Suspect Essex Skipper

[Zonda]

I think this is an ES, photographed at Alners Gorse Dorset today. Be grateful for confirmation.

[David M]

Females are difficult if you can't see beneath the antennae tips. I wouldn't like to commit personally.

[Zonda]

No orange, i promise you David, i walked around it.

[MikeOxon]

I'll stick my neck out and go for Small. Antennae seem chisel-ended and there is a hint of pale colour at the tip, especially on the right-hand side, though it may be a trick of the light. Splendid photo, as usual for your posts, and definitely a Smessex!!!

Mike

[David M]

The Essex Skippers I've seen (and there haven't been many) have all had very distinctive inky black antennal tips.

[Zonda]

Thanking you all for the input. My gut says Yes, and my brain says 'maybe'.

[dilettante]

I'd definitely go for Small

[MikeOxon]

Here's a few pics from my collection, which show how difficult it can be. I have no doubt that this first one is an Essex:

Sydlings Copse, Oxon - July 2005

The next one has been in my files as an Essex but, I now believe that this close-up shows it to be a Small:

Wick Hall, Abingdon, Oxon - July 2008

I took several photos of this second one and most look like this:

Wick Hall, Abingdon, Oxon - July 2008

I had filed all photos of this second example as Essex and, only when I looked very carefully at just one of the pics, did I see the orange under the tip of the antenna.
On the other hand, some Smalls are bleedin' obvious, like this one (none too sharp - but I've zoomed in a lot)

Hartslock, Oxon - June 2009

It's really not as easy as some claim!!! With males, the sex brand helps, but with Essex girls, I think it can be very difficult!

Mike