Pauline

[David M]

...As you know David I monitored quite a number of BH larva this year and I am fairly certain they pupated early due to their size and early disappearance. I had mentioned a couple of times that I expected an early emergence because of this. As you rightly point out the weather conditions were ideal. I don't think the numbers that have emerged have necessarily suffered as a result of the heat - rather it is the sightings that have decreased as the butterflies remain in the shade. Hopefully, with slightly cooler weather on the cards in the coming days we may get a better idea of numbers.

Interesting observations, Pauline. Brown Hairstreaks appear to have largely retained their normal flight period in contrast to many other species whose flame has burned out early.

Neil H has just posted that egg laying has begun in earnest round his way and this seems to follow the pattern of previous years.

Not quite sure why this is, but with any luck the majority of us will see plenty of females coming down to the blackthorn suckers over the next couple of weeks.

[Pauline]

Hi David, as I keep saying, butterflies behave differently at different sites depending on the environment. For example, unlike NH, it is not usual for male BH to come down readily at Steyning (at least that's what I was told and why Sussex folk have visited NH for photos) so folk there tend to wait for the females coming down to egg-lay. Typically NH is an 'early' site for BH and by the time the females are coming down to egg-lay at Steyning it is all but over at Noar Hill. Interestingly, I paid 2 visits to NH yesterday. I have now been there 12 times since 24 July and have seen BH on 9 of those visits. I didn't see any yesterday so I used the time to look at Blackthorn and quickly found half a dozen eggs including the one below which was not laid in a typical location (tho I'm sure it's not unheard of for them to lay eggs in the middle of a branch as i know PH do this). So it would seem that egg-laying has been going on at NH unobserved but for how long is anybody's guess. I shall keep watching:

and an egg I found which is presumably one of last years:

[David M]

Thanks, Pauline. I take your observations on board.

All butterflies are fascinating, but there's something about Hairstreaks that is particularly interesting.

Once down from the trees, they're particularly easy to observe, so we should all try to indulge whilst the betulae flight period is at its peak.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Pauline, I saw some BHS eggs at Gait Barrow but that was it, still you might say I saw their beginnings Goldie

[Pauline]

Hi Goldie

It's great that you saw the BH eggs - hope you took the opportunity to get a few shots . I can sympathis and empathise regarding insects bites. I have recently had to have skin samples scraped off me and sent away for cultures to be grown Nothing new as I am usually on antibiotics by the end of the season

Thank you for your positive views David. As I'm sure you will recall Hairstreaks are my favourites . As an aside I have just added a couple of Wheaten Marans to my flock - only 12 weeks but lovely girls (no photos yet) - Conker coloured eggs

[Pauline]

It is that time of the year again – it doesn’t half come around quickly, doesn’t it?! - and I am getting totally bogged down with jobs that must be done before the Winter, despite trying to get as much done as possible during the season. Perhaps I should have gone into Estate Management instead of Business Analysis! I’m not sure how my body is going to cope with much more as it constantly aches from cutting down hedges, painting, putting up fences and running up and down hills in pursuit of butterflies . Still, it’s what keeps me fit.

I wasn’t sure which direction I would take this season but I have spent a lot more time out in the field watching the behaviour of butterflies in all their stages, which has involved even more time seeking out repeatedly the immature stages, as many inevitably ‘disappear’ for whatever reasons. As a result of the additional time this takes I have done very little captive rearing this season and because of that I have ‘dropped’ that category from my annual summary. That has been replaced by a new category – ‘Firsts’!

One of my objectives was to seek out creatures, places and people that have not been encountered before instead of repeating ‘same old, same old’. I have a lot to thank Paul (Buggy) for in this respect as he showed me both Purple Hairstreak larva in the wild and PE 5th instar. I have also met a fair few new folk this season and in my summary they are represented by Dave as for so long we frequently just missed bumping into one another. It was a pleasure to meet Andrew too – a diary I shall certainly keep my eye on.

I have probably not made much progress on the Moth front. Part of this is just lack of time but I confess to feeling quite overwhelmed when trying to identify them. I must take this opportunity to thank Maurice, Wurzel and Neil in particular for being so long-suffering and helpful in pointing me in the right direction as I floundered, and for not laughing too loudly when I got it hopelessly wrong!

