In Search of Thecla betulae, the Brown Hairstreak.
Aug 16, 2016 11:19:25 GMT
deliasfanatic, mygos, and 2 more like this
Post by nomad on Aug 16, 2016 11:19:25 GMT
August 2013. Brown Hairstreaks Beyond the Thunderdrome.
I arrive at the boundary hedge on Salisbury plain and look forward to a day among the butterflies. I find that there are two butterfly photographers from Reading present, searching patiently we find a few Thecla betulae, mostly males that have descended from the tree tops to feed on the bramble flowers and fruit. Later, I notice that two shabby large white vans have parked under the 'Master Ash tree' on the other side of the field. I begin to wonder why they are here.
The unloading from the vans begins and soon two off road motor bikes tear around the field edges passing close to me and the couple of other photographers. The noise is shattering and there is are clouds of chalky dust, I quickly sheath my camera to protect it and its sensor from dirt. One motor bike holds a muscle bound tattooed youth, the other a girl, who has a purple mohican than defies gravity and arms that are also covered in inks. The vans continue to spew forth vehicles, A very large man I suspect the 'big daddy' issues forth on a quad bike followed by a younger replica that is probably his son. Most astonishing of all are two tiny speeding quad bikes that follow with two little children, a girl and a boy, around five or six years old. Then a couple of other bikes come forth holding other teens. All including the children have no helmets and they seem to be having great fun but seem oblivious to the fact that they have ruined everyone else's. These people have certainly no right to be on this field but should stick to the many byways that surround it but who going to tell them that. Two dog walkers beat a hasty retreat to their car. The Mohican girl stops on her motorbike in a skid, and asks "what am I looking for in the hedge", I would like to have said 'Purple Hairstreaks' but I don't. She regains the Thunderdrome.
It becomes a farce, almost comical, the other photographers are off, almost at a run, with a parting shout “ another peaceful day in the British countryside ". Hell bells, as the clan approach close to me I feel like I am in a ' Mad Max ' movie, I move off to a more peaceful area of the plain, the roar of engines fades. I find some nice feeding Brimstones, Gonepteryx rhamni and other butterflies.
Male Thecla betulae with a rare view of their uppersides.
Gonepteryx rhamni on Salisbury Plain.
Lycaena phlaeas aberration caruleo-punctata (Blue spots on the upper hindwings) Salisbury Plain. Once a common species, now much declined in the UK.
Female Thecla betulae from my first visit during 2012.
Polygonia c-album Salisbury Plain.
I arrive at the boundary hedge on Salisbury plain and look forward to a day among the butterflies. I find that there are two butterfly photographers from Reading present, searching patiently we find a few Thecla betulae, mostly males that have descended from the tree tops to feed on the bramble flowers and fruit. Later, I notice that two shabby large white vans have parked under the 'Master Ash tree' on the other side of the field. I begin to wonder why they are here.
The unloading from the vans begins and soon two off road motor bikes tear around the field edges passing close to me and the couple of other photographers. The noise is shattering and there is are clouds of chalky dust, I quickly sheath my camera to protect it and its sensor from dirt. One motor bike holds a muscle bound tattooed youth, the other a girl, who has a purple mohican than defies gravity and arms that are also covered in inks. The vans continue to spew forth vehicles, A very large man I suspect the 'big daddy' issues forth on a quad bike followed by a younger replica that is probably his son. Most astonishing of all are two tiny speeding quad bikes that follow with two little children, a girl and a boy, around five or six years old. Then a couple of other bikes come forth holding other teens. All including the children have no helmets and they seem to be having great fun but seem oblivious to the fact that they have ruined everyone else's. These people have certainly no right to be on this field but should stick to the many byways that surround it but who going to tell them that. Two dog walkers beat a hasty retreat to their car. The Mohican girl stops on her motorbike in a skid, and asks "what am I looking for in the hedge", I would like to have said 'Purple Hairstreaks' but I don't. She regains the Thunderdrome.
It becomes a farce, almost comical, the other photographers are off, almost at a run, with a parting shout “ another peaceful day in the British countryside ". Hell bells, as the clan approach close to me I feel like I am in a ' Mad Max ' movie, I move off to a more peaceful area of the plain, the roar of engines fades. I find some nice feeding Brimstones, Gonepteryx rhamni and other butterflies.
Male Thecla betulae with a rare view of their uppersides.
Gonepteryx rhamni on Salisbury Plain.
Lycaena phlaeas aberration caruleo-punctata (Blue spots on the upper hindwings) Salisbury Plain. Once a common species, now much declined in the UK.
Female Thecla betulae from my first visit during 2012.
Polygonia c-album Salisbury Plain.