Sunday 10 June 2012

Small Blues after the storm

Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Yesterday morning I set off for early for Kithurst Hill in calm conditions following days of rain and wind. I arrived at 8:15 and it was some time before i saw my first butterfly, an  extremely worm Red Admiral, followed by a weather damaged Small Heath and Common Blue. It warmed up, the sun appeared and at 9:15 I saw the first Small Blue followed by many more. Most of these were damaged by the rain with missing scales. Later in the day I found newly emerged specimens in perfect condition. I also found something Chris Packham would enjoy! Hopefully I have identified it correctly - it's the last photo.
Blue bottle, Calliphora vomitoria
Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, female
Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, female 
Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, male
Common Rock-rose, Helianthemum chamaecistus
Common Spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza
Germander Speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys
Hoverfly, Syrphus ribesii
Lesser Stitchwort, Stellaria graminea
Red campion, Silene dioica
Silver Y moth, Autographa gamma
Silver Y moth, Autographa gamma nectaring on privet flower
Silver Y moth, Autographa gamma
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Blue, Cupido minimus, male
Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus
Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus
Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria
Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria
ancient Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta
id needed
Badger poo full of seeds and beetles

2 comments:

  1. These are the best yet. Wonderful - so wonderful I am trying to send comment in the proper way. B.

    ReplyDelete

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