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.