www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

That Speckled Wood ab. from Chambers Farm Wood is a stunning insect - what a great thing to have seen.

Denbies Hillside continues to entertain, and even surprise, despite me having visited it countless times over the last 15 years or so. A somewhat eclectic selection from this afternoon (23rd), when the sun finally emerged. Chalk downland afficionados first:A "can turn up anywhere" group:Finally, the surprise appearances: A full report of the day will emerge in my PD - hopefully before the end of the season!

Dave

A few more photos from Chambers Farm Wood Lincolnshire 23.8.21 Brown Hairstreaks and the amazing Speckled Wood aberration found by Phil Bowler, plus a well worn purple hairstreak.

Adiroyle wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 6:39 am A few more photos from Chambers Farm Wood Lincolnshire 23.8.21 Brown Hairstreaks and the amazing Speckled Wood aberration found by Phil Bowler, plus a well worn purple hairstreak.

That's quite a gallery, Adiroyle.

Friday 20th - Gower coastal path, Llanrhidian:


Small Tortoiseshell 8-12
Large White 5-10
Red Admiral 5
Common Blue 5
Meadow Brown 2
Brimstone 2
Small White 2
Green Veined White 1
Painted Lady 1
Comma 1
Peacock 1
Silver Washed Fritillary 1
Small Copper 1

I revisited the spot (Heathland NW Brittany) where I’d photographed a single Short-tailed Blue a couple of weeks ago.
I didn’t see many, but was very happy to have two pair right under my nose and didn’t care that I watched for a while.

First garden Comma in north Scotland (near Nairn) but did have an ex-hibernater in the spring. Amazingly, today's example (24 August) was form hutchinsoni.

Jack

Deborah wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 11:18 am I revisited the spot (Heathland NW Brittany) where I’d photographed a single Short-tailed Blue a couple of weeks ago.
I didn’t see many, but was very happy to have two pair right under my nose and didn’t care that I watched for a while.

A nice species to have close by, Deborah.

Jack Harrison wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 12:08 pmFirst garden Comma in north Scotland (near Nairn)...

Great to see, Jack.

I know you've been hoping (maybe expecting) this moment for a while. Nice that it has finally happened.

Jack Harrison wrote: ↑Tue Aug 24, 2021 12:08 pm First garden Comma in north Scotland (near Nairn) but did have an ex-hibernater in the spring. Amazingly, today's example (24 August) was form hutchinsoni.

Jack

I also had a hutchinsoni Comma nectaring on buddleia in the garden today.

Sunday 22nd - West Williamston, Pembrokeshire, in largely cloudy conditions between 10am and 1pm:

Speckled Wood 8-12
Hedge Brown 6-10
Small Tortoiseshell 6-10
Large White 5
Silver Washed Fritillary 5
Red Admiral 4
Peacock 3
Green Veined White 3
Brown Hairstreak 3
Small Copper 2
Common Blue 1

Poor weather in Bedfordshire has meant that trips out have been on hold for a while until I can get further afield (hopefully Saturday, fingers crossed).

This grounding has meant I could monitor the garden visitors more closely between the showers and have been pleasantly surprised at the visitors to my postage stamp of a garden. Daily counts are as follows:

20/08
Red Admiral - 3
Small Tortoiseshell - 1
Peacock - 1
Small White - 1
Holly Blue - 1

21/08
Red Admiral - 1

23/08
Small White - 1
Red Admiral - 2
Peacock - 1
Small Tortoiseshell - 3
Comma - 1
Holly Blue - 2
Large White - 1

24/08
Small Tortoiseshell - 5
Red Admiral - 3
Peacock - 2
Small White - 1

I only count the multiples if they are in the garden at the same time so it is possible that more individuals visited but were not counted. In the case of 3 Red Admiral on 20/08, all three were on my washing I assume taking moisture and on 23/08 six of the seven species seen were in he garden at the same time. On the 24/08 there were 5 Small Torts, 3 Red Admiral and a Peacock on the Buddleia at the same time. A most welcome sight especially for the size of my garden. The Buddleia has been good to me this year.

Brilliant Small White action at Rainham today

Brown hairstreaks at two sites in south Ipswich today, about 1km apart:





I was too late at the second site for pictures - all the individuals were seen in flight, though one dived deep into the blackthorn, presumably to lay.

These are my first ever Suffolk brown hairstreaks. They've been seen for a few years now - probably introduced - but I didn't get a chance last year or the year before to go looking. If they can make the jump across Ipswich to Rushmere, I think they should be able to spread quite happily in East Suffolk, where there is masses of blackthorn.

Guy

Padfield wrote: ↑Wed Aug 25, 2021 5:08 pm Brown hairstreaks at two sites in south Ipswich today, about 1km apart...

..I was too late at the second site for pictures - all the individuals were seen in flight, though one dived deep into the blackthorn, presumably to lay.

These are my first ever Suffolk brown hairstreaks. They've been seen for a few years now - probably introduced - but I didn't get a chance last year or the year before to go looking. If they can make the jump across Ipswich to Rushmere, I think they should be able to spread quite happily in East Suffolk, where there is masses of blackthorn.

Good for you, Guy. A late summer without Brown Hairstreaks is too unbearable to think about!

Graylings still out in good numbers at Chobam Common in Surrey today (26th), despite largely cloudy and relatively cool conditions. There seemed to be some fresh females among them, and I saw courtship, mating and egg-laying. A couple of lucky shots during courtship: one in the air......and one from the ritual on the ground.A full report in my PD eventually...

Cheers,

Dave

Good to hear there are still plenty of Graylings at Chobham-hope to go there tomorrow. It's been such a frustrating month in the south-east with so few sunny days. Looks pretty cloudy next week too.

millerd wrote: ↑Thu Aug 26, 2021 8:09 pmGraylings still out in good numbers at Chobam Common in Surrey today (26th), despite largely cloudy and relatively cool conditions. There seemed to be some fresh females among them, and I saw courtship, mating and egg-laying. A couple of lucky shots during courtship.

Nice work, Dave.

Incredible to think I saw Graylings two whole months ago and they are still on the wing (and looking in good condition) on the cusp of September.

Back by popular demand - from no one but myself - is the weekly ZZW odds'n'sods round up.

Would agree with H. trivittatus Zig-zag.

aeshna5 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 4:39 am Would agree with H. trivittatus Zig-zag.

Thanks very much for that aeshna. I really appreciate your take as always.

In fact I did see a very pale-looking Aeshna mid last week at work. It stopped but I missed out on a snap before it was off and over the back hedge (where we have a small reservoir for watering the plants). Its wings made a lot of noise. It looked like a hawker but I can't be sure.

It could have been a youngster maybe and possibly the light made it look paler than it was. Probably a Migrant or Southern Hawker but I wish I'd got that snap ! Still, the ones that get away keep us coming back for more....