9th June 2021 at Magdalen Hill

I have seen Small Blues wing-roll before but this one had a bent hind wing and kept all its wings ajar as it did it, which made it look all the stranger...

9th June 2021 – Magdalen Hill, 1015-11.45, 17-21 degrees, Full Sunday Yesterday at Noar Hill I found 34 Small Blues which was my best ever daily tally for this species. Added to the number of Small Blues at the same location but from different parts of the reserve a couple of days before brought me ...

Trevor - I was very lucky. I wouldn't have noticed them myself I must admit, but a group of people were crouched down over it taking pics so i just had to ask what they were doing didn't I?

8th June, Noar Hill, 10.30-11.45, 16-21 degrees, 50/50 Sun/Cloud Back here yet again because I had so much luck with the Small Blue the other day - I saw 29 of them on that occasion. So I decided to visit all the other areas of the reserve not visited that day to see how many more there were. I foun...

7th June, Broxhead
Not a lot but did see one Greenstreak

Thanks for the ab C Blue confirmation, Wurzel.

Sat 5th June, Noar Hill, 10-12, 18-22 degrees, Full Sun 1 OTip, 8 Brim (all females), 1 Peacock, 16 Dingies, 16 C Blue, 2 GStreaks, 9 Dukes, 12 S Heath 1 Six-spot Burnet, 1 Green Carpet, 2 Mint Moths, 1 Mother Shipton and 29 Small Blues I think Noar Hill has surpassed Magdalen Hill for Small Blues. ...

Jun 2nd, 9.30, full sun, 20 degrees
Today at Kingsley. This old 'un was still pretty spirited, zinging about this way and that. But he did stop in a good spot for this photo.

Wurzel, David - That was a good day. I went back to the same place a few days later but without the same luck I'm afraid.

Over the past few days in Alton we have had torrential rain, two hailstorms, one involving thunder and lightening and some cool breezes. So how did the butterflies fare? 18th May, Noar Hill, 13 degrees My first Small Blue of the year. P1160510.JPG 19th May, Magdalen Hill, 14 degrees I came here toda...

Thanks guys.

Yes, Wurzel - I can confirm the Yellowhammer was singing "bread" at that moment.

Mating Coppers and mating Orange Tips - great shots. I have seen both of these species in-cop only once in my life and in different years - to get shots of both so close in time together is (for me at least) astonishing.

Plus I love your "string of Pearls".

Noar Hill, 12th May 2021, part sun, part cloud, light breeze, max 14 degrees Duke numbers seem to have actually decreased since I was last here, I spotted only 6 this time, when my usual expectation would be that their numbers would be climbing quite well by now. Blast this cool spell we are having....

Thanks guys - yes, this mostly cool weather sure is having a negative effect. I have seen almost no butterflies in my garden for a while now - just a fly-by from a Holly Blue.

I've been going back through your PD entries, Wurzel. As usual some very fine pictures. I don't know how I missed it but your entry for Middle Street on 27th March 2021 has a photo which reminded me of an Impressionist painting - loved it. Also those Upper Phrase Tanka's ranging from the humorous to...

Just saw your pic of a Duchess on your hand, Dave. That was a special moment.

Noar Hill again, 11am-1pm, mostly sunny, some light cloud, 12-16 degrees Back here for the Dukes. I did the same route as I did on the 24th when I only saw one Duke. What a difference 3 days make. Today I counted 13 individuals. P1160441.JPG And amazingly one was already showing signs of wear. P1160...

Wurzel - Good luck with your Dukes

David - We get the odd day which is warm like today but mostly it's still a bit too cool so I don't bother. Looking forward to warmer weather.

Sorry Dave, I didn't put the name to the face - but very nice to meet you again. I think we should all wear UK Butterfly badges so we can spot one another in the wild! :lol: The Greenstreak was very fresh and sat still for ages so I was able to get in close for a pic. Wurzel I know others have seen ...

Yesterday afternoon was very fine with a sunny, 17 degrees. It was a bit blowy over at Noar Hill but sheltered in the pits - it was relatively still and calm. And that is where I saw my first Duke of the year and also "The Green One".