The sleeper ...

Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Chiddingfold Forest, 2016

The beautiful Small Tortoiseshell A. urticae can turn up almost anywhere and appears in gardens throughout the British Isles. It is one of our most successful butterflies. As its scientific name correctly suggests, it is most-often seen where nettles grow in abundance; both Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Small Nettle (U. urens) are used for egg-laying and larval nutrition. A. urticae is also frequently encountered whilst hibernating in an outbuilding, such as a garage, shed or barn, where they may be found in the company of other individuals. Further hibernation sites include hollow trees and woodpiles. I personally experienced some fifteen individuals overwintering in an old converted tractor shed last year. They were surprisingly first seen to be entering hibernation on 31st July 2015. They stayed in this state for eight months and only occasionally showed signs of any movement.

The adult butterflies can be seen on the wing at any time of the year, even on the last days of December or first days of January if the temperature is high enough to wake them from their dormancy. However, adults normally emerge from hibernation at the end of March and start of April. There are typically two broods each year, except in the north, where there is usually only a single brood. Whether single or double-brooded, the butterfly can be a familiar sight in late summer as it imbibes nectar to build up essential fats in preparation for its period of rest.

The above images show two separate males, the first, exhibiting dorsal thermoregulation on a forestry track in early July, the second, having successfully overwintered in the adult form, resting on a log pile in early April; the antennae tucked tightly between its forewings and showing the exquisite camouflage of the underside.

More at:

www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=urticae

www.markcolvin.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/ferring-strife.html

Early season ...

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)

On Monday, 21st April 2014, I spent much of the day walking the rides and glades within the key Surrey sectors of the Chiddingfold Forest complex; my target, a spring brood Wood White (L. sinapis). Despite weather conditions being ideal, to detect both flying and resting individuals, only two were seen during my entire visit including the above male found roosting on Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius); one of its larval foodplants.

From small beginnings ...

Purple Hairstreak (Favonius quercus)

Hidden away in the folds of an oak bud a tiny egg glistens ...

Waiting game ...

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)

The Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) is one of our most beautiful butterflies, with undoubtedly the slowest and most delicate flights of all the British species. Along with the Small-pearl Bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene), whose population is currently at an all time low in the county, it is probably the rarest butterfly in Sussex. When at rest, the rounded tips of the forewings provide one of the main distinguishing features between this butterfly and other similar members of the Pieridae. Adults always rest with their wings closed. In flight, the male can be distinguished from the female by a black spot at the tip of the forewings that is greatly reduced in the female. L. sinapis lives in discrete colonies and was only recently separated from the morphologically identical Cryptic Wood White (Leptidea juvernica). L. sinapis is a local species and can be found in central and southern England; and also in Ireland on the limestone pavements of Clare and southeast Galway. L. sinapis is absent from Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

The English colonies emerge in late April or early May and fly until the end of June. In Ireland, the emergence starts a little later, in late May, and the adults fly until the middle of July. Some locations, especially those in Surrey and Sussex, typically experience a 2nd brood, which is characteristically on the wing between mid July and August; this can often be more substantial than the 1st brood during good seasons.

As its name suggests, L. sinapis is typically found along woodland rides and their margins. However, colonies in the southwest of its range can also be found in more open areas such as disused railway cuttings and meadows. Suitable habitat is characterised as being warm, sheltered and damp, where both larval foodplants and suitable nectar sources are in abundance. Larval foodplants include various vetches and trefoils including Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus linifolius), Greater Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) and Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca). Nectar sources include a variety of woodland flowers. During periods of hot weather, males can often be found taking mineral salts from puddles and animal dung.

Its pupa, pictured above, is the most beautiful of creatures when examined in close detail. A silken girdle and the cremaster (a hook-like tip at the base of the pupa serving as an anchorage point), as shown above, attach it to the stem. Those pupae that do not give rise to a new generation in the year of their development, overwinter and emerge as the spring brood the following season.

Further information can be found at: www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=sinapis

Season's first ...

I always wait in anticipation for my first butterfly sighting of the year; though I am often left rather concerned over sightings that are too early in the season due to the limited availability of nectar sources and the likelihood of adverse winter weather still potentially on the horizon. This year, on Saturday, 22nd February, I struck lucky and counted seven male Brimstones during a sun-filled walk in a Surrey section of Chiddingfold Forest. A flyby, in my garden, on the 24th was followed by sightings of five further males on the 27th; all in Sussex locations. In addition, a Small Tortoiseshell, found fluttering around a window in my local church on Tuesday, 25th February, bodes well for the coming butterfly year.

Fingers crossed!

My first species of the season ...

Papilio albus minor ...

Chiddingfold Forest, 20-24 May 2013

The Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) is one of our rarest and most enchanting butterflies. It exhibits probably the slowest and most delicate flights, almost fairy-like, of all the British species. Its discreet colonies typically contain just a few dozen adults, though there are still a few locations, and seasons, when it can be a locally common springtime butterfly. Salcey Forest, near Northampton, was historically one of its strongest outposts. Today, only the much-reduced populations of the Chiddingfold Forest complex on the Surrey/Sussex border can be classed as 'large' – in a good season.

