Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Wurzel, you've brightened my day no end with your Skipper shots the last one in particular is a " look at us we couldn't care less who's watching", I'm still laughing Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Trevor I think next year it will definitely be time to bite the bullet and 'complete the Hairstreaks' - the only problem is knowing my luck the weather will be atrocious on the weekends If you have a postcode for Ditchling that would be really useful as I can plug it into Sheila Satnav.
Cheers Goldie They certainly weren't shy Glad it brightened your day - if you're having weather up there like we're having down here then that was some achievement - it's been like the night all day

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[MikeOxon]

Great account of the courtship (or lack of it!) and pairing of those Small Skippers, Wurzel. The undersides of the two are noticeably different in shade, too and as neither seems worn this could be a very useful distinction when you can't see an upperside.

I am wary of judging shade differences from photographs. So much can be down to the angle of the light reflecting off the different surfaces. Of course, Wurzel was actually there, so he may know if the differences were 'real'.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Mike I can confirm that the different shades were 'real' however I wouldn't say that it's always the case until I've checked it it out many more times, something for next season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Five Rivers 07-07-2019

A gorgeous afternoon saw me winging my way Five Rivers bound. Once on site and parked I decided to head towards the Banks via the river path and so I set off sniggering slightly at the sight of the sweaty work-out fanatics in the gym as I dove down into the shade. Some of the usual grassy knolls between the trees had been left unmown and it was cracking to see. The grasses and clumps of tall dense flowers were reaching almost to my hips and so I used the favoured technique of pointing my toes and slipping my feet in between the sward. It meant that my progress was slow but the advantages were much less trampling and also I was able to approach the butterflies better. As I reached a quarter of the way in I stopped and scanned round; initially I counted the butterflies present and then I switched to selecting my targets. There was a solitary Ringlet, to my right a tiny Small Skipper, a Specklie fluttered in amid the twigs at the treeline and all around Meadow Browns rose vertically in their beguiling, floppy yet surprisingly swift flight.

Having spent some time here and managing a few shots, including a male Meadow Brown with wings spread and still in good nick, I moved on to the small copse at the near side of the Banks. Along the low bank a Small Tort landed, probably an early riser from the small field of nettles at the other edge of the copse.

As I rounded the corner I started seeing more Browns including Marbled Whites and as I scanned across this reasonably level part of the reserve I could see there were small pockets of intense butterfly activity wherever there were clumps of colour (flowers) or green (bramble) in amongst the sea of straw. I set up shop nearest and largest green clump and followed various butterflies as they flew around and sometimes through the towering thorny clump. As well as the expected Meadow Browns and Ringlets there were also Smessex and a Large Skipper. A Painted Lady dropped in as did a Large White. The Ringlets and Marbled Whites kept me busy with their frenetic feeding activity and then I spotted a familiar orange blur and eagerly awaited its landing – a Hedgie. But just as I was checking it for spots a second flew in and both buzzed off. This pattern played out again and again and so hoping that I had a few shots in the bag as it were I I dared to move out into the field, searching for the colourful clumps.

On the way to the first of these I was beset by a multitude of golden blurs, a mixed mess of Skippers. They were mainly Smessex with the odd Large around. Their golden hues were nicely set off by the neighouring Marbled Whites and complimented by the lighter straw colour that is the back drop of midsummer grasslands.

faded or ab?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Five Rivers Part 2

After brushing up on my ID tricks I worked towards the Banks proper. I found that by keeping to the main track I could scan down into the individual Bank looking out for anything unusual before progressing onto the next Bank in the series. Banks 1 and 2 didn’t hold any great surprises as I cast my gaze across them but then as I was moving between Bank 2 and 3 I was accosted on the corner by a flurry of activity as a group Smessex foraged out onto the track in miniature Dogfights. The Smessex were Spitfires and Messerschmits with the Large Skipper and Hedgie that got dragged into the action taking the role of Hurricanes and Mosquito respectively.

