August 2013

[ChrisC]

dispersal.

2 silver washed fritillary in the garden, was chuffed to bits when the 2nd was a stunning valesina. didn't stay for it's portrait unfortunately.

Chris

[Willrow]

Jenks, Neil and Mike thanks kindly for your response to my Dorset report, much appreciated as always

Kind Regards,

Bill

[badgerbob]

Yesterday I called on our local Grayling at Windover Hill where I am pleased to say numbers are good this year. I also saw 2 away from the main area where they used to be seen 4 or 5 years ago. Hopefully these sightings will continue in the future. I saw some courtship display as well as a different pair mating. There has also been a bit of an invasion of Painted Lady. My son had 16 on Seaford Head yesterday morning and today there were 7 on one buddleia bush in the field behind our house as well as another 8 along The Comp path. Another Painted Lady has been in our garden nectaring for the last 2 days almost continuously. I also had a Hummingbird Hawk on the lavender in the garden and best of all yesterday morning the moth trap had enticed a Jersey Tiger.

[aeshna5]

At Denbies, Surrey today there were literally thousands of Chalkhill Blues. A large patch of Marjoram could hold up to a 100. Dog faeces seemed to be a particular delight with at least 15on each lot found. A single male Silver-spotted Skipper was seen well on a path. A strange sight was a White Admiral being blown by the wind towards the car park near the wood.

Also 4 or 5 faded Dark Green Fritillaries, 8 Brimstone, several Common Blues, Red Admiral, 5 Peacocks, 3 Commas, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Large, Essex + Small Skipper, Large + Small whites.

[Ian Pratt]

Sometimes you wonder what is going on in your life.
Last night at about 23.00 there was a mini-tornado near us and as a result one of our 40 foot high eucalyptus trees fell down , missing our greenhouse by a couple of inches!!
Today, Max our black Labrador was hit by a car on the main road outside our house and has suffered a broken leg- he is in the animal hospital for a few days before the bones are pinned.
Both things could have been much worse so we are really grateful for small mercies.
Despite this there have been some great butterflies around including mating chalkhill blues, and I attach some photos as a little light relief from the traumas of the day!

[Willrow]

Very sorry to hear about your troubles Ian, those butterflies are certainly something to distract the mind for the better though, lovely images.

Kind Regards,

Bill

[David M]

Amazing day at the Alun Valley site in Bridgend, Glamorgan today. In a 3 hour visit between 11.30am and 2.30pm I racked up 24 different species; in fact, the only butterflies that could possibly have been added were Brimstone, Wall Brown and Painted Lady.


Totals seen:

1. Meadow Brown 100-150
2. Hedge Brown 50-100
3. Ringlet 50-100
4. Common Blue 40-60
5. Green Veined White 40-50
6. High Brown Fritillary 40-50
7. Large White 20-30
8. Small White 10-20
9. Speckled Wood 10-15
10. Peacock 10-15
11. Brown Argus 10-15
12. White Letter Hairstreak 4
13. Grayling 4
14. Silver Washed Fritillary 3
15. Small Skipper 3
16. Small Tortoiseshell 3
17. Small Copper 2
18. Large Skipper 2
19. Dark Green Fritillary 2
20. Comma 1
21. Holly Blue 1
22. Small Heath 1
23. Red Admiral 1
24. Purple Hairstreak 1

Three faded White Letter Hairstreaks were seen nectaring from creeping thistles in the gun club meadow.



More than a dozen High Brown Fritillaries were seen gorging on buddleia in the quarry:



A Purple Hairstreak proved relatively accessible for the camera:

[Willrow]

HOLLY BLUE Where did you actually see it David??? I won't let the sneaky little sod get away this time...

Bill

PS. Excellent list of species Dave, very well done.

[Ian Pratt]

Amazing day at the Alun Valley site in Bridgend, Glamorgan today. In a 3 hour visit between 11.30am and 2.30pm I racked up 24 different species; in fact, the only butterflies that could possibly have been added were Brimstone, Wall Brown and Painted Lady.


Totals seen:

1. Meadow Brown 100-150
2. Hedge Brown 50-100
3. Ringlet 50-100
4. Common Blue 40-60
5. Green Veined White 40-50
6. High Brown Fritillary 40-50
7. Large White 20-30
8. Small White 10-20
9. Speckled Wood 10-15
10. Peacock 10-15
11. Brown Argus 10-15
12. White Letter Hairstreak 4
13. Grayling 4
14. Silver Washed Fritillary 3
15. Small Skipper 3
16. Small Tortoiseshell 3
17. Small Copper 2
18. Large Skipper 2
19. Dark Green Fritillary 2
20. Comma 1
21. Holly Blue 1
22. Small Heath 1
23. Red Admiral 1
24. Purple Hairstreak 1

Three faded White Letter Hairstreaks were seen nectaring from creeping thistles in the gun club meadow.



