Blakehill summer.....

29 July - Good numbers of common Butterflies, and a few dragonflies, at Blakehill in continuing sunny hot weather....20+ Common Blues(2,3) and 4+ Small Skippers(4,5) also a female Black-tailed Skimmer (6).Very active, and difficult to photograph, in the heat.

New Forest Dragons........

26 July - A good mix of dragonflies in the New Forest - Emperors (2), Black (5-7) and Common Darters (3) at Slufters Pond, also Keeled Skimmers (8)and Emerald Damselflies (4). 2-3 Grayling butterflies (1) also seen on bare areas of ground, amazingly camouflaged except when taking to flight. Photos JM.

A good Butterfly Day.........

20 July - I managed a lunchtime visit to Linkey Down, Aston Rowant (1), in warm conditions with sunny intervals - after a search, I found my first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year (2,3), an early date due to the fine weather......Chalkhill Blues were flying in impressive numbers (5,6) - also seen, a faded Dark Green Fritillary (7), Small Heaths (8), and Essex (4) and Small Skippers. I also had another look at Ravensroost in afternoon sun - 2 Purple Hairstreaks were flying in the treetops by the car park, and good numbers of White Admirals (12) and Silver-washed Fritillaries (13,14) in the wood (9), along with Peacocks (10) and Brimstones (11). Dragonflies included Brown and Migrant Hawkers. Photos JM.

Ravensroost in between the storms.......

19 July - A visit to Ravensroost in between the afternoon thunderstorms, and my first view of a valenzina morph of Silver-washed Fritillary (1,2) - also seen, Gatekeepers (3), Marbled Whites (4) and Small Skippers (5), and a brief view of a White Admiral. Dragonflies included Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters (6), together with a patrolling Emperor, and Azure (7) and Common Blue Damselflies. Photos JM.

New Forest continued......

14 July - A sunny morning in the New Forest, good birding and also small numbers of Silver-studded Blues seen at several sites (2,3) along with Gatekeepers. Surprisingly, no Graylings seen. Slufters Pond (5) held the usual dragonflies including several more emerged Black Darters (6), Emperors (7,8), Keeled Skimmers and a Golden-ringed Dragonfly - and Latchmore Bottom (9,10) in the northern forest gave good views of Beautiful Demoiselles (13), more Keeled Skimmers (12) and Black Darters (13) and Large Red Damselflies (14), along with other species such as Black-tailed Skimmers. Photos JM.

Thursley Common......

12 July - An afternoon visit to Thursley Common and the boardwalk, in hot but cloudy conditions. A good variety of dragonflies and damselflies seen - Small Red (4) and Emerald (6) Damselflies, with Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser (8) Black-tailed Skimmer (5) and Black Darter (7) Dragonflies around the boggy pools. Quite a few people out with cameras, being a fine weekend day.