Foolishly - and now with regrets - I never kept diaries so can't look at changes of dates, etc. But memory does offer a few clues. I lived in the relatively warm East Anglia. Back in the late 1940s / early 1950s, it was unusual to see Orange Tips before early May. One year soon (if not already) ther...

I started in 1945 so that is 78 complete season and one (the first) partial.

And yes I'm keeping warm but my Orange Tip pupae (as per long standing practice) are keeping cool in the fridge.

Jack

Parasitised Brown Hairstreak egg - Crawley, Sussex 22-Nov-2028

With that date, I'm sure it must have been attacked by Mr.Enistein.

Jack

I am revisiting my copy of South "The Butterflies of the British Isles" which I won way back in 1947 as a school prize, an era when children were encouraged to be competitive. The Black Hairstreak entry intrigues: "Larvae have been recorded from Surrey.  These were beaten from sloe i...

Matthew's book has been updated. Here is a wonderful extract to give a flavour.
Click on image for easier reading.
As far as I know, Matthew is retired so must need every penny he can get from sales of his writings

Jack

I lived on Mull 2012-15 and I always thought that Chequered Skipper must occur on the island.   I was reasonably familiar with CS habitat requirements, having seen it in several places on the mainland, but never had any luck on Mull. Now a Google search reveals that CS has indeed been seen on Mull a...

salmon into the treetops I think it does but haven't got that far yet in the re-reading. I have got past the "Emperors' Breakfast" though. I'm keeping warm enough but as far as showering is concerned, I am effectively in "Astronaut Mode" with a wipe down. Apparently a proper sho...

I have been thoroughly miserable and very cold.  We took up an offer of discount on heating oil if we ordered early - which we did ten weeks ago.  It has now run so low that the heating system has shut down into 'safety mode'.  We do have electric heaters and a wood burning stove, but no hot water -...

....I was stuck indoors, so I played around with AI to 'create' some old-time butterfly collectors.  Well, it kept me amused....

Jack

However, another Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/29/large-tortoiseshell-butterfly-returns-to-britain-after-postwar-extinction does not inspire confidence in that Isles of Scilly report. I should perhaps add that it was not the text I questioned (quotes from Neil Hu...

Remember that I come from Great Yarmouth (well, somebody had to!) and have followed the off-on saga of a river crossing for some 70+ years.  But only last week did I realise that the latest attempt at a third crossing has significantly blocked the River Yare - the only outlet from the Norfolk Broads...

Three from me. Not of course serious contenders but a bit fun from AI 'Night Cafe'.

Jack

Problem with my home bred Orange Tips (larvae from my Sweet Rocket). The 25-or-so pupae have been in a box outside and in the shade. Now is my traditional time to bring them into the fridge so that they don't emerge too early next spring - tried and tested method over 50 something years. But one mal...

How long will they take to reach up here near the Moray Firth?

An earlier ambition (1001 thing to do before you die) was to see Comma up here. Fulfilled a few years ago.
As I'll be 85 in a month's time, I cannot reasonably hold out much hope of seeing Holly Blues here. But you never know!

Jack

Holly Blue was always one of my favourites when I grew up in east Norfolk. When I became 'self-propelled' as a teenager (bike) I got to know all the best spots for Holly Blues in south-east Norfolk and north-east Suffolk.  Many were in churchyards, about the only time in my life I have taken any (p...

Dave (Miller) your Holly Blues bring on a wave of nostalgia. They don't occur up here in north Scotland and to be honest (as I near my 85th birthday) my travelling days are over. Holly Blue was always one of my favourites when I grew up in east Norfolk - we're talking about the best part of 80 years...

22nd October, Logie Steading (near Forres, Moray) car park Two Red Admirals.
Nothing unusual about seeing Red Admirals this autumn, but it was only 8.5C albeit bright sunshine, today

Jack

Red Admiral today flying along Nairn High Street, a somewhat unusual location.
It slowed to look in the window of "Nickel and Dime" Temperature 12C

I have both a Canon Power Shot SX50 and a Panasonic FZ200. Not a lot to choose between them, but I normally use the Canon for its longer reach and possibly a slightly better quality lens. The Cano gives perfectly reasonable results at ISO400 so don't be put off by the smaller aperture at long teleph...

Roland: I assume from the condition of the fringes and the intact tails that it is from an egg laid in this country. See this comment I made recently: https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11844 The fine condition of your Long-tailed Blue RR is gives no indication as to its origin. ...