Sharpenhoe Clappers (National Trust)

Today was really too hot to go chasing after butterflies and walking over open downland, but we needed to visit Sharpenhoe Clappers to plan an RPS day there on Sunday. The beech hangers looked great in the dappled sunlight with every shade of green in the foliage. Quick snaps of Chalkhill Blues and Dark Green Fritillary and flowers using a fish eye to give a feeling of the setting complete the 'snaps' in preparation for the weekend.

In the Spotlight, Gamlingay Woods

A group of CCC members explored Gamlingay Woods yesterday on a very warm and contrasty morning. Our target, the Silver Washed Fritillary, was flying in fair numbers but didn't very often perch for us. However, there were plenty of other butterflies to keep our cameras active, including many Large Whites, and several Peacocks and Brimstones all looking fantastic in the shafts of sunlight. My particular project was to capture butterflies in flight using the Precapture mode on the camera. Limited success as the butterflies quickly moved out of frame. Second post will show some of the other species captured by our cameras. 

Silver -Washed Fritillaries in Gamlingay Wood

As with other butterflies, seems to be a good year for Silver-Washed Fritillaries with plenty on the wing in GamlingayWood. Also Meadow Brown, Green-Veined White and Ringlet. I haven't been able to identify the Cimbicid Sawfly and the shutterspeed (1/500th) was a bit slow for the hoverfly (Volucella pellucens)

Gamlingay Wood

It wasn't an ideal afternoon to view the Silver-Washed Fritillaries as it was mainly cloudy with a few sunny intervals during which the butterflies became active, retreating to the high trees when the sun went in. Enjoyed the glimpses that we got through the foliage and hope for better views later.

 

Silver -Washed Fritillary

 A hot sunny morning - perfect for a visit to Gamlingay wood to search out the Silver-Washed  Fritillary. I luckily didn't have to wait long as an obliging individual was feeding on the first ride . They are a wonderful orange that glows in the sunlight with the light hairs on the wings giving the silver appearance.