On down the hill and through the cutting I went to the other side of the Banks stopping at the large Bramble bush. Scanning over it I managed to find two Hedgies, Large Skipper, Ringlet and Meadow Brown. As I was enjoying these a huge orange butterfly came cruising in inviting the ire of the Hedgies. At first I wondered if it was a Comma but it was much bigger and far too ginger and then it dawned on me that it was a Silver Washed. I would have gone for that one sooner but it was so unexpected – a welcome addition to the site species list. Chuffed I carried on following the path round the corner and watched a mint condish Holly Blue as it gently fluttered down from higher in the trees a little like an elfin sprite. I would have stayed here but I chanced to look up and there were a couple canoodling so I beat a hasty retreat!

I ended up own on the River Path as there is a break in the trees that line the path which fills with the large shrubby plants. It’s usually a good spot for Vanessids and so it proved today with two Hutches that were interacting with each other in sporadic tussles until one settled for long enough for me to get in close.

I didn’t know what to do next as I pretty much seen everything that I expected to see so set off back up the path through the cutting to the top of the Banks and started to wind my way homewards. I tried my best not to get distracted on the way but I ended up on the opposite side of Bank 1 where it runs into the Copse. There were some really nice examples of Pyramidal Orchids here and for the briefest of seconds a Meadow Brown landed on one. Now ‘Butterflies on Orchids’ is one of my collections but there are only a few ‘specimens’ in the collection and for as long as it took for my camera to load up the image I’d just taken on the view finder I thought that I had another addition. From the image you get the general idea that it was a butterfly and some might even be able to identify it as a Meadow Brown but only just. Oh well there’s always another time. Also flying here and round on Comma Corner were unsurprisingly a couple of Commas. I definitely saw 3 individuals but there could have been 5. Also of interest here were a pair of Brimstones a courting. The female wasn’t having any of it though, even managing the rejection thrust while in mid-flight.

My journey homewards continued and back near the initial field where it had all started a whole hour and 25 minutes earlier I paused a while to have a much needed drink and enjoy the cool shade having been caught out slightly by how hot it was and how strong the sun was shining. While I sipped at my water I watched the large bramble before me. There were the usual Brown suspects and also a Red Admiral that must have been enjoying its retirement from the look of it. And so my visit came to a close or at least I thought it had because there on the path before me as I was rummaging around in my bag to find my keys and my lens cap was a Comma. I like to think that it was one of those that I’d seen at Comma Corner that had flown ahead of me to as to be able to wish me farewell at the car!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Bentley Wood 10-07-2019

Seeing the various images come pouring in and reading the various reports on various Social Media outlets had me chomping at the bit to get out. The weekend had come and gone and I’d been suckered into believing the weather reports only for them to change within the space of an hour or they were wrong and so I felt like I’d missed out. All my hopes hung on the weekend but that’s never a good place to be, I always feel that having seen a species already seems to make it easier to see again and with this idea in mind I managed to organise an after work trip to Bentley Wood. I’d read that Purple Emperors are late risers but I didn’t know how late they then stayed up and it was still hot so I viewed this trip as more of a recce.
As I pulled into the car park I was followed by another car and having both got out we both started off in the same direction walking down the main trackway to the Switchback. On the way I notched up Marbled Whites, Large and Smessex Skippers, Hedge and Meadow Browns and Ringlets galore. A Silver-washed bombed by and a Painted Lady tricked me momentarily into thinking that I’d encountered a Valesina as it was so tired and worn; almost all of the tangerine colour had faded to so it appeared black and grey. High up small, silver blurs crossed the track from one Oak top to another – my first Purple Hairstreaks of 2019. Down at the Switchback something was on the ground supping away at some horrible horse dung. It was still nice to see even if it was only a Red Admiral.

From here we slowly worked down the track to the left which headed towards Donkey Copse scanning the trees and watching the skies looking for anything that takes to the wing. On the first cleared section a Peacock drops in for a few shots and then as we carry on down there more of what I’ve already seen – although the Marbled Whites seemed to be more numerous here. At the end we paused for a while but things weren’t looking that hopeful and so I carried on down the grassed over trackway. There were two male Silver-washed here and they were much more approachable so I managed a couple of shots before they twigged and then I started to make my way back to the main track spying an unusual looking Specklie on the way, it was missing both of its hind wings though it could still put on a good turn of speed.

