tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54556533977291854902024-03-13T07:20:01.961+00:00David James Wildlife DiaryDavid Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-28610378713789603642023-02-03T16:12:00.010+00:002023-02-05T10:05:33.936+00:00The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2022<p>We had a superb year of recording butterflies in
Northamptonshire during 2022, and this is reflected in the number of valuable
records we have received. The weather during 2022 was certainly much better
than the previous year and allowed for many more opportunities for recording. A cool and unsettled winter gave way to a warm spring followed by
a hot summer with prolonged sunny spells. July saw an unprecedented heatwave
with temperatures at Northamptonshire's Pitsford Weather Centre topping 40.2c
on the 19th of July making it the hottest day ever recorded in Northamptonshire
and the second hottest temperature in the UK together with Heathrow airport.
Fortunately, it cooled down quite quickly and the rest of the summer was mostly
dry with lots of sunshine. Autumn was quite unsettled initially but became
unseasonably mild during October and November. So far, at the time of writing,
we have received 27,460 records for the county detailing the whereabouts of
over 80,000 adult butterflies. Without the many volunteers who give their time
to record butterflies none of the accounts below would be possible so I would
like to give heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent in records during the
year and it was great to see so many new UKBMS transects being set up. The records consist of records received via the UKBMS (United
Kingdom Butterfly Survey), WCBS (Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey), the Big
Butterfly Count, and also casual records sent in via iRecord or direct email.
More and more people are taking up iRecord to enter their records each year and we now receive more records from there than anywhere else which is fantastic. Of course, one of the best success stories we have had recently
in the county is the reintroduction of the Chequered Skipper and this year saw
the location of the release site made public! It was fantastic to chat to with many people who had managed to see them! Plans for this year's guided walks are already well underway and once they're fully organised they will be advertised on the Beds and Northants Local Branch of Butterfly Conservation's website ( click <i><b><a href="https://www.beds-northants-butterflies.org.uk/index.html" target="_blank">here</a></b></i> ). We also have some very active social media channels! So feel free to have a look at our branch Twitter account at @BedsNthantsBC (click <b><a href="https://twitter.com/BedsNthantsBC" target="_blank">here</a></b>) and also our Facebook group "The Beds and Northants Branch of Butterfly Conservation" (click <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/659226225199279/" target="_blank">here</a></b></i> ). At the time of writing (03/02/23) Butterfly Conservation has published the State of UK Butterflies Report 2022, you can read the full report online (click <i><b><a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/State%20of%20UK%20Butterflies%202022%20Report.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></b></i> ). It certainly makes for sobering reading and highlights the plight that some of our butterflies are in. I would urge anyone reading this to go out this year and record butterflies, especially in areas you haven't looked at before, so we can better understand their distributions and populations. Let's hope that 2023 is a great year for butterflies!</p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Dave James - Northamptonshire County Recorder for Butterflies <br /></p><p> <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH4klPEBBNIuEFSslRjV8_pEX3vY5pASunf4a_-QNs-Ff2rbuPtV2bIbExHBqyJjT9wnPKrsI-3N13FBmqGmJg4yn2MwUXzvwvQRV8bKSjaLkUcSskEp4zKsNinT9nlqPmDVtRMHkw4HjGUC_aASmNUAdvwroIh0KSRxPb96jMfRaDnhZU79LIQ0Q/s3507/2022%20Records%20Monad%20Coverage.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH4klPEBBNIuEFSslRjV8_pEX3vY5pASunf4a_-QNs-Ff2rbuPtV2bIbExHBqyJjT9wnPKrsI-3N13FBmqGmJg4yn2MwUXzvwvQRV8bKSjaLkUcSskEp4zKsNinT9nlqPmDVtRMHkw4HjGUC_aASmNUAdvwroIh0KSRxPb96jMfRaDnhZU79LIQ0Q/w640-h452/2022%20Records%20Monad%20Coverage.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2022 Monad Coverage<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Chequered Skipper</b></p><p>The 2022 Chequered Skipper flight period was a very notable one and for a very special reason! Now the population is deemed strong enough the location of the reintroduction site (Fineshade Woods) has now been revealed meaning visitors could come and enjoy them flying around their new home. The guided walks put on by the project rangers provided, without doubt, the best chances of successfully one so if you're planning on visiting in 2023 check out to see if they're being run again. Surveys carried out after the adult butterfly's flight time were also notable as Chequered Skipper larvae were found for only the second time in five years. For more information about the Chequered Skippers Taking Flight project click here - <b><i><a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/conservation-projects/england/chequered-skippers-taking-flight-in-rockingham-forest" target="_blank">Chequered Skippers Taking Flight</a></i>.