Cheers, Buggy - interesting that you should have seen the same Emperor.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
It does show that they come down on more than one day, perhaps several, to build up their mineral levels.
Thanks, Wurzel - the standard-type Commas are starting to appear amongst the summer ones now we are well past the solstice. Overall, there are very good numbers this year round here. Yes, looking forward to at least one trip to Shipton B., maybe before July is out at this rate!
Thank you, David - when you have a lot of Essex/Small flying together, it's an interesting exercise to try and guess which they are by their flight and then seeing how often you are right. Surprisingly, I've found my success rate has improved!
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I have also found that Essex are more inclined to pose in a way that shows the underside of those antennae, putting their ID beyond doubt.
Wednesday 1st July. The new month dawned very much in the same vein as the last few days of June. Bright, warmish, and a tendency for the odd shower. I spent three hours on my local patch (0930-1230) and covered a fair bit of ground, clocking up over 230 butterflies of no fewer than 18 different species - both figures being highs for the year so far.
Essex Skippers now outnumber Small by two to one (established by dip-sampling across the piece) and are more widespread. For both, numbers are much higher than in 2019 - which is probably down to the area not being mowed so far this year. This happened plumb in the middle of their season last year. This is an Essex Skipper.
Perhaps the most striking aspects of today's walk were the numbers of both Red Admirals and Peacocks - 28 of the former and an extraordinary 34 of the latter. Maybe it's not quite so surprising given the large number of Peacock caterpillars seen earlier in the year.
The Red Admirals were already setting about kicking off another generation.
![RA1 010720.JPG (2.21 MiB) Viewed 865 times the moment of laying...](./files/thumb_9839_36e8c339dadd061aabef79b91b19cd98)
- the moment of laying...
![RA egg2 010720.JPG (619.34 KiB) Viewed 865 times ...and the result](./files/thumb_9839_b0af9001da8c21f4286b92a3f19cbabf)
- ...and the result
Staying with Nymphalid species, as mentioned above the Commas are having a great year too and 15 were seen today mostly enjoying the brambles along with the previous two species.
Added to this to complete the set were a single Painted Lady...
...and a single Small Tortoiseshell.
One new male Brimstone was seen busily nectaring and easy to approach...
...and all three common species of white butterflies. There were only a handful of Large (just 3), but plenty of both Small (26) and GVW (17). Naturally enough, Meadow Browns were plentiful (around 40 seen), but Small Heaths seem to be tailing off at the moment (15 seen today). However, Gatekeepers are now appearing and I expect them to become plentiful throughout July.
Also just beginning to kick off are the second brood Lycaenid butterflies - Small Copper...
...Brown Argus...
...Common Blue...
...and Holly Blue (what else would I finish on!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
).
The first part of July is generally the peak of the season here in terms of numbers of species (I think 20 is the maximum I've ever seen on one day here), so the next series of local reports should also have a lot of variety.
Dave