Agree, Rutpela maculata.

Seemed to be incredible numbers of Purple Hairstreaks yesterday in Copse Wood, part of the Ruislip Woods NNR, Middx. Small groups all along the paths either imbibing moisture/salts from the ground or on low vegetation. The most I've ever seen & the most numerous of 16 butterfly species recorded....

Charles Nicol wrote: ↑Sat Jul 01, 2023 8:28 pm Not very summery at Sundon today.

i did see the first Gatekeeper of the season,

and an interesting plant which i need some help with

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Looks like Common Gromwell, Lithospermum officinale to me.

It's one of the eyebrights, Euphrasia sp, Charles.

A trip to Hutchinson's Bank yesterday yielded 15 species with no Pieris spp. Not the unbroken sunshine forecast but largely hazy cloud but very warm. 50+ Meadow Brown 40+ Marbled White 3 Speckled Wood 10 Ringlet Small Heath 5 Brimstone 2 Red Admiral Comma 2 Dark Green Fritillary 16 Small Blue 5 Comm...

another lovely day at Sundon Quarry.... the Marbled Whites were more willing to be photographed today :lol: 52976429892_d6afc8d38b_c.jpg 52977176589_71c44ff3d9_c.jpg 52976429767_ac43079e0a_c.jpg i was wondering what this little plant with pink flowers might be ? Charles Common Centaury for your pin...

Saw my earliest ever Small Skipper (male) today 15th June, 2023) at 12:30pm at Bodmin Hill, Lostwithiel in a garden with long grass. I have checked Butterfly Conservation's 'First Sighting' section on their website for 2023 & there hasn't been a Small Skipper recorded yet this year!! Cornwall t...

Yesterday on Chobham Common 13 (1 female) Silver-studded Blue 5 Small Heath 2 Meadow Brown 1 Large Skipper 1 Small Skipper Otherwise pair of Clouded Buff, 3 Brown Silver-lines, Brown China-mark. Lots of Emperors (dragons) , Broad-bodied & Four-spotted Chasers & some Keeled Skimmers. Good num...

Yes it is.

A productive day, Dave & some lovely photos. Despite a sunny forecast London (at least the western suburbs) remained stubbornly chilly & overcast with the only insects seen on my 4 hour walk in good habitat, a couple of bumblebees.

Weather not as sunny as forecast yesterday but it was good to see a few Dukes at Chapel Bank. Such exquisite butterflies. Brimstones the most numerous there & adjacent Hutchinson's Bank. Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Peacock & Comma. Surprised not to see any skippers or Gree...

Had my first (fresh) 3 Small Coppers in Richmond Park. Also Green-veined White, Brimstone, Holly Blue & Peacock around.

Off to Hutchinson's Bank & Chapel Bank today so hopeful for the Dukes provided the sun remains out!

Last week (apart from the Monday) was one of the dullest, wettest I can remember here in London for some time. Yesterday while out birding my local patch it was cool & grey but the sun did poke through in the afternoon. While reading in the sunshine a male Small White appeared over some shrubs &...

In London a fair amount of cloud, a distinctly cool breeze but some warmth when the sun shone.

At Kew another male Brimstone, my first Comma & Dark-edged Beefly.

Finally off the starting block with a male Brimstone in Kew Gardens yesterday.

Lovely stuff, David. Look forward to more, especially as I've yet to see a butterfly this year!

Agree with your moth ID. Have to say I had to look the name up as I only know it by its scientific name-but they match. Most of the moth books don't give English names for micros with a few exceptions, so I've never been bothered to learn them as it's twice the work.

Yes, certainly a Cardinal. Saw this on several trips there for Naturetrek.

Both Red Admiral & Painted Lady reported from Ferrybridge, Dorset yesterday, with a photo of the latter on the Portland Bird Observatory web-site. New arrival for the latter perhaps?

Red Kite now an everyday bird for me but always enjoy them.

Agree looks like a female (males lack the spots) Four-spotted Footman.