www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi Guy, thanks... the ant thing was fascinating to watch in the light of the Thomas & Lewington book observations....

the Grayling, according to Adrian Riley's book on British and Irish Butterflies suggests the "Great Orme Grayling" ssp thyone, flies "significantly earlier" than the other subspecies, peaking about now! - in the same book the hindwing is said to be "paler and more uniform, less contrasting" so not actually sure what I've photographed ( except it is indeed semele)

Great pics of the Mountain Ringlet. Was thinking of popping up that way myself this weekend. Don't suppose you could let me know the location? Cheers

They're very "off piste" and getting there is the problem, hell of a hike, and Honister is maybe a better bet... When I found them I just took a wander to Red Screes and scrambled until I reached a suitable place, altitude being all important and they do not venture lower!!!.... the Adrian Riley book of British & Irish butterflies has never let me down with sites.

Ok, thanks for that info. I'm probably better trying Honister as there is bound to be various other people looking at the same time. The more pairs of eyes the better!

I once slogged up from Honister as a sprightly 37 year-old and found them easily once above about 1,800 feet (550 metres). Now, at nearly twice that age, I can’t attempt the climb; my annual “tick-list” will always be at least one short.

So far this year, 37 species and counting - I’m on course for the target Five-O. The only miss so far from those attempted was Glanville Fritillary on the mainland. It would seem I was just a few days too early in the season. I didn’t go to the Isle of Wight but probably will next year.

Jack

Superb finds this year, Paul - I think you've managed to get quite a few of the items on my personal "wish list"

Cheers,

- Pete

Living (and probably dying) in the Fens - where 10ft above sea level constitutes a mountain - I get vertigo if I have more than two pairs of socks on... I know, what a sap!
Mountain Ringlets will probably the last species I need to see and I will have to bite the bullet and do it. Trouble is, if I have my eyes closed, it won't be very easy to take photos

Trev

I think you'd love it really

Jack.... do you think if we got a sedan chair, and a few healthy volunteers we could........

Paul:

Jack.... do you think if we got a sedan chair, and a few healthy volunteers we could........

Yes please.

Jack

Two rather different special things about today... my first ever discovery of a Small Blue larva, and a kingfisher on our pond at home... turns up sporadically usually in or shortly after heavy rain, but we are only 30 yards from the river Swale!!
Both sightings painfully show up my poor camera's limitations... the small, and the distant . but anyway... proof shots here...

I think they're great pictures, both! Nice finds, Paul!

Guy

Thanks Guy, can't wait for next week!

Great pics Paul, personally would love to see a Kingfisher, but they are anything but common where I live, nearest place I know there are some is a river 20 miles from house (or there abouts) great you found it in your garden.

Like the small blue cat, those things to me are not easy to find

Thanks Dave, the Kingfisher has been by about 6 times over 15 years here!!! They are brilliant from all points of view, and I'm sure you'll see them sometime!

It's about White Letter Hairstreak time up here now... and I thought I'd pay a visit to a new site I found ovae this January... sure enough, 3 adults counted, at least that's all that were ever in the air at once... one was eventually within camera range...

Amazing how clear that male sex brand is from the underside! I've just checked my own pictures and discovered that is a good way of sexing them even when the tails are worn down. Excellent!

Guy

I wondered what that was... thought it might have had trouble drying it's wings

Paul in action at Fermyn on Sunday.

The strange lighting is a result of my inappropriate and unintentional use of flash

jack

Thanks Jack.... the rest of me is fatter and uglier than the pinkies!!!

Now.... you will be gutted you did not stay with me rather than doing the driving lesson.... see following... from someone who saw his first male emperor on Sat am... to someone who has pics of iole (edit... lugenda) in the afternoon... who's a lucky boy then!! ..... I can hear the shriek from here

I'm speechless, Paul! What a find! And great pictures too.

Guy