Thanks, Buggy - normally this moth will never allow any close approach at all, so I was pleased with the shot.
I'm hoping the Blues will appear on my local patch soon too, Wurzel. Maybe tomorrow...
18 was very good, David, though in a week or so you might be lucky and find as many as 7 more: Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Painted Lady, Small Copper, Common Blue, Adonis Blue and Large Skipper could all be added before any of the others disappear... Maybe even a Meadow Brown. It's an amazing site.
Thank you, Goldie - the first ones of the year are always a joy.
Saturday 13th May. With the forecast a bit uncertain, I decided to head off out anyway, and made my way to Totternhoe, on the downs near Dunstable, mainly to see if the Small Blues were out yet. It was noticeable that the site looked "behind" the more southern hills I've been looking at recently in Surrey and Wiltshire, and there were no Small Blues. I carried on round the site to see if any Dukes were encouraged out by the brightness (not exactly sunshine). I managed to find several, in a selection of separate chalk pits.
One of these was distinctly pale - though certainly a bit worn, the colour didn't look attributable to that alone. Apparently a true "white" individual was seen here last year.
Aside from the Dukes, there were several Dingy Skippers in the pits and the sun brought out one or two Brimstones and Orange Tips.
Finally, on the way back to the car, I nearly stepped on a Green Hairstreak trying to blend in with the vegetation on the path.
More Dukes were to come later at Ivinghoe Beacon, a bit further west along the hills.
Dave