www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

With a view to understanding how UKB is helping (or not) fulfil our members' aspirations, and where it should head, I'd appreciate it if you could tell me your highlights of 2016 (and yes, I know this year is far from over!) and whether or not UKB helped at all (or not). Here's my starter for 10:

- Following Chequered Skipper larvae through to pupation (I'm not expecting anyone to repeat this exercise any time soon!) and spending a week in Scotland (with Mark Colvin, and bumping into Neil Freeman) focused primarily on this species. I found the UKB site information pretty useful to help target key sites. However, I thought that the habitat description needed improving.

- Spending 2 days focused purely on Lulworth Skipper. Again, the UKB site info. was a good starting point. I felt that UKB needed to have more details regarding larval foodplants (how many members know what Tor-grass looks like?!).

- Continuing with my White Admiral studies and determining key characteristics of the 5 larval instars. The feedback on the forums has been amazing and encouraged me to take this deeper interest, and provide evidence!

- Spending a day (today!) watching Wall females ovipositing; I learned one heck of a lot about their ovipositing behaviour and oviposition site choices! I felt that the UKB species information was replicating other "publications" but feel that there needs to be a mechanism for easily integrating personal observations.

- Rearing 3 Large Skippers from egg to adult, releasing them back from whence they came. Such an unusual pupa! Probably a touchy subject, but sharing species-specific information on captive rearing could be useful.

- Getting my head around the equipment that would work for me, when photographing eggs in super-macro (inspired by Tony Moore's eggsellent shots). Given the ubiquitous interest in photography on UKB, I think that seeing the setups that other members are using would help raise the bar for us all.

Cheers,

- Pete

All excellent starter points!

The old chestnut for me is the "Similar Species" information - from a quick look on the homepage, I failed to find it (again!) - the obvious location, if it's not a dedicated entry on the Species menu, is the Species > Identification page, but no.... It is, of course, the usual suspects that still have me baffled (the 'main' blues + Brown Argus; and PBF/SPBF). With guidance (and the aid of Mr. Riley & the existing page [when I find it]), I might be able to offer some elaboration on what is currently on offer. Don't under-estimate how many of us amateurs still struggle with ID'ing these species.

Cheers, Jon

jonhd wrote:All excellent starter points!

The old chestnut for me is the "Similar Species" information - from a quick look on the homepage, I failed to find it (again!) - the obvious location, if it's not a dedicated entry on the Species menu, is the Species > Identification page, but no.... It is, of course, the usual suspects that still have me baffled (the 'main' blues + Brown Argus; and PBF/SPBF). With guidance (and the aid of Mr. Riley & the existing page [when I find it]), I might be able to offer some elaboration on what is currently on offer. Don't under-estimate how many of us amateurs still struggle with ID'ing these species.

Cheers, Jon

Species -> Similar Species ... but point taken!

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_similarities.php

Cheers,

- Pete

Its funny you should mention about what Tor Grass actually looks like in that context Pete. On one of my recent wanderings I got to thinking perhaps an addition to each species description would be photos of the principle LHP. I'm not sure where you would draw the line for Green Hairstreaks and Holly Blues though

As for where did UKB help.
- The site info is invaluable, and in constant use by me.
- The up to date information, particularly in PD's was also extremely useful in planning my trips. Knowing when a species has started to emerge from site to site is invaluable. Certainly much easier to access than trawling through the relevant regional BC sightings pages.
- Picking up hints and tips to improve my photography
- the depth of knowledge, I rarely see a question go unanswered usually with very knowledgable and in depth answers.

My highlights for 2016 have got to me my 6 lifers I managed but head and shoulders at the top was seeing my very first Swallowtail, I've never even seen a gorganus so watching a couple of britannicus flirting in Norfolk really did make my year.

I also can't not mention my trip to Arnside as a higlight, as well as Shipton Bellinger, Fermyn and Monks Wood, all of which wouldn't have happened had it not been for the users of this site

Hi Pete
I'm not this is specifically what you are looking for, but two things I've used UK Butterflies for this year is advice from others who use the forums.

My first question was about planting Buckthorn in my garden to attract the Brimstone butterfly, and I asked whether to buy Buckthorn or Alder Buckthorn. I received some great advice, not just on species, but also on other aspects of growing conditions.

