Maximus

[Wurzel]

Great shots Mike My faves are the Small Coppers , though don't point out the blue spots to Pauline Those Clouded Yellows eh, common as muck really I don't know what all the fuss is about them

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pauline]

Thanks for bringing that to my attention Wurzel - so, OK Mike, where were these 'previous trips' so I can hotfoot it down there and get my blue spotted copper . Seriously tho, Mike F might be pleased to know that I did try to use the flash on my lumix (for the first time ever) with the CY. I'm not sure it would have made any difference but it didn't work anyway and now I know why so thanks for that bit of info Mike.

[Maximus]

Thanks Wurzel, Small Coppers are great, especially when they sport blue spots Clouded Yellows are now 'two-a-penny', but I'm glad they are

Pauline, those 'blue-spotted' thingys were seen at Ashton Rowant It is a brilliant site full of beautiful butterflies and should be on your agenda for next year Glad I was of help with your camera flash

Mike


25th August

Today we decided on a visit to Old Winchester Hill, its a great site at this time of year as you are never sure what will put in an appearance. Obviously being a very hot bank holiday weekend it was very busy and we took the last space in the car park. As we started out along the track we saw our first Clouded Yellow, which hurtled along at the speed of light before flying down the hillside and disappearing out of view. This was a similar story for all six of the CY's that we saw today, which is why no CY photos will appear in this entry The species that we had really come hoping to see were the Silver-spotted Skippers, having been too early for them on our previous visit. It was not too long before I saw the first one, a female egg laying, her abdomen curled round in an area containing lots of Sheep's-fescue. When she flew off I tried to find an egg but could not among the tangle of grasses, even though I thought I had the spot marked.

Not a great photo but it shows her ovipositing

We saw plenty more as we crossed the site, some quite fresh, others fairly worn.

Is this 'Elephant face' a threat display!

We also saw Chalkhill Blues in reasonable numbers, some stunning Common Blues, and even more stunning second brood Adonis Blues.

The following species were also seen during our visit. Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Brown Argus, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshells, Small Skippers, Peacocks, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and some stunning Small Coppers.

[Nick Broomer]

Lovely report and photos Mike, and well done for capturing the Silver-spotted Skipper ovipositing, not the easiest photo to get, but could`nt find an egg, would you like to borrow my glasses.

All the best, Nick.

[Wurzel]

Great stuff again Mike Really like the Silver Spot shots and it was different to not see Yellow
Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Maximus]

Thanks Nick, perhaps I should borrow them

Glad you like the Silver Spots Wurzel, I think I can see some Yellow coming again soon

Mike


31 st August

For the first time in my diary I intend to jump forward (briefly) in time. Yesterday while visiting a site not too far from home, something happened which took us 'full circle' in our Butterfly summer. And so
I can't resist posting just one photo for now.....

27th August

Today I decided to pay a late afternoon visit to see if the Grayling were still around. Arriving in full sunshine it was not long before I spotted the first one, which then proceeded to fly straight into the pine tree roost. This also happened with the second one, so it was third time lucky when I found another totally preoccupied with nectaring in the heather. He took abslolutly no notice as I edged into position to take a photo.

It was the same pattern with the next three I saw, too busy nectaring to worry about me. I have paid quite a few visits to the Grayling, which I have found a fascinating and really enjoyable experience. I was hoping to witness their mating ritual and subsequent pairing, but it was not to be, at least not this year. I now think its time to leave them to enjoy the rest of their lives nectaring, in the last of the summer sunshine. Also the last 'spot the Grayling' from me for this year

An easy, spot the Grayling

Slightly harder, spot the Grayling

[Neil Hulme]

Nice Brownie!
BWs, Neil

[Wurzel]

Looking forward to the Brostreak report Mike after the appetiser Great Grayling shots- and I spotted both of them in record time so my eyes must be back to full working order

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Nick Broomer]

Great photo of the Brown Hairstreak Mike, well done.

All the best, Nick.

[Maximus]

She was a very nice Brownie Neil and she really made our day

Thanks Wurzel, I need to catch up on my postings so the Brownstreak report will follow this one. Glad your eyes are now OK

Thanks Nick, she was a great subject


28th August

An early start today heading to Dorset with Lulworth as our first port of call. Arriving at the Heritage Centre car park we headed up the path towards the cove which took us past the butterfly garden where we lingered for a while, enjoying the lovely variety of butterflies on the many nectar sources. There were loads of Small Tortoiseshells, Common Blues, Small and Large Whites a very faded Painted Lady and a remarkably fresh looking Marbled White. We got chatting to a young guy, who it turned out was looking after the garden and was aiming to improve it for butterflies. We then set off up the path towards the cove and were greeted by a Grayling which settled on the chalky path in front of us, its body tilted towards the sun. As we stood there looking down towards the sea we suddenly saw a Clouded Yellow darting between some yellow flowers, stopping for a short time on each to nectar. As we made our way carefully down to the spot, we found there were actually at least three Clouded Yellows and mixed in with them were some stunning Wall Browns.

After spending some time in this spot, happy with the photos taken so far, we decided to head up to the field above the car park. As we walked along a well trodden path we began seeing Common, Adonis and Chalkhill Blues in beautiful condition, including mating pairs.

Also along the path were some Grayling, one of which decided to use Cathy's shoe as a perch. He would fly off to intercept rivals, returning to his trainer perch after each sortie.

Very last 'spot the Grayling'.

There were so many butterflies at the cove, that we decided to stay put for the rest of the day. Clouded Yellows were everywhere, and we even managed to find one ovipositing shortly before we left, but unfortunately we didn't manage to get a photograph The one species we hoped to find eluded us, the Lulworth Skipper, which was nowhere to be seen, although we searched the area thoroughly

[Butterflysaurus rex]

Great Wall Brown shots there Mike, they can be very tricky to photograph. They are quite plentiful down my way but that doesn't seem to make things any easier!

[Maximus]

Thanks Rex, Walls can be a little bit flighty and usually do take flight just as you get into position for a photo.


30th August

Today we made a last minute decision on a visit to Noar Hill to see if we could find any Brown Hairstreaks. The day started off dull and grey but when we reached Noar at about midday it was warm and sunny. There were no other cars parked on the verge so we quickly set off along the track into the site. As we neared the entrance we were greeted by a lovely male Speckled Wood, which I just had to take a photo of.

Once inside we explored the first pit which was full of Common Blues and a nice looking Green-veined White.

As we made our way up through the reserve there were many male and female Common Blues, including this rather blue female..

and this female with white lunules having virtually no trace of orange.

Although I don't know exactly where the 'triangle' is, I have a good idea of where it should be, so that's where we headed. When we arrived the area had been well trampled but the cowpats gave away who was responsible for the flattened grass. We spent some time carefully looking around the area, it had all the right ingredients, tall Ash trees at the back fronted by large blackthorn bushes with plenty of nectar sources below them. We had been looking for about twenty minutes when a brown butterfly flew past Cathy and settled on a leaf two feet from the ground. Not sure exactly what it was we edged closer and there revealed to us was a beautiful female Brown Hairstreak. As the sun came out from behind a cloud she slowly opened her wings showing us her glorious orange flashes on the upper side. She then moved onto some ragwort and spent some time nectaring before flying onto a young blackthorn which she spent a while exploring. This was the 'full circle' in our butterfly summer which began on 30th April at Noar Hill with our first sighting of the Duke of Burgundy, culminating today 30th August, again at Noar Hill with our sighting of this lovely female Brown Hairstreak. She stayed with us for a while and then made a longer flight and settled on a yellow flower some distance away. Just as I said to Cathy, "I think she's going to take her leave", she flew off into the top of a nearby Ash and disappeared from our view.

I corresponded with Clive Wood during last winter and am aware of the work being done behind the scenes in order to reduce the over-cutting of blackthorn hedges around the Noar/Selborne area and hope that this may mark a turning point for the Brown Hairstreak at Noar Hill and that their numbers can increase to the levels seen in the past.

[David M]

The Green Veined White is absolutely stunning, Maximus, and your first Brown Hairstreak shot is excellent too.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots Mike,you got the full range there and the final shot is lush:D

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Nick Broomer]

Great photos Mike, my favourites being the first and second Brown Hairstreaks, excellent.

All the best, Nick.

[Neil Freeman]

Just catching up after a week in Dorset, great reports and photos Mike

Looks like you were at Lulworth about a week before me, one of my favourite places and loads of butterflies

Cheers,

Neil F.

[Maximus]

Cheers David, Wurzel, Nick and Neil. I agree Neil that Lulworth is a great place to spend time and there are butterflies everywhere, I look forward to reading your report


5th September

As a scorcher was forecast for today we were on the road early heading back into Dorset. The car park was very quiet when we arrived at our chosen destination, Durlston Country Park. As we walked westwards along the path out of the car park the first butterflies we encountered were Clouded Yellows, which were nectaring on Fleabane allowing some photos.

As we made our way along the path we encountered more Clouded Yellows, some Wall Browns, Common Blues and many Adonis Blues. There were also plenty of Small Heaths and some surprisingly fresh looking Marbled Whites.

As we searched some areas of long grass off the main path we spotted a Great Green Bush Cricket basking in the hot sun.

We then discovered an area of long grass with lots of Ragwort growing amongst it. A quick search of this area revealed what we had come in search of, Lulworth Skippers, and in pretty good condition too. Having not found them at Lulworth on our previous trip we decided to make a last ditch effort, and here they were. To say we were pleased would be an understatement as this would have been our last chance to see them this year

Having achieved our aim of finding the Lulworth Skippers, and as it was not too late, we decided to drive across to Ballard Down to see what we could find there...

[Neil Freeman]

Great stuff Mike

Interesting to see the differences and similarities compared with my visit to Durlston a couple of days earlier.

Cheers,

Neil.

[millerd]

Great stuff Mike

Interesting to see the differences and similarities compared with my visit to Durlston a couple of days earlier.

Cheers,

Neil.

...and my visit of a week before that (no Clouded Yellows seen then at all).

Lovely pictures from a top spot for lots of species.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Great to see the great shots of the Lulworths, hardy butterflies for Hardy country I've only ever been to Durlston for birding so perhaps next year I might try there for butterflies, any "hotspots"?

Have a goodun

Wurzel