</b><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyG_XvRYZkbpJtvmPkFkEa9o31Pibd9Nr-JnrQGd8EFCl353U_1EhxZZNFuKKadAapo9_-Qr4-B_IeWTrc9PPOXpYBK1gO6CeZJ2K2oW9H4aYNoJQcjzaht4o2taS3SrX7xWNpjY8x1WRADdZmh0-uIJACtmMRIR5G1B1T7eu7hVWAxK6fIrDittL/s2952/Chequered%20Skipper%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2952" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyG_XvRYZkbpJtvmPkFkEa9o31Pibd9Nr-JnrQGd8EFCl353U_1EhxZZNFuKKadAapo9_-Qr4-B_IeWTrc9PPOXpYBK1gO6CeZJ2K2oW9H4aYNoJQcjzaht4o2taS3SrX7xWNpjY8x1WRADdZmh0-uIJACtmMRIR5G1B1T7eu7hVWAxK6fIrDittL/w640-h426/Chequered%20Skipper%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3GjyTDKnfU9EOoERZRs8DfkRuyrwV0MJlGAQYUKJKeYoBM6Kwl35L3EH-Y7Pe_fgSHdEfCPV2Ng5LqxMGDl_koz5h6ZUZgrHUENjnVDe-Dy8b_txFCHNWC9LDuOAkvvQZtSc37O58BI-zIi6U8GKUD25ND0AUfW1caBF6xqIFzgSA1e5TyTrPSEH/s3766/Chequered%20Skipper%202.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2510" data-original-width="3766" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3GjyTDKnfU9EOoERZRs8DfkRuyrwV0MJlGAQYUKJKeYoBM6Kwl35L3EH-Y7Pe_fgSHdEfCPV2Ng5LqxMGDl_koz5h6ZUZgrHUENjnVDe-Dy8b_txFCHNWC9LDuOAkvvQZtSc37O58BI-zIi6U8GKUD25ND0AUfW1caBF6xqIFzgSA1e5TyTrPSEH/w640-h426/Chequered%20Skipper%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLx5kXa9SDl_QqCMq-8Ag7YYTZ8BLrS2qMkzRrsGlIpu9wPP_8I9L6sXXMqTY6BZ7kiHV4hwj3kNJt1QnNx4MV0o1mlJrbGjP09ZhGfB5Qycssiu8urDpqdajsa9K1plGpNp8FJy2twSFAa7m_fq9Jw15XMyz1hE_uweMcMreAPOZg09X4_pmNzQw/s2033/Chequered%20Skipper%20Larva.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="2033" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLx5kXa9SDl_QqCMq-8Ag7YYTZ8BLrS2qMkzRrsGlIpu9wPP_8I9L6sXXMqTY6BZ7kiHV4hwj3kNJt1QnNx4MV0o1mlJrbGjP09ZhGfB5Qycssiu8urDpqdajsa9K1plGpNp8FJy2twSFAa7m_fq9Jw15XMyz1hE_uweMcMreAPOZg09X4_pmNzQw/w640-h426/Chequered%20Skipper%20Larva.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper Larva</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodnS-2DxdCfWPmlfHe7OM4mqxQTgEQQbiuplZh_jJgCtTxTtcpcBGai0sXoPSHbT9GqvQxP2DZ06hjLXSxV4BPaxTmjVjbqBA6UO7-HfYPIYtURink5RAzFq3T_Aog517GC-x2Mn7fJ-36QAGK26LCFBrMUEI4We8gPbDmWM0XLLLneMviVZ494Pl/s3507/Chequered%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodnS-2DxdCfWPmlfHe7OM4mqxQTgEQQbiuplZh_jJgCtTxTtcpcBGai0sXoPSHbT9GqvQxP2DZ06hjLXSxV4BPaxTmjVjbqBA6UO7-HfYPIYtURink5RAzFq3T_Aog517GC-x2Mn7fJ-36QAGK26LCFBrMUEI4We8gPbDmWM0XLLLneMviVZ494Pl/w640-h452/Chequered%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><b>Small, Essex and Large Skipper</b></p><p>All three of the Golden Skippers were seen in higher numbers than the previous year. However, the Essex and Large Skippers were still below the five year average. The Small Skipper was 93% up from the previous year which puts it 21% above the five year average. The Essex Skipper shows a 222% increase in records over the 2021 figures but is still 53% below the five year average and the Large Skipper showed a 27% increase over the previous year which puts it 19% below the five year average. The grassland butterflies could be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat but some of the best locations to see them include Bradlaugh Fields, Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Country Park and Woods, Hazelborough Wood, Salcey Forest and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first Small Skipper was seen on the 22nd of May at the Nene Wetlands and the last one was recorded on the 11th of August in Bucknell Wood. The first Essex Skipper was seen on the 19th of June at Stanwick Lakes and the last was seen on the 30th of July west of Hanging Houghton (although a dead one was found in the conservatory of a house in Delepre in Northampton on the 28th of August). The first Large Skippers of the year were seen on the 19th of May at Fineshade Wood and Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was recorded on the 10th of August in Fineshade Wood.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHdVoMgayyj_ZNB5_IZF5HmeZzy_bBkb0bhL54bbdXWqNAKuQf_JaGh9U18Px2vqZ3SONhzzY4ciBmf_JtBVIMIH3dp6G7DT7LSSY7lE64kdSI9g6UhbowGkYpQQD1-fMfnwO5fQXn8x7JDsE5BA8Z6jAwSDkQo6sNZXDrZIWpsjptHEOe43vuOTZ/s2168/Small%20Skipper%20on%20Pyramidal%20Orchid,%20Old%20Sulehay,%2020.06.22%20Crop%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="2168" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHdVoMgayyj_ZNB5_IZF5HmeZzy_bBkb0bhL54bbdXWqNAKuQf_JaGh9U18Px2vqZ3SONhzzY4ciBmf_JtBVIMIH3dp6G7DT7LSSY7lE64kdSI9g6UhbowGkYpQQD1-fMfnwO5fQXn8x7JDsE5BA8Z6jAwSDkQo6sNZXDrZIWpsjptHEOe43vuOTZ/w640-h426/Small%20Skipper%20on%20Pyramidal%20Orchid,%20Old%20Sulehay,%2020.06.22%20Crop%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTa2iXuaKdMkALzLflHJtKfoSGmbwA7QYcmp9S2nruRYTD3JTMi5v_kO8yGMN5GiKzlVeWUyeghMgSJQvA1ZRU4P3Jqmc1CwdJh0na0DNDA-T7oq7LiHCcEfwpl7xKgdV4GRNs2UaGo9bHjIi7sia98P8PoistnDvfmCgIxG4kL_on6wL3re27MWB/s3507/Small%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTa2iXuaKdMkALzLflHJtKfoSGmbwA7QYcmp9S2nruRYTD3JTMi5v_kO8yGMN5GiKzlVeWUyeghMgSJQvA1ZRU4P3Jqmc1CwdJh0na0DNDA-T7oq7LiHCcEfwpl7xKgdV4GRNs2UaGo9bHjIi7sia98P8PoistnDvfmCgIxG4kL_on6wL3re27MWB/w640-h452/Small%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkwVjXEPGWBaw0s-rlPYSROdHrmO0PJYpOaagL5AWDCe6Xo8XQBScNn0EsodSU2zEfS0mroX8_TonFN5gDKeWB2OFfYeQUBm8XYFjTg8LgTpqH4uQvRw-kmNr6POMIaZrsl8HZ0kpBMLDflV9kKP5a4R28juVJZyWdhQeL6phxpX3OqHvrdUxBU6n/s3507/Essex%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkwVjXEPGWBaw0s-rlPYSROdHrmO0PJYpOaagL5AWDCe6Xo8XQBScNn0EsodSU2zEfS0mroX8_TonFN5gDKeWB2OFfYeQUBm8XYFjTg8LgTpqH4uQvRw-kmNr6POMIaZrsl8HZ0kpBMLDflV9kKP5a4R28juVJZyWdhQeL6phxpX3OqHvrdUxBU6n/w640-h452/Essex%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wKWq7NGrgsrpVgwYB3osiR5amc8rt7a3sjJN3Wgi8KfZSfXLMmg4hIxMUbVlhqKVeXXoa9r0hNaPe4hnlovYV5DQbVLKTXuT_sHEU47RuCduhNdbYXNEKRl6C1hNUAydlBwd9Sf4g5MHUnhWHnBQ2_G2M6-xleE-ZtFhQ98XSYyDiKM9edhAUkYG/s3507/Large%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wKWq7NGrgsrpVgwYB3osiR5amc8rt7a3sjJN3Wgi8KfZSfXLMmg4hIxMUbVlhqKVeXXoa9r0hNaPe4hnlovYV5DQbVLKTXuT_sHEU47RuCduhNdbYXNEKRl6C1hNUAydlBwd9Sf4g5MHUnhWHnBQ2_G2M6-xleE-ZtFhQ98XSYyDiKM9edhAUkYG/w640-h452/Large%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p><b>Dingy Skipper <br /></b></p><p>The Dingy Skipper had a good year in the county and showed a 144% increase over the previous year which puts it 93% above the five year average. This is a rather localised butterfly and the best places to see them were Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehey, Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales. A new location for the species was added with the discovery of a population at Lyveden New Bield on the 14th of May. