Autumn Dragonflies

2 October - A couple of Migrant Hawkers and about 10 Common Darters (photo) seen in CWP in hot sunny autumn weather. The autofocus doesn't cope very well with flight shots, this is the best I could do.

CWP dragonflies

2 Sept -

Southern Hawker

1 Sept - A good brief view of a flypast Southern Hawker while visiting Braydon, I've still not managed to photograph this species which never seems to settle.....

Otmoor - Darters flying

29 August - Ruddy (male, photo) and Common Darters were the only dragonflies in evidence this morning in a cool NW wind at Otmoor. The best views were low in the shelter of the hedgerow, in the autumnal sun.

Ravensroost and Chelworth

19 and 21 Aug - A couple of short local photographic trips - on 19 Aug, 5 Migrant Hawkers (1), a Southern Hawker and several Common Darters (2) seen at Ravensroost Meadows, together with 15 Common Blues and 3 Small Coppers (3). On 21st, again no Brown Hairstreaks seen at Chelworth, but good views of a Southern and 3 Brown Hawkers, together with Speckled Woods (4) and a Small Tortoiseshell (5). Photos JM.

Dragonflies at Thursley Common

19 Aug - An excellent couple of hours at Thursley Common in Surrey, in sunny conditions. At least 50+ Black Darters seen - my main target species (3-7), along with 20+ Keeled Skimmers (8-9),several Ruddy Darters (10) among the Common Darters (11-12), and Emerald (14) and Common Blue Damselflies (13). Photos JM. Also seen, an Emperor and a Brown Hawker. A very good site, with extensive boggy heaths (1-2), and the boardwalks were quite busy with photographers.

Brown Hairstreaks

14 Aug - A morning trip to Shipton Bellinger, on the Wilts-Hants border, and very good views of at least 10 Brown Hairstreaks, initially males flying around the top of an Ash, then both males and females nectaring in the sun. Excellent photo opportunities. Photos JM. Also seen - Holly Blue, Peacock, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown - and 2 Southern Hawker dragonflies.

Holly Blue at Chelworth

6 Aug - A brief search for Brown Hairstreaks at Blakehill, during a sunny break in the afternoon, was unsuccessful, but I saw a Holly Blue (photo), a Speckled Wood, several Gatekeepers and a Brown Hawker.

Silver-spotted Skippers and Chalkhill Blues

5 Aug - A visit to Linkey Down NNR at Aston Rowant, in late morning sunshine, and large numbers of butterflies on the wing over the steep slopes - including 30+ Chalkhill Blues (7), and at least 8 Silver-spotted Skippers (4-5), buzzing low over the turf. Also seen - 2 Essex Skippers (6), 6 Brown Argus (2), a Marbled White, 4 Small Heath (3) and many Meadow Browns. All photos JM.

Garden Comma

31 July - A Comma on a buddleia in the garden at lunchtime today, together with 2 Red Admirals and a Small Tortoiseshell. The Comma photo was taken at Ravensroost Wood a couple of weeks ago.

Scotch Argus

30 July - At least 20 Scotch Argus seen on the steep bracken-covered slopes above Ben Glas, on the descent from Beinn Chabhair - flying actively in the strong sunshine and only settling very briefly - record shot above taken with standard 18-55mm lens and cropped.

More Mountain Ringlets....and Common Hawkers

29 July - A total of 4 Mountain Ringlets (of the larger Scottish subspecies) seen flying in the sunshine on the slopes of Cruach Ardrain, near Crianlarich. Seen above an altitude of 2,200'. Several Common Hawker Dragonflies seen on moorland pools at lower levels (photos), both females and the bluer male.

Purple Hairstreak and Holly Blue

23-24 July - some sunny weather, a few butterflies in the garden included 2 Gatekeepers (8,9), a Red Admiral (7) and a Peacock. A short visit to Ravensroost wood and meadows produced a real bonus, good views of a male Purple Hairstreak low down on an Ash (1,2) - also several Small (4,5) and Essex skippers and seven Silver-washed Fritillaries (3). Dragonflies included two Brown Hawkers. Nearby I managed to photograph a Holly Blue (6) in a hedgerow - I've not managed any shots of this species before.