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Dingy Skipper - Favourite Photo of 2023

Week 4

Last year I wrote about how ‘there might not be many butterflies left after the deluges’…looks like history repeated itself! Saying that I’m sure there might be a few stalwarts still out there looking to stretch their wings should the sun reappear!

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

Dingy Skipper

This Favourite came from Cotley Hill back in May. The Marshies were flying as were the Walls and a trip here and then onto Martin Down saw me adding 7 ‘Firsts for the Year’ to the yearly Tally. In amongst all the variation and interesting behaviour and novelty the Dingy Skippers could have been easily overlooked (small, ‘dingy’ markings etc.). However these two ensured that they caught the attention of Philzoid and myself as they sat high up on a tall grass stem and enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh/ensured the continuation of the species/met their Biological imperative/got it on – delete as appropriate! As this was only my second ever encounter of this species in cop it immediately became top contender for the Favourite and remained so for the rest of the season!
Have a goodun

Wurzel

This little beauty of a butterfly was a first for me this season. I visited Logie Quarry near Tain where the Highland Butterfly Conservation group have done a terrific job with their species on the edge project which has produced a thriving population of dingy skipper and small blue butterflies.

Cheers

Bert.

Dingy skipper pictures from the amazing Glen Feshie in Highland Speyside, where this species along with Small blue live on river gravels that are submerged in winter.

I encountered Dingy Skippers in several of their usual haunts that I visit in May each year. This one from Denbies on 11th of that month was particularly fresh: almost a textbook example. Dave

Interesting photos from Glen Feshie. If they live on river gravels that are submerged in winter, how does this affect larval survival rates over the winter?

With the slow start to the season my Dingy Skipper records (and photos) were relatively few. First one below is from the Chiddingfold forest complex, where they're sometimes encountered in clearings but aren't plentiful.
About the only (semi-) underside shot I managed, from the North Downs (although it was the delicate pose on the grass head that really caught the attention).
And from the same visit, one sunning itself above the warm chalk path.

Found reasonable numbers locally this season the majority on the North Downs ,particularly in the Wye (Kent ) area .
This pair were right beside the footpath at the base of the Devils Kneading trough while on a Duke hunt .
Allan.W.

Interesting photos from Glen Feshie. If they live on river gravels that are submerged in winter, how does this affect larval survival rates over the winter?

This year will be a real test - massive amounts of water up here. Hoping they come through ok.

Due to a visit to our daughter down in Emsworth in April, I saw quite a few Dingy Skippers this year with good numbers at both Butser Hill/Rake Bottom and at Old Winchester Hill. Although I took plenty of photos, the breezy conditions on both days meant that the subjects were mostly low down amongst the vegetation.

The only time that I saw Dingy skippers nearer home was during a visit to Bishops Hill on 23rd May when there were still reasonable numbers in good condition flying
Cheers,

Neil.

This fresh-looking individual seen at Rodborough Common, Glos, on 14th May was my favourite:

Hot days are good for getting an underside shot, when they start to temperature regulate, but getting a clean background making the butterfly pop out of the picture is less common hence it gets my vote this year.