Thank you everyone - it seems we all have stories of the ones that got away when we didn't even know they were there!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
The Coppers were worth seeing at what must be their hottest of UK hotspots. If they are as widespread over the whole peninsula as they were in this one small area, goodness knows how many there must be altogether...
Sunday 27th August: Another hot and sunny day, with not a breath of wind, even down on the cliff edge overlooking the Channel. In the morning I went up onto the downs between Temple Ewell and Lydden and it was interesting to compare what was around with what I regularly see up on the North Downs in Surrey (it is essentially the same chalk ridge). On the way up to the hill from the car, I saw several Holly Blues, a few Speckled Woods and a nice new Comma. Once onto the hill proper, there were very few Chalkhill Blues still flying, though there may well have been more females than I realised.
However, there were good numbers of Adonis of both sexes, including several pairings.
There were also a scattering of Common Blues, and a few Brown Argus.
Silver-spotted Skippers were darting around in all directions, though many were looking a bit worn.
However, some of the females, down in the grass looking to lay, were in better condition.
I was lucky enough to find a perfectly posed mating pair: I had followed them in the air and the courtship was very brief - they must have coupled almost as soon as they had landed.
Meadow Browns were everywhere, though outnumbered by the ubiquitous Small Heath - a definite contender for the commonest butterfly here today. Finally, there were numerous white butterflies, mostly Small and Large, and last of all a single Clouded Yellow. Given the constant strong sunshine, there was no way it was going to stop for more than a second - and so it proved. I spoke to a couple of other enthusiasts today, including a chap from Essex who was very pleased to see the Clouded Yellow, and a lady who seemed to have a good deal of local knowledge and was very helpful.
Dave