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Dingy Skipper - Favourite Photo of 2019

Week 4

We seem to be flying through the weeks! It feels like only yesterday that I was launching the Favourites Thread – which is great, not because I condone wishing your life away, but because it means the 2020 season will kick off all the sooner!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I used to travel to Newmarket for Dingy Skipper but a I found out a very few years ago I could find them 5 minutes up the road Norman Cross, Cambs 4th May

Having largely ignored this species in recent years, I resolved to pay them due attention for at least one day in 2019. That day was 10 May on some waste ground opposite my workplace:

Couldn't decide between a mating pair I found at Ivinghoe Beacon or a single one I found at Abbots wood (first time I've seen one there) so I stuck them together

This little poser was also the first Dingy Skipper *ever* recorded in the University of York haymeadow, created a few years back as part of a conservation area on the new East Campus. My excitement at finding it paled into insignificance compared to the excitement of those responsible for the meadow's creation when I reported the sighting! I went back next day to find two individuals - we hope this is a genuine colonisation.

Dingy Skipper

This was taken at the Devenish towards the middle of their flight in mid-May. I was checking out the reserve and hoping to find both the Skippers with my daughters. This little chappy was my favourite butterfly of the day and eventually became my favourite for this species as it reminds me of a grizzled old man, somewhat like Gandalf for some reason and when I see the image with that in mind it always brings a smile to my face.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

In early May we visited Bishops Hill in South Warwickshire but just as we arrived the weather deteriorated into a dull and gloomy afternoon with a cold wind. No butterflies were flying in these conditions but a quick search produced a couple of settled Dingy Skippers, one of which provided my favourite shot of the species this year.
A return visit in much better conditions the following weekend produced lots more,
Cheers,

Neil.

Fewer pictures to sort through than usual this year for some reason. I did find a mating pair, however, not a particularly common sight for me - this was at Martin Down on a hugely productive May day (12th) which had also taken in Bentley Wood.I also like this individual seen amongst myriads of Small Blues at Hutchinson's Bank on 22nd of the same month. Dave

bugboy wrote:Couldn't decide between a mating pair I found at Ivinghoe Beacon or a single one I found at Abbots wood (first time I've seen one there) so I stuck them together...

A mating pair is good, BB. I've only ever seen this species in cop a handful of times so it's not a commonly seen event.