From my observations on Noar Hill I had concluded that although the BH had emerged earlier this year the unusually high and prolonged heat had interrupted and postponed their usual activities. Their first need, that of survival, meant they needed to seek shade, resulting in fewer individuals (males) being spotted. The second need (or driving force), that of procreation, may or may not have been affected by the heat. However, the males have been out a couple of weeks now and it was my prediction that egg-laying would begin in earnest this week. Because of the heat my fear was that the females would dive down into the depths of the Blackthorn, lay their eggs, and either rest there in the shade or shoot straight back up to the trees, in which case we are unlikely to see too many females. In fact that is exactly what was happening today. I watched 2 females do exactly that. It would have been so easy to overlook them and almost impossible to photograph. The first one I saw about 11.45am was in really good condition when she flew down onto a nettle leaf and stayed there for less time than it took me to switch on my camera!!
I only got one poor photo of her and her egg before she was back up:
If the weather forecast for the end of the week is correct then hopefully we may see more of them.
A few of the butterflies are looking a bit worn now but there were plenty of fresh ones around including Small Heath. Normally lying around on the ground all the ones I saw were up away from the hot earth which prompted this shot:
Vibrant Common Blue all over the place with tiny females, many the size of Small Blue, egg-laying and some fresh Speckled Wood:
A couple of Small Copper (my first here this year) were chasing each other and anything else which came within range but by now the sun was just too hot for any further exploration.
I'm hoping to go to Gait Barrow this week-end so keeping my fingers crossed the weather holds out 
Goldie 
Thank you for your kind words.
