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.