www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Week 5.

Here is the opportunity to post your favourite photo(s) of a particular species taken in 2013 (or the last time you saw one!).

This is part of a series of topics which will grow over 20 weeks throughout the winter, eventually covering all 59 species which are regularly found in the British Isles. The intention is to showcase three species per week (in alphabetical order), so please wait until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos. Our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants.

Details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome and please feel free to contribute observations of behaviour, stories of personal encounters, anecdotes or other interesting points.

Vince

Essex Skipper

This is my favourite shot as it was my easiest Essex to confirm. The sex brand on males and sometimes the fringes, I know, can be used to identify this species. However they seem to know this so they either orientate themselves so the brand is hidden from view or damage their wing margins on purpose (SHOCK/WINK). So my usual method when encountering a Smessex is to take a few photos and then crawl about on my hands and knees, cricking my neck in dangerous angles so that I can check for drum stick shaped antennae with black marks.
With this little chappy it was obvious almost immediately that it was an Essex and not a Small/Smessex. The posture and the way it’s clinging to the leaf reminds’ me of a naughty puppy. Picture the scene. You’ve come home from work, there is a bottle of ink overturned on the floor and there is a little sorry face peaking round a cupboard door with incriminating ink blots on it with the phrase “It was an accident...” almost tripping off its proboscis. Have a goodun

Wurzel

Splendidly cute, Wurzel!

My favourite is a more poised individual - I love the beautiful balance achieved with all six legs perfectly arranged. I've popped in another one, chosen as the semi-urban context is unusual with the bus passing mere yards aawy from the oblivious butterfly. Both were taken on 16th July just outside the Heathrow perimeter.

Dave

I always try to devote one day per year to look for this species, and on 8th August at Aston Rowant it wasn't hard to find.

This Essex girl was best viewed head on, showing her resplendent 'tips':

My local Essex Skipper colony is by the river and is just yards from my White Letter Hairstreak colony so I can watch both at the same time. On the 16th July the Essex Skippers emerged and I found them as I was watching and hoping for the Hairstreaks to come down. (I had more luck with the skippers).
http://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com

This year Essex Skippers were out in good numbers at all of my local spots and seemed to outnumber Small Skippers at a couple of places. As usual I took loads of head on shots to confirm ID which while good enough for that purpose were not much good otherwise and usually had grass everywhere.

I did manage to get the shot below which I quite like...
and this topside of the same individual seen at Castle Hills near Solihull.
I also like this one from Sheldon Country Park right at the end of the runway at Birmingham Airport.
Cheers,

Neil.

How common is this species in your neck of the woods, Neil?

Pretty widespread David, this year they seemed to do very well at my local spots. Apparently Essex skippers are expanding their range well past us now, I have seen them reported from Staffordshire and Worcestershire well to the north and west of my location.

Neil.

nfreem wrote:Pretty widespread David, this year they seemed to do very well at my local spots. Apparently Essex skippers are expanding their range well past us now, I have seen them reported from Staffordshire and Worcestershire well to the north and west of my location.

Neil.

Interesting stuff, Neil.

They haven't yet reached Swansea but they HAVE been recorded in Cardiff. I always make a point of checking Small Skippers at the Bridgend High Brown site as I don't think it'll be too long before lineola takes up residence.