www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

21st June 2015 - Fairmile Common

Two weeks later and Silver Studded Blues were on the wing.

At this point in 2015, I reached a watershed moment.

Following the demise of my old Canon 10D, all photos for the previous year, perhaps longer, had been taken with my mobile phone.

However, all that changed with the arrival of a Canon 7D and a Canon 100mm macro lens

Its first mission was a holiday in Cyprus and initial results showed a lot of promise
Full report to follow.

A cracking set of Silver-studs, even better when you reminded me that they were taken on a phone Looking forward to the next installment

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks, Wurzel - I'm getting there

Best wishes,

Lee

June/July 2015 - Cyprus; part 1

My first trip to Cyprus was a delight. The climate of the island is similar to southern Spain; very hot and dry in the summer. There are several endemic species and races of butterflies to be found, although Tolman tends to omit these, and despite the country being part of Europe, has precious little information on Cypriot species.

I found the following website to be invaluable: http://www.cyprusbutterflies.co.uk/index.html and its owner, Eddie Johns, a friendly and informative source.

I was staying in Limassol but travelled all over the (south) of the island. The highlight for me was the Troodos mountains, which give some relief from the heat, being cooler, greener, and with fresh mountain air. Consequently, it is also better for butterflies.

There was a small park near to where I was staying, in which were several bushes of Plumbago, which Lang's Short-tailed Blue use as a host plant. This allowed for some great photo opportunities. I would see 40-50 in a one-hour visit to this small area.
There was a lot of this going on.
And quite a lot of this.
The males have solid blue uppersides.
While the females are mottled.
Lang's Short-tailed Blue habitat - the light blue flowers are Plumbago.

Beautiful images of the Lang’s STB, Lee. I’ve still only ever seen a handful, and have never had the opportunity to study them as closely as you have on that trip. The undersides are especially attractive.

Those are great images of LSTBs Lee - I saw my first this year in Lisbon and they were a right pain, the heat made them zip about all over the place

Have a goodun

Wurzel

School's out for summer..and I have my life back! Tome to catch up.

June/July 2015 - Cyprus; part 2

A selection of other butterflies seen around Limassol.

June/July 2015 - Cyprus; part 3

Lastly, some of the other critters seen. The spider eating a cicada was a beast
I was watching a bee on one of the plumbago bushes at one point. I watched it land and suddenly, out of nowhere - boom! This happened.
Certainly took me by surprise. The bee perhaps more so...

Back home, and into high summer. An evening trip to Denbies never disappoints

Chiddingfold Forest, Surrey, 18th July 2015

It was time for Him...

Brilliant reports Lee At this rate you'll have caught up in no time The one that really stood out for me was the male Silver-washed, so vivid

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That's a great flashback to three years ago, Lee. It just shows the difference in the emergence dates for the Emperors between 2015 and 2018, though that fresh Wood White is either very late or about the same (depending on which brood it is).

Dave

Thanks, Wurzel and Dave.

That PE had shown no quarter in a fair few dogfights, but was way behind this year!

Pretty sure it is a second brood Wood White; I usually see them at Chiddingfold at Emperor time.

Best wishes,
Lee

Howell Hill, Ewell, Surrey, 1st August 2015

When I lived in Epsom, this was my favourite place. It teemed with wildlife and I could easily spend hours there.

More Howell Hill, 8th August 2015

I returned a week later and the summer broods were coming along nicely.

RHS Wisley - 9th August 2015

Wisley is lovely at any time of year; summer is, of course, a riot of colour.

Denbies Hillside, 9th August 2015

I always try and get to Denbies in the evening for roosting Chalkhills. This year was no exception.
I have a thing about butterflies against a blue sky...
Even outside by the carpark there were more golden, sunlit Chalkhills.

More lovely images Lee The first Small Copper is a bit special in my book as it looks really dusky Plus some really well marked Chalkhills

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Good to see you resuming your diary, Lee.

I particularly like your Pygmy Skippers. Sadly, it's believed to be extinct in France now but I'd love to see it further east in Europe.