www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Any trip tips welcomed in and around Essex.
As a bird watcher i have made many trips in and around Essex but have just discovered the fascination of the world of Butterlies after stumbling over a couple of differnce species in the garden, buying the wife a book and before you know it I'm hooked and looking to see all the species I can.
I have in my first month and a bit found, Speckled Wood, Essex Skipper, Silver Spotted skipper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, Small and Large white along with Green Veined White, Chalkhill Blue, Brown Argus, Purple Hairstreak, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady (And a bonus Hummingbird Hawk Moth in the garden which was great to watch)
I would welcome any tips for sites worth a vist for species not listed that might be flying at this time to give me just another excuse to put the camera in the car and head off somewhere new.

Hello Brian,

sorry I can't really recommend any Essex butterfly sites for you - not massively familiar with the county. But I notice you've not got Meadow Brown or Small Skipper on your list, which is odd as they are both pretty common. Check your Essex Skippers and Gatekeepers some more and you'll soon add 2 more species to your tally! ( I'm guessing your Brown Angus is a typo, or are you including cattle? )

Cheers mate,

Gibster (also a birder!)

PS Swallowtails are currently flying in The Fens if that's not too distant for you? Well worth the effort!

There are probably Wall Browns on/near the coast too. Check out the Essex BC website sightings page to see who's been seeing what and where.
http://www.cambs-essex-butterflies.org.uk/sightings.php

Dave

Thanks guys

yes to the typo...(i think angus is a better name tho ) and i have actually seen bundles of meadow brown (forget them!) but until todays feast of silver spotted skippers the only one i'd seen was the one Essex...here's hoping and no the Fens are a regular haunt on my birding trips so i'll try to put one together this weekend to find me a swallowtail if the times right for them.
thanks again

Hi Brian,
As an Essex resident myself, i can confirm there are some great places to see butterflies in the county! Only trouble is,most Essex species fly late Spring to high Summer,and are going over by now.The old industrial works,west Canvey Island,are good for walls-in a good Autumn the fly here until October!
Butterfly Conservaton Cambs-Essex branch,have field trips to many Essex sites.
Regards,Mark.

Much obliged...i was looking at Canvey as they had some Marbled White on somebody else's diary last week so I may go that way at the weekend although Norfolk is also calling.
Thanks for the tips