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Lulworth Skipper - Favourite Photo 2019

Week 10

Last week was a nightmare, nothing political but pet related so I’m really looking forward to leaving it all behind and moving onto week! So bring on your Faves – I need cheering up!

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

Didn't see this species in the UK during 2019, but they pop up in both the French Pyrenees in May and the Alps during July. Here's one from the latter location nectaring on lavender (they DO seem to like blue flowers):

Following Wurzel's advice, I visited the NT car park at the bottom of the hill upon which sits Corfe Castle, and climbed up the railway embankment. As he had confidently predicted, there were several Lulworth Skippers flying and as this was 20th June, they were generally quite fresh at this fairly early point in their season.

Male:Female: Dave

Lulworth Skipper

This was taken during the early part of their flight (1st June) actually on the very edge of Cove in my little Hotspot. It was my favourite as normally this species is very amicable with other butterflies but this little chap was a right belligerent little sod and in the time I was watching saw off a couple of other males (which were in much better fettle and looked much smarter) as well a Common Blue and a Brown Argus so it won a place in my heart for its fighting spirit.
Have a goodun

Wurzel