Brown Hairstreaks at Alners Gorse

Date: 04/08/2016

Location: Alners Gorse / Fontmell Down

Weather: Cloudy with Sun, turning very Cloudy to Rain.

Other Species: 
(Alners Gorse) 
Birds: Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch, Marsh Tit, Buzzard
Butterflies: Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Peacock, Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Silver Washed Fritillary, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Green Veined White, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown - 16 Species.
(Fontmell Down) 
Birds:Common Redstart,Yellowhammer
Butterflies: Chalkhill Blue, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small White, Large White - 5 Species

Observation:

Third trip to Alners Gorse to find the Brown Hairstreak and after a rather long trip down 2 hours!! Diversions everywhere and my cheap TomTom device not keeping up with it!

But on getting there just me and one other car belonging to Martin Warren, headed down track and about 50ft from entrance Brown Hairstreak!!

Didn't spot it straight away as was looking at this excellent Southern Hawker.

But what a cracking butterfly!!

Few birds about as well, this I think Chiffchaff Juv?

Lovely Marsh Tits feeding happily on Marsh Thistle.

Managed 16 species of Butterfly, Brimstone not really keeping still.

Lots of Red Admiral about a really great butterfly from any angle!

And a family of Spotted Flycatchers, this one posing nicely.

Really wanted to catch up with Silver Washed Fritillary, Valencia ab. but all the Silver washed I saw just wouldn't settle this one a bit tatty.

Still a fair few Purple Hairstreak around to perched up on Alder Buckthorn, coming to end of flight season soon.

A number of Dragonflies charging about this Common Darter female looked stunning!

Then a Painted Lady landed in front of me! This a male I think as Female Butterflies have a larger, more rounded abdomen than males. :)

While taking pictures of above noticed I was being observed!

After about 2 hours of wandering around site I think I saw 6 Brown Hairstreaks and O so nearly got the open wing shot! 
So close but no cigar!!

Almost on way out of reserve and iPhone video was in order!!

So apart from the Black Hairstreak all Hairstreaks done! 

My total now is 45 Butterflies for the year 3 more to get, Silver Spotted Skipper, Clouded Yellow and think I've missed them but Wood White. 

(Anyone know of a good site still on the wing? ) 

So Fontmell Down on way home but weather now on the change but stopped anyway. 
Was rewarded with a Common Redstart briefly and distantly.

Weather conditions not good but Red Admiral, Meadow Browns and a few Small Heath still about but no Silver Spotted Skippers, Aston Rowant I think, Monday?

Counted around 10 Chalkhill Blues but probably more hiding in grass as it's now raining and time to leave! But in all a lovely day spent in some great spots!

3 more Butterflies to add next week I hope.

Thanks For Looking !

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Alner's Gorse & Fontmell

Date: 30/07/2015

Location: Alners Gorse & Fontmell Down

Weather: Cloud, Slight wind but more sunshine ! 18c

Other Species Butterflies: Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Ringlets, Speckled Wood, Large/Small Whites, Large/Small Skippers, Small Blue & Dark Green Fritillary, Fontmell, Gatekeepers, Comma -16 Total Species.

Observation: 

Missed the Brown Hairstreak last week so of down to Alner's it was. On arriving struggled to park as grass verge very busy, but got in on end of line. Off down track and Brown Hairstreak were already spotted but couldn't locate so carried on around. At this point cloud was overhead and all seemed quiet got round to Buckthorn tree, couple of high up Purple Hairstreak so waited patiently. Then I spotted a Brown Hairstreak !

Almost open wing shot ! Nice

 Spotted 3 in all 

A great looking Butterfly !

Even the Purple Hairstreak came down a bit, still around 7ft into tree.

 I noticed the eyes, a sort of greyish sheen.

This one having a Jaws moment!

Looked hard for 'Valencia' Silver Washed Fritillary's but no good saw stacks of Silver Washed Fritillary's though.

Stayed for around 3 hours on leaving even more cars! Headed now for Fontmell in search of Silver Spotted Skipper, no joy :( Last year it was spotted on the 30th but nothing. In fact not much, no Common Blues, saw Small Blue but not much there. More cloud now and slightly more wind.

This, I think is a Common Footman Moth.

Quite a few Southern Hawkers about.

I'll try again soon ! This final Butterfly of the day Common but a stunner from any angle ! 

Red Admiral.

Thanks For Looking !