Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Cheers Mike I managed to wrestle one I think this was the first from this site as only a handful have been reported in Wiltshire so far this season.
Cheers Jack I could PM you the site details for where I saw mine but it would be a bit of trek and as it's in Wiltshire you'll need your passport
Cheers Dave I know what you mean about the weather - the best days of the week have been Thursday or Fridays recently - this weekend for me was a complete waste of time weather/butterfly wise.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

I hardly got out last week and this week doesn’t look too hopeful either – it feels a bit like 2012 again over here in Salisbury – we had a few good weeks at the end of March beginning of April and since then it’s been cooler and much wetter with low pressure dumping rain and blustery winds on us . It’s been a right pain as things were coming along nicely with Greensteaks and Grizzlies out and the first reports of Dingies coming in too. I was hoping for the first Dukes and some Pearls to be reported last week but the weather has put paid to that and they still haven’t been reported from the county. Hopefully the weather will improve and they’ll come out quickly and in good numbers. In some ways it’s been quite handy as work has been pretty hectic and being trapped there in poor weather is much better than be trapped there in great butterfly weather, there’s been more work to do on the house and it’s allowing me to catch up with my posts and on that note...

Woodfords 18-04-2014

I still had a bit of time before I had to get home so on the way back from visiting my Duke site I took the back road and cut along to the Woodfords. I stopped briefly on the way for a male Orange-tip which was patrolling a sizable patch of Cuckoo Flower all on its own. I pulled in and lent against a gate to watch it as it circled and zigzagged over the flowers. It would occasionally land and take nectar but would be up and about in such a short time that it was almost as if it hadn’t stopped at all. It was getting quite frustrating to watch as every now and again it would pass agonising close to the flowers near the hedge but never stopped. Unfortunately for me I think the field it was in is privately owned land so I couldn’t just hop over and stalk it properly. My patience was rewarded eventually as it finally deemed to stop on one of the flowers right in front of me and so leaning through the hedge I fired off a couple of shots accompanied by a few ‘beeps’ from an ‘oh so hilarious’ passing motorist. “What a wit” I thought, or at least a very similar word.

Once on site proper I wandered over to the boggy ground getting quite wet feet and scanned around. A male Orange-tip patrolled along the fence but didn’t stop once, as did a male Brimstone and a Small White and female Orange-tip passed into the field, took a few gulps of nectar and then swiftly moved on. The next field along also had fly-by butterflies; a Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell both of which were just ‘passing through’. It was getting on into the afternoon and it was nice and warm so I thought I would give up and head on home as nothing seemed to be stopping. One final scan across flowers and a fluttery white butterfly hove into view.
As I edged closer it became apparent that it was what I was hoping for – a female Orange-tip that was intent in refuelling. She would pause at each clump of flowers, would visit some, shun others and would then weakly fly to the next clump where the process would be repeated. I second guessed correctly and so was waiting by the next clump that she visited and so was able to get some close up shots and observe the different behaviour that the female shows. I seem to have more luck with the female Orange-tips than the males probably due to their less aggressive habits. The males seem like butterflies on a mission, which they are of course, whereas the females linger more and are more content to take their time.

I decided that I had bothered the female enough as I’d photographed her at three different fuelling stops and so when she set of to the next set I stayed where I was and then quietly backed away and set off for home. My feet and knees were cold and wet as whilst I’d been kneeling capillary action had been happening on my trousers soaking them from the knee down and the feet up – but who cares after such a peaceful time .

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pauline]

I see you are still trying to seduce me Wurzel with your lovely moth photos. I can see it won't be too long before I am hooked.

[Neil Freeman]

.. it feels a bit like 2012 again over here in Salisbury...

I was thinking that myself the other day, its been a bit gloomy here for a while now. We may not like the long drawn out winters like last year which made us feel like spring was never going to arrive but they do seem to be followed by betters summers. Lets hope that this year is not as bad as 2012...but having said that I did manage to see a lot of butterflies that year, although I did take my brolly out with me a lot

Cheers,

Neil.

[Maximus]

It does feel a bit like 2012, lets hope it isn't Nice Orange-tip shots and nice report I guess the Dukes and Pearls are delaying emergence in Wilts due to the c'*p weather as 2012

Mike

[David M]

Don't be too downcast, Wurzel. Whilst the forecast suggests things will become cooler over the Bank Holiday weekend, daytime maxima are still expected to be 13-15c. What's more, winds will be light and sunshine will predominate.

These spring species of ours are accustomed to such meagre returns, and I personally welcome it as it might give me (and others) a better chance to approach and photograph Dingy/Grizzled Skippers/Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, etc.

I'd much rather this than 17c and wet!!

[Goldie M]

Hi! Wurzal just catching up with the posts, I love the photo's of the Grizzled Skipper's I've yet to see them so I'm envious I've got a book that shows places where they are and they looked to be very close to Gaits Barrow, I'm sure though,I'll have to find out.

I Also like your photo's of the female Orange Tip, I'v been taking lots here but not one female yet, even the Males are going dizzie flying at every Green Veined White they see only to be Disapointed poor things Like you i'm waiting to see the Duke now and the PBF ,lok forward to your Pic's Goldie

[Wurzel]

Cheers Pauline I'm keeping my eyes open for Moths especially now
Cheers Neil Yeah I saw a lot of butterflies in 2012, it was just hard work trying to fit visits in and around the weather on top of everything else. Mind you perhaps I was getting a little too dispondent too quickly
Cheers Mike We certainly seem to be behind other parts of the country - no Dukes and no PBF's reported - still hopefully this weekend
Cheers David I've pulled myself together and remembered that it's still early in the season I'd forgotten how frustrating it is seeing reports rolling in while the area I live in is dawdling behind which is exacerbated by the dodgy weather we've had recently. Still PBFs don't mind a drop of rain and coolish temps so here's hoping for this weekend, it's about time, 2weeks later than the first emergers in Sussex.
Cheers Goldie Good luck with the Dukes and PBF's I'm going to try for some this weekend.

May 2014

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Butterflysaurus rex]

Just catching up on your diary Wurzel. Some lovely Orange Tip photos there. I notice that there is a high pressure system due to arrive over the UK for next week. That should get the remaining species we've been seeing here for a while emerging down your way.

B'saurus

[Wurzel]

Cheers Rex I' hoping the high gets here in time for my trip out on Sunday to Bentley Wood

Stourhead 19-04-2014

After the great day yesterday with Greenstreaks and Grizzlies added to the yearly tally and some better Orange-tip photos I had high hopes for the weekend so we duly headed off to Stourhead as soon as the girls had finished their swimming lessons. I set off hopefully after seeing a Small Tortoiseshell bombing along the hedge of the car park.

The girls took part in the Easter Egg hunt but despite walking through some of the best habitat that Stourhead has to offer I didn’t see a single butterfly – it was just too cold and cloudy? Later on we walked down and round the circular walk and the temperatures remained cool with the cloud lingering and holding the warmth back. During one brief spell when the sun finally cracked through I saw a Green Veined White flutter by, but it set off across the lake before I could get anything.
Whilst I didn’t see very many imagos I did find some eggs whilst looking at a clump of Cuckoo Flower. Because of the plant species I’m guessing that these are Orange-tip eggs? Confirmation gratefully received.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pete Eeles]

Whilst I didn’t see very many imagos I did find some eggs whilst looking at a clump of Cuckoo Flower. Because of the plant species I’m guessing that these are Orange-tip eggs? Confirmation gratefully received.

Hi Wurzel - nice, colourful shots! Yes, I think these are Orange-tip eggs since they're laid on or near the developing seedpods; Green-veined White would lay on the leaves, typically. It would be worth revisiting if you want confirmation, to see if the eggs have "oranged up"!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Wurzel, nice shots of the Orange-tip eggs

Good luck on Sunday, I've never been to Bentley Wood so not too sure where it is but the forecast earlier seemed promising, especially the further towards the south-east you go.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Wurzel]

Cheers for the ID Pete I'll have a look next time I visit - hopefully that'll be sooner rather than later
Cheers Neil I'm just hoping that the Pearls think "stuff it, I need to get out of this chrysalis"

Kingston Lacey 21-04-2014

A very frustrating day for me butterfly wise. I spent the whole drive to Kingston Lacey thinking that I should really have been back at my Duke site tramping the dusty paths and watching Dukes scrap it out. Despite seeing lots of Brimstone and Orange-tip along the roadside verges on the journey there was very little activity as we started our walk around. There was a female Orange-tip that decided to briefly sup nectar on the wrong side of the fence and whenever I saw any other butterflies they were head down and gone! It only got harder as the temperature rose.
I briefly slipped away from the group while the girls went on the tractors and took the old footpath that runs parallel with the road and then into the wood. Over this small stretch there were 3 Peacocks, 2 male Orange-tips, 2 male Brimstones, a couple of Green Veined Whites and a Comma. Yet there was not one single Speckled Wood and not one butterfly paused long enough for a photo.
Back in the Kitchen Gardens the odd white fluttered across the allotments but again nothing was stopping so I resorted to trying for some Nomada Bees and watching a Honey Bee dry out after it had had a dip in a water trough. Why it had gone in I don’t know but there several floating carcasses of other bees that had ended up in the drink.

After lunch we ended up round by the Pacific Garden and the little thatched shack but even here the butterflies weren’t playing ball. A Small White or Green Veined would fly across the grasses, investigate the flowers tantalisingly close and then just as I thought it would land it would be gone. Even the Peacocks weren’t posing nicely – perhaps they’d been suffering constant disturbance due to the large number of people passing through the gardens? So I changed tactics – I got on and enjoyed the afternoon and should any thing just present itself to me I’d have a go at shooting it.
Almost immediately a male Orange-tip plopped down on some wild Garlic.

We settled back on the main lawn and along the borders I watched a white fly along and then disappear. I’ve seen them do this before so I craned over the plant and there was my second Large White of the year (a female) and also the explanation for the vanishing act. It was hanging upside down from one of the larger leaves, hidden by the shadows. Now I know where to look in future when a white does a disappearing number. It then showed itself a couple of times but I could only get record shots.

While the baby was fed I took one last stroll back towards the Oriental Gardens as I’d noticed a small clump of Cuckoo Flower when we’d previously walked by. I stood by and watched as a male Orange-tip patrolled the edge of the woodland and then it flew towards me, over my head, doubled back around and landed on the Cuckoo flower. I was made up and this was well worth the ear ache I got for doing my own ‘disappearing act’

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

Larkhill begins 24-04-2014

By Thursday I’d had enough of the rubbish weather and with more of the same forecast for the weekend I took a chance to try and see some butterflies and made my first proper stop-off at Larkhill. I was hoping that there might be a Grizzzlie or possibly my first Small Copper but that wasn’t to be as it was still a bit cool and they’ve only just started being reported in county. Still I examined the grass stalks and flower heads just in case and wandered up and down both paths.

Something fluttered by and there was a Brimstone making the stop worthwhile, I’d wanted to get a butterfly fix and here was a butterfly. I was more than happy as I’ve seen Brimstones here but never managed to photograph them as they’ve either been fly-bys or I’ve been after something else. The shots are a bit ‘record’ but now that I’ve gotten a Larkhill Brimstone I can work on them.

29-04-2014 Larkhill 2

Cheered by my success last week today was the first chance since to make a quick top-off at Larkhill. Today the weather was on my side for a change and when I pulled in for the five minute stop-off it was pretty warm, sunny and the wind was a mere whisper. I checked out the Western path first and since the decimation last year it doesn’t seem to have recovered. The nectar sources haven’t returned and the main stretch of the path is sparsely covered in grass like a green comb over. However 4 male Brimstones flew by overhead, alongside, veering over the scrub towards the road and finally bombing straight down the path on a collision course!

I’d only gotten a short way along the Northern path when a white hove into view ahead of me. It looked a bit ‘fluttery’ and not direct so I thought it was a Green Veined White. I was able to confirm my idea when it passed me by and landed briefly to take nectar. I thought that would be it but it landed a second time for longer so I managed a couple of shots.

So the tally now stands at 2 for Larkhill which is a start but getting photos in the 5 minutes is hard work as the butterflies are sparse and prone to motoring by rather than stopping. Still things can only improve and by the time the Marbled Whites are on the scene I’ll be faced with the problem of which deciding which butterfly to photograph. I can’t wait!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

30-04-2014 Work at lunch

Mid week the weather started to improve despite what the Met App was telling me and so I headed out at lunchtime and completed my usual route. The bank was my starting pint but there was nowt there as the flowers seem to have gone over already and so I carried on across the field which was a blaze of yellow. I think there were more Dandelions than grass plants and skimming across the flowers tops was a Peacock.

Another couple joined him and at the end of the field by the footpath a white flew by and then landed in amongst the Dead Nettles and the Dandelion seed heads. One minute it was easy to watch and follow and then it was gone and despite knowing where it had landed I still couldn’t see it. It took off again and fluttered over the barb wire fence and seemed to be investigating the Dandelion seed heads looking like it was inspecting flowers as nectar sources a behaviour Nfreem has commented on.

Also along the path were another couple of Peacocks and I was starting to get concerned that for the first time I wasn’t going to see a Small Tortoiseshell and then one popped up juts over the fence and accompanied me all the way along the path.

Further down near the end of the path the fence has been banked up and there is a good growth of nettles with dead grass stalks poking out and in the earlier part of the season it was where I would see the most Small Torts yet today there was only one, looking lonely, dejected and a bit tired to be honest.

On the walk back a female Brimstone and a Small White stopped just long enough to confirm identification but not long enough to get my lens on them and before I knew it I was walking back into the lab. The weather held during the afternoon and so I thought it would be a good idea to check the progress of The Devenish...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Wurzel]

The Devenish 30-04-2014

Having had some success at lunchtime and as I couldn’t seem to get any of y wether Apps to reach an agreement I thought it best to go back to old fashioned weather forecasting; I drove and looked ahead for blue sky and breaks in the cloud.
Luckily as I bombed along the winding hedgerow lined road to The Devenish the sky remained clear and so I ran from the car park through the wood, across the field and half way up the steep side of the Down. The only problem with this approach was that I was just getting my breath back when I spotted a Grizzlie. So I had to try and hold my breath in order to steady myself to get any shots.

With something to show for my trip I traversed the Down and saw another two Grizzlies to add to my first. One caught the light just right making the forewings glow a purple-brown colour which really highlighted the contrasting black and white chequers along the wing margins.

Shots in the bag I made my way back down the Down and into the lower field. Here a male Brimstone, male Green-veined White and two Orange-tips all patrolled along boundary of the field. At one point the male Orange-tips approached from opposite directions, almost collided with each other and then spiralled in a battle upwards and high over the Beechs. All in all I’d been out of the car for about 10 minutes – I think I’m getting back into the groove of quick stop-offs .

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Paul Harfield]

Hi Wurzel
Just catching up on your diary. I love the colours in your close ups of the Orange Tip eggs on Cuckoo Flower a few posts back, beautiful

[Philzoid]

Hi Wurzel
Just catching up on your diary. I love the colours in your close ups of the Orange Tip eggs on Cuckoo Flower a few posts back, beautiful

I agree with Jack on that one and also that male Orange-tip on the Cuckoo flower is just brilliant

I take it you've noticed the Drinker moth larva on the nettle leaf at Larkhill. Looking at this one he's still got a lot of growing to do

Just eggs and pupa now and you've got the set

[Wurzel]

Cheers Jack They were a lucky find on a very uneventful butterfly day
Cheers Philzoid Thanks for the ID, I had indeed noticed it but as I didn't know what it was decided not to draw attention to it I'll now add that to my Moth Collection We missed Marshies at Bentley by a day though there haven't been any imago records from the main Marshie site yet - just a larvae and pupae so I'll keep you posted, maybe next weekend?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Maximus]

Nice stuff Wurzel, lovely Grizzled Skipper pics hope to see your Pearls soon...


Mike