Our second family hike took us across the Grand Balcon Nord. A levelish walk at 2000m from Plan Du L'Aiguile to the Mer De Glace. Prior to this we took in the summit of the Aiguille Du Midi at 12600ft. To my amazement we saw a couple of Small Tortoiseshells. Is this an altitude record, or is not unu...

Guy,Roger, Thanks for your help so far. As a rookie European butterflier, I found it quite a challenge with some species. I tried to get topside and underside shots of everything I saw, but of course our little friends don't always co-operate. Despite a few ID errors that you have already highlighte...

My family and I have just returned from a wonderful holiday in the French Alps. It was my first real go at observing continental European species, so with my 'L' plates well and truly displayed, of we set. The weather gods were looking down favourably on us and we enjoyed almost wall to wall sunshin...

Russ,

Wow. Love the open wing shot. Good work.

Regards
Kev

Chris,

Great shots, especially with the wings open. I saw my first Pashas in South of France a couple of years ago. Only managed closed wing photos though.
Argueably the most beautiful species I have ever seen.

PS. If you require an admin assistant for your office, give me a call.

Regards
Kev

Hi Tony,

This is a Mint Moth (Pyrausta Aurata). They are particularly found of herb gardens with a preference to Thyme and not surprisingly, mint.
Nice find.

Regards
Kev

P.J.U, I am sorting through some photos taken last week in France, where I think I may have bagged Clouded Yellow/Bergers & possibly Pale Clouded. I'm finding it tricky to be certain. I am aware that the female 'helice' clouded yellow is a lot duller, so could potentially be compared with a pale...

I'd been longing to see my first Clouded Yellow for a while. Last week in the French Alps, my dream came true with lots seen (more reports from that trip to follow). But it wasn't quite the same as an English sighting, so imagine my delight as I was loading the suitcases back into the car at Gatwick...

On the way to gatwick for a family holiday in the french alps, we paid a visit to box hill. Lots of species seen with a number highlights. Silver spotted skippers - next to zigzag road, near broadwoods tower. Dark green fritillaries (c30) in meadow adjacent to above location and also in happy valley...

Here goes for my top ten. Just needs the voice of Alan Freeman and some steerign brass music in the background. 1. Orange Tip (by a country mile) 2. Red Admiral (first butterfly I ever saw. It sparked a lifetime love affair) 3. Comma 4. Speckled Wood 5. Peacock 6. Grizzled Skipper (first one seen th...

Alex, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon at Llanymynech Rocks (just south of Oswestry) at the beginning of June. It was a top site for spring butterflies and the views are to die for. It is managed by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust I believe. The habitat there is sure to provide a good range of ...

Here are some of my favourite sites. Totternhoe Quarry & Knolls Bison Hill, Whipsnade Ivinghoe Beacon All of the above good for spring butterflies (inc Duke of Burgundy, Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper) Pitstone Quarry for Small Blue Sharpenhoe Clappers for Small Blue and Marbled White Regards Kev

Debbie,

Your photos are definately up their with everyone elses. Love the one of the newly emerged speciman and the multiple
ones too. Great work.

Kev Ling

A visit this afternoon to Wherstead Wood, Ipswich provided my first White Admirals of the year. A total of eight were seen busily flying through the sunny glades close to me. Unfortunetly they did'nt settle long enough for photos (If first you don't succeed.....) Also seen were good numbers of Ringl...

Hi, I have a few hours to kill on my way to Gatwick airport later this month and I plan to visit either Box Hill or Denbies. This website mentions Purple Emporers & White Admirals at Box Hill Wood. Is there a particular spot I should focus on? I would also like to see DGF and Chalkhill Blues. If...

Enjoyed a great walk along part of Devils Dyke, Newmarket today with Mrs L. Butterflies everywhere !! First appearance of the Chalkhill Blues (approx 15 seen). Also saw 3 Marbled White, but sadly no DGF. Also celebrated finding my first chrysalis in the wild, a Six spot Burnet (photos attached). The...

Steve, The white letter hairstreak was along the footpath that leads from Bixley Drive to the water tower. It was up in an elm less than 50 yds from the tower. I think you can see them at Holywells park (their info board also hints at this). I might try some more visits there over the next week or t...

Visited some sights around Ipswich today. Firstly at Purdis Heath, we saw 20 Silver Studded Blues, including 2 females (see attached photos). Very encouraging compared to recent years, when you could count the total on one hand. Probably still a week away from their peak too. Credit to the volunteer...

Debbie,

Lovely shot of the Swallowtail.

Yes your other photos are Brown Argus.

Regards Kev

Mike is certainly correct about them looking and behaving in similar ways. At Llanymynech Rocks last weekend, I saw both species together trying to mate. Even they seem to proned to mistaken identity too.

Regards Kev