Lightthiscandle
David Bryant
Austrian Sachertort?
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Norfolk Butterflies and Moths (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Birding Bob
- Start date
Austrian Sachertort?
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
Well there is a record from the 1890's of an Apollo from whitlingham broad, so something Austrian isn't completely out of the question.
One that got away...?
My other half came rushing in earlier saying she just had a fritillary in the garden, answering my suspicious questions positively (not a Comma as too big and didn't have ragged wings and definitely bigger than a Small Tort and not a Tort sp. anyway). Described as large, orange and black, she felt that the photo I showed her of a Silver-washed Frit was definitely what it was.
There was no sign when we went back out to look but 10 mins later a large orange and black butterfly flew across the garden and into next door. It then came back and flew away from me down the garden before disappearing out of sight. Unfortunately, whatever it was never settled and always stayed too far ahead of me to get any detail on it, so I can't say for sure what it was. Frustrating to say the least!
Macro moths in the garden are now nearing the 100 mark, with recent additions including Drinker, Oak Eggar, Ruby Tiger, Black Arches, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Dark Spinach and Nut-tree Tussock, taking the total to 95.
My other half came rushing in earlier saying she just had a fritillary in the garden, answering my suspicious questions positively (not a Comma as too big and didn't have ragged wings and definitely bigger than a Small Tort and not a Tort sp. anyway). Described as large, orange and black, she felt that the photo I showed her of a Silver-washed Frit was definitely what it was.
There was no sign when we went back out to look but 10 mins later a large orange and black butterfly flew across the garden and into next door. It then came back and flew away from me down the garden before disappearing out of sight. Unfortunately, whatever it was never settled and always stayed too far ahead of me to get any detail on it, so I can't say for sure what it was. Frustrating to say the least!
Macro moths in the garden are now nearing the 100 mark, with recent additions including Drinker, Oak Eggar, Ruby Tiger, Black Arches, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Dark Spinach and Nut-tree Tussock, taking the total to 95.
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
Apollo
I have heard of a credible sight record of one (butterfly, not spacecraft, Mr B) flying along the beach at Cley/Blakeney Point.
I cannot recall when this was, but possibly the 1960s.
The observer is still alive, not a stringer and familiar with them up the Continent.
There is also a post of relevance to us here: http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88350
I have heard of a credible sight record of one (butterfly, not spacecraft, Mr B) flying along the beach at Cley/Blakeney Point.
I cannot recall when this was, but possibly the 1960s.
The observer is still alive, not a stringer and familiar with them up the Continent.
There is also a post of relevance to us here: http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7753&start=80#p88350
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HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
Interesting - that was before there was a butterfly recorder. I wonder what else we're missing in the database?
The earliest records we have are simply copies of the entries in the Monk's Wood Butterfly Atlas of 1982. There are a few records from the biological records unit of NCC prior to that, but we didn't formally start compiling records until then. Ted Ellis wrote a summary of what he knew about Norfolk's butterflies in transactions about that time, but obviously had never heard of the Cley record.
If anyone has old notebooks from prior to the 80's, or even just memories of seeing butterflies that aren't there now, we'd welcome them. (Particularly Fritillaries - we used to have 6, but apart from holt, we have no records of high brown, very few of marsh, and very few of pearl and small pearl bordered - and they used to be everywhere.)
The earliest records we have are simply copies of the entries in the Monk's Wood Butterfly Atlas of 1982. There are a few records from the biological records unit of NCC prior to that, but we didn't formally start compiling records until then. Ted Ellis wrote a summary of what he knew about Norfolk's butterflies in transactions about that time, but obviously had never heard of the Cley record.
If anyone has old notebooks from prior to the 80's, or even just memories of seeing butterflies that aren't there now, we'd welcome them. (Particularly Fritillaries - we used to have 6, but apart from holt, we have no records of high brown, very few of marsh, and very few of pearl and small pearl bordered - and they used to be everywhere.)
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
Tony: No, it was searched for during the flight season.
Chris: there was an unconfirmed SWF from Queens Hills that got neglected once the YL turned up. I suspect a good search of ringland might turn some up? There does seem to be a correlation that sites good for white admiral are good for SWF
Anyone know anything about one at Holme today?