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 18th of April at Old Sulehey and Twywell Hills and Dales. The last of the year was seen on the 11th of August at Old Sulehey.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfPF88ySdL4aRW5aW43zOCiI4TIQMk9nZ4CN5elDBpPtDU2y7NKza385yrKyg2FNOXW539o7ORoT9-WUTkeeLCEta2n4WLXG2DWxWQw4rWq_o32AugTZJY_qLXFceY6wg7H4He9SStfmhoFtCZnU8r5qTfalOOETDpBSGDB9hMuS-9IaRKTVckoRZ/s1610/Dingy%20Skipper,%20Fermyn%20Country%20Park%202%2016.05.21.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1610" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfPF88ySdL4aRW5aW43zOCiI4TIQMk9nZ4CN5elDBpPtDU2y7NKza385yrKyg2FNOXW539o7ORoT9-WUTkeeLCEta2n4WLXG2DWxWQw4rWq_o32AugTZJY_qLXFceY6wg7H4He9SStfmhoFtCZnU8r5qTfalOOETDpBSGDB9hMuS-9IaRKTVckoRZ/w640-h426/Dingy%20Skipper,%20Fermyn%20Country%20Park%202%2016.05.21.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhloEStu5raJHTZQaD6EW0dVErebvFsVcgZ9WHVHWgoA5vSG4ONEvBrjLvAwSOWE8FJhNym0klPxVPXKDqifG4q2LCnDmgIAIt62DYjmqEWaXNrjlynfF7A7v7eL9DTcfyQwBcRTAzUHopW-AC8OBG80vvUY8db2Y2Bdg068pleU9hHBX56Vb4Lb9s/s3507/Dingy%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhloEStu5raJHTZQaD6EW0dVErebvFsVcgZ9WHVHWgoA5vSG4ONEvBrjLvAwSOWE8FJhNym0klPxVPXKDqifG4q2LCnDmgIAIt62DYjmqEWaXNrjlynfF7A7v7eL9DTcfyQwBcRTAzUHopW-AC8OBG80vvUY8db2Y2Bdg068pleU9hHBX56Vb4Lb9s/w640-h452/Dingy%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><b>Grizzled Skipper</b></p><p>The Grizzled Skipper showed a 48% increase in records from the previous year and a 17% increase over the five year average. The best places to look for this butterfly were Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Old Sulehey, Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Quarry Walk near Earls Barton. A new location was added to the map in 2022 when they were discovered near Great Oakley. The first of the year was seen on the 18th of April at Quarry Walk near Earls Barton and the last of the year was recorded on the 15th of June at Twywell Hills and Dales.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEzVQnMt3FDoHzwaQu-N1wDbFJT-tA669Rseq62N-ZRoLGZ9vY3nvmgqwdDgQz8-axB0aeiRWq5YT3C1WOeaSOaXmIitWZltm-JuBZ5UiiPbSdwChEed_W7d1tQtqgRPuYWj81ULHxBeb3-j7soCLeLXfP09854oG3XwZB6ojelc8goQBQlqXA5S0/s3488/Grizzled%20Skipper%20(3)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="3488" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEzVQnMt3FDoHzwaQu-N1wDbFJT-tA669Rseq62N-ZRoLGZ9vY3nvmgqwdDgQz8-axB0aeiRWq5YT3C1WOeaSOaXmIitWZltm-JuBZ5UiiPbSdwChEed_W7d1tQtqgRPuYWj81ULHxBeb3-j7soCLeLXfP09854oG3XwZB6ojelc8goQBQlqXA5S0/w640-h454/Grizzled%20Skipper%20(3)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHu95ieDfQd9ucVHKEQBHOPLSE-Z7-zKMaPOrQ4IHTG5Qv34c9aGD_C_p3bKhthN-KocNHjB1gBBQqskMX19f568c9b3lS0vR4eFxuN9xwuRilec0mpMvYDUTGTs4LwZQHjIFHtjuVD0gxsXHfxDmusKPnjBq9xuBjut60TDL0fkzAueib_7ZQDb3/s3507/Grizzled%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHu95ieDfQd9ucVHKEQBHOPLSE-Z7-zKMaPOrQ4IHTG5Qv34c9aGD_C_p3bKhthN-KocNHjB1gBBQqskMX19f568c9b3lS0vR4eFxuN9xwuRilec0mpMvYDUTGTs4LwZQHjIFHtjuVD0gxsXHfxDmusKPnjBq9xuBjut60TDL0fkzAueib_7ZQDb3/w640-h452/Grizzled%20Skipper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p> <b>Wood White</b></p><p>The Wood White shows a 43% increase in records from the previous year which places it 10% above the five year average for the species. The best places to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazleborough Wood and Salcey Forest. They were also recorded in three private woodlands namely Geddington Chase, Sywell Wood and the Yardley Chase complex. The first of the year was seen on the 4th of May in Yardley Chase and the last of the year was recorded on the 2nd of August in Sywell Wood.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTWEDuInWN8iuoS1IZvJogwYtq2zJW0UA0AAfrthtoXaW7rKDk0KkQ5W9OrgQljGHtifdQaRJyS8iK4JZP_XF1SVkwtbP8HuZYWVCKjpaiaK57lws07gdWWI_wFqrcmR4vg1Uj-OtiLWuRA3Du7nxV9As8mR4bv-TgQsChKcpDf9BkAZQ90PwoyWr/s3416/Wood%20White,%20Salcey,%2029.05.22%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2278" data-original-width="3416" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTWEDuInWN8iuoS1IZvJogwYtq2zJW0UA0AAfrthtoXaW7rKDk0KkQ5W9OrgQljGHtifdQaRJyS8iK4JZP_XF1SVkwtbP8HuZYWVCKjpaiaK57lws07gdWWI_wFqrcmR4vg1Uj-OtiLWuRA3Du7nxV9As8mR4bv-TgQsChKcpDf9BkAZQ90PwoyWr/w640-h426/Wood%20White,%20Salcey,%2029.05.22%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36sSaj6ydU8yQIENFaOta21TPaTyGezzAfM_5QaOsGxGnsTSKZ4WUcPBgBy_sFL0d-9N8Pn7nbN_NzSiGUABFHnxEGwMJ9V7idNm1NGzKLzP7rqgMIF3_NZW52hSpLivyewNqcjpgr-j5Dow2izVMdcsc3P__oDvmZr8UHl4Ia5WDBXT-bbnLHwA6/s3507/Wood%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36sSaj6ydU8yQIENFaOta21TPaTyGezzAfM_5QaOsGxGnsTSKZ4WUcPBgBy_sFL0d-9N8Pn7nbN_NzSiGUABFHnxEGwMJ9V7idNm1NGzKLzP7rqgMIF3_NZW52hSpLivyewNqcjpgr-j5Dow2izVMdcsc3P__oDvmZr8UHl4Ia5WDBXT-bbnLHwA6/w640-h452/Wood%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> <b>Clouded Yellow</b></p><p><b> </b>The Clouded Yellow had a fantastic showing during 2022 with the majority of the year's records coming from two sites. The nectar patches along the