Good idea Susie or even a simple badge. Problem at the Birdfair is identifying folk who belong to different groups.

Yes sorry to miss you Paul but only there on Friday and there is so much to see, so many folk to talk to and so much kit to drool over.

Next year perhaps.

Hugh

Had a most enjoyable day there on Friday.
Sorry I didn't meet you Paul but everytime I called in at the stand I was told you were out 'networking.' Don't know if that is code for beer tenting

Thought the stand was good and had a good chat with folk there.

Hugh

David,

They do seem to be scarce here abouts. On 31st July there was a BC walk around Chambers. Four hours and 50+ pairs of eyes saw no ST. Saw one in the Butterfly Garden there this week and it was a fresh specimen.

Hugh

I hope to be there on Friday and will look out for you. Have made most of them since they first started and it is a good day out. Even my non birding, butterflying, d'flying, mothing wife doesn't seem to mind been dragged along

Hugh

At last a Brown Hairstreak in the Limewoods this afternoon - my first of the year. Two others were reported ( thats a swarm up here ) so good luck if you go tomorrow eric.
Thats the set of all the Lincolnshire species seen this year though as celery will confirm it aint a big list

Hugh

Great list and pictures David. Appears that yoi not only have better butterflies but also better weather than here in Lincolnshire. Yesterday in the 'grey' and between showers finally saw my first Purple Hairstreaks of the year in the Limewoods away from Chambers. These were on oak unlike those seen...

Talking of decisions..... Today I had a rare Sunday afternoon free and offered to take my non birding non butterflying wife out. The alternatives were a raptor lookout for Honey Buzzards or a trip butterflying. She chose the latter, possibly on the grounds that past experience would mean a long long...

A fantastic morning in the Lincolnshire Limewoods this morning before heavy thunderstorms put an end to play :( A Silver Washed Fritillary was the highlight. These are extremely scarce in these parts. 8 White Admirals. Lots of Red Admiral, Small Skippers, Peacocks and Whites. At another location 8 B...

Eric - sorry you had a fruitless trip to Chambers. It is one of my local patches and has had reasonable numbers of Marbled Whites recently as well as a few White Admirals. White Letter Hairsreak and a Black reported. Purples should be out but over several visits I have still to spot them this year. ...

Paul, nearly called in there this afternoon after 'twitching' the Marsh Sandpiper Cloudy conditions meant I went to the Limewoods nearer home. Reliable sightings of a Black Hairstreak and Purple Hairstreaks but sadly non seen. Again lots of Ringlet, 3 White Admirals, a few Peacock, GV Whites , Red A...

Having been away on holiday spent a few hours on the local patch of the Lincs Limewoods. The place was alive with Ringlets - 137 in total. 3 White Admiral 8 Marbled Whites 2 Essex Skippers - my first positively identified this year. Plus Large Whites, GV Whites, Small Skippers, Red Admiral and Meado...

Spent the last few days of June at Blakeney in North Norfolk culminating in our 39th wedding anniversary on July 1st. Wanting to ensure we get to our Ruby I tried to control my birding/butterflying :) Saw the usual 'good' Norfolk birds but no mega rarities about. Lots of butterflies esp Meadow Brown...

My first Gatekeeper of the year at Nostell Priory this afternoon. Also many Ringlet, a few Meadow Brownsa and a couple of tatty Small Tortoiseshells. Male Emperor dragonfly too.

Hugh

Excellent. keep at them Nick. only 3/4 to go but at least you are getting there. do you think signage as to why areas are left would of any use? that way at least people know it is managed as opposed to neglected. Chris Cheers Chris! I will keep-up being "Mr Pain-in-the-Ass" for as long a...

A day off spent locally in and around the Lincolnshire Limewoods. 5 White Admirals - 2 at a new location for me. First Ringlet of the year - 4 in total.
No sign yet of Marbled White but it is early and it was very windy on their usual meadow.

Hugh

For once a free afternoon and it is overcast with rain about. Decided to have a few hours out and about and saw my first White Admiral of the year in the Lincs Limewoods.

Hugh

That was my thought too as I had just posted so was going to keep quiet about it

Hugh

Nice pictures celery.
Saw my first Meadow Browns of the year at Gibraltar Point this morning with a few blues and speckled woods.
In the afternoon searched the inland sites for White Admiral to no avail though they are reported in Norfolk.

Hugh

Welcome. I am relatively new here and find it excellent. As you say great pics plus good threads and loads of friendly helpful advice.

Enjoy

Hugh

Have heard reports of Large Heath about. This seems early but in many respects it has been an 'early' year.
Has anyone else seen them before I take out a loan to fill the car with petrol

Hugh