A Small Heath (I think!) aberration nolkeniana at Norton Green near Stevenage today. Any thoughts anyone?

ATB

Peter

David M wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:42 pm

peterc wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:12 pmA couple of dark Comma specimens yesterday and today in the Knebworth Woods.

That second one's a peach, Peter.

Thanks, David. I got very lucky with that one.
Peter

A couple of dark Comma specimens yesterday and today in the Knebworth Woods.

ATB
Peter

Not much flying around this morning in the cool conditions at Norton Green, Stevenage but I saw a nice Speckled Wood (probably ab. punctata). Looks like a Dark Bush-cricket nymph in close proximity.
ATB

Peter

The fine weather drew a particularly large attendance for the guided Skipper walk at Fineshade Wood this morning (27th). Luckily, there were a few Chequered Skippers to be seen (though a ratio of 5:1 observers to butterflies made things a bit tricky). Mostly they were nectaring at a bit of a distan...

Hi Pete,

One was spotted in Bucknell Wood, Northamptonshire on 6 May - reported on twitter:

https://twitter.com/dave_b_james/status ... 89/photo/1

ATB

Peter

Long-tailed Blue seen in Alexandra Palace, London today

ATB

Peter

Hi Pete,

Large Tortoiseshell also seen in Sawbridgeworth, Herts on 1 April.

https://hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/sightings-new.php

ATB

Peter

I saw a striking Meadow Brown yesterday in Hatfield Forest. Does it qualify as an ab. nuragiformis?

ATB

Peter

Found article in the current issue of WebUser.

Hopefully, this website will receive more hits, Pete

ATB

Peter

You are welcome to vote in the Herts & Middx branch photo competition. If you can, please do so before deadline date on Thursday 2 April.

Photos and instructions on how to vote are on https://hertsmiddx-butterflies.org.uk/p ... n-2020.php

Many thanks

Peter

Is Sturmia on the wing throughout the summer or are there peaks during the year? The very limited results on iRecord for this fly last year list 6 records in the UK (1 in May, 3 in August and 2 in September).

ATB

Peter

Thanks bugboy and MrSpOck. Yes I agree that the desiccation of nettles in the recent hot and dry summers as Neil has also indicated is a factor in the decline. This theory leads me to think that there could be other reasons for the 'lost generation'. It is understood that female Small Tortoiseshells...

Following on from Malcolm Hull's observations of hibernating Small Tortoiseshells in his shed in Hertfordshire as featured on Friday's BBC Winterwatch programme there appears to be a 'lost generation' (second brood) since far fewer adults are now seen on the wing in late summer because supposedly ma...

Pete,

Just had a quick look at the new layout - very impressed. The right amount of white space (to my eyes anyway ). Many websites are too cluttered in my opinion.

ATB
Peter

Went for a wander along the coastal path at Newhaven today, more for birding as I'd seen reports of Ring Ouzel at nearby Beachy Head. Didn't see any of them but I did see significant numbers of Red Admirals seemingly coming in from the sea and moving north. Only occasionally would one settle and ne...

Thank you very much, Pete.

My second copy has just arrived.

From what I've read so far a brilliant piece of work - a classic

ATB

Peter

Well done, Pete.

Excellent work. Like everyone else here, I just can't wait to receive my copy.

ATB

Peter

The last time I posted an image of a possibly aberrant Small Heath I was embarrassed because the 'lines' on the wings were cast by shadows :oops: However, yesterday on my local patch I saw a similar specimen and the lines (nervures) look genuine this time. I thought it could be ab. venata but this r...

On my local patch in the Norton Green area today I came across a Ringlet with no ocelli on both pairs of wings. I don't know how unusual this is. Has anyone else come across this variation?

ATB
Peter