Green hairstreak’s were plentiful this morning in the chilterns. They were on most hawthorns and brambles on my walk so avoiding them was impossible. Also had 10-20 Brimstone in view for most of the walk.
Had to get my Pyrgus eye in today before a trip to Spain on Friday. Pyrgus malvae in Hertford today . Seemingly more difficult to get close to in the UK so good practice. Hopefully by Friday evening I will have seen their European counterpart, Pyrgus malvoides amongst others
Female Anthocharis Cardamines left and male right . They are fairly easy to find roosting in dull conditions on the larval food plant .Once found they are easier to image. These two were in my local NR in London
Opportunity to join surveys of the reintroduced Chequered Skipper and Wood White populations just over the border in Northants through May and June
I have seen a few Orange Tips ( anthocharis cardamines ) this spring but not many settled. I persevered today and just before a torrential downpour, I found this male roosting on garlic mustard.
I can't wait to co-lead this wonderful tour this summer with my dear friend Kate joining us - she's fabulous company, and will make a brilliant week of butterflies in some of Europe's most outstanding landscapes all the more enjoyable.
Another great day on the @greenwingstours.bsky.social False Apollo tour. Lots of lovely Grecian Copper, including an aberrant female with elongated spots. Finding the rare Krueper's Small White was the icing on the cake!
This mornings #Otter was super confiding, until the inevitable Dog walker appeared, and then it got very alert. 🤨
Good evening from Greece 🇬🇷
Eastern Baton Blue (Pseudophilotes vicrama).
And only 50mtrs either side of parking
I have a site 15 minutes from Paphos I can give you Matt. Each day this week in two hours viewing I had a minimum of 10 sightings
Final day on Cyprus saw more encounters with Glaucopsyche Paphos and Ypthima asterope. Having been told that the Ringlet refuses to open its wings , they seemed to do so regularly this week. The early spring lower temperatures meant that warming up was a priority I suspect
Canary Red Admiral (Vanessa vulcania) © David Moore
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) © Dave Fairhurst
Postcard from the field from tour leaders David Moore & Dave Fairhurst:
Our Butterflies of Tenerife tour is well under way now, with today featuring pristine Canary Red Admiral & Monarch, among other highlights...
I arrived on Saturday and the weather has been great. Hot and sunny . But prior to that Cyprus has had rain most days. All of the water courses are flowing heavily and fields are waterlogged
Thanks so much Matt. Much appreciated
A mixed day today around Paphos with an unidentified orchid and lizard , Mallow Skipper and Cyprus Pied Wheatear. A chance of more butterflies tomorrow hopefully
African Ringlet
Pygmy skipper
Eastern Festoon
Spotted Crake
More close encounters with African Ringlet , Pygmy Skipper , and Eastern Festoon. Also an unfortunate encounter with a dead Spotted Crake. More unfortunate for the Crake . Cyprus day two and after a nights rain , the sun stayed out all day
A good start to a week in Cyprus. Despite recent bad weather , today remained warm and sunny. G.Paphos , A.Cerisyi cypria, and Y.Asterope stole the show.
A very smart male Little Bustard which did a nice flyby whilst I was watching a pair of Montagu's Harriers in a territorial dispute with a female Marsh Harrier.
I also saw Woodchat Shrike, Black-winged Kites and Stone Curlew.
More on the Blog at www.lojawildlife.com
Eros Blue Polyommatus eros
La Molina Spanish Pyrenees July 2023. I overlooked this image until recently. Always pays to revisit photographs especially when you take hundreds on trips. This was sandwiched between Glandon blue and Pyrenees Brassy and Lefebvreis Ringlet. No wonder I ignored it !
Didn’t see any last week in two of the usual places and , speaking to a local expert onsite , none have been reported this year Martin. Two years of drought on Tenerife seems to be the cause. But there is hope.
Ok. Thank you
Is it going on YouTube?
Wow, this is an important paper. We had some evidence early on from @ukbms.bsky.social sites but rarely had good data in grazing regimes. But @tombrereton.bsky.social always said that extensive cattle was the best for butterflies and this add yet more evidence
It's Bandcamp Friday, but I've nought new to sell you. Why not catch up, then? Buy my solo stuff here:
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... and Wolfhounds stuff here:
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thewolfhounds.bandcamp.com/music
... and Moonshake stuff here:
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Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisy) © Dave Fairhurst
Dark Grass Blue (Zizeeria karsandra) © Dave Fairhurst
Postcard from the field, from tour leader Dave in Cyprus:
Our Orchids of Cyprus tour continues to find endless orchids, but we're finding some super butterflies too - glamorous Eastern Festoon, and easily overlooked Dark Grass Blue. Every day is packed with interest here...
Plenty on the wing today in sunny London. Double figures of both Peacock and Brimstone with the former basking on woodland rides and the latter barely stopping
This Oxford Giant Orchid is scant consolation for missing my trip to Cyprus. But it is lovely.
@mariposanature.bsky.social we're wonderful. Mail from David and call from Jon whilst at airport. No hassle refund.
This is why they are so successful. Nice guys, brilliant guides and top customer service.
Fantastic images Matt
A few days ago I spent a brilliant morning with friends down in Malaga Province looking for Orchids, one of the best looking species we saw was Ophrys alpujata, both Yellow and Orange flowers were seen.
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