Pauline

[Pauline]

OK, back to the butterflies - well, the DGF egg which is now 9 days old. I made a brief visit today and got a few shots from different angles. I also noticed 2 female SSS, which together with the 2 males, increases the population at this site by 100% - the numbers are building nicely as they say

[Katrina]

Sorry to hear about Saffron, it is clear from your posts how much you loved her.

[Pauline]

Thank you Katrina. Losing all 3 of them in a year has been hard

Whilst at Oxenbourne yesterday I took a few snapshots of a few of the many butterflies, both numbers and species, including this lovely female SWF:

.... and a rather gorgeous, ugly beetle which looked as if it was covered in shimmering inky blue armour plates for protection.

Back at home, the BH have now been in the pupal stage for 7 weeks. I believe one is male and one is female. I also think (hope) they are still alive. The eggs came from discarded branches on Noar Hill and I have not seen any reports of BH from there yet:

[Goldie M]

So sorry Pauline, what else can be said, hope your okay, I know how much you love your animal's. Saffron was so affectionate with you, all the best Goldie

[bugboy]

Sorry for your loss Pauline. One thing with this Hobby of ours, it does encourage us to get out and about which is the healthiest thing to do in situations like this, watching life go on in all its intricate wonder.

[Padfield]

I too am very sorry for your loss, Pauline. It never gets easier, no matter how many companions you love and lose. Good grieving.

Guy and Minnie

[Pauline]

Thank you all for your kind comments, both public and private. They are all really appreciated. I am pleased you managed to meet her recently Goldie. I decided to take your advice today Buggy and called in to Noar Hill for a bit of therapy. I was astonished at the number of Red Admirals. It is one thing reading about how plentiful they are and quite another to see hundreds of them. It was not difficult to see 20-30 from one position, repeated across the site. SWF were more numerous here than at the Straits (something I have never known) and in between all these were vibrant Peacocks and the odd Comma, bright Brimstones and a lovely fresh Painted Lady. A few Marbled Whites and various Skippers were noted but only a couple of Common Blue. Large and Small Whites added to the general 'busy' feel of the location and whilst it was very enjoyable being amongst it all, what I had really come to see was how the BH are doing here. I had not heard any reports from this site although I usually see the first ones around the end of July. Well, how I didn't stand on her I don't know as I had walked over that area a couple of times in the last hour and she was well down in the grass. I managed a couple of shots before she flew up but there was always shadows of grass spoiling the shot . I really must learn how to use photoshop to do more than cropping and brightening

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Pauline,

Sorry to hear about your loss.

No doubt that display of Red Admirals and other species help to take your mind of things. As others have said, there is no better place at such times as out amongst the butterflies.

All the best,

Neil

[Wurzel]

Hopefully the great Brostreak helped to salve you Pauline

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

That Brostreak looks good to me Pauline, hope to see one soon Goldie

[Pauline]

Thank you so much Neil - and you too Wurzel. I appreciate the comments and am trying hard to follow your advice tho' I fear it will take some time this time .

Goldie, I really hope you manage to see one some time soon.

Hairstreak Heaven

I have been struggling a bit to motivate myself recently and I was not at all happy with that shot I took of the fresh female BH as she emerged from the grass. I decided to nip over to Noar Hill to see if I could do any better. Ern was already there with a big grin on his face having just taken a smashing photo of his first ever male BH. Apparently, both male and female had only recently landed on the same leaf, back to back, before both flew off. Ern had also seen a couple of males flying around the canopy. As we stood comparing notes and having a bit of a catch-up the show kicked off.

It would have been hard to miss the male that was flying low down in circles around us, really close, but just in case we didn’t spot him he was soon joined by a second male. I half expected a repeat of my recent PE experience and I wouldn’t have been in the least bit surprised if one of them had landed on either of us. Their behaviour was quite weird, seemingly quite oblivious to us as they continued flying at waist height and lower in a very small area, touching down on Hazel branches at regular intervals but not for very long. They seemed agitated, excited even and I casually suggested to Ern that perhaps they were aware that another female was about to emerge in the area (I have seen Dukes behave in a similar fashion in the past). No sooner were the words out of my mouth than I spotted her and she was absolutely gorgeous – totally intact and very, very fresh (just look at those beautiful tails with the white tips) .

