Dartford Warblers

Today was a visit to Iping Common, primarily to see the Great Grey Shrike that has been reported there. Secondly, to see if I could improve upon my Dartford Warbler records.

As we made our way towards the bracket fungus encrusted birch tree that is a favourite perch of the shrike, our first sighting was a considerable flock of Goldcrests. As we stood straining to get a glimpse of these birds I heard the unmistakeable buzz of a Dartford Warbler, sure enough out on the top of a gorse branch was a male. My attempts at photography were somewhat wasted as the bird was mobile and the light poor, the sighting lasting just a few seconds. We stood chatting to a very helpful local birder for some time, hoping the bird would show again, but finally we moved on in search of the GGS.  Martin located the bird, perched on the very top of the dead birch. Unfortunately, by the time I got in position for a view, the bird decided to relocate several hundreds of yards down the valley.

We continued our circular walk of the common and came across two more Dartford Warblers that were somewhat more obliging. I managed several records of this elusive bird - nice to have - but not the definitive perfect record. Perhaps next time.

Yesterday, on what was a fairly fruitless birding day, I recorded this partial albino Jackdaw and an angry looking Tufted Duck at Swanbourne Lake in Arundel.

Don't point that at me!

Silver-studded Blues (II)

I awoke early this morning, not because I wanted to witness the sun rising over any prehistoric construction, but because the Blackbirds are obviously attempting a second brood adjacent to the back garden and the male was singing his heart out. It gave me an opportunity to make an early brew and check out the moth trap. Surprisingly, given the recent weather, there was little in the trap. My urban Sussex location is no substitute for previous Hampshire and Cornish venues when it comes to moth variety.

So, having got up, I decided that it would be a good idea to have another go at the Silver-studded Blues. My previous efforts had been disappointing, caused by a lack of care on my part, I think I got a little bit over confident and left most of the work to the camera. At 0800 I was parked at Iping Common and as I set foot on the common I knew that I should have been an hour earlier. Already Large Skippers were buzzing everywhere and Silver-studded Blues were also on the wing.

I had set myself three goals, roosting specimens, a freshly emerged female and a mating pair, all to be photographed in what was perfect light. I almost completed the hat-trick, falling short by finding two freshly emerged males rather than females. No problems as they are almost a substitute, in that their scent is attractive to other males and several would-be suitors landed close by, one obviously confusing denim for the delicate hues of a female.

Fairly fresh with ants about.



Soaking up the heat of the early morning sun.



At long last .... a freshly emerged male with ants in attendance. Lasius niger or alienus??

Attracting other males.



Climbing upwards for the sun.



Nearly there!

Finally he opened his wings - sorry about the shadows - happy just to capture the moment.



A bit more sun.

Just a moment longer.



Ready for first flight

Still attracting other males

 

 

Somewhat confused on the correct hue of blue

 I was quite pleased with the results and believe that at long last I have done these butterflies justice. I found the emerger at 0814 and stayed with it until it flew at 0911. I felt responsible for it because to obtain clear shots I had conducted judicious gardening with the scissors of my trusty Swiss Army Knife, and it was somewhat exposed to any marauding bird.

On the walk back to the car SSBs were lifting off everywhere and finally, as I was trying to photograph a female, a happy couple alighted in the bracken in front of me and obligingly posed.

Wood White and Silver-studded Blue

My antipodean reader may be forgiven for believing that I have been sent to a penal colony when I say that I spent the morning in Botany Bay. This one is a Forestry Commission wood in leafy Surrey, not a place of correction for those transported overseas. Due to holidays and other commitments I had missed the optimum time for catching up with the Wood Whites that reside there and, as Martin and I have a target of 40 butterfly species this year, I couldn't pass up any chance of a tick.

So we arrived about mid morning in glorious sunshine but not much was airborne, in fact we had strolled up the main ride to the triangle and seen just the occasional Speckled Wood. Finally, when I was beginning to doubt that I would see one, up popped a nice clean male specimen. This is a butterfly that will happily pose for the camera, that said, as Martin wryly observed, it only has one pose and it never opens its wings when stationary. So here is the pick of my shots, sorry they are so similar but I was happy to have it in the bag.

Next venue was Iping Common where the Silver-studded Blues have started to emerge. Out on the wide expanse of heath we found one tatty specimen and it was a little time before we found a dozen or more flitting about in the midday sun. Yet again not the best of quality and that means a revisit, obviously when more are on the wing.

On the way back to the car park a fairly large moth flew across our path and crashed into the heather - a Clouded Buff - not a species with which I am familiar but happy to capture it all the same.

Two venues and two species and still a good portion of the day left, this meant we could call into Lord's Piece on the way home to see what dragonflies were about. Straight away we had good views of both Four Spot Chaser and Broad-bodied Chaser plus a host of damselflies. Finally a single specimen of Golden-ringed Dragonfly alighted on the fence and posed, this time Martin was on it and it remained in our vicinity for some time. Final species for the day was a nice looking Downy Emerald, unfortunately this chap didn't hang around for long, just long enough for a reasonable shot.

 

On the way home we both agreed that it was yet again a cracking day out - that's two on the trot - whatever next?