Maximus

[Maximus]

Cheers, Wurzel, they were fresh, but not large numbers The weather can make or break a site visit, it's a shame that it was the wrong way round for you yesterday It went against us in my next post and it's a pain when you're travelling a reasonable distance


Green Down 6th June


After keeping an eye on the weather forecast we decided to visit Somerset today, with the forecast for cloud with sunny spells and a high of sixteen degrees; just perfect for open wing shots of Large Blue Butterflies. What a load of rubbish that turned out to be as our day was spent in full sunshine with a high of 21 degrees and not a cloud in the sky above Green Down! Having not visited this site before we travelled with high hopes. Arriving at 2pm we parked in the lane under the Down and headed up the footpath and onto the site. We saw no butterflies of any species as we walked along the horse gallop which cuts through the middle of the Down. I took a look along the lower part but saw nothing flying and it looked a little overgrown, so we headed onto the upper part which looked more 'grazed'. As soon as we stepped onto the Down proper, a Large Blue flew across right in front of us putting up a second one, they both kept flying until we could no longer see them. We slowly walked along the narrow path in the direction they had gone and within ten yards had seen several more (or the same two), but they just stayed airborne as it was steaming hot on the sheltered south facing Down. We prayed for a bit of cloud cover but it didn't happen and that was the pattern for the whole afternoon. Shots were hard won and there wasn't really an occasion when we saw a LB with it's wings anywhere near fully open (apart from by fluke).

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue female - Green Down 6.6.24.

A flukey shot of a squabble, ok it's open wing but by fluke..

Large Blues - Green Down 6.6.24.

a Grizzled Skipper, the only one seen but at least it's wings were open..

Grizzled Skipper - Green Down 6.6.24.

a couple of shots of the Down..

Green Down 6.6.24.

Green Down 6.6.24.

and a final couple of Large Blues..

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

Large Blue - Green Down 6.6.24.

We saw approx. fifteen Large Blues during our visit, a couple were quite worn so some had been out for a while. In spite of the warm conditions it was an enjoyable visit to a new site for us and what a stunning site it is too.

Green Down 6.6.24.

and finally an open wing shot from France last summer..

Large Blue - Brenne France 27.6.23.

[Wurzel]

I had a similar experience about four days before you Maximus - every shot was hard won still your perseverance paid off in part I always reckon that the under wing shots are much more interesting than the open ones anyway It's a good site, less steep and slippy than Collard and easier to get to than Daneways

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...In spite of the warm conditions it was an enjoyable visit to a new site for us and what a stunning site it is too...

It sure is, Mike. I visited for the first time during Covid and found it an absolute joy, with none of the heavy footfall that one gets at Daneway and Collard Hill.

It's ironic that in a year characterised by cloud and cool conditions, on the one day you wished for it the weather Gods conspired to turn it into a sunshine-fest! As you rightly said, this makes photographing arion very challenging.

[Neil Freeman]

... with none of the heavy footfall that one gets at Daneway and Collard Hill.

A few years back Green Down would be closed during June and July with visitors restricted to specific open days. This was to protect the Large blues and give them chance to establish.
Since word has spread on social media that it is now open access I have seen increasing numbers of photos posted from there. Maybe that is a good thing in the long run as it may spread the visitor numbers around more sites, especially with Large Blue now also at Rodborough Common.

Anyway, an interesting report Mike with some nice photos despite the less than ideal conditions for your quarry.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Maximus]

Well it's been quite a while since I last posted in my personal diary, seven months in fact, where does the time go? Up until the end of June we managed to get out regularly when we were still based in Salisbury. During last summer unfortunately our time was taken up with domestic issues which us gave very little time to engage in the pleasures of seeking butterflies. We are at the moment based in West Sussex, so hopefully, once winter gives way to spring, we will be in a good position to explore some Sussex butterfly sites and I might be able to post more regularly again
Before we left Salisbury we did manage a couple of visits to a site recommended by Trevor, near Tilshead in Wiltshire. This is a vast flower rich grassland site on MOD land roughly in the centre of Salisbury Plain. During our first visit the weather conditions were rather overcast, cool and breezy and during our second visit there was more sunshine and less breeze.
We parked the car and walked onto the site and straight away we found some Adonis Blues, some were quite worn but there were also some nice fresh examples, perhaps the first brood was nearing its end? We did however find a nice selection of both Adonis and Common Blues but many were hunkered down in the grass due to the cool breeze..

