2 weekends ago, we made a visit to Whitbarrow NNR, and saw loads (4 Fritillary species, etc). But one thing we found in a scrubby area was an Argus, which i took a few pics of, and we walked away thinking it was a Northern brown argus, but when we got home and compared pictures, it turns out that it was a Brown Argus. This is pretty north for a Brown argus, and i'm not sure if it has been seen up here before. I know they have been spreading northwards rapidly. Attached is one of the pictures of this Brown argus, and there is a full report and more pics of Butterflies on my Blog:
http://www.nickswildlifeblog.blogspot.com/
I have compared this Brown argus with Northern brown argus and Common blue in "Lewington's "Pocket guide to the Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland"". Also i used this webpage, it is very useful, and with the picture attached i am sure you will be able to compare easily - even though the picture is not of the highest standard:
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/BflyBlues03.html
Thanks,
Nick.
Whitbarrow - Brown argus!
- Pete Eeles
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Hi,
As Peter says, Brown Argus and Northern Brown Argus are getting very close in range in the North East but I don't quite think they over lap just yet.
We have now had 3 or 4 records of Brown Argus on Teesside in the last few years including one I found on the steelworks where I work on 30th May this year (see photo below). I think these are the most northern records yet. The nearest Northern Brown Argus are in Co.Durham, about 10 miles further north.
Cheers
Martyn
As Peter says, Brown Argus and Northern Brown Argus are getting very close in range in the North East but I don't quite think they over lap just yet.
We have now had 3 or 4 records of Brown Argus on Teesside in the last few years including one I found on the steelworks where I work on 30th May this year (see photo below). I think these are the most northern records yet. The nearest Northern Brown Argus are in Co.Durham, about 10 miles further north.
Cheers
Martyn