My second question was about buying a new compact camera that was excellent at macro photos and good value. Again, I received great advice.

I hope that helps
Paul

selbypaul wrote:I'm not [sure if] this is specifically what you are looking for

I guess I'd like to know what works, and what doesn't (and can be improved)!

Thanks for the input, all!

Cheers,

- Pete

My benefit from ukb is mainly nostalgia. I am elderly (77) and less mobile that I would like. For example, climbing steep hills in search of blues is sadly a thing of the past. So too would a walk to the far end of Fermyn Woods to Cherry Lap. But I still immensely enjoy reading of the exploits of others and the memories they inspire.

One thing I would like on ukb is some more reminiscences from fellow oldies – like my own capture in next door’s overgrown garden when I was eight years old of a stunning male Common Blue. I put it in the usual jam jar and proudly took it to school. My headmaster (nicknamed ‘Spike’) insisted to my utter dismay that it was a moth

Jack

Pete,
Certainly the most useful information that I constantly refer to is the UK Butterflies species pages. The information on flight times and life cycles is really useful. I tend to limit myself to looking for butterflies within about 50 miles of home, so a limited number of species and sites. If I do want to look for a specific species I will ask people who I know where to find them, but that is often through this forum.
The knowledge of the people who contribute to this forum is a fantastic resource. It is amazing to be able to post a picture and usually have an ID within a few hours. There is so much useful information given of why a butterfly is a particular species and it would be great to be able to collect all of this together to provide a resource to help people learn the differences between species. (I know that would be an enormous amount of work, though.)
The East of Scotland Forum and the European Interest Group are also fantastic resources.
I am still a little confused about the relationship between UK Butterflies and Butterfly Conservation.
I will take this opportunity to thank all of those who give up hours of their time to put all of this information together and help others on here.
Nick

One of my highlights for the year was seeing a Black Hairstreak for the first time. UKB helped as I read Neil's diary which said the M40 area was below par but that he had spoken to Phil who said Monks Wood was doing reasonably well. I therefore decided to head to Monks Wood , so in short used positive and negative info posted to decide when and where to visit, so many thanks to Neil, Phil and UKB! I would also add I was inspired to try and see them by some wonderful photos posted last year by members.

The website is a mine of information and I learn something from it every day.

What I like best is reading about other people's experiences in the field like bugboy's quest to find almost every species and Pauline's notes on rearing the immature stages.

My highlights of 2016:

- Finding Brimstone eggs in my garden;
- Seeing a Purple Emperor resting on a birch tree for over an hour during a field trip on my local patch
- The helice form of the Clouded Yellow and a close-up view of a Brown Hairstreak (both firsts) at Bookham Commons last week - mostly thanks to millerd whose visit to the site encouraged me to go

Several lowlights as well but I don't want to comment on those

ATB

Peter

My highlight was definitely seeing adult swallowtails in Norfolk this year.Week 1-Tues and Wed June 7th and 8th we saw them fairly well distributed as they emerged.I returned with my wife the next week,Tues.14th and spent an hour watching a pair at Strumpshaw Fen,perhaps the same ones as Bugboy.We also saw many others around the area.UKB helped with research and local info.
P.J.U.

The amount of species information on this site, including abs. etc. is amazing.

From seeing some of the questions asked in the forums, I wonder if many people are simply not aware of what's there! Perhaps a reminder at the top of the forum pages would be helpful?

Mike

Whilst I don't get out butterflying as much as I did in the 2010-2012 period, the site hasn't changed significantly, and the bits that have are an improvement on then.

What I found extremely useful at the time was the site information about what species were at each site. Plus the ability to search all the historic forum posts for specific words. This latter feature in particular allowed me to see where certain species had been seen before, either recently or historically.

I guess what I'm saying is that whilst everything can always be tweaked in the search for continuous improvement, the site is genuinely close to perfection in my view.

Pete,
I think the whole site is amazing and has to be one of the best currently available in Britain for any form of Wildlife. It is a wonderful mix of science, information and personal encounters. The Personal Dairies in particular enhance and help in the planning of visits, giving current information on what is about, where and in what numbers. I am sure that a few improvements can be made but you may struggle to change it by leaps and bounds. Many thanks to all those who contribute in some way and make the site what it is.