The one possible difference I have noted is that the red & blue spots at the base of the hind-wing appear to be more oval than circular in ssp. britannicus......

Pete Eeles wrote:This photo is causing a stir based on the number of retweets and Facebook "likes". Thought I'd make a point of pointing it out. Superb comparison shot!

https://twitter.com/ukbutterflies/statu ... 16/photo/1

Cheers,

- Pete

And it is in Essex......

Indeed, the legendary Suffolk LT's.....
Good luck; cycling round Suffolk can be very nice
...without that East wind. Take a jumper

Three each of Comma and Small Tortoiseshell today; a displaying pair kept me amused for many minutes until she seemed to make her mind-up (either way...) and flew off, male in hot pursuit..
...en amour, plus ca change.....

Still Comma and ST in good numbers today....

Yesterday was another good day - saw lots of Peacock, Comma and ST on prunus and blackthorn but no Brimstone....

Nice to see and hear of so many immigrants. My son phoned just now from Loughton (Rodding Valley NR) in Essex to say he had just seen 2 Clouded Yellow...
Myself - well, a yellow butterfly, but a Brimstone trying to persuade me that it was a leaf, this morning...

The Annoying Czech wrote:Fantastic party! Are you guys all so old?

I was waiting for someone else to answer - sadly the answer is mostly, yes.....
Well, most are younger than me, anyway....but that isn't saying much!

Noticed my first Essex today..... Essex_Sk_f_1_low_MRC_18th_J.jpg in amongst loads of Small Skipper....a few appearing to lay in the junction of grass sheaths and stems, about 10" above ground.... Interesting to watch them go about their business; testing stems for suitability and them crawling...

Jack Harrison wrote:I don't think anyone has yet picked up the thread I started about PEs and dog mess:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6983
Jack

Sorry Jack - that PE was on good old fashioned natural bait.....
I do have one on dog mess if you prefer?

I still can't believe you didn't point out butterflyer, sub species Eeles, for us Nick :lol: He's so smooth in his flight, that once you've seen him, you have the jizz! Yes - sorry that I didn't formally introduce you two to Pete; I just thought you must know him....everyone knows Pete, surely? :oo...

Met PeteE and Matthew Oates at Fermyn today...quite crowded, especially when someone (Dean Eades) takes a log to provide photogenic backgrounds for PEs..
Picture by Erja... A more traditional view... Terrible table manners....

Summer Comma from yesterday.... First of this new brood I've seen....

Nice to hear CHB out at Newmarket; didn't see them yet on the Fleam Dyke, but did see around 5 DGF today. With the heat they were very active, but watching and then waiting near their selected nectaring and resting places did allow a few shots.... DGF_1a_low_FD_9th_July_2013.jpg Also saw my first Ga...

s? Maybe I’m too much of an optimist but I don’t think we should give up quite so easily and declare “all is lost”. Jack Like many organisations, "big" numbers get the attention, even if they are not used in context. One year, as we know, is useless to draw any sensible conclusions from; ...

Those Black Hairstreaks are beautifully fresh. Note the date: end of June 2013 . Two years ago in the same spot they were in that fresh condition at the end of May . Sums up the season. Better late than never. Jack Yes - very late and nearer the traditional timings of 20 years ago. Messes-up my cal...

Cheers Pete! Nomad and I had very similar experiences; nice one Nomad, I know how tough it can be
She came down at about 2:30pm; about the same time that PhilB has seen them egg-laying before....but that may not be relevant......

Reports of the demise of the BH are certainly premature; numbers seen are pretty much what one would expect from this species, given the arboreal nature of BH. Similar numbers today as on Wednesday, with only one giving any chance of a shot - an egg-laying female taking a breather between sorties. (...

Hi Phil (PhiliB), Just noticed that you nailed a Black Hairstreak too (pretty sure I know which leaf it's on! :wink: ). Another epic shot. Glad that Nick's stay-away memory card didn't take the shine off the experience :lol: . BWs, Neil No sugar-spray or similar beverage was used in the production ...

Annual "standing-in-blackthorn-thicket" pilgrimage to Monks Wood with Phil and Rosalyn for Black Hairstreak. I just spotted them - and Phil got the pictures! About 10 seen, though all up in the tops of the bushes, except the one that I found and then realised I had left the CF card at home...