Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Cheers Dave I sometimes wonder if certain males monopolize the females - a bit like the Beach Masters with Elephant Seals?

June 2020

Better than never...finally remembered to update the calendar

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Martin Down 19-05-2020

Today felt strange as it was a Sunday and ordinarily it would also have been the last day of the holiday. But these are strange times and instead of having a last trip out before having to head into work for the 8-3 5 days a week I was getting ready to sit at home from 8-3 for 5 days as I wasn’t on rota for another week yet! Still I made the most of it and the fleeting moments when I felt the Sunday dread were quickly displaced again. With this in mind we made our way over to Martin Down to take our exercise without having other people round to bother us. On the drive in along Sillen’s Lane there was a distinct lack of Social Distancing with a Green-veined White and 6 male Orange-tips patrolling along the verges.

The route that we’d taken before had proved to be a bit of a winner with the girls and so we decided to follow it again setting off on the track that followed the hedge along the bottom of the reserve with a female Brimstone joining us for the start of our walk. Once we’d passed the old gate a Holly Blue fluttered down from the top of the hedge and hung around down within easy reach. It opened up slightly and I could see that it was a male with the more pastel blue/grey colour to the wings and more discrete chequers. A Red Admiral also came down to the deck and walked about for a bit amid the grass blades – why they do this I don’t know but it’s a double edged sword when it comes to photography, yes they’re down on the deck and within easy reach but there are multiple obstructions to the shot. Still this one was a beautiful so I didn’t feel too bad about the odd ‘green pointer’ being in shot.

From here the family group split into two with the girls all sticking to the high road whilst I took the Hedge Tunnel. As I entered I could feel the breeze ceasing, the air stilled and along with it the temperature was a tad higher. I scanned the hedge on my right which was lit by the sun but all I could muster at first was a single Specklie which looked a little bored with no sparring partner. At the second break in the left hand hedge where the light floods in a Peacock held court but after this I didn’t see another butterfly in the tunnel until the very end where three Specklies were taking chunks out of each other.

After this we regrouped and cut across towards the Hotspot skirting round the old Iron-age earthworks watched all the while by the Guardian of the Down. This time we didn’t stop for very long at the Hotspot – just long enough for the girls to have a drink and refill their bottles so while they were doing this I nipped over to the little field where I’d seen the second set of Greenstreaks before. Today there was only the one guarding its territory on the corner of the trackway into the field. Working my way back to where the girls were having their pitstop I found two more Greenstreaks and these were right on the end of the scrub by the hollow next to Bokerley. The first of the pair was adopting the upside ‘ready for take-off’ pose that I’d seen the others adopting previously and sure enough just as I lent it for a shot the second appeared out of nowhere and the first dropped into flight to start scraping.

It seems that I hadn’t learnt my lesson from the last visit and again I found myself wandering up the bottom of the Dyke whilst the girls shot up the main path. It was a hard slog and at this stage of the season it yielded little reward, the numerous Brimstones not really making up for sweat and blood I was shedding in my search. But just as I was going to get out and leave the Dyke having reached the top of the hill and the dead end where another track cuts across the dyke I received my payment in full. No silver or gold for me just a Small Copper. It was a little beauty as well and I didn’t even mind that it was missing a chunk out of one of its hind wings. If I’d taken the easy route up I’d have missed it!

Chuffed I climbed out of the Dyke but kept following it looking down from above for the little grey blurs of Grizzlies. I didn’t find any little grey blurs but instead found a little brown blur – my fist Dingy of 2020.I watched and waited as it bimbled about at the bottom of the Dyke and then it flew up the side and landed slightly in front of me. Every year I forget how small they are especially when you’re used to Brimstones and Peacocks from the early spring. Doubly chuffed I finally caught up with the others and we sat down and had a quick snack at the top of the hill overlooking the panorama below.