Back on the main track I caught up with the other gent and again we took to scanning the skies. A female Silver-washed was around and I watched as a Purple Hairstreak too off from the Bracken and landed just low enough that I could get a shot. I moved towards it, teasing the Bracken apart and as I reached up and focused the wind suddenly picked up moving the branch and eventually dislodging the butterfly. Cursing slightly I extricated myself and got back to the track way Tick free. As I walked along something caught my eye up high – the unmistakable shape of His Nibbs looking to all intents and purposes like a white striped bat. I called out and tried to see where it landed in amid the uppermost branches but in the end I lost sight of it. We hung around here for about 10 minutes, straining and contorting our necks as we peered up hoping to make out the silhouette of the Emperor. Suddenly it was there again flying back the way we’d come and again it was a fleeting view but like a lot of nature watching when you’ve seen one you know you’ve got the ID right. After another 10 minutes or so I gave up waiting as I’d not expected to actually see an Emperor until the weekend so I was suitably chuffed. At the Switchback a White Admiral did a fly-by almost to allow confirmation of the Emperor sighting. It was much slimmer, less bat like and also flew with more scything glides.

I carried on straight across the Switchback and walked along towards the memorial at the top of the wood. Once there I settled down to a bit more neck crunching albeit to a shallower angle. I noted a pair of Commas, a few Ringlets, a Silver-washed passed by and then a little grey rectangular butterfly jinked about – a Whitter. I watched it playing at the top of the small Wytch Elm whipping before feeling slightly depressed by its poor state and so started back on a slow walk home pleased that I’d seen all my target species.

On the walk back I stopped at the next crossroads as something dropped down onto the middle of the track. I hoped at first that it was a Hairstreak as it looked grey and was about the right size. As I cautiously approached, no mean feat in the heat, I could see that it was a female Ringlet but the greyest and smallest I’d encountered. As I’d stopped I scanned around to see if there was anything else to pick up. Amid the typical browns that a prevalent at the moment there was a Large White, 2 female Silver-washed and a Small Tort. It was nice to see something a bit more colourful amid browns even if it was the second most common colour - orange!

I cut across the recently cleared area as I had a feeling that this was the right thing to do. Marbled Whites seemed to be everywhere here and even more common than the other Browns. On the other side a large greyish butterfly was being hassled by a male Silver-washed. It was a Valesina! Annoyingly it would always land in the middle section of a large Bramble bush and so I’d have to try and poke my lens through the bush to get a shot or if it did land on the end of the brambles it was very twitchy. After this I made my way back in earnest only stopping for a female Silver washed when I was almost back at the car park.

So a great way to spend the late afternoon and I added some nice species to my yearly tally even if I didn’t get shots of some of them and came away with only a handful of semi-passable shots of the others. Roll on the weekend!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel, it's great to look back at your shots, you've certainly been busy this year keep them coming,
you're making me more determined to make up next year for what I've missed out on this year. Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Goldie I should be okay with keeping the posts coming - I've only got twenty or so on the back-burner It must have been a good year as I'm sooooo far behind in my posting

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Work 11-07-2019

After the escapades of last night I debated about whether I should head out at lunch today. However the somewhat cloudy sky lulled me into a false sense of security that the butterflies would be a little slower. As I reached the pits the usual assortment was there to greet me leaping out of the grasses on either side of the track and then either jinking and zig-zagging in such a fashion as to defy the laws of Physics (Skippers) or erupting in slow motion and fluttering off deceptively quickly (Meadow Browns and Ringlets).

At the large Bramble patch a Meadow Brown didn’t sit long enough for a photo and a handful of Smessex bolted all in different directions. I managed to watch one as it landed and I approached cautiously enough so I was able to get in nice and close. It seemed to be ovipositing as it spiralled round the blade of grass, abdomen firmly attached. Unfortunately I either couldn’t see any eggs on the surrounding blades so I don’t know if it was positing or posturing?

