Hi Pauline, The 'pollen' on the small copper are actually polinia from an orchid it's been feeding on. I see it on butterflies quite often at this time of year. I'm not sure if it effects their feeding. It can make things look uncomfortable and it must irritate the butterflies as I do see them tryin...

First butterfly of the year for me today. Brimstone in a sheltered spot out if the wind in East Meon. First time I've spotted a butterfly whilst wearing fleece lined trousers and thick gloves!!

Impressive shots of the moths Andy. I'm tempted to dig out the trap and have a go at some of the micro ones myself but not sure my light would attract them quite so well as yours!

I'm wondering if the Wasp looking thing might be some kind of sawfly but not nerr any books to look them up...

They all look pretty damn good to me!!

Stunning green hairstreak Pauline!!

Happy new year to you too Andy! Hope your eye is recovering. The owls have been on form lately. Kestrels too!!

Congratulations Ian!

I got a little excited on first read of Pete's post and thinking I might get to see Northern Brown Argus near Bournemouth!! Alas no I just can't read!

I did wonder I had to take a second look myself the first time I saw that one!

Nice pics Andy!

Am I blind as I don't see a pupae in any of them Vince?!?

Pristine Holly Blue today near Goodwood took me by surprise!

Congratulations on your success in the Hants wildlife trust calendar photo competition Pauline!!

http://www.hiwwt.org.uk/Photography-com ... inners2016

2nd from last image. Very nice!

I've reinstated the recent items on the home page ... to see what impact this has on attracting and retaining visitors :) Even though I created a "Recent Items" page, I think that having just about everything on the home page, while retaining the cleaner look and feel, might be a good com...

Find the host plant. They roost on it most of the time and in my experience in the Luberon are one of the easiest butterflies to find roosting. I can find dozens of them sometimes 3 or more to a plant. Once it's warm they are almost impossible but early or late searching the host plant they are easy...

Just spotted this. Went back Monday and found 4 adders between the showers. It was surprising what little sunshine it took to bring them out. I guess if they're out of hibernation they try and grab whatever they can! Then again on Monday and found 5. Several in the same spots each day and some new o...

Bit like this puddle I found crammed with about 50 clumps last year! The puddle is full again this year but not sure it holds water long enough for the resulting tadpoles to make it through to frogs! IMG_20150228_141255_510.jpg First butterflies of the year for me yesterday at Havant thicket. Peacoc...

Merry Christmas all!! Forgot to post i saw two peacocks on a walk of the south downs near Burpham to Amberley on the 23rd. Brilliant sunshine all day. T-shirt weather!! Lots of wasps also looking unsuccessfully for nectar on ivy. I hope the hibernation do ok in this unseasonably mild weather. Got my...

I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper? Have to say that the Purple Shot Coppers I've seen all have a noticeably darker ground colour on the underside hindwing than this specimen, but the upperwing undersides do have smaller spots than the guides indicate for dispar . Hm... not ...

I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper?

Liking those Scarce Fritillaries!

Yes I've seen this in several species in Africa. Mostly swallowtail species I think. I've watched European Swallowtails doing this in the south of France also quite often, so maybe it's a swallowtail think. Makes photography challenging! I've don't know if the British swallowtail does this much. Of ...