I waited 2 hours to get a resting Orange Tip at a north Durham site and they just would not settle until home time when I came across these ones.

Thank you David, Mine was a second brood specimen. I'll keep an eye on them this year.
Ron

Dear Callum, thank you very much for the prompt and thorough response. I have got the message now.

The pattern is unusual for this area but it was also the pearl colouring to the spots that made me think it was an aberration.

Thank you again and take care,

Ron

It's winter and we are getting bored. Could anybody kindly advise me whether this Speckled Wood, photographed at Gateshead in August is an aberration?

I have done a search on the internet and nothing found but it is certainly different from the type form.

Thank you

Ron

There are plenty of Small Coppers still flitting about at Washington Tyne & Wear this weekend. I have not seen them so late in these parts.

Comma has now made friends with a Speckled Wood, Gateshead this morning.

Comma and asterisks. Gateshead this morning.

Plenty Coppers in Tyne & Wear this morning. This one just verging on caeroleopunctata.

Last of the Commas,time to hang the camera up. Another pair from Gateshead, this morning.

Thank you for the kind comments. To dwell further, this has been the best year for Commas up in the north. There were nine on the same Gateshead bramble bush and clouds of Speckled Woods.Here are a few more photos from last week.

Still plenty Nymphalids up north in Gateshead apart from Peacocks which have disappeared.

That's quite bizarre, Rivoldini. I've never seen a Small Tortoiseshell like that before. I thought the same. Two fore wings or two hind wings, or one side different is understandable but just the one wing was odd. I cannot find anything similar on the web so cannot put a name to it. It was there all...

Here's a strange one in Tyne & Wear this morning.

At first glance this Meadow Brown at Watlington Hill looked odd with its plethora of orange scales. Research shows it is ab nuragiformis.

This is a new one for me, ab. radiata + caeruleopunctata. Seen in Gateshead on Saturday afternoon.

Hurrah!, thank's very very much and for the prompt reply. I did not want to title it incorrectly.

Ron.

I photographed this Comma today in Tyne & Wear. It was grossly lighter than others flying on the same site. I have yet to see a f. hutchinsoni and would appreciate any advice re this one,
Thank you,
Ron

I have no idea how uncommon albino ab alba Small Heaths are but I saw this one this morning in Gateshead.

The Durham Arguses have just emerged. Bishop Middleham Quarry, 31st.

I think this one may be ab snelleni? Bison Hill on Monday.