lane that runs west of Hanging Houghton provided sightings throughout the summer and I would like to extend a big thank you to local birder Eleanor for her continued updates on the local WhatsApp group. The other location was discovered by Barrie from the Friends of Fineshade and Rockingham Forest vision projects. Barrie discovered a population of Clouded Yellows flying over cultivated fields of Clover south of the village of Lower Benefield on the 1st of October. I visited Lower Benefield to do a full count on the 3rd of October and I was amazed to reach the figure of at least 54 Clouded Yellows which is a new county record! They were also recorded at many other sites in the county throughout the year and show a 260% increase in records over the five year average. The first of the year was seen on the 19th of May in Fineshade Wood and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 28th of October at Harrington Airfield and along the A510 near Sidegate Lane west of Finedon. <br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G8ejZQvMA3X_snYM_LTqFf3tVssRIpUQOhTHLoMFCnGWY0Y-vkDm-mM_Jo0ZhO_ss0NAHEu6fjBKjB-fBjcwGEr0EgHPPWb15fPvqjYN71Tkl-dGcxhIwJKGvzyW-MVHzMXUXyUgd4qFiTRAVsNb49G-dKPTlJjBhQs2l3HsT2Ov8UZzKOr_8TD3/s3610/Clouded%20Yellow,%20Lower%20Benefield%2003.10.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="3610" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_G8ejZQvMA3X_snYM_LTqFf3tVssRIpUQOhTHLoMFCnGWY0Y-vkDm-mM_Jo0ZhO_ss0NAHEu6fjBKjB-fBjcwGEr0EgHPPWb15fPvqjYN71Tkl-dGcxhIwJKGvzyW-MVHzMXUXyUgd4qFiTRAVsNb49G-dKPTlJjBhQs2l3HsT2Ov8UZzKOr_8TD3/w640-h426/Clouded%20Yellow,%20Lower%20Benefield%2003.10.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> <br /></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyZaRkbk-livPle6xf7LkYOBR68sU3pyvxIH2wzaDKydWhOwpJpEBiwOSsjb39GZ_r38N-pNeaTmZkCjFDLsCeJifveaSRYvy05FjkDJ3GHyoC9vdVLxUfhV33KMQOlT0Dc0drFaA7NN9G_tm5pz_t3Os_TEHdeHOQwufQo1K2jL7zOpfi9EvUuHe/s3507/Clouded%20Yellow%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyZaRkbk-livPle6xf7LkYOBR68sU3pyvxIH2wzaDKydWhOwpJpEBiwOSsjb39GZ_r38N-pNeaTmZkCjFDLsCeJifveaSRYvy05FjkDJ3GHyoC9vdVLxUfhV33KMQOlT0Dc0drFaA7NN9G_tm5pz_t3Os_TEHdeHOQwufQo1K2jL7zOpfi9EvUuHe/w640-h452/Clouded%20Yellow%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p> <b>Brimstone</b></p><p>The Brimstone shows a 31% increase in records over the previous year which puts it 19% above the five year average. This common butterfly can be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 5th of January in Norton and the last of the year was seen on the 30th of December at Barnwell Country Park.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA0ESNnQg16ULCIk4khNSqkPoTb5cXMbMiZEwHwyjjJRsi3y6ez83bWvZAeGNnZ_FpfH7EGTq6a86ZRyja4AZCW74bteI8QLR5kqYD1FvqTCPEk2b_GHzhoY5nsuvDtX54mOB1td5Ka_5VJnBBuIqEi_x55Kbo_1XoqESAHFMieO2Og68idjs6-OC/s2660/Brimstone%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1864" data-original-width="2660" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA0ESNnQg16ULCIk4khNSqkPoTb5cXMbMiZEwHwyjjJRsi3y6ez83bWvZAeGNnZ_FpfH7EGTq6a86ZRyja4AZCW74bteI8QLR5kqYD1FvqTCPEk2b_GHzhoY5nsuvDtX54mOB1td5Ka_5VJnBBuIqEi_x55Kbo_1XoqESAHFMieO2Og68idjs6-OC/w640-h448/Brimstone%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1_Wa0Huiq4kVfbeZjvDFBt7_f1h3lrffpMZIwm38tHVRmUbQmlkTvX88-HxueMXa2Ve1SKLNc3eowxgV2FOJ6FzBGMzlMHnZCun8KodhVK0wfUndJKUpJ7NZipDxHo6Xpou9MiFIbgAZxahCkmrK9rbQpFYcfCTYGRfKrfq8q3jEiaJXpzl-uJcs/s3507/Brimstone%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1_Wa0Huiq4kVfbeZjvDFBt7_f1h3lrffpMZIwm38tHVRmUbQmlkTvX88-HxueMXa2Ve1SKLNc3eowxgV2FOJ6FzBGMzlMHnZCun8KodhVK0wfUndJKUpJ7NZipDxHo6Xpou9MiFIbgAZxahCkmrK9rbQpFYcfCTYGRfKrfq8q3jEiaJXpzl-uJcs/w640-h452/Brimstone%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><b>Large, Small and Green-veined White</b></p><p>The Large and Small White didn't have a good year in 2022. The Large White shows a 2% decrease in records below the previous year putting it 10% below the five year average. The Small White shows an 11% decrease in records from 2021 which puts it 23% below the five year average. The Green-veined White did fair slightly better and shows a 25% increase over 2021 which puts it 8% above the five year average. These common butterflies could be recorded anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first Large White of the year was seen on the 15th of March in Ravensthorpe and the last of the year was seen on the 30th of October in Kettering. The first Small Whites of the year were seen on the 14th of March with one seen along the Ise Brook in Kettering and another seen in Northampton. The last Small White of the year flying outside was recorded on the 22nd of October in Bragborough, however, one emerged indoors in a house in Brackley and was found flying around the kitchen on the 9th of November. The first Green-veined White of the year was seen on the 5th of April at Stortons Pits and the last of the year was recorded on the 13th of October near Nethercote.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbWDfDSto9pvhdquKWRQe9j06neOgPeacOVuxwXcoaGQgzlZKTmxqMpWPk58MoNm_EVuuOW0_kEPBTll9aOKAz4rXRKXhSCrPMSRvik5x7ZwgV3cP0tyz4ZznAw5crx9gORbMWY8azRj8EgrcsKzaCFuV5mFZIHrSPNW1uuczWLVsL0JTeTE_G7z3/s3561/Green-veined%20Whites,%20Mud%20Puddling,%20Between%20Whiston%20and%20Cognehoe,%2029.06.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="3561" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbWDfDSto9pvhdquKWRQe9j06neOgPeacOVuxwXcoaGQgzlZKTmxqMpWPk58MoNm_EVuuOW0_kEPBTll9aOKAz4rXRKXhSCrPMSRvik5x7ZwgV3cP0tyz4ZznAw5crx9gORbMWY8azRj8EgrcsKzaCFuV5mFZIHrSPNW1uuczWLVsL0JTeTE_G7z3/w640-h426/Green-veined%20Whites,%20Mud%20Puddling,%20Between%20Whiston%20and%20Cognehoe,%2029.06.