Trevor

[trevor]

Weak sunshine and a cold breeze today ensured that no butterflies were seen today.
At least I found my first Bee Fly this afternoon, only the one.

[Wurzel]

Great to see the Bee-fly Trevor - I saw one or two at the weekend but that feels like such a long time ago now and we're only on Tuesday If only we could get a more than an afternoon of good weather a week (which is currently how things are round this way)

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Chris L]

Yes, great to see the Bee Fly Trevor and you got yourself an extremely good photo there. Well done. They never wait around for me to get myself ready to take a photo - or they are camera shy. I saw 2 on Sunday.

[trevor]

Thanks Wurzel & Chris. Normally when I see my first Bee Fly of the year
there are a few butterflies around as well. No fear of that this year!

An image taken 6 years ago popped up on my' facebook memories' today.
I well remember taking this shot as I got soaking wet laying in wet grass to take it.

Worth it though!

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Trevor.

No Bee flies for me yet and very few butterflies still.

That is a cracking Peacock image and well worth remembering

Cheers,

Neil.

[trevor]

Thanks Neil. Another Peacock this afternoon, but this one was far from co-operative!
After an exhaustive search of the Cuckoo Trail this afternoon just 3 Red Admirals and
a Peacock were seen. The Red Admirals were easy targets, after regular short flights
they always settled just right for the camera.
The Peacock was another matter. I first found it high up on blackthorn, and for about
30mins it flitted around and always landed in an awkward spot. the shot below is the best I could get.

This afternoon it was15c with a cool breeze.

[trevor]

I was at Halnaker, West Sussex today and enjoyed some exceptionally fine weather..
I usually rely on the farm there for my first Small Tortoiseshells of the year.,
Only 1 was found today, along with a male Brimstone, and an immaculate Peacock.

In previous years multiple Small Tortoiseshells are seen at Halnaker at this time of year,
having hibernated in the farm outbuildings, so only finding 1 today, in fine, warm, weather
was a little alarming!

[Wurzel]

'One Small Tortoiseshell doth not a Spring make' Hopefully a few more will be around and they're just waiting for a bit more warmth Interesting to see the Red Admirals still around over that way - I've not seen that many reported in Wiltshire since the first decent days

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Since 14th March, when I found a single, early, Speckled Wood I had not seen anymore, until today.
it was clear this morning that there has been a mass emergence of Specklies, possibly starting yesterday.
They were everywhere, seeing off other butterflies, and duelling. One sparring pair flew into a woman's
face which caused her some shock.
Also the Holly Blue has responded to the fine weather along the Cuckoo Trail, with frequent sightings
( none had been seen there until today ), mostly males were found, but I was fortunate to find a female
Holly Blue on blackthorn for a couple of shots.
Several unidentified ' Whites ' were seen, along with male and female Brimstones, several Commas and
Peacocks. No OT's yet but I was half expecting to see one.

A really great morning!

[millerd]

I have to give you a big for the Holly Blue, Trevor. You definitely had the best of the sunshine today (though I believe it's been stormy this evening).

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

...A really great morning!

Sure sounds like it, Trevor. Nice to see such a variety.

[Wurzel]

That certainly sounds like a cracking morning Trevor Good work with the Holly Blue - still need to find one of those myself but at least the Specklies have appeared over this way

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

A few shots from 1st & 2nd April, nothing since.

[Wurzel]

Nice collection there Trevor those Specklies in particular look mighty fine specimens Hopefully there will still be some spring butterflies around once the weather actually sorts itself out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Thanks Dave, David & Wurzel from earlier on.

The partially sheltered Cuckoo Trail today.
Despite the strong, but warm, breeze today, a great variety of butterflies were enjoyed today,,
including my first Orange Tip of the year. Unusually it settled twice in full sunshine and closed
up as they do with cloud cover. Even a male Holly Blue landed in a convenient spot for a shot.
Even Male Brimstones were taking a break from constant patrolling with two found basking.
Apart from a fresh Small White, the rest of todays cast were the usual suspects and there
were multiples of each.

[Chris L]

I like the photo collection Trevor as not only are they very good, but there is one or two of each species, which makes for a nice selection box.

[Wurzel]

That is a very heavily marked OT Trevor - could be good for an ab that one Still to see my first OT although everyone else round here seems to have found some

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[trevor]

Thanks Chris. That was certainly a day of variety.
Cheers Wurzel. I was in Wilts at the weekend, no butterflies just a howling gale!

At the Cuckoo Trail this morning things got off to a slow start, with the sun trying to shine
through high cloud. The only species around were a couple of Specklies, happily one of
them was a boldly marked female. Later on a patch of blue sky brought out many Holly Blues,
and a fresh Small White, which was instantly mated by a suitor.
As the cloud dispersed two possibly three Orange Tips appeared. Fortunately the odd small
cloud came at the right time, although I had to be quick when I saw them land in the distance,
as the cloud cover was bound to be brief.

[robpartridge]

Fine pictures of the Orange-tip.

[Chris L]

It has been a year since I have seen an Orange Tip and I thought this specimen was particular orange and bold in that department. I did a search on Google to check and found that they all look like this. The mind plays tricks.