I only had one day free in June, and I took the opportunity on the 5th to go on a road trip to Strumpshaw Fen in search of a Swallowtail (which I've never seen). I'm still yet to see a Swallowtail, but it was a beautifully sunny day and there were some other butterflies on the wing: DSC_0858-Edit-1....

Thanks all, for the warm welcome! I managed to grab a few hours to myself this morning - so headed back to Warburg, since it's just down the road from me. Mostly the same species seen as on my last visit, though in greater numbers: plenty of Common Blues (though no females seen this time), lots of D...

Thanks all! I'll try to find some time to read some other diaries too.

Thank you both for the welcome. I feel like I'm embarking on an exciting adventure!

Welcome to my diary! I was fortunate to spend my childhood in a tiny village in the countryside, surrounded by butterflies during the summer, but last year (by now in my mid-thirties) was my first season taking a serious interest in learning about them, rather than just enjoying watching them! I've ...

Hello Mike,

Lovely photo's, as always! It was a pleasure to meet you at Aston Rowant last weekend - thank you again for taking the time to speak to me, and for sharing your extensive knowledge. I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did!

All the best,
Dan

Thanks Andy! It's a first for me, and I was nervous that I was letting my enthusiasm affect my judgement!

This little guy really didn't want to stay still for me this morning! The only photo I have from above with his wings open is unfortunately nothing more than a bright blue blur, and this is the best I was able to manage: DSCN8527a.jpg Not the best photo for identification! At the time, I thought I w...

Thank you both! I was thinking Essex, but wasn't certain just how black the underside of the antennae tips had to be to qualify!

Sorry... I know it's a constantly asked question! Essex or Small?!

Learning as best I can, but all the reference books in the world can't dispel the doubts & sometimes it takes a word from someone with the knowledge & experience!
Thanks in advance!

Thanks Guy! I thought she was a Common because of her wing edges, but I'm not very familiar with Blues and have just discovered that I'd got their forewing markings muddled in my memory, so that wasn't helping! I was also a bit hesitant because I was reading that the Common Blue laid its eggs on lea...

Can anyone help me with this female blue I watched laying today?

Many thanks in advance!