Hi Martin, Log on to http://www.hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk and upperthames-butterflies.org.uk, your most local Butterfly Conservation Branch websites. Keep an eye on their sightings pages for Grizzled Skippers. Where there's one there's more! It's still very early in the season for them and they ...

Hi Guy, Yes, I think that's pretty much the case with your local Grizzled Skipper population. Duke of Burgundy as a garden butterfly too - outrageous! Along with the Purple Emperor, a firm favourite of mine. Unfortunately the species is really struggling here as well. Saw my first Sussex Duke 'tomor...

Hi Guy, Yes, there are one or two places where this usually rare aberration crops up on a regular basis. This is because it appears to be genetically influenced, unlike some aberrations which are environmentally influenced and more random in their appearance. Extreme temperature changes while in the...

Thanks Guy, Now that Pete has given me fool-proof instructions (I just passed the test!) on how to append photos, I hope to add stuff on a regular basis now. I'm off to a wood in East Sussex soon, where I'm hoping to get a shot of the aberrant form taras. I know you get it on your patch - lovely lit...

Hi all, After my attempts to photograph the Grizzled Skippers at Mill Hill (West Sussex) on Saturday were thwarted by an over-friendly spaniel and the weather - at one point I was virtually pinned to the slopes by a particularly malevolent hail storm - Sunday was considerably better. The numbers are...

Hi Hamearis, It looks like your Painted Lady is in dire need of a spring clean! Butterflies prefer a constant temperature during hibernation, but this would be unusually warm to keep something in such a prolonged state of inactivity. Are there any signs of life? I fear that 'he has ceased to be! 'E'...

Hi Martin/all, Some lovely stuff in your gallery, especially that nigrina. I've had several, ahem, semis before (i.e. obliterae), but never the full monty. I'm 99% sure the problematic bird is an immature Goldie. We're off to a flying start here in sunny Sussex - already had 9 Brimmies and 2 Humming...

Hi Guy,
Yes, I've seen your photo before. A happy memory I bet! I've sent a couple of shots to Pete, so they should be up there too soon. Always interesting to read what's going on in your part of the world.
Neil

Hi Pete, My theory was that migrating butterflies might tend to work their way up river valleys, in the same way that birds often do. I next considered the first landfall area with an abundant nectar supply. As I had spent some considerable, recent time here watching White-letter Hairstreaks, the ab...

Hi Mark, Yes, if positively identified, this would be an adult emerging from hibernation. The Large Tortoiseshell does seem to be making an effort to re-establish itself as a resident species. Previously isolated sightings seem to be giving way to more regular appearances in the UK, both of awakened...