Its gone purple at last

Finally a blistering hot day which brought the butterflies out in good quantities although they were very active.  I spent a good few hours at Alice Holt Forest where finally got some good views of Purple Hairstreak which I managed to photograph although didn't get shots of the upperwing.

A lot of tantalising views of Purple Emperor in flight and, when I was not there, flying at low level.

Eventually while strolling up and down the same path I got a shout from Chris Rose (who I keep bumping into) - behind you!!!

A butterfly shot past me and seem to disappear into the distance but then came back and landed on the path where it gave good views and we thought - its a female Purple Emperor, but when it turned its wings into the light the purple sheen showed brilliantly - it was a male!

At one point it took off and landed only a matter of feet from us where it started walking around on the path.

A wonderful butterfly.

Tantalising views of what may have been Green-veined White were had but they disappeared off into the distance.

At Four Marks the Violet Helleborine's were still not in flower.

At Winnall Moors, when I eventually found somewhere to park, didn't reveal the hoped for Green-flowered Helleborine but access was tricky and it didn't help that there was some massive garden party going on nearby.

 

Hampshire circuit (10/7/21)

First stop was in the consistent rain at Alice Holt - when there was a break a few butterflies came out including Silver-washed Fritillary and a couple of White Admirals but no Purple Emperor

Onto Four Marks and after a bit of wandering around various lanes I photographed some unusual purple plants which eventually turned out to be what I was looking for - Violet Helleborine.

None of them were in flower so I will go back next weekend to have another look as the weather looks to be improving.

Finally back to Greywell Moors to photograph the orchids again and this time the Marsh Fragrant Orchids were out and I got some photos.  They indeed have a fragrance and at close quarters it definitely smells like sweet cloves.

Success!!! (03/07/2021)

 Another day of local wildlife ramblings.  I started at Alice Holt Forest and despite some fleeting glimpses of possible Purple Hairstreaks, a few Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admiral not much else.

I then went over to Broxhead Common for Silver-studded Blue and I didn't have far to walk to see them - they were on the heather by the reserve information board.

Fabulous little butterflies.  Also here were Woodlark, Tree Pipit and Stonechat.

Finally back to Greywell Moors where I photographed the Marsh Helleborines (including some white versions), Twayblade and Southern Marsh Orchid.

2nd July 2021 - Long walk from Fleet to Greywell Moors

Being tired out driving around dodging push bikes and motorbikes decided to walk from Fleet to Greywell Moors using the canal as a path

I tried to find the site for the Marsh Helleborines at Greywell Moor and took a wrong turning.  I stepped onto what I thought was a solid boardwalk but the boardwalk went up and I went down into waist deep into water.

I eventually found the location for the Marsh Helleborines and a couple of girls were looking at plants - turned out they were volunteers for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and they let me climb over the gate so I could look for the helleborines.  I wasn't disappointed - there were lots as well as a few Common Twayblades and lots of Southern Marsh Orchids.

When it came to photographing them however, my sojourn into the water had killed my camera - it was soaked and didn't work properly so I couldn't use it.  I asked the girls if it was OK to come back on Saturday and they said it would.

Back at home I ordered a replacement camera - the Lumix FZ200 has been replaced by the Lumix FZ330

Hampshire (26/06/21)

Martin Down: Despite some vague directions I eventually managed to see my target species of orchid - only because someone was kneeling on the ground near the rifle butts and they could only be looking for flowers, bugs or butterflies.  He was actually photographing Frog Orchid of which there were 4 plants.  Also speaking to a lady I found out where to find Greater Butterfly Orchid and found 7 plants.

A nice selection of birds, butterflies and moths including Dark Green Fritillary and lots of Marbled Whites.

At Bentley Wood no sign of any fritillaries except a possible Silver-washed Fritillary and no White-letter Hairstreaks.  A nice moth was seen though - a Red-tipped Clearwing.

Finally at Greywell Moors no sign of any Marsh Helleborine - they are on a non-public part of the reserve.

Box Hill (29/06/21)

Not going back here again - there were hundreds of push bikes going up and down the hill and some of them tried to run me over.  One cyclist continually went up and down the hill with music blaring.

I couldn't find any Man Orchids and wasn't sure where they were supposed to be - the warden was absent so couldn't ask him.  I eventually gave up and went straight home.  The only orchid I identified was Chalk Fragrant Orchid.