www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

This is a thread in which to post your favourite photo(s) of a particular species taken in 2011.......................or the last time you saw one!

This is part of a series which will hopefully grow throughout the winter until all 58 British species have been covered. Three new threads will be introduced per week. Our overseas friends are welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to our rare migrants, but please try to observe the aphabetical listing

Details of places, dates, times and circumstances would be appreciated and please feel free to contribute observations of behaviour, personal encounters, anecdotes and other interesting points.

Vince

Another "this is my favourite because it's the only one I got" shot:



Taken at Totternhoe Knolls, Beds on a cold and grey 25th May, although I don't think I was looking in quite the right places. This one was skulking on the long grass - I thought it was just a fallen petal at first.

on the full size version the detail of the hairs and scales, though nowhere near perfect, certainly show the small blue to be a lovely little butterfly and one i intend to spend more time with this year.

Another one from the "only one of the year" school... This too is from Totternhoe in Bedfordshire, taken on 29th April. This was a bizarre day, weatherwise, with strong warm sunshine for the time of year, but a strong easterly wind blowing intermittent low cloud across - and then in the space of fifteen minutes, the sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and there was a huge downpour. However, before the rain came, Green Hairstreaks, Grizzled and Dingy Skippers were seen, and one solitary male Small Blue taking up the customary position in the wild clematis vines. Later in the season, there can be dozens here.

Dave

I saw Small Blues for the first time this year and was able to really enjoy watching these little chaps at Kithurst Hill

I took a series of photos like this on 25th May on my local mountain:



Guy

People kept on telling me about Kithurst Hill, so i went down there, and saw my first Small Blue, and here is the result.Nick.

I also saw my first ever Small Blues at Kithurst Hill this year. I like this one because of the gorgeous blue dusting. Kithurst Hill, May 8th 2011

I seem to have done well for Small Blue sightings this year, so was spoilt for choice. I like this 'diagonal' image of a mating pair, which should appeal to fans of plain backgrounds.
Mike

I must have timed it right this year as when I took a trip to Martin Down in mid May Small Blue were everywhere along the paths. They seemed to favour the dog mess as perches, but luckily one or two decided to rest from their dogfights on more fragrant perches. This male was heavily decorated with the scales that differentiate it from the females, a feature that I hadn't seen properly until now.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Not a photo I'm afraid, but a little clip of one of these lovely butterflies.

http://www.facebook.com/v/10150250729966972[/video]

I only saw Small Blues once in 2011, at Prestbury Hill when I went looking for Duke of Burgundy.

The photo below is about the best that I managed at the time.
Cheers,

Neil F.

This is the best photo I have of a Small Blue (not very good) It is also the first that I have ever seen. I went to Kenfig in south Wales to find then.

Just love the way this one is doing a "moony"