Blimey, Dave. I guess, by the very nature of what we do - wandering around the countryside, often solo, carrying stuff like cameras, tripods, binoculars, stopping to inspect brambles (i.e. acting suspiciously!), etc. - everyone on this estimable site of Pete's will have had similar experiences. And...

There already is one, run by the Biological Records Centre in Wallingford, albeit recently established: http://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ Thanks for posting that, I've been after a national system for ages as most of the sites I go to span county borders so county recording has never made sense to me. ...

Just to follow what others have said, congratulations to all who entered, there were some stunning images in the competition, the standard is so high. I was so excited to get second in the Overseas category - getting 2nd to John's superb Sooty Copper image, my outright favourite of the whole competi...

Thanks to the judges for putting in the time to score and provide feedback on the images, and am chuffed to get in the top five when the competition is so tough. For me PhiliB's Gatekeeper was the standout shot for me, sharp across the whole butterfly while controlling the background very nicely - i...

Hi Bill. Sorry - I didn't notice this post earlier when I was on holiday. The butterfly is certainly Lysandra - that is, chalkhill blue, Provence chalkhill blue or Adonis blue. I think it is also a female. My feeling (now it's down to feeling, not science) is that it's chalkhill or Provence chalkhi...

Hi all As always, any help with this would be most appreciated. This was taken a week ago in the Lot region of France. I think I've been fooled before by the tendency of Chalkhill Blue to have some tiny patches of blue scales in the centre of the dark dots close to the uhw edge, but I'd be grateful ...

That's great, thank you both.

Bill

Phase 2, I think I have most of these correct except for the last one, but as ever confirmation would be gratefully received. This I have as High Brown Fritillary hbf.jpg Queen of Spain qos.jpg Finally is this Heath Fritillary. Other possibilities are Meadow or perhaps another Knapweed frit. Sorry f...

padfield wrote:Hi Bill. You're spot on with your fritillary IDs. The moth is presumably a hummingbird hawk moth. I've never seen one from that angle before!

Guy

Thanks very much Guy, yes the moth is hummingbird hawk moth.

Now to try and sort out the blues!

Cheers

Bill

Hi all I think I have these correct but would be grateful for any corrections, confirmations and help with these ID please. All shots taken recently in the Tarn et Garonne region. I think this one is Weaver's frit ( Boloria dia ), the sharp angled hindwing from the underside shot being characteristi...

Philzoid wrote:May I just add top class picture too

Thanks Phil!

Bill

Cotswolds Large Blue Reintroduction <snip> Although I didn't get to see an ant adopting a larva (this is a very rare sight indeed!), I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dave and Sarah for their generosity in letting me into their world at such a busy time in their project. "Top" ...

Recent genetic research has shown that the three types of Fragrant Orchid found in the UK are sufficiently different to warrant being treated as separate species - Common, Heath and Marsh Fragrant Orchids. See http://www.cumbria-wildlife.org.uk/fragrantorchid.html for information on how to distingu...

Rogerdodge wrote:Looks like Fragrant Orchid to me Bill.

Thanks Roger!

Hi all

I found a Red Admiral roosting on an orchid on Broughton Down last weekend, can anyone identify which species of orchid this is please? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks all

Bill

Trev Sawyer wrote:Yes Bill, but it was a home-reared one - I'm not sure they would use lavender in the wild.

Trev

Arh, I thought so. We planted a big row of lavender in the garden last year and I know we have DGF on the chalk hill behind the house so I was starting to get excited...

Cheers

Bill

Very few trips out with a camera so far this "summer", but I did take a few shots between showers the other day. I think this must be some sort of aberration - as it appears to have adapted to the wet weather (best viewed large)... Any ideas? Flipper Fritillary.jpg Ah well, it passed the ...

Today is one of those rare days when the sun is shining and the butterflies think it is summer! When walking the dog I saw 5 species:1 marbled white, 3 large skippers, 2 red admirals, 1 small tortoiseshell, and 5 meadow browns. I managed to photograph four of the species too! Amazing as it will pro...

Today is one of those rare days when the sun is shining and the butterflies think it is summer! When walking the dog I saw 5 species:1 marbled white, 3 large skippers, 2 red admirals, 1 small tortoiseshell, and 5 meadow browns. I managed to photograph four of the species too! Amazing as it will pro...

Long light coloured trousers, tucked into the socks. Brush off before getting into the car (but don't put the camera on the roof while you're doing that :oops: ). Long sleeve shirts are good but I prefer a jacket over t-shirt even when it's hot. Light colours are good so you can spot them while on y...