Pauline

[Pauline]

It's always great to find exactly what you're looking for

It's not always as it seems Goldie! I certainly don't post about every outing - I'll give you an example. You might remember several years ago I had to throw away my favourite shorts as they had hundreds and hundreds of ticks on them which were still alive after a hot wash and a 3 hour dry!! Well, that was from Oxenbourne which is a dreadful site for ticks. I usually only go once a year for the SSS but I was lured there by the temptation of finding DGF. I was on the site at 6.30am today and when I saw 10 deer scarper across the field my heart sunk and I took extra special care not to brush against anything. Nevertheless, despite brushing myself down regularly I came home after just 90 mins to find about 3 dozen of various sizes embedded in me. Here is just a few of them:

...and no shots of DGF to show for it

Not wanting to be defeated completely I thought I would take another look at the WLH. There is still just the 2 - one with a large square out of both hind wings and another who refused to show himself:

Wouldn't normally have posted this but just wanted to show that you can't achieve every time and just have to keep at it. I do appreciate your kind words tho'

[Chris L]

My eyes were as big as saucers reading the 'favourite shorts' story Pauline. So ticks can be added to the list of creatures that would survive a nuclear holocaust alongside moss bears and cockroaches.

I bought some spray the other day as a consequence of the thread on the subject and the kind words of advice from others. I was out and about the other day in my shorts and after half an hour I remembered that I had forgotten to spray myself.

[David M]

Nice images in your last non-tick report, Pauline. Given my lack of foreign travel, maybe this year is the one where I should at least attempt to do justice to Essex Skippers like you have done.

I can't understand why you get targeted by ticks like you do. I've never had more than half a dozen in my lifetime. Maybe it's all the garlic I eat?

[Pauline]

So ticks can be added to the list of creatures that would survive a nuclear holocaust

Seems that way Otep. I usually end the season on antibiotics as I get bitten so much. I rarely venture out in shorts these days as I haven't yet found a spray that works. My doctor assures me that we don't have Lymes disease in my area but .........? As a result they are not too bothered about removing ticks and last year I had to get the local vet to remove one from the middle of my back that I just couldn't reach!!!

Thank you David. I do like garlic but clearly don't eat enough of it! The doc suggested yeast tablets as apparently they alter the composition of the blood but haven't yet tried that

[Goldie M]

Hi! Pauline, I went to HLB today, you'd have thought it was Winter Jeans, socks on pulled over the jeans and a shower proof Jacket. The Temperature was 20c no wonder people give me a wide birth I expected rain and am a ware of the Ticks
Goldie

[Pauline]

Better safe than sorry M. When I want folk to give me a bit more room I just start coughing

Today at the Straits there weren't many folk at all but I was pleased to see my first Small Skipper of the season and also my first SWF. The SWF and WA were both taken at quite some distance so just record shots really. I now realise I have also forgotten to ID the Dragonfly so will need to do that later.

A few from recent days including Silver Y moth - lots of them around now - and female Marbled White which I watched egg-laying:

[David M]

Your close up images reveal details not often appreciated, Pauline, such as the colossal eyes of the dragonfly and the gentle, blue 'pupils' in the Marbled White ocelli.

[Pauline]

To be honest David, I am a bit bored with the shots I have been taking for years and am trying different things. I have an idea of what I'd like to achieve but I think it might take some time - as you know, patience isn't one of my (many) virtues

You might well ask why I am posting a fairly poor shot of a bird (taken yesterday thru the window) but its appearance had consequences. I wasn't sure what it was to begin with as I only occasionally get Stock Doves in the garden.

This morning I went out as usual about 5.30am to check the Duke larva. I was full of anticipation as the 3rd instar had been resting up for almost 4 days in preparation to shed and had been almost a black colour since yesterday:

I hadn't taken many shots of it over the last few days as it was in an awkward place and I didn't want to disturb it. At this stage they really do not like interference and have a tendency to drop off the plant if moved. So I was quite excited at the thought that today I would probably see it shed its skin for the last time. Unfortunately, as I crossed the lawn I saw a soaked and bedraggled bird huddled between some plant pots. At first I thought it was a fledgling Wood Pigeon but no, it was the Stock Dove that had suffered a cat attack:

By the time I had sorted out that situation and returned to the Dukes I reckon I had missed the moult by about 30 mins!!! Ah well, hopefully there will be another chance - hope I can say the same for the bird.

[Pauline]

Sadly the Dove didn't make it. Realistically it was so traumatised and shocked all I could do was keep it warm and quiet initially. I had high hopes when it had something to eat and drink but it then went downhill very quickly. Afterwards I was able to examine it properly and could see a small puncture under the wing and obvious signs of internal bleeding. I do wish folks would at least keep their cats in at dawn and dusk, preferably all night:

On a happier note, little Broccoli emerged during the recent thunderstorms so had to stay in the cage for a day. Definitely a Small White. I'm not sure that abdominal gesture was one of appreciation and gratitude but it was all I got before flying off:

[Pauline]

I believe the Dragonfly in my earlier post is a female Black-tailed Skimmer. I am not good with ID's or Dragonflies so if not I hope someone will tell me.