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White Mud Puddling<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <b> </b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHa9gfD0__U0kCQkSprPqbgPwRmd2BzbJmbxK862Jk1DZU__CERqGYMSXlUt4dZQbW3xr8Z7Gk1eF-2ErFmsUAVm_iTZYP-O3gdaOLumS8k-hJC7JpRHMv7jZzRkMVV3sypSXtXcqCkS5kOUy1OtwnNU73asSbfjOkrFTkRP1YwTNAXcyl-P_I9uJ/s3507/Large%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHa9gfD0__U0kCQkSprPqbgPwRmd2BzbJmbxK862Jk1DZU__CERqGYMSXlUt4dZQbW3xr8Z7Gk1eF-2ErFmsUAVm_iTZYP-O3gdaOLumS8k-hJC7JpRHMv7jZzRkMVV3sypSXtXcqCkS5kOUy1OtwnNU73asSbfjOkrFTkRP1YwTNAXcyl-P_I9uJ/w640-h452/Large%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b> </b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr33tNsrj7xiHFaRwt2ebgTZe07_TjDEi4JIF1JFU48iLX_SX4vI6r0MQbqQJoWqnBHTAASgU_kmZEbOgbo0sEj0CVyClnTJ8U-AUPm2mYXsLcSkd7NzVFl88QaHkGjQSv_zwkphg5zxJNWLRLI_qK-Z2ePOIn8KR8WlykTXioCdpqlredqnFHrWZz/s3507/Small%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr33tNsrj7xiHFaRwt2ebgTZe07_TjDEi4JIF1JFU48iLX_SX4vI6r0MQbqQJoWqnBHTAASgU_kmZEbOgbo0sEj0CVyClnTJ8U-AUPm2mYXsLcSkd7NzVFl88QaHkGjQSv_zwkphg5zxJNWLRLI_qK-Z2ePOIn8KR8WlykTXioCdpqlredqnFHrWZz/w640-h452/Small%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEQnWMNDafmuBApwBu5jOR6Nc_izEpGcbf9j4qzm9CraIHCJVpcoAj0gn1TyDcmnFnT5h_G-6X52KLxGok7o8_Dmf0IquJEsuEpeuykqAmJn9_C94B4ZW-VjbAdi9wtj012svEJ847c9FxlhsGVpr3WJ94ffbGLWssCys8tywD4J7auNo2R07PU_O/s3507/Greenveined%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEQnWMNDafmuBApwBu5jOR6Nc_izEpGcbf9j4qzm9CraIHCJVpcoAj0gn1TyDcmnFnT5h_G-6X52KLxGok7o8_Dmf0IquJEsuEpeuykqAmJn9_C94B4ZW-VjbAdi9wtj012svEJ847c9FxlhsGVpr3WJ94ffbGLWssCys8tywD4J7auNo2R07PU_O/w640-h452/Greenveined%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Orange-tip</b></p><p>The Orange-tip had a great year in the county during 2022 and shows an 80% increase over the previous year's records and a 35% increase over the five year average. This common butterfly could be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. However, the best place to see them without a doubt was the Nene Wetlands where they were recorded in very good numbers. Well over 200 were seen on a single day on the 30th of April. The first Orange-tip of the year was seen on the 14th of March at Polebrook and the last of the year was recorded on the 15th of July at Weldon Woodland Park.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCgG790to-1nsdG27RFdPuq2zUtDLbm9LJbxVPQVB3s9GdbF2pIRxI6M4v_rzlYsdehaW7hxT1Es6HbhtJy0bbEvjXOWqyGtGhPRbQWeLLmzaTtZYgwE7xgUEhvGcmj44ZQWUas3ru3AWM4dTFPJlcjEcQIpdacUDTAEVTRTsG9sdRkWHE8BNsp0N/s5542/Orange-tip,%20Brackmills%2010.04.22%20Best%20PS-gigapixel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3696" data-original-width="5542" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCgG790to-1nsdG27RFdPuq2zUtDLbm9LJbxVPQVB3s9GdbF2pIRxI6M4v_rzlYsdehaW7hxT1Es6HbhtJy0bbEvjXOWqyGtGhPRbQWeLLmzaTtZYgwE7xgUEhvGcmj44ZQWUas3ru3AWM4dTFPJlcjEcQIpdacUDTAEVTRTsG9sdRkWHE8BNsp0N/w640-h426/Orange-tip,%20Brackmills%2010.04.22%20Best%20PS-gigapixel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Male<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwdFhUkagGc4-4UfrQb4d0JAtPiFXh7s4-6n5imFKP-o0mkrzSdPKovRrEDIl0aRT6AaNJJXO--YPJO7CPJgJbNpmAIB7O68o9TELt76YVWMdEfT_1a7etGcmzj-WqGqLEsKWwcwzq6nfz4JaPSVrmoP8wPNWkogzkPIFT9XO3ZLJVc-zR4HKlSwu/s2055/Orange-tip,%20female,%20Salcey,%2029.05.22%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="2055" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwdFhUkagGc4-4UfrQb4d0JAtPiFXh7s4-6n5imFKP-o0mkrzSdPKovRrEDIl0aRT6AaNJJXO--YPJO7CPJgJbNpmAIB7O68o9TELt76YVWMdEfT_1a7etGcmzj-WqGqLEsKWwcwzq6nfz4JaPSVrmoP8wPNWkogzkPIFT9XO3ZLJVc-zR4HKlSwu/w640-h426/Orange-tip,%20female,%20Salcey,%2029.05.22%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Female</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b> </b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaozKhYykKI9PoKw8574h4MkRWLxBjZVJmBD2OyylP4QbA59Go4AQdaIlYTtK_CLMr7RE_wufsBSOlpMEOviDy2LZYsJT8okHAz7ZeE-9TIuiAZSy-P14Vdm3f8GLLTXyYPL-sNbiYnE8lpsCogP1RFaLfrlCuW4Cwm3zeSUBLWyWilVgz0mZ2n5k/s3507/Orangetip%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaozKhYykKI9PoKw8574h4MkRWLxBjZVJmBD2OyylP4QbA59Go4AQdaIlYTtK_CLMr7RE_wufsBSOlpMEOviDy2LZYsJT8okHAz7ZeE-9TIuiAZSy-P14Vdm3f8GLLTXyYPL-sNbiYnE8lpsCogP1RFaLfrlCuW4Cwm3zeSUBLWyWilVgz0mZ2n5k/w640-h452/Orangetip%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Distibution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b>Green Hairstreak</b></p><p>The Green Hairstreak had a good year in the county and shows a 42% increase above the five year average. The best places to see this localised butterfly were Collyweston Deeps, Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Woods, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehey, Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales. A notable discovery was made in May when the species was discovered at the Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve by local butterfly recorder and wildlife photographer Glyn. The first Green Hairstreak of the year was seen on the 16th of April at Collyweston Deeps and the last of the year was seen on the 4th of July in Fermyn Country Park.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfXK42drSSy63A1b3vFS5uR2LlIVvTNK5adS1EWCcUuv8s94ITXI9GpB4VsxI5qQPiRoDV-zOZIfWyXv5Wb32OIewIA4plsl0FO2sNz2T9NWsk6Enh45ANkgLVFT2UBb8Ln1hrTDEDqISTD_9zYeZz2KgjzeAmoxd-hP4SkJ33P791YV1VLC7l9Fl/s3916/Green%20Hairstreak,%20Fermyn%20CP,%2008.05.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2610" data-original-width="3916" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfXK42drSSy63A1b3vFS5uR2LlIVvTNK5adS1EWCcUuv8s94ITXI9GpB4VsxI5qQPiRoDV-zOZIfWyXv5Wb32OIewIA4plsl0FO2sNz2T9NWsk6Enh45ANkgLVFT2UBb8Ln1hrTDEDqISTD_9zYeZz2KgjzeAmoxd-hP4SkJ33P791YV1VLC7l9Fl/w640-h426/Green%20Hairstreak,%20Fermyn%20CP,%2008.05.