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Large Heath - Favourite Photo of 2016

Week 9

Week nine and the countdown to Christmas has started in earnest - I think that BC have missed a trick - an advent calendar with butterfly shaped chocolates - that would certainly draw in a few more initiates Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos - just to make it easier to organise and keep everything on track so that we can enjoy this throughout the winter months? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As like last year details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Grrr. A species I don't see in France and one which eluded me in the UK this year too due to poor weather conditions.

In a season which in many respects was quite disappointing I nevertheless had a few highlights, one of which was the unexpected but most welcome finding of a number of Large Heath ssp scotica at Glen Loy during my trip to Scotland in early June as described in more detail in my PD at the time (page 88).
We stopped at Arnside for a couple of days on our way back to the midlands during which time we drove around the other side of the Kent Estuary to Meathop Moss where a number of fresh looking Large Heath ssp davus were flying.
Although I had seen ssp davus a few times before, the scotica at Glen Loy were a first for me and gave me a fantastic opportunity to compare the two forms in the flesh within days of each other.

Cheers,

Neil

Thanks for sharing Neil, nice photos.
I didn't even know this species existed
Chris

Great shots Neil, you'd more luck than I had when I went to Meat Hop every thing was flooded, the only LH we saw were taking shelter, when they did fly it was to disappear just as quickly, your photos have made me determined to get some shots next year Goldie

Superb photos, Neil! There is no way that Mark Colvin and I would have found ssp. scotica without your help at Glen Loy this year; a massive thank you for that!

Cheers,

- Pete

I'll second that. Thanks, Neil.

Along with the millions and millions of midges ... !!!

Thanks all for the comments

Glad I could be of help Pete & Mark. That was a great morning in Glen Loy...Chequered Skippers and Large Heath scotica, not forgetting Small Pearls and Green Hairstreaks to go with good company and interesting conversations

Cheers,

Neil.