Cheers, Pete, thank's for that.

Found this chap in my garden yesterday. I would be very grateful if someone could ID it for me.

NickB wrote:I see no one picked this up - looks within normal variation to me....
We did have a few comments earlier this year in a thread where we looked at yellower/whiter examples of Small Tortoiseshell colouration...
N

Thanks Nick

That thought keeps me going

In the recent months I've taken great pleasure in observing the activities of the Speckled Woods that are resident in my Garden. I have frequently moved their favourite white, plastic garden chair (which they use as a basking platform), as the shadows begin to lengthen. Now I seem to have just one i...

Another potential spot is the field between Forest Farm allotments and the weir, as it is surrounded by oaks and has large areas of bramble. Can't wait :!: :D Excellent pics Michael. Jon Thanks Jon :) And when it comes to finding the new sites, feel free to do so....Me, I'll just be trying to get g...

Jonanthan & David - I have also contacted the South Wales branch of Butterfly Conservation about the White-Letter Hairstreaks at Forest Farm this year. It looks like they weren't aware of it's presence there though one had been seen in Pughs Garden Centre, which is less than a kilometre away (n...

Is this an aberrant Small Tortoiseshell? It was seen yesterday at West Williamston in Pembrokeshire. It seems to be lacking nearly all of it's yellow pigmentation. Would be interseted to know.

Jon

I went down to West Williamston in Pembrokeshire yesterday, (once David M had helpfully pointed out that it wasn't located on the Gower :lol:), to look for some female Brown Hairstreaks. It's a lovely place, and it was a nice change to be looking for butterflies right next to the saltmarsh. Just aft...

Ahh...I See what I've done now . Will let you know how I get on .

Cheers,

Jon

You must have seen Wall browns at Kenfig, Michael? When I was there a couple of weeks ago there were quite a few. PS: If you go to look out for Nikki (lady in her late 50s who records BH activity there). She'll point you in the direction of the 'butterfly glade' where you will certainly see females...

Most forecasts are looking good at the moment, so fingers crossed

No, I'm not it's a Comma Just been through a few hundred moth caterpillar images

Seen today on nettles in a hedgerow. I'm stumped once again

Haha

David M wrote:Great day today. Probably the 2nd best of the year

Well done David, now if we can just find some Black Hairstreaks in South Wales, we're laughing

Spent the day patrolling the fields at Glamorgan Canal Local Nature Reserve, Cardiff, mainly on the lookout for Nymphalids on the blackberries. Not a great deal about: 1 smart Peacock, 1 ragged and worn Comma, and 1 bird-pecked Small Tortoiseshell. Will hopefully pick up around the start of Septembe...

David M wrote: Also, and quite amazingly given that I've only seen one specimen prior to this week, a Painted Lady was on my mother's buddleia!!

Yes, nothing like last year. I've only seen 2: 1 at Broadcroft Quarry, Portland; and 1 at Durlston Country Park. A very poor showing .

Jon

Watch this space

I have heard that there are Purple Emperors in the Forest of Dean, but don't know of any specific sights or specific sightings eminating from there. Would be great if there were (and a lot closer ).