Looking back at 2014.
Well, it is about time that I started looking back on my 2014 season, I was going to start last week but a dose of Man-Flu left me feeling like I couldn’t be bothered to do anything, but now that I am feeling better I have been cheering myself up by going back through all my photos.
Right at the start of the year I had made my mind up that I was not going to stress myself out with trying to get as many species as possible but instead just try and make the most of my usual family breaks and maybe a couple of 3 night trips with my wife Jane to try for a couple of species that I had yet to see for the first time. I also wanted to spend more time around my local area and maybe check out some new spots.
The season started off really well for me, as it seemed to do everywhere, with loads of Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells and Commas coming out of hibernation along with Brimstones, although I never do see as many of the latter as are around in other parts of the midlands and further south. These were followed by the emergence of Green-veined whites, Orange Tips and Speckled Woods, all of which were around locally in good numbers and with all these species regularly visiting my garden. On the other hand Holly Blues seemed to be a bit scarce compared to previous years with only a handful seen in the spring and even fewer later in the summer.
- Peacock - Castle Hills Solihull 29.03.2014
- Small Tortoiseshell - Castle Hills Solihull 29.03.2014
- Comma - Castle Solihull 29.03.2014
- Orange Tip - Coverdale 28.04.2014
Through April and May I went a little further around Warwickshire to see Dingy and Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and Small Blue and also went to the Wyre Forest to see Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Wyre Forest 05.05.2014
My first trip away from the midlands this year was down to the Isle of Wight for 3 days at the end of May to try for my first ever Glanville Fritillaries. The weather was a bit ‘iffy’ but there was just enough sun and warmth for me to see not only my first Glanvilles , but also plenty of other butterflies including first brood Adonis Blues plus Dingy Skippers, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreaks, and Small Blues.
- Glanville Fritillary - Wheelers Bay IOW 27.05.2014
- Adonis Blue - Bonchurch down IOW - 28.05.2014
My other ‘firsts’ this year were both seen during a 3 day trip up to Arnside and Cumbria. With me having to book time off work in advance, I had done a bit of research into previous years flight times, and took a bit of a chance and booked our stay to try for Northern Brown Argus around Arnside and also hopefully try for Mountain Ringlet at Irton Fell. With a lucky combination of timing and weather, I managed to see both of my targets along with good numbers of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries and also managed to see Large Heath at Meathop Moss before coming home.
- Northern Brown Argus - Arnside 13.06.2014
- Mountain Ringlet - Irton Fell 12.06.2014
- Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Arnside 11.06.2014
With a couple of family breaks in Dorset, first a week in June and then again in September, my final tally for the year was 44 species. Highlights for me during these breaks included loads of Lulworth Skippers by Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth and Silver-studded Blues on Portland, both in June, Graylings at Durdle Door in September and Clouded Yellows during both stays.
- Lulworth Skipper - Bowleaze Cove 29.06.2014
- Silver-studded Blue - Tout Quarry Portland 30.06.2014
As mentioned earlier, I had decided that I was not going to worry about missing some species and in fact I did indeed miss out on such notables as Purple Emperor, Duke of Burgundy and Wood White, all of which I could potentially see with an hour and a half drive from my house, but I simply chose to use my available time on other species this year. Oh well, plans for next year are already beginning to stir in the cobwebs of my mind.
With my three ‘firsts’ this year, I have now seen 56 mainland British species with just Chequered Skipper and Black Hairstreak left to see. Living in the midlands, there is really not much excuse for not seeing the latter yet other than I have usually been elsewhere in the country when they are the wing. I really must make the effort for this one next year.
Then to complete the list it will have to be a trip across the sea to the Emerald Isle at some point, and then there are all the various sub-species...and then I will be wanting better photos of everything...
Bye for now,
Neil.
so it was great to revel in your shots 
I too know what Dave is referring to WRT the Specklies, they end up looking a bit like battered chocolate limes