July 2011

[A_T]

The Welsh coast near Barmouth on a warm and sunny day - a lot of Graylings around in bare, rocky places

[admiral halsey]

Danbury lakes, Essex. About 15 meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet, 6 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, and the White Plume below. Also saw the Blue below, not sure of sex or species. Thought it could be a female Common Blue, or a Brown Argus.

Rich

White Plume Danbury 3 July 2011.jpg

unknown blue.jpg

Hi,

That is not a white plume, a white plume is bright white, not quite sure which plume it is though.

I agree with Dave on this, it isn't a white plume (Pterophorus pentadactyla); but having said that I am not sure what species it is. Possibly a worn Platyptilia ochrodactyla, which can sometimes be very pale...? (your thoughts Dave..?). The markings are there, but very indistinct...

Piers.

Thanks for the interest chaps. Whilst my photography may be hampering ID, my memory tells me that it appeared white. It was certainly not as dark as suggested by the following link http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=1503, nor did it have those markings. Still stumped!

Rich

[millerd]

My long weekend with the butterflies came to an end with a morning at Bernwood and an early afternoon at Aston Rowant (the north side of the M40). A variety of folk were at Bernwood seeking the Purple Emperor, and Purple Hairstreaks as well. Both were in evidence, though the latter were shyly keeping to the higher branches. Purple Emperors were seen on the ground, including early on at the car park (a favourite patch), but I missed this, being treated to a fly-by and nothing more. However, better was to come. A side trip down a ride primarily to look for Hairstreaks down low had lost its allure, when a large butterfly virtually fell out of a small oak. Regaining its composure, it settled on a prominent branch about two metres up and looked down disdainfully. From its size, demeanour and lack of purple in flight I believe it was a female Emperor. I hope an expert in these matters can confirm this view.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Sunday at Garston Wood - a single White Admiral, a very out of place Small Heath, a couple of Whites, numerous Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Ringlet and I counted about 11 Silver Washed Fritillary - including a Greenish - more details and photos on my personal diary.

Also a fresh Holly Blue at Milbourne Abbas.

Have a goodun - here's hoping that the 10 day weather forecast is accurate!

Wurzel

[millerd]

After the Empress, there was not much to compete really. I did spot a very small SWF male, no bigger than a Comma, with deformed wings. It could still fly pretty well, but would never keep up with a female.

On to Aston Rowant, and the hillside was herby in the extreme, with marjoram, thyme and wild basil all scenting the air. I found one new Chalkhill Blue; otherwise, there were Marbled Whites, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Small Heaths, Red Admirals, Small Tortoiseshells, Dark Green Fritillaries and my first two Painted Ladies of the year, heading SW to NE at speed.

Back to work tomorrow, sadly...

Dave

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Dave (millerd),
Yes, she's an Empress. Nice shot!
Neil

[millerd]

Thanks, Neil, she was a lovely butterfly. What are the characteristics that give it away from the underside?

Dave

[Dave McCormick]

Danbury lakes, Essex. About 15 meadow Brown, 10 Ringlet, 6 Small Skipper, 1 Red Admiral, and the White Plume below. Also saw the Blue below, not sure of sex or species. Thought it could be a female Common Blue, or a Brown Argus.

Rich

White Plume Danbury 3 July 2011.jpg

unknown blue.jpg

Hi,

That is not a white plume, a white plume is bright white, not quite sure which plume it is though.

I've had a good look around the net, and have yet to find a closer match than white plume. Be glad to solidly ID though. This one was captured around 1pm, which is odd as info points to nocturnal species!

Rich

I agree with Dave on this, it isn't a white plume (Pterophorus pentadactyla); but having said that I am not sure what species it is. Possibly a worn Platyptilia ochrodactyla, which can sometimes be very pale...? (your thoughts Dave..?). The markings are there, but very indistinct...

Well for a starters its a light brown yours and a white plume is notuicably bright white which yours isn't so it can't be a white plume. Also white plume as hooked wing tips, yours doesn't. Its not Platyptilia ochrodactyla as it has banded legs and this does not show any banding. I had another look and quite sure its Platyptilia pallidactyla as it lacks the banding on legs of Platyptilia ochrodactyla but it is a species of Platyptilia and it could be down to the lighting in the image making the moth look as bright as it does.

[Piers]

Platyptilia pallidactyla - a quick 'google images' on this one and I reakon you're spot on Dave.

Well done that man, mystery solved.

[Julian]

Queen of Spain in darkest Suffolk yesterday about 10 in the morning...
Julian

Spanish queen

[Crispin]

There has certainly been a recent influx of Humming Bird Hawks saw more than 5 this morning and heard of many others seeing them.

Has anyone seen a Silver-spotted Skipper yet?
I know it is early but with so many species being early I think it is possible some could be out any day (last years first I think was 11 July). I wondered if I was going to see one on on my transect this morning. Well, in-fact, I possibly did – it passed by so fast up hill over the short sward that I didnt get a chance to be sure that it was one. So I am not counting it as I was not totally sure.
The previous weekend I saw a full grown SSSk lava, nice and chubby. I wouldn't be surprised if some are more advanced.

I see stemless thistle are in bloom already.

A very pale but fresh Small Copper at the weekend – pale orange because of the weather conditions?

