Garden Brimstone

31 August - another new species for the garden, courtesy of the weedy strip in the adjacent field - a Brimstone for a few minutes in the afternoon.

Small Copper in the garden

29 August - A Small Copper was on a garden buddleia briefly this afternoon in windy conditions - a garden tick and I managed just one photo.....

Ravensroost Wood again

16 August - a morning visit to Ravensroost,sunny/bright, and at least one Brown Hairstreak seen flying and landing briefly in the large Ash Tree - too high for a photo. Also seen - 2 Small Coppers (1), Small Skipper (2), Green-veined White (3), Common Blue (4) and quite a few Speckled Woods.

Dorset Coast

14 August - a day visit to the Dorset coast (Durdle Door - upper), and sunny weather - several Wall butterflies active along the coast path (lower), and several Adonis Blues over the downland, including a mating pair (middle). Despite searching, no Lulworth Skippers seen.

Brown Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger!

13 August - an afternoon visit in sunny conditions to the edge of Salisbury Plain, and views of 2 female Brown Hairstreaks, the first brief, the second very obliging low on brambles (photos). Fantastic views. Also seen - Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Peacock. A Common Hawker was flying very actively up and down the hedgerow. En route, a Hobby was over Collingbourne Ducis by the A338.

Garden Butterfly Bonanza!

Aug 8 - a mass of butterflies on the garden buddleia in the present fine weather. Up to 12 Painted Ladies (middle), with Small Tortoiseshells (top) and Peacocks (lower), also Large Whites.

Ravensroost Wood - elusive Hairstreaks...

8 Aug - a sunny day, and a good selection of butterflies. 1-2 Brown Hairstreaks seen up in the trees, also a couple of Purple Hairstreaks, 2 Small Coppers (photo, JM), my first Clouded Yellow of the year, and the usual Speckled Woods, Painted Ladies, Gatekeepers etc. 2 Hawker sp dragonflies also seen, either Migrant or Common Hawkers.

Silver-spotted Skippers at Linkey Down

7 August - an afternoon visit to Linkey Down at Aston Rowant, and good views of Silver-spotted Skippers (photos 2 and 3). Also seen - Essex and Common Skippers, Chalkhill and Common Blues (4), Brown Argus, Marbled White (5) and Small Heath. 5 Red Kites seen overhead. All photos JM.

Ravensroost Wood

2 Aug - a lunchtime visit in sunny weather, and at least 6 Purple Hairstreaks seen (lower photo). Several Painted Ladies (middle) from the current influx present, and several Speckled Woods (upper) - also a Ringlet, Small Copper, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns.
12+ Painted Ladies on my garden buddleia in the afternoon, together with Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Gatekeepers.

Purple Emperor!

25 July - a quick visit to Savernake, as the weather was sunny, and a late male Purple Emperor was flying strongly around the treetops near the monument. Seen well with binoculars sitting on the leaves and patrolling frequently. A surprisingly intact specimen for so late in the season, the first male I have seen in the UK. I took this picture last year in France.

New Forest Dragonflies - and Graylings

25 July - a sunny morning (at last!) and some successful Dragon/Damselfly photography in the boggy heaths of the New Forest - photo shows habitat near Beaulieu Road Station. I went first to Crockford bridge - species here included Beautiful Demoiselle (1), Southern Damselfly (2), Large(3) and Small Red Damselflies (4), Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Common Hawker and Keeled Skimmer (5). Unfortunately the weather went downhill, but in sunny intervals later, I saw a Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly at Beaulieu Road, and several Black Darters, including one male (6-female), at Slufter's pond. I also saw a total of 4 Dartford Warblers, a pair and 2 further males. A couple of Grayling (7) butterflies were seen on the more open, gravel areas (photo at Beaulieu Road).

Black Hairstreaks at Whitecross Green

14 June - a lunchtime visit to Whitecross Green Wood, sunny and warm, and 4-5 Black Hairstreaks seen, mostly flitting around high up, but a couple settled briefly. Green-veined White and Large Skipper also seen, but no Wood Whites.

Blakehill and Otmoor

4 June - a lunchtime walk at Blakehill produced half a dozen Large Skippers (upper), also a Small Copper (middle), a couple of Common Blues and a Small Tortoiseshell. Later, after an unsuccessful look for Club-tails on the Thames at Whittenham, I went to Otmoor and managed to photograph a female Hairy Dragonfly (lower).

Marsh Fritillaries

30 May - an afternoon visit to Seven Barrows , near Lambourn, in hot, sunny weather - at least 6 Marsh Fritillaries seen (upper photo), also a Dingy Skipper - Small Blue (lower photo) and Common Blue, Brown Argus and many Small Heaths also noted.

Hairy Dragonflies at Wicken Fen

25 May - a visit to Wicken Fen en route home from Stansted. Several Hairy Dragonflies seen - a new species for me - but all patrolling actively and only flight shots obtained, male (pic 1) and female (pic 2). Also seen - Red-eyed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly (pic 3) and Broad-bodied Chaser (pic 4).

Duke of Burgundy - first post of new season

3 May - A brief visit to Noar Hill, near Selborne, en route home gave good views of at least 3 Duke of Burgundies, sparring and very active in sunny but breezy conditions.