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Grayling - Favourite Photo of 2023

Week 6

Things are definitely slowing down now and so the end is in sight. However next weekend is the Winter Social so it’s not all doom and gloom; possibly Doombar in the gloaming instead?

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.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Grayling

Godshill (New Forest) was good for Grayling this year my only disappointment was that I only managed to get there twice! This one came from my second visit in early August when I saw the huge range of variation that this species has to offer. First up there was the colour ranging from black and white, through beige and browns to almost grey-white, then the colour and size of the band across the wings – bold and bright white, subtle and creamy to non-existent and finally there was individual with a blue pupil. However when I was making my choice I couldn’t leave out this one for the earlier during the same visit as I just loved the rich, warm brown tones and markings, quite a stunning looking butterfly. Have a goodun

Wurzel

St Cyrus NNR near Montrose was once again a great site to visit for Grayling this year.
They were very active on a bright sunny day on July 8th.

Best photos attached

Cheers

Bert.

From the Surrey heaths. First one from July, when some buddleia in a clearing was a butterfly magnet. (One of the dozens of Peacock around is on the left, but that's another story.)
Whilst on the main heathland this one chose a more traditional nectar source.


Then from August another one nectaring on the heaths.
And one in the ever-popular resting-on-a-tree mode.

I didn't end up seeing many of this species in 2023, but this one at Chobham Common in Surrey rates as one of my all-time favourite Grayling shots. Dave

Spot the Grayling 2023:
(Noguera, Spain, 1 August 2023).

Matsukaze wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 4:28 pmSpot the Grayling 2023..

Struggling with this one, Chris.

Midsummer's Day at a coastal site in Pembrokeshire was my best day for this species:

Just the one visit to Chobhams Graylings this year, the Brown Hairstreaks kinda stole the show during their flight period. This big female decided to sit on a leaf rather than the ground of a tree so it's a bit different and was also particularly dark.