An obliging couple on bluebells provided my favourite this year.

I only encountered Grayling at one site this year but they were very abundant. Being a hot and windy day, I didn’t take any “good” photographs but I did find a mating pair.

I encountered Grizzled Skipper at several sites this year, my first sightings were in late April when I watched a female alternating between feeding on a dandelion and laying a few eggs. I also had a pleasant day looking at Grizzled Skipper with BC Cornwall branch in May. However, the most were seen...

Unsurprisingly, nothing on the wing today but the Large White caterpillars are still enjoying the nastertiums. Also, a very poorly camouflaged exotic was posing on the garden wall.

It looks good for male Willow Emerald, I think it is relatively new to your area, but moving west at a pace. The British Dragonfly Society have its flight season throughout November. I also saw a Red Admiral after the morning deluge.

Again, I am unable to choose between two images. Both are from very pleasant days out. The first required getting too close to Stinging Nettles. The second invoked a day of strong May sunshine. Looking forward to April already!

I was involved with the Spanish potato industry and visited the Cadiz and LaRioja Provences for many years in April and May. I agree with David that relying on public transport will limit the number of accessible sites, but roads are fine and plenty of good habitat and butterflies within a short wal...

Pleased to report that Common Blue seemed to make a good recovery in East Anglia, after a very poor year in 2021. My favourite, was one photographed on 6 October and as I suspected at the time it was my last sighting of the year.

I chose this slightly unusual view that I took at the English site as my favourite.

I have selected two photographs both taken in my garden since I am not sure which I prefer. In June the Comma was very active but seemed oblivious to my presence whereas in September the butterfly was content to bask in the sunshine allowing me to photograph it.

I watched a female Brimstone select a roost site on 9 November’21 in a privet hedge by my garden gate. I inadvertently disturbed her on 10 March ‘22. She flew a few meters and was intercepted by a male, they mated within seconds. I am bending the rules by selecting a photograph taken on 31 December’...

Very difficult, having Adonis Blue close to home means that I have several to choose from. I have decided to choose a photograph of a Spring brood male taken early in the morning because it goes some way to doing justice to the butterfly’s colour.

Indeed it was a great trip and your Report and photographs bring back good memories. I am looking forward to the next instalment. I thought that access to Zdravco’s knowledge was a real bonus.
James

As if being mated before having time to expand her wings wasn’t enough of a trauma, this female also had to contend with the torment of two ants.

A nice morning with Black Hairstreak and the bonus of my first White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary of the year, it must be summer.

The 'hairy knees' in the genus Pyrgus are erectile pencils of scent scales found in the males and are used for chemical communication during courtship.

Thank you for your explanation, fascinating.

If it is an artefact Wolfson then this one from Martin Down has it as well...could they have very hairy knees but it's not been noticed before?

Thanks Wurzel, hard to imagine what purpose they serve.

David M wrote: ↑Tue May 24, 2022 2:47 pm Looks like it's picked up a bit of debris on its travels, Wolfson. Maybe a tiny, newly unfurling piece of pine growth.

Thanks David, a very impressive artefact then.

When looking at some photographs I took last week, I noticed that a Grizzled Skipper has what appears to be a very hairy knee. Artefact or real, any ideas?

Painted Lady and Red Admiral popping up in Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire