I'll have a stab at the flowers, orchid 1 is Pyramidal Orchid' 2, 3 & 4 are Spotted Orchid (the leaves have reddish blotches if I'm right) but I believe its split into various micro-species/races/forms etc depending on the habitat, I just stick to Spotted Orchid! 5 is Fragrant Orchid, 6 might be...

I agree with Dave, there's nothing else it can be

A day at RSPB South Stack on Holy Island in decent weather gave me a grand total of 3 camera shy butterflies, 2 Common Blue and a Meadow Brown. No sign of SPBF

Indeed Trevor, no Wood Ants, no Fritillary, just another simple example of how everything in nature is connected. Sad to think that clouds of Heath Fritillaries could once be easily found in many, if not most woodlands all across southern England. Epping Forest near me was once a good place for them...

Great Orme today Probably close to 100 of them in Happy Valley. Also a couple of Grayling flitting about.

The female Blues are stunning creatures, but I'm a fair way behind in my PD so you might have to wait a few weeks to see their splendour!

Your dragonfly ID'S are spot on

Curious Dave although I did actually find a couple of Dukes, however they were way past their best so didn’t make the final cut of that post. Your comment also jogged my memory since I did actually also see a single Glanville (with the Dukes). It was however in a similar condition to the Dukes thoug...

Many thanks for your replies. Isn't it fascinating what you can learn from a slightly blurred picture of a largish Small Heath? Bugboy, I believe we met at Rewell Wood, in May looking for Pearl's and Green HS together with Neil H. Best wishes for the season, Patrick. We did indeed, I recognised the...

More fun with the Surrey Black hairstreaks today. Was hard going at the usual spot where everyone and the monkeys uncle shows up at but when it got too busy for my liking I wandered off to explore the wider area, something I've been meaning to do for a couple of years after being told they're widesp...

Party time down in Hockley Wood this afternoon when the sun decided to appear!

I've seen scotica Large Heath and they don't look like that, the ocelli is almost vestigial on the forewing of that particular race. As Dave has already said this is the Small Variety of Heath. When you see a Large Heath up there you won't doubt your ID, they fly differently and settle more often in...

Down at Epsom Common this morning whilst it was still sunny, the Black Hairstreaks were looking good and also surprisingly amenable to being photographed.BlH2 070624.JPGI also spotted what I think is a white-legged damselfly.damsel 070624.JPG More shots in my PD when it catches up... Dave That is i...

Thanks Wurzel , my doctor has now made it onto my Christmas card list :lol: . That taras was very striking, he looked very distinctive in flight too :) . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ May 2024 Friday 17th . After returning to work mid-week I had my bi-weekly half day on the Friday and since...

A study was carried out before the introduction of the Heath Fritillary to see whether these would be a threat to their larva and it was found not to be the case. As I understand it, Wood Ants are an important factor to have to establish Heath Fritillary since they have a symbiotic relationship wit...

A muggy, warm overcast day in early June, that's got Black Hairstreak written all over it! IMG_0237.JPG About half a dozen seen today. At least they don't require a sunny day to be active and neither do Meadow Brown, here's my first of the year also seen on Epsom Common IMG_0297.JPG . Small Heath we...

Thanks Wurzel , I think I just got lucky that it stayed sunny and warm, it’s the temperature drop that will send them to bed. My previous visit was going well until high milky cloud came in late afternoon, the temperature dropped and that was it, no more sightings. Thanks David , it’s still a poor s...

Good to see some confident (and correct) Speckled Wood sexing there

Thanks Kev, I shall take a look at those. Hopfully this god awful endless pattern of wet weather will end and let me take advantage of your advice!

Thanks Trevor , it is a great site and teaming with life, not just butterflies. Thanks Katrina , they’re little buggers to get though, not like the slow flapping Brimstones. Thanks Goldie :) Thanks Wurzel , it was a little bit easier a fortnight later :wink: Thanks David , they were strangely easy t...

My second bite at the Cotley Hill cherry today... Dave I could have waved to you if I'd known! Here's a little something I found a few miles north west of you :) IMG_0592.JPG It will appear at some point in my diary but not for a while, I appear to have caught a case of Wurzelitis again :oops: