Brown Hairstreak

5 August - At a North Wiltshire site, excellent views on a hot sunny afternoon of a fresh Brown Hairstreak nectaring on brambles. Also seen - Speckled Wood and female Common Blue.

Silver-spotted Skipper at last!

2 August - A cold front moved through and blue sky appeared in the afternoon, so I headed for Aston Rowant in Oxfordshire. Another try for Silver-spotted Skipper, and successful this time as I found at least 2 on the short grassy slope at the southern end of the reserve. Silver spots obvious in flight, less so at rest, flight low and fast. Some worn Dark Green Fritillaries and Essex Skippers also seen.

Arnside Knott - Scotch Argus emerging

29 July - continued fine weather, and a visit to Arnside Knott to look for another new species. After a bit of a search, Scotch Argus seen on the southern slopes below the summit. Also Grayling (photo) and Wall basking, and in the woods a High Brown Fritillary (photo) seen briefly with several worn Dark Green Fritillaries.

Durlston Country Park

28 July - a morning visit to Durlston in Dorset, with sun forecast. A walk around the gullies and slopes revealed at least 20 Lulworth Skippers, a very localised resident of coastal Dorset, and a new species for me. Fairly restless, but nectaring in the sun in sheltered corners. Also seen - 2 Walls, Marbled Whites and my first Chalkhill Blues of the year.

Fritillaries....High Brown and others

19 July - A visit to Dunsford, Devon, the weather proving much better than the forecast with hot sun and no wind. A lot of butterfly activity, and a couple of hours around the bracken meadows alongside the river produced the main target, a couple of worn High Brown Fritillaries, the underwing being seen (as in photo x2), also probable Dark Green Fritillary and fresh Silver-washed Fritillaries (photo). Ringlet, Common Blue, Marbled White, Small Skipper and Small Copper also seen.

Heathland foray

14 July - a rare appearance by the sun coincided with an excursion to Hazeley Heath in Hampshire. 20-25 Silver-studded Blues were seen (including some fresh males) a beautiful tiny member of the Blue family, and rather localised. I also flushed a Grayling from the path and saw it well several times as it settled. Heath Orchids were also flowering, and dragonflies included Keeled Skimmer and Ruddy Darter.

Emperor!

7 July - a visit to a packed Bentley Wood, and a wait in the car park, eventually gave good but brief views of a presumed female Purple Emperor, flying from the oaks to a sallow then perching on an oak branch (in the shade) before flying off back to the oakwoods. I managed a record shot only. White Admiral was also seen.