A few Brimstones fly by as we munch and a Small White or two as well but I’m eager to try and relocate the Dingy so while my coffee cools I head back to where I’d seen the Dingy and sure enough I manage to catch up with it again. This time it stays still for even longer and also starts moving its wings into different positions so I’m able to get a few ¾ open shots as well as a glimpse of underwing. I decide to push my luck reasoning that my coffee is probably cold now anyway (WINK) and so I walk back down towards the Dyke and where I’d found my Small Copper. After a very hot and scratchy 5 minutes in the dust and thorns at the bottom of the Dyke I hadn’t had any luck with the Copper. Instead I’d found something possibly even rarer. Over the years I’ve seen my fair share of Common or Viviparous Lizards and among them I’ve seen a red and black morph but this morning I was treated the unusual green form – an adaptation to grasslands in the offing I wondered while I marvelled at its wonderful colour.

Upon re-joining the girls we took the direct diagonal route back to the car accompanied by the three species of Whites. And there were even more on the drive back down the Sillen’s Lane with 5 male OTs, 2 female OTs, 3 Brimstone, a Small White, 2 UFWs and a Specklie a little out of place. It was great to get out without fear of bumping into someone or a bike knocking into you, and where the nearest person is a couple of hundred metres away but can’t help feeling like I still haven’t had a proper Martin Down visit yet? Hopefully I’ll be able to rectify that soon.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

Just catching up again Wurzel, great reports as usual

Love that first Green Haistreak shot in the last report, great combination of colours and background

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Great to see you today, Wurzel. Glad the directions were useful.
More importantly you didn't go home empty handed!.

Look forward to your shots ( soon!).

Stay well,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Neil There's something about Greenstreaks in the sun especially when combined with the golden yellow of Gorse
Cheers Trevor It was a good day even if my shots were 'passable' - still leave wanting more Here's a taster to keep you interested

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Exercise 20-04-2020

There have been a few times recently whilst out with my family taking our exercise that I’ve seen various butterflies. There have been several whites including the ever patrolling male Orange-tips, a distant Red Admiral and a Holly Blue which kept coming down tantalisingly close within range of my lens before buggering off back up to the top the Ivy covered tree where it would land and frustratingly open up. However today I finally got lucky again…

We were about half way through our walk and had walked under the road bridge, into the park and were following the riverside path when a white flew feebly in and around some Garlic Mustard. From its slow, flappy flight quartering the flowers and checking them out I guessed that it was a female White, probably an Orange-tip. So I ran on ahead and when I was within 2 metres (I can judge this distance pretty well now) I stopped dead and watched. It landed and so two steps later I was within range, in position and I got a couple of shots before it had even realised I was there. Of course once she had sussed that I was a human and not a weird looking bush/tree she was off flying so weakly across the river that I was concerned that she wouldn’t make it! Job done I got on with the walking and talking and keeping an eye out to ensure the 2 metre rule stood fast.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[millerd]

Well stalked, Wurzel! When they are intent on nectaring, female Orange Tips can be surprisingly obliging. Their rather feeble flight helps as well.

Cheers,

Dave

[trevor]

That's not a bad shot of that BH considering the dearth of sightings on Sunday.
I imagine the BH will now become an itch you'll have to scratch!.

Stay well,
Trevor.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzel, Love the Butterfly shots, The Green Hair Streaks are one of my favourite's and I love the June calendar also that's a lovely shot of the Orange Tip. Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Dave I was quite chuffed that I didn't end up blundering about in the undergrowth for once - it was probably because I bit concerned about falling in the river
Cheers Trevor I don;t know about an annual itch...a Large Heath would be nice on my list - if only I could find a valid reason to get into Wales...
Cheers Goldie That's the thing with Lockdown - I thought that I was going to be able to catch up but I've been out loads more due to exercising that I'm as far behind as I ever was

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Middle Street 21-04-2020

Having spent most of the day yesterday working solidly and only getting out for the usual brief walk/exercise today I was looking forward to being out of the house for a bit more time so I planned to use my lunch, break and then work on slightly longer into the afternoon. So I started early and got a lot done and then as lunchtime approached I made the girls wolf down a sandwich and away we went to Middle Street. The way over was quiet with only a Holly Blue on Ivy at the corner house neat the Mill.

