4th September - Old Winchester Hill NNR, Hampshire

It is only at this time of year is it possible to split a day out between birds in the morning and butterflies in the afternoon.  Today all the planets had aligned there were excellent early morning conditions for the birds at Titchfield in the morning and then the sun break through to encourage Ian and I to make the journey to Old Winchester Hill for hopefully some good special butterfly action.

Pulling into the car park just after 13:00 it was already warm and sunny but with the hazy skies we had left behind in Hill Head.  From the car park we headed down the slope, directly from the car park.  We checked the bushes as we passed through the gate for any sign of migrant birds, but the bushes were bare and there was very little movement.

Starting down the slope, the first butterfly we came across was a very nice male Brimstone probably from the second brood of the summer.

The fields were full of wild flowers with plenty of scabious that was one of the main attractions.  This Small White was very intently nectaring and I could get in very close.

We didn't walk to far down the hill when we came across the special species found here on these chalk slopes, the Silver Spotted Skipper.

Silver Spotted Skippers are known for their speed and athleticism as they spring large distances from a standing start, Here is am image of that spring, two empty frames were left after this frame was taken to emphasise the speed they move at.

With the sun continuing to burn off the mist y cloud the number of butterflies on the wing increased.  More whites and plenty of Meadow Browns.

The other specialist we wanted to see here but were concerned might be too late was the Chalkhill Blue.  Fortunately we managed to catch up with a few, and plenty were in quite a sorry state, these being the best two males we could find.

But the other blue that was on wing for the second brood this year was the Adonis Blue, more and more they started to appear, their electric blue wings standing out so conspicuously with all around them.

It is not always possible to capture the beauty and colour of the blue in an Adonis Blue, but these next photographs go along way to doing so I think.

The colour changing with the aspect of the butterfly to the sun.

The main attraction for the butterflies was the Hemp Acrimony and as well as the Adonis there were Small Heath.

And this Meadow Brown.

The Silver Spotted Skippers were now very difficult to pin down, as soon as you saw them and moved into photograph they would "ping" off never to be seen again.  Fortunately this one remained long enough for a photograph.

We decided to walk back up the slope and then along to the Hill Fort to explore the southern slopes.  As we approached the gate this Small Tortoiseshell was showing really well.

Walking along the top of the hill there were surprisingly very little butterflies about.  These two Small Whites the exception.

We took the path that leads around the slope to the fort.  The area is sheltered from any breeze and in direct sun.

The most numerous butterfly on the slopes was the Small Tortoiseshell, showing well on the plentiful Scabious:

The Ragwort

And the Hemp Acrimony

In addition there were several Brimstones on the Scabious.

And at least 4 Red Admirals

On reaching the fort we turned left and followed the path through the field that lies to the south of the fort moat and runs down hill to a patch of gorse and juniper.

The whole area looks so good for all butterflies at any time of year and we commented that we only seem to come here at this time of year for the skippers.

There were plenty of skippers about, but what caught the eye was the huge numbers of Adonis Blue, they could be seen everywhere the flashes of blue standing out like beacons across the field, it was wonderful to see so many butterflies, all pretty much like us, all out in celebration of summer finally arriving.

But we were here for the Skippers and they appeared to be a little more confiding here on the slope.

And this female looking to lay her eggs in amongst the grass, gently probing against the leaves.

Here it is possible to just make out the white tip of an egg as she starts to lay.

We lay watching her for a while as she moved across the field, being quite aware that we were probably sitting on her eggs.

The Chalkhill Blues were also about, many of the females barely having any wings, the males looking worn and faded.

Walking up to the moat we came across some more skippers happy to settle on the scabious

While this one seemed to enjoy the shelter provided by the leaves.

Coming on to the moat we disturbed a rather tatty looking Yellowhammer.

Up on the fort we walked around the moat, but despite the plentiful numbers of flowers about there were very few butterflies about, not least the hoped for Clouded Yellow.  The ditches though looked splendid covered in flowers.

One disappointing observation though was the amount of Ash die  back that could be seen in the copses and woods that lie below the hill.  In both photographs the white bare branches of the dead Ash trees stand out.

But we should end on a positive note, celebrating the wonderful views that present them self  from the view point of the fort, the views to the south not so good today due to the hazy conditions, but looking north the rich greens highlighted by the sun were stunning.

And so ended the perfect early September day, glorious weather, some great birds in the morning and the perfect conditions to catch up on the last real butterfly excursion of the year.