Dorset - Adonis Blue and Lulworth Skipper !

26 Aug - A trip to the coast in view of the fine weather, Durlston in Dorset being the destination.

Lulworth Skippers are right at the end of their season, but 6-7 seen, mostly quite worn.

The Adonis Blues were vivid and freshly emerged, striking royal blue in colour.

Golden-ringed Dragonflies

18 Aug - Good views of at least 3 Golden-rings on the lower slopes of Meall Ghaordaidh in the SE Highlands. One was perched and quite obliging.

Chelworth

14 Aug - A quick check in the afternoon as the sun came out, and quite warm. A Brown Hairstreak seen flitting around the top of a Ash along Chelworth lane, and seen briefly perched on a leaf before crawling out of sight. Also a Holly Blue seen.

Aston Rowant NNR, Skippers and Blues

12 Aug - A sunny, warm, breezy day for my annual pilgrimage to Aston Rowant NNR near Oxford. At least 25 Silver-spotted Skippers seen, buzzing around in the heat of the day - their northern-most UK site. Also good numbers of Chalkhill Blues, a few Brown Argus and Common Blue.

Darters and Hairstreaks......

5 Aug - A warm, bright summer day and several Black Darters seen at Slufters Pond, on the edge of the New Forest, including a male after some searching. Then very good views of 2 male Brown Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger en route home.

Azure Hawker

29 July - A good but brief ( no photo ) view of a male Azure Hawker west of Creag Meaghaidh in the central Highlands today - settled a couple of times on the gravel track. Also good numbers of Scotch Argus flying over the wet grassland.

Ravensroost Again

25 July - A pre-work visit on a sunny morning. Southern and Brown Hawkers flying, and butterflies included 10+ Silver-washed Fritillaries, a single White Admiral, and 3 Purple Hairstreaks around the car park. A real high summer day.

Purple Emperor !

22 July - A morning stop at Savernake proved to be very well timed, as after a few minutes a male Purple Emperor obligingly landed on the column to find salt and minerals. Good views of the iridescent wings as it turned in the sun. A memorable sighting.

Very hot Ravensroost

19 July - 32 degrees for an afternoon stop at Ravensroost, and 3 White Admirals see, but all flying very actively so no chance of a photo. A Southern Hawker obligingly perched for a minute or two - also hunting Brown Hawkers. Large Skippers and Silver-washed Fritillaries also seen.

Ravensroost Wood

10 July - Good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillaries on the wing at Ravensroost, some posing for the camera, but just one White Admiral seen. Also Large Skippers buzzing around, and many Ringlets.

Silver-studded Blues at Acres Down.....

7 July - despite fairly cloudy weather, the warmth and humidity meant that Silver-studded Blues were fairly active at Acres Down, New Forest, after my raptor watching session, with several fairly obliging for the camera. I couldn't find any Graylings on the bare ground or paths though.

Large Blues at Daneway........

3 July - At last some summer sun, and quite a few people at Daneway Banks at Sapperton for the Large Blues - in an afternoon visit, I saw several, though they were quite flighty in the heat. Also lots of Marbled Whites and a few Large Skippers.

Black Hairstreak.....

25 June - Much more showery than forecast at Whitecross Green, so only a short-lived view of a Black Hairstreak when the sun appeared v briefly, and a really distant photo..... Also Large Skipper and Marbled Whites.

Marsh Fritillaries.......

30 May - Nice views of several active Marsh Fritillaries at Strawberry Banks, Glos this evening, in warm sun. Always a smart butterfly to see.

Downy Emeralds.....

19 May - Good directions led me to Swanpool reserve at Lower Moor WWT, and excellent views, in the warm sun, of several Downy Emeralds, a new dragonfly for me - several males and at least 1 female seen, striking metallic dark green (as the name suggests) and the males with low, direct flight. Also Broad-bodied Chaser in evidence.

Rodborough Common

15 May - Sunny but fairly cool weather for my first trip to this site, excellent views of Green Hairstreaks, one of my favourite Butterflies...... no sign though of Duke of Burgundies in the cool breeze.