First few Large Blue were reported from Collard Hill, Somerset yesterday. If the weather is as good as promised over the next few days it could well prove worth a visit. I know this has already been referred to in the sightings section, but it deserves it's own headlines surely!!!

Bill

Lot's of sound advice already given Pippa. I'm a long time Nikon user but I've also owned several Sigma and Tamron lenses too. In the right hands they can produce superb results, take a look around the members gallery to see what you can achieve with the Sigma 105mm Macro as an example. You already ...

Your probably a bit too late for Pearl Bordered Fritillary now. However Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are found at Brierley along with Grizzled Skipper . Cannop Valley Ponds area has Wood White but I've not had such good luck with the species there as compared to Brierley. But hey...you may be luc...

Can usually be found at Brierley (on the A4136 between Mitcheldean and Coleford) take the forestry track opposite the petrol station, go through first barrier on your left (you can park up at the clearing down the track). May take a bit of a search though. They can be found throughout the general ar...

Apologies for the absolutely awful quality photo David, it was taken from a difficult angle. This Purple Hairstreak still managed to fly/flap about it's bracken covered patch in Bentley Woods, last July, even with a completely deformed (or under-developed) right upper wing - very much like your S P-...

Thanks for your positive comments. I was quite surprised too by the lack of response. I was beginning to think that it was a photo that instilled indifference in the viewer for some reason, although I thought it was pretty good :wink: I use Photoshop CS4 to resize my images to a standard 1024 x 689...

Really surprised that no one else has commented yet on the wonderful quality and composition of this Common Blue on a stick... Top Shot nigpd. Out of interest, how do you manage to resize your images to post here at UKB at this size and quality (what software is involved?) allowing of course for you...

Agree David, Pearl-bordered Fritillary have been recorded from Worcestershire for the first time in over 30 years, all the sites I've visited have been pleasingly good :) As regards Grizzled Skipper , in the areas I mention above all sites appear highly encouraging. Discussing the species status wit...

Aberbargoed Grasslands a hidden gem it most certainly is Michael! Try to get back in a week or two when the Spotted Heath Orchid are out in profusion, usually the Marsh Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary coincide to peak alongside the orchids, it's a wonderful experience, especially wit...

I've been wondering if you guys and gals are seeing more Grizzled Skippers this year than in more recent past years. On a personal level I've seen very healthy numbers, into double figures at several locations where in the past I might have struggled to find them in low single figures. Perhaps it's ...

I once counted 9 (...yes nine!) identical green bags full of former doggy dinner hung in a neat row on a barbed wire fence at a local dog toilet...oopps sorry...local country park. Acute moronitis, no hope...no cure!!! As regards conservation/wildlife organisations, alienate a dog/cat owning subscri...

Michael and David, Thank you both for your prompt, positive responses. Both Marsh Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are on the wing at the grasslands now, and the former are building their numbers up nicely now, just hope their as productive as last year, myself and Mark (Warden) counte...

Aberbargoed Grasslands is a National Nature Reserve in Caerphilly County Borough, South Wales. It is protected under EU legistation becuase of it's large population of Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia it's also the last remaining site in Gwent/Monmouthshire for this superb butterfly. The reserve ...

Spent this morning with the Glanville Fritillary...in lovely sunshine! Arrived at this interesting location at 8.30 and was greeted on my way down the track towards the stile by three Glanville in lovely condition. This is my first experience of the species, the incredible history of this butterfly ...

Thursday afternoon I was at Rodborough Common enjoying some quality time watching Duke of Burgundy in variably cloudy/sunny weather, I made a quick phone call home and my wife said it was raining quite sharply, reminded me of last year - the Severn seemed to act as a south/west dividing line - south...

Some very nice images David, I personally think the underwings are more attractive than the uppers, the shot you've shown above illustrates this perfectly for me. Some lovely walks throughout the Common during most seasons, but the PBF season has to be my favourite, lots of superb Bugle and Bluebell...

Haugh Wood, South Butterfly trail, Monday 2/5/11, 12.00 to 15.00. Wood White 20+, Pearl Bordered Fritillary 30+, Dingy Skipper 1, Large White 1, plus numerous Small White, Gr-veined White, Orange Tip & Speckled Wood, and the Speckled Yellow moth. Did the shorter trail but unlike Jack I was crea...

Wilrow: Can recommend a visit to Haugh (pronounced Hoff) Woods....I decided on a circuit of the South Trail, taking the furthest loop is about 2 miles As you might know, I had similar success at Haugh Wood last week. The south green trail is good but you can reach the PB Frit hotspot much quicker b...

Well done on the Speckled Yellow moth, willrow. I've tried several times to snap them but have never hit the shutter in time. Glad to hear Wood Whites were out in abundance. There were none at Ewyas Harold which makes me wonder whether they exist there at all - still, Grizzled Skippers are a more t...

Had to decide on which site to visit yesterday morning - Haugh Woods (Herefordshire) or Ewyas Harold Common (Near Abergavenny) - Haugh Woods won, but it probably put an extra 40 miles on my journey, and I had to pass Ewyas Harold to get there! My main reason for deciding on Haugh Woods was the Wood ...