On the other side of the bush there were more of the same species so I set off to the other clump of Brambles making for the break in the line of trees. On the way I noticed an overly large Ringlet which as I leaned in became 2 Ringlets locked together in cop. I slowly reached down to try and clear some of the grass stems out of the way and one of the butterflies reached out a couple of legs. I offered it my finger and it promptly accepted clambering on board and dragging its companion with it. This was great as I can’t recall if I have a Ringlet in the hand shot? The only problem was despite offering it plenty of lovely looking perches they didn’t want to leave my finger. In the end I managed to persuade them onto some Dandelion leaves and thanking them I made off.

The little patch of Bramble on the edge of the hedge on the other side of the ‘tree fence’ held a few Meadow Browns but also a Hedgie and a Small Tort dropped in. As I waited for it to land a Large White flew by adding another ‘group’ to the tally. After this I followed a Marbled White back at the main Bramble patch and waited round for a few moments so that it settled – which it did and I was able to finally get some ‘at work’ shots after seeing them on a few previous visits here.

All too soon it was time to head back in and so grudgingly I did…
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

A great set of midsummer shots, Wurzel, but the one that attracts maximum has to be that beautiful valesina. From a bit of a distance it may have been (they are naturally shy after all ), but it's a stunner nevertheless.

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

Cheers Dave We do alright for Valesina over this way - there's only been one year one I've not managed to see at least one Mind you I think the most unsual sighting was one at Martin Down at the Sillen's Lane end - as far as it could be from the local woods!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Bentley Wood 13-07-2019

So having been caught out by the weather app a couple of times last week when I saw it “clouding over from 10am for the rest of the day” I didn’t believe it…mistake – I should have realised that they only ever get it right when predicting weather that is non-conducive to butterflying AND you’ve decided to go anyway!

Still I set out hopefully from the car park down the main track towards the Switchback enjoying the huge numbers of Ringlets and Hedge Browns that adorned the Bracken like little baubles on either side of said track. The odd Large Skipper added to the mix but surprisingly there weren’t any massive ginger beasties skimming over the frond tops as there has been in previous years. As I reach the half way point where the track dips down before rising back up I spied a few Purple Hairstreak fluttering overhead passing from Oak to the other from whence they carried on flying little forays out at other invading Purps or interlopers of different species. A Comma momentarily made me think that I’d gotten onto my first Silver Washed of the day as it cut across the path and dived into the fronds.

As I continued on I swapped between scanning the canopy for any gliding runs of a bat like butterfly and peering ahead at any ikcy looking lumps lest they bear the tell-tale shark fin. Things weren’t looking good but then as I reached the cross roads my peering ahead at poo paid off. There, up ahead, was a shark fin indicating that there was a butterfly enjoying some salt taking. However as I got even closer I could see that it was just an Admiral and not the hoped for Emperor that was so enjoying the heap of horse manure. As I watched it I felt my eyes being drawn upwards and the tops of the adjacent Oaks seemed to be alive with Purple Hairstreaks – this had been a good year for them I reckon.

Having taken the right hand route on my previous visit and not wanting to depress myself further at the state the Whitters Wytch Elms are in I turned left today and ambled on down to the corner. On the way I was joined by both White Admirals and Silver-washed but they were keeping themselves pretty much to themselves further back from the track flying the margins of the wood. At the corner instead of flowing the track as it veers to the right I headed left on the grassed track. Unfortunately there weren’t any low down Purps here which is what I was hoping for as the sun hadn’t yet reached here; the tall trees were still blocking its progress. Instead I contented myself a few more Ringlets, a Green-veined White and a lovely female basking for all that she was worth and trying to catch as much of the weak sun as she could. At one point I offered her my finger and the warmth of my digit enticed her to clamber aboard – a welcome addition to my ‘butterflies in the hand’ collection.

I then made my way back to the main track and made for the Donkey Copse ‘cul-de-sac’ as I reckoned this could be a good spot for His Nibbs this year. The Purps continued to tease me making as if to come down low but then jinking back up a remaining aloft in the highest canopy. However a White Admiral played ball – stopping a couple of times so that I could get some shots.

