Small Tortoiseshells

29 Sept - During the recent Indian summer, a few more Small Tortoiseshells have finally made an appearance in the garden - some of them presumably continental migrants.

Monarch at Tarifa

20 Sept - While on a 2-day birding trip to Tarifa at the Straits of Gibraltar, I had good but brief views of a Monarch in the garden of the La Codorniz hotel.

Aston Rowant NNR

24 Aug - With a westerly breeze and sunny intervals, a quick afternoon walk at Linkey Down, Aston Rowant, produced at least 8 very active Silver-spotted Skippers (top 2), also a single Essex Skipper (lower), together with Brown Argus (middle) and Common Blue. Red Kites glided overhead together with a flyover Hobby.

Hairstreaks and Dragonflies

23 Aug - a fine day at last. I joined a guided walk around Blakehill NR, a Brown Hairstreak was seen in flight but not settled. We then moved on to Ravensroost Wood where a female was seen basking on a leaf (initially on an oak!) in the bright/sunny weather. Not near enough for a photo unfortunately.
Dragonflies seen included Southern (see photo) and Migrant Hawkers, and a late Emperor.

Migrant Hawker at Blakehill

17 Aug - an unsuccessful search for Brown Hairstreak was compensated for in the form of an obliging Migrant Hawker that hunted actively, then perched up for a photo. Butterflies included Common Blue, Speckled Wood and lots of Gatekeepers. No Brown Hairstreaks have been seen at Blakehill so far this year, but the weather has been very poor...

Garden Butterflies struggling

10 Aug - a few butterflies are managing to feed on the buddleias in the garden in between the rain storms - a Comma, Large Whites, Red Admirals and Peacocks. Last week 2-3 Gatekeepers were around the hedgerow. A dreadful August for weather so far, no opportunities to go for Silver-spotted Skippers or Brown Hairstreaks. I'm hoping for a sunny day...

Butterflies of La Brenne - July 2008 - part 1

4-8 July 2008 - a short Naturetrek trip for the Butterflies of La Brenne, central France, by Eurostar/TGV. 55 species seen despite cool, showery weather. Photos (part 1) show some of the highlights - Pearly Heath and Woodland Brown, one of Europe's rarest butterflies, at Foret de l'Ancosme, toether with Marbled Fritillary - Large Blue, Adonis Blue and Heath Fritillary at Fonterland, a wonderful organic farm - Ilex Hairstreak nearby - Alcon Blue at the marshes at La Touche reserve - and Rock Grayling at the limestone valley at La Boudinniere.

Butterflies of La Brenne - July 2008 - part 2

4-8 July 2008 - Photos part 2 - Scarlet Darter and Beautiful Demoiselle are fairly widely distributed in La Brenne - Large Skipper is common - Long-tailed Blue near Etang Vieux - Large Chequered Skipper is widespread but not numerous - Mallow Skipper seen at Le Paradis d'An - Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Fonterland Farm - Southern White Admiral and (eventually) Purple Emperor at Foret de l'Ancosme, on our sunny but windy last afternoon.

Brown Hawkers

27 July - Hot sun at Swillbrook CWP, and 3 Brown Hawkers were cruising around - very difficult to photograph in flight... also 2 Emperors seen.

Slimbridge safari

26 July - a morning Slimbridge safari in sunny hot weather gave good views of a few butterflies and dragonflies. Several Small Tortoiseshells seen. Emperor, Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy(photo) and Common Darter, Migrant Hawker and female Broad-bodied Chaser(photo) all identified.

Black Darters and Keeled Skimmers

24 July - a morning visit to the New Forest in sunny weather. Slufter's Pond was very productive with 6-8 Black Darters (photo) and a couple of Keeled Skimmers (photo). Latchmore Brook gave good views of Beautiful Demoiselles, also Brown and Migrant Hawkers and Golden-Ringed Dragonflies. Damselflies take more sorting out.....

White-letter Hairstreaks at Stockbridge Down

13 July - a rare treat, a fine summers day. I went to the eastern side of Stockbridge Down and had flight views of 6-8 White-letter Hairstreaks around the elms and large ash along the footpath. I managed to get a good view of one settled via the scope - not my photo, but just like it! Also seen, White Admiral, Silver-washed and Dark Green Fritillaries, Marbled White and Gatekeeper.

Ringlets emerging

29 June - a local visit to Ravensroost Wood and several Ringlets were active despite the blustery wind and cloud cover. no Silver-Washed Fritillaries seen, cool conditions and still a little early?

Silver-studded Blues at Prees and Large Heath at Whixall - and some dragonflies

28 June - a visit to Prees Heath and then Whixall Moss with the East Midlands BC group. 12-15+ Silver-studded Blue (upper) seen well at Prees in windy conditions; then, at Whixall Moss, 12 Large Heath seen (middle), mostly darting low over the moss but several seen settled. Rather cryptic in colouration. 2 White-faced Darters(lower) also seen along with Emerald and Large Red Damselflies. Breezy and quite cool, with sunny intevals.

Heath Fritillaries at Haddon Hill

19 June - an afternoon visit to Haddon Hill on the edge of Exmoor, and success at last, 5-6 Heath Fritillaries seen at the bottom of the bracken slope, trying to shelter from the strong breeze. Good views and photographic opportunities, a couple looked very pristine and fresh. A fairly small fritillary, quite uniform upperparts, contrasting distinctive spotted underwings. Only 5 UK butterflies left to see now....

Large Skippers

15 June - I've seen a few Large Skippers in the last couple of days - I photographed this one at Swillbrook Lakes at CWP 46/48.

Black Hairstreak!

14 June - a sunny morning with some cloud - a visit to Asham Meads produced Large Skippers, Meadow Browns and Common Blues - and, on the hawthorn/blackthorn hedge, a superb fresh Black Hairstreak - first seen flitting among the leaves, then settled. I managed some photos amongst the foliage.

Seven Barrows

8 June - sunny and hot. A successful hour at Seven Barrows near Lambourn at lunchtime. 2+ Small Blues seen (photo 1), also 3+ Brown Argus (photo 2). A late Green Hairstreak was a surprise (photo 3) also seen were 10+ Small Heaths.

Wall Brown (no Fritillaries) - and some Dragonflies

7 June - sunny - no Fritillaries seen at either Sand Point or Haddon Hill - 5 Wall Browns seen (photo) at Sand Point. A Golden-ringed Dragonfly (photo) seen at Haddon Hill, and Black-tailed Skimmer (photo) at CWP95 later, also Demoiselles and Damselflies.

Chequered Skipper!

24 May - a visit to Allt Mhuic reserve near Spean Bridge, in sunny but windy weather. After a search, 3 Chequered Skippers seen feeding and flying very actively low over the moor. I managed a few quick photos. My first sighting of this very localised species in the UK, being only found in the West Highlands west of Fort William.

Marsh Fritillaries at Seven Barrows

22 May - a visit to Seven Barrows reserve in bright weather with sunny intervals. When the sun was out, butterflies were much more active - at least 11 fresh Marsh Fritillaries (upper), also a Green Hairstreak (lower) and 3 Dingy Skippers, and one Small Heath.

Butterfly season 2008 starts

10 May - the first dedicated butterfly trip of the year and not particularly successful! A couple of Grizzled Skippers seen briefly at Aston Upthorpe but no Green Hairstreaks found. Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock also seen. Also a Red Kite over and a couple from the A34/M4 as well.