The Hairstreak group continues to be my favourite category and to that end have a compilation of their own. In the extreme and prolonged heat it was Brown Hairstreaks that provided me with my first sightings of Hairstreaks down on the track searching for moisture and with similar motivation the Purple Hairstreak apparently taking moisture from the larva of another species (Hoverfly?). Those amazing Black Hairstreaks that turned up in Sussex provided me with 2 ‘firsts’ - my first visit to that venue and my first opportunity to take photos of them in the wild (although I have many shots from when I captive reared them a few years ago).

I have,as usual, included a few personal favourites in my summary. Not necessarily the best of shots but special because of other factors – who I was with, what the circumstances were etc.

I would like to think that I have made the most of this season. Many domestic issues have got in the way this year – property maintenance and a few sad happenings with the animals to name a couple – and the weather has been challenging to say the least. I hope you have enjoyed my diary this year whether you were just looking at the photos, following the text or actively contributing. To the latter I would say a big thanks as it is great to get your feedback. I hope you enjoy the latter part of the season and I shall see you again in the Spring. It just remains for me to post my usual summary, in no particular order:

[Wurzel]

A fantastic season by all accounts Pauline with some real crackers of both photos and behavioural observations I hope the 'closed season' treats you well and keep an eye out for the Winter Social dates

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...As an aside I have just added a couple of Wheaten Marans to my flock - only 12 weeks but lovely girls (no photos yet) - Conker coloured eggs

Yes, good choice, Pauline. The eggs are a gorgeous chocolate brown.

We've had a few in our time, but my recollection is that they're not the most productive of layers.

Beautiful birds though, and a docile temperament....a bit TOO docile at times and they can get bullied by the bolder breeds such as Speckeldy & Bluebell.

Good luck with them and I look forward to an image or three!

[trevor]

It's a shame that you are shutting up shop so early this year.
But I understand your commitments. I enjoyed your company with the Emperor.
My finger is still aching from hovering on the camera
shoot button, whilst waiting for that male to open up !.

See you next season, al the best.
Trevor.

[bugboy]

Happy to help out in the 'firsts' dept. and also nice to see Millerd getting a spot too, he might need a favourite picture thread all of his own over the winter season

[David M]

Great series of mosaic images, Pauline.

I've now had time to pore over them and you've crammed a hell of a lot into the short window of spring/summer this year.

I must say the Purple Hairstreak with the larva is the one that stands out for me; I've never seen such behaviour before.

As ever, good luck with all your chores during your 'off-season' and I will very much look forward to seeing you on here again next spring.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Pauline, you had a slow start but you certainly made up for it Fantastic shots of so many lovely Butterflies, keep in touch with the e-mails over the Winter Goldie PS wish I lived nearer to you

[philm63]

Lovely sets of images Pauline. Hope everything goes ok till next season
Phil

[andy brown]

Hi Pauline,

As usual a great finale to a very unusual butterfly year, will catch up soon and hopefully get out over the coming weeks for some larvae/Ovum etc.

Take care

Andy

[Andrew555]

It was really great to meet you this year Pauline, and thank you again for showing me those lovely Silver-studded Blue's.

I've very much enjoyed reading your diary this year. Interesting, varied and always with some excellent photos, as evidenced by your great summary selections.

All the best for now,

Andrew

[essexbuzzard]

All the best for the autumn and winter, Pauline. Be great if you could make it to the winter social this year.

[millerd]

Hi Pauline. I am honoured to be included in your hall of fame for the year! Perhaps not my best side, but very typical! It was good to finally meet you in the field (though I recall you were actually in a ditch the first time... )

That is a fascinating record of your year, and worth going through in detail. It is an inspiration to branch out and look beyond just the standard poses of adult butterflies - there is so much more out there.

Have a good winter, don't work too hard, and as Essex says, do come along to the social - it can't be all that far from you.

All the best,

Dave

[Janet Turnbull]

Hi Pauline, that's a very inspirational summary of your year. I'm struck by how much you actually get in your garden, too. Thank you for sharing, and thanks for the help you have given me with ID-ing moths! Looking forward to seeing your diary again in the spring. - Janet

[David M]

Hi Pauline. I am honoured to be included in your hall of fame for the year! Perhaps not my best side, but very typical! It was good to finally meet you in the field (though I recall you were actually in a ditch the first time...

LOL! What an introduction..one in a ditch and the other about to get knees dirty on the track.

All in a day's butterflying.

[Neil Freeman]

Blimey Pauline, is it that time of year already These seasons are whizzing past faster and faster.

Great sets of photos, I like the way they are presented by subject

All the best for the winter,

Neil.