The males seemed to be competing for her attention as they swooped in time and again, each time a little closer. In between times we were treated to aerial displays more reminiscent of the PE with 2 and 3 males spiralling in the air before returning to their quarry. A large Dragon Fly zoomed in even closer, eyeing up the Hairstreak. Memories of the BH caught by a spider as she was egg-laying a couple of years ago came to mind, and more recently the mating pair of SWF caught by a Dragon Fly but thankfully all was well. There were at least 5 BH very close – 3 males and 2 females – and we were surprised to realise that we had been entertained for over an hour. Eventually one of the males landed beside the female – and we both missed the shot!!! - before they both flew off over the bushes. I have never had such a close encounter with so many BH at any one time. Marvellous!

[Katrina]

Wonderful report Pauline, interesting description of butterfly behaviour.

[essexbuzzard]

Great goings on at Noar, Pauline. I'm pleased for you,you deserve a bit of luck at the moment.

[Pauline]

That means a lot Mark - thank you!

Thank you Katrina. I have honestly never had such an encounter with Hairstreaks. It was great to see and because I am still reliving it a couple more shots from the day:

Yesterday, I dropped into Oxenbourne, late in the day, to monitor 'my' egg which is 2 weeks old now:

I saw only 4 SSS for sure - 3 males and 1 female. However, I was told that Ashley had earlier counted 9 so still not into double figures . I took a couple of shots and decided to adopt a more natural style with plenty of background and context. I lie! Truth is, I just couldn't get them in any other position

Whilst looking at Small Skipper eggs I came across a different type of egg. Probably lots of insects deposit their eggs in this fashion but I have no idea what they are:

[Maximus]

What a lovely encounter with Brown Hairstreaks and lovely photos too, Pauline must try to get there soon.

Mike

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots Pauline, I do hope I can get over to see some BHS it depends on how Jim fairs over the next week Goldie

[Pauline]

Thank you Mike - it was amazing. More seen today and many of the folk we know and love were there too. You were missed so please try to get there soon.

Thank you too Goldie. I do hope Jim is OK after that unfortunate incident.

[Pauline]

My turf delivery was delayed this morning providing a window of opportunity for a brief visit to Noar Hill. It was great seeing many of the regulars there and newcomers Trevor and Doug (hope you eventually tracked down a male guys). In summary, I saw 4-5 males flying around and landing in the usual Beech tree. 3 females came down in total but not as far down as I would have liked .... and not quite in the right position for the sun. Nevertheless, I'm not complaining and did the best job I could under the circumstances:

... and there really is a male in this tree:

Returning home, more exciting for me was watching my colony of Purple Hairstreaks flying around in my Oak trees although I only saw about 6 and only one came within camera distance which was about 18ft up - even with my stepladder!! It was very windy and I was surprised to see one of the Hairstreaks tuck his legs under him and almost lie down:

[Maximus]

Nice Brown Hairstreaks, Pauline, especially given the bright conditions We must have just missed you at Noar Hill on Friday. We saw a male BH at 3pm in the top pit but only got a record shot, it was nectaring on thistle but not stopping for very long. You're very lucky to have Purple Hairstreaks in your Oak but they always seem to sit just out of reach! We also added Clouded Yellow to our 2016 list no shots though it was much too active here's hoping that's the first of many.

Mike

[Pauline]

Pity I missed you Mike. A male Clouded Yellow was also seen on Sunday pm and late today I spooked a female from the path (near the stone circle) - so that's at least 2. I didn't see any BH today but when I started complaining Hazel told me I'd already seen more than my fair share Trouble is, I always want more! Should have called me Oliver

I've been spending a fair bit of time recently at Noar Hill as it is nice and close and it reminded me that it is exactly 2 years since I found my injured wild rabbit just outside the reserve as I returned from a BH search. This is Lucky in her run today:

A Speckled Wood continually flew around her but I could not get a shot of the 2 of them together - settled on her kennel is the best I could do:

So I didn't see any Brown Hairstreaks today but there were some lovely butterflies anyway, gorgeous fresh Brimstone and beautiful vibrant Small Tortoishell to name a couple:

I didn't realise until I looked at this shot that there is something behind this Brimstone. I do hope it is a dandelion clock and not a spider:

Not sure what this bird is but I would love to know. At first I thought it was injured as it seemed to be leading me away by hopping along the ground:

A few have asked about my little Wood Pigeon which is still a little deformed but almost ready to go: