Until I have caught up from last season I intend to mix new and old as time permits. 3rd Feb 2016. Today the weather was better than it had been in a long time and it was the opportunity I had been waiting for to visit the butterfly display at Wisley. Having been inspired by Mike’s postings I realised with some surprise that the last (and only) time I had visited was in 2009!! Given that the journey was only 24 minutes I have resolved not to leave it so long before the next visit as I had forgotten what a great place it is. I arrived early and spent 3 hours there, surprising myself by taking over 700 photos – which were quickly whittled down to about 200, but given that I think I saw about 30 species I shall probably keep the majority of these. I intend to split this posting into 2 parts – the first will record what I found interesting about my visit and the second part will try to identify the species seen.
My first impression was one of pure delight – to be amongst all these exotic butterflies and to be able to watch them at close quarters just lifted my spirits. I could easily have spent the whole 3 hours without moving very far from the entrance. My second impression when looking more closely was a slight disappointment at how tattered many of them were. I heard other visitors express similar sentiments calling them ‘dog-eared’ and ‘ragged’. Some of the damage to their wings was reminiscent of bird damage but clearly that could not be so I assume it must have been from the foliage. This tatty Grecian Shoemaker was the only one I saw but thankfully I got a few decent shots of the gorgeous Green Malachite tho' many specimens were damaged like this one and what I believe is a King Swallowtail:
In addition, many of the butterflies had died. I must have easily spotted a couple of dozen and whilst recognising they have short lives this was a little unexpected given that it is quite early in the display schedule. In some cases it was obvious the butterflies had died but in other instances visitors were taking photos of expired butterflies and were completely unaware, for example this Scarlet Swallowtail(?):
I have been finding it difficult to identify some of the butterflies I saw as the guide I purchased was not very comprehensive and did not distinguish between male and female for example. If I make any mistakes in these couple of posts I would appreciate being corrected. I am not likely to see any butterflies abroad so this is a learning experience for me.
In common with UK butterflies these species were masters of camouflage and time and again I saw visitors walk past unaware as even the largest of species hung under leaves or were camouflaged by colour and position, like this Green Malachite:
A couple of butterflies, both Scarlet Swallowtails I think, appeared to be very aggressive, especially when defending the nectar source which had been prepared for them. I saw one of these trample all over a Pale Owl butterfly until I was convinced he was dead as he was completely on his side. However, he eventually righted himself and flew off leaving the aggressor in charge of the fruit.
Despite the frequent signs warning visitors not to touch the butterflies, a Doris Longwing was in danger of being trampled on as he sat on the ground close to the door. I gently lifted him up and placed him safely on some plants. He flew to a sign which indicated he was called Sonny. It is so sweet of Wisley to name the butterflies
. I also found Wilma a little later
:
Behaviour that was a joy to see was the courtship and egg-laying and of this I saw plenty. In fact, on looking at my photos I noticed eggs that I hadn’t even noticed at the time. As I said last season, my observation skills really need to be honed. Scarlet Peacocks and Postman indulge in courtship behaviour:
Eggs can clearly be seen on this climber/vine. The butterflies did not stop to lay their eggs but seemed just to hover.
I had been trying to drag myself out of the place for ages when I came across a stunning looking butterfly. It has to be my favourite. It took me a while to realise that this was an Indian Leafwing – a butterfly I had been watching earlier but had no idea it would reveal such colour and beauty. I was not the only one to be captivated by this butterfly.
However, what was particularly interesting for me was the fact that this particular individual was vigorously defending a particular leaf. Whenever another butterfly came near, whatever the species, it chased it off and then returned to its perch. I assumed it was just territorial behaviour, but on looking at my shots I can now see that this particular leaf was peppered with at least 3 lots of eggs. Was it protecting the eggs? I have no idea.
A Blue Morph stuck a pose which reminded me of the White Admirals and SWF but this looked more like defending territory rather than eggs:
I eventually managed to drag myself away but I had not gone many steps outside before I saw a butterfly on the ground, presumably accidently carried out on the back of a visitor. I had had the privilege of several butterflies landing on me during my visit and I imaging it is quite an easy thing to happen. What I could not understand was why so many folk were just walking past it. I gently coaxed it onto my finger and carried it back indoors and placed it on a feeding station. Big Billy?
As I wondered back to the car park I took some time to look at the various butterfly sculptures that were on sale. They were interesting but not to my taste and at price tags of £850 and £1000 not to my pockets liking either. Decide for yourself.
AH Well! it's nearly Spring Goldie 