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Your Dingy shot is the pick of the bunch! I found my first 2024 Dingy yesterday.

Thanks Trevor, I was pleased with it. I think it is the little flowers of the Salad Burnet that makes it.

Katrina wrote: ↑Mon May 20, 2024 9:39 pmBonus photo cropped

Lovely image, Katrina. They are so well camouflaged when they wrap themselves round the flowerhead like that.

Thanks David. There were 2 near each other.

Today I had arranged to meet my sister and go to Hutchinson's Bank. We met at East Croydon Station and took the tram and had a memorable day out.
We saw Glanville Fritillaries , Marsh Fritillaries, Duke of Burgundy, Small Blues (numerous and egg laying), Green Hairstreak (numerous but mainly faded), Common Blues (including mating pair), Holly Blues (numerous) , Brown Argus, Small Copper, Dingy Skippers, one Large Skipper, Red Admiral , Peacock , Small Heaths , Speckled Wood, Orange -tip and egg, Large White, Brimstones (numerous) and on the path back to the tram Commas
19 species in total .
I did miss out on a bee hawkmoth my sister saw . She called me over but it had gone but the time I got there but I really cant complain as wasn't expecting to see so many species and seeing the Marshies may have saved me a trip further afield. Also my first Glanvilles and Marsh Fritiillaries for a few years and first Brown Argus , Small Blue and Large Skipper of the year
It was also a pleasure to meet so many happy butterfly enthusiasts and thanks to the gentleman who pointed us in the direction of the first Marsh Fritillary.

Sounds like an exceptional day, Katrina - I especially like your first Glanville shot, plus that Peacock comfortably sat at the end.

Cheers,

Dave

A busy day indeed! enough to cause mental indigestion with that lot.
A for both Glanville shots, and the relaxing Peacock,
plus the novelty of travelling by tram to a butterfly site.

Thanks Dave, was exceptional and good to spend it with my super spotter sister.

Thanks Trevor,
I don’t know why I like the Peacock shot but I just do.

Lovely photos and a nice selection of species from Hutchinson's Bank, Katrina somewhere I've yet to visit.

Thanks Maximus,
I hear people express concerns about releases at the site but it is certainly efficient in terms of seeing species, saving time and CO2.
At least 10 Glanvilles seen in 4 different areas and 2 Marshies in different areas.
Bit of a steep walk back to the tram though.

My sister Rhona , as I mentioned, found a bee hawk-moth yesterday at Hutchinson’s Bank. We have been told it is a narrow- bordered one . It has generated some interest as there apparently was a single sighting of one last year in the same place. Here is her record shot.

Cracking set of shots Katrina My fave of a very 'fave worthy' bunch has to go to the egg laying Small Blue, definitely one of those images that paints a thousand words

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel,
I attempted a photo of the egg but although visible came out as a round white blob.

Here is a bonus photo / crop

Lovely photos from your trip.on Saturday. My daughter used to live at Morden, but I never visited Hutchinson's Bank. Really pleased that you saw Duke of Burgundy and marsh fritillaries. All the others we have here on the Isle of Wight.

Katrina wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2024 8:14 pm Today I had arranged to meet my sister and go to Hutchinson's Bank. We met at East Croydon Station and took the tram and had a memorable day out.
We saw Glanville Fritillaries , Marsh Fritillaries, Duke of Burgundy, Small Blues (numerous and egg laying), Green Hairstreak (numerous but mainly faded), Common Blues (including mating pair), Holly Blues (numerous) , Brown Argus, Small Copper, Dingy Skippers, one Large Skipper, Red Admiral , Peacock , Small Heaths , Speckled Wood, Orange -tip and egg, Large White, Brimstones (numerous) and on the path back to the tram Commas
19 species in total .

Hope you checked the Large White very closely, havent seen one on site since April 5th. Like Red Admirals they are never numerous on site. You will always have great days out on this site, except when the rain pours down.

A week ago I was back with my sister at Hutchinson's Bank.
We saw 2 mating pairs of Glanvilles .

Today I went to Rowland Wood to looks for SPBF . Thanks to Steve who called me over for the first one. In total we saw 4 and lots of dragonflies.
After a cursory look on and ID website I think Scare, Broad-Bodied and Emperor but if anyone knows their dragonflies please correct me if I am wrong.
I kept hoping the SBPF would nectar on the thistles but they were keeping low on bramble and bugle.
Also seen were Meadow Browns and Large Skippers, a slow worm and 2 deer.

Your dragonfly ID'S are spot on

Pleased your SPBF's were as well behaved as mine last Wednesday.
As it was your day off, I was hoping you would turn up to fill your boots
with the SPBF spectacle we were enjoying, glad you got to see them.

Great Small Pearls Katrina The male and female Scarce Chasers are so different they could almost be different species

Have a goodun

Wurzel