Duke of Burgundy - first post of new season

3 May - A brief visit to Noar Hill, near Selborne, en route home gave good views of at least 3 Duke of Burgundies, sparring and very active in sunny but breezy conditions.

Small Tortoiseshells

29 Sept - During the recent Indian summer, a few more Small Tortoiseshells have finally made an appearance in the garden - some of them presumably continental migrants.

Monarch at Tarifa

20 Sept - While on a 2-day birding trip to Tarifa at the Straits of Gibraltar, I had good but brief views of a Monarch in the garden of the La Codorniz hotel.

Aston Rowant NNR

24 Aug - With a westerly breeze and sunny intervals, a quick afternoon walk at Linkey Down, Aston Rowant, produced at least 8 very active Silver-spotted Skippers (top 2), also a single Essex Skipper (lower), together with Brown Argus (middle) and Common Blue. Red Kites glided overhead together with a flyover Hobby.

Hairstreaks and Dragonflies

23 Aug - a fine day at last. I joined a guided walk around Blakehill NR, a Brown Hairstreak was seen in flight but not settled. We then moved on to Ravensroost Wood where a female was seen basking on a leaf (initially on an oak!) in the bright/sunny weather. Not near enough for a photo unfortunately.
Dragonflies seen included Southern (see photo) and Migrant Hawkers, and a late Emperor.

Migrant Hawker at Blakehill

17 Aug - an unsuccessful search for Brown Hairstreak was compensated for in the form of an obliging Migrant Hawker that hunted actively, then perched up for a photo. Butterflies included Common Blue, Speckled Wood and lots of Gatekeepers. No Brown Hairstreaks have been seen at Blakehill so far this year, but the weather has been very poor...

Garden Butterflies struggling

10 Aug - a few butterflies are managing to feed on the buddleias in the garden in between the rain storms - a Comma, Large Whites, Red Admirals and Peacocks. Last week 2-3 Gatekeepers were around the hedgerow. A dreadful August for weather so far, no opportunities to go for Silver-spotted Skippers or Brown Hairstreaks. I'm hoping for a sunny day...