Thanks, Trevor - yes, Jersey Tigers are certainly appearing more often round here, and make a spectacular sight when flying. They tend to settle in shady spots and under leaves, so this one nectaring in the sunshine was a real bonus.
Cheers, Wurzel - I've got another selection of interesting Coppers coming up in a few posts time. Such a variable species - I may have to consult that ab. list again to see if any qualify!
I've also got a few more SSS waiting in the wings too, with at least one from a couple of days ago only just out of the cellophane wrapping.
Monday 24th August. Back to the local area for the morning, with things staying warm (24 degrees) though not very sunny (bright though). A count notched up a bit over a hundred individuals of 12 species.
The three white butterfly species accounted for half the total:
Large White 10
Small White 34
Green-veined White 6
I could only find one remaining Brown Argus.
There were however 8 Common Blues. The underside of the first one had very pale lunules, but it was too worn to say for certain whether it was ab.
flavescens.
Two Small Coppers today, recognisably two of those seen a few days earlier.
There were a few more Speckled Woods, but with just four seen, they remain thin on the ground here.
26 Meadow Browns was a pretty reasonable total for this stage in the season, and the 13 Small Heath also wasn't a bad showing.
It was also pleasing to see another Painted Lady in a year notable for their near absence, even though it was far from perfect.
Red Admirals are always around though.
Finally, I was entertained by a Holly Blue. I saw only four altogether, including a worn but nicely posing female...
...but a fresh male provided a better show. I first spotted it enjoying the minerals from a large muddy puddle. At one point it nearly landed on the water surface, but luckily thought better of it.
As is often the case, it felt the need to warm up after these exertions and sat on a bramble and basked for a bit.
However, instead of returning to the mud, it decided to nectar instead.
It then took off as I pressed the shutter and disappeared.
That left the afternoon to play with.
Dave
)
Some lovely photos and looking out for the Southern Small White is bound to pay off soon - aren't they at Calais now? 
surely the one with the massive markings is an ab.maxima or some such? 
