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...

Butterflies of La Brenne - July 2008 - part 1

4-8 July 2008 - a short Naturetrek trip for the Butterflies of La Brenne, central France, by Eurostar/TGV. 55 species seen despite cool, showery weather. Photos (part 1) show some of the highlights - Pearly Heath and Woodland Brown, one of Europe's rarest butterflies, at Foret de l'Ancosme, toether with Marbled Fritillary - Large Blue, Adonis Blue and Heath Fritillary at Fonterland, a wonderful organic farm - Ilex Hairstreak nearby - Alcon Blue at the marshes at La Touche reserve - and Rock Grayling at the limestone valley at La Boudinniere.

Butterflies of La Brenne - July 2008 - part 2

4-8 July 2008 - Photos part 2 - Scarlet Darter and Beautiful Demoiselle are fairly widely distributed in La Brenne - Large Skipper is common - Long-tailed Blue near Etang Vieux - Large Chequered Skipper is widespread but not numerous - Mallow Skipper seen at Le Paradis d'An - Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Fonterland Farm - Southern White Admiral and (eventually) Purple Emperor at Foret de l'Ancosme, on our sunny but windy last afternoon.

Brown Hawkers

27 July - Hot sun at Swillbrook CWP, and 3 Brown Hawkers were cruising around - very difficult to photograph in flight... also 2 Emperors seen.