I think something would be a good idea - but as Dave says there are differences - generally the birds that cause the biggest crowds are totally out of place, pretty knackered and the last thing they need is to be hassled by a multitude of humans staring at them and chasing them round and about. I've...

Thanks for your support mama - but it's all a bit academic now as the weather doesn't look good for the weekend so by the time my girls and I get back to Bentley they will probably have perished! :( Grudditch - it won't be a tick for me, I saw Duke at Martin Down last year - it was just going to be ...

Some ace shots Pete, the first one has a great contrast of colour. I managed to hook up with Marsh Fritillary over the weekend at Hod Hill so thanks for the advice about trying some of the "hotter spots". I did come away quite sad though as I think Hod Hill as replaced Martin Down as my fa...

Ace film - but shouldn't it have an 18 certificate ?
As to captions...as 'ask Diedre' always says "threesomes never end well"!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Neil - I did get a view of the underside and there was definitely no orange - so looks like having moved this from Holly Blue to "not sure of id..." now I'll move it to Common Blue, which is good as I needed a better shot of the male anyway, perhaps I can use it on the cover of my s...

Now I'm really confused - your photo looks the dead spit of mine :) but the underside was white with black dots - the "usual Holly Blue" shot that I get :( . Are there aberrant forms of Common Blue which lack the pigmentation or are the aberrant forms of Holly Blue which lack the chequers ...

I thought it was a Common Blue at first - but it was flying at higher than head height all around the walled garden and it had the underwing patterning of Holly Blue but I didn't get a photo of that because I've already got a load of those. Also when I zoomed in really tight on another shot there is...

Had a family day out at Mottisfont (National Trust) fantastic place. The girls loved feeding the fish, Grayling I think they were and instead of seeking out butterflies it was nice to just chill and enjoy the sun. That said there were plenty of whites about - GV White, Small White and a male and fem...

Hod Hill today - I did manage to get somewhere different. I thought turning up early might get me some close shots of Marsh Fritillary as it seemd to work for PBF's at Bentley Wood - but I was very wrong! The sun was very intermittant and apart from Wheatear and lots of Yellowhammer there wasn't an ...

I really am getting good at persauding the girls to come out to find butterflies with me, all it takes is a packet of skittles! They're getting pretty good at it now, and are much more observant then me. Took them for an early morning walk at Bentley Wood and part from 1 or 2 Large White and Speckle...

With all the women in my life sated for weddings, "that dress" and the "kiss" I cunningly suggested a walk at Martin Down. Brimstone and Small White accompanied us down the path from the car park and as it opened out Grizzled Skippers seemed to be all over the place! A Small Copp...

Cheers Chris, I was there today and escaped so I'll make sure I'm more careful next time I visit

Wurzel

Can anyone help me? I'm based in Salisbury, quite limited where I can go in terms of time and I'm not sure where to go for 3 key target species... Duke Burgundy - Morgan's Hill (Wilts), Fontmell Down or Cerne Hill (Dorset) - which is best and any tips once there? I also saw that Zonda was talking ab...

Took my younger daughter for a recce at Bentley Woods this afernoon and didn't expect much...everything was very flighty - Speckled Woods, Orange -tips, Green Veined Whites, Peacock, loads of Brimstone and at least 6 Pearl Bordered Fritillaries. Managed to get some pretty close shots after abandonin...

Took Kitty for a wander up to Martin Down. Again no Green Hairstreak - have they been and gone or have they not turned up yet? I've tried the same perching posts as last year but they just aren't there. Does anyone else know of any other sites near Salisbury where they hang out? Still there was plen...

Alright Zonda I saw the photos and they're cracking! I was in two minds - chuffed that you'd got your lifer, but disappointed that a wind up didn't come off :D - are there any other species that you're after in particular? :wink: Martin Down last year in May was great, Dingy and Grizzled Skipper, Gr...

Cheers Chris, I'll look out for them! Garston is great, it used to be my local patch when I lived in Sixpenny Handley. Check it out later in the year, I found Greenish Silver Washed Fritillary there last year (it was late in the season so was very battered)

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Alright Chris?
I'm heading to Garston tomorrow - did you see much there? Good luck for your visit to Martin down

Have a goodun

Wurzel

While enjoying the peace and quiet that only ever occurs when the girls are staying at their nanny and dad-dad's a wander up the garden allowed me to get my first Speckled Wood shot of the year. 008b.JPG Headed up to Martin Down to make the most of the nice weather and also to try and get a few phot...

Alright Zonda - if you're after Green Hairstreak then why don't you try nipping just over the border to Martin Down - the main area along Borkerley Ditch is pretty flat!

Good luck wherever you head - they're little gems GH's

Have a goodun

Wurzel