www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Thank you, Wurzel and David.

I have seen precious few Small Coppers this year. Pigmy Skippers I've only ever seen in Cyprus and Turkey. Their close relative, the Mediterranean Skipper is in Spain and I think, France though.

Best wishes,

Lee

Sheepleas, Surrey, 27th September 2015

Sheepleas, near West Horsley in Surrey, is another of my favourite places. It repays repeated visits throughout the year. It has a mosaic of different habitats from woodland to meadows, with each meadow having its own identity, flora and fauna.

The Nettle meadow (as the name implies) has vast swathes of nettles and thistles and is ideal for Vanessids. The adjacent Cowslip meadow hosts the flora you would associate with chalk or limestone and accordingly has a colony of Chalk Hill Blue.

This was a late season treat; as soon as I entered the Nettle Meadow, I had two surprises.
Just further along the hedge line, I met another female.
The Meadow Browns were looking a little faded. The length of the flight season amazes me; although I have seen fresh females at this time of year. I wonder if they manage to squeeze in an extra brood and we don't know.
Not at all faded but fresh out of the box, was this rather majestic female Comma, stocking up for the winter months to come.
I also saw what I think is a Marsh Tit.

Cracking close-up of the Comma Lee, it makes the comma mark look like it's been painted on

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cyprus - November 2015

I returned to Cyprus in November and it was just as hot. I did see a few additional species although the Lang's Short-tailed Blues were in much shorter supply. This was due to the fact that the Plumbago had been cut to within an inch of its life.

In the same area though was a new species, The Cyprus Grayling Hipparchia cypriensis.
In place of Lang's I found Long-tailed Blue, this one showing how the tails and false eyes had helped it survive a probable bird attack.
Painted Ladies were everywhere too.
There were more Pigmy Skippers.
The dragonflies were stunning too!

Wurzel wrote:Cracking close-up of the Comma Lee, it makes the comma mark look like it's been painted on

Thanks, Wurzel. She really was a stunning butterfly

It's quite lovely going through older photos - I remember all of these trips out and every butterfly.

Best wishes,

Lee

RHS Wisley, Surrey, 7th February 2016

A winter visit to Wisley was only slightly let down by having the camera on the wrong setting This resulted in dark and grainy images for the main, although I have (just about) rescued the ones below. The butterflies were as gorgeous as ever of course
There was an incredibly tame robin in the outer greenhouse.

Signs of Spring, Epsom, March 2016

The big field behind where I lived in Epsom held my first of the year for 2016 on 12th March.
A couple of weeks later I found a stunning Oak Beauty while walking to Ewell.
A couple of Small Tortoiseshells were also on the path.

Great pictures Lee.

I grew up in Sutton which is not a million miles away from where you are. I have very fond memories of the area.

I love the Robin shots as Robins are my favorite feathered friend

Hello Lee ,
I reckon your Dragonfly from Cyprus is a female Red -veined Darter (sympetrum fonscolombii ),only seen one myself ,mine was at Dungeness (Kent )
Regards Allan.W.

Thanks Old Wolf. I was living in Epsom for 3 or 4 years in total, but have moved a couple of times since! There are some lovely places to find butterflies near there.

Allan, thank you, I'm not great at dragonflies!

Best wishes,

Lee

Howell Hill - 2nd April 2016

On the 2nd April, I walked to Howell Hill from home. Hibernators were out and about:
However, on the way, I took a photo that has become one of my favourites of all time.

I watched her hunting then land atop a nearby tree. I carefully crept towards the tree until I was very nearly underneath it. She was watching me the whole time and then suddenly she flew. I managed two frames; this was the second.

Two frames was all you need Lee what a fantastic shot :The butterflies ones aren’t too shabby either

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel

Beautiful view of the kestrel, Lee. keep 'em coming!

David, thank you.

A week in May spent in the mountains above Malaga coming up...

Looking forward to that, Lee - friends of mine have just moved to that very area, and have extended an invitation once they have settled in.

Dave

millerd wrote:Looking forward to that, Lee - friends of mine have just moved to that very area, and have extended an invitation once they have settled in.

If it's anywhere near Los Romanes, Dave, you're in for a real treat

Best wishes,
Lee

7th May 2016 - Howell Hill & Warren Farm

On the 7th, I went back to Howell Hill. Whites and Orange were nice and fresh
Lots of Nymphalids too of course.
I then popped over to Warren Farm, nearby, to see if the Small Coppers were out. They were

Birthday Blue Tit Rescue

On my birthday, I found a very disoriented and dehydrated blue tit that had become trapped in the conservatory. I don't know how long it had been inside, but it was hot outside and the bird wasn't in a good way. I picked it up with the feet between my fingers and rushed to the sink, where I gave it some water.

Once it had perked up a bit, I took it outside and sat it on the water tray on the bird feeder, which allowed me to get the camera. Here he or she is, post-rescue, drink and a bath.
After a while, it flew up to a tree in the garden, where it sat for half an hour before flying off.

Lee - You saved a Blue Tit on your birthday, what a treat (or should that be tweet?)

I also scrolled back and didn't realise I had not seen the post before it. Fantastic close-up of the Small Tort wing.