Silver Studded Blue and Recent Walks

A round up of recent trips and walks.
I managed to get close up shots of a rabbit at Hutchinsons Bank, we dont have many on site.

on Thursday a trip with Greenie to Fairmile Common for Silver-studded Blue. They were just emerging.

There was only one female seen, and about 50 males. In the last shot, this male has recently emerged and was being attended by ants, this one drinking from the abdomen of the butterfly.

A visit to Thursley, didnt give many butterflies, but Early Marsh Orchids were in flower, but not easily photographed. The white form was near the board walk, so i managed to get a few pictures.

Today a Walk at Hutchinsons Bank, was dull so not the usual number of butterflies to be seen. We did see a Common Emerald Moth, and the first Small Skipper, note the Orange tip to the antennae.

Man Orchid and Privet Hawk

I found my first Man Orchid on our reserves in many years while walking the Chapel Bank transect this morning.

At Hutchinsons Bank a few photographers were in the cutting, we found a few things of interest on the site

A Longhorn Beetle, and I found a male Privet Hawk Moth resting on a Hawthorn bush.

I also photographed the larva of the emperor moth.

Elephants and Tigers in the Garden

We found a fully grown Garden Tiger caterpillar in the garden, they used to be common, but have not been seen for a few years now.

Also 2 of the Elephant Hawkmoths from last summers caterpillars have hatched, both on the same day.

Denbies Hillside Adonis Blue Walk

The Butterfly Conservation walk at Denbies Hillside, Target Species Adonis Blue. On the Hillside a few orchids were in flower. Fragrant Orchid, and White Helleborine.

A male Adonis Blue was found that had 20% Female genes, one forewing only.

After returing from this walk, I visited Hutchinsons Bank, and found a few people who had seen or were looking for the Glanvilles.

Painted Lady

While walking the transect today, i noticed several migrants, and a Painted Lady settled on the path.

i managed to get in closer.

Also i found 2 more Glanvilles in the Cutting.

Marsh Fritillary

Was out on a West trip with Greenie today, target Species were Marsh Fritillary, the two Pearl Bordered Fritillaries and Duke of Burgundy.

At the first site,Cotley Hill , a Wiltshire butterfly reserve, we arrived before the butterflies were active and managed a few undersides.

Then the sun warmed up the fritillaries, and they started to pose open winged in the sunshine including several pairs. One posed on a Common Spotted Orchid.

Other Butterflies at this site included Green Hairstreak, Small Blue, Wall Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue.

At Bentley Wood, we managed to find the 3 target species in the same clearing, the Pearl Bordered Frits were well past their best, The Small Pearls had only just emerged. In a quiet corner two Duke of Burgundy were posing on various shrubs.

Thanks to Greenie for a lovely day out, the lovely pictures of a yellowhammer i cant wait to see.

Hutchinsons Bank May Butterflies

The Glanville Fritillaries are still in reasonable numbers, in their usual spots on the site.

The female above was a few days ago

The male above was along the cutting. Other butterflies at the moment include large numbers of Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue. Today had my first sighting this year of Small Blue.

 Grizzled Skipper underside

A male Orange Tip was settling on the lower muddy track.