June 2024
Re: June 2024
Thanks Dave.
Yep I was stunned when the sun appeared and she opened her wings.
Bert.
Yep I was stunned when the sun appeared and she opened her wings.
Bert.
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 462
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: June 2024
Great Orme today
The female Blues are stunning creatures, but I'm a fair way behind in my PD so you might have to wait a few weeks to see their splendour!
Probably close to 100 of them in Happy Valley. Also a couple of Grayling flitting about.The female Blues are stunning creatures, but I'm a fair way behind in my PD so you might have to wait a few weeks to see their splendour!
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: June 2024
Despite the overcast conditions I managed to find a few more fresh Ringlets. Bewley Common, Wiltshire
Large Skipper x 6
Common Blue x 5
Peacock x 1
Speckled Wood x 1
Meadow Brown x 16
Ringlet x 6
Large Skipper x 6
Common Blue x 5
Peacock x 1
Speckled Wood x 1
Meadow Brown x 16
Ringlet x 6
Re: June 2024
A day at RSPB South Stack on Holy Island in decent weather gave me a grand total of 3 camera shy butterflies, 2 Common Blue and a Meadow Brown. No sign of SPBF 

Some addictions are good for the soul!
- Charles Nicol
- Posts: 1656
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: Cambridge
Re: June 2024
i went down to Sundon SSSI in the hope of spotting an early fritillary. i had a possible nearby the other day... unfortunately i had removed my glasses to do the crossword
no fritillaries showed up today, but i saw a few tatty Small Blues and a single Dingy Skipper, as well as the Mystery Blue which i have also posted on the ID page.
first is the Mystery Blue ...
then a very small Small Blue
then a pretty Common Blue on chalk

no fritillaries showed up today, but i saw a few tatty Small Blues and a single Dingy Skipper, as well as the Mystery Blue which i have also posted on the ID page.
first is the Mystery Blue ...
then a very small Small Blue
then a pretty Common Blue on chalk
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 462
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: June 2024
Site visit Hatfield Forest + Flitch Way [Dunmow Cutting] 13/06/2024
Quiet because of the overcast conditions, however, I did see a few gems in the brief spells of sunshine, including a Brown Argus courtship:
There was also a couple of male Common Blue:
Eight male Meadow Brown. I have not seen a female yet. And still waiting to take a decent photo of a Meadow Brown in 2024:
But I am very happy with the quality of one of the 8 Small Heath seen:
There was also three female and four male Speckled Wood, and a male Green-veined White along Flitch Way.
Quiet because of the overcast conditions, however, I did see a few gems in the brief spells of sunshine, including a Brown Argus courtship:
There was also a couple of male Common Blue:
Eight male Meadow Brown. I have not seen a female yet. And still waiting to take a decent photo of a Meadow Brown in 2024:
But I am very happy with the quality of one of the 8 Small Heath seen:
There was also three female and four male Speckled Wood, and a male Green-veined White along Flitch Way.
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
Re: June 2024
Thanks David. Yep she was a beauty.
Went out to Deeside this morning as sunny intervals predicted. Not many butterflies on the wing. Did manage to photograph a SPBF which stopped for a moment. Only seen around half a dozen SPBF on the wing.
Did photograph a couple of insects......not sure what they are?
Roll on some decent weather??
Bert.
Re: June 2024
The first insect is a Scorpion Fly / Panorpa cognata / male .
Re: June 2024
Some Glanville fritillaries from Mottistone Down and Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight including one in flight when it took of just as I pressed the shutter button!
Re: June 2024
Your in flight shot may be lucky but it is beautiful!
Re: June 2024
Just returned from a week in Llandudno to take in some local specialities. Given that I'm still posting from May's outings it's gonna be a while before these pictures make it to my PD (there's an awful lot to sift through) so here's a little taster SOC.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
Re: June 2024
Oh don't worry, the posts will be very female SSB heavy!
Some addictions are good for the soul!
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 462
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: June 2024
Holly Blue ovipositing on Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca in the meadow at Meadgate Fields Open Space yesterday after pretending she was a Common Blue for a while searching for just the right plant to lay her eggs on:
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
Re: June 2024
Northern brown argus butterfly
appeared today in the brief sunshine at Grantown on spey.
There were a few SPBF as well but too active for a photo.
Cheers
Bert.
There were a few SPBF as well but too active for a photo.
Cheers
Bert.
Re: June 2024
I've watched Holly Blue oviposit on Goat's Rue, Galega officinalis, locally a few times, so they do use legumes.David Lazarus wrote: ↑Sat Jun 15, 2024 9:31 am Holly Blue ovipositing on Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca in the meadow at Meadgate Fields Open Space yesterday after pretending she was a Common Blue for a while searching for just the right plant to lay her eggs on:
2024.06.14 Holly Blue Meadgate Fields.jpg