Along with my Chalkhill and Common Blue 2020 FP's, this Marbled White shot was taken at Box Hill (zig-zag). No worries for insects about social distancing, sharing nectar on knapweed flower with a male Bombus lapidaries bumblebee. IMG_5527 Melanargia galathea, Marbled White happy to share with Bombu...

Like the Common Blue picking a favourite Chalkhill is not easy. This one is a nice tidy male with its wing scales that always show up well on Chalkhills. Phil

I photographed so many Common Blues in 2020 it is difficult to pick a favourite. Although seemingly more prevalent these days than the brown form, this blue female is a cracker Phil

This is without doubt my favourite Dingy skipper photo of 2020, maybe my best ever. Taken at Shipton Bellinger when hunting with Wurzel and Millerd (and I see Dave has a photo of it up already). So unusual to see a Dingy Skipper mud-puddling I think :?: IMG_6711 Erynnis tages, Dingy Skipper (mud pud...

Always a fun challenge to capture a butterfly in flight. This male Large White at Shipton Bellinger was pleasing Phil

This female was the only Brown Hairstreak was the only one I saw at Bookham Commons this year, and stopped me in my tracks when she suddenly appeared as I was answering a call of nature Phil

The Silver-spots were out in force at Box-hill ... I can't ever remember seeing them in such good numbers and I got lots of pitures. This one though not the sharpest of focus, shows them off in a cute way. IMG_2628 Hesperia comma, Silver-spotted Skipper (courting pair), Box Hill zig-zag t01.jpg Phil

A great day out as always ... although you might not think so from all the serious faces . I promise that Brexit wasn’t even mentioned . A summer meet at the Daneway Inn sounds a great proposition

Alright wurzel? . I’m a bit late coming to this post but methinks you’re catching up with your diary too and leaving me trailing in its wake :lol: . A Cracking day’s butterflying with lots of highlights and the big surprise of those two Dukes :o . That makes 5 sites that I now know of where you can ...

Great report Wurzel. That hill could do with a chair-lift mind. (bloody steep!) :shock: There seems to be a lot of grade 1 haircut fields around these days. I cannot remember the last time I saw Stockbridge down as a meadow in full bloom with insects galore. Meanwhile in my area Dawneys heath is ove...

Easy pickings for the Wren :| I moth trap in my garden (Woking) and have found a big drop in my takings (numbers and diversity) this year, thanks to a pair of Great Tits. As I do the count in the mornings (trap taken indoors) my normal procedure is to release them there and then after they have been...

Apologies in advance if there are other posts which cover this subject but on the 26th of June at a moth trapping meet at Ashtead Common we had a Painted Lady in one of the Skinner traps. Like the moths this butterfly was drawn in by the 'tractor beam' of the MV light. On occasion it would escape bu...

Hi Wurzel Pleased to see your cracking picture of the Small Tortoiseshell on a dandelion clock :) I’ve seen this myself but only with Orange-tip both which are photographed. It’s a shame because one of those was taken at Sidbury not too long after we’d split. Keeping the brownie points bank well sto...

Great report of a fantastic day’s butterflying Wurzel. :D The highlight had to be the Pearls in cop, first I’d seen since 2011. Bentley Wood is a site that delivers, somewhere I’ll continue to go to as long as I can. After you’re left Sidbury Hill I made my way up to the ring but by this time the su...

Hi Wurzel
It's a long time since I've seen a dipper and they can be pretty elusive when you do see them

Your micro is an Acleris species possibly laterana. The larger moth is a Clouded Magpie Abraxas sylvata a moth I've never seen before !

Phil

Hi Wurzel Just caught up with your latest Portugal postings. That open-wing Swallowtail shot is brilliant as is the Geranium Bronze on the purple flower :mrgreen: . Also you’ve got some nice close-ups of Scarlet Darter (Crocothemis erythraea) 8) Sorry to hear you missed out on the butterfly house. T...

Some great Long-tailed Blue photos there Wurzel and plenty of them I knew my bet was safe

Your Dragonfly is Sympetrum fonscolombii Red-veined Darter

The “metaphorical bang” of a Mallow skipper would’ve been the perfect end but hey, what a week ?:shock: 50 species, truly amazing and with others like the Tree frog dropping in ... great memories :!: . I understand where you’re coming from driving in a strange city, it can be very tough at times :| ...

Another great report Wurzel with wonderful butterfly shots :D . That Scarce Swallowtail reminded me of my own boomerang Swallowtail (P. machaon) in Spain allowing you to get in close .... such exciting rare moments :D . I’d hate to guess how many species you saw locally in that one week but it’s blo...

Great Report Wurzel and more surprises with every posting :D The frustration from the Great banded Grayling episode is palpable. If it’s not a car then a dog walker; or rambler or jogger, or horse rider or cyclist or motocross biker … or Brown Argus :shock: …. guaranteed to turn up at precisely the ...