Having seen a posting on a butterfly webpage last night , a trip down into Hampshire was hastily organised and at 0730 a friend and myself were heading for Hampshire , hoping to find the first of two species targets for the day , Glanville Fritillary . We made good time down , and arrived with a coolness still in the air , but the sun warming things up by the minute . I'm glad to say it 
wasn't very long before we were photographing the first of many specimens . Being a very active 
species and the temperature rising , it was a race against time to get shots before they warmed up 
and they did their best to make sure that we got shots from every possible angle .
Other species on the site included Common Blue , Brown Argus , Large Skipper (pictured) , Dingy Skipper , and lots of Green Hairstreaks . Whilst walking around , we found plenty of 
specimens of Grass Vetchling/Lathyrus nissolia , one of my favourite meadow plants .
We saw at least two Roe Deer , this female showing a clean pair of heels as she made off .
An overflying Cuckoo , and a very secretive Lesser Whitethroat were also seen / heard , and good numbers of Common Blue Damselfies were found .
and they did their best to make sure that we got shots from every possible angle .Other species on the site included Common Blue , Brown Argus , Large Skipper (pictured) , Dingy Skipper , and lots of Green Hairstreaks . Whilst walking around , we found plenty of specimens of Grass Vetchling/Lathyrus nissolia , one of my favourite meadow plants .We saw at least two Roe Deer , this female showing a clean pair of heels as she made off .An overflying Cuckoo , and a very secretive Lesser Whitethroat were also seen / heard , and good numbers of Common Blue Damselfies were found .Well pleased , about midday , we left to travel back into Surrey for our second species target , Wood White . A half hour or so later , we were on site , and found our first specimen within a 
few minutes of getting out of the car . Good numbers were seen throughout the visit , but none 
of the females seemed interested in the male's advances , and most males gave up and moved on , to try their luck with a different female . A couple of day flying moths were seen , 
Mother Shipton ,
and Speckled Yellow , which were exceptionally active and difficult to photograph .
few minutes of getting out of the car . Good numbers were seen throughout the visit , but none of the females seemed interested in the male's advances , and most males gave up and moved on , to try their luck with a different female . A couple of day flying moths were seen , Mother Shipton ,and Speckled Yellow , which were exceptionally active and difficult to photograph .Nightingales were heard all over the site , along with probably two Cuckoos . We even had a very quick glimpse of the back end of a Badger , but it was very quick as it hurried away up a bank .
Another of the Pea family , Meadow Vetchling/Lathyrus pratensis was found along the tracks , just coming into flower . Odonata seen on this site included several male Emperor Dragonfly , a female Broad Bodied Chaser and a newly emerged Black-tailed Skimmer . Orange Tip , Comma and Speckled Wood were added to the list , along with Brimstone , who once again failed to come
up with the goods when this male and female came together .
Another of the Pea family , Meadow Vetchling/Lathyrus pratensis was found along the tracks , just coming into flower . Odonata seen on this site included several male Emperor Dragonfly , a female Broad Bodied Chaser and a newly emerged Black-tailed Skimmer . Orange Tip , Comma and Speckled Wood were added to the list , along with Brimstone , who once again failed to come up with the goods when this male and female came together .A brilliant day out in good company , boosted by finding and photographing both target species .
6 comments:
That must be your best day out for a long time Greenie, a top 5 day perhaps :-)
What great butterflies frittilaries are :-)
Hi Greenie, some cracking shots there mate, and that fritillary looks very nice indeed.
A delightful post Greenie! I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Glanville Fritillary is beautiful and your photos show that perfectly. I would love to see them but know I won't without travelling a considerable way so your account is the next best thing :)
Well done with the Wood White too. A butterfly I don't think I have seen (unless I overlooked it!) but have more chance of than the GF. I remember you hunting it down last year.
The Speckled Yellow Moth is very pretty and not one I see on blogs often, explained I suspect by your 'exceptionally active and difficult to photograph' comment.
What a great action shot of the Roe Deer!!
Glanville Fritillary and Wood White, yet another two species I have never seen. Great photos Greenie.
What's the butterfly equivalent to a twitcher called then? Flutterer,flitterer,butterer any ideas?
Lovely Glanville Fritillary shots Greenie...I may make a journey down to Hampshire at some point to see them...truely stunning
Belated congratulations for the pics.
The Glanville's a lovely butterfly - I wasn't previously aware that they are on the mainland.
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