Hi there, On the face of it there would seem to an abundance of habitat for scotch Argus in south Wales,as well as Cornwall and Devon. But i don't know how common the caterpillar food plant,blue moor grass,is there. There are also question marks over the mild,wet winter conditions here. On the Conti...

I have to go along with that. A few flowers may be borne after 3-4 years,but you are probably looking at 6 years for a good crop. An advantage,however,is that they are self-fertile,which most domestic apples are not. Whatever you do,don't prune them, it sets them back even further! A bucket full of ...

Yes,very envious-all those species still flying,some which we don't even get! But good work, Guy(though gritted teeth!).

This is an interesting subject,please keep it going. I too am interested to know where the caterpillars pupate, as i have never found a wild chrysalis,despite searching plants which held the earlier stages. Also,the females seem very choosy in where they lay their eggs. In my part-shaded garden i gr...

Yesterday 20 October, saw 4 Red Admiral chasing each other at Madron carn,near Penzance,plus two others at the keepers cottage nearby. They often congregate at rocky outcrops like this, perhaps they make a good mating area as there are often Painted Ladies there,but none today.
Regards,Mark.

Lee, i have read your article several times now and it is excellent. Now i've taken the long drive up from East Anglia a couple of times,and had the pleasure of seeing them myself,your experiance really rings true-i've even got my own T-shirt! I would advise anyone from the South thinking of visitin...

Yes, common darter female.
The last species to be seen in the county most years.
Mark.

Hi Guy
So that's where all the sunshine went then!
I'm jealous, wish i had gone to CH for my holls now!
Hope you are mobile enough to enjoy the end of the season!
Regards,Mark.

Guy, what was the summer like with you in CH? As Neil says, it was rotten here! It wasn't particularly wet-just dull and chilly, and most of us feel that summer butterfly numbers were low as a result. We are currently experiencing a few sunny warm days,probably the best weather since April! Regards,...

Seconded. 500 in one field. Including helice.I've never seen anything like it!

I think one or two of you were perhaps being a bit harsh-we sound like an unfriendly bunch! Releasing a butterfly is a lovely thought,but please don't do it in late autumn or winter, for it's true, any adults released in November are unlikely to survive.
Cheers, Mark.

PM Neil Hulme in Sussex. That man is a genius. Several yellows have been seen in Sussex recently,and rare good weather is forecast. Alternatively,check BC Sussex Branch sightings page. Nothing is guarenteed,but it may be your best chance.
Good luck,Mark.

Hi Brian.
The dragonfly in your picture is a male Migrant Hawker.This is often the last of the larger dragonflies to be seen in autumn.
Love the Wryneck pic-i've never seen one in the county.
Regards,Mark.

Looks to me like a blue female Common Blue. But I would welcome other opinions!
Cheers all.

Nice photo roge-i've never seen one like this before!
Stone me-we actually get someting Guy doesn't get?! I thought he got everything in CH!
Dave,Gatekeepers are spreading-they may be knocking at your door in Co. Down before too long!
Cheers all

This is a nice report,did you say you've just come back? If so,it sounds great for September. With all the dull,cold weather recently, a trip to see the sun and some butterflies to keep the season going is a great idea.

Had a rare Bank Holiday Monday off work,so took the chance to go to the excellent Lydden Temple Ewell Downs in east Kent,admirably managed by Kent Wildlife Trust. This is a good,reliable site for Silver-spotted Skippers and Adonis Blues at this time of year. I've been comming here for many years, bu...

I saw reasonable numbers up until late June in Essex,but very few since. They are between broods now,hopefully they will re emerge in September. Saw one at Hayle,Cornwall, last Sunday.
Cheers,Mark

Hi everyone, Just back from 8 days away in Cornwall,then Dorset. In 8 days,only one had any sort of reasonable sunshine. :( Put another way,this represents a dreadful 10 percent of the theoretical maximum possible ! On this day,Sunday, went to Gwithian and Upton Towans,near Hayle.Several Brown Argus...

Hi Brian, As an Essex resident myself, i can confirm there are some great places to see butterflies in the county! Only trouble is,most Essex species fly late Spring to high Summer,and are going over by now.The old industrial works,west Canvey Island,are good for walls-in a good Autumn the fly here ...