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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42207 Location: North Devon
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sgt.colon
Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 7380 Location: Just south of north.
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42207 Location: North Devon
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 17 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Today, despite the very hot weather, we went to look for Black Hairstreaks. After having seen several other species, including Ringlets, Speckled Woods, Silver-washed Fritillaries and Commas, there was great excitement as somebody called out "There's one!" After quite a few photographs, and detailed scrutiny, we came to the conclusion that it was not a Black, but a White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album):
It was rather shy of being photographed, and even this picture involved the aid of several of my companions bending branches down to bring it nearer!
We also saw Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera bifolia) nearly over, but upon which a grasshopper obligingly perched to improve the picture!
I am fairly sure the hopper is the Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
We also saw several Red Kites.
Henry |
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sean Downsizer Moderator
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 42207 Location: North Devon
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15598
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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Mistress Rose
Joined: 21 Jul 2011 Posts: 15598
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buzzy
Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 3708 Location: In a small wood on the edge of the Huntingdonshire Wolds
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Posted: Mon Jun 26, 17 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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Today was definitely a butterfly day. We went out looking for Purple Emperors. As soon as we got out of the car at the site, one of us spotted a probable PE, but it didn't make a good enough showing for us to be certain of the identification.
We then walked along the ride, stopping from time to time as somebody pointed to a tiny dark spot flitting about in the tops of the trees and said "there's one". We would all stop and crick our necks for a while, trying to spot the elusive shape.
As we proceeded slowly, we did see other butterflies - Ringlets, Speckled Woods and even Silver Washed Fritillaries (Argynnis paphia), which, though spending a lot of time chasing other butterflies, did occasionally stop to pose whilst feeding:
There were also plenty of Commas, Ringlets and Small Tortoiseshells, and quite a few White Admirals. Also a few probable Hairstreaks which were most likely to have been Purple, but again they were shy and stayed at the tops of the trees.
So we reached our traditional turning point, and began to make our way back, still not having had very good sightings of Purple Emperors. But after a short while, a very kind gentleman came to our rescue, actually turning round and walking back to tell us that there was one feeding on the ground, We returned with him to th spot, and sure enough there was a handsome male Apatura iris, probing the ground with its proboscis. Not sure what is was doing - the ground looked very dry, but possibly there was dampness a few millimetres below the surface (probably something unpleasant but nutrient rich, like dog urine ).
The purple sheen is often hard to see, and as we were watching, it appeared and disappeared with small changes in the butterfly's (or our) position.
We took lots of pictures (some of us went a bit overboard!), and moved on, where we soon found another PE; this one had its wings closed so we could see the lovely pattern on the underside:
All this about a hundred yards from the car park. No need for all that walking unless you wanted the exercise.
Henry |
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gz
Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 8613 Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
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sgt.colon
Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: 7380 Location: Just south of north.
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