Chris: there was an unconfirmed SWF from Queens Hills that got neglected once the YL turned up. I suspect a good search of ringland might turn some up? There does seem to be a correlation that sites good for white admiral are good for SWF
Anyone know anything about one at Holme today?
Penny Clarke
Well-known member
DITTO!!! Message came on pager at 23.04!!! 'Scarce Tortoiseshell Butterfly Holme'.......where, what time, for how long was it watched and by whom? I presume it was a private garden, as obviously wouldn't be suppressed on a nature reserve as there would be no need.
Sunday update on this: reply from someone, added to end of my last post yesterday.
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Steve Gantlett
Norfolk Birder
It wasn't me, alas, but I think it was flying west on the Point in the hot August of 1976. Could ask the observers, but it was just a straight fly-by and I don't think they were claiming it as a certain record because it was so brief.
ben_lewis
Well-known member
If there were a "like" button it would certainly be pushed for that lol
Hi Chris,
I had a Fritillary which I think was Silver-washed at Felthorpe yesterday afternoon and apparently the one at Queen's Hills has been seen again - in fact the one at QH could be the same individual as your garden as it can't be that far!
Mike
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Lightthiscandle
David Bryant
HarassedDad
Norfolk County Butterfly Recorder
I counted 29 SWF at Holt CP in 40 mins, and didn't see the valenzina. Twice I had 7 in sight at once. So yes populations are up. I also had 70 Chalk Hill Blues at Warham in less than ideal conditions, they weren't flying so that's just what I kicked up walking around, so population building nicely there too.
The Yellow Hairstreak
Active member
Jim, I'm not 100% sure, but I thought I saw one on a couple of occasions at the Gilman Road end of Mousehold (near where I live) flying around the sycamore trees there.
Descriptions fit. Flying style (jittery like the Purple Hairsteaks), size, time of day (early morning), and a brownish colour. Did not look like a Purple either, but if anyone knows otherwise, then let me know.
I shan't get much of a look over the next week as I won't be around a great deal, but will post again if I can confirm.
93Birder
Well-known member
2 Painted Lady's at UEA today, both feeding on buddleja in the little garden area next to the Chancellors Building. Plenty of other butterflies around that area too! No Scarce Torts yet though!
Picathartes
Active member
Holt CP & Sheringham Park
The car park at Holt CP was simply awash with Silver-washed Fritillaries, including a single valenzina, which showed briefly on the buddleia near the toilet block but spent the majority of the time in brambles nearby. A number of showy but worn White Admiral also posed well for photos, whilst a variety of more common species were also on show.
At the gazebo in Sheringham Park, Purple Hairstreaks were playing hard to get, some fleetingly in view whether distantly in rest or in brief flight however an obliging individual in an oak lower down the track thankfully allowed for some close-up views.
A great sunny day with Brown Argus, Common Blue, Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Essex Skipper, Large - Small and Green-veined White, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small Copper also adding to the highlights.
The car park at Holt CP was simply awash with Silver-washed Fritillaries, including a single valenzina, which showed briefly on the buddleia near the toilet block but spent the majority of the time in brambles nearby. A number of showy but worn White Admiral also posed well for photos, whilst a variety of more common species were also on show.
At the gazebo in Sheringham Park, Purple Hairstreaks were playing hard to get, some fleetingly in view whether distantly in rest or in brief flight however an obliging individual in an oak lower down the track thankfully allowed for some close-up views.
A great sunny day with Brown Argus, Common Blue, Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Essex Skipper, Large - Small and Green-veined White, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Small Copper also adding to the highlights.
Attachments
firstreesjohn
Well-known member
I've now seen SEVEN valesinae in Holt CP. I am able to reach this figure by looking at the shapes and arrangements of their spots and damage, where applicable.
There were two fresh ones today.
Brimstones also emerged today in numbers: in one place, I could see 10, without moving- although I did continue to breathe.
There were two fresh ones today.
Brimstones also emerged today in numbers: in one place, I could see 10, without moving- although I did continue to breathe.
