Ringlets failed to show on my local patch in 2023, though to be fair I only ever see one or two here in most years. However, there was no shortage in the woodlands of both Bookham and Chiddingfold, and I managed this shot at the latter location early on before the Emperors appeared on that magical d...

...when Millerd had seven (SEVEN) all to himself!)... That was a rather extraordinary day down at Chiddingfold, Paul, and I'm not sure which aspect was the most surprising - seeing seven Emperors (mostly grounded) or there being no one else in the wood with whom to share the experience. :o :shock: ...

Peacocks had a very good year on my local patch in complete contrast to Small Tortoiseshells (which performed dismally). The zenith of their emergence came in mid-July, when I recorded 113 on the 17th and well over 70 on several days thereafter. Here is one of that multitude, seen on 23rd. PK3 23072...

Bookham provided some great opportunities to see this species low down in 2023, as it almost always does.

A few favourites:

A brand new male from 22nd June......and a male and female from 8th July. Dave

My only sightings of this species in 2023 were a handful at Rewell Wood in mid-May, and only one of those stopped long enough for a photo. Dave

Nigel ponsonby-smallpiece was one of Ken Dodd's Diddymen. Is this to whom the reference was made?

Dave

In terms of sheer numbers counted this is by far the commonest butterfly on my local patch, with over twice the total of anything else (Red Admirals in 2023). On some days in late June and early July I lost count at around 250 - but the annual mow of the grassland in mid-July knocked them back to th...

All that remains before an overview of 2023, is to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and high hopes for a thoroughly lepidoptiferous New Year. Dave

So that was it for November. After the unusually warm September and October, the month turned out only slightly warmer and sunnier than usual - and was a whole lot wetter. I managed 32 butterfly sightings, with six species represented (and there were a few that were around right until the end of Oct...

13th November was really quite warm with a high of 16 degrees, but lacked much in the way of sunshine. A couple of Red Admirals were flying, but that was all. RA4 131123.JPG RA5 131123.JPG RA3 131123.JPG On a sunny afternoon on 23rd I caught sight of a Brimstone flying along the riverbank - presuma...

The weather gradually deteriorated towards the beginning of winter now. I spotted a single Red Admiral on 9th November , then on 11th , I found three. RA1 111123.JPG RA3 111123.JPG However, I also found the Peacock I'd probably seen a few days earlier... PK1 111123.JPG ...and then another Speckled W...

Cheers, Wurzel - yes, she probably didn't expect to emerge either! :) With temperatures still up around the 14 degree mark, and several hours of sun again, I had another local walk on 7th November . The three Red Admirals were no surprise, but they proved tricky today, with this coy individual up in...

6th November was a similar day, though somewhat sunnier. There was just the one Small White today... SW1 061123.JPG ...but no fewer than five Red Admirals. RA1 061123.JPG RA2 061123.JPG RA3 061123.JPG I had a glimpse of a Peacock as I disturbed it from its bramble patch basking point, and the usual...

Cotley Hill in Wiltshire provided good numbers and lots of variety on 19th May.They were also around on my return trip from the South West when I dropped in at Martin Down on 24th. Dave

It was unusually warm, David. Looking back, it looks as though the October average high in the 1970s here was around 15.25 degrees. As you might expect, things really did fade out as we got into November. My next outing was on 5th , when there was some more sunshine - as well as heavy showers. There...

Probably this wood where I found PBF all those years ago but maybe one of the others nearby. Somebody might be able to check in 2024. The entire area, especially that disused quarry, looks very promising Jack I spent the years 1967-73 just off your bit of map to the south in a village called Crowco...

Every year, there seem to be slightly more Marbled Whites flying on my local patch as they drift down from colonies a little further up the Colne Valley. This rather splendid brand-new female provided some good poses on 27th June. Dave

My 2023 encounter with the species was limited to just one day down at Lancing ring on 8th October - however, they put on a great show for their assembled admirers. The mating pair was an obvious standout... LTB pair4 081023.JPG ...but this unusually deep blue male was a striking addition. LTB8 0810...

The Observer's Book and the Brooke Bond tea cards for me, after a close encounter with a bleary-eyed Brimstone one spring in the early 1960s. Like Jack, I managed a school prize once, though mine was the Collins Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe.

Dave

Curiously, I didn't find that female again, David, though the male continued to appear in early November. Before kicking off November sightings, a quick overview of October. The month was a warm one, just over two degrees warmer that average hereabouts, with an average daytime high of 17.9 degrees. ...