www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

David M wrote:Wow. Those are breathtaking landscapes, Sonam. You really are blessed in your mountain kingdom.

Thanks David. Some more pics. from the trip. Lucky to encounter with the Moore's Cupid (Shijimia moorei) which is a confirmed new record for Bhutan. Got another new record for Bhutan but the pic is not so clear, Scarce Silverstreak Blue (Iraota rochana).

rgds,
Sonam

Sonam Dorji wrote:..Thanks David. Some more pics. from the trip. Lucky to encounter with the Moore's Cupid (Shijimia moorei) which is a confirmed new record for Bhutan.

No surprise that I like my eponymous little butterfly...it's a cracker, isn't it?

Great that you're getting new records for Bhutan, Sonam. Is that because butterflies generally are under-recorded there?

David M wrote:

Sonam Dorji wrote:..Thanks David. Some more pics. from the trip. Lucky to encounter with the Moore's Cupid (Shijimia moorei) which is a confirmed new record for Bhutan.

No surprise that I like my eponymous little butterfly...it's a cracker, isn't it?

Great that you're getting new records for Bhutan, Sonam. Is that because butterflies generally are under-recorded there?

Hi,

It definitely is. As for the records, Many species (abt 735) has been recorded so far. Expected is 1000 by Japanese Researchers who have worked in Bhutan immensely. I guess not all locations were explored and I tend to go to places where there are not much trace of work done. Of course, not many nationals interested as well and in someways great for people like us. Finding new ones encourages us as well!!

rgds,
Sonam

Look after your country Sonam – it’s beautiful. Sadly no one seems to be looking after ours at the moment.

Jack

Jack Harrison wrote:Look after your country Sonam – it’s beautiful. Sadly no one seems to be looking after ours at the moment.

Jack

Thanks Jack. But i think you should not loose much hope as well. Things will turn out for good at the end. But please do take care of urself.

Rgds,
Sonam

Sonam Dorji wrote:It definitely is. As for the records, Many species (abt 735) has been recorded so far. Expected is 1000 by Japanese Researchers who have worked in Bhutan immensely. I guess not all locations were explored and I tend to go to places where there are not much trace of work done. Of course, not many nationals interested as well and in someways great for people like us. Finding new ones encourages us as well!!

Yes, I'm sure it adds a different dimension, Sonam. 735 recorded species is pretty good for a smallish country like Bhutan, and it's not as if it is tropical!

Who knows, there may well be 1,000 or more with thus far unrecorded species lurking in places that have not been thoroughly surveyed.

David M wrote:

Sonam Dorji wrote:It definitely is. As for the records, Many species (abt 735) has been recorded so far. Expected is 1000 by Japanese Researchers who have worked in Bhutan immensely. I guess not all locations were explored and I tend to go to places where there are not much trace of work done. Of course, not many nationals interested as well and in someways great for people like us. Finding new ones encourages us as well!!

Yes, I'm sure it adds a different dimension, Sonam. 735 recorded species is pretty good for a smallish country like Bhutan, and it's not as if it is tropical!

Who knows, there may well be 1,000 or more with thus far unrecorded species lurking in places that have not been thoroughly surveyed.

Hi David,

I agree. Hope we will discover soon before our lifetime. Anyways, here are some pics. from my recent trips.

rgds,
Sonam

You always turn up something surprising, Sonam. That Great Spotted Blue is very striking indeed.

The Comma is obviously more familiar, though it is visibly different to the ones we see in the UK, especially the thick, dark borders to the wings.

David M wrote:You always turn up something surprising, Sonam. That Great Spotted Blue is very striking indeed.

The Comma is obviously more familiar, though it is visibly different to the ones we see in the UK, especially the thick, dark borders to the wings.

