www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Eighteen months behind I can put me feet up now then Good to see you back - at least we'll have plenty to read over the winter now

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Good to see you back, Lee.

Thank you all, good to be back

17th May 2014 - Part 2 and Denbies Part 2

Howell Hill is my favourite local spot and I can walk there. Denbies is a short drive away but always a pleasure.

This is going to be a long and welcome sequence during the winter I hope, Lee?

Reflections upon TWO summers should keep us motivated for next spring!

David M wrote:This is going to be a long and welcome sequence during the winter I hope, Lee?

It is, David. I'm enjoying the memories evoked and looking forward to spring.

Best wishes,

Lee

May 18th 2014 - Part 1

Warren Farm in Ewell is another site near me that hosts Small Blue. It is a lovely place. There is a small side field where the Small Blue live, next to a huge open field which in turn borders Nonsuch Park.
You don't need to go far to find them, along with Brown Argus, Common Blue and Small Copper.

Another nice and bright report to get us through the dull and gloomy winter, keep em coming

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurz. Plenty more to come...

Best wishes,

Lee

Splendid stuff, Lee. I shall sit back and enjoy, and look hopefully forward a few months. Only three weeks and counting to the shortest day now...

Dave

May 18th 2014 - Part 2

Sheepleas is a site in Surrey that I had read a lot about from the local branch magazine. It is located just past West Horsley, between Leatherhead and Guildford on the A243. It contains a nettle meadow, which the branch had been trying to make a second reserve (the first being Oaken Wood, in Chiddingfold Forest), in which a lot of Nymphalids breed. The nettle meadow is just one field in a wider complex of meadows and woodland, each with its own fauna. It sounded delightful.

The nettle meadow is the light green square, top left.
On the way into the meadow, there was a fresh Speckled Wood dancing in the dappled sunlight.
It was a lovely site, bordered by a hedge on one side and woodland on the other three. Each corner was wild and the middle was full of grass and nettles.
I only saw one Nymphalid in the nettle meadow in the end, a battered Small Tortoiseshell. However, in the adjacent Cowslip Meadow I had a lovely surprise - a freshly emerged Comma guarding one corner. 18th May was early for a summer brood but not unprecedented. It turned out Small Tortoiseshell and Comma had already been reported for a few days.

millerd wrote:Splendid stuff, Lee. I shall sit back and enjoy, and look hopefully forward a few months. Only three weeks and counting to the shortest day now...

Dave

Thanks Dave. Remember when I bumped into you at Bentley Wood? That's coming up

Best wishes,

Lee

I do indeed, Lee. 25th May.

(I did have to look that up...)

Dave

18th May 2014 - Part 3 and Denbies Part 3

My third sunset in a row at Denbies.

Love the mating pair Lee, the Butterfly Ice Cream takes my vote though Goldie

Sunshine...Blue Skies...Ahhhh!

Hi Lee, some cracking catch-up reports and great photos, just the tonic for wet and windy winter nights

Cheers,

Neil.

More warming/brightening shots Lee It never ceases to amuse me - gorgeous butterfly on a minging lump of dog poo

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thank you all

Best,

Lee

23rd May 2014 - Part 1

A return visit to Hutchinson's Bank, near New Addington. I went to find a fritillary, but today was all about the blues.
This female Common Blue was possibly one of the most beautiful I've seen. The markings were striking and the photo doesn't do her justice. I found her just as some clouds came over and having seen how stunning she was, I spent a long time waiting for this view.
While this male chose a beautiful place to rest.

More great winter warmers Lee - I especially like the Small Heath

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wurzel wrote:More great winter warmers Lee - I especially like the Small Heath

Me too. It's evidently in 'just disturbed' mode.

The female Common Blue is a beauty too.