03-06-23 Into June, and big news as Ken reported and photographed a brimstone butterfly in Holyrood at the red valerian below Samson's Ribs. It has been some while since the Haddington brimstone(s) came and went. It is a rare species in Scotland and tends to arrive as a migrant then disappear. Not so much a Scottish species (yet) but an English species that strays into Scotland occasionally. Not enough foodplant (alder buckthorn) say some, but the butterfly is spreading Northward from the North of England and may be able to utilise other plants. On the upside it is a large, yellow, leaf-shaped job that can't readily be confused for anything else. On the downside they are strong fliers and don't often settle for a photograph. (I have seen them abroad and failed on each occasion to get satisfactory pics.) I was more interested in the return of a humming-bird hawk-moth which Ken also reported at the same valerian. There was a hummer at the valerian flowers last year through July that we would visit on a nearly daily basis. The appearance of both creatures can possibly be put down to global warming. One of the few real positives: Scotland finally getting a climate that can boast decent Summer weather.
We didn't scurry with indecent haste up the road, but since it was sunny, made our way there after I had done the Holyrood parkrun - 5k round the Queens Drive at a pace just a fraction below heart attack. Jog home, shower and breakfast, then return to Holyrood and Samson's Ribs. On the way there we bumped in Ken (photo above) and congratulated him on getting a photo of the Brimstone, quite a feat given they are usually only seen going past at 60mph. And not often in Scotland.
Mairi and Mary at the valerian
Ken and I lingered to examine NBA corners 1 and 2 for possible NBAs and common blues but there were none. They were both late to appear this year despite quite a lot of decent weather. Mary had gone ahead to the valerian and bumped into Mairi. I had expected there to be a few folk from butterfly circles, being a Saturday. I was so busy chatting and catching up I failed to get decent photos of a large white that was in the vicinity albeit further down the slope.
large white
There was also the remains of a late holly blue
and an orange tip
can you see who it is yet?
Then the humming-bird hawk-moth turned up. They move like a humming-bird more than a moth so are unmistakable. They give no warning when they are going to turn up and sometimes stay seconds, sometimes minutes. Most of the photos taken are deletes but occasionally you get lucky. I have tried high shutter speeds for less wing movement but haven't noticed any real improvement over lower speed (blurred wings) and better iso.
Mairi and Ken
After a bit we went up to the High Road round the top of the park and Crow Hill. There is a small copper on the way which usually flies about us on the dirt path. The flowery laybys on the High Road have been very poor butterfly areas this year so far and attracting very few butterflies. In the past we have seen small coppers, NBA, and common blue residents with whites, walls, RAs and graylings passing through. So far this year, nada. We went up to the top of Crow Hill. Often RAs and Painted Ladies joust with each other on the summit with additional sunbathing graylings and walls.
butterflies generally avoid the other summit - wonder why?
When we arrived we saw 2 crows standing unusually near a couple. I asked did they bring their own crows and they said they had just turned up. Had they been feeding them? - yes but they didn't have much appropriate. I said I had some bread and immediately elbowed in on the act. Crows are smart but (normally) stand-offish. They recognise humans for being food sources but there seems to be a hard-wired rule that you DO NOT GO CLOSER than about 8 feet. My crow pals in Warriston have reduced that to about 5 or 6 feet but I reckoned it would take months of encouragement to get them closer and neither them nor I can be bothered. This pair of otherwise normal carrion crows were quite a bit more easy going; grooming and walking nearer than 2m to human company, and behaving in a very relaxed manner. Within minutes I had one hop over and (cautiously) eating out my hand although I was so surprised I messed up the photos I was trying to take at the same time. They just don't do that was what my head was saying. While it did just that.
It felt slightly intrusive to steal someone else's tame crows so Mary and I resumed photographing butterflies and left the couple of young people to their chat and crows. However the crow thing had been very much noted and there were return trips made over the next wee while. The next occasion the crows were just as friendly and turned up at the rattle of a food bag. They sat near us and I got much better photos. Some time after that we returned and they wouldn't come closer than normal crows. Or were they just normal crows? Unfortunately they all look much the same and there were no identifying features on the tame pair other than their proximity. But I wonder did they have a bad human interaction and have since learned to keep their distance? They are smart birds and will learn from experience. Whatever, it was a fascinating interaction and some photos to put in the bird handling folder. Sadly that folder is mostly photos of injured or not particularly well birds that we've come in contact with, but also domesticated and enthusiastic feeders (virtually all robins!)
this never happens! - photo Mary
I found a Painted Lady (first of the year) on the top of Crow Hill. It was very flighty - moreso than the crow! - and took off if I got anywhere near. Just a couple of pics then it was goney gone.
wall
unusually a small copper on the hilltop
the wind usually prohibits the smaller butterflies
the wind usually prohibits the smaller butterflies
wall
wall
On the way back to check out the valerian again, we bumped in Stewart/Stuart who we had met in Bawsinch. He is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about wildlife, in particular invertebrates. We chatted about stuff while the hummer turned up again and then in a quieter moment he showed us a small and very rare spider on the other kerb, between ladybird larvae scurrying about.
a Shandwick chaffinch
ladybird larvae
The male aelurillus v-insignitus gets its name from the double V sign on its head. It also has a pronounced white median stripe on its abdomen. Records for England are all south of a line between the Wash and the Severn with only a couple of exceptions in Scotland: Fife and Holyrood Park!
I can't remember if this is the first small heath of the year or not but it was one I chased for a while to get a pic. They tend to duck into long grass and make things tricky (and aren't the most spectacular of butterflies) so as the season continues they get photographed less and less. They are present for most of the season and often around when nothing else is. If you get bored, try and get an in-flight shot - almost the only time they open their wings.
looking quite cheerful!
goodnight!
goodnight!
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