Silver-spotted Skipper

Having failed miserably in an attempt to record the Silver-spotted Skipper, I just had to have another go. My forty-seventh butterfly species of the year has proved to be something of a learning curve. They are not the easiest of butterflies to find, being fairly localised on the South Downs. So when I found one I was determined to stay with it and get at least a record shot, Fat chance! These critters are extremely slippery, tracking them is very difficult but, as I learned today, getting close enough for a decent shot is nigh impossible. God knows what the dog walkers who passed by me thought as I rolled, slid and stumbled around on a west facing slope, camera in hand. There was a bonus, this time I managed to avoid the cow pats, something I have failed to do in the previous two outings.

Below are my efforts to record a hyperactive subject, they seemed to improve as the day went on, probably because by the time I left I had noted at least 50 specimens. Ah well, back to Newtimber Hill again tomorrow, if the weather holds, and another go at getting the perfect shot.

Another visit the next day gave even better shots, probably as there were more subjects available, we counted 200+ on the side of the hill. I even had five in the viewfinder at the same time.

 

The Meadow Browns here are also carrying the Trombidium breei mites, seems to be present at every location we have visited recently.

 

 

This female Chalkhill Blue has more than her fair share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple Emperors (II)

More butterflying and, yet again, with a purple accent. Yesterday we visited a new venue, Tilletts Lane fields in Warnham. Martin had discovered details of this place on the web and we finally got to make a visit. Not with any particular species in mind, more of a recce just to acquaint ourselves with the lie of the land. This hasn't been a butterfly reserve for long but it shows just what can be done to provide proper habitats.   As soon as we arrived we spotted several Purple Hairstreaks up in the canopy of an oak tree, with such a find spirits were up immediately. PHs are the most frustrating of targets, lots going on up high but, of course, none venturing to lower levels.

After a while we took a walk round the perimeter of the two fields, masses of Ringlets, Meadow Browns and Skippers, all highly mobile in the sunshine. Whilst trying to get to grips with a Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring in some brambles, I was aware of a pale butterfly going past, I gave it a cursory glance and dismissed it as a worn Meadow Brown. Thankfully Martin was more switched on and after following the specimen for some distance, managed to get some shots of it.  At Martins recommendation " Hey Dave I think you should photograph this" I did indeed take a few shots. The upshot is that is probably a fairly rare aberrant form of the Meadow Brown, possibly cinerea. Anyway Martin posted a photo on BC Sussex, judge for yourself.

Postscript: Considered opinion of the experts is that is an albino form - which diminishes the excitement somewhat - but I find it just as interesting.

 

Forest Bug



Soldier Beetles doing what Soldier Beetles constantly engage in!

After searching endlessly through a myriad of Skippers we finally came up with one that satisfied the criteria for an Essex Skipper and we added another tick to the year list - two in one day - we were on a roll. Cloud cover increased and the chances of getting a PH coming down were slim so we cut our losses and dived down to Mill Hill hoping for a Chalkhill Blue. On the coast the sun was out and in very warm conditions the only specimens flying at Mill Hill were Marbled Whites.

Today we decided to visit Botany Bay first, for another go at Purple Emperors before revisiting Tilletts. As we approached "The Triangle" it was obvious that other photographers had found  a specimen, this became the centre of attention for an increasing group so we moved away hoping to find our own subject. Back at the triangle we met Colin Baker ( take a look at his website Lepi - photos, stunning quality photographs) who graciously shared a Purplie with us, first up in the foliage and then on the ground for some time - Thanks Colin. 

With the sun playing hide and seek we left for the car park, on the way we found two obliging Ringlets engaged in what all butterflies spend most of their time attempting to do and managed to record the event for posterity.

At Tilletts it was a continuation of yesterday, Purple Hairstreaks up in the canopy, this time they had moved to an adjacent Ash Tree and refused to come down yet again. The sun had galvanised even more of the common butterflies into action but nothing remarkable turned up.

Butterflies!

Humble apologies that my 200th blog is about butterflies and not birds. With the fine weather continuing, this morning was a quick dash on to the downs to find a Dark Green Fritillary. The trip was successful but very short as the temperatures soon rose above my comfort zone and the lack of breeze compounded the discomfort to such a degree that I gave up after an hour. Still, in that time, I managed some reasonable shots of four species of butterfly, I was particularly pleased with the fresh Painted Lady.

 

 

Birding again

At long last an opportunity to get out birding, a definite choice between the Roseate Terns at Rye or the Turtle Doves at Honer Farm. In the end we decided to go for the TD as it is No.1 on the list of most wanted. The walk along the North Wall was eerily quiet with few birds out in the harbour or on Breech Pool. Following the footpath north to Honer we were distracted by Meadow Browns, feeding frantically on the bramble flowers, until we heard that distinctive purring, consequently the butterflies were soon abandoned for later.

Hearing the bird was no problem, locating one was fairly difficult but success with a sighting of a bird - at least two hundred yards away. After about an hour and a half we were no further on, the bird being very mobile but at least vociferous, was never going to be close enough for a shot. So accepting what we had we went back to the Meadow Browns and to plan for another day.

As good as I could get with 400mm.

Back at Breech Pool a few more birds had turned up, several juvenile Redshanks, one of which was stated by other birders as a putative Spotshank. From the photographs I managed to capture I remain unconvinced and reckon it was a Common Redshank. Judge for yourself.
  

 

A roosting Green Sandpiper was an added bonus but the dog days of summer prevail and there are few birds to be seen.

However, proceedings were livened up with a long display by the Red Arrows over Goodwood for the Festival.

Come on Eight - catch up - anyone seen Nine??

That's better!

The Black Arrows - not the same class

Before we left in the morning I checked the moth trap and found this nice example of an Elephant Hawk Moth,

 Yesterday I noticed that space for mating damselflies was at a premium in the garden pond.