downland boy wrote:Mating pair of Silver-washed Fritillary (female form valezina) seen 25/6/19 near Hailsham, East Sussex. Downland boy.



http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

Fantastic downland boy. Not many Silver-washed around yet from what I have read.

ATB
Peter

Hi Lee, According to the 'Surrey Skipper' newsletter published twice yearly there are a number of good sites - see issue 65 page 19: https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/surrey-skipper-2018-03.pdf There is a field trip to Tooting Common, specifically for this species, on Thursday 2...

A great find Paul :mrgreen: - is that the first in the UK this year? :D It's been a few years since I've been to Cosham - I've been keeping half an eye on the Bentley Whitters - if only I had more time I'd like to get there again :D Have a goodun Wurzel HI Wurzel, A White-letter was reported from D...

While walking one of my transects at Norton Green I found an unusual Small Heath - note the dark lines towards the edge of both the fore-wing and hind-wing undersides. Not a classified aberration as far as I know, if indeed it is an aberration.

ATB

Peter

Hi Dave,

Perhaps Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria ?

All the best

Peter

Thanks, Pete.

They could be ladybird eggs but still strange to find them on metal

ATB

Peter

I came across 3 batches of yellow eggs between 1 and 2 metres high on some railings facing east surrounding a kissing gate in my local area. Someone suggested that they might be ladybird eggs. Anyone have any ideas? ATB Peter 22 May - Having examined the eggs in more detail I don't think they are La...

...I would put the scarcity of GV Whites in the south down to last year’s roasting summer and desiccated foodplants. Agreed. I've seen no more than 20 all spring. Small Whites have been equally scarce. I presume the spring brood's larvae suffered from desiccation of foodplant leading to a shortage ...

Here in north Scotland, GV Whites are in good numbers. But if the present lack of rain continues for much longer, then second brood is likely to be poor. It is exceptionally dry here at the moment with very low humidity. As an example, when just now I hung out some washing, the first shirt was alre...

A splendid sunny day, yesterday (15th) on the Dunstable Downs yielded 14 species: 30+ Dingy Skipper 10+ Green Hairstreak 20+ Duke of Burgundy 20+ Brimstone 1 Small Copper 5+ Brown Argus 5+ Grizzled Skipper 10+ Orange-tip 3 Common Blue 2 Small Heath 1 Small White 1 Large White 2 Holly Blue 2 Peacock ...

Thanks, CallumMac. I like your theory that it could be kind of deformity but it appears that the butterfly survived the winter Thanks, Wolfson. Yes it would make sense if this happened just after emergence. Thanks, Paul. I suspect you are right that it is probably a symptom of old age, the Peacock h...

A friend of mine had a Peacock settling on his finger with proboscis apparently separated. Can anyone explain?

ATB

Peter

While searching for Purple Hairstreak larvae on the oak branch where I saw some eggs earlier in the year I think I found one on an oak bud - note the hatched egg towards the bottom right hand corner. I have not seen one before and not 100% sure.

ATB

Peter

Just ordered my copy, Pete.

Great to see you yesterday in Birmingham and good luck with the book.

ATB

Peter

A very satisfying day for me on my local patch (Fairlands Valley Park). An early afternoon walk produced 5 species: 11 Brimstones, 15 Peacocks (first of the year), 6 Commas, 2 Small Tortoiseshells and 2 Small Whites (another first). Later in the garden I found another Small Copper caterpillar on the...

I am happy to report that at least one Small Copper larva survived the winter in the garden .

ATB

Peter

I read in a recent book that in the Peacock, males have smaller front legs than females. Has anyone come across this distinction? Good time of year to check any evidence of this if you are lucky enough to find a mating pair and of course, taking photos highlighting the difference in the size of the ...

Historic Comparison I recall some butterfly literature in the mid 20th century referring to a fantastic spring some 60 years earlier – 1893. I can’t find any reports to how early that was (in terms of emergences). However, Met Office weather archives show that while February 1893 was miserable, Mar...

My first butterflies of the year yesterday near home at Roebuck Woodland, Stevenage. At least 2 male Brimstones one of which kindly obliged and posed for me. I had disturbed it on ivy then it flew off for a minute or two and I lost sight of it. After waiting for a few more minutes it returned to the...

Peterc, I think your moth/pupa might be an Acleris species. Acleris ferrugana being a common oak species. Although it overwinters as an adult, Ukmoths suggests it emerges in the autumn, so I'm not sure Rob Thanks for your suggestion, Rob and sorry I didn't reply sooner. I returned to the spot yeste...