As we entered and scanned across the football pitch looked like it had been covered in snow due to the profusion of Daisies. We hugged the boundary fence and walked through, no correction, waded through the grasses and Cow Parsley which seem to have shot up since out last visit and juts before we had to dive under the Carb Apple tree’s blossom bedecked branches a Holly Blue fluttered round in the little patch before flying over into the neighbouring garden. It wasn’t until we reached the small field near the hotspot that we saw anymore butterflies with a brace of Red Admirals. I really wanted to get some shots of one of them as the red band on the hind wing wasn’t red by a creamy tangerine colour, like the dye had washed out but try as I might I just couldn’t get close to it. We followed up onto the bank path past the pond and back round to the Hotspot before I lost sight of it without getting a single shot. As if to make up for it one the several whites flying around and about at the Hotspot settled for me and resolved into a female Orange-tip. She was almost immediately hassled by a male and then a second male joined in before both suitors got the message loud and clear as the female arched her abdomen menacingly.

We carried on our meandering and worked back to the pond and carried on round the other side. A Peacock paused briefly but that was about it so we moved hastily on to the Dips. Whilst in Dip 1 I could only watch as a male OT patrolled and two UFWs passed by as the temperature had risen since we’d arrived and now the butterflies were motoring! Dip 2 very briefly held a Red Admiral which sailed on over to the other side of the river. Dip 3 was bereft of butterflies as was the end part of the reserve and so I turned round and started back. As I did a Small White flew along the bank path and I did my best to follow it down one side of the bank to the Football Pitch and then back over into Dip 2. It landed a few times I was able to get in close enough for a few shots. I love the lemon triangle on the underside of the fore wing. Whilst with the Small White a male OT and two UFWs pass through. They seem to fly in a repeating pattern; say they’re flying ahead of you from your right to left about half way across they’ll flip back and go from left to right before turning round once again when they’re a quarter of the way back and then carrying on from right to left. This doubling back is something I’d not noticed before.

I carried on back, conscious that the girls had given up exercising and were now sitting making Daisy chains – although to be fair there were only one other couple on site with us. Down into Dip 1 and a Peacock went up and as I watched it fly across the Dip a second joined it on the other side. I also followed and managed a few shots of a female OT but the male and the other 2 UFWs didn’t stop at all – but again showed the same partial doubling back pattern in their flight.

On making my way out of the Dip and working back to the Hotspot I found a Holly Blue territory but I could only manage a few record shots at distance so carried on to the Hotspot itself. By now the butterflies were extremely active and getting to the point of being unapproachable so this became more an exercise in recording than photography. Amongst the Whites the Hotspot threw up a brace of Peacocks which were both basking on the dead long grass/reeds of the rapidly drying pond. I picked the girls up and we made our way back checking the little patch by the back gate which again had a Holly Blue but this time also 2 Small Whites and a Red Admiral. The stroll back unusually didn’t produce any butterflies but a Little Egret kept Little L’s interest and became her second favourite animal (after Fennec Fox and before her Patronus the Orang-utan). All too soon I was back in front of the keyboard working away and paying back my lunchbreak.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Five Rivers 22-04-2020

Another day and a load more work done. This working from home malarkey is really interfering with my butterflying as with the weather we’re having at the moment first thing seems best – just creeping into double figures and the butterflies aren’t too mobile. By the time I get to go out (having combined lunch, break, an early start and a late finish) the butterflies are screaming about ceaselessly. Also you end up doing much, much, much more work than you would ever do when actually at work – there’s no packing up and waiting between classes, no down time at all really just solidly plodding along from start to finish.

Sill I was glad to eventually temporarily log off the remote desktop and pick up my camera and head over to Five Rivers. I didn’t see anything until I’d crossed the Waitrose car park and was walking smartly down the narrow path to the Town Path when a Holly Blue erupted from the low vegetation and promptly disappeared again. The little patch where the Specklies were battling it out previously was empty and my second butterfly wasn’t seen until I was actually on site and starting the riverside path when a Specklie flew out from a tiny stand of trees. Slightly further on I reached a bit of the path which is open to the river, the ancient tree that had previously stood guard on the river bank now toppled and decaying covered in a blanket of moss and nettles. A few whites were playing in the sun here including my first definite Large White of 2020 as well as a Small White, a brace a piece of Orange-tip (males) and Green-veined Whites as well as a couple of UFWs and a Specklie looking out of place like a sock in the wrong wash. I only managed the occasional grab shot of most of the whites but one male Orange-tip fed for a while so I was able to get something decent of him.

