Please do comment Felix. If i'm doing something wrong I need to know so that I can stop. Ok, here we go... forgive the structure of this post, I have cobbled it together in a rush... Nutrient enrichment caused my dog fouling is becoming a real problem in certain areas. Britians doggy population dep...

I am extremely concerned for the summer brood. The ground is crunchy in places because the vegetation is so dry. You're right to be concerned. The signs are that (on certain sites) the population could crash significantly as a result of the drought. The adonis blue is highly susceptible to dessicat...

Felix It wasn't that phrase. After all, I don't think anyone one on here values the photograph above the welfare of the subject,. It is your holier than thou, self righteous, and pompous attitude. "I'm a scientist and you lot aren't worthy" Oh come off it Rog, every one has been super fas...

I can not stress how surprised I am that my sentiment:

"If taking photographs is more important to you than the welfare of the insect and/or the environment then shame on you"

Has roused such a vitriolic response.

Felix.

Paul wrote:Felix you disgust me. Your insults must come from a very sad soul. search yourself and let everyone enjoy butterflies, not just you. You do not know me, your assumptions are wrong, grow up.

I assume Guy will realize it was not his comments I had in mind.. manipulative as well eh Felix. sigh

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I am not going to apologise for finding that selfish attitude acutely nauseating Felix At least taking a photograph leaves the butterfly to be seen by others. Taking the specimen for a collection removes that opportunity - and is thus infinitley more selfish. Roger. I said " you would sooner h...

Fair enough David, you are as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Guy Padfield wrote: I must have held my breath for over a minute while I took three or four pictures. And I'm proud to say I backed off without the Camberwell beauty even knowing I had been in there! Paul wrote: If those self ri...

Clearly neither of you have actually taken the time to read my post, or you wouldn't be taking this tone. I said: If taking photographs is more important to you than the welfare of the insect and/or the environment then shame on you. I stand by that statement for it is my deeply held personal belief...

Not being a photographer, I rarely visit this thread. However Pete indirectly brought it to my attention. People just need to ask themselves: what is their primary concern? the conservation and welfare of butterflies & moths, or obtaining a precious photograph? If it's the latter then shame on y...

Lawts wrote: However, if I go 7/8th am I bit early for Small Blue?

First small blue are already out and about in Dorset and Wilts.

Felix.

The only species I ever worry about is the Black Hairstreak which has a flight period measured in weeks! I am told that larvae of all sizes as well as a few pupae are to be found in the wild at present. Probably nothing to worry about though, I am sure that the species will survive an early season ...

Wiltshire is the UK straonghold for the species, there are sites where they fly in their thousands.

Honey contains quite large particles that can block the moth's proboscis (that's not to say that Pete was not successful, but there is a risk). Try diluting one part natural cane sugar (such as 'light muscavado' from the super market) in warm water at a ratio of one part sugar to nine parts water (b...

I completely agree - as evidenced by the lack of any prosecution of collectors, eBay sellers etc. etc. Many of the "laws" simply aren't working. I was actually thinking more of things that actually impact butterfly populations (as well as other wildlife), such as the wholesale destruction...

Open question to Felix. When it comes to a political matter, do you deliberately set out to be as controversial / confrontational as possible? I am not saying that the points of view that you express are necessarily wrong but you do seem to take an almost perverse delight in going against the flow....

I have to say that I was both surprised and disappointed to learn that BC have decided to align themselves to that particular political pressure group, and have voted with my feet as a result. "For that reason, Martin, I'm out".

Emperor moths do not feed as adults. They lack the ability to do so. If you have a male and a female in a cage or suitable vessel the difficulty would be in preventing them from mating, if together they will mate (briefly) and that will be that. The female will lay upon any suitable surface, by whic...

Yeah, right. :roll: This worries me greatly. There could be a valuable opportunity here to review our incredibly complex and convoluted (not to mention arguably ineffective as has been proven on so many occasions) environmental and conservation legislation, however, there is a high chance that this ...

Fair do's :D That was all I asked for. But in fairness the Government are asking the public to comment on should they be scrapped as one of a range of possible options (including keep everything as it is) upon which the public are invited to comment. I stand by my comments regarding 38 Degrees. If s...

In short, it seems Government is considering getting rid of the Wildlife and Countryside Act , the Climate Change Act, and 278 environment laws Here we go again, what utter tosh! I think that you'll find that legislation enshrined in Acts of Parliament such as this are to come under review , not &q...