Garden Butterflies

15 Aug - a fine summer's day and good numbers of butterflies observed at leisure on the buddleias in the garden - Red Admiral, Large White, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell (at least 5 of the last species).

Brown Hairstreaks

8 August - A morning trip to Shipton Bellinger in sunny weather and good numbers of Brown Hairstreaks seen, at least 12, mostly males around the tops of the Ash trees but also a brief view of at least 1 female lower down. Photos a little distant with 200mm lens.

Six-spot Burnet

5 Aug - This Six-spot Burnet Moth was at Aston Rowant this morning, difficult to photograph as the flower heads were all swaying around in the breeze.

Aston Rowant

5 Aug - despite conditions being more cloudy and breezy than expected, I had reasonable views of Silver-spotted Skippers (upper photo, 8+) and Chalkhill Blues (lower photo, 30+) at Aston Rowant. The Skippers (top) were very active, but fortunately a couple settled near the ground briefly.
Also seen - Common Blue, Marbled White, Painted Lady, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.

Blakehill Butterflies

1 Aug - an afternoon walk at Blakehill reserve, some sunny intervals and some of the commoner butterflies in evidence - 5 Small Coppers (1) seen, as well as 70+ Common Blues (4,5), also Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns (2), with a Marbled White and a Small Tortoiseshell (3). A Purple Hairstreak was glimpsed up in the canopy.

Glen Affric Dragonflies

23 July - A sunny day in scenic Glen Affric (1,2), and some of the northern species seen - Black (4,5) and Highland Darters, a very flighty White-faced Darter (poor photo,8); Downy Emerald (3), Four-spotted Chaser (6) and Golden-ringed Dragonflies (7) - and Damselflies including Large Red (11) and Emerald (10) as well as Common Blue (9). I saw one probable Azure Hawker flyby but no others, and did not see Northern or Brilliant Emeralds. Butterflies included a Scotch Argus (and later Large Heaths on the hillside). There's always next year! Fantastic Caledonian Pine forest and bog, very atmospheric.

Southern Hawker

17 July - While on a birding trip to Ham Wall and Ashcott, I saw perhaps fewer dragonflies than expected, as it was rather windy, but had a good view of a female Southern Hawker showing bright green and yellow markings - it was hawking actively, so I didn't get any photos, but this shot is from the web, copyright Andrew Harmer.

Ruddy Darter, Otmoor 10 July 2010

10 July - A male Ruddy Darter I identified retrospectively from my photos taken at Otmoor yesterday - note the bright red abdomen with characteristic "waist" and swollen, club-tailed tip. The first time I have definitely seen this species in the UK.

Swillbrook, CWP

11 July - An afternoon visit to CWP at Swillbrook while the fine weather continues. Brown Hawkers (1) and Emperors (2)seen, with Common Blue Damselflies (3) and a Banded Demoiselle. Butterflies included Ringlet (4), Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

Purple Emperors at Bernwood

10 July - A morning field trip with the Upper Thames BC group, and I saw at least 5 male Purple Emperors, including 2 on the ground, one of which was very obliging for the camera (1-3). Their flight is powerful and very distinctive, involving flaps and glides. Other species seen included White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large (4) and Small skippers, Ringlet, Marbled White (5), Comma and Common Blue. Dragonflies included Brown and Common Hawkers, and Common Darters (fem,6).

Scarce Chasers in Wilts

8 July - an afternoon visit to the River Avon west of Semington gave me a views of a new Dragonfly species, and in my home county - 2 male Scarce Chasers were seen well through the binoculars though were too distant to photograph. The photo is copyright FullMoonImages. This is a localised species, but is well established in a few spots in west Wilts, where it likes slow-flowing rivers with plenty of vegetation. Also seen - Banded Demoiselles, a patrolling Brown Hawker and Common Blue Damselflies.

New Forest

3 July - A good selection of species seen Beaulieu Heath and Crockford Bridge in the New Forest - Silver-studded Blue (1,2), Essex Skipper(3) and Grayling (4) Butterflies, and several Dragon- and Damselflies including Southern (5) and Large Red (6) Damselflies, Beautiful Demoiselle (7), Keeled Skimmer (8), and Golden-ringed Dragonfly (9).

Mountain Ringlets at Ben Lawers, Perthshire

28 June - I had time for a visit to Ben Lawers NNR en route home from Knoydart, and in the sunny intervals I managed to find 2 Mountain Ringlets (lower, Ben Lawers website) flying actively - neither settled for long enough for a decent photo, but I had good views of the second individual settled briefly several times. Fairly small, with orange spots around the wings. A new UK butterfly for me. Also seen - Small Heath, Common Blue (top), and several ( ?)Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (middle).