Dingy Skipper ab??

[mvpike]

I came across this feisty fellah today (25/8/21) at Ballard Down, Dorset.

I am thinking it could be an unknown ab?? There is a similar one pictured in the abs section. Any thoughts anyone??

Cheers,

Mark.

[bugboy]

I'd say it's just a very old, worn individual. The timing is more curious, either a very late first brood or a second brood in a year you wouldn't expect them to second brood in.

[mvpike]

Yes indeed, ab or not it is very late?

[David M]

I see washed out individuals like this regularly at altitude on the continent. They probably only emerge in June above 1,500m, and given the vagaries of alpine weather many lose any semblance of their original looks by early July.

As for timing, Dingies DO regularly have a second brood in the UK, although this year many first-brooders emerged absurdly late due to that awful spell of cold weather we had during mid-May.