Large Blues in May sounds unheard of! It would be nice to see them, but I'll have to think about that one...
The new Torties seem distinctly bigger and more vigorous than their forebears, and brighter too - I think the hibernators have a greater intensity of colour, like worn blue butterflies tend to have.
Saturday 23rd May. Still sunny for the most part, but distinctly cooler (only just 20 degrees today) and windy too. I didn't see a great deal on a rather shorter walk than usual. The first thing I saw was a Green-veined White, which I had thought was between broods at the moment.
There were quite a few Holly Blues, but all were sitting tight in bits of shelter, looking uncomfortable.
One of them was the most faded example of the species I have ever seen.
Right down in the grass, also trying to get out of the wind, was a Common Blue.
It closed its wings, showing it had the pale yellowish lunules on the underside characteristic of ab.
flavescens. To be honest, the colour of these spots varies quite a bit, especially with age, but this butterfly was relatively new.
A Red Admiral was down on the nettles, and I suspected it was a female resting between egg-laying forays.
Finally, there was a nice new Speckled Wood.
Dave