Swillbrook, CWP

11 July - An afternoon visit to CWP at Swillbrook while the fine weather continues. Brown Hawkers (1) and Emperors (2)seen, with Common Blue Damselflies (3) and a Banded Demoiselle. Butterflies included Ringlet (4), Gatekeeper, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

Purple Emperors at Bernwood

10 July - A morning field trip with the Upper Thames BC group, and I saw at least 5 male Purple Emperors, including 2 on the ground, one of which was very obliging for the camera (1-3). Their flight is powerful and very distinctive, involving flaps and glides. Other species seen included White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Large (4) and Small skippers, Ringlet, Marbled White (5), Comma and Common Blue. Dragonflies included Brown and Common Hawkers, and Common Darters (fem,6).

Scarce Chasers in Wilts

8 July - an afternoon visit to the River Avon west of Semington gave me a views of a new Dragonfly species, and in my home county - 2 male Scarce Chasers were seen well through the binoculars though were too distant to photograph. The photo is copyright FullMoonImages. This is a localised species, but is well established in a few spots in west Wilts, where it likes slow-flowing rivers with plenty of vegetation. Also seen - Banded Demoiselles, a patrolling Brown Hawker and Common Blue Damselflies.

New Forest

3 July - A good selection of species seen Beaulieu Heath and Crockford Bridge in the New Forest - Silver-studded Blue (1,2), Essex Skipper(3) and Grayling (4) Butterflies, and several Dragon- and Damselflies including Southern (5) and Large Red (6) Damselflies, Beautiful Demoiselle (7), Keeled Skimmer (8), and Golden-ringed Dragonfly (9).

Mountain Ringlets at Ben Lawers, Perthshire

28 June - I had time for a visit to Ben Lawers NNR en route home from Knoydart, and in the sunny intervals I managed to find 2 Mountain Ringlets (lower, Ben Lawers website) flying actively - neither settled for long enough for a decent photo, but I had good views of the second individual settled briefly several times. Fairly small, with orange spots around the wings. A new UK butterfly for me. Also seen - Small Heath, Common Blue (top), and several ( ?)Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries (middle).

Black Hairstreaks at Whitecross Green Wood

20 June - A sunny day in the short flight period of the Black Hairstreak meant a visit to Whitecross Green Wood, and at least 8 Hairstreaks seen, but rather flighty and only settled briefly (top). All still looking rather freshly emerged. Also seen; Common Blue and Large Skipper (middle). A good display of Orchids, especially where fenced off from the deer (lower). A Red Kite flew over.

Hairy Dragonfly at Lakenheath Fen

18 May - Good views while on a birding trip at the RSPB reserve.