ANy ideas?? I`m thinking Scotch Argus!!

[chassyp]

scotch.gif (56.43 KiB) Viewed 916 times

[IAC]

Hi Chassyp, Im thinking Mountain Ringlet !!
Cheers IAC.

[chassyp]

Cheers for that. Yep I`m also starting to think that way. Still a nice thing I guess? Gotta check it out for the area yet. Thanks again.

[Rogerdodge]

Chassyp
Could you post a larger image perhaps?
Also, a where and when would certainly help.
Roger

[Tony Moore]

Hi,

Looks like MR to me. Where and when?

Antonym.

[dave brown]

Hello chassyp,
Although only a record shot, like another replies have suggested, it does indeed look like Mountain Ringlet.
Another/better photo could help confirm the overall impression. The background, assuming it reflects where caught, does not necessary look right for MR, but of course could reflect a small area of the mountain side on which the photo may have been taken. The date/ time is also right for MR if taken in Britain when you posted, and not really correct for Scotch Argus (or very early).
A little more detail would certainly guide to a better identification.
If it is MR in Britain then that is a really good sighting for which many of us have to travel hundreds of miles to see. It is also a fairly difficult butterfly to photgraph.

dave

[Rogerdodge]

It is also a fairly difficult butterfly to photgraph.

Not always





Roger

[chassyp]

Yes, thanks everyone for your comments. Sorry I haven`t replied until now as I have been away. Very sorry to say I dont have another photograph of it at the moment. The butterfly was thrashing about in the pot, and I wanted to release it as soon as possible and we only got one photograph of it. However I think my mate who took it, sent the file to me as less than 1 meg and he still has the original which may be clearer, and may help. I will ask him to let me have the original and see if it is clearer. I understand that this sighting in the UK is very very rare, and also about the altitude thing.!! It was found in the first week of July, which is fairly late I understand. Without giving the vicinity away too specifically, it is only 10 miles from the Lake District in which they are found. The area I found it in is a private caravan park and at sea level!! The photograph was sent to the County recorder who also verified it as a mr but also had to say that obviously a rare case indeed!! Don’t know what more to say really, any other questions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Regards.

[Pete Eeles]

I've never know Mountain Ringlet to be found anywhere close to sea level! I wonder if someone caught the critter and took it "home" for ID purposes and then released it?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Rogerdodge]

From The Butterflies of Great Britain And Ireland (Emmet & Heath)

Adults which have occasionally been reported at low altitudes away from known colonies may be windswept individuals.

HTH
Roger

[Pete Eeles]

Ah! Thanks Roger

Cheers,

- Pete

[chassyp]

Thanks very much for that Roger. Now it seems a bit clearer.
Thare are always new things to uncover in the natural world, and I suppose that is an added bonus to those with an active interest. Many thanks to all those who imparted information on this subject. I feel a foot taller today!!
Many regards.