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.

High season for Butterflies

9-16 July - I've seen 25 species in the last 7 days, almost half the British total - thanks to visiting both southern English woodland, and northern bog, moorland and uplands. And I failed to see a Purple Emperor in a brief attempt at Savernake on 14th July.

Lake District Butterflies

11 July - An excellent day in Cumbria in fine weather - firstly at Arnside Knott, where I had good views of High Brown (3,4) as well as Dark Green Fritillaries (5,6) and a single Small Pearl-bordered (7), also a Northern Brown Argus (8-10, a new species for me) and at least 18 Graylings (2), as well as Small Heath (11). Meathop Moss produced at least 12 Large Heath (13) in a 20-minute walk. Lastly, a highlight was at least 6 Mountain Ringlets (15) on Birks above Patterdale, very flighty in the sun but 1 perched briefly for a photo. All photos JM.

Ravensroost again....

9 July - An excellent midday walk at Ravensroost, the highlight being at least 12 Silver-washed Fritillaries (2,3). Also seen - A White Admiral (4,5), 2 Red Admirals, 2 Commas (8), 4 Large Skippers (6,7), a Speckled Wood (9), 2 Marbled Whites, a Green-veined White (10), 40+ Ringlets and 20+ Meadow Browns. Scarlet Tiger moths (11) were flying, and a Common Blue Damselfly (12) was seen. Photos JM.

Ravensroost Wood

2 July - A few White Admirals and Silver-Washed Fritillaries seen at Ravensroost Wood late morning, but too flighty to photograph - also Marbled Whites (2), Ringlets (3) and Large Skippers (1), and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth briefly.

Otmoor

1 July - A few Butterflies and Dragonflies seen on a morning trip to Otmoor in fairly sunny weather - Large Skippers (1), Marbled (3) and Green-veined Whites (2), Ringlets (4), Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Dragonflies included Brown Hawker, Black-tailed Skimmer and Ruddy Darter (5). Photos JM.