if you look closely on the middle shot the faint tiny cell spot is there

Well.... I'm as certain as I ever have been it was escheri, given it was larger than icarus and theristes by 2x, although I know size can be difficult, here are the uppersides of the same chap... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/09AescheriSerredelaMotteDrome10061010.jpg http://i223.pho...

Strikes me that although Escher's blue is well separate from the Plebejus group, it's underside might suggest it's closer related than thought, or is it just I don't know the taxonomy ? The Escher's below has a silver stud! http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Untitled-1.jpg Clockwise from...

Yep that fits well doesn't it - it's snowing here today, and bitterly cold.

Uuuuurm Guy... I'm really hoping to see Spring soon :lol: but you're right, I hope it can survive deep in a bud... it was absolutely bitter here today :( The Elms do seem to be further on with their flowers than I recall them being in recent winters....? warmth, or chemoreception, or both, triggerin...

Found my first hatched WLH ova today , definitely this year's, on the southeast side of the tree. Those on the southwest and west sides were still unhatched. The Elm flowers are really quite far on thankfully.

I'm gobsmacked about the direction this thread has gone in. The only people I know who use a net are Guy, and Dave W of BC and both are done with the highest, the very highest, regard for the insect concerned. In fact I am in no doubt there are several species I would never have seen if it were not ...

lovely shots Guy

unbelievable... Rik... leave XXX the XXX alone, and grow up, take some responsibility

MV trap out for the first time this year last night... 4 moths, all ennominids, Early moth, Dotted Border and x2 Pale Brindled Beauty.. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/110210jf1926PaleBrindledBeautyPhigaliapilosariaNZ2020031.jpg http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/110210j19...

Cracking shot Roger... no frogs here yet, but will be seeing some in April

In that case you have the advantage, as I don't remember your confessions

PS.. please don't remind me what they were!

Fascinating to hear about other Hairstreak ovae... that depth of info is difficult to find in English... or I haven't been looking in the right places.

A mixed bunch of finches this morning included a Tree Sparrow, and for the first time in ages, a Siskin... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/IMG_2544_filtered.jpg http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/IMG_2547_filtered.jpg :D :D had to take these through a window though :(

and an alien invader

Even up north spring is just around the corner... first flower in my wildflower bit... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/IMG_2509.jpg the \snowdrops are well on... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/IMG_2507.jpg and the birds are wearing their spring plumage.. http://i223.ph...

a reminder of happy hours!

Thought I'd post my final conclusions regarding these similar species and photos I bought back from Switzerland. I've trawled through as many learned opinions I could find.. and probably mainly out of desire (ouch) have decided I have both species, taken on seperate mountain pastures on different da...

George.... I will PM you just before I go so you can choose whether it suits you both to come with me. "My" site is one of those in the Cumberland file, but I'm sure not one of the better known or easier to reach ones... ie unlikely to have much company :roll: :D :D Anyone else who chooses...

If anyone is interested, I've just put a suggestion on the Species "Mountain Ringlet" topic.

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=4889

I realize it is difficult for a lot of people to see the Mountain Ringlet, and I know of one quite isolated site in the Lakes where I would be willing to take a small group in 2011. One would have to be OK to scramble steeply upwards to 700m, and willing to walk a couple of miles, but a Pub lunch or...