stuartelsom
Well-known member
Quick update to add a some more info to that already posted.
I arrived at 0830 and the female from yesterday was being watched by about half a dozen very appreciative observers in the southernmost section of Everlasting Pea - a place she returned to time and again, still being present when I left at midday. When approaching from the south, this is the first clump on the seaward side of the road before you get to any houses - just look for the flattened grass!
Lee Gregory and I then located a worn male with 1 tail streamer, level with the chalet 'Moonraker', which showed well to about 5 observers before flying across the road towards the garden of the chalet. Some 30 minutes later another male, this one much fresher with two full tails showed on the clifftop bushes, so only about 50 yards from the other male - this was seen by about 10 people but soon moved off.
I left the site at midday but Lee managed to find another 5 LTB's early afternoon, all on Everlasting Pea - they're quite unobtrusive often sitting tight and also feeding on the underside of flowers.
The place is simply heaving with butterflies. Whilst walking to and from Bockhill I noted hundreds of Marbled Whites, Chalkhill Blues, Brown Argus, Common Blue and both common whites. Also smaller numbers of Small Copper, several Small Blue, Clouded Yellow and lovely to see Wall Browns - not seen those locally for ages!
Other insects seen included a Small Red-eyed Damselfly, literally 'bucketloads' of Silver Y's, a few Dusky Sallows on the Knapweed, Long-winged Conehead and a few interesting ichneumon/sand wasps along the way. 14 Whimbrel also flew south during the morning.
A great morning out, highly recommended and very nice to catch up with Long-tailed Blue at last. Thanks also to Marc Heath for his speedy reply to my emails yesterday, it is appreciated.
Lots of pics taken and will post them when edited (Edit: Now attached, including the view you're greeted with when walking from Bockhill).
Stu
I arrived at 0830 and the female from yesterday was being watched by about half a dozen very appreciative observers in the southernmost section of Everlasting Pea - a place she returned to time and again, still being present when I left at midday. When approaching from the south, this is the first clump on the seaward side of the road before you get to any houses - just look for the flattened grass!
Lee Gregory and I then located a worn male with 1 tail streamer, level with the chalet 'Moonraker', which showed well to about 5 observers before flying across the road towards the garden of the chalet. Some 30 minutes later another male, this one much fresher with two full tails showed on the clifftop bushes, so only about 50 yards from the other male - this was seen by about 10 people but soon moved off.
I left the site at midday but Lee managed to find another 5 LTB's early afternoon, all on Everlasting Pea - they're quite unobtrusive often sitting tight and also feeding on the underside of flowers.
The place is simply heaving with butterflies. Whilst walking to and from Bockhill I noted hundreds of Marbled Whites, Chalkhill Blues, Brown Argus, Common Blue and both common whites. Also smaller numbers of Small Copper, several Small Blue, Clouded Yellow and lovely to see Wall Browns - not seen those locally for ages!
Other insects seen included a Small Red-eyed Damselfly, literally 'bucketloads' of Silver Y's, a few Dusky Sallows on the Knapweed, Long-winged Conehead and a few interesting ichneumon/sand wasps along the way. 14 Whimbrel also flew south during the morning.
A great morning out, highly recommended and very nice to catch up with Long-tailed Blue at last. Thanks also to Marc Heath for his speedy reply to my emails yesterday, it is appreciated.
Lots of pics taken and will post them when edited (Edit: Now attached, including the view you're greeted with when walking from Bockhill).
Stu
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