With conditions being almost perfect for finding and photographing this beautiful species, I recently headed into the Chiddingfold Forest complex. This season’s spring brood has emerged in the known hotspots about three weeks later than last year, and they are only being found in reduced numbers. Their principal colonies appear to be down by up to 75% over last year, with some areas of the forest producing only one or two individuals on a good day. The highest daily count to date, made by myself during my search, was 12 individuals from one of the most productive areas; though I feel sure that others were undoubtedly present away from the main tracks.

One of my favourite shots below …

Brimstone (revisited) ...

Ashpark Wood, 6 May 2013

With good numbers of Brimstone currently around, I decided to pay them another visit.

It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that I finally got out, and stayed until around 6.30pm. During this time I watched numerous males and several females going about their daily business. I decided to concentrate my efforts solely on photographing the females; and was more than pleased with one which finally settled for a brief time on its larval food plant, Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus). A second, found much later in the day, kept going to rest and would then move on; undoubtedly having not found a suitable roost site.

Species seen:

Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Holly Blue
Large White
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Green-veined White

Brimstone ...

Chiddingfold Forest

I spent much of yesterday in Chiddingfold Forest searching for early spring brood Wood White. After an extensive search of all Surrey sectors during the morning, I headed into Sussex sections of the forest in the afternoon, yet still failed to locate any specimens. Apart from several female Orange Tip, which at quick glance fooled me into thinking I’d found one, none were seen. It is my belief that Wood White, at least as of yesterday, are still not flying in Chiddingfold Forest. That said, I was far from beaten and managed to see ten species with Brimstone being by far the most prolific.

Species seen:

Small Tortoiseshell
Peacock
Comma
Holly Blue
Green-veined White
Large White
Small White
Brimstone
Orange Tip
Speckled Wood

New pastures ...

Straits Inclosure, 26 July 2012

Straits Inclosure, located at the extreme southern end of Alice Holt Forest and just off the A325, is a commercially managed, lowland oak forest (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) interspersed with approximately 10% ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Its understorey is comprised of woody shrub and herbs dominated by hazel (Corylus avellana) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). This was my first visit to the site ...

Arriving at just before 9am I took a slow walk along the main forestry track towards the first of the two observation towers. A Red Admiral, followed shortly after by a Comma, were observed feeding on dog faeces. Silver-washed Fritillaries and small numbers of White Admiral were also observed along with a single Purple Hairstreak. At approximately 10.45am the first Emperor was seen, a male quartering the track in readiness for landing. This particular individual stayed around for some time and although possessing a damaged left forewing, it was a very welcome sight providing photographic opportunities for several observers. Despite pacing the tracks and keeping in contact with the other Emperor hunters, it wasn't until 1.15pm that I observed two battling males above the oaks between the two towers.

A flying visit to an extremely hot and humid Tugley Wood on my way home provided little in the way of butterfly action, with the exception of three male White Admiral imbibing nutrients from the forestry track ...

Audience with an Empress ...

Chiddingfold Forest, 23 July 2012

After a brief visit yesterday, a visit to Chiddingfold Forest this morning produced much better results. Apart from all the expected species an Empress, perched low amongst the branches of a sallow and occasionally taking flight around the nearby oaks, gave priviliged audience to myself and three other observers below. A second brood Holly Blue, increasing numbers of Wood White and reasonable numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary, including a male taking salts from the track, were also observed.

My reward in the bag I headed home ...

Ringlet revisited …

Chiddingfold Forest, 11 July 2012

I have recently taken quite a few images of Ringlets. These range from a rare captive bred aberration (ab. lanceolata), to a number of specimens in their wild environment. Although I have been relatively happy with the pictures I have produced, in my own mind something was missing i.e. truly showing them in their natural habitat. Yesterday morning whilst heading into Chiddingfold Forest, I came across a small patch of damp sedge alongside the forestry track where several Ringlets had settled. A beautiful female caught my eye.

The Ringlet in her natural environment …

His Majesty …

Chiddingfold Forest, 11 July 2012

Earlier today I joined good friend Nick Broomer in search of the elusive, beautiful and highly seductive Purple Emperor; a species that is several weeks late in showing in prime local territory this season.

Dressed in the very best Emperor hunting fashion (wellies and waterproofs) our day commenced under heavy cloud as we waded through chest high wet grass in search of Dark Green Fritillaries. These we soon found, including a freshly emerged female, though any approach other than for a quick record shot was not forthcoming. After several heavy showers, including a brief spell of thunder and lightening, the sun started to break through the cloud; the air became hot and humid. Although storm clouds still lingered, conditions were more promising for our target.

