Re: millerd
Posted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:21 pm
Thursday 17th August: Another local trip only today - or rather a late morning one and a late afternoon one. Today, it was the turn of female Common Blues to be looking for suitable spots to lay. They are all looking rather drab now, but still distinguishable from the Brown Argus that were here a couple of days ago.
Dave
Several Commas again today, but this time there were a couple of new ones in winter plumage as well as a dark version of the summer sort (I had trouble making my mind up about this last one, but seen next to the others it is more obvious). There was also another new Small Tortoiseshell, but this one was up and about and flying strongly between basking sessions on the path. Both morning and afternoon I saw Holly Blues, but only one came close earlier in the day. However, on the way home at the end of my second stroll round, I saw a little silver triangle on a fleabane flower which was not the expected Common Blue. It turned out to be a female Holly Blue, and though a bit worn and missing the tip of one forewing, provided some nice views. I found quite a few Whites today, but they were as usual quite hard to approach. Both GVW and Small Whites were seen... ...but here is one that I am not quite sure about. The overall "feel" of it says Small White, but the black markings are much more extensive than normal, and there is even a hint of a second black spot on the forewing. To be honest it resembles one or two of the photos I've seen of Southern Small Whites (I think there was some discussion of these last year when they had been found further north than usual on the continent), but it can't realistically be one of those. Just another unusual variation I suspect. ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Dave