Buchan Boy

[ernie f]

Dave - Aha, You got a Clouded Yellow. Not seen one of those yet this year. Love the Wall shots too but what really took my fancy was your Early Spider Orchids and Fulmar. The close-up on the orchid bloom is a stunner. Samphire Hoe looks to be a great place. Also I used to visit Folkestone Warren when I was a kid. We went to the campsite nearby on a few occasions. Your pics brought back great memories. Thanks.

[Allan.W.]

Hello again Dave,
Glad you liked the Early Spiders , the ones with the bins were about 350 mm tall ,and there were taller ! like yourself up until the SH; Colony appeared ,I was also used to seeing tiny, stunted individuals on the Chalk downland near Crundale , the best area for the larger specimens ,is as I said in my first post along the raised concrete path ,and onto the beach (towards the Warren ) as you hit the beach ,look along the hollows at the base of the cliff .
As for Wall Lizards at the Warren ,a friend of mine saw several a year or two back ,and I think he said they were along the footpath that comes down from the "Little Switzerland café " ,but never looked for them myself . ( Although I have seen them at Ventnor IOW. )
Enjoyed your Warren report by the way ! Regards Allan.W.

[Wurzel]

Absolutely lovely Greenstreaks there Dave - they're fantastic when they're that fresh

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

You got the 'Holy Grail' of Greenstreaks, Dave - one with a continuous line of white markings. They don't pop up that often so consider yourself privileged.

Nice Dingy too. I love those individuals with the strong silvery markings.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Dave, I hope you find your Grizzles
I would love to go to Lydden again, I went to the slopes besides the road but saw nothing and of course no way I could climb the steps to go any higher, I missed the Butterflies, at least I saw your great shots and look forward to seeing more Goldie

[Andrew555]

Love those Green Hairstreaks Dave, really nice.

[Buchan Boy]

Thanks Guys,was so chuffed with the Greenies and on to my Grizzled saga.
Really trying my best to keep on top of this,this year,not writing up in Winter again.

22nd April 2019 Brockham Limekilns

After wizzing down the M20,which is currently being made up to "Smart motorways",ie.more lanes and a 50mph restriction for many a mile and a promise of burgers at my daughters I had to wander into one of my fave reserves on the North Downs.Parking in Brockham and walking up to the hills is still one of my favourite joys of Spring/Summer,the Buckland Hills,just a small run of South facing man-attacked Downs that thankfully now,in my lifetime,have been given back to nature.
Always quiet and I very rarely bump into anyone else here,but perfect butterfly weather followed me from Kent,bit cloudy and a bit sunny,those spells when you know you can watch and know things will calm down,then go nuts!
Hardly any flowering flowers yet,some violets,some very early wild strawberries,but first Grizzled s were on the wing.
Only two,and temperatures a little over 13 degrees,job done.
This one had already suffered a bird attack,seemed to be flying ok though.

Brockham Limekilns Grizzled Skipper

Brockham Limekilns Grizzled Skipper 2

The second one of the afternoon was in much dapper fettle.Beauties,chased this one around for a while,keeps you fit

Brockham Limekilns Grizzled Skipper 3

Brockham Limekilns Grizzled Skipper 4

I do love these insects,wish I had more time.

Brockham Limekilns

Leg it on the Pilgrims Way..hehe

Pilgrims Way

Cheers
Dave

[trevor]

Stunning Grizzled Skipper images, Dave.
How do you get on with tracking one in flight? ( near impossible for me ).

Trevor.

[kevling]

Dave,

A little late catching up with the diaries this week, but worthwhile looking at yours. Samphire Hoe looks an incredibly interesting place, as does Folkstone Warren, With such a great selection of species, I shall put them on my wish list.
Love the Green Hairstreak photo in which the specimen has a long line of white dots (Not seen one like that before).

Kind Regards
Kev

[Goldie M]

Now you've really made me green Dave lovely shots of the Grizzles Goldie

[David M]

What an absolute stunner that second Grizzled Skipper is, Dave. I'm not sure the nominate form can get any more attractive than that.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots of the Grizzlies Dave and that habitat looks brilliant, it's great when nature can take it back

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Buchan Boy]

Thanks Guys,I do love Grizzleds.

26th April 2019 Brockham Limekilns

Back up to my favourite little reserve on the North Downs,to check in on the Grizzleds again,been a rather strange spring so far,another long run of Easterlies, head for the sheltered spots.

Two sheltered hollows on this reserve,one to the West and one the East,the Grizzleds normally appear a few days later on the Eastern side its just a tad more exposed.But the Western side di provide me with more Dingys,4 or 5 in all.

Brockham Limekilns Dingy Skipper

And luck fell onto me with an egg-laying female Holly Blue, and rather oblivious to me she was,always find these with luck!

Brockham Limekilns Holly Blue

Brockham Limekilns Holly Blue Female

Coltsfoot

Absolutely zero Orchids up here at the moment,I've also struggled with finding Early Purples anywhere in Surrey and Sussex,should be up by now.
A couple of lovely Speckled Woods running the shade/sun gauntlet,not really very warm here today.
Lovely dark ones,fresh.