Female Adonis

I've seen male Common Blues do this with their abdomen before, not sure why they do this though?

We also found an ab krodeli Adonis but it was too flighty to get a photo!
Trevor had mentioned that he had found many Bee Orchids here and as we traversed the site we found them everywhere, you had to watch your step to avoid treading on the dozens of plants..

We also found a few Pyramidal Orchids across the site..

TBC.

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of images Maximus - pin sharp That site at Tilshead is a cracker, nice and easy to work too

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

...where does the time go?..

Where indeed! Good to see you back, Mike. Beautiful images (of both orchids and butterflies).

[trevor]

I'm pleased your visit to Tilshead was a success, Mike.
It's a great area for many butterfly species, and think this is because the site is
unmanaged and is left alone for nature to ' get on with it ' virtually undisturbed.
I was pleased to find some Marsh Fritillaries there on one of my visits.

Enjoyed your photo's, especially the Orchids.

[Maximus]

Cheers, Wurzel Tilshead is a great site and not too demanding I'm sure it would be truly amazing in a good year


Thanks, David, it's nice to be posting again.


Cheers, Trevor, thank you for the recommendation, it's a large site and a lovely place to enjoy a few hours exploring. Unmanaged and undisturbed, definitely, that's what adds to it's charm. I would like to pay a visit 'JUST' at the right time




Tilshead cont..

As we walked around this grassy site we encountered plenty of Marsh Fritillaries mostly past their best, but there were a few fresher one to be seen, seems there may be a sizable colony here..

We found a few worn Dingy and Grizzled Skippers as we walked along the tracks and plenty of Small Heaths..

There were many Burnet moths nectaring on the abundant Viper's-bugloss and some Forester moths too, a new one for me..

It's a site that we will visit again when the chance arises.

[Wurzel]

Great to see another Marshie site nearby Maximus I really must try and get over there this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Interesting to see those Marsh Frits nectaring from thyme, Mike. Round my way, they are always on very damp habitat where that herb doesn't grow. Instead, they head for ragged robin, bugle and cinquefoil (and sometimes bluebells).

[Maximus]

A very slow start to our season so far, so just a quick post of what we've seen so far. It would appear that this season is very advanced in comparison to previous years and I note that both Glanville and Marsh Fritillaries are now on the wing. This may reset slightly during May as it looks like the weather is set revert to 'normal' for this time of year if you believe the thirty day forecast?

Ferring Rife 20th March

A very warm March day with a very light breeze with the following seen, these were all firsts of the year for us..

Several Peacocks.

Five Commas.

A single Small Tortoiseshell.

A single Small White.

Little Egrets and a Heron..

Green-veined White also seen but unable to get a shot.


Fairmile Bottom 3rd April.

Brimstone.

Peacock.

Heyshott 10th April.

Green-veined White.

Our first Grizzled Skipper of the year.

Our first Dingy Skipper of the year.

Second Grizzled Skipper.

Heyshott.

Lots of Orange-tips, male and female and Green-veined Whites also seen.


Noar Hill 17th April.

Our first Duke of the year.

Duke of Burgundy.

Duchess.

We saw eight Dukes and this one Duchess in total. The Duchess had an ab gracilens look to her but i'm not 100% sure, they are seen at this site on occasion? Fabulous to see Dukes again.

[Maximus]

I knew i'd leave one off, rushing as internet connection not very strong

Small Heath also seen at Noar Hill, our first of the year.

Small Heath.

[millerd]

...The Duchess had an ab gracilens look to her but i'm not 100% sure, they are seen at this site on occasion?

I've seen gracilens at Noar Hill a couple of times in the past, Mike, and that one does have that caramel-y look about her... They almost look like a different species.

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

Lovely to see your shots Mike I'd agree with Dave, that Duchess does look good for gracilens

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Nice little journey in pictures through your spring, Mike.

We've finally had a good one!