Garden Brimstone

19 Aug - A Brimstone on the buddleia today in the sun, along with the usual garden butterflies.

Sunny weather continues.....

11 Aug - All these butterflies were photographed on my buddleia (at last!) this afternoon - Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma. Photos JM.

Whitecross Green and Aston Rowant

10 Aug - A morning trip to Whitecross Green Wood, in perfect weather, to see Brown Hairstreaks with the Upper Thames BC, but we didn't see any....we did have excellent views of several Southern Hawker dragonflies, including one perched (1), along with Brown Hawkers, Common Darters (2) and a Broad-bodied Chaser. Butterflies there included Purple Hairstreak (3,4), Silver-washed Fritillary (7), White Admiral, Comma, Large Skipper, Brimstone (6), Small Copper(5) and Brown Argus as well as the commoner species. I also visited Linkey Down, Aston Rowant (8), on the way home and it was swarming with Chalkhill Blues (9), and I saw at least 4 of one of my favourite species, Silver-spotted Skipper (10). Photos JM.

Ravensroost Summer

28 July - At last a few days of summer-like weather, and some butterflies at Ravensroost - at least 12 Silver-washed Fritillaries (1) seen, with 3 White Admirals (2) also present. 2 Marbled Whites, 6 Small Skippers (5) and a Purple Hairstreak were seen by the meadow entrance, with Ringlets (3), Gatekeepers (4) and many Meadow Browns also in evidence. Dragonflies included Brown and Southern Hawkers, and Common Blue Damselflies. Photos JM.

Dragonflies and a few Butterflies......

22 July - The first spell of fine sunny weather for 3 months (!) and a few dragonflies and butterflies seen - 3+ Brown Hawkers and lots of Common Blue Damselflies (1, male - 2, female) and a few Meadow Browns. I am surprised any have survived the recent appalling weather. Photos JM.

Seven Barrows - Marsh Fritillaries etc

27 May - An afternoon visit to Seven Barrows reserve at Lambourn, in hot weather with some sunny intervals. Three Marsh Fritillaries seen in a half hour walk, including one that settled for the camera (5). Also seen - 2-3 Dingy Skippers (2), 2 Small Coppers (3), up to 10 Brown Argus (4) and 20+ Small Heath (1).

A cool spring so far....

12-13 May - A sunny w/e in this dismal spring, but still very cool with a NW breeze. I saw a handful of butterflies - Comma (pic), Peacocks and an Orange tip.

Orange tips....

13 April - 2 Very smart, fresh Orange tips seen today in cool but sunny weather, including one in the garden briefly. Photo taken at CWP.

2012 season

1 April - I saw my first Orange-Tip of the year today, and Brimstones and Small Tortoiseshells have been around for a couple of weeks now, largely due to the recent fine weather.