This female has to be my favourite, the freshest I have ever seen, and so obliging when it came to having her portrait taken.


But this male came a very close second.

My overall favourite of 2020 is this one, showing a Wall Brown male and Speckled Wood male 'warming up' together. They didn't stay like this for long, so I was lucky to get the shot. They were basking on an old jerrycan left there by the previous occupant of our house. I was going to dispose of it, ...

Hi Neil, didn't see your reply till now, thanks for your congrats. We are looking forward to exploring our new country, lockdowns permitting!

Trevor and bugboy.

Red Admiral seen this afternoon, three Brimstone and a Peacock seen yesterday, but no photos, such a lovely time of year

Should have added this one too

Thanks, Wurzel, here's several more 'garden ticks' from 2020

Well done with your sightings of Comma and Small Tort, David, that's the way to get 'off the mark'

Thanks chaps, yes it was a nightmare moving in the middle of the pandemic, but we made it. I hope we can find some 'exotica' this year, once we get to know our local area. Here's a couple of shots from our garden last summer.

Yes, it's great that you found a Brimstone to kick of your season

This male Brimstone really made our day today, spotted this afternoon flying around our Normandy garden, before finally settling in the sun for about a minute, allowing some photos. A nice way to start 2021 after moving to France at the end of July 2020.

Nice one, Trevor, well spotted

Thanks, Wurzel, I will never tire of Uncommon Blues :wink: Hope you and your family had a great Christmas too, and that you all have a much better 21 :D Yes, David, so much variety in the females, well worth spending time seeking them out. Hope that 2021 allows you to enjoy your continental (and oth...

Thanks, Dave, finding the Grizzled Skippers there was a real surprise. We also stumbled across a large area of heath which looked to be in much better condition than Dawneys. Might be worth a look next year, during the Silver-studded Blue flight period :) Thanks, Wurzel, I also can't wait for spring...

I believe that the nearest French population (of LC Skipper) to Jersey, is in the Lessay area of Manche, about 30 miles away.

Comma seen during todays sunshine, basking on a rose.


Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Red Admiral seen today, nectaring on Mahonia.

In spite of the stiff north-westerly breeze, this Red Admiral was seen nectaring on Choisya, this morning!

Thanks, Wurzel, I really do intend making the most of next season, lockdowns etc permitting :o :) Good to hear from you too, Trevor, the first lockdown was very grim. It was great though as you say, that we had the Orange-tips closer to home to keep us sane :) It was tricky, David, but fortunately w...

Male Brimstone seen flying today, settled on the bank in the sun just long enough for a couple of shots.

Its been quite a while since I last posted in my personal diary. My last post was during the first lockdown in May, when we decided that a trip to Noar Hill would not breach the lockdown rules, as the gov. had relaxed them to a certain extent, relating to travel time verses time spent at your destin...