www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

It would be nice to have a spell of 'normal' weather this month, the kind I would describe as being in the Goldilocks zone - not too hot, not too wet, not to windy.....but just right...

I second that David. Itching to get out for Purple Emperors and Hairstreaks etc., but the forecast doesn't look hopeful for the near future. If only I could get a flight out to France...

Tell me about it, Pete! It's actually physically painful to think of all those multi-dozens of species flying right now whilst we in the UK are suffering high winds, cloud and suppressed temperatures.

It's not all doom and gloom! In a mix of sunshine, cloud and a bit of a stiff breeze this morning on my local patch near Heathrow, during two hours of a circular walk I counted well over 200 butterflies of 18 different species. No unusual ones of course, but with 34 Peacocks and 27 Red Admirals among them it was a colourful morning.

A full report to come in a few days time. (It is of course now raining, but just a heavy shower I think... )

Cheers,

Dave

A few Meadow browns and ringlets out in a very cloudy Aberdeen today.

Can anyone recommend Whitbarrow scar as a good butterfly area worth visiting

Bertl wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:41 pmCan anyone recommend Whitbarrow scar as a good butterfly area worth visiting

Yes. I believe High Browns fly there as well as a good range of other species.

My first Essex Skipper at this site (Bewley Common)

Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.

Lots of good stuff to see in Chiddingfold Forest at the moment, but the Silver-washed Fritillaries are particularly nice.

It's a while since I've seen a mating pair Andrew. Well caught

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:31 pm Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.

The first one certainly looks like it Ian. Not so sure about the second due to the angle but it looks more like the normal summer form to me.

Cheers,

Neil.

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:31 pm Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.

The first is also in the process of laying an egg - so further confirmation that this is a hutchinsoni individual!

I agree that the second looks like the normal form.

Cheers,

- Pete

The morning was over cast showing no promise for butterflies, however the afternoon brightened up and gave me an interesting afternoons visit.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

A beautiful newly emerged Female ? White Admiral Two male Commas battling
Migrant Hawker recently emerged,
and a Common Darter.
Lots of Brimstone on the wing

Today 03-07-2020
The morning was promising and gave good sightings along the track.
Small Skipper ? Its the first  I've seen at Shapwick
Ringlet
White Admiral
Two Commas
Red Admiral
Peacock
Speckled Wood

Pete Eeles wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 9:51 am

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:31 pm Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.

The first is also in the process of laying an egg - so further confirmation that this is a hutchinsoni individual!

I agree that the second looks like the normal form.

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks Pete.

Neil Freeman wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:08 am

Ian Pratt wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2020 6:31 pm Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.

The first one certainly looks like it Ian. Not so sure about the second due to the angle but it looks more like the normal summer form to me.

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks Neil.

30+ Dark Green Fritillary on a walk in and around part of Friston Forest today. Of which 80% were female, including the darkest I've yet seen.

Also lots of Whites on the wing and a ton of fresh Red Admiral, and I saw a new Wall male.

Thanks Pauline.

Breezy and mostly cloudy but still a good few species about. Green Lane Wood

2nd of July...I spent the evening dodging heavy rain!!! even had to utilize my built in rain cover, from my camera backpack (that was a 1st) whilst under a tree!
But after the rain cleared (not for long!) I still managed a few nice Marbled White images. A brisk long walk back to the car, heavy rain all the way!! But it was still good to get out butterflying...it had been over a week, since I had last been out with the cameras.
Location - Kent. Images are not cropped. All are females. Cheers Paul.

Revisited cambus o may this morning on Deeside before rain started. Was overcast but still a lot of small pearl bordered fritillary around as well as ringlet and some red admirals.

With the weather as it is I just went for a walk round the group of 3 fields behind our local pub. Light wasn't great but pretty sure I got my first Essex Skippers. Think I just needed to wait a bit longer for them to emerge.

If they are then that takes the total to 28 species I've photographed in those fields. They've been given permission to build build build a shed load of houses on them of course, so I'm making the most of them while I've got them.

Saw Meadow Brown, Ringlets, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Green Veined White, plus a selection of small moths.

My son has just left for a lesser spotted socially distanced pint in at The Shepherd and Dog. Don't think it's quite beer garden weather to open the season though.