More than a dozen High Brown Fritillaries were seen gorging on buddleia in the quarry:



A Purple Hairstreak proved relatively accessible for the camera:

Great list-anything over 20 in a day is very good.
Ian

[David M]

HOLLY BLUE Where did you actually see it David???

It flew by me as I was standing by the elm tree in the circle above the path that leads down to the gun club meadow. It settled for 20 seconds or so but didn't open its wings.

Try Forest Farm in Cardiff for Holly Blue, Bill. I remember seeing 20 or so there in a single morning a couple of years ago.

[nomad]

Lots of Silver-spotted Sippers on the wing at Watlington yesterday, all in good condition.

[millerd]

Clouded Yellow seen on my local patch at lunchtime today, next to the River Colne. I think it's a female, and initially it was on Bird's Foot Trefoil, so I'm hoping there may be eggs... More in my diary in due course.

Dave

[Jack Harrison]

Isle of Mull

Indoors watching cricket, fiddling on the computer. Didn’t notice that the sun had come out. But wife Stella did. This from her £50 Panasonic. I’d better be careful: she might want a DSLR next!



(Yes, Torties do seem particularly dark here on Mull)

Jack

[MikeOxon]

That's a splendid Tortoiseshell, Jack, and beautifully photographed, Stella. The blue fringes are especially well-marked.

Mike

[adrian riley]

Sometimes you wonder what is going on in your life.
Last night at about 23.00 there was a mini-tornado near us and as a result one of our 40 foot high eucalyptus trees fell down , missing our greenhouse by a couple of inches!!
Today, Max our black Labrador was hit by a car on the main road outside our house and has suffered a broken leg- he is in the animal hospital for a few days before the bones are pinned.
Both things could have been much worse so we are really grateful for small mercies.
Despite this there have been some great butterflies around including mating chalkhill blues, and I attach some photos as a little light relief from the traumas of the day!

Hi, Ian
Give Max a big hug from me and my dog Wee Billy.
Cheers,
Adrian Riley

[Willrow]

HOLLY BLUE Where did you actually see it David???

It flew by me as I was standing by the elm tree in the circle above the path that leads down to the gun club meadow. It settled for 20 seconds or so but didn't open its wings.

Try Forest Farm in Cardiff for Holly Blue, Bill. I remember seeing 20 or so there in a single morning a couple of years ago.

David us 'valley boys' never go to the big city, I could get corrupted...or even worst but for Holly Blue I'm prepared to take a chance, thank you

Regards,

Bill

[Jack Harrison]

Isle of Mull 4th August

Finally nailed DGF on camera.



More later.

Jack

[ChrissyM]

This last week in my little bit of Shropshire and I visited Dudmaston Woods on a day when a storm was about to hit. It was scarily quiet with even the absence of Dragonflies which are normally plentiful. However, I saw three White Admiral (apologies because these were technically seen in July ). I got the idea everything was high in the trees but, managed one pic:

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On the Hermitage, there are still good numbers of Meadow Brown, Ringlets, Gatekeepers and Small skippers

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The Small Coppers have emerged in good numbers ~ 20 plus in quite a small area

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After seeing the first second brood Common blue last week, I am now seeing 10-15 but only one female, no picture though so we will have to make do with a male!

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And, although it could have posed for me in a nicer place, this was the first Painted Lady I have seen here in the UK this year

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Sadly today, we have had constant rain which is forecast for tomorrow too....
Chrissy ( hoping for brighter skies on Tuesday )

[ChrissyM]

Isle of Mull 4th August

Finally nailed DGF on camera.



More later.

Jack

Nice one

[badgerbob]

My time may be limited soon so today I went up to the edge of Friston Forest and Lullington Heath to do my 'Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey'. Heading up the path I did a short diversion just to see if a bramble bush near some elms had any White Letter Hairstreaks. 2 years ago I had a late tatty specimen here but failed last year. I was very pleased to find 3 females nectaring on the bush and was amazed that one of them was still in pretty good condition considering how late it is in their season. It was then onto the survey where there were large quantities of butterflies. Following this I went back over to Deep Dene to have one final look at the Grayling and hoping for some Silver Spotted Skippers. One skipper landed on a flower and stayed there long enough for several shots from both sides, towards the sun and away from it. Not sure which I prefer but it was a great unexpected bonus whichever.
Yesterday I walked from the house up to The Comp and Greenway Bank. Wall Brown and Brown Argus are now building up good numbers. On the bank there was a wasp nest that had been partly exposed by a probable Badger with bits of the comb on the path and the wasps trying to repair the damage. I expect the badger is somewhere with a sore nose wishing he had left it well alone!!!