The little green one does seem to be doing okay, Wurzel - my nearest colony in the Country Park has certainly spread and crossed a main railway line to do so.
An expedition out locally this afternoon was quickly truncated as thunder rumbled close by - wandering over open fields and hillsides and thunderstorms do not mix. I managed to see a couple of Holly Blues, a Speckled Wood and another Orange Tip caterpillar before coming home.
By five, the sun was coming through again and it was still very warm and humid, even though right here it had not rained at all. I had another foray out to see if anything as stirring. In the relative gloom under the trees by a branch of the River Colne, a Red Admiral was patrolling the path, regularly perching on various plants. I stood still, stuck out an arm, and after a few investigatory swoops down it came. It remained a few minutes, happy to pose for the camera.
I moved on to the open area near the M25, and found good numbers of Small Heath rising up from the grass, chasing each other and the numerous Burnet Companion moths. Most were a bit worn, but some are still emerging. They can be found here continuously until October now.
As I had hoped, a few days of sunshine had brought out more Common Blues. In a relatively small area, there were five of six, including a female that had suffered a bit during emergence. She could still fly, however.
Best of all, persistently picking on the Common Blues, was a lovely new male Brown Argus. This was the first one I've seen here this year, distinctly late.
Returning along the other side of the river, I noticed the brambles are now well into flower. My eye was then drawn to something large nectaring on the bramble - a splendid Painted Lady. I would say that there is a definite influx at the moment with the continental air - they seem to be cropping up everywhere.
Finally, as I reached the glade where I had seen a very tatty Red Admiral the other day, the familiar whoosh of wings past my head announced the presence of another, much fresher, individual. It settled on a bare patch, and I noticed it seemed a bit unusual.
The red bands had a noticeable yellow-orange patch in the middle (and another similarly-coloured bit at the top edge of the forewing). In fact, the overall red colour was distinctly more orange than the customary bright scarlet/vermilion. The butterfly resumed its energetic swooping up and down the glade, and once again I stuck out an arm to see if it would "come to hand". Amazingly, almost instantly, it did. It was definitely interested in my sweat (plenty of that today!), and became hard to dislodge.
I was able to fiddle with the camera without it moving at all.
Dave
Cheers for pointing out the Broomrape I've seen those before and ondered what the hell they were 
