I like it - better than my suggestion

ATB

Peter

Excellent work, Pete.

The only very minor point I wish to make is that it might be more presentable to include all the species and their vernacular names in one giant table instead of a small table for each species.

Keep it up

ATB

Peter

It looks like a Jersey Tiger moth to me, nathNW6. I stand corrected if I am wrong. Assuming that it is, well done! Where did you find it?

ATB

Peter

Well, Bugboy, so you did see the Special One . Well done - you deserve it with all the travelling you've done.

ATB

Peter

Unusual Gatekeeper found while walking my transect this morning. Not in the best condition I am afraid

ATB

Peter

Yes, Mr Bugboy is keeping us in suspense for too long. I don't want to spoil the fun but I think he has seen the special one

ATB

Peter

Bugboy, your reasoning behind the extra spotting on Gatekeepers in the cooler regions is spot on :) . An article in the Entomologist's Record and Journal of Variation 2012 (4) relates to the extra spotting of Gatekeepers (i.e. ab excessa ). The cloudier regions in the north and west (including West ...

Fantastic photos, Wurzel.

Your moth looks like a Marbled White Spot to me.

ATB

Peter

Thanks for your quick response and advice, Mike. I realise now what I've done :? . I will try what you suggested. I do have an older Lumix camera (DMC G10) though which does have an interchangeable lens so I could buy a T2 ring for that. I'd prefer to be able to mount a camera directly onto the 'sco...

I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ200 camera which I am hoping I can connect to a digiscope (Olivon T64). I bought an adaptor for the scope but now I believe I also need a T2 mount for the camera. There are some T2 mounts or adaptors on the market but I am unsure which one. Any advice much appreciated. ATB...

Two aberrations on one specimen? Found Gatekeeper at Norton Green Common yesterday - ab. excessa and ab. postalbipuncta for extra 2 spots on forewings and absence of black rings on hindwing white spots.

ATB

Peter

I don't know if the Purple Hairstreak is having a good season or not but I have seen far more than usual at low levels in hedgerows for example. The lack of honeydew and in turn possibly also a shortage of aphids is probably the reason. When I visited my local park yesterday evening to scan the tops...

In the evening sunshine I saw my first Small Copper of the year in the Knebworth Woods complex. The orange on the forewings of the specimen does not extend all the way to the top edge - I don't know how unusual this variation is.

ATB

Peter

I agree with Jack, excellent analysis Neil. I can understand how December's ridiculously mild weather could be a major factor and the subsequent 3 (and probably 4) cooler months didn't help either. Same depressing news in Hertfordshire too with perhaps only the migrants Red Admiral and Painted Lady ...

I found a Ringlet with 3 rings on each of the upperside forweings. I don't know how unusual this variation is because two rings seem to be more common.

ATB

Peter

Well done on finding the Black Hairstreaks at Monks Wood, Katrina. I was thinking of going there myself yesterday but instead went to nearby Brampton Wood where the species is also found. 10-12 people were there looking for it between about 1230 and 1430 hours but only the odd one was seen high up b...

I was fortunate to find a Large Skipper with wings opened wide - the cloudy conditions probably helped

ATB

Peter

While traversing on grassland on my local patch at 6pm in dull conditions, I disturbed a Marbled White

A sign of good things to come I hope.

ATB

Peter

My first Meadow Brown of the year is the 4-spotted version on my local patch . I don't know if it is male or female.

ATB

Peter

millerd wrote:Er... I'd say not. I think what you can see there is actually snail excrement.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I hope not too but the green bit makes me think it could be unless my ageing eyes are deceiving me

ATB

Peter