Chequered Skipper - Favourite Photo of 2014

[Wurzel]

Week 3

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2014!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos? 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

[David M]

At last! I finally caught up with this species (the last in the UK that I'd hitherto not seen) on 27th May.

The part of the country where it is located is better known for its rain and wind, but when conditions are right (as they were when I travelled north) they can provide an experience almost unmatched in these fair isles.

Few people, almost no pollution, wildlife practically as it was a century ago, etc...it all adds up to a 'must do' trip.

Glasdrum Wood in Argyll is probably the best guarantee of seeing Chequred Skippers, and this is the famous 'wayleaf' section:

Those Chequered Skippers seen in the sunshine (and there were plenty) were darting about actively. However, the best photo opportunities came about by stepping into the shade:

[Chris Jackson]

Given the limited number of postings, your Chequered Skipper is proving to be a rarity David.
Your visit to Glasdrum Wood certainly paid off.
Chris

[MikeOxon]

I notice that Wurzel, as 'administrator' of this thread has not included the option "or when you last saw one", as in previous years. I can see advantages in this limitation (I can't bring out all my old chestnuts ) but some of the more specialist threads will therefore be rather short.

[lee3764]

I last saw Chequered Skippers at a colony in Glen Loy that I discovered in 1988. 20 years later in May 2008 we travelled up to beyond Fort William and it was still doing well and I introduced my young children to my favourite butterfly at the opposite end of the British Isles to where we live in Cornwall!
Happy days indeed seeing the Chequered Skippers in Britain.

Cheers all,
Lee Slaughter (Cornwall).

[Wurzel]

Sorry Mike it wasn't a conscious decision not to add the extra line "...or the last time you saw one"; merely a slip of the mouse when cutting and pasting from Vince's introductions . I would have thought everyone would have just taken it as read, like Lee did

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[MikeOxon]

I guessed as much, Wurzel, but thought I'd mention it after cjackson noted the limited number of postings. If I'd wanted to, I can assure you that I would have taken it as read, just like everyone else

[David M]

I think historic postings are seen as a 'given'.

After all, to my knowledge, only Pete Eeles has seen Cryptic Wood White this year, so that would make for a very truncated thread indeed!

[lee3764]

I hope those folk that saw my posting with photos from 2008 might get some inspiration to go to Western Scotland to try & see the Chequered Skipper for themselves next year. I salute David M for braving the long journey & Scottish Midges in his quest to see this superb butterfly for themselves! Well done!
Cheers..........Lee Slaughter (Cornwall).

[David M]

I hope those folk that saw my posting with photos from 2008 might get some inspiration to go to Western Scotland to try & see the Chequered Skipper for themselves next year. I salute David M for braving the long journey & Scottish Midges in his quest to see this superb butterfly for themselves! Well done!
Cheers..........Lee Slaughter (Cornwall).

I totally agree, Lee.

This is a 'must do' trip for any butterfly enthusiast. I'm almost glad that western Scotland is now the only place to see this species, as a visit to the environs of eastern England simply pales into insignificance in comparison.

As you rightly say, it's a long trip, but it's also well worth the effort.

This part of the UK may as well be Scandinavia. It really is that beautiful.

[Pete Eeles]

I'm getting to know Glasdrum Wood rather well of late. The icing on the cake will be a Chequered Skipper pupa I really can't separate the following 4 photos - all special and very much "firsts" for me. 2014 was definitely my "palaemon year"

In chronological order ...

Cheers,

- Pete

[David M]

I'd venture to say that your first image is without peer - how many other photographs of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary and Chequered Skipper in the same frame in the UK exist? (PS - discount all the others you took of the pair that day).

[Jack Harrison]

One of my favourites. Ariundle Wood 3rd June.

Mike Rubin, Phil Bromley (not sure why he's looking so smug - I don't think he'd seen a CS at Ariundle that day) and Rosalyn Payne.

But Rosalyn and I had

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Lee
I'll be staying at Glen Loy Lodge in Chequered Skipper season in 2015. Where abouts in the Glen did you see them. We were up there earlier this year but saw none in Glen Loy but were possibly too early. We did see 4 or 5 at Allt Mhuic on 19th May which was a nice surprise that early in their season.
Thanks

[Rosalyn]

Paul
We got ours at Glen Loy 3rd June

Park in the layby just over the bridge. They can be found all along the river

[William]

Superb Rosalyn!

BWs

William

[Rosalyn]

Thank you William