Dukes now out on Battlesbury Hill along with Marsh Fritillaries. Battlesbury Hill, Wiltshire Dingy Skipper (1) Grizzled Skipper (7) Brimstone (3) Large White (1) Green Hairstreak (12) Small Copper (1) Duke of Burgundy (2) Red Admiral (1) Peacock (2) Marsh Fritillary (2) Small Heath (10) db2.JPG db3....

Surprisingly quiet on the common this morning although I did get my first Small Coppers of the year. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

Large White (1)
Green-veined White (3)
Orange-tip (3)
Small Copper (2)
Peacock (3)
Speckled Wood (1)

Some nice fresh Marsh Fritillaries out on the hill this lunchtime. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire Dingy Skipper (2) Brimstone (12) Green-veined White (2) Orange-tip (7) Green Hairstreak (1) Brown Argus (1) Common Blue (1) Red Admiral (2) Peacock (7) Marsh Fritillary (5) Speckled Wood (5) Wall Brown (6) Smal...

Very quiet on the hill this morning apart from the Hairstreaks and Brimstones. I always find this site better for Green Hairstreak than Battlesbury Hill as they are always easier to get close to for Photography. Cotley Hill, Wiltshire Brimstone (10) Large White (1) Small White (2) Green Hairstreak (...

Peacocks by far the most numerous species on the hill this lunchtime. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire Brimstone (4) Large White (3) Green-veined White (4) Orange-tip (3) Holly Blue (1) Peacock (20+) Speckled Wood (9) pe.JPG p3.JPG p2.JPG gvw.JPG sw.JPG Plus Holly Blue in the garden this afternoon hb.JPG

Had my first garden Holly Blue of the year yesterday afternoon. Melksham, Wiltshire

The sun came out this lunchtime and so did the Green Hairstreaks. Battlesbury Hill, Wiltshire

Brimstone (12)
Orange-tip (6)
Green Hairstreak (4)
Peacock (4)
Comma (1)
Speckled Wood (3)

Managed to get Speckled Wood on the list for March this lunchtime. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

Brimstone (6)
Small White (1)
Small Tortoiseshell (1)
Peacock (15)
Comma (3)
Speckled Wood (3)

Only two species seen in sunny but particularly cold breezy conditions. River Avon, Melksham Wiltshire

A few photos taken but I particularly like this hairy individual

Small Tortoiseshell (5)
Peacock (6)

I've now seen more Small Tortoiseshells in the past week than I did in the whole of last year! River Avon, Melksham Wiltshire

Small Tortoiseshell (2)
Peacock (4)
Comma (4)

Nice to connect with another Small Tortoiseshell this lunchtime plus my first whites. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

Brimstone (5)
Small White (1)
Green-veined White (1)
Small Tortoiseshell (1)
Peacock (4)
Comma (3)

Nice to connect with Small Tortoiseshell yesterday afternoon after a dearth of sightings last year. Bewley Common, Wiltshire

Brimstone (4)
Small Tortoiseshell (2)
Peacock (1)
Comma (4)

European Butterflies Magazine is ready for printing now. Just read it from cover to cover. Excellent edition, Jason - the best yet I reckon! I particularly enjoyed the Bavaria article by Markus, David's account of Romania, and Mario's North Macedonia report. More areas to add to my "to visit&q...

Nice one once again Pete. I would love to connect with a Greenish Black-tip.

Staying with the European theme my favourite photo of 2024 was this one of a Blue-spot Hairstreak taken in Medulin, Croatia in May. Not only was it a lifer but the white background which accentuated the butterfly perfectly was a whitewashed wall. Certainly made for a nice crisp backdrop to highlight...

David M wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 4:52 pm Easy choice for me.

Pembrokeshire, 18th August:

18B.APL3(1).JPG

When I first saw this photo on your original post David I thought it was stunning and I still do.

I'm surprised you didn't save it for your favorite.

I did my annual trip to Bernwood Meadows but rather than park in the forest and walk to the usual meadow site I was told to park in the small car park off Mill St and check the hedgerow that runs along the road. Here I found 20+ Black Hairstreak.

A decent year here with fair numbers at both Battlesbury and Cotley Hills.

I too was fortunate to bump into a couple in cop. Always nice to see.

A very poor year for Common Blues around my way with only a handful seen on my local patch. This lovely fresh female was nice to see though.

A very good year in my part of Wiltshire.

I can't choose between the one taken in my garden (one of half a dozen on my verbena) or the fresh male I encountered on my local patch.