Mill Hill and Friston Gallops

Adonis Blue, male, Lysandra bellargus

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On Thursday I took advantage of the sunshine to get my Mill Hill transect done with the following results: Adonis Blue 4, Brimstone 4, Chalkhill Blue 144, Common Blue 5, Gatekeeper 3, Holly blue 1, Meadow Brown 192, Peacock 2, Red Admiral 2, Small Heath 4, Small White 3, Wall 3. A sea fret came in as I arrived.

I then headed to Friston Gallops to see the Chalkhill Blue spectacular and was amazed by the numbers of this beautiful butterfly shimmering on the down. They seemed to favour the sweet smelling thyme. Experts have estimated the number on this site at around half a million. I also saw Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Brimstones, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. I saw a male and a female Brimstone touring the thistle flowers. I took the opportunity to try for some open wing shots using 1/4000sec. It's a challenge as the autofocus is too slow so I had to manually focus then try to catch one in the focal plane. It took an hour but I managed to get some acceptable shots of this butterfly which rests with wings closed.

Mill Hill:

Adonis Blue, male, Lysandra bellargus

Common Blue, male, Polyommatus icarus

Gatekeeper, Pyronia tithonus

sea fret

Peacock, Inachis io

Friston Gallops:

Brimstone, female, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, female, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, female, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, female, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Brimstone, male, Gonepteryx rhamni

Chalkhill Blue, Lysandra coridon

Common Blue, male, Polyommatus icarus

Dark Green Fritillary, Argynnis aglaja

Thyme on the Gallops

Gatekeepe and Brimstone

Large White, Pieris brassicae