Thanks, David. I'm delighted that both Old Wolf and Lawts managed to complete their missions ... and in style!
BWs, Neil

Hi Lawts
Very briefly - full report later - yes, all looks good. Only one at the start of the day, but nine by early/mid afternoon, although two mated females have already flown south. Best time to be there, 12.00-2.30pm.
BWs, Neil

Hi Lawts That count might reference an earlier day by mistake, when that sort of number was present along the entire seafront (e.g. 18 Sept), or it might be someone's count of sightings, rather than individuals - I'm not sure. The weather was poor for the front part of the day on 22 September, and I...

22 September 2022 It had to happen, so after five glorious days of Long-tailed Blue action on Worthing beach, things were much quieter on 22 September; unsurprising, given the overcast conditions throughout the morning. When the sun eventually broke through in the afternoon, I could only muster a c...

21 September 2022 An early sweep along Worthing beach, west of Gearge V Avenue, revealed only 6 Long-tailed Blue individuals, which was consistent with my count at the end of the previous day. However, once again, the pattern observed over previous days was repeated, with the arrival (presumably fr...

Thanks, Trevor. I think we've all done rather well of late! But so sad to see the rainy gloom over Worthing today.
BWs, Neil

20 September 2022 Another great day out on Worthing beach, in the company of an increasing number of enthusiasts. My first pass of the hotspot to the immediate west of George V Avenue revealed just eight Long-tailed Blues, but included a lovely mint condition female. A search of the Tamarisk windbr...

Hi Paul. Congratulations on covering 500 metres yesterday.
Thanks, Sarah. I do feel very lucky living right on the Sussex coast. Perhaps a short break destination for you in the future, given that the Long-tailed Blue is likely to make this a near-annual event?
BWs, Neil

And I thought Sid James and Benny Hill had long gone!
Great pics, Ben. Hope to see you back in Sunny Worthing soon.
BWs, Neil

You earned those fish & chips for that flat-open male, Trevor. Nice work!
BWs, Neil

19 September 2022 Paul Atkin and I planned to perform a thorough search for the Long-tailed Blue on Worthing beach, heading westward from the base of George V Avenue. We failed miserably, never travelling further than a little more than 50 metres all day, such was the quality of the sport! Although...

Good to see you again today, Paul. What a great few days we've had; butterflying doesn't get much better than this!
Thanks, old Wolf. Plenty more news to come and I'm sure the Long-tailed Blues will wait for you.
BWs, Neil

18 September 2022 18 September really was a day to remember, spent in the good company of friends including Sue & Dave Broxham, Leigh Prevost, Gary Faulkner, Paul Atkin and my brother Mark. Worthing seafront felt like the Mediterranean, both in terms of the weather and the numerous exotic butte...

Hi Trevor While I struggle to keep up with my diary, here's a hot tip. From Worthing Pier, head west along the seafront until the roundabout at the base of George V Avenue. Go round the roundabout until you are heading back east along the prom and park ASAP (easy options). Walk along the seafront ba...

17 September 2022 Firstly, I must thank Claire and Nick Oliver for finding and reporting their two Long-tailed Blue males on Worthing seafront on 16 September; this has triggered a remarkable string of further sightings which add to our understanding of this species' adventures on British soil. Wit...

12 & 15 September 2022 With my brother visiting from Antwerp, I escaped from work for an entire day to go butterfly-hunting with him on 12 September. Whitehawk Hill seemed an obvious choice and the place was pretty quiet for a change, with the exception of Our Trevor and a visitor from Dorset. S...

Thanks, Ben. I think I'll be able to answer most of your questions when a little more time appears, but I don't think that will include what drives protandry or protogyny at the cellular level (without research). I'm looking forward to those winter pub sessions! Hi Paul. It probably won't be as popu...

11 September 2022 A brief visit to the Bognor garden on 11 September didn't provide much action with adult Long-tailed Blues (just one ageing garden-born male present) but the owners excitedly announced the discovery of a larva, located in a rather exposed position within an open flower. The mature...

Hi Ben. This is a fascinating and complex topic, but one which must wait until winter for further discussion. My ecological and guiding work is of such a seasonal nature that I have very little free time at this time of year and those precious hours when I manage to wriggle free from work and family...

That looks like the fearsome Downland Robberfly Machimus rusticus, Mark; a localised and uncommon species with a taste for Chalk Hill Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper here in Sussex.
BWs, Neil