This dragonfly was found on Waldegrave (aka Priddy Pool) above the Cheddar Gorge, Somerset in July 2018 and I managed to see it and photograph it with a small digital camera. My photos serve only as a record shot but is a reminder to me of how bright the blue was ! Great find, Ian, and stunning phot...

Hi JaneC, Welcome to UK butterflies, good to hear from you. One of the good things (perhaps the only good thing ?) about Coronavirus and the restrictions it has placed on us all is that it has made us more aware of our own localities and the nature that can be found close to us which previously we w...

I too have to confess to not liking spiders very much ! In June 2019 I spent 3 days in Dorset and visited the RSPB Arne reserve. I saw and was able to photograph 2 Great Raft Spiders on one of the heath pools. Now they are big (Britains biggest spider). I was just grateful they were in the open and ...

Interesting and unusual behaviour. Mind you David M said "I'm sure we'd never see a Small Skipper trying it on with a Peacock!" Why not, Bernie Eccleston (5 feet 2 inches) tries it on with any female over 5 feet 9 ! Cant you just tell I`m getting bored and frustrated with staying at home (...

My sightings almost mirror that of yours, David. Living c40 miles further east than you perhaps that`s not surprising but there are some small differences; Small Tortoiseshell nil. Where are they all ? Holly Blue, just 1, but I haven`t been able to visit any of the local cemeteries which are normall...

Hi David and everyone on UKB, Yes I know Fairwood Common and the adjacent Welsh Moor as a good place for Green Hairstreak, Marsh Frits and other butterflies. Probably wont get a chance to visit either this year, unfortunately. The Welsh news carried pictures of the common last week in an article on ...

Great account and photos of your day at Bentley Wood, Wurzel. I looked back at my own 2019 records and found that I was there on 19 July so just a few days after you. (One of the advantages of being retired, I can plan trips on a weekday ! ) My sightings were pretty much the same as yours but no Whi...

Excellent photos, Dave. It`s always difficult to identify correctly from a photo as you cant judge size but I would say the Broomrape is Ivy Broomrape. I`ve seen this species near Broadcroft quarry and on waste ground near the Verne. As I`m sure you know Broomrapes are parasites on the roots of othe...

Glad I`m not the only "Welsher" to see Clouded Yellow this autumn ! I saw mine on Saturday on the part of the Wales Coastal path where I saw them last year on 6 August. So they were late arriving but better late than never.

Jenks.

Saturday 14 September. By mid day it was warming up nicely so I decided to walk the Wales Coastal path. I parked by the River Rumney estuary just east of Cardiff and walked the path eastwards for about a mile and a half. The main rheen (ditch) which drains the low lying fields and connects to the se...

Wurzel said " Great stuff Andy - any chance you can send a few further West...say to Salisbury? "


How about making that Cardiff ?

Jenks (wishin` and a hopin`).

I`ve just heard from one of my birding/butterflying colleagues that she saw a Long tailed Blue in Rowland`s Wood, Sussex this morning. She is staying in the area and saw and photographed it. Pictures on BC Sussex Area web site.

Jenks.

After a weekend consisting of torrential rain on Saturday and rain and gail force winds on Sunday, Monday morning was dry, bright and reasonably warm. So, off out to banish the stir crazy feelings of the weekend, I headed for Lavernock point south of Cardiff. I got there at 07.30 hoping to see some ...

The Daily Mail up to its usual accuracy and honesty !

Jenks.

David M wrote " That's quite extraordinary, jenks. Never heard of any at the beginning of July, let alone the middle!" And the person who saw this came here on 20 May and saw and photographed Marsh Frits in abundance so I have no doubts that her ID on Friday was correct. I spent very littl...

A couple of local patch trips for me. On Friday, 12 July, to Aberbargoed grasslands. The attraction at this time of the year is Grayling which like the bare earth of the old coal spoil tip. I had 20 sightings between 2 and 4 p.m of 16 to 18 separate individuals. Also seen were numerous Meadow Browns...

I agree with the others; great shots of the PE, Pauline. And speaking of His Nibs, does anyone know if they are flying at Bentley Wood yet. I feel a trip down there looming up.

Jenks.

A search for High Brown Fritillary in the Alun valley site in Vale of Glamorgan was held on Saturday 29 June, starting at approx 11.20 and ending 15.00 hours. Jointly organised by South Wales and West Midlands branches of BC, 22 people turned up and a good day it was ! The downs and meadow were sear...

I`d booked a 2 night stay,1st and 2nd June, in Salisbury with the aim of seeing as many butterflies and birds that this area has to offer. So, an early start at 6 a.m. first location Wrecclesham just over the border into Surrey for Glanville Fritillary. I had messaged Ernie for directions and thanks...

I didn`t send you that plate Jack but it`s familiar to me. My late father was a primary school headmaster and we had a collection of Arthur Mee`s Encyclopedia for Children in the house where I grew up. Those volumes were published in the early 1900`s and contained plates of birds, butterflies, moths...