Having braced myself for another visit to the ticks I thought I would try a different time and different weather conditions. I certainly did that. By the time I got there a gale was blowing, the sky had gone dark and it had started to drizzle. I have a lot to learn about DGF - they will fly in these conditions, even when it is cold, and they know you are approaching from quite some distance. I am in awe of those of you who have managed to approach this butterfly. Needless to say I didn't get the shots I wanted but I didn't bring quite as many ticks home as before and I did get a couple of shots:

Oxenbourne on a June afternoon!

I came across this Small Copper with what looks like pollen on his proboscis. I know I have posted similar shots in the past of various species but this butterfly looked like it was roosting like this. Does anyone know if this affects the functionality of the proboscis and /or the butterfly?

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of shots recently Pauline - really like the head on/X-wing view of the Small Skipper I'm guessing here so bear with me, but I don't think the pollen sticking to the proboscis should affect the functionality too much. True they can't 'put it away' properly but as the proboscis forms a tube and the pollen are on the outside I can't see it interfering with getting nectar up - it might stop it reaching in as far though

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

Hi Pauline, I agree about the DGF, they just know, don’t they? Early and late in the day are perhaps best, but this is precisely the time that bits of grass and shadows get in the way!

I agree with your previous post as well, taking the same old shots can get a bit boring, always good to try something different...

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots Pauline, especially the DGF, I like the close up to of the Small Copper, I must say the detail of what I could see was great. Goldie

[Pauline]

Cheers Wurzel. I was really just wondering whether the proboscis would be able to be unfurled effectively to take in nectar - hope you're right.

Thank you M. I am finding that just about every shot and every butterfly is hard work this season.

Hi Mark - I try to tread lightly, reduce any vibration and make little noise but I am struggling with this species (always have!) Mind you, I'm struggling with a lot of them this season including the WLH which is not usually so much of a challenge for me. I love your image on the leaf - the first one. I have never seen them sit like that. I tried again today but in 90 mins just got 3 brief sightings of what might well have been the same butterfly so numbers at my local site (which is usually super early) are definitely down.

As I walked back down the track to the car park there was not a soul around but coming from the right I could faintly hear some music. As I carried on walking it got louder and I realised it was bagpipes. To the right was a deep ditch, very long grass and trees but I was curious to find the source. Having struggled through and over these obstacles a lone bagpipe player came into view in a glade thru the trees. Just disappointed he wasn't wearing a kilt!

So where was I today? Just a stones throw from Portsmouth - Spinnaker Tower in the background:

[Goldie M]

Hi! Pauline, your getting very adventurous Portsmouth and tracking down a Piper, (no Klit indeed)

Lovely shots of the Hair Streak, I'll follow your guide on tracking that down Goldie

[Wurzel]

Still lovely shots of the Whitter Pauline I reckon the piper was a bit concerned about Ticks and that's why he wasnae wearing a kilt, I mean one your leg is bad enough but one on your...well best not go there

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Pauline]

Are you speaking from personal experience Wurzel?

Cheers Goldie - got to have an adventure from time to time

Sadly the piper wasn't there today or I might have put in a personal request - for a kilt Thankfully there were more butterflies but 3 in 2 hours still doesn't cut it. I am just about on first name terms with them now. Today there was a fresh male, a worn male and a really small male - no females, despite that being the first butterfly I posted a week ago. I reckon in several visits I have seen no more than 6 different WLH (the one with the bites out of his wings didn't show today). Very poor given I was watching 6-7 down at once last season.

I might have to turn my attention to Purple stuff now. Before that I reckon I deserve a rest. During lockdown I tried to get as many chores done as possible. I was about to take some old green, rusty garden furniture with a mouldy green canopy to the tip but hey, the tip was in lockdown! Then I remembered I had some paint left in the garage from the other set I painted last year. I bought some pink 'tarpaulin' off the internet and this is the result. Headed there now with a glass of Pimms

[Pauline]

A few of the Skippers which provided both entertainment and amusement as I waited for the Hairstreaks yesterday. I always think they are such photogenic little characters with loads of attitude:

Small

Essex

Essex

Large

Essex

Small

[FISHiEE]

Hi Pauline,

The 'pollen' on the small copper are actually polinia from an orchid it's been feeding on. I see it on butterflies quite often at this time of year. I'm not sure if it effects their feeding. It can make things look uncomfortable and it must irritate the butterflies as I do see them trying to remove them with their legs sometimes.

[Wurzel]

Not quite personal experience Pauline but quite close
Lovely set of Smessex (and Large) Skipper shots - they certainly help to break up the monotony of Browns at this time in the season

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel