Fermyn was very quiet for many species, strangely I only saw around 3 White Admirals and many observers commented on their scarcity. Purple Hairstreaks were evident and Ringlets. Meadow Brown numbers were also low. All Silver-washed Fritillaries seen were flawless, only saw about 10 in my 3 day visi...

From Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th July I made my pilgrimage to Fermyn Wood for Purple Emperors. The weather forecast did not look promising but Fermyn is always good, so I was optimistic. On Thursday I saw around 5 with 3 down as the weather improved. On Friday the count overall was in double figure...

Yes Roger, I think you photo shows a similar individual to the one I saw. The light no doubt emphasises the underside on being freshly emerged. Lovely photo.

Regards
Mike

Many thanks Mike and David, There are surprisingly few illustrations in books of the variation of Dark Green undersides, which does show the value of photographing species year after year as you say Mike. I did think this was probably a Dark Green pairing, but I had a nagging doubt. I did look throu...

Thanks Pete,
It was the reddish underwing spots which threw me and made me unsure. I had checked the lit, and most other features fitted Dark Green, but I wanted another opinion. The High Brown I photographed nearby is in the two photographs below.

Regards
Mike

This photo has been driving me crazy for a while now. I photographed this mating pair right on the edge of east Dartmoor. I had specifically gone to photograph High Brown Frits which are now scarce in this area. I saw one fresh male nectaring on bramble. A little later I moved higher up the slopes t...

As this is really the Clouded Yellow time of year, both of these shots are recent and taken at Southbourne, the home of the Clouded Yellow! I couldn't make my mind up on which picture, but one was getting on a bit and the other was very fresh. Just can't get enough of this species which sees me thro...

Whilst at Fermyn Woods in July, I found these 2 commas on the track in an area where horses had recently passed. In this case Commas made me make a full stop!

I made the journey into deepest West Sussex today to try to find the Beeding Long tailed Blues. Considering the lovely weather, myself and a few other enthusiasts could not see any. It was great to meet UK Butterflies Katrina there, putting a face to the name is always good . Apparently people had b...

I have a mature Strawberry tree in the garden which attracts all manner of butterflies in the autumn. Red Admirals especially love it. It would probably take a few years to establish though, and we have a very mild climate down here which helps. I can also wholeheartedly recommend Hebe Great Orme, w...

To be honest I have never been truly sold on the notion that we now know everything about Painted Lady migration. That is not to say I do not believe evidence of a southerly autumn migration, but I think there other factors to consider. I believe Painted Ladies have been recorded in the UK in most m...

Hi Paul,
I would like to put my name down for a badge. I have been wearing your badges this summer and have got to meet other badge holders in the field. Not only are we promoting the butterfly cause but we are getting to know other enthusiasts. The badges always get admiring glances.

Regards
Mike

Saw my first Purple Hairstreak tonight at the top of the highest oak adjacent to my garden. It was very active to at least 19.40 flying by itself around the uppermost branches. I have seen my first Purple Hairstreaks in this tree most years, but the other oaks nearby are ignored, even though they ar...

I was lucky enough to see a few L.helle (Violet Coppers) in the Pyrenees at the end of May. They were going over there at this time. Very careful to avoid stepping on the foodplant. Most were females but I did manage to see one male which was very territorial and approachable.

Regards
Mike

I think this is a Black Oil Beetle, I found it in the middle of a path while walking near Breamore House, Hampshire, a few weeks ago. Thanks for the info, good to know what sort of Beetle it is.

Regards
Mike

Nice to hear from you Wurzel and Pauline. I was told that Marsh Fritillaries were out at Cotley Hill, Wilts yesterday, I thought this might be a little early until I was shown the photos, and yes, they are out here. I visited Cotley Hill today, I have never visited here before, and wow what a site! ...

Good old Bentley Woods never fails to deliver, well I say that, I went yesterday and saw nothing! Today was a different story however, In the East Clearing I saw at least 6 Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, including females. They were only active when the sun came out and led me a merry dance. Excellent...

Sorry about not providing the link Pete, I can see Vince has done the searching. I thought UK Butterflies had re-tweeted the photo on the Twitter feed. This is a butterfly which seems to suddenly appear out of nowhere in the UK, so I can imagine Phillip's surprise when he found one at my old stompin...

Thanks Guy,
Looking forward to my visit. Nice picture by the way.

Regards
Mike

The actual photo of the Whitely Pastures Scarce Tortoiseshell is on Phillip Lowe's twitter page, and very good it is too!

Regards
Mike