Norfolk Butterflies and Moths (5 Viewers)

[HarassedDad]

In the garden for just five minutes this lunchtime. (Also: Speckled Wood / Large & Small White and Comma)

You lucky, lucky ....

and a photo!

All I got in my garden was another hummer.
(IIRC you're in Brundall aren't you?)

Driving east to Wells, I ambled through the first section, glimpsing what must have been a large fritillary- there were Commas for close comparison, before anyone says anything ! It flew thru fast twice and I didn’t see it again for the rest of my visit.

Fast flying, and beating a territory - albeit only twice. Did it go flap,flap glide perchance?

 

[ben_lewis]

In the garden for just five minutes this lunchtime. (Also: Speckled Wood / Large & Small White and Comma)

Ooh very nice, I'd love to see one of them. Good to know there is one in the nearby area, it may make it this way, please send it to brundall/Strumpshaw!

 

[jimbob]

Purple hairstreaks at Buxton heath this am, at least 5 individuals seen along with meadow brown, ringlet, red admiral and both large and small whites.
The adjoining oil seed rape field (which still has some flowers) was awash with possibly 100+ large whites.

Did you manage any Silver-Studded Blues? Hoping to visit tomorrow. I have never been before, so any general tips would be appreciated.

Surlingham Church Marsh this afternoon was brimming with Ringlets, also good number of Red Admiral, Meadow Brown and Large White. Smaller numbers of GV White, Comma, Common Blue and Large Skipper.

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[jimbob]

In the garden for just five minutes this lunchtime. (Also: Speckled Wood / Large & Small White and Comma)

Redstarts, Turtle Doves, now this?!
Must be some garden!
Congratulations! Right place, right time, right garden!

Cheers,
Jim.

 

[tootsietim]

Did you manage any Silver-Studded Blues? Hoping to visit tomorrow. I have never been before, so any general tips would be appreciated.

Sorry to say that I didn't see a single blue of any description. Whether they are over for this year or just not flying today I don't know. On my visit of the 11/06 I saw at least 30.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

In the garden for just five minutes this lunchtime. (Also: Speckled Wood / Large & Small White and Comma)

Oh you lucky, lucky man. The Camberwell Beauty is my dream butterfly. As has been said that is quite a garden you have.

Ron

 

[Picathartes]

Did you manage any Silver-Studded Blues? Hoping to visit tomorrow. I have never been before, so any general tips would be appreciated.

Sorry to say that I didn't see a single blue of any description. Whether they are over for this year or just not flying today I don't know. On my visit of the 11/06 I saw at least 30.

Hi

Visited the heath this afternoon. Take the NW track from the car park to the far end where there is gate with some pesticide notices. Not sure if you should go beyond the gate - I did as there were a number of butterflies in the immediate vicinity. Take the track to the right to the top of the ridge. Silver-studded Blues were most common here. Other species present included good numbers of Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large and Small Whites, plus Red Admiral and Large Skippers.

 

[Lightthiscandle]

Oh you lucky, lucky man. The Camberwell Beauty is my dream butterfly. As has been said that is quite a garden you have.

Ron

It's not a big garden, but it's surrounded by fields and is midway between the Yare and Bure systems: the 'fly-overs' are spectacular! A couple of years ago I videoed an Osprey nearly landing on the lawn! (The other secret is the £20 a week my wife spends on bird food!)

I think Centranthus (Valerian?) is the ultimate butterfly attractor: we have lots of it, plus Buddleia and Achillea

 

[firstreesjohn]

Felbrigg this morning

A ‘phone call from Ian P and my morning was arranged: a leisurely stroll around The Lake.

Once more, Purple Hairstreaks were flaunting themselves on the brambles. A female started to open up, but didn't stay put for long enough to allow a closer approach.

A White Admiral (mainly) floated about.

Joined by Simon C, we reminisced about lists and past dragons.

