End of season specials.......

31 Aug - A few scarcer butterflies seen in the last few days......firstly Grayling and Dark Green Fritillary, then today at Pennington Clouded Yellow and Wall along the coastal path and stony banks/ scrub.

Buddleia finally flowers.....

23 Aug - One of my pruned buddleias has finally flowered, and the butterfly count today is as follows - 7 Small Tortoiseshell (2), 1 Peacock, 2 Green-veined White (1), 2 Large White. Photos JM.

Brown Hairstreaks !

11 Aug - Success this time, after half an hour or so of checking the ash trees at Chelworth, with intermittent sunny intervals, I spotted several Brown Hairstreaks flying around the top of the trees - up to 4 in total - 1 settled in view and I got a few distant photos of this elusive butterfly (2-5). None descended to nectar on the brambles. Holly Blue also still present (6).

Holly Blues......

10 Aug - 2 Holly Blues seen this afternoon at Chelworth while on another unsuccessful look for Brown Hairstreaks in cloudy/bright conditions......

Summer progressing.....

9 Aug - The generally fine weather continues, with my first Painted Lady of the year (1) on buddleia at Slimbridge today.....no Brown Hairstreaks at Ravensroost, but several late SWF (4) and a single White Admiral (3) on brambles there, also Speckled Wood, Green-veined White, many Gatekeepers (2) and Meadow Browns. Migrant Hawkers were hunting the woodland edge. Photos JM.

Linkey Down......

Aug 3 - My annual pilgrimage to Linkey Down, and intermittent warm sunshine.......at least 16 Silver-spotted Skippers (3-4), one of my favourite butterflies, seen......buzzing around in typical fast, low flight, and rarely settling for the camera. Very good numbers of Chalkhill Blues (5-6), at least 60 in a 45-min walk, and a couple of Essex Skippers, 2 Brown Argus and a Marbled White (7). Photos JM.

Ravensroost again......

1 Aug - a hot, sunny morning at Ravensroost, and a lot of insect activity - Emperor, and Southern and Brown Hawkers seen especially around the pond, together with the first Migrant Hawker (5) of the season. Also Common Darter (3,4) and Common Blue and Blue tailed Damselflies. Butterflies were very active, and barely settling in the hot weather, 4+ Purple Hairstreaks (6) were flitting around the Ash trees, many Small Skippers (1) were buzzing around, and 15+ SW Fritillaries were feeding on the brambles. Also seen were Gatekeeper (2), Ringlet, Peacock, Brimstone, Meadow Brown and Comma. Photos JM.

Some more Scottish Butterflies....

2 Dark Green Fritillaries and 20+ Scotch Argus seen on the slopes below Beinn a 'Ghlo in showery conditions, with some warm sun. Also a Common Hawker seen at 2,800 ft on a small pool!

Scotch Argus.....

25 July - A walk up Glen Tilt (and Beinn Dearg) and at least 25 Scotch Argus seen in fairly cloudy conditions, the only butterflies seen today. Distinctive with very dark colouration and prominent orange "eye" spots. No photos unfortunately!

Ravensroost again.....

20-21 July - A couple of visits to Ravensroost in perfect weather and at the peak time for butterflies and dragonflies, to hopefully get photos of SW Fritillaries and White Admirals......attached (1,2,3).......also Brimstone and Small Skipper (4,5).....and dragonflies at the pond included Emperor (7), Southern Hawker, Four-spotted Chasers, Black-tailed Skimmers, Large Red (6), Blue-tailed and Common Blue Damselflies (8).

Ravensroost

17 July - An evening visit to Ravensroost, very hot, Silver-washed Fritillaries (3) and White Admirals (2) in evidence, also Comma (4), and dragonflies including Southern (5) and Brown Hawkers.

Large Blues at Daneway Banks

11 July - Hot sunny weather continues, and 3-4 Large Blues were flying actively at Daneway Banks mid-morning (2-3). Also there - a Dark Green Fritillary and 50+ Marbled Whites. Photos JM.

I think it's actually summer.....

5/6 July - Good numbers of butterflies seen the last couple of days in the current hot weather - Marbled Whites, Common Blues, and my first White Admiral of the summer. Also - Ringlets, Small Heath, a couple of Large Skippers. Brown Hawkers also seem to be patrolling in good numbers.

Dragonflies beginning to emerge

8 June - Another sunny day and a few dragonflies seen at Lower Mill - 2 Broad-bodied Chasers (1) on the pools, with several Blue-tailed (2) and many Common Blue Damselfies (3). Photos JM.

Just a few......

1 June - A few butterflies seen in the sunny weather the last few days, Brimstones and a couple of Orange Tips, and 2 Small Heaths. No Marsh Fritillaries seen at a local site - the colony may be extinct after the washout last year?

2013 starts very late........

2 May - Finally, some butterflies! An Orange Tip and a Brimstone in the Cotswold Water Park in the sunshine this morning......