a thrilling read Pete ! well done on tracking down all five of your targets. the bizarre hotel incident is most peculiar

A pleasant morning pottering around the chalk quarry at Sundon Bedfordshire.

I was hoping to spot an early Small Blue, but had to settle for Dingies
i had the vast site to myself, apart from this curious fox

the Grizzled Skippers are out at Little Paxton Nature Reserve 53693976828_80b075505e_c.jpg 53693765026_cea75735b2_c.jpg i saw about 6 there was some sunshine, but mainly cloud + high humidity Hmm, I looked to see where this was. 85 miles away from me. Have Grizzlies, will travel. you can have a lov...

the Grizzled Skippers are out at Little Paxton Nature Reserve
i saw about 6

there was some sunshine, but mainly cloud + high humidity

it is quite hard to take a satisfying picture of an Orange Tip. this one today was quite pleasing ( Barton churchyard Bedfordshire ) although at maximum distance.
there are plenty of lovely Pasque Flowers out on the chalk

Allan.W. wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2024 6:23 am Looks like a Silver Y (Autographa Gramma) ,Charles .......if not something very closely related . Allan.W.

thank you so much Allan ! i shall let my brother know right away.

My brother found this pretty moth in Cairo this week:
can you suggest what type it is ?

Shukran in advance

David M wrote: ↑Mon Feb 12, 2024 5:44 pm Nice specimen for the time of year, Charles.

Highly serendipitous!

hehehe it made up for the missing waxwings

i heard that the waxwings were at the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge. i went down on the bus.

alas no waxwings, but i was delighted to see this basking Red Admiral ( first butterfly of the year )

aeshna5 wrote: ↑Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:55 am Green Drab, Ophiusa tirhaca. I know this is regular in Spain, so presumably more widespread.

thanks for more excellent help aeshna5 !

i shall inform my brother right away

Charles

this one was seen in the last few days:
can anyone suggest what it is ?

Charles

Good luck to both of you ! I don't do any social media unless this counts (I already have high enough blood pressure), but a lady I work with is on the Waxwing Winter 23/24 Facebook site which she says is very good. I just stick to the Sussex Ornithology Society's Sightings page. It often helps us ...

No butterflies, but came home from work yesterday to find a Twenty-plume Moth in the kitchen. Also lucky enough to bump into a small flock of Waxwings. Incredibly tame birds, only interested in berry-stripping. Photo not great, but through the gloom you can see what they are. I've had to shove the ...

This was at Totternhoe Quarry May 9th this year

aeshna5 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2023 6:48 am Grass Webworm, Herpetogramma licarcisalis.

There were a couple of English records recently amongst many other migrants. I believe one record prior to these.

thank you so much aeshna ! i shall let my brother know right away

Charles

this was seen yesterday in Egypt:
can you suggest an identity please ?

shukran

I kept a close eye on this site this season but did not see any Purple Emperors....

i was watching a splendid video of Ukrainian soldiers interacting with all manner of wildlife:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1688194361375293440

at 1:35 a blue butterfly is sitting on a soldier's hand.

here is a screengrab:
do you know what kind of blue it is ?

Charles