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPA35coCmRZPgijbad3J1WRTH3xd2g_osoooJJJEOI4tf2-9O_PQquaeLtt3j6t9tRuqOpKLiT2l0EVOztktNZe4hZCg9VpMp7aIOW90eXmaHG6-t7e_1_MllErGnFZ0OSrMMi_WdvMOZtPNtDdFImnvWRZBdNYA-waWBd_gqDpkSxv9VGJkNeJz/s3507/Green%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPA35coCmRZPgijbad3J1WRTH3xd2g_osoooJJJEOI4tf2-9O_PQquaeLtt3j6t9tRuqOpKLiT2l0EVOztktNZe4hZCg9VpMp7aIOW90eXmaHG6-t7e_1_MllErGnFZ0OSrMMi_WdvMOZtPNtDdFImnvWRZBdNYA-waWBd_gqDpkSxv9VGJkNeJz/w640-h452/Green%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><b>Purple Hairstreak</b></p><p>Despite the 24% increase in records from the previous year the Purple Hairstreak was still 18% below the five year average. For those people who were brave enough to record butterflies during the late July heatwave a rarely witnessed sight awaited them as lots of Purple Hairstreaks descended from the canopy to avoid the sun and look for moisture. The best places to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood, the Fermyn Woods complex and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 16th of June in the private Sywell Wood and the last of the year was seen on the 11th of August in Bucknell Wood.<br /></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8r3bpLuatdpHDbOKEjfO2FVJ4ZAOPYiE2qSdUYW01SnpQkLvepfoUTxltz1yWQgvDuc2-wOej62Hb5YQcQ5iXZ4R8uBS2fVSUfbpsL6lHgD4SI8RiSpQTDtEN9Yf3n0zIhm5lFcAUjR5pwagFYHAb0mY0kc3jxX8oUWgfF4en9rmIU6I4jWvgpXF/s2579/Purple%20Hairstreak,%20Salcey%20Forest,%2018.07.22%20(5)%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="2579" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8r3bpLuatdpHDbOKEjfO2FVJ4ZAOPYiE2qSdUYW01SnpQkLvepfoUTxltz1yWQgvDuc2-wOej62Hb5YQcQ5iXZ4R8uBS2fVSUfbpsL6lHgD4SI8RiSpQTDtEN9Yf3n0zIhm5lFcAUjR5pwagFYHAb0mY0kc3jxX8oUWgfF4en9rmIU6I4jWvgpXF/w640-h426/Purple%20Hairstreak,%20Salcey%20Forest,%2018.07.22%20(5)%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z5HeP1WeUea0bnSFFkbKYES-a5j28N5JDPIJuXv60TRxTpopHvzv8IypGxzBWRB1SFWyHIhGsyBbN__rIOFVfKm75iuzOwrJeu63gs424O0i8LnfTi8Q24F729MplqACcoBDyCWaCOllD_if-xF6nr2URB7Tkp_kPmb1hkqrOggA77e0jOoM4hs6/s3507/Purple%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z5HeP1WeUea0bnSFFkbKYES-a5j28N5JDPIJuXv60TRxTpopHvzv8IypGxzBWRB1SFWyHIhGsyBbN__rIOFVfKm75iuzOwrJeu63gs424O0i8LnfTi8Q24F729MplqACcoBDyCWaCOllD_if-xF6nr2URB7Tkp_kPmb1hkqrOggA77e0jOoM4hs6/w640-h452/Purple%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>White-letter Hairstreak</b></p><p>The White-letter Hairstreak shows a 3% decrease in records from the previous year and a 51% decrease below the five year average. The best sites to see them were Ashton Wold, Brackmills, Duston Quarry, Harlestone, Fineshade Wood and the Old Kettering Road in Corby. In all of these sites they were only seen in low single figures. The first White-letter Hairstreaks of the year were seen on the 20th of June at Brackmills and Duston Quarry and the last of the year was recorded on the 6th of August in Harlestone. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidENr7IfghNLOcLiW1il_xX9kSJCZG5CHi6OhUUD1IT48gp1xrHsm7ZqqtnzerQ7h6GINxd1kRIpid8QPIkQf9mJjUgzI_e8RUa9fN3Lwg5OnKrUSO-yi7aXlV1NxdNSW0uQO2_K8lUWIQVkZ_5Jcuen0UcaWbKAUyqaBL7n1NH1kztZb9cwHuXt/s2640/White%20Letter%20Hairstreak,%20Bedford%20Purplieus,%2004.07.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1760" data-original-width="2640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidENr7IfghNLOcLiW1il_xX9kSJCZG5CHi6OhUUD1IT48gp1xrHsm7ZqqtnzerQ7h6GINxd1kRIpid8QPIkQf9mJjUgzI_e8RUa9fN3Lwg5OnKrUSO-yi7aXlV1NxdNSW0uQO2_K8lUWIQVkZ_5Jcuen0UcaWbKAUyqaBL7n1NH1kztZb9cwHuXt/w640-h426/White%20Letter%20Hairstreak,%20Bedford%20Purplieus,%2004.07.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoFMuNfvRJ8OorVolT85DdwQh0OGlE1YVIwzPFSuwYBuuc2ID45SLr_3WETKwQTwZX8xovuyjaX59yPn488_gtPo4LYab7yONVueXs7AoudVl_5XgcGnUWIg6nkyPMw3LJK8xJfCwV4vImXqLw7FrKyAIF-OxboaBZKcrc2LrWQ3ETVWf-tntdpNg/s3507/Whiteletter%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoFMuNfvRJ8OorVolT85DdwQh0OGlE1YVIwzPFSuwYBuuc2ID45SLr_3WETKwQTwZX8xovuyjaX59yPn488_gtPo4LYab7yONVueXs7AoudVl_5XgcGnUWIg6nkyPMw3LJK8xJfCwV4vImXqLw7FrKyAIF-OxboaBZKcrc2LrWQ3ETVWf-tntdpNg/w640-h452/Whiteletter%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p> <b>Black Hairstreak</b></p><p>The Black Hairstreak had a considerably better season than it did in 2021 and shows a 145% increase in records. Although the records show them to be 40% below the five year average, the fantastic season of 2018 when they were seen in very high numbers should be taken into account when analysing this. As always, the best place to see them was Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Salcey Forest is now rapidly becoming equally good for them too. The large Blackthorn thicket at the northern end of Fermyn Woods Country Park is another good location to see the species. Black Hairstreaks were also recorded at Fineshade Wood, in Lady and Souther Woods at Fermyn, and in the private Yardley Chase complex. On the 4th of July one was seen at Old Sulehey confirming their continued presence at the site. An exciting record was seen on the 5th of July along the Old Kettering Road in Great Oakley which is a new location for the species. The first one was seen on the 2nd of June at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last of the year was seen on the 10th of July at Fermyn Woods Country Park.