Hi Dave August is almost certainly too late unfortunately. They have already been on the wing for a few days in Hants and I would expect them to peak this coming weekend. There have been no regularly reports from the New Forest for a good number of years now so the closest reliable sites would be Be...

Hi Pauline I have seen the green fly orchid in previous years but not on the last couple of occasions I have looked for it however I know it is prone to being nibbled by deer like the Violet Helliborines on the site. It always grew in a pretty overgrown area so I am not sure that this would be the r...

Hi Pauline I haven’t been to Noar Hill this year so can’t comment on Duke numbers there, however there is a regular transect walked which should identify any trends. I have managed to count Dukes at least four other downland sites in Hants and my general view is that they are as much as 50% down on ...

That’s a cracking looking specimen - great find
Cheers
Mark

Geranium Bronze is seen a couple of times most years - one of those species that may or may not be considered legitimate. But it is now naturalised in many parts of Europe and hitches lifts on imported plants?
Kind Regards
Mark

Hi Neil, Lovely picture of your granddaughter in Hollybank Woods and yes Purple Emperor, WA and SWF are present. Indeed a PE was photographed on a wheelie bin in North Emsworth a few years ago - they do seem to be attracted to bins in urban areas! I normally see Emperors most years just over the Ems...

As far as I am aware there are only two places for Grizzled Skippers in Norfolk - Foulden Common, and a small stretch of the cut-off channel at Stoke Ferry. Strumpshaw is reliable for Swallowtails but it gets very busy at the hotspots - if you can find them out on the boardwalk it’s much more reward...

Great to meet up again Neil - wasn’t quite as hot as the day we spent at Fermyn but I think we used up just as much energy climbing up those steep slopes! I am pleased that the butterflies performed - it was really good to see the Dukes. Interestingly the Green Hairstreaks on the woman’s hat were ma...

5FC18B63-2EDC-4BE5-A5FB-CAA2F4BF0D8C.jpeg Every year, I visit a very small colony of Duke of Burgundy in a remote coombe just over the Hampshire border on the Sussex Downs. I never see more than a dozen or so and they are restricted to two very small areas high on a very precipitous north facing sl...

Hi John I have found the best area in recent years to be the extensive blackthorn on the Hants//Wilts border - the north south mark on the map. A particularly good section has been the triangle area at SU21814618. I always park right adjacent here by the tank crossing at SU21764620. The other area o...

You probably did Dave. I was fortunate enough to have extended views of them last year so was able to get my eye in, the tawny colour and black markings on the forewings is especially obvious from above. They also have a flight pattern that is distinctly different from Painted Ladies where there cou...

Saw at least four individuals in Tout Quarry on Tuesday - none were stopping to nectar but having fights with Red Admirals, Peacocks and Painted Ladies mainly in the gullies leading to the sea on the western side. Best views were from above looking down into the gulley where you could watch the LT’s...

It’s on the Sussex BC sightings page for 25 July Allan

Thanks Paul - I bought my 150 about six years ago so will definitely look at your suggestions for an upgrade - probably EBay again
Kind regards
Mark

I bought an fz150 off eBay a few years ago (£100) and it has been brilliant - goes everywhere with me - the articulated screen is very useful allowing you to use it at arms length and high and low level. I use a close up adapter LMW-LA5 and 55mm lens on it too, not sure if they fit fz38 but I think ...

I think it is the area known as The Bowl which I think is at SO 84759 03213 but I may be wrong
Kind Regards
Mark

Looking at the wonderful habitat you have created I am pretty certain you will have more than your fair share of summer butterflies in the coming weeks - the ‘June Gap’ always used to cause me some concern that butterfly numbers had crashed for some reason, normally adverse weather, but to date I ha...

And, of course, Southern Small White!

Hi Otep, It is indeed possible, and a notable example is the Black Hairstreak colony discovered at Ditchling Common in Sussex. Also the Chequered Skipper, in Scotland, was discovered after becoming extinct in England. Locally for me a new Duke of Burgundy colony was recently discovered on open acces...

I have the Collins guide but also carry a Mitchell Beazly as a pocket guide (it’s proper pocket sized) and have found it excellent - not sure if it’s still published but available second hand https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/books/peter-hayman/bird-watcher-s-pocket-guide/9780855331481?gclid=Cj0KCQ...