Brockham Limekilns Speckled Woods

I know theres Green Hairstreaks here,they use one of the young Beech trees as territory and are quite a reliable colony whenever I need my fix.
But these guys had clearly been around a lot longer than the Kent ones I'd been seeing a few days earlier.

Brockham Limekilns Green Hairstreak

My trick for Grizzleds is just to sit down on the ground and watch the lower vegetation,one thing about getting older is tracking Grizzleds becomes more difficult but one lively individual did make my day,when the sun popped out to play.With that becoming increasingly rarer today.

Brockham Limekilns Grizzled Skipper

That was my only Grizzled today,but confirming presence here year after year in one of those things we just do!
Tracked my first Common Blue of the season as well,just before roosting as the clouds gathered.

Brockham Limekilns Common Blue

Brockham Limekilns Common Blue

And as luck would have it,just as the rain started to pelt down i noted a roosting male Orange Tip,lucky again.

Brockham Limekilns Orange Tip

A fine assortment of Spring species there in about an hour and a half.

Brockham Limekilns

Then it rained,and looking out across the surrey countryside with the sheets of rain coming down,I was thinking of Wales! haha.

Cheers

[Buchan Boy]

Did manage this rather funky shot of backlit Oaks across the fields one evening.

Charlwood Oaks

[Buchan Boy]

4th of May 2019 Buckland Hills,North Downs

With that nasty Northerly I figured the South facing slopes of the North Downs might fare better for butterflies than the South Downs today.Dawcombe being my place of choice today.With bright blue skies interspersed with massive showers,a photographers dream for landscape work!,Quite a treck to get to this place from Betchworth railway station,sort of
Man Orchids just starting to appear on the Pilgrims way.Couple more weeks these will be amazing.

Dawcombe Man Orchid

The Buckland Hills

Found plenty of Fly Orchids just beginning to sprout but one only with a flower.

Dawcombe Fly Orchid

Just on the lower slopes on the big open bit of downland at Dawcombe itself,pleasantly surprised by a few Dingys again and one Grizzled, that was not really expected and once again another day was made.

Dawcombe Grizzled Skipper

Then a case of tracking and waiting for the cloud and a roost up.

Dawcombe Grizzled Skipper 2

Good numbers of Dingys(when the sun appeared).

Dawcombe Dingy Skipper

The White Helleborines here are rather impressive under the massive Beech canopies,not really in flower yet though.

Dawcombe White Helleborine

Staring at Beech Trees in utter awe,hope that feeling never leaves me,it wont

Dawcombe Beech

I never see anyone else here,not sure I'm actually allowed,I'll wait to get told off!
But in a month this place is utterly stunning,already is to be honest.

Dawcombe Wood

Nice
Dave

[Buchan Boy]

5th May 2019 Staplefield

Staplefield churchyard has my closest colony of Green-wing Orchids,I think its my closest anyway,they are loved there and are left to grow with everything else until over and the strimmer appears!
Not as prolific this year as I've seen but nonetheless still very lovely,they also spread out around Staplefield from here,worth checking the virges around the church,have to admit, all quiet,happily zoned out with my camera and the bell tolled for one,geez made me jump!

Staplefield Green-winged Orchid

Staplefield Green-winged Orchid 2

That elusive white version still hasn't graced my presence,I'll keep looking.

Staplefield Bluebell

Dave

[Buchan Boy]

5th May 2019 Glovers Wood,Surrey.

Did eventually locate some Surrey Early Purples with the help of my Grand-son.The Woodland ones are always up earliest and these have been up a while.

Glovers Wood Early Purple Orchid

Glovers Wood Early Purple Orchid 2

A White Early Purple

Glovers Wood Early Purple Orchid 3

And hopefully I can inspire this little fella to find a lifetime of joy with these.
A noble cause indeed

Henry and his first orchid.

Also these woods now being in close proximity of my Daughters family deserve a big summer study,I suspect Purple Hairstreaks,White Admirals,Silver Washed and maybe Purple Emps,getting some close attention this summer,these woods.

Grandad Dave.

[Buchan Boy]

6th May 2019 Rewell Wood and Coates Common,Sussex

Pretty much impossible to ignore the magnificent Pearl-bordered emergence at Rewell this year,with all that work going on it must be hugely satisfying to all involved.Never one for the more popular spots but this had me absolutely ennamered.

Not really much I can say that hasn't already been said.Sussex Pearl-bordered in numbers.

Rewell Wood Pearl-bordered

Rewell Wood Pearl-bordered 2

Rewell Wood Pearl-bordered 3

Oh there was a Common Blue as well

Rewell Wood Common Blue

And a Cream Spot Tiger

Rewell Wood Cream Spot Tiger

But really what can I say?

Rewell Wood Pearl-bordered 4

Rewell Wood Pearl-bordered 5

And the East West ride at Rewell

Rewell Wood

Popped into Fittleworth to see how the Field Crickets were faring,much warbling going on and a happy boy went home.

Coates Field Cricket

Coates Common

Coates

Dave

[Allan.W.]

Mouthwatering post there Dave ! what are the chances of the field crickets still warbling 3rd week of June ?
Lovely picture of your Grandson admiring the early Purp ……………..Priceless !! regards Allan.W.

[Wurzel]

A fantastic array of wildlife Dave you've certainly been busy Great to see the love of wildlife passed on - we need more of this

Have a goodun

Wurzel