Some years ago an unknown person decided that they would introduce Chalkhill Blues (Lysandra coridon) to the Iron Age hill fort at Warham in north Norfolk. The ‘authorities’ frown upon such activities, and yes putting an alien species into the wrong habitat can be disastrous, both for the habitat and the introduced species. You only have to witness the effects that grey squirrels and mink have had! However these butterflies have thrived, though their numbers fluctuate. There is plenty of horseshoe vetch their only food plant and they do not compete with any other species, so for me all’s good. The colony is however a long way from any other, the nearest being Newmarket 60 miles away.

As the long hot summer continues I thought it about time I had a look for the Chalkhills. I was amazed at how many there were, especially females. Hundreds of milky blue males danced low over the banks of the ring ditches looking for newly emerged females. Females that had already mated and were looking to lay eggs were having to fight off the unwanted amorous attention of sometimes up to four males.

Perhaps it was too hot and sunny, it was very difficult to photograph a male with open wings in a nice setting, I’ve done better in previous years, check out the HOME page and tab ‘Iron Age Blues, Warham Camp’ When a little bit of cloud covered the sun the males did start to settle, but low down.

It was nice to see so many butterflies of other species today including the years first Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera) The numbers of these in this part of the Country is very low compared to when I was young.

They are beautiful, and so are your images! I’m glad their introduction hasn’t had any ill effects to native plants, or other insects.
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Thank you Deborah, thankfully they have fitted in well, unfortunately the colony is isolated.
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Super images, Brian! Such beautiful and precious butterflies.
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Many thanks Pete, I look forward to seeing them each year as you say precious.
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Great photos Brian, the fairly fresh male is my favourite. Very hard to photograph them with their wings open, they usually fly away when I approach them…
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Thanks Greta, there was so many you thought it would be easy to photograph with open wings, but no they did not settle for long.
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They are beautiful and so are you photos. Such fine detail!
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Very kind of you Belinda, appreciate your comments.
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“What’s wrong with me?“ it is a very interesting picture. Love it!
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Yes Simone my favourite as well! Even though they are not perfect butterflies, you should have seen these two fighting, the Lady was not impressed!
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Yes, I had liked to see that too!
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My day’s most beautiful clicks!! They are simply marvelous, amazing shots!
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Happy to put a smile on your face Himanshi, many thanks for your lovely comments.
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However, it is marvelous that you are able to remember so far back. 😉
Smashing photos as usual, Brian.
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Ouch! that hurts…but true. Thanks for dropping by Ark.
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I imagine we are in the same boat ,Brian. You row I’ll call out which way to go!
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Amazing pictures, Brian! 🙂 Must be Heaven to see hundreds of these beautiful butterflies!
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Certainly was Camilla, in past years when they were at their peak they numbered over a thousand! I would love to have witnessed that.
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Awesome pics Brian (as usual) – I’m definitely not a fan of bringing in non-native species into an eco-system – why is why I have such a disdain for the individuals that introduced all the Shakespear birds over here – but looks like this one seems to be settling in without too much disruption. Thanks for sharing.
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Agree, as I’ve mentioned the only problem is the colony is isolated, if there is a failure like a bad summer it will lead to extinction. These butterflies require warm chalk downland which we don’t have in this part of the Country, the 2000+ year old fort was created by exposing underlying chalk making a unique ‘island’ of flora and fauna.
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