False Mnestra Ringlet (Erebia aethiopella) The False Mnestra Ringlet gave me  one of those exciting moments that happens when you are least expecting it, suddenly there it is, a new and exciting butterfly in front of the camera, thé richness of its colour had an  irresistible pull  on my eye , it ga...

Moorland Clouded Yellow (Colias palaeno) I have found  palaeno common in the Doubs, this butterfly sets my heart racing , firstly because I had expected to find it a difficult species to photograph, being familiar with the Doubs its very name Moorland suggests a swampy challenge but it proved not to...

Co Dependancy ?
I have often wondered, what makes the Mullion Moth so dependant on the Mullion plant that it can search out the only plant in my garden, another of nature’s mysteries.

Hi, it's an ab. of one of the 5-spot Burnet moths, probably Zygaena trifolii based on time of year. This one with the merged spots is known as form/ab minoides
Many thanks bugboy .

Hello Pete, you have "quenched" my bonfire and already chosen three of my favourites, yes this is a hard call, I'm not an enthusiast of SBB ie Erebia , however I shall rise to the challenge.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) my number two,  forget the rarities, this attractive small butterfly with its splash of orange is for me , like the Cuckoo the harbinger of Spring I hope to enjoy their arrival for many years yet to come.

A coincident then, I presume you were the three gentlemen that I spoke to around 12 noon and just leaving.

A trip to Cotley Hill, Wiltshire. As I walked up the track over head were a pair of Ravens calling loudly, SEP_5033 5 3x2.jpg SEP_5037 Raven.jpg Dingy Skipper, were very combative. SEP_5041 3x2 Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages).jpg SEP_4983 3x2 Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages).jpg Grizzled Skipper, disappo...

Can someone ID this burnet moth ? please.
Cotley Hill, Wiltshire. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

I forgot to include the  Slow worm [Anguis fragilis] Shapwick NNR, they go about there business unseen by the majority of the human race.

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

Mountain Clouded Yellow (Colias phicomone) my first sighting of this species was on on the  Col de l'Izoard, during a visit to the Queyras region, this last year I found them at several places during our visit to the Alps, it has an annoying habit of quickly dropping down into the grass making clean...

Wood White (Leptidea sinapis) this is a  rare butterfly in the UK, I saw my first in the Brenne on a birding visit. Maybe because of its weak flight it did not excite me at all, since then I have grown to like this unasuming little butterfly.common across France. JUN_3899.jpg DEC_4238 Wood White (Le...

Talk and pictures of snakes makes me optimistic that I might seen one too. I have only ever seen one wild snake and that was when I was roughly about 6 years old. This one would be fine if I was currently aged 15 but I am 52. A few snakes. Natrix maura is a natricine water snake, eats fish frogs et...

Hi Pete I’ve fallen behind with my contribution to the Pierids magazine as my wife and I have been taking advantage of the fine weather and our get out of jail free pass and  returned to some of my old haunts as well as my local reserves. Regrettably my offering will be rather limited, let’s see now...

. .My wife has calculated (in broad terms) which species have cost us the most in terms of petrol and hotel costs. Southern Swallowtail and Iolas Blue are near the top of that list, along with my number one Pierid.. When does a passion become an obsession ? I have often asked myself that question, I...

Took a trip to Powerstock common, Dorset yesterday hoping to see Marsh Frits ,no luck but a fine young Adder that slide away before I could take any pictures, onto Cerne Abbas in the hopes of finding the Dukes, the car parks were blocked off, dont come here, but I did find a place to park. Seen, one...

A short video of the Marsh Fritillary at Lydlinch Common

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p57 ... #he8354800

A Nightingale was singing during our visit

Thank you for the post Innes, I went to   Lydlinch Common this morning, rather cold and breezy. here are some photos of my efforts.

Lycaenidae - Coppers. Take My Breath Away could be a signature tune for the coppers, here are a few that have taken my breath away. Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron) I saw my first on a visit to Molines en Champsaur, more's the pity I haven't seen them more frequently. JUN_7910 Purple-shot copp...

Yellow-banded Skipper (Pyrgus sidae) the photos are of two exampes taken at sites a few miles appart near La Roquebrussanne,Var, the distinctive underside of sidae cannot be confused with any of the others of its group. I  must confess I had a little help with the location of this one. MAY_2025 Yell...