September 2022

[David M]

Saturday 10th, Rhossili, Gower:

Small White 50-70
Red Admiral 14
Small Copper 13
Common Blue 5
Large White 4
Painted Lady 3
Wall Brown 2
Meadow Brown 2

[Lawts]

It's looking like Sunday might be the only available opportunity for the Queen Of Spain's for some time after today if the forecast is accurate.
However, even Sunday is suggesting the temperature will max out at only 16 degrees around 2pm. Do people think they'll show in that kind of temperature?
Thanks.

[David M]

Yes. QoS is quite a hardy species - Guy Padfield regularly sees them in January & February in Switzerland when the air temperature is in single figures!!

I frequently see them at high altitude on the continent in conditions far less 'balmy' than 16 degrees, so I can say with some confidence that they will be perfectly happy so long as there are a few sunny intervals.

[Lawts]

Yes. QoS is quite a hardy species - Guy Padfield regularly sees them in January & February in Switzerland when the air temperature is in single figures!!

I frequently see them at high altitude on the continent in conditions far less 'balmy' than 16 degrees, so I can say with some confidence that they will be perfectly happy so long as there are a few sunny intervals.

Thanks. Fingers crossed.

[Stevieb]

Back to reality Nice fresh Common Blue this morning plus helice Clouded Yellow. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

22nd September

22nd September

22nd September

[David M]

Those helice are almost becoming mundane, Steve.

[Stevieb]

Those helice are almost becoming mundane, Steve.

True David. It's certainly been a bumper year for CY's though

[aeshna5]

Popped into the garden centre at Osterley yesterday morning & delighted to see a fairly fresh Small Copper sitting on some deep red Astrantia flowers & seemed to enjoy visiting other flowers of this plant.

[David M]

Friday 16th, Nicholaston Burrows, Gower:

Red Admiral 20-30
Small White 20-30
Speckled Wood 5
Small Copper 5
Common Blue 3
Painted Lady 1

[dave brown]

Queen of South location is easy enough to find. Turn left off the main Dover to Deal road heading west towards Ellen Road and go past Walmer Railway Station. Where the housing ends you are on a country lane, after about 500m you approach a crossroads. Park sensibly here. The field is on your right, an abandoned corn field, follow the track alongside the hedgerow, looking on your right into the field. We saw 2, possibly 3, with 10 metres of the crossroads. Another 6 were about 100m further on. We reckon at least 9 individuals involved.

[millerd]

Queen of South location is easy enough to find.

Cheers, Dave - any chance of a grid reference for those of us who struggle to follow directions? I don't have a satnav or anything sophisticated like that, but if I can pin down a spot on an OS map I'm usually OK.

Thanks,

Dave

[dave brown]

TR36097/50365 will take you to start of the footpath. Nearest postcode CT14 9JN. Its actually only a 10 minute walk from Walmer station for anyone using public transport. One thing to note is limited car parking actually at the crossroads. Otherwise park near station and walk down.

[Lawts]

TR36097/50365 will take you to start of the footpath. Nearest postcode CT14 9JN. Its actually only a 10 minute walk from Walmer station for anyone using public transport. One thing to note is limited car parking actually at the crossroads. Otherwise park near station and walk down.

How would you rate the chance of success tomorrow? No news for two days now, but presumably due to the weather down there at the moment.
Thanks.

[dave brown]

In reply to Lawts.
How would you rate the chance of success tomorrow? No news for two days now, but presumably due to the weather down there at the moment.

There has been 2 days of rain on the East Kent coast so maybe no one looking. Tomorrow's weather is predicted to be much better. With at least 9 individuals on offer I would be surprised if you didn't connect, subject to the weather people predicting correct. Don't think there will be a better opportunity , with good numbers at a fairly easy to reach location.

[Lawts]

In reply to Lawts.
How would you rate the chance of success tomorrow? No news for two days now, but presumably due to the weather down there at the moment.

There has been 2 days of rain on the East Kent coast so maybe no one looking. Tomorrow's weather is predicted to be much better. With at least 9 individuals on offer I would be surprised if you didn't connect, subject to the weather people predicting correct. Don't think there will be a better opportunity , with good numbers at a fairly easy to reach location.

Yes, got to be worth a go! Thanks.

[dave brown]

A few photos from Thursday's visit to the Queen of Spain Fritillaries at Walmer(kent). Some are more worn than others suggesting that some at least had been present for a several days. I believe they were first found on the 18th or 19th of September. I never managed to get a decent photo of the underside although some others on site did.

Queen of Spain Fritillary.

[millerd]

Thank you for all the additional info, Dave. The spot doesn't look too difficult to find.

Cheers,

Dave

[dave brown]

I correct a comment in my earlier post when I said that I believe they were first found on the 18th of September. It now appears that someone first saw and photograhed one on the 29th August, since when numbers have increased. Hence why some are worn whilst others look fresh.

[zigzag_wanderer]

Fantastic to see all these exotic beauties visiting our shores extending the season's excitement.

Without going the full Al Murray though, it's good to know there are some beautiful, beautiful British charmers still out there.

Walked round the fields next door to me yesterday and saw 3 different Brown Hairstreak females going about their business....a cycle of slowly traversing blackthorn branches for optimal egg-laying followed by an open-winged rest to catch the sun followed by a short flight to a neighbouring part of the bush to start the process again. Each cycle taking 5 - 10 minutes. I followed one individual (Brown Hairstreak A) down half the length of one of the hedges until it decided to fly over into the next field.

The developers still haven't started development proper. Possibly one of the very few benefits (from my axe-grinding perspective at least) of rising costs and economic uncertainty.

At Tuesday mid-morning break (10:30 - 10:45 am) I saw a fresh Small Copper, a Comma and a female Common Blue flying together in the sunshine as I approached my al fresco breeze-block seat. The CB was a beauty, with no orange and the brown appearing more slate grey (albeit this was probably the light). Unfortunately, I only got one distant shot and it flew off. I hoped it would still be around at lunch break, but this was not to be.

[Allan.W.]

Visited the Walmer Q of S fritillary site this morning ,arrived at around 8.45 am ,four or 5 other enthusiasts about (apparently since 7.45 am ) ,little on the wing before about 9.30 ,then a call came up that a Queen had been sighted ,and soon pinpointed ,where it behaved immaculatey posing with open wings ,and closed ,as a cloud passed over the sun ,the party had now swelled to around 20 enthusiasts ,and all i,m pretty sure had excellent views and photo opportunities ...................a very happy and friendly crowd !
In all ,i photographed 5 (possibly 6 ) Individuals ,from mint to tatty .I had a chat with a couple of local dog walkers ,and they were very interested ,and one of them had even had an individual in her garden !
One thing both locals mentioned ,and a clue as to why the wheat crop had been abandoned ,was that the field +others around abouts had been sold for a large housing estate .
Allan.W.