I reached the Glades and stood watching a Large White for a while. It flew the same circuit five or six times while I watching it – it would fly towards me up high take a left turn and fly around in the smallest of clearing before flying away from me the way it had come. It would then fly round the back of the large ‘clump’ before doing a neat figure of eight over a small cluster of Dandelions and promptly heading back towards the river where I guess it turned around and started the circuit again. Eventually it didn’t come back so I carried on having already clocked 2 Holly Blues and two Specklies here whilst it was round the back of the ‘clump’. All that time watching the Large White and it hadn’t landed once, all I had were a few in-flight shots that would probably be pants.

In the warmth and strong sun I decided not to visit Comma Corner but instead carried on along taking the path that cuts across the Lower Banks. On the lower side of Bank 1 there was a conglomeration of whites – almost the full UK set with males of Orange-tip, Brimstone and Large White, two Small Whites and a Green-veined White. The Large White was motoring along so I tried for the Green-veined White and managed to follow it for a short while. As I was so doing a Peacock glided over me and carried on down the slope.

Things were really going frenetically now and so I spent much of the remaining time just wandering and recording again pretty much like I had previously at Middle Street. On the second Lower Bank there was a second Peacock and then at the back path the breeze was blowing right the way along the slope which meant that the male OT which was feeding on the Bluebells was an impossible target. As I started along the back path to the far corner of the reserve a Red Admiral took off a shot away. In the far corner a Holly Blue fluttered over the hedge into the allotments as did a male OT so I turned about and made the walk in reverse.

The wind had dropped a bit now but the butterflies were as unapproachable as before just now they would have to bugger off a shorter distance as their escape wasn’t wind assisted. On the nettle beds here there was again a Peacock and to OTs had a go at each other. It was interesting to watch as one caught up with the other, they had a bit of scrap and then both went off in opposite directions – I wondered if they followed a set circuit and if so how many times had that particular skirmish been played out?

Back along the Lower Banks there was a male Brimstone, a couple of Small Whites, a Peacock and then another and another as well as a Red Admiral. Try as I might I just couldn’t get anywhere near it. It would fly a few trees/bushes further along the hedge, I’d stalk it, line my shot up and then it would fly a few trees/bushes further along the hedge… I gave up on it in the end I tried for a few more Green-veined White shots instead. At the far end I finally got some distant shots of the Red Admiral as well as the surprise of the day – a Small Tort still hanging on in there!

Back through the Glades and along the River Path I went seeing the same butterflies that I’d seen earlier minus the Large White and with bonus Red Admiral and Specklies. Not a bad bit of exercise really though next time I think I’ll need to try and get out early in the morning and work rather longer in the afternoon/evening?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Garston Wood 23-04-2020

After getting the spending all morning on yet more Curriculum Intent documents lunchtime was approaching so while I finished typing the girls got a snack ready and as soon as I finished we rushed out of the door, jumped in the car and made for Garston Wood so that we could have a walk round for our daily exercise without fear of people not being able to Social Distance properly. This is becoming a bit of thing now it seems as we enter yet another week of Lockdown and on our daily exercise walks we’re encountering people doggedly sticking to the middle of the path and not getting over, cyclists just appearing silently like assassins from behind and groups of people walking together or just standing around chatting thinking that the fact that they’re wearing trainers and jogging bottoms will somehow justify a total lack of Social Distancing?

When we arrived there was only one other car in the car park but we couldn’t hear or see another human being and it was shear bliss to walk on soft ground warmed by the sun whilst being serenaded by bird song the heady aromas of the Bluebells, Garlic and slowly decaying wood lulling us into an almost meditative state. Strangely we only saw one butterfly by the time we’d reached the large log when we were about a third of our way into our walk and this was a Holly Blue a few turns in the track earlier. Whilst we munched our snack a Brimstone fluttered by almost as if it was inviting to start walking again and so we did.

We carried on down the track leading to the back path which arches around the boundary of the reserve before diving straight through the enclosure and on across the middle of site. We started seeing butterflies and they were in roughly the same places that we had encountered them on our previous walk of this route. First up was a Peacock which I almost stood on as it sat casting no shadow on the path. Then further around while we were admiring the sea of Wild Garlic looking like a fluffy eiderdown had been laid over the ground a Specklie and a pair of white flew by, a few Brimstones played over the tops of the small patches of Bluebells that broke the gorgeous monotony of the white Garlic flowers. Just before the track turned back into the reserve a male Orange-tip stopped to take nectar from various Bluebells, calmed somewhat by the shade it seemed.

On we went the occasional Brimstone or Orange-tip in the distance and a Peacock that just didn’t seem to understand that we were walking one way along the path. It would fly behind us, then it would soar back over our heads before landing 10 or so metres in front of us, down on the path. We would get near it and off it would go again, flew toward and behind, turn round, low over their heads and then land further ahead on the path. It did this the whole way along the path until we reached the T-junction and then it panicked as it couldn’t land 10 or so metres ahead of us because there was a hedge and trees in its way!

Down through the Plantation we went seeing a few more Brimstones, 2 Peacocks and 2 Specklies but I was keen to get back as I was in danger of straying out of my allotted lunch and break timing. The drive back was punctuated with Orange-tips and other miscellaneous whites but before too long I was sitting staring at my laptop screen wondering if I’d actually been out at all or had I nodded off in the midst of Curriculum Intent planning?

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Bentley Wood 24-04-2020

I’d seen that Pearls were about in the Wyre, Abbots Wood and also Hawksgrove which is the other side of Bentley from where I normally visit (generally I start in the Eastern Clearing) so off I went in search of Pearls – for me the species which signals that the season is really happening! Reasoning that early morning would be best I set off and made good time arriving just before 9am. The car park has been enlarged and hard core put down so its reasonably level but I have a feeling that I will miss the tress that encroached on the car park. The best thing though was that the car park was empty so Social Distancing was going to be a breeze and so I set off enjoying the bird song on the way – I managed to pick out a Goldcrest which, with my collection of years is becoming harder to hear, it’s now almost beyond my range of frequency, and there were also a few Willow Warblers with their lilting song.

The Eastern Clearing is the same as ever although the fencing is still up in annoying places across the reserve, just ready to catch out the unwary butterflier as they avidly stalk their target. I did a circuit down the middle following the ditch to the bottom and back around, then a checked out the middle area on the other side of the ditch after crossing one of the two wooden bridges. Nothing. I carried on having a look round in the far patches. More Willow Warblers, Garden Warblers etc. but no butterflies. Was I too early in the morning? Was I too early in the season? I retraced my steps back into the middle of the Clearing and there a fast moving, ginger blur. Phew it was a Pearl and this wasn’t going to be a waste of Brownie points. It was like a switch had been flipped – too cold no Pearls, click, right temperature and then there were Pearls and ones which were intent on breaking the land speed record! In fact it was moving surprisingly fast even though it was early in the morning. The temperature was about 12 set to get to 16 but even so they were motoring.

I managed a bit of stalking and got a few shots so at least the pressure was off as it were. As I followed my first Pearl it ended up over by the little triangle near the notice board where there a criss-cross of little tracks that wind their way through dead bracken. As I’m watching ‘my’ one another flies into view and then a third joins in the fray. I follow one of them all the way down to the bottom bit which is overgrown and is often frequented by the Duke and then carry on round before skirting out over to the far track.

I get onto another one here on the far side but lose it again quickly as it goes back over the barbed wire fence – these are a right bloody pain in the arse so I follow the track back up the hill hoping that any that I encounter stay on the margins of the track and don’t deviate through the barbed wire. Another couple of pearls announce themselves when I’m reaching the top of the track and I end up doing a bit of back tracking whilst trying to keep an eye on one in particular. The fact that they are now flying at breakneck speed doesn’t make it easy and neither do the trip wire bramble runners which snake out across the path unnoticed until one is wrapped around your ankle or shin. One Pearl flies towards me and keeps hiding in the dead bracken clumps taking off whenever I get about 2 metres away – perhaps they’re practicing Social Distancing? Another couple are on the other side of the ditch in the large field which was cut back a couple of years ago and so they’re not even on my radar except to keep a note of numbers. Talking of which I reckon I’ve seen at least 4 different individuals up to a maximum of 8. I’m starting to bemoan not getting here even earlier when a grey little blur detaches itself form the grass and lands near my feet – a Bentley Grizzlie! After I’ve spent a little time with it (strangely in exactly the same place that I saw one here last year and the year before) a Peacock bombs away up the path but whilst I’m happy for Pearls to lead me astray and play that game no way for a Peacock (five weeks ago maybe it would have been a different story?)

I carry on to the top of the path and take a right up and further into the wood – it was good here last year but so far the Pearls haven’t found back to it so instead I get a Small White as my reward for making the trip. I turn round and move back down the track past where I’d originally turned off and then work back into the Clearing from the Marshie field (again another recently cleared area). In here there seem to be a couple more Pearls – or the same three or four that were flying in the main clearing earlier? Either way all of them are still totally unapproachable and I almost give up and call it a day when one, maybe sensing my frustration, suddenly calms down and starts taking nectar. I’m back in the little triangle by this point and I’m able to get down low and approach without the little bugger going mad. The Bugle is the just the ticket as it offers up enough nectar to keep the Pearl occupied and in roughly the same spot for long enough to get some shots. Bluebells look nice and a Pearl sitting on one is very aesthetically pleasing but they seem very low on nectar and just as you’re lining up your shot the butterfly is off seeking its next drink. No give me a Bugle any day of the week as that keeps the Pearls playing ball.

As I make my way back into the main clearing I find a definite new individual which I can be sure of as it is has one of its hind wings is damaged. This doesn’t stop it nipping off just as I get in range though so I keep on keeping on and walk back to the very bottom of the reserve where yet another Pearl plays hard to get and there is also a male and two female OTs.

As I’m making my last pass along the main track that bisects the Clearing from top to bottom I’m suddenly spoilt for choice as in the middle of the clearing by the ditch the damaged Pearl and a second both sit down on the deck within a foot of each other. I know that if I go for the Grizzlie which is further away than the Pearl is going to spook it. Obviously I’d rather have the Grizzlie but the Pearl does indeed keep spooking it and to make matters worse each time it does it follows the Grizzlie landing near it so that when I approach again the Pearl spooks the Grizzlie again. This isn’t playing fair but by walking all the way round to the wooden bridge and crossing over I manage to briefly get on the near side of the Grizzlie and fire off a couple of shots before the Pearl twigs what I’ve done and sets about ruining it.

Oh well some shots in the bag hopefully so I head off hoping to return here one evening when it’s slightly cooler and the Pearls are starting to settle down for the night – this should be easier now that we’re going to have more pupils at work so the rota has been altered – 3 days every two weeks…still it’s great to get a taster of retirement – something to look forward too!

Have a goodun and say safe

Wurzel

[millerd]

Some splendid Pearls there, Wurzel! At least they seem to be doing okay down there at Bentley. Sitting on bluebells as well (perhaps to make up for the lack of bugle in the clearing these days). And a Grizzlie bonus too.

Cheers,

Dave

[Goldie M]

Lovely sequence of shots Wurzel, Especially the Grizzlie Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Dave If only the Smalls were doing as well mind you fingers crossed that the newly cleared bits will come to fruition?
Cheers Goldie Sorry about the Grizzlies, I don;t mean to rub it in hopefully you'll see one soon and then I can stop feeling bad about posting them

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[trevor]

Great Pearl report Wurzel, brownie points consumed well!. PBF seem an age ago now.
Early in the morning they are manic if they've found some early sunshine, and docile if they
chose to roost in a spot that catches the sun later on.

Stay well,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Cheers Trevor In recent years I've managed to visit Bentley in the evening and that's been pretty good for shots - but this year my services have been required at home - 'sharing the pain' of Lockdown as it were

Vernditch and on…25-04-2020

As the weather continued to hold we decided to make the most of it and take our exercise over at Vernditch and so we packed a snack, loaded up the car and drove over. When we pulled into the car park there were a few cars here but then this wood is popular with dog walkers and what with it being a Saturday I suppose that was to be expected. However there was no-one around as we exited the vehicle and started on the walk up the hill. At about 20 steps in we were greeted by a male OT and a pair of Green-veined Whites one of which flew lower and in a more dithery fashion than the other and when it paused for a while I could see that it was female. There was something to be said for choosing this walk as even though it was slightly cooler the ‘sunny intervals’ had become ‘sunny’ and so the butterflies were a little better behaved in the shade of the wood.

