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Small Blue - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 16

Not long to go now…that is if it’s safe to escape Lockdown? Hopefully the vaccination roll-out will keep on rolling and the targets will be met – stay safe out there. On a more cheery note we’re into the ‘Smalls’ this week so dig out your shots of the ‘cutest’ of butterflies Only joking everyone knows that we've already covered that one (Silver-spotted Skipper) last week.

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Just a reminder - it might be a good idea to start selecting your Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2020 now as we’re starting to draw to the grand finale.


Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Another species I had to wait until the second brood to catch up with, which I did on a mostly damp, drizzly day at Hutchinsons Bank. This male with a generous dusting of blue scales was one of several that made the trip worth while

I was surprised when at Temple Ewell in Kent (July23rd) I saw my first Small Blue for years, I've been going to TE for years and it's the first time I'd seen one there, I can't wait to go there again Goldie

Great couple of days at Hutchinsons 18th/19th May whilst waiting for Glanvilles.

This is my favourite British butterfly, and the highlight of my butterfly year was having a male take up residence in our garden for four days - I have been trying to encourage them to set up home here for years.

Good numbers, mid May, at my 'go to' site of Cotley Hill, Wiltshire.

One of the species that I thought I would miss in 2020 but the travel restrictions relaxed enough in May to take the 40 minute trip down the M40 to Bishops Hill. Good numbers were flying but the very dry hillside and some very desiccated Kidney Vetch made me concerned for this year (2021)
Another visit in early June saw a few still flying but they were almost over by then.
Cheers,

Neil.

My first trip out of 2020 was to a number of sites in the Chilterns, including a Small Blue site that Dave had introduced me to in 2019. A lovely Spring day with lots of butterflies and the bonus of meeting Dave who sneaked up while I was engrossed by a pair of Small Blue. Strangely, this is the third consecutive year that this has occurred.

Anyone would think that I was stalking you! It is rather a curious coincidence though when you think about it...

The Small Blues at this site were not quite so abundant as they had been in 2019, but they nevertheless put on a good show on this glorious May day. As is their wont, if you stay still in one of their favoured spots, before very long they will come and settle on you.There were some splendid fresh examples......including one with an unusual amount of blue scaling.There were also several pairings. I also saw the species at Cotley Hill and Martin Down in the springtime, but encountered them for the first time in their second brood down at Noar Hill. Dave

Whereas most springtime species had a bonanza in 2020, this one was a little scarcer than it is normally round my way.

They were still easy to find though, with my first being seen on 2nd May:

Small Blue

It was seemingly a good year for Small Blues as there were good numbers about at all their usual sites and there was a good showing during the second brood as well and so the selection process for the Favourite photo of this species was a tad difficult. In the end I had a look through the images, closed my eyes and the image that suck around on the inside of my eyelids was the one, choice made. The image that had beaten the others to the title was a gorgeous inky looking female at Martin Down which was part of the first brood. I remember her vividly from the day as she appeared almost midnight black in mid-glide to the deck. She was also larger than the surrounding Brown Argus and had immaculate fringes which beautifully contrasted with dark topside. She was a lovely looking lady.
Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Magdalen Hill Down is a top site for Small Blue in Hampshire. They seemed to have a good year near me too.

My first was on 7th May and my last on 4th August, both at Magdalen. I also saw them in Wiltshire, Dorset and at three other sites in Hampshire.

The blue on these two males really stood out in the field. They are such beautiful butterflies.