Hi David, sorry for the late reply. Was in the field. The comma was really fresh and I was surprised that I had not encountered that fresh earlier. Anyways, some few noteworthy pics. from my recent trip. The common Blue Apollo was clicked at 3500 masl. They are normally found above 2800 masl. As for the Yellow Gorgon, this is my first pic. of the species. I have seen it before but was not able to click. In Bhutan, the species seems to be quite rare.


rgds,
Sonam

Tony M.

Hello Sonam, I have just finished looking at all the glorious butterflies in your diary and what a journey it has been Every new post has my 'new' favorite and I cannot comprehend 750 different species. I am yet to see all 59 we have here (this is my best year to date with 38 seen) and I think that is a lot.

Many thanks for sharing and I eagerly anticipate your next post/pictures.

Those are two particularly spectacular butterflies, the wing shape to that Yellow Gorgan gives it a very regal look and the blue on your Apollo just lifts it up a notch from the European relatives. It was a particularly ghastly day yesterday here in the UK so they certainly helped to brighten it up

Old Wolf wrote:Hello Sonam, I have just finished looking at all the glorious butterflies in your diary and what a journey it has been Every new post has my 'new' favorite and I cannot comprehend 750 different species. I am yet to see all 59 we have here (this is my best year to date with 38 seen) and I think that is a lot.

Many thanks for sharing and I eagerly anticipate your next post/pictures.

Hi,

Nice to meet you. Thanks for the compliments. Am happy you like them. You will get to 59 soon, I am sure. I guess passion is all that is required.

rgds,
Sonam

bugboy wrote:Those are two particularly spectacular butterflies, the wing shape to that Yellow Gorgan gives it a very regal look and the blue on your Apollo just lifts it up a notch from the European relatives. It was a particularly ghastly day yesterday here in the UK so they certainly helped to brighten it up

Hi Bugboy,

I thought this Apollo is there in UK. The weather here is not that great as well but the rain seems to be abating now. I was at a Bhutan Glory place but managed to get an old specimen only.

Hope to post a better pic. of a fresh one one of these days.

rgds,
Sonam

That Common Blue Apollo is absolutely stunning, Sonam, as are the Bhutan Glory & Yellow Gorgon. You seem to come up with magical stuff every time you post.

David M wrote:That Common Blue Apollo is absolutely stunning, Sonam, as are the Bhutan Glory & Yellow Gorgon. You seem to come up with magical stuff every time you post.

Hi David,

Thanks for the compliments. I also like to Common Blue Apollo and it is normally seen above 2700 masl in Bhutan. Here are some from my field visits. These are all Awls and Awlets. Comes during dawn mostly and are mostly subtropical species.

rgds,
Sonam

Wow, Man!

,

Tony M.

Just when you think you've seen the whole range....

...along comes something else from this conveyor-belt of beauty.

Those are really unusual looking butterflies, Sonam; in fact, the bodies appear more like moths.

The Orange Stripe Awlet is the pick - stunning!

David M wrote:Just when you think you've seen the whole range....

...along comes something else from this conveyor-belt of beauty.

Those are really unusual looking butterflies, Sonam; in fact, the bodies appear more like moths.

The Orange Stripe Awlet is the pick - stunning!

Thanks David. The Awls are Awlets are unique butterflies. They are found in almost the same place. You will be going there as well. It is about 150 masl. Anyways, I found several species of Yellow Gorgons. My thought was it is a rare species, but somehow after my current observations, this are not rare but uncommon. Again, you be prepared for this. It definitely one of the majestic butterflies found in Bhutan and Southeast Asia.

rgds,
Sonam

Even my 'non-butterfly' friends are inspired and mesmerised by your beautiful butterflies Sonam. The sheer diversity leaves me breathless and speechless. Absolutely stunning images.

Thanks, Sonam. Yes, these species are quite remarkable for a UK resident. I think eyebrows would be raised even were they to appear in a tropical butterfly house over here, such are their unique characteristics.

There seems to be a great deal to be discovered in Bhutan as well, unlike most parts of Europe which have been surveyed to the point of distraction.