnificent, that Leopard Slug has to be the pick of your presentation.

[Andrew555]

Ha! Thanks David Glad you like it, it was another first for me.

Cheers

[Wurzel]

Great set of shots Andrew, the Pearls and Small Pearls are lush but that first Silver-washed is a real cracker of a shot, to my mind it really captures the butterfly and the season it flies in

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Andrew555]

Hi Wurzel, thanks a lot m8!

[millerd]

What a great selection of fritillaries, Andrew, particularly the SPBF. Lovely shots.

Dave

[Andrew555]

Thanks a lot dave

[millerd]

And I forgot to say - that is one splendid slug! I've never seen such a beast...

Dave

[Andrew555]

Here are some shots taken over several visits to Denge Wood in Kent. Located to the south west of Canterbury, conservation work has been done here in support of the Duke of Burgundy butterfly.

I saw my first Duke’s in an area called The Warren, at the edge of a grassy path two males were chasing each other, and a Dingy Skipper, around.
I managed to get a shot of one in a pause between bout’s, with some daisy's for scale.

Another Duke area is the Bonsai Bank, here are a male and a female, always nice to see both.

During my circular-ish walks around I saw plenty of other butterflies.
Green Veined White, Comma, Dingy Skipper and Brimstone.

Peacock, Wall (my first female ) and Small White.
Meadow Brown and Common Blue also spied along the way.

Lots of other insect life to see, like this Common Darter Dragonfly.

This really caught my eye, this bug had just shed it's skin. But I don't know what it is, one of the shield bugs ?

So Denge Wood, a great place to visit if you want to see the Duke of Burgundy, and a very pleasant place to explore in general.
All credit to those involved in the conservation work.

Cheers

[Goldie M]

Hi! Andrew, I visit my daughter every year in Kent but always usually in Summer time, we've visited Denge Woods a couple of times then and that's the first time I ever saw a Silver Washed fritillary, also there we saw White Admiral all near the entrance, we stopped going there because the road through the woods was always full of thick mud and we didn't know of a better entrance so we'll certainly take a good look at the map you've posted.
Love your shots of the Duke and the other other Butterflies Goldie

[Wurzel]

Great report there Andrew I always find it fascinating hearing about sites from around the country that I've not visited before, great set of Duke shots as by the way

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Beautiful presentation, Andrew and many thanks for the site overview image which is something I always appreciate.

[Neil Freeman]

Great reports and photos Andrew, they certainly brighten up a cold dark night

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Great selection of shots Andrew, particularly like the female Wall,
nice neutral, uncluttered background.

Trevor.

[Andrew555]

Hi Goldie, very nice
I know what you mean, Penny Pot Lane is certainly long, winding and narrow!
Glad you like the shots

Hey Wurzel, thanks buddy

Thanks a lot David

Hi Neil, that's good to hear!

Thanks Trevor, now I always associate Walls with High and Over and your good self

Cheers

[Paul Harfield]

Hi Andrew
It is always nice to see a new diary taking shape. Lovely female Duke of Burgundy from your last post .

[millerd]

All the years I lived in Dover, and I had no idea Denge Woods existed... what a waste! Great Shots, Andrew, particularly the Duke and Duchess selection!

Dave

[Andrew555]

Hi Paul, thanks a lot.

Thanks Dave.
I'm certainly learning about new places to go through UKB.