After much gallivanting around the higher bits of France and Scotland it was nice to be out on the local patch again. Whilst I was away Martin had managed to add two butterflies to his Sussex list, Wood White and Black Hairstreak, and I was keen to make an effort to catch up. The Black Hairstreaks were long gone and they will definitely have to wait for next year. A quick foray for the Wood Whites resulted in a dip but of course there is always a chance of a second brood.
And so it proved, within minutes of entering the site we had a very compliant subject. Smug satisfaction at what is my 46th species of Sussex butterfly. Of course depending who and what you consult, the list is variable. We located another four specimens which is encouraging, hopefully the colony will continue to thrive.
It's always good to find the first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year, so we paid a visit to Newtimber Hill. This venue has been a banker for them over the last few years, of course they are becoming more widespread throughout the county but Newtimber remains a favourite venue. Good eyesight and the ability to chase a small, fast flying and easily camouflaged subject will result in getting close.
So, unless I have sole access to an influx of an exotic continental butterfly species, Martin has the bragging rights until next year.
A short visit to Newtimber Hill, on the border between East and West Sussex and usually home to many Silver-spotted Skippers. A good excuse to get out and about and to get a year tick in the bag. The weather forecast for the early part of the week was not too good so we took advantage of the dry start to the day. When we arrived the weak sunshine had all but disappeared and it was a tad cooler than previous. Nonetheless, it wasn't long before we found a specimen perched up on a flower head and it was duly recorded. I had thought that this would be the first of many but they remained elusive - well hidden in the grass due to the lack of sunshine.
Several nice specimens of Chalk Hill Blue provided some material for the camera.
The Marbled Whites are just about over, this specimen looking tired and somewhat overwhelmed by the red mite Trombidium breei. This parasite has been particularly common at this site over the past three years.
The temperature dropped even further and fewer butterflies were on the wing, even the Meadow Browns struggled to get airborne - so it was time to call it a day.
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.
