Ravensroost Heatwave

25 June - Flaming June, already 27 degrees by 10am. An early arrival before the butterflies became to active to settle at all. Quite a few pristine White Admirals seen, together with Silver-washed Fritillaries...….. a White-letter Hairstreak seen briefly before it flew up towards the treetops, and several Purple Hairstreaks settled including one at eye level. Lots of Marbled Whites in the meadow.

Norfolk Hawker, at last ..............

15 June - At last, time and weather came together. I had discovered that there is an established population of Norfolk (Green-eyed) Hawkers much nearer than East Anglia, at Paxton Pits between Bedford and Cambridge. The forecast was warm morning sunshine, and possible showers in the afternoon. Shortly after arrival, fairly early, I fortunately bumped into the local dragonfly guru, Peter Wood, and he took me off the beaten track to show me the area where the Hawkers were perching, enjoying the heat of the morning rays. I had already seen a couple flying, and there were several around a small area of overgrown vegetation, giving close perched views. A fairly small Hawker, with buff-brown body and obvious large green eyes. An excellent addition to my dragonfly list, Scarce Chaser and Four-spotted Chaser also being seen.

Brown Hairstreaks........

2 Aug - my annual visit to Shipton Bellinger, and Brown Hairstreaks surprisingly elusive, but several seen around the “master” Ash tree. Surprisingly, none in the large hedge which is normally a reliable site for close up views. Also seen - several Holly Blues, Red Admiral and Peacock as well as Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns.

Garden Butterflies .............

28 July - A garden Holly Blue today, also recently a Painted Lady, the sole representative of the current influx that I have logged so far.......

Hairstreaks and Skippers......

31 July - Brown Hairstreaks and Silver-spotted Skippers that is...... firstly, good views of male Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger, in warm sunny spells, always an exciting butterfly to see...... then on to Aston Rowant and a lot of one of my real favourites, Silver-spotted Skippers on the wing, easier to photograph with some cloud cover as they buzzed around rapidly as soon as the sun reappeared. They have so much character!. Also lots of Chalkhill Blues on the wing.

Ravensroost

13 Jul - a fine warm summer day during the current heatwave, and a most productive morning walk at Ravensroost - no less than 18 species seen, including the Ravensroost specials Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral but also the highlight, a White-letter Hairstreak at eye level- my best ever sighting of this species, I've only seen them flitting around the treetops previously. Also Purple Hairstreaks near the car park.

Lower Moor Dragonflies

21 May - A productive couple of hours at Lower Moor in CWP. I'm aware that this is a good site for Downy Emerald, and I saw at least 8, quite active in the warm sun - but I'd read recently that Hairy Dragonfly can also be seen here,

and I saw a male hawking actively and not settling - my first of these quite scarce dragonflies that I've seen in the Water Park.

Hawkers at Otmoor

26 Aug - A trip to Otmoor primarily for birds, but nice views of Hawkers perching including a bright Southern Hawker. Migrant Hawker also seen well.

Silver-spotted Skippers

17 Aug - The sun appeared as forecast late morning, more or less as I arrived at Aston Rowant. Windy but some warm sun. A couple of fairly obliging Adonis Blues at the bottom of the slope, and the usual scattering of Silver-spotted Skippers across the slopes - buzzing around fairly actively, but also on occasions allowing close scrutiny while perched, especially of the diagnostic spotted underwings. One of my favourites, and I make the annual pilgrimage every year. The usual Red Kites keeping a beady eye from above.

Brown Hairstreaks

6 Aug - Very good views of Brown Hairstreaks, both male and female, at Shipton Bellinger (at the well-known site for this species, see www.purple-emperor.co.uk). The sunny morning brought out a few other observers, which aided in finding this small and fairly elusive butterfly along the fairly dense hedgerow. Quite obliging for the camera, and always striking to see.

Daneway Banks

26 June - A sunny window of weather and a quick look at Daneway before heading to work, being a Monday....... 5 Large Blues seen, not landing much in the warm conditions but a view of one settled, and several others in flight - also Large Skippers, and many Marbled Whites.

Whixall......

20 June - A study day near Birmingham gave me a chance to call in to Whixall Moss to see and hopefully photograph White-faced Darters, at their southernmost location in the UK - a rare and mainly Scottish species. The Darters were active and obliging in the current hot conditions, and several males were seen, giving good photo opportunities. A striking species, fairly small with erratic fast flight. Quite a few Large Heath butterflies also seen, similarly active in the heat. A superb location, surprisingly remote for the midlands - and difficult to find !

Flaming June

17 June - The current June heatwave has seen the emergence of some species quite early this year - sightings for me this week include White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary, along with Marbled White. Also plenty of Large Skippers and a few Ringlets.

2017........ Lower Moor

25 May - A visit in hot sunny weather to Lower Moor at the west side of CWP. Due to the high temperatures dragonflies and insects very active - 2 sightings of flying Downy Emeralds, and a brief view of a Hairy Dragonfly, a new CWP species for me. A belated first post for 2017 - quite an early season for Butterflies so far, with good numbers of Orange Tips in the warm April weather amongst other species.

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.