Small or Essex skipper?

[NickC]

I have what I know to be a common question: I saw some skippers today, and are they small or Essex? They're the first skippers I've knowingly seen. They were in Wanstead Flats in north-east London, flying among long grass and wildflowers. I took some photos of the only one that sat still for a while in the hot and sunny conditions, concentrating on trying to get an underside shot of the antennae (I remembered this is the best way to differentiate the two species). I've attached some heavily cropped shots, in which the antennae appear black underneath, so I think this is an Essex skipper. I would very much appreciate confirmation though.

[peterc]

Well done, Nick. It is an Essex Skipper.

ATB

Peter

[NickC]

Thanks for the confirmation Peter