I saw my first butterfly of 2022 on 12 January in Penzance, earlier that day, and more unusual, three swallows were flying around the Sainsburys car park.

Most of my encounters were in West Cornwall where numbers seemed pretty good in the second half of June. A problem with the Far West is the unpredictable nature of the weather, however, on this occasion I was not disappointed.

I saw Red Admiral in every month from March to November and they were certainly the most numerous species I encountered in the autumn when the ivy and overripe fruit was very popular. I particularly like the intricate underside patterns are and have selected two photographs that show this.

I had some success looking at Purple Hairstreak in the tree canopy through binoculars early in the morning. As soon as the sun reached the canopy they would fidget around to catch the warmth. Interesting to see Large Skipper also roosting high up. As the sun reached lower down, some of the Hairstrea...

My favourite photograph of Purple Emperor resulted from a chance encounter whilst looking for Purple Hairstreak and was a nice bonus on a good day. I noticed an Emperor flying towards me and land on a sap run an Oak. A bit too high and shaded for good photographs, but very nice to watch them apparen...

I saw my first Painted Lady of 2021 in my garden on 11May and my last in Cornwall on 25 October. In between, I had regular sightings of 1s and 2s except for a day in August when walking down a track near Porthcurno, Cornwall and I disturbed dozens of fresh adults basking on the ground. Since their p...

Peacock did pretty well in my garden in 2021 with several larval webs yielding well into double figures of adults feeding on the creeping thistle flowers that thrive in my meadow area. However, for me, a March Peacock is always special.

I agree, a very exposed site. Given that most of the hedge is completely overgrown with ivy where many insects (probably including this Brimstone) feast in the autumn, it is/was an odd choice.

This Brimstone took up residence in a garden hedge on 9 November, a warm day when 1 male & 2 females were flying. It has remained under the same leaf ever since. Yesterday’s “warmth” didn’t tempt it out.

Plenty of Meadow Brown photographs to choose from since this is one of the most numerous species in my garden which is where this was taken.

Easy choice since I only saw one in 2021 but that is one more than I saw in 2020. Despite being was rather worn and very busy flying between flowers on the windswept Cornish cliffs it was lovely to see. Looking forward to more success in 2022.

I maintain most of my garden as a “meadow” which seems to suit Marbled White. The photograph I have selected was taken on an early morning stroll in the garden.

I only visited a Heath Fritillary site once in 2021 and was a bit early, seeing only one. However, it was very fresh and tolerant of me photographing from various angles. I also found several caterpillars which was a bonus.

I visited Winterton Dunes in August and Graying were the most numerous species battling against the seaside breeze. When reviewing the photographs later I noticed that one has what appears to be an egg attached to her abdomen and I have chosen these for their novelty value.

Dark Green Fritillary did pretty well on my local downland site in 2021. On early morning visits to find roosting blues I often encountered Dark Green before they became active in the heat of the day. I have chosen a slightly different view that required lying down, as well as a more conventional po...

Although Gatekeeper had an OK season in the “meadow” area of my garden, I didn’t take many photographs. An obliging fresh male basking in the afternoon sun provided my favourite.

I went to a few sites in the Chilterns and found a pair in the same hawthorn tree that I found a pair in two years ago.

Locally, Dingy Skipper seemed to do pretty well this year. One allowed me to lie down and take a photograph from low down. Shame about the nettles.

I encountered relatively few Common Blues this year. However, I did see some beauties and I have chosen this female seen in North Norfolk as my favourite.

I only managed a few decent photographs of Comma this year. One that I rather like was taken whilst looking for White Admiral.