I've got a pair of 6.5 X 21Papilio's which I love using for butterfly watching. Very bright image which show all the detail. My wife has the 8.5 x 21s, so I have looked through them both, I prefer the 6.5's though. I am not sure what the difference is between the second generation of these binocular...

Although this is not the best of Green-veined White photos, it is noteworthy to me as it was taken on 5th November 2017 at Southbourne Undercliff. This is the latest I have seen one, and it was nearly overlooked as a late Small White. A very pleasant surprise.

Having made a special visit to the Isle of Wight to see the Glanville Fritillary in May I was impressed by the numbers at Compton Chine and Wheelers bay. Personally I think they have had the best year there for some years. They were spilling out of the chines up to the road in lovely sunny weather. ...

It looks like it is. There is are far as I know no photographs. The news was on the Portland Bird obs twitter feed. I think people were a bit stunned when they saw it, I certainly was. Likely a misidentification, but will wait for the ID outcome with interest.

Mike

Clouded Yellows showing well with a lot of pairing going on at Southbourne Undercliff. My biggest surprise was a Green-veined White there on 5th November, a species I did not expect to see on the undercliff at this time of year. Probably from a 3rd brood appearance. Small Whites had been showing unt...

Certainly seems that way. Had I not been in the right place at the right time, I could have made the trip for nothing. However I do love the wood so I would have been well compensated by what I did see. It's a beautiful area to visit.

Regards
Mike

On the off chance I might see a Purple Emperor I visited Straits Enclosure at Alice Holt, Hampshire this morning, but was put off as soon as I arrived by a chap who was leaving after waiting 2 hours without seeing any. I did manage to see my first White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillaries and Ringle...

Thank you everyone for your comments. I ventured down to Cornwall in May 2016 but was around a week early too to see the main taras emergence. I know that the following week they were seen well by a friend of mine. It seems timing is everything at this site as the typical form of Grizzled Skipper wa...

On Sunday 14th May I ventured down to Penhale, Cornwall to look for the legendary taras Grizzled Skippers. The omens looked good after seeing a female Emperor Moth egg laying by the main path. It was quite windy but after 11.00 am as it got warmer, the Grizzled Skippers started to appear. I estimate...

Just received my copy of 'The Butterflies of Sussex' and just loving it! I have just come out of hospital after an operation and needed cheering up and this wonderful tome was just the tonic I needed. It is a book you cannot put down and want to dip into again and again. Well done Neil, Michael and ...

Drinks all round, I managed to see a very active male Clouded Yellow at Southbourne Undercliff today in bright unbroken sunshine. After a cold start to the day things got slowly warmer. I had ventured there yesterday but it was far too cold and windy. This time I timed it perfectly. I didn't even ha...

Started December well with a Red Admiral on 1st December at Southbourne Undercliff near Bournemouth. On 4th December I saw my sought after quarry, a Clouded Yellow at the same site. It was cold then but wall to wall sunshine at 12.40. On 14th at the same site I saw a large female Peacock cruising th...

The weather at Southbourne was sunny at times on Saturday 5th November, but no Clouded Yellows were seen by me. However I Did see one Small White and a Red Admiral. As you say David, the climate is mild here and even a northerly wind does not stop butterflies flying. Any other wind direction is anot...

Visited Southbourne Undercliff near Bournemouth in my lunch break today. Fantastic day with warm sunny weather on the undercliff. Managed to see 3 Clouded Yellows, 4 Small Whites and the star butterfly a pristine male Common Blue. This is (I believe) the latest I have seen the species in the UK, but...

It has not been the best Clouded Yellow year for me. I think I have only seen 3, and one of those was yesterday 22 October at Southbourne Undercliff. I managed a few pictures of this particular male which allowed close approach. My first sighting was on 25th March after which I did not see any until...

I think this is a joint venture between ITN and BBC4 according to the programme's twitter feed.

Regards
Mike

Hi Wurzel, I was hoping to send them a few pics but I struggled to find any recent Painted Ladies recently. Then when I do see some it is too late, typical! Looks interesting though. I did send in a few pics, on spec so maybe they will be featured. From what I know about the programme, it is largely...

I think you are right Dave, it is an Adonis Blue. I had never seen one this late before so I presumed it was a bright male Common Blue. I had my suspicions as it contrasted vividly with the Commons, but the penny didn't drop. Checking previous records I see they can be on the wing well into October....

A remarkable day at a beautiful location and butterflies galore. That was Winspit, Dorset today, a day rivalling any summers day. Red Admirals were everywhere, some appearing to leave out to sea, but not that many. Most were sailing around and others were nectaring on ivy. Great to see a male Cloude...

Hi I arrived at Fermyn on Thursday 7th July and it did not look promising. One male Purple Emperor had been seen on the ground very early on in the day, the observers were leaving as we were arriving. We did have to wait for a bit of late morning sun to see one cruise past us. Eventually one did com...