What I thought was a hoverfly ‘tick’ for me now appears to be the Soldier-Fly Stratiomys potamida. ID confirmation anyone, please ?

 

[Stratton Birder]

Small Whites were out in force this morning in south Norfolk and a short circular walk centered around Shelton Green (TM 235906) produced 44 of these + four Green-veined, 19 Ringlets, 14 Meadow Browns, five Red Admirals, three Large Skippers, Small Skipper, and an immaculate and presumably newly emerged Small Tortoiseshell.

 

[HarassedDad]

I didn’t see Simon’s 10 Small Coppers, but I left at lunchtime- only 3. One was 3rd brood (?) (note the blue spots)- the first I’ve been able to photo. This is a lovely colour combination. I would welcome comment on this, as I saw one of these early in the season, when three broods couldn't have been achieved.

Sorry, only just had time to respond. The blue dots are a colour form (caeruleo-punctata) which can occur in any brood. I don't think any research has been done on the cause: so it might be genetic or environmental. It's true that more are seen later in the year, but that's just because there are larger numbers about at that point.

 

[Locostella]

Waxham Camping, Moths and Butterflies

Evening all,

A few good bits this weekend including Hummingbird Hawk, Privet Hawk and DGF.

See link for full report and photos.

Regards Kieran

http://showingwell.com/2011/07/03/waxham-camping-trip/

 

[firstreesjohn]

Little PCs (!) and their blue flashing spots

Thanks, Andy.

I asked, as the Collin's Guide is ambivalent (at least, to me) on this.

 

[NoSpringChicken]

This Privet Hawk Moth was on the reed screen at the Reception at Strumpshaw for much of the day (I believe it was trapped last night). It was causing quite a lot of interest. Looking at the photo, I think it is easy to see why some people might misidentify it as a Deaths-head Hawk Moth.

Ron

 

[alundra]

Horsford Woods on sunday had an uncountable number of Meadow Browns and Large Skippers plus plenty of small and essex skippers a comma, ringlet and a few whites.

 

[Happisbirder]

Interesting species this weekend included Hummingbird Hawks at Potter Heigham and Smallburgh, Purple Hairstreaks at Dilham and Silver-studded Blues - looking very tatty now - at East Ruston.

Also at Smallburgh and not seen by myself (although I did see video of it) was a fine White Admiral...

James

 

[Stratton Birder]

After getting my best ever view of a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in a Hempnall garden on Saturday while working I was hopeful that it would still be present today. Not only was it still present but it had been joined by another one and I was watching them feeding in a nice shady area of someone's front garden where I could get within inches of both of them and I heard the humming sound for the first time. It was one of the best nature experiences I have had this year and reinforces my opinion that this is the most fascinating and mesmerising insect to watch in Britain.

 

[Happisbirder]

More White Admirals in Bacton Woods this afternoon along with Red Admirals, Comma, Meadow Browns, Speckled Wood, various Whites and Skippers too. I only had half an hour...

James

 

[Penny Clarke]

After getting my best ever view of a Hummingbird Hawk Moth in a Hempnall garden on Saturday while working I was hopeful that it would still be present today. Not only was it still present but it had been joined by another one and I was watching them feeding in a nice shady area of someone's front garden where I could get within inches of both of them and I heard the humming sound for the first time. It was one of the best nature experiences I have had this year and reinforces my opinion that this is the most fascinating and mesmerising insect to watch in Britain.

My parents have hummingbird hawk moths almost daily in their garden recently, including yesterday. My mother said she has never seen so many. I really ought to spend the day in their garden!!!:eek!:

Penny:girl:

 

[turkish van]

Hi all
great thread...
I wonder if any of you could help me, I'm heading down to Norfolk on friday for a week (staying in Brundall, just outside Norwich) and hoping to catch up with a range of species, Silver-studded blues would be great, and I think Swallowtails are almost guaranteed at Strumpshaw? Could anyone recommend any good general butterfly sites that are within public transport reach of Norwich?
thanks in advance....