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Scotch Argus - Favourite Photo 2016

Week 14

So here we are into 2017 proper with most people back at work - hopefully the Species Favourite Thread will keep our spirits up

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

A 25 mile trip inland to the Scottish Borders town of Melrose in August, has been made an annual pilgrimage for this species now. Not much deviation in this species emergence, from the 1st of August you can always expect at least one. The species lasts about four to five weeks only at this site near Melrose under the gaze of the Eildon Hills in a sheltered pocket of humid grassland. This year I chased near 50 around for a few blissful hours fueled by a bagfull of Macaroni Pies from the local Melrose bakery.

A late summer trip to the Bavarian Alps produced good numbers of aethiops.

A selection below during a very warm period ...

I timed my visit to Arnside perfectly to catch the first emergents. This particular female valiantly ignored the amorous attentions of this Gatekeeper for several minutes (he was very persistant!)

A few days up in Arnside in early August in mostly cloudy and breezy conditions produced good numbers of Scotch Argus in the usual sheltered spots up on the Knot although I have definitely seen higher numbers on previous visits.
Cheers,

Neil.