On I went straining my neck and stubbing my toes as I walked in the opposite fashion to all those addicted to electronic devices – they’re actually talking about putting light in the pavements so that people can walk along and look at their phones safely – well during the silly season I need the opposite! At the end of this track, the little bit of wider ride prior to the wood phasing out and grassy fields taking over, there were huge numbers of Hedgies and almost every step reveals another 3 or 4. I did my best to check every individual for unusual spotting but it proved to be very hard work and the bets I could come up with were a few which almost had their eyes divided in two. The stand out butterfly here was actually a Ringlet with one of the spots having a little tail and making it reminiscent of the number 9. At the furthest end a Painted Lady, tired and faded led me on a bit of a dance but I had to partake despite their abundance this year in case next year we aren’t as blessed with them.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

Ah!, memories of summer, just what I need on a horrible, dark, wet and windy night here.

Great stuff,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Neil I think our posts crossed as I congratulated you on your positive spin - looks like we're experiencing the same weather system - it looks set for the same tomorrow as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Congrats for that Valesina a few posts back. So they are almost an annual for you!.
In my entire life I have only ever seen one, in Abbots wood near home.
I think they may be one of those butterflies that fly behind me pulling faces

Must keep my eyes open, when in Wilts!.
Trevor.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel, great shots especially the Butterfly on your finger keep the photo's coming they cheer me up no end Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Trevor 'I think they may be one of those butterflies that fly behind me pulling faces ' I reckon that's Hid Nibbs for me The trick with Valesina is to check out the more shady rides as they seem to prefer them unlike the 'normal' females - Bentley Wood is a really good spot for them
Cheers Goldie I'm glad you liked the 'butterfly in the hand' that's one of my 'collections' . No worries on the posts continuing - I've got such a backlog to that end I better get on and get the rest of the last post sorted out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Bentley Wood 13-07-2019 Cont'd

Back at the Donkey Copse area as the morning wore on there were more SWFs flying around as well as a Hutch and a cracking looking Peacock. The fresh Hedgies had decided to come out of their hidey holes too and so I spent a fair time attempting to photograph the butterflies in this little area as well as peering towards the top of the trees just in case His Nibbs graced us with his presence but now the cloud had swallowed the sun entirely and there wasn’t even the faintest of little blue breaks! So I headed back to the corner and the little grassy path where I was lucky enough to get a few close shots of a Green-veined White. Feeling lucky at getting Green-veined White shots isn’t usually something I’d write about but these are probably only my second set of shots of this species form this season – where have they all been??

After this I started the long walk back, made all the more depressing by the onset of the gloom, the sky a dull consistent grey and not a chance of an Emperor. Even the odd Large Skipper or White Admiral on the way back didn’t lighten my mood and I was back on the final stretch towards the car park before a Ringlet snapped me out of my blue mood. At first I thought there were two and I wondered if they were in cop, then as I got closer I realised there was only one and the ‘other’ butterfly was actually a curl of bark. I don’t know what the butterfly was doing but it seemed quite attached to this strip of tree, reaching out tenderly with one of its legs as if to comfort it?

So that was Bentley – where did the great Purple Emperor enticing weather go? I bet tomorrow it’ll be perfect conditions again!
Have a goodun
W…

And that’s where the story should have ended but after I’d gotten back and eaten my wife nd I walked to Waitrose (other higher end supermarkets that offer free coffee to members are available…) and so we set off through town and along the river path to the aforementioned supermarket. I’d not taken my camera out of my bag and so on the way when an Essex played in a small area of uncut grass on the bank I managed to pick up a few shots. It got better than this though…As we walked past the hedges and shrubs in the car park I watched a Red Admiral fly towards me and land close by. It started arching its abdomen round looking to lay.

Another good example of why you should always carry your camera – whilst it wasn’t total compensation for a lack of His Nibbs it went a good way towards it.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

I really should read your posts more carefully, Wurzel. This is what sprang straight out of the page at me...

...And that’s where the story should have ended but after I’d gotten back and eaten my wife...
Wurzel

What you needed that day was obviously an extra Comma...

Great shots of those SWF in particular, and I wonder whether that Ringlet had made the same mistake as you did and was convinced that bit of bark was another of the same species. The colour is very similar...

I have to agree - always carry the camera, just in case.

Cheers,

Dave