After a disappointing day at Denbies on Friday where the only species seen approaching reasonable numbers were Brimstones, I paid a hopeful visit today (Sunday) to Noar Hill as reports had been showing that the Dukes were out. Indeed they were, but some 2.5-3 hours searching was needed to get to a t...

nfreem wrote:Some more nice shots there Wurzel

Have to agree. I particularly like the of the bee carrying pollen on his face.

When I was a kid I used to find dead shrews all the time. I've also heard them (high pitched squeak) but I've yet to see one alive

Phil

Nice openwing shot of a male Large white rageepona. Something that doesn't often get posted in

Phil

Gorgeous weather (at last) so my usual weekend trip from Sheerwater into Woking town, was taken on foot along the Basingstoke Canal. The canal is almost an idyllic setting to drink in the sounds and colours of spring. However you're always reminded that urban life isn't far away as the birdsong is r...

Male Orange-tip seen in West Byfleet today, Station rd a suburban area close to Basingstoke canal

Phil

That last bee on the top of the muscaria (I think that's the name of the blue flower) is splendid! Those iridescent green wings especially. Have to agree there, a smashing photo 8) It's often described as a pest but I always think of pots and kettles when humans call other species pests ... [If you...

Thanks for the kind comment Nick :) . That long-tailed tit nest was a first for me :D . It is evident from your pictures that the nest is in a more advanced state with a 'roof' above …. a smashing little nest. My birds nest was still a cup and the LTT was moving around in it quite a lot, presumably ...

Sunday 14/04/13 A Peacock taken in my garden and the first of the year for me (to tell the truth I haven't done much exploring outside of a butterfly house :wink: :oops: ). Soon afterwards a Comma and then another Peacock ... at last surely it's goodbye to the vestiges of winter :? 2013.04.14 IMG_96...

When we went on holiday in August I decided to liberate them all on the bramble in the garden, knowing that they wouldn't survive the winter so I could do no ecological harm. I did this. They were still there in September. There were none there the next year. If I liberated mine it would spell cert...

Thanks for the comments Wurzel. A couple of new ones for me too. Judging by his photographs he has a lot of variety throughout the year. I was told they're getting in the Green Birdwing Orthnithoptera priamus which is a pretty spectacular butterfly later on this year. WRT the wing repair I was taken...

The coming Easter was time for my annual visit to see my folks in "Sunny Sunderland", dubbed that by my daughters as virtually evertime we go there the sun shines. Despite the gloomy outlook we weren't to be disappointed again as the sun did put in long appearances and the temperatures wer...

I've seen one at work before, a female about 4 years ago that didn't want to pose for the camera. That was also in March and was also a one-day bird. He turned up again today (as you know) so I'll be taking my camera in tomorrow :D Apparently, Black Redstarts became quite common on London bomb site...

Not sure how to describe it myself David :? . My kingfisher guide to birds describe it as a colonizing summer visitor. Largely passage migratory in spring and autumn with fewer than 100 pairs breeding (in urban derelict areas) and some remaining to overwinter around Southern coasts. Overall I would ...

On Friday whilst at work I was amazed to spot out of a window a bird which I initially took as an odd Pied Wagtail but very quickly realised was something quite different :o . Gesturing wildly to get people approaching to back off didn't work but the bird only moved about 20 yards and I was to appro...

Personally, I'm glad it's staying cold. I'd far rather ideal meteorological conditions descended upon us at a time of year when butterflies can truly benefit from them. That's a good point David and I can put up with a few more weeks of harshness for the benefit of the butterflies Tell you what, Ph...

Hi Wurzel Interesting report on the Caligo Owls :) . However I would go with your initial assessment and say yours are Caligo eurilochus (brasiliensis is a ssp of eurilochus I think) :? I've attached some pictures which I hope illustrate the difference. (I hope I'm right because Ive got a hell of a ...

Wurzel wrote:Look like you'll be streaking ahead when we meet up during the season

Hope so but I doubt it. My recycle bin is full to overflowing with shots that look like they've been taken through the perspex at Blashford Lakes bird hide

was interested to see your Myscelia cyaniris. I have not seen this species myself, but have seen its close cousin Myscelia ethusa - a female pictured below. A very good picture Mark nicely set off against the blue background :mrgreen: I think I've I.D'd mine correctly but I'll still go and check up...

Hi Seth Thanks for the comments (it was getting to be a bit of a lonely thread) and great to here from you again. :D If I'd travelled and seen as much as you I would probably have a similar view on butterfly houses, no real substitute for seeing stuff in the wild but better than nothing. My only eve...

Wisley's butterfly event is over for another year. It has been a spectacle to behold with exotic butterflies you are unlikely to see outside a butterfly house, here in all their glory during the UK winter months :D . The big pluses for me this year have been the number of new species, and the chance...