June 2021

[David M]

So glad you found the Frits, Jim. They really DO like those bramble flowers!

I think your orchid is Heath Spotted Orchid. We get these on Fairwood Common near where I live and the terrain is similar to that found at Haddon Hill.

[aeshna5]

Agree orchid is Heath Spotted.

Lower moth is Common Heath; the one above one of the waves-maybe Smoky Wave?

[David M]

My first Dark Green Fritillaries of 2021 seen on the Swansea coast on Monday 14th:

[Bertl]

First meadow browns of the season for me. 5 minutes from my office in Aberdeen at lunchtime. 15 seen on the wing.

[Stevieb]

Returned back from Dorset today.

Nice to catch up with Lulworths. East Fleet, Dorset

Now to catch up on what I've been missing whilst away.

Lulworth Skipper 20th June

Lulworth Skipper 20th June

Large Skipper 20th June

[David M]

Wednesday 16th - Green Down, Somerset:

Small Heath 30-40
Meadow Brown 30-40
Common Blue 15-25
Large Blue 11
Large Skipper 5-10
Dingy Skipper 2
Brown Argus 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1

[Medard]

A few of the species seen at Aish Tor Dartmoor, Devon, 22-06-2021

The High brown Fritillaries were as usual very active,reasonable numbers seen.
Also seen one Red Admiral and a Brimstone, no pictures.

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)

High Brown Fritillary (Argynnis adippe)

Can someone identify the Bumble bee at the entrance of the Foxglove flower please, it drew onlookers attention by very blond crown and striped abdomen

Foxglove with unidentified Bumble bee

[Allan.W.]

I think your Bee is a Common Carder Bee ,if not maybe Brown Banded ,someone will definately know on here .
Allan.W.

[petesmith]

That's a lovely fresh Large Blue David! And some nice High Brown pics Jim.
I spent the day with Lincolnshire's Large Heaths, who were behaving pretty reasonably during the cloudy spells. The temperature was just right for them to be not too active, but there were sufficient sunny spells to get them moving a little. Nice to see them in good numbers (150+ during a two hour visit), along with plenty of Large Skippers, a Meadow Brown and a few Small Tortoiseshells. Not much else on the wing other than a battered Painted Lady.

[bugboy]

Black Hairstreaks still showing well on Epsom Common. Found 4 all chilling out low down. All were tempted out during a slightly brighter spell (no sun though) on an overcast morning. All were photographed in light drizzle, proving the point that to get the best chance of getting an up close audience with these elusive little blighters you should avoid the sunnier days .

[essexbuzzard]

Pound Wood, Essex today-one comatose Heath Fritillary.

Then onto Hadleigh Wood. About 25 comatose Heath Fritillaries. Mostly closed, a few open. Doubtless many more at both sites. Grey skies, temperature 15C-roughly the average for October.

[David M]

...I spent the day with Lincolnshire's Large Heaths, who were behaving pretty reasonably during the cloudy spells.

Nice to see, Pete. Is that the polydamus form round your way?

[Medard]

Wednesday 16th - Green Down, Somerset:

Small Heath 30-40
Meadow Brown 30-40
Common Blue 15-25
Large Blue 11
Large Skipper 5-10
Dingy Skipper 2
Brown Argus 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1

No Marbled Whites on the list David, they are usually abundant at this site.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

[Medard]

I think your Bee is a Common Carder Bee ,if not maybe Brown Banded ,someone will definately know on here .
Allan.W.

Three pictures that may help with an ID Alan, the bumble unfortunately is not in sharp focus but clearly shows it has a "white" crown.Thanks for you interest.

[petesmith]

...I spent the day with Lincolnshire's Large Heaths, who were behaving pretty reasonably during the cloudy spells.

Nice to see, Pete. Is that the polydamus form round your way?

That's a good question David - and the answer is slightly complicated, as anyone who has read "Butterflies of Lincolnshire - A Modern History" will know !

According to (most) published works, the Lincs/Yorks border Large Heaths belong to the polydama sub-species; however, due to the work of the late Martin White, the genetic make-up has been "adjusted" over the years. They are hugely variable at this site, and it is possible to find dark, heavily spotted forms that resemble davus.

[David M]

...I spent the day with Lincolnshire's Large Heaths, who were behaving pretty reasonably during the cloudy spells.

Nice to see, Pete. Is that the polydamus form round your way?

That's a good question David - and the answer is slightly complicated, as anyone who has read "Butterflies of Lincolnshire - A Modern History" will know !

According to (most) published works, the Lincs/Yorks border Large Heaths belong to the polydama sub-species; however, due to the work of the late Martin White, the genetic make-up has been "adjusted" over the years. They are hugely variable at this site, and it is possible to find dark, heavily spotted forms that resemble davus.

Aah, I see. A spot of genetic 'dilution' then?

Your first one passes off for davus but the others more resemble polydamus.

[David M]

No Marbled Whites on the list David, they are usually abundant at this site.

One of the two other guys on the site told me he'd seen one, and I spent 5 minutes looking for it (they're not difficult to see when they take to the air). I couldn't find it though so I'll just have to wait a little while for my galathea fix!

[Stevieb]

A successful trip across the border to Somerset to catch up with Heath Fritillary ( Haddon Hill) and Large Blue (Collard Hill)

A mention in dispatches to David M for his meticulous directions for the Heath Frits.

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

23rd June

[David M]

Good stuff, Steve. Plenty of fresh looking Heaths still about, clearly.

[Charles Nicol]

back to the Chilterns at Barton this morning.
a few Small Heaths still knocking around.
Plenty of new faces... Marbled Whites, Ringlet ( x1 ), Fritillaries, & those ginger Skippers

here is one of the Fritillaries

can someone please confirm the type ?

also this plant is abundant on the chalk hillsides:

thanks guys

Charles