As we left the Dark Greens to play we slowly headed along the forestry track; eyes focused like that of an owl on the ground ahead. As we passed a small meadow, favoured for Dingy and Grizzled Skipper earlier in the year, we both instinctively froze and waited for the other to give the shout! Gracing us with his presence, a pristine male Purple Emperor was circling the track in front of us. At one point he took chase of a small bird as if saying “this is my territory keep out”, before finally landing on the track ahead. We moved with caution allowing him time to settle and commence taking salts, his characteristic yellow proboscis clearly visible. We then approached and took our shots of what I believe to be the first recorded Emperor in this location this season. Pleased with our find and pictures in the bag we headed on and found two further individuals, the first of which and the only one which showed its upperside clearly, carried extensive hindwing damage and wear suggesting emergence some days previous.

A great day in great company …

A favourite place …

Chiddingfold Forest, 7 July 2012

I managed two quick visits to one of my favourite sections within the Chiddingfold Forest complex today. The first, at 6am and in very poor light conditions (but at least it wasn’t raining), and the second at around 4pm this afternoon; just as the wind was getting up!

Roosting butterflies were the order of the morning, and I found a reasonable number of Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath and both Large and Small Skipper in amongst the long and very wet grass. This afternoon’s visit, after a day of family commitments, produced similar species with the added bonus of a freshly emerged and very active male Dark Green Fritillary …

A male Marbled White at rest below ...

Exam fever ...

Chiddingfold Forest, 9 and 10 June 2012

With exam fever continuing to take over our household, any opportunity to make a dash for fresh air and solitude is grabbed with both hands. A brief chance yesterday afternoon and likewise earlier today was greatly welcomed …

My reward yesterday, a beautiful female Orange Moth (Angerona prunaria). Though pleased, I was rather surprised to see this insect at 3.30 in the afternoon, as the male of this species typically flies at dusk, whilst the rather elusive female, generally much later into the night. It is a widely distributed species and generally only locally common in woodland and heathland across its range. Its larvae feed on a variety of trees and plants including birch, hawthorn, blackthorn and heather. Today as I entered the wood, I was greeted by a small company of the rather enchanting longhorn moth, Nemophora degeerella, gracefully dancing along the edge of the track. Numerous specimens of the highly distinctive Speckled Yellow (Pseudopanthera macularia) were also present, as indeed were numerous Speckled Wood and two Red Admiral making strategic claims for territory.

A male Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), the second I’ve found this year, provided a welcome find to end my visit.

Until next time ...

Waterproofs a prerequisite …

Chiddingfold Forest, 9 May 2012

The sentence, “I bet you can’t find and photograph a butterfly today”, concluded a discussion with a good friend earlier this morning. This of course was like red rag to a raging bull. The sky was leaden grey and steady heavy drizzle was falling, but I was up for a challenge. By the time I reached Botany Bay it was mid morning. The weather certainly hadn’t improved, in fact it had possibly worsened, and I couldn’t help but think I should have been here yesterday afternoon when conditions were somewhat better.

Not to be beaten, and this was not the first time I’ve searched for butterflies in the rain (mad, obsessed, over enthusiastic call me what you will), I slowly headed into the wood in the hope I might locate a Wood White sheltering from the rather inclement weather, though this was not to be. Having crossed a small stream and reached a Purple Emperor hotspot (well not today), I moved into one of several small meadows and carefully started to inspect the hardheads. The drizzle had now become continuous light rain but I was confident I would find what I was looking for. On my second circuit I spotted my target, a rather wet but welcome male Dingy Skipper. I found three in total, all males, and spent some considerable time trying to keep my lens dry whilst getting that all important picture.

Just look at those eyelashes ...

Wet and point proven I headed home …

Antzzzzzzz …

Chiddingfold Forest, 14 March 2012

After a rather cold and overcast morning the sun finally emerged through the clouds at around 1.30pm. This was just the excuse I needed. By 2pm I was walking through Oaken Wood and heading deeper into the Chiddingfold Forest complex. Despite my best efforts, the blue sky and warming sun failed to arouse any butterflies. However, all was not lost, as there is always something to observe and today I was drawn, as often before, to the multitudes of ants going about their business.

Formica rufa is one of four British species of wood ant and is confined to England and Wales. There is some indication that there has been a contraction of its range in recent years especially in northern, central and eastern England and also in areas of Wales. In many parts of its southern range the species is still locally common and even expanding in some regions. The apparent indication of a contraction of the range may be due, in part, to a lack of recording effort in certain areas. There is also a possibility that some historical records for this species in northern and central Britain have arisen through confusion with Formica lugubris, due to an overlap of the two species range in northern England. The large nest mounds of F. rufa will no doubt be familiar to many people. They are composed of numerous tiny fragments of vegetation collected by the worker caste. There may be up to 400,000 individuals in a single nest. Occasionally, several nests may be interconnected, forming one large mega-colony. Where F. rufa is present in any numbers it can have a significant influence on the ecology of its woodland habitat. The ants are major predators and scavengers of woodland insects and feed extensively on aphid honeydew. Their colonies also support a wide range of myrmecophilous arthropods.

It should be pointed out that it can be a risky business getting too close to their nest. Some may even say foolhardy. It is most certainly not an act for the fainthearted as the ants react extremely quickly and aggressively to any intruder in their midst.  

They do bite …

I can vouch for that …