Fascinating stuff MiKe Our scientific knowledge took a quantum leap forward thanks to Darwin (our greatest ever Briton in my book).

I believe the moth flower relationship was featured on a David Attenborough TV programme some time ago?

Phil

Just been catching up on your Diary Wurzel. That rocket looks more like a missile with that angle of trajectory.

You've been pulling out the stops with some of those photos. That first of three Green-veined White shots is an absolute beaut

Phil

the slope he climbed up & down goes from 270m down to 100m on the valley floor that is about 500ft over a distance of about 200yds probably one of the steepest climbs in Hampshire If you'd told me that beforehand I might've given it a miss :wink: Some nice shots there Mark and a good closer one...

Saturday 09th Last year around this time, I met up with Mark Tutton to explore Butser Hill and surrounding environs. Our main aim was to see the Duke of Burgundy Fritillary 8) This year was to be no different except I wouldn't be exploring the gruelling oop hill down dale surrounding environs, and i...

Thanks Wurzel

Not sure I'll be able to fit in the Small Pearls before I go away unless they're out by the w/e 16-17th .

And then there's Wood Whites coming up soon (Botany Bay)

Phil

Sunday 3rd An annual meet up of me and the girls and Wurzel with his daughter K at Bentley Wood's Cowley copse (eastern clearing) all went as planned. We met at 10:30 and bang on cue the gloomy weather began to lighten up and raise our spirits and the prospect of getting a Pearl-bordered Fritillary ...

I've only seen one Orange-tip this year in an area that they are regularly seen and it was a female(?)

Phil

With the glorious sunny weather still going I took the opportunity after work to briefly check out my local area along the Basingstoke canal towpath. It was well worth it as I saw 5 species (all singletons) in under half an hour: Brimstone; Orange-tip; Speckeld Wood; Holly Blue and Peacock :D . The ...

Sunday 12th along Basingstoke Canal Woking:- Brimstone 6; Peacock at least 20 (very flighty); 1 Comma; 1 Speckled Wood and a Green-veined White Phil

Picking one favourite overall photo is extremely difficult. What is a favourite :? For me it could be something that I got to see in a once in a blue moon opportunity like the Map, or something I'd persevered to get a half decent picture of (Clouded Yellow falls into that category). Then there are t...

MrSp0ck wrote:The Glanville Fritillary larvae have also waken up and are sunbathing on their web.

Thanks for that info MrSp0ck. Missed out on the Glannies at Hutchinson's last year (not many there by all accounts). Are more expected this year?

Phil

Thanks for the tips Mike . I'll send you a PM with my views on your suggestions.

Phil

Glorious Saturday spring weather had me venturing out (without coat or jumper for the first time this year) for a walk along the Basingstoke canal and an opportunity to try out my Macro lens. Initially I'd fitted the camera with my Tamron zoom mindful that I would need the reach that a zoom offers. ...

Hi Wurzel Have just caught up with your diary. Excellent well written observations on the numbers and some smashing photos as always (the one of the female Marbled White under the ox eye daisy is a real beauty) :D . Your assessment of the Marbled White holding its own, borne out by good coverage in ...

I've been waiting for the chance to show off my Small Skipper again, that I'd posted on the June 2014 sightings thread. The main reason is that I'm seeking confirmation for what I am sure is an unusual aberrant, a paler than normal example. It was also my first Small Skipper of the year. Vince Massi...

Like Dave I've taken to visiting Dawneys for my Silver-studs (cracking site). And as ever its difficult to pick a favourite I'll confine it to two, both in typical head-stander poses :) 2014.06.18 IMG_3365 Silver-studded Blue (male), Dawney's Ridge tr.jpg 2014.06.21 IMG_3515 Silver-studded Blue (fem...

I was quite pleased with my Small Pearl photos this year, taken at Bentley as ever :D . As for a favourite? I can't decide so you'll just have to have four :wink: 2014.05.25 IMG_1950 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Ec, Bentley Wood.jpg 2014.05.25 IMG_2472 Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Ec, Bentle...

These were taken at Denbies;- 2013.08.04 IMG_4350 Chalkhill Blue (3 males).jpg 2013.08.04 IMG_4425 Chalkhill Blue (male), Denbies.jpg Unfortunately they were taken in 2013 :oops: For some strange reason one of my top 10 butterflies fell off the radar in 2014 :? . It wasn't until the middle of August...

Lagging behind Wurzel and others in my seasons species count, I thought I'd try and catch up by bagging an easy Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral down at local Bookham Commons. Chasing Ringlets were not on the agenda but that is what happened when I encountered this lovely fresh female in a...

By the way, your first Grizzlie looks abnormally suffused with white on the upperwings. I'm not so sure about that David but he's certainly a 'tidy' individual unlike some of the hirsute examples I've seen. Such juxtapositions are common in France, Phil! If that's the case I need to change my holid...