The butterflies from both these Yorkshire sites are standard Brown Argus, Wurzel, not the Northern version. They are very much double-brooded and appear to have spread from the south relatively recently. I'm not sure where you first encounter NBA going north from here - it may be County Durham. Brown Argus do seem to be doing well up here.
It's the first time I've successfully pictured Large Whites in the act of laying - when I've tried before, the butterfly has always made its escape. It does seem that they haven't done very well this year, David - maybe the usual top-up from the Continent hasn't arrived. It could perhaps be widesppread use of insecticide both here and abroad, especially on the acres and acres of fields of rape that must tempt this species into laying.
Home again on
Wednesday 31st July, a catch-up with my local patch was required. The major event was that the expanse of grassland between the M25 and the River Colne had been mowed flat. This basically had put an end to the season for Small and Essex Skippers, and severely curtailed the activity of Brown Argus, Common Blues, Gatekeepers, Small Heaths and Meadow Browns. Aside from the skippers, all were seen but in much reduced numbers.
However, the Holly Blues do not depend on this habitat, and their numbers had increased while I'd been away. All appeared to be males
New Speckled Woods had also appeared, and had already found the ripe blackberries.
Peacocks were disappearing into hibernation, but there seemed to be more Red Admirals, as well as a Comma or two.
Dave