Fairly sure Dark Green Fritillary has just colonised Malling Down in Lewes, where I do my transect.

Here is what I saw today and the previous week in brackets.
Malling Down 4 July (25 June)
0 (1) Large Skipper
3 (4) Large White,
3 (2) Small White
4 (1) Small Copper,
2 (0)Red Admiral
0 (1) Small Tortoiseshell
2 (1) Dark-green Fritillary
29 (11) Marbled White,
87 (60) Meadow Brown,
17 (10) Small Heath,
19 (2) Ringlet,
2 (1) Humming-bird Hawk,
1 (0) Forester moth,
1 (1) Cinnabar
0 (2) Six spot Burnet

No Gatekeepers yet, No Chalkhill
Stemless thistles coming out.
Small Heath looking tatty.
Thyme full bloom.

Here is a link to my transect data: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... c&hl=en_GB
Take a look at how species are doing this year compared to the previous years.

Crispin

[dilettante]

A few Chalkhill Blues at Therfield (Royston) Heath this evening, plus Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, and a Small Tortoiseshell. Pics to follow in my diary page, probably tomorrow.

[Padfield]

Julian - wow! What a great picture of a fantastic butterfly!

Guy

[Piers]

Queen of Spain in darkest Suffolk yesterday about 10 in the morning...
Julian

Queen-of-Spain.jpg

Hmmmm is this the same site as the highly dubious population of the mid to late '90's? I suspect not, but with a species such as this one has to presume that a release is the most likely source. Sadly.

Piers.

[Julian]

Thanks Guy for your comment.

Hi Piers, I am amused at your comment, so thanks too. I have a question for you...Why do you say 'highly dubious population of the 1990's' ? Do you have information to suggest that the string of 90's sightings was anything other than a genuine breeding colony? I would be interested to have some concrete evidence if you care to share since I can remember the situation fairly well. Please can you elucidate ?

As for this particular QOS seen yesterday, my gut reaction is that it was a genuine migrant but who is to say? Given the influx of Red Ad's and 'Hummers' these past few weeks, a migration shouldn't be ruled out, neither should a breeding colony.

Ok, to answer your question, 'No' it wasn't the same location.

Cheers
Julian

[Essex Bertie]

Hmmmm is this the same site as the highly dubious population of the mid to late '90's? I suspect not, but with a species such as this one has to presume that a release is the most likely source. Sadly.

Piers.

There was a report of a 'small fritillary' being seen along with lots of Large Whites coming in off the sea on the north Norfolk coast a week or so ago. Unfortunately it didn't stop for an ID.

[Piers]

Hi Julian,

Nothing sinister (or amusing) in my comment - it is just widely rumoured that the Minsmere colony was the result of a release of captive bred stock.

The species is very popular amongst amateur (and not so amateur) 'breeders' in this country and it is very easy to rear. It is also very easy to inadvertently rear en masse as well, following successful pairings.

With a species such as this, although a genuine migration is of course very possible, the more likely scenario unless proof can be provided to the contrary, is always that of a captive bred release. This is of course disappointing, but it is a fact. One only has to look at the quantity of large tortoiseshell sightings in this country over the last few years. This species is also very popular and easy to rear in captivity. Jeremy Thomas comments upon this in the most recent edition Thomas & Lewington IIRC.

Indeed, so far as the queen of spain is concerned, this has been the case since the 19th century, when many specimens of continental origin were frequently sold as genuine 'English' specimens, and in a number of cases livestock was even introduced to areas so that collectors could be sold the information leading to 'rare' indigenous colonies of such species.

Hence my use of the word "sadly" in my post above. C'est la vie.

The bottom line is that there is an awful lot of stock of this species swimming around in captivity in this country. I'm only surprised that there are not more sightings.

Piers.

[Padfield]

The late 90s saw unprecedented numbers of QoS in the Netherlands too, or in Zeeland at least, peaking there in 1999 with 160 individuals. I've just browsed my copy of Dagvlinders in Zeeland, which recounts the erruption, but unfortunately my Dutch isn't good enough to understand the detailed analysis! I might have a go at it in the sober light of day, as that Suffolk episode has always interested me.

Guy

[Julian]

Hi Piers.

Thanks for the reply. However, rumours are just rumours and widely rumoured is not proof. Sadly it is too easy to 'gas' behind the scenes without facts. I try not to be involved with rumours since it is my belief that rumour spreading is at best unhelpful but at worst, can malign someone's good character, so if you could name someone that was spreading the rumours or someone that was known/reputed to have released the 90's Queen of Spains, then it might throw light on the situation and do away with the rumour. Do you have some names please? Also, what in your mind constitutes proof?

As for this 2011 individual QOS, I won't deny that there is a possibility that this individual was a 'release' or 'escape' but as I said, my gut feeling reinforced by the known facts of wind direction, coastal location, sightings of migrants etc, was that this individual was a genuine migrant.

Julian

[Piers]

Oh just let's forget it Julian. I was just commenting that there is an awful lot of stock of this species in this country and that in my humble opinion the odds are more in favour of a release or escapee. But you're probably right, in retrospect.

Anyway, more importantly, as Guy rightly said; it's a great photograph of a lovely butterfly.

Piers.