<br /></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsEMuCmfUWreELddLzhd5heXkFIpU_ZVh1MtyHdPoedIb9NHMMbYJT8P2Pi8UIa0tnOcmPZcy1PVdGTeKYzN7R0uDW6XmLPu0EIO4MyMAikjqfQPtzZeOrqmvTfCVUTNz2PghKk-8HgGWgLig_aMWL6330kdlecpWlozbyYSyKlpstSAoMq7QGoZC/s2004/Black%20Hairstreak,%20Glapthorn,%2009.06.22%201%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2004" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsEMuCmfUWreELddLzhd5heXkFIpU_ZVh1MtyHdPoedIb9NHMMbYJT8P2Pi8UIa0tnOcmPZcy1PVdGTeKYzN7R0uDW6XmLPu0EIO4MyMAikjqfQPtzZeOrqmvTfCVUTNz2PghKk-8HgGWgLig_aMWL6330kdlecpWlozbyYSyKlpstSAoMq7QGoZC/w640-h426/Black%20Hairstreak,%20Glapthorn,%2009.06.22%201%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5UG7wsp1J07Bd8tLfBGXhTWBdKK9kqqtbZmaq4AElPp1f7xACshv1LXtjVzmF95SO9FNIg_-YqbsuJxIOi1SVGier-FxyJlCSmgunsbd398RB6AdwjvGC4_imHVOuMaPlQwfeEmm5bXuIbH9G9wUrDUfUhkMzU9CuToHGjJzwk_y8RrozEhKio7a/s2473/Black%20Hairstreak%20Larva%202%20TL0054490321%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1648" data-original-width="2473" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5UG7wsp1J07Bd8tLfBGXhTWBdKK9kqqtbZmaq4AElPp1f7xACshv1LXtjVzmF95SO9FNIg_-YqbsuJxIOi1SVGier-FxyJlCSmgunsbd398RB6AdwjvGC4_imHVOuMaPlQwfeEmm5bXuIbH9G9wUrDUfUhkMzU9CuToHGjJzwk_y8RrozEhKio7a/w640-h426/Black%20Hairstreak%20Larva%202%20TL0054490321%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Larva<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2OYhKoeL0FO-gFIpLNtuJW61R9bPlOu6FTR8a5pmqWP6gLnwYoUM_avl3Rdk4bj-pqXjuv82Ngna85MaH5L_HA9YuJNaiG-55pdi7c7OVLFvtRkgz2ASUEzVXmnOS-CfD0GekF63Wxz4N1_ubStbUB6_2sthVGZ8DcEdqZkqbyD33awJWGno-5XU/s4412/Black%20Hairstreak%20Larva%202%20TL0054490321%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2942" data-original-width="4412" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2OYhKoeL0FO-gFIpLNtuJW61R9bPlOu6FTR8a5pmqWP6gLnwYoUM_avl3Rdk4bj-pqXjuv82Ngna85MaH5L_HA9YuJNaiG-55pdi7c7OVLFvtRkgz2ASUEzVXmnOS-CfD0GekF63Wxz4N1_ubStbUB6_2sthVGZ8DcEdqZkqbyD33awJWGno-5XU/w640-h426/Black%20Hairstreak%20Larva%202%20TL0054490321%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Larva<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfFZU3tlDMbGbPeTxwvevra1qOsoJtrgeCwLcAR7jUoJTjHGgBLcdrUoWVZroUO1wXlejNWx8eR7NW91yHcyFLRNL2ThBSOEpXwQeYKV5dwTkvZaPq_QY7HklPWelwVAXGXgUGvglqH67GPpS9nIVnZ8GagOlxAs7YjYpiH-uYfpq4q60ZzrNg2hU/s3507/Black%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfFZU3tlDMbGbPeTxwvevra1qOsoJtrgeCwLcAR7jUoJTjHGgBLcdrUoWVZroUO1wXlejNWx8eR7NW91yHcyFLRNL2ThBSOEpXwQeYKV5dwTkvZaPq_QY7HklPWelwVAXGXgUGvglqH67GPpS9nIVnZ8GagOlxAs7YjYpiH-uYfpq4q60ZzrNg2hU/w640-h452/Black%20Hairstreak%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Small Copper</b></p><p>The Small Copper showed a 42% increase in records from 2021 which puts it slightly below the five year average. This butterfly is prone to producing aberrations but the Small Copper find of the year must go to Sacha Chase when he discovered the rare aberration <i>cuprinus </i>on the clover fields south of Lower Benefield (see photo below) on the 8th of October. This grassland species could be seen anywhere where there is suitable habitat but some of the best places to see them were the Nene Wetlands Reserve, Pitsford Nature Reserve, Stanwick Lakes and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 22nd of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 23rd of October at Stanford Reservoir.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub6bziCLGquA6B6K8Y1rIHmC3mvVI8DE0Ew0yxXOKTHvmsGStnrOP8X8AOaLjhVRDejhj82VP2xbYgRJDraQfFKxv570a1UoYb4r1HdS2t5xzJPtVz-ipyQ7RZfPeiFCx08XzNm0vPuQywzaQ6IDgN-n6ELVNf5JkJuqxkGfsQ7L4O4yMINdakc4t/s4212/Small%20Copper%201-denoise%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2812" data-original-width="4212" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub6bziCLGquA6B6K8Y1rIHmC3mvVI8DE0Ew0yxXOKTHvmsGStnrOP8X8AOaLjhVRDejhj82VP2xbYgRJDraQfFKxv570a1UoYb4r1HdS2t5xzJPtVz-ipyQ7RZfPeiFCx08XzNm0vPuQywzaQ6IDgN-n6ELVNf5JkJuqxkGfsQ7L4O4yMINdakc4t/w640-h428/Small%20Copper%201-denoise%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqMZlY02HQysX5fEvSOhTJpBJwP17kqOy0ZtRF4tDfBlJNnyIGqpoyWK0ekK_rsXs1ck2hritOkM9EDY5tRaZdAoba6VeUNehXIv-9VJ2wzLFEK35eWFhGb11OHrlOkDMXYdKJPBw--uMV7LH3qwP2jRvIm3CSAnt0ayBIf5FO7P8kM9iSCSjnTz4/s3683/Small%20Copper%20ab.%20cuprinus%20Sacha%20Case.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="3683" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqMZlY02HQysX5fEvSOhTJpBJwP17kqOy0ZtRF4tDfBlJNnyIGqpoyWK0ekK_rsXs1ck2hritOkM9EDY5tRaZdAoba6VeUNehXIv-9VJ2wzLFEK35eWFhGb11OHrlOkDMXYdKJPBw--uMV7LH3qwP2jRvIm3CSAnt0ayBIf5FO7P8kM9iSCSjnTz4/w640-h426/Small%20Copper%20ab.%20cuprinus%20Sacha%20Case.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper ab. cuprinus. Photo taken by Sacha Case<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhijeNVI2KAbrg06zoSPr0or6RRKx_ly7FjE9_6cfwgqaaAnJsgywrxZ2d2pfUNZFTaMx_pL-AzsfDE3-JOtJiBZCE2dGxGjsBBqy3b_q2T3CIIXRTQ3BRrngep0wKutJhtJiuBJKDjEU_1Gj--NG1Jx-8nk1_xmPS-LNFoR0LWE0-PyLtagoKox9/s3507/Small%20Copper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhijeNVI2KAbrg06zoSPr0or6RRKx_ly7FjE9_6cfwgqaaAnJsgywrxZ2d2pfUNZFTaMx_pL-AzsfDE3-JOtJiBZCE2dGxGjsBBqy3b_q2T3CIIXRTQ3BRrngep0wKutJhtJiuBJKDjEU_1Gj--NG1Jx-8nk1_xmPS-LNFoR0LWE0-PyLtagoKox9/w640-h452/Small%20Copper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Brown Argus</b></p><p>The Brown Argus had a considerably better season in Northamptonshire than it did in 2021 and shows a 219% increase in records. This puts it slightly higher than the five year average with a slight 5% increase. This grassland butterfly could be seen anywhere where there was suitable habitat however some of the best places to see them were Harlestone Firs, the Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve, Stanwick Lakes, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Twywell Hills and Dales and Woodford Shrubbery. The first of the year was seen on the 8th of May at Quarry Walk near Earls Barton and the last of the year was seen on the 28th of September at Twywell Hills and Dales.