Monday 9th August 2010

Another Silver-washed Fritillary today, again a new location in Barming (Oaken) Woods, but no doubt one or the same individual that I've been seeing over the last few days. Again it wouldn't settle for more than a few seconds and was continually harassed by Gatekeepers, hence the 'shaky' images. No sign of any Purple Hairstreaks today - no wonder I've missed them in previous years. Lots of Common Blues and a single Brown Argus.



The clouds were doing funny things!


Lots of dragonflies including; Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter.

Sunday 8th August 2010

A couple of hours up in Barming (Oaken) Woods with the kids turned up a couple (or the same) Silver-washed Fritillaries, with one in a new location, on the buddleias near Gallagher's Gallop underpass. They were too flighty to photograph and after a few abortive chases we gave up and concentrated on catching grasshoppers!



With a Spitfire growling over the house on Friday evening we all looked up when this mixed group grumbled overhead - Tiger Moth, Cesena, Utterly-Butterly wing walker? Any ideas Twisden?

Friday 30th July 2010

A couple more moths caught overnight included a Willow Herald (?) and Riband Band. 

Cycling into work was met with all the other species; 2x Little Owl (although one didn't want to pose as normal!), family groups of Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Great Tit, Linnets with Swallows and 2x Bullfinches all thrown into the mix. 

At lunchtime I did a circuit of Oaken Woods, nr Barming.  Butterflies were the order of the day with Gatekeepers (60+) predominating, but Speckled Wood (x3), Red Admiral (x3), White Admiral (x1) - in good nick on a buddeleia near Gallagher's Underpass, Meadow Brown (x16), Peacock (x9), Large Whites (x7), Common Blue (x5), Holly Blue (x3) and best of all a Silver-washed Fritillary. 

This only my second SW Frit on patch, but it wasn't hanging around and I struggled to keep up with on my bike!  It touched down briefly a couple of times, long enough to get a record shot.  It was seen in almost exactly the same location as the one I had 2 years - is there a small undiscovered colony in these extensive woods or am I seeing roaming males?! 

Southern Hawker

Migrant Hawker

Lots of Dragonflies on the wing as well with Emperor, Migrant, Southern and Brown Hawkers and even a Black-tailed Skimmer.  Only one moth, a Rosy Footman. 

Going back into the woods I was suprised to see how dank they'd remained in this recent heatwave.  Lots of puddles, skated over by Water Boatmen (how did they find themselves on puddles in the middle of a wood?!).  Also on the track verges the first mushrooms of the season (any suggestions for ID welcomed!)

Mushroom A

Mushroom B

Mushroom C

Sunday 11th July 2010

After a months absence, due largely to strawberries coming into season, I'm glad to be back blogging.  A resume of what I've seen over the last month will appear later.

A hot sultry Sunday, wife at works and kids in tow, saw me heading off early to Lullingstone to capture the Dark Green Fritillary explosion that's occured in the last 2 weeks.  I wasn't to be disappointed with 50+ on the wing in less than ideal conditions (wind and rain, unbelievable!). 

Dark Green Fritillary

Moving onto Greenie in the wild's patch at nearby High Elms turned up 10+ Silver-washed Fritillaries, bathed in the dappled sunlight.  A couple of females were seen ovipositing on a yew tree.  What fantastic creatures, gliding effortlessly on big 'tiger' wings (my 6-year old's description!). 

Silver-washed Fritillary (male)

After a refreshing pint, and coke and crisps for the kids at the The Plough, Ivy Hatch it seemed foolish not to try for the Purple Emperor that we'd see at nearby Dene Park, nr Tonbridge on Tuesday afternoon.  By this time the temperature had risen to 28.C, and the short walk to the master Oak was accompanied by another Silver-washed Fritillary, a Purple Hairstreak and10+ White Admirals. 

Silver-washed Fritillary (female)

Finally, at the top of the hill, a male Purple Emperor glided across the bracken and chased by 3-year old.  He was completely oblivious to rarity that was on the wing alongside him! 

Purple Emperor (male)

Luckily he stopped and the butterfly dropped onto the path just ahead of him.  We spent the next 20 minutes watching and photographing it as it gave tantalising glimpses of the purple sheen on its forewings. 

Purple Emperor, note the bright yellow proboscis.

Eventually the batteries ran out on the camera so we just enjoyed it as it followed us back towards the car park.  Sure it was the perspiration that helped!

Purple Emperor, looking suprisingly like a White Admiral at a distance