many admirals, just one lady

 

29th Aug 2020

Another Saturday and another run down East Lothian way. Exactly the same route as 9th Aug when we did this 9miler heading NorthEast out of Gullane visiting Archerfields, Dirleton, Yellowcraigs Beach then back via the coast. 

I spent the first mile wondering what would be waiting for us at Archerfields gatehouse and wasn't disappointed. A brand new Painted Lady - initially on the buddleia on the other side of the JMW but obvs wanting to get its photo taken, swooped about the place in dramatic fashion, landing on a couple of spots that allowed for decent photos. Since they have been in short supply this year it got maximum attention whenever it landed close by. It doesn't seem to have been bright sunshine - possibly a little cloudy - and this encouraged the butterflies to pose with wings open. Making for better photos.

there were several newish Admirals about too

Painted Lady

large white

admiral underside

captain of the football team

gvw

interesting selection of underwing colours that don't appear on uppers

Painted Lady
pleased to get an open wing shot - sat like this only briefly before flying off

on the JMW

After about the usual 30mins of gatehouse photos we set off again thinking that might be most of the butterfly highlights of the day done. However we hadn't counted on an impressive emergence of Red Admirals in the field before Yellowcraigs car park. We had decided to run parallel to the usual JMW path along the sides of the fields there as often there is an occasional speckled, white or peacock on the ragwort. Sure enough there were several speckleds flushed off their perches as we ran past. However in the last field before the car park and toilet block there were more and more admirals, one on nearly every stand of ragwort. 

speckled wood

More and more seemed to be appearing until we got to the corner of the field nearest the surrounding trees and there were 8 on the one clump of ragwort. It was quite some sight to behold and tricky to get in close enough to take photos without dispersing the thing you were trying to capture. A lot of the RAs were in mint condition and must have emerged in the past few days. I wondered if they would disperse or stay together as a local group. We weren't able to return soon enough to find out. According to my gsp we loitered another 25mins lost in an ecstacy of RAs!

One of the highlights was when one landed on Mary's top. I think they were attracted by the colour as several had flown close by and looked like landing on her. This one settled down though and we took some photos and film before Mary very gently lifted it off . It was very relaxed about the incident and in no hurry to fly off. It does feel special to have been chosen!

sun and waves on the Bass Rock

autumn things going on

A brilliant day out. Although there is the feeling that Autumn and then Winter are just around the corner and the butterflies are nearly done for the season, there are still great days like this to be had at this time. It is not all doom and gloom. 

just under 9 miles in 2hrs45