return to the land of the small blue

 

31st May
I mentioned to Nick that I planned to go in search of small blues along the Berwickshire coastal paths. He had the Friday off work as well, so opted to come along. I was slightly concerned that he might be bored standing about for ages while I crawled through the undergrowth trying to photograph these small and tricky butterflies but he has been on many butterfly hunts and knows the score. (And never complains!) And would be fine company for certain beer shaped aspects of the trip. Beer and butterflies in the sunshine! What could be better?

Small Blues don't live in the Lothians so I have to travel north or south to find them. Last year Covid robbed us of the chance to enjoy them so it made the anticipation even greater this year. However with a crappy May everything was slow to appear. I waited until I heard they were out and about before looking to the next sunny day, then booking the train tickets and heading South to the Cowe-patch to look for the Uk's smallest butterfly.

We got off the Berwick train in such brilliant sunshine that I didn't think twice about dumping our extra gear including warm clothing in left luggage. Technically the left luggage is a small hotel next to the station and a very cheerful dude who wished us well while looking after our clothes for the return journey. Unfortunately the weather for the day proved "changeable". And shortly after we crossed the border into Scotland the haar swept in from the sea, making everything a bit cooler and blocking out the sun. 

a female wall

a male wall

loads of small heaths
Nick took this photo (I'll turn him yet!)

We arrived at Lamberton (5 miles) before the weather deteriorated. It was venue 1 for small blues and within a few minutes of scouring the grass and kidney vetch near the train line we found first one then a couple of small blues. Much easier to get photos with the large camera which I was carrying in my back pack. But still quite tricky as they don't always perch up on the top of stems of grass. Both genders are slightly different with males (when fresh) sporting a blue glitter. The females are more of a brown colour. I was never absolutely certain of which sex I was looking at. On their underside they are nearly the same as Holly Blues, only smaller. 

glittery male

glitterless male?

Lamberton site

Burnmouth

I was keen to explore Burnmouth Brae for NBA possibilites. A wee bit early but an excellent place for wildflowers and butterflies. We ran to the end of the cottages at Partanhall before doubling back up the Brae. It was very pretty and the cottages had a real holiday feel about them in the sunshine. Unfortunately there was a stiff cold breeze blowing off the sea and up the brae and there was little sign of anything worth a second look, apart from this wall braving the elements.

impersonating a tiger

gvw

clifftop path North of Burnmouth

drinker moth caterpillar

heading to Blaikie Heugh on the horizon

venue 2 Blaikie Heugh

This was a dead loss. If conditions are right this shelf of grass and gorse just below the high point between Burnmouth and Eyemouth can be hoaching with butterflies and moths, lots of small blues among them. But due to the biting cold wind and haar that was now beginning to hide the sun, there was nothing to see at all. I was very glad we had already ticked the small blue box at Lamberton. We quickly changed plan to head in Eyemouth and the Contented Sole Pub to wait for the haar to lift. A fine plan!

Before we got to Eyemouth we bumped into Fiona, a fellow butterfly enthusiast who was doing parts of the coastal path in search of blues and any other treats, much like ourselves. We had a chat then headed to the pub.

dew moth

covered in ashtrays?

shell suit

By the time we got to Eyemouth it was defo weather for sitting indoors rather than out. I was regretting leaving my warmer clothes at left luggage and felt really quite cold. We had a couple of pints then sat outside near the beach in what little wind-shade we could find, eating the sandwiches we had brought with us. Both were keen to get running again, just to get warm. 

We met Fiona again and while chatting, Ronnie turned up too. He was heading to Lamberton (driving there) and offered to show Fiona just where Iain had shown him the largest concentrations of blues could be found. We said goodbye and headed off.

There were a few Wall butterflies along the way but not the hundreds that would normally dot the path and fly up as you approach. However the haar was lifting which made the cold wind that much less bitter. The scenery was terrific and I took photos with my compact camera in my hand as Nick and I ran along the paths. There were no main stops again until we got back to Lamberton.

Just as we were approaching Lamberton we heard voices off to our left down the fairly steep drop offs to the coast. We realised it was Ronnie and Fiona and that this was the area pointed out by Iain C as being prime Small Blue stomping ground. I gave the compact camera to Nick (who took back-up photos) and got out the large camera. There were loads of blues, but they were in more worn condition that the ones up the hill, suggesting they had been out longer. Or had been partying harder. Or maybe it was taking photos in a group of 4 that resulted in less good images? I am used to butterfly hunting either solo or with just a bored Nick in the background! After a while we headed back up the hill and along to venue 1. There were a couple of blues still out and the ground was easier - less confusing, with fewer hiding places - making for better photos. I hoped Nick didn't get too bored. He went wandering up the hill and suspected he saw a peregrine (as signposted) or kestrel. I was pleased to see the end results once I got them up on the computer, so thanks Nick, I appreciate your patience!

on the lower slopes there was more bramble and stuff to trip over

back at venue 1, Lamberton

wall (f)

daftest sign

Back in Berwick we rehydrated with a couple of pints before the train arrived and we rolled on. A rather splendid day out covering 20 of the finest coastal miles and enjoying many of the excellent things you can find along the way. A welcome return.