As we made the turning off the main Forestry Commission track a Brimstone flew past us and added itself to the days tally and then a pair of Specklies played in roughly the same spot as I saw them last week when we’d previously visited. When we reached the crossroads (or should that be cross tracks?) a Peacock enjoyed the full sun that was able to shine down due to the absence of the canopy here and a Specklie basked on the corner on the far side. As we walked the final stretch of the woodland path before venturing onto Martin Down a few whites flew in the distance visiting clumps of flowers which were growing where a tree had fallen or been excised like little oases in a sea of bare soil, twigs and branches. At the end enjoying the sun was another Specklie basking and a couple of longhorn moths looked spectacular. Glittering golden when they caught the sun.
We now entered into Martin Down – which seemed a bit odd as the tree cover here was denser here than in the ‘Wood’ at least it seemed that way as it must have been coppiced in the recent past because there was a wonderful sea of wild Garlic every which way you looked. Along the path a single Specklie flew in the only circle of full sun along the stretch of path and it was weird to experience the temperature difference felt by taking one step into the sun and then stepping back one step into the shade. Onwards we went before the path veered to the right and the treeline receded so we didn’t feel so hemmed in before finally stepping through a gate into the area known as Kitt’s Grove/Grave with wide open thinly turfed slopes and tall scrub.

While we stopped for a snack I watched a series of butterflies all flying along the scrub hedge, still hugging it as is dove down the slope and into the cutting before carrying along the bottom and hugging the opposite hedge as it climbed back up the slope and carried on into the site. In no particular order the butterflies seen were 4 male Brimstones, 2 females Brimstones, a male OT, a Holly Blue, Specklie, Large White and various other whites. While the others finished their snack and enjoyed sitting in the sun (a little luxury this for a family without a garden) I carried on walking into the site down the gently sloping banks and working my way along the bottom of a the very shallow valley eyes peeled for Grizzlies as I had a hunch that there should be some here – the habitat just looked right for them. Sure enough there was the familiar Moth-like little grey blur but I couldn’t get any shots of this one as it was too fast. I followed it with my eyes for a bit but then it did the zig zag manoeuvre and it was gone. Never mind there might be more and sure enough at the end once I’d wandered over there was a lovely little Grizzlie at the end of the track. Well the end of the bit I was going to walk to anyway – the site carries on and round before being severed from the rest of Martin Down by the A354.

As I was enjoying this, my second Grizzlie of the day a spied a third and so stalked towards it but it played hard to get – pirouetting around the Bugle so that it was never in a decent pose. Still it was great to see them and for my hunch to play out. Not wanting to break exercise rules I made my way back to catch up with the girls past various whites and a Peacock. The original Grizzlie was back in the same sort of place that I’d seen it previously but this time there was a male Brimstone in the way. I wouldn’t be able to get in close to the Grizzlie without spooking the Brimstone which would then set the Grizzlie off. I thought about walking in a long, wide arc round around to try and get in form the other side by the Brimstone was so close (probably about a foot and a half away) that wouldn’t work either So in the end I settled for a few shots of the Brimstone itself. Once I’d finished I slowly stood back and watch the Brimstone for another 30 seconds or so and sure enough once it had finished and took off the Grizzlie went also.

We then packed away the drinks bottles and made sure we’d left nothing but footprints and set off. Well the others did I waited for a Holly Blue to settle and open up before running to catch them up. The walk back was pretty quiet with whites and Specklies flying along in the open wood or along the side of the track where the sun broke through and nothing where it didn’t. All too soon we were ensconced in the car heading out on a mission to get lemons for my wife’s evening G&T – if that isn’t essential shopping I don’t know what is?!

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[kevling]

Playing catch up with your diary after a busy week. I always enjoy reading your annual report from Bentley Wood. Some great photos of the PBF and Grizlies.
I visited there in holiday four years ago and will definitely return again one spring.

Kind Regards
Kev