essex buzzard

[essexbuzzard]

Large Skippers started to emerge in late May, and they went on to have a good season in Essex, where I had the pleasure of watching them on many warm summers evenings. Soon, they would be doing battle with Hutchinsoni Commas, as they defend their perching places in the evening sunshine.

[essexbuzzard]

Good numbers of Small Tortoiseshell emerged in early summer again this year. Seen over several weeks, they were a pleasure to see. I fear for their offspring, though, as soon after most of the nettles shrivelled. We can only hope that, sensing this, some of the early summer adults fed up, and went into hibernation.

[essexbuzzard]

I saw my first Hutchinsoni Comma on the 17 June. I went on to see excellent numbers of these Commas, helped greatly by plenty of warm summers evenings this year! On some occasions, it was 8PM before they would open their wings. Their time was spent chasing Large Skippers, Small Tortoiseshells and any other species that would fly by. Like that species, I’m not sure how the second generation will fare, given the state of the nettles. Perhaps their liking for more shaded, woodland sites will buffer them from the worst affects of the drought.

[essexbuzzard]

Heath Fritillaries were seen in modest numbers mid month. Only a handful of adults were found at Hadleigh Woods. White Admiral numbers were good, but no photographs were possible, as they rarely landed.

Fritillaries numbers were better at Pound Wood, with about 20 seen.

[David M]

Nice series of updates from your year so far, Mark. I do concede that your Silver Studded Blue site is difficult to beat for sheer scenic quality.

Great that your populations of Small Tortoiseshell are doing well too. They seem to be bouncing back in the south east.

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks David. I know of nowhere better!

Tortoiseshells did bounce back David, but I didn’t see many second brood adults, perhaps because the nettles were shrivelling up by then.

The demoisele group of dragonflies are a delight to watch. The Beautiful Demoisele is found near fast flowing streams, and is common in Cornwall, among other places. The Banded Demoisele prefers slower, lowland rivers, and is common in Essex.

However, there’s just one place, that I know of, where both species live together. The Roman river valley, near Colchester. In late June, I went to see them.

[essexbuzzard]

The 28th June saw us in Kent. Marbled Whites are one of my favourite summer butterflies, and I seek them out as much as possible. Females can be mated immediately on emergence, as in this picture, taken at Trosley Country Park. Here, a female was crawling up a grass blade, when she was pounced on by a male. The then paired, the females soft wings blowing in the breeze. I hope she wasn’t damaged in the commotion.

After lunch, we headed on to Lydden Temple Ewell. Here we found lots more glorious Marbled Whites, our first Chalkhill Blues of the year, which was a surprise, and many orchids.

[essexbuzzard]

By early July, the Essex Skippers had emerged on the grassy common behind my house. The hot, sunny evenings gave plenty of opportunities to enjoy them and their more abundant cousins, the Small Skippers.

[essexbuzzard]

By 9th July, Chalkhill Blue numbers had increased at Lydden, and there were many hundreds flying at the site. By then, photography was impossible during the heat of the day, but the evenings were more productive. Chalkhill Blues are probably my favourite July butterflies. Here is a male.

The first females were appearing.

However, one male met an untimely end!

Just look at the hooks on the fly’s legs. No chance of escaping those!

[Neil Hulme]

That looks like the fearsome Downland Robberfly Machimus rusticus, Mark; a localised and uncommon species with a taste for Chalk Hill Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper here in Sussex.
BWs, Neil

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks Neil. I thought it was a robber fly of some kind, so I’ll look that one up.

We were Dorset bound later in the month. However, on arrival it soon became obvious that the heatwave the previous week had had an effect. We spent our first afternoon at Durlston, where although we saw reasonable numbers of Lulworth Skippers and Marbled Whites, they were mostly worn, tired looking specimens. Not much else was seen. We spent the rest of our time doing non-Butterfly stuff.

[essexbuzzard]

At the end of July, I headed off to Aston Rowant for the afternoon. Despite the recent heatwave, there were still some nice Chalkhill Blues present. Surprisingly though, I didn’t see any Silver Spotted Skippers on the day, although the weather wasn’t very good. Overall, the site was rather quiet,with few butterflies.

However, I did find the wild candytuft, which I always hope to see here.

I decided I’d come back on a better day.

[trevor]

Lovely Chalkhill shot in your last post Mark, and a for the Lulworths,
a species I have yet to see. I always visit Dorset at the wrong time of year.

Great stuff,
Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Great to see some Lulworths on here Essex - not many feature each season That is a particularly fine photo of the Chalkhill in your last post

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[essexbuzzard]

There were plenty of Silver Spotted Skippers at the Lydden Temple Ewell reserve on 2nd August. Probably my favourite August butterflies, these. Just love their character and lively behaviour. Welcome back!

Here is a male, trying it on with a freshly emerged female.

He did his best for 10 minutes, and eventually she succumbed.

Here is another courting male. This time, the focus for his affection wasn’t interested.

The rest of my time here was spent enjoy the adults, as they go about their business in the August sunshine.

[essexbuzzard]

We’ve seen very few Brimstones this year. There were a few around in the spring, but since then, virtually nothing. However, we found a few at Aston Rowant on 8th August.

Silver Spotted Skippers had emerged by now, and there were plenty of faded Chalkhill Blues as well as a handful of early Adonis Blues. Unusually, some of the Skippers were choosing to perch high on bushes, perhaps to escape the heat on another hot day.

[Wurzel]

Cracking set of Silver-spots Essex - once again winning the 'cutest butterfly' award Really like the second Brimstone shot as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Great to see those Silver Spotted Skippers, Mark. As for the Brimstones, I've seen plenty at Aston Rowant, usually near the bottom of the slope nectaring furiously from the betony flowers. Once they've spent a week or so doing this, they then disappear, not to be seen again till spring.

[essexbuzzard]

I only saw a few Brown Argus this year. Most of the ones I checked turned out to be brown female Common Blues, which were much more common. However, here is a real BA, photographed at Temple Ewell on 9 August.

Also here on this date, was this rather nice Painted Lady.

The underside of this species is surely as attractive as the upper side.

It goes without saying, I enjoyed the Silver Spotted Skippers!

I also enjoyed a few freshly emerged Adonis Blues on this visit.

[essexbuzzard]

A visit to Bedford’s Park, on the last day of August, turned up several fresh Small Coppers. They were a nice find, as I’d seen very few so far. The recent rain had encouraged tender regrowth of sorrels, so plenty of egg laying opportunities.