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBGzJCYQsQY-bC_LPZF2zupt-uOmfO4Qq1xwq-4njygzz_WZGvxawtKTg7mDdjkW-WzTZjk06_pMB4vBSDbVk_C60kHsQs_xKlR5u5nANoiFxJTKpiowTymZ1YZ5M2FzdQ3Ij9tAPiz9wMZ1iVAC291DdDuvKnY6kwpMGMBUJtQBVJWxoifpBxK_9/s4614/Brown%20Argus,%20Collyweston%20Great%20Wood,%2001.08.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3076" data-original-width="4614" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBGzJCYQsQY-bC_LPZF2zupt-uOmfO4Qq1xwq-4njygzz_WZGvxawtKTg7mDdjkW-WzTZjk06_pMB4vBSDbVk_C60kHsQs_xKlR5u5nANoiFxJTKpiowTymZ1YZ5M2FzdQ3Ij9tAPiz9wMZ1iVAC291DdDuvKnY6kwpMGMBUJtQBVJWxoifpBxK_9/w640-h426/Brown%20Argus,%20Collyweston%20Great%20Wood,%2001.08.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS9wx-A1LHCwFe5cBHm4ydmg99_uZc1I01j6tTvOKJ7g2pnrlYGQ05zUwfxavHfjI0PPLcyP0MdV6e4pk-r157OPGJU0BoIAc-RouTiPDc3qBm50kjN8f48zfqlJwYU_NTo64yyiVKT9PN25AfN3np_ZteYyo96yUICPAdrzvCyQ6XzLhXuJZeCK0/s3507/Brown%20Argus%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNS9wx-A1LHCwFe5cBHm4ydmg99_uZc1I01j6tTvOKJ7g2pnrlYGQ05zUwfxavHfjI0PPLcyP0MdV6e4pk-r157OPGJU0BoIAc-RouTiPDc3qBm50kjN8f48zfqlJwYU_NTo64yyiVKT9PN25AfN3np_ZteYyo96yUICPAdrzvCyQ6XzLhXuJZeCK0/w640-h452/Brown%20Argus%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> <b>Common Blue</b></p><p>The Common Blue did well in the county in 2022. It shows a 294% increase in records over the previous year and a 38% increase above the five year average. The common grassland butterfly could be seen anywhere where there was suitable habitat but the places where they flew in the highest numbers were Duston Quarry, Harrington Airfield, Fermyn Country Park, the fields surrounding Old village, Old Sulehey, the Nene Wetlands, Ring Haw, and Stanwick Lakes. The first of the year was seen on the 5th of May at Quarry Walk near Earls Barton and the last of the year was recorded on the 22nd of October at Upton.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mTIBtYhlpfdJnrU1uH9vKw1bMUSZ7PJ_uE3dWRTxIfcRMFwOlFJlTIWGqz549LOZXSjUO3MAM3n92imNudwCi8ojOLPXpMZp8X7Mi_skeeTwCXRwprSefVnznniPsNpLU8CJ14jPaex2IONI76F4OHpDvmdvdrhKkhGkLQqZieqUX-4R304BxuJe/s2096/Common%20Blue%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2096" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mTIBtYhlpfdJnrU1uH9vKw1bMUSZ7PJ_uE3dWRTxIfcRMFwOlFJlTIWGqz549LOZXSjUO3MAM3n92imNudwCi8ojOLPXpMZp8X7Mi_skeeTwCXRwprSefVnznniPsNpLU8CJ14jPaex2IONI76F4OHpDvmdvdrhKkhGkLQqZieqUX-4R304BxuJe/w640-h460/Common%20Blue%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71dvSppHmr-l6oZ1uRJzA3v9LB_ldqcMCXGkuCXJqD7fGrDUnhQVkS-5D9LzAgOVXlRhpscGloP7MUoiaeyFI8a6KKTMqVePvC82OJz_TkuTRylgB9wftnLPxZISDsEbtekVCZOzgRmD9nz3X-RJHXzeddFA3B_flLHgRNlseAQlZOFN-KtK_1mFS/s3507/Common%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71dvSppHmr-l6oZ1uRJzA3v9LB_ldqcMCXGkuCXJqD7fGrDUnhQVkS-5D9LzAgOVXlRhpscGloP7MUoiaeyFI8a6KKTMqVePvC82OJz_TkuTRylgB9wftnLPxZISDsEbtekVCZOzgRmD9nz3X-RJHXzeddFA3B_flLHgRNlseAQlZOFN-KtK_1mFS/w640-h452/Common%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Holly Blue </b><br /></p><p>The Holly Blue did well in 2022 and shows a 150% increase in records over the previous year. This puts it 73% above the five year average. This butterfly was a common sight in gardens and parks but the best places to see them were Abington Park in Northampton, Bradlaugh Fields, Castlefields Park in Wellingborough, Eastfield Park in Northampton, the Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve, Summer Leys Nature Reserve and Weekley Hall Wood Meadow. The first ones of the year were seen on the 22nd of March in Denton, Higham Ferrers and Wootton in Northampton. The last of the year was seen on the 29th of October in Wollaston.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-Mv4mqsi3ar42AJVbTXee03uDXkszwq3W51rPodov3XX1b1CDEkiaFQ84zQR2mxx4_hYtYD4jpPGGPcY3Lr7c_7haQaHY2djji6BmTMDy5JPRfz4HPeUUnGRNUrfIl220bdsRiHc2NcvPVimVAqMG_zeliuqXL6tWZFx4MpjsAHbGcoIzRo4k74Z/s5048/Holly%20Blue,%20Wootton,%2002.06.22%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3365" data-original-width="5048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-Mv4mqsi3ar42AJVbTXee03uDXkszwq3W51rPodov3XX1b1CDEkiaFQ84zQR2mxx4_hYtYD4jpPGGPcY3Lr7c_7haQaHY2djji6BmTMDy5JPRfz4HPeUUnGRNUrfIl220bdsRiHc2NcvPVimVAqMG_zeliuqXL6tWZFx4MpjsAHbGcoIzRo4k74Z/w640-h426/Holly%20Blue,%20Wootton,%2002.06.22%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv59JxV-J3CZjeR6VSrKLrBgI0WR1p6IYf7bAuJwWsmdGmFrsNVpZcdDcBBLavgxegp1M1bh70-k_s9dZgx7IXfrVLMrHPLuRNiXoNvKEXgKbOV6-IXlX4KlVBcTUKphNyfH-rfzMFJ66OM12L_B-hT2o5ZCNohbSkmqIo-Mw3yctZxWq9UtrUHVC/s3507/Holly%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJv59JxV-J3CZjeR6VSrKLrBgI0WR1p6IYf7bAuJwWsmdGmFrsNVpZcdDcBBLavgxegp1M1bh70-k_s9dZgx7IXfrVLMrHPLuRNiXoNvKEXgKbOV6-IXlX4KlVBcTUKphNyfH-rfzMFJ66OM12L_B-hT2o5ZCNohbSkmqIo-Mw3yctZxWq9UtrUHVC/w640-h452/Holly%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Long-tailed Blue</b></p><p>There were a lot of records of Long-tailed Blues along the south coast of Britain in 2022 and in turn a lot of eggs were discovered. The eggs produced a new batch of adult butterflies in September and October so when the news broke that a single Long-tailed Blue had been found on the flowers outside the Lakeside pub in Northampton it was met with considerable excitement! The date of the record was the 31st of October and I'd like to thank the finder, Mark Williams, for getting the news out so quickly. Unfortunately, it didn't hang around and only a small handful of people got to see it. There will always be a question