Plenty of SSS on view at Broughton Down on Saturday - I would guess a couple of dozen. Plus more Brimstones than I've ever seen in a single day.

Simon

The wood is called Cheddar Wood. I was there on saturday, walking from Crook Peak across Wavering Down, Cross Plain and then via Shute Shelf Hill across to Cheddar Wood where I did a circuit. I'm surprised you didn't see any Gatekeepers Annie - they outnumbered everything else I say. This was my fir...

Simon C

Did the above walk on Saturday. My first Meadow Brown of the year at the foot of Crook Peak, along with numerous Common Blues, Brown Argus, Grizzled Skippers (many looking very fresh), Speckled Woods, and Whites. On the path to the peak, lots of Small Heaths, and at the summit Wall Brown. Dropping d...

Simon C

Lovely day yesterday. Buckland Wood again (and bumped into Simon C again), with Dukes out in force, and a few Dingies (including a pair making more Dingies) and Green Hairstreaks. no Grizzeld though. Lots of fly past Whites which prompted a brief discussion with Simon C about whether either of us c...

Hi Roger, You luck b****r. After Buckland Wood, I walked to Witch Lodge Fields, and on to Thurlbear Quarrylands, and didn't see a single butterfly at any of these sites, let alone any Dukes that I was hoping for. Still, it's great countryside and I saw my first Holly Blue en route. And there were do...

I have no problem with my entry being ruled inappropriate - as I said, I was forced to try something different because of a lack of a suitable conventional photo. I spend much of my working day using a computer and so normally I can't be bothered to do anything to digital images other than crop. So ...

Not sure how this will go down, but a dearth of butterfly-suitable days has left me with little choice.

The dance of the speckled woods is always a highlight for me at this time of year.

Simon

I can't be the only one to think that the Speckled Wood is a very beatiful and much overlooked butterfly? I'm as guilty as anyone for thinking "Oh, it's only another Speckled Wood"...but looking at that image has made me stop and think. I find most butterflies reward a careful look - most...

Yesterday's warmth certainly brought things to life. Several brimstones (all male), peacocks (feeding on the grape hyacinths), and a tortoiseshell all visited the garden, and my first speckled wood on the track behind the house. The SpW sighting is a week earlier than last year, and about three-four...

Thanks for picking up on the question. Both suggestions seem very plausible - I especially like the idea that it might be an attempt to replicate a tear in the wing. Devious. That's a wonderful photo Guy, and Chris, in your picture the Comma looks like a ballerina doing exercises at a ballet bar! Ch...

http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/comma2.jpg Why would a butterfly that develops crypto-camouflage also develop a prominent white mark? Does anyone know what genetic benefit the comma obtains from the, err, comma? If so, I would be interested if you could post a few words somewhere more appr...

These debates over various sub species, rare migrants and introductions are beyond my expertise, but I do think this one from the main page might need looking at again



Simon

Comma, large white and red admirals in Bath over the weekend.

Simon

Well done Paul! Spot on. The right hand fritillary was photographed in Switzerland during the summer, and I also have it down as Shepherd's, although I half expected to find myself having to revise my opinion once some of the more knowledgeable forum users got to work. The SSS encounter was also in ...

I didn't have any of these in mind. The SSS is also on my thumb - I remember the moment well, as I carried it sat on my hand about a hundred meters down the slope to show Sarah, who was sat reading a book - as she does when I get distracted. It wasn't even concerned when we were passed on the path b...

I have enjoyed many close encounters with some wonderful little critters this year - below are a few that bring back many happy memories. I reckon one can be described as an odd one out. Any suggestions? Probably there are many possible answers .... Simon http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/col...

Taken in September, in Wiltshire. Mating http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/tick.jpg Feeding http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/tick.jpg Posing, looking gorgeous http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/tick.jpg Roll on next year. Simon http://www.bath.ac.uk/~pyssc/butterflies/oldbury.jpg

Very nice photo of a Purple Emperor on the cover of the latest Butterfly magazine from Butterfly Conservation - I bet Pete wishes he could take photos like that!