Thanks Pete - it means quite a big jump in the known range this year - 20 miles anyway.

Paul

Hi John

The problem is that the antennae tips are dark underneath, but not glossy black as they are in fresh specimens. I am happy though if you think on balance it is an Essex.

Paul

Thanks Peter - looking at the forewing there does seem to be a sex brand, which is indeed straight and parallel to the wing edge. So it does seem to be an Essex. We will have to look for a colony next year.

Paul

Sorry, only one of the 4 photos got through - here are the rest.

Paul

We found this skipper yesterday in the Brockadale Nature Reserve in South Yorkshire (Magnesian Limestone grassland). It is clearly an aged specimen so late in the year, and the flight period graphs on your site would suggest that Small Skipper is virtually never seen so late, whilst Essex can be. Th...