www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Pruni In Profusion

Today (30th June) I went in search of Black Hairstreak with BC Sussex buddy Dr Dan Danahar. We arrived at the M40 Compensation Area on the outskirts of Bernwood Forest shortly after 10am, and didn't leave until 6pm. Our plans to visit a number of sites in the area were soon shelved, as we realised that excellent opportunities were available here. We saw 7/8 male Black Hairstreak in the air simultaneously on more than one occasion, and reckon we saw 30 - 35 individuals across the site throughout the day, including 5 or 6 females. The last image in my sequence shows a female in the act of egg laying. To top off an excellent day we met a succession of lovely folk from all over the UK. My one regret is that I didn't quite pull off the potentially excellent shot of a pristine female sitting 7.5' up in a blackthorn thicket, while balanced on Dan's shoulders.

Marvellous stuff, Neil.

Shame Bill and I arrived quite late at the compensation area. We spoke to another guy who said there was a better area further along but by this time it was gone 4.30pm and we didn't want to waste time wandering down yet another overgrown 'path'.

Seems like numbers are very good this year, which is encouraging given the poor weather during their flight period in 2012.

Neil:

one regret is that I didn't quite pull off the potentially excellent shot of a pristine female sitting 7.5' up in a blackthorn thicket, while balanced on Dan's shoulders.

I have certainly thought of putting the camera on a monopod, holding it high and using a remote control. Remote controls cost less than a tenner. A flexi-angle screen would probably be essential (or clever use of a mirror).

The more I think about, the more it seems such a good idea. So about to order a remote.

Edit. Just ordered for a fiver inc delivery.

Thanks Neil for putting this idea back into my head.

Jack

Hi Neil

Apologies if this is mentioned elsewhere, but could you post some directions to the M40 Compensation Area please? I'm thinking of giving it a go this Friday.

Thanks

Clive

Hi Clive,
It's not easy! This was my first visit and I wouldn't recommend trying to get there the way we did, which involved the assistance of friendly local farmers. Go to the relevant UK Butterflies site page http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/sites_sq ... pecies=All and click on the map for Bernwood Forest. Then head ESE from the car park, travelling through Oakley and Shabbington Woods, until you come up against the M40 (towards the lower part of the bend in the motorway shown on the map). I believe it takes 40/45 mins and holds the risk of getting lost if you don't have a good sense of direction. Good luck.
BWs Neil

Hi Neil

Interesting, I had visions of being able to pull off the M40 and being right there! I may try Whitecross instead then if it is going to be that difficult to find.

Thanks for your help

Clive

Hi Neil,
Been to Greece on holiday and only just caught up with your diary-you have been busy!

Those NBA pictures are superb-i'm sooooo jealous!

Thanks for sharing .

Golden Skippers

The Large Skipper has appeared in quite good numbers in Sussex this year, and it now appears that the Small Skipper might also do quite well. In the morning (5th July) I counted 25 of the former species in a ride at Rewell Wood (Arundel), where Ringlet numbers are also building nicely. In the afternoon I took a walk around Marlpost Wood (Southwater), finding about 20 Small Skipper (pictured) in a meadow full of Yorkshire Fog. In the early evening I stopped beside the A27 at Southwick to photograph the spectacular display of poppies. I know of several more areas along the Sussex Downs where poppies currently appear as huge red patches on the landscape.

Alice Comes Alive

Today (8th July) our woodlands finally took on that different feel as butterfly royalty took to the air. Although I didn't see HIM, I did see Alice Holt Forest come to life. I spent many happy hours in the good company of Colin Knight and Mark Tutton (pleased to meet you at last!) in Straits Enclosure. As the temperature rose, more and more Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and hutchinsoni Comma appeared, with numbers of all species at least doubling during the day. By 3pm butterflies were actively seeking shade under leaves, something I haven't seen for a while. Over the next couple of weeks I'll be using every excuse available (and plenty not) to avoid being anywhere else than our high summer woods.

Who needs a DSLR? (stir)

The lower of the two SWF pictures. Artistically very effective but do thistles really grow upside down in Alice Holt?

Jack

Thanks Jack. Yes the Alice Holt thistles grow in a partially contorted manner! That image is in its true orientation.
BWs, Neil

Botany Beauty

Today (9th July) I spent a very fruitful day in Botany Bay, where the afternoon heat ensured a lengthy siesta for the butterflies. During the morning and late afternoon at least 3 male Emperors showed, with one performing particularly well. Activity was centred on the main area of high ground, the Four Oaks Territory and the Triangle. The first male down was spotted by Peter Farrant at just past 11 am. By 11.10 am it was sitting in a sallow nearby, and it refused to budge again until late afternoon when the temperature started to moderate. Thereafter it became very active and spent more than an hour seeking out minerals along the main ride. On several occasions it fed on my belachan soup bait and allowed Nick Broomer, Paul Day and me some fabulous opportunities for photography. Although it initially sat 'edge on' to the sun so as to cast no tell-tale shadow, meaning that both sides were poorly illuminated, we worked out that the shadows thrown by some tall pines would soon reach out to the butterfly, as the sun continued to drop. Our patience was rewarded and within 15 minutes the light conditions became more favourable, eventually tempting him to open those beautiful wings for us. Needless to say, the three of us went home on Cloud Nine.

Hi Neil,

a brilliant day, with a brilliant finish with a brilliant photo.

All the best, Nick.

Hi Nick,
Butterflying doesn't get much better than that! It was great to share the moment with you and Paul. One to remember for a very long time.
Best Wishes, Neil

I don't think you could expect or achieve a better result than that Neil. Must be the best I have seen so you can stop taking photos now and go home to put your feet up

Thanks Pauline.

"so you can stop taking photos now and go home to put your feet up"

Unfortunately the Purple Emperor is a highly addictive drug. I'll be out there looking within the hour.

BWs, Neil

I have taken many PE photos where only ONE wing shows purple. So what is the trick to get both wings purple?

And do you have any references as to how the scales actually work to give that iridescent effect? It must be diffraction and/or splitting wavelengths in the manner of a prism. I wonder if experiments have been done in different lighting. For example, do PE’s show that effect when not in direct sunlight?

This discussion obviously applies to Morphos (and indeed Purple Hairstreak) and others but being a PE expert Neil, you might be able to answer for His Lordship.

Finally, why has this effect evolved? To attract females? (Or simply to attract lepidopterists? )

Hi Jack,
I know the answers, but they're quite complex to explain. A job for winter ... the sun is shining here!
BWs, Neil

Another Good Day At Botany Bay

A quick change of plan this morning (10th July), as my father got a day pass from the Sturmbannführer, meaning that getting him close to a Purple Emperor was the order of the day. After yesterday's success it had to be a return match at Botany Bay. This proved to be a good decision as between 6 and 8 individual males came to ground repeatedly throughout the day, giving a great deal of pleasure to the numerous visitors. By 4 pm the cloud had moved in and under humid conditions we saw a change in behaviour, with the first evidence of active mate seeking, including determined sallow-searching and oak-edging around the Triangle area. Another great day amongst good friends and good butterflies - Botany Bay is performing well this year.

Hi Neil,
Wow those are great shots of the PE's!
I will keep watching your posts with interest and keep an eye out for the first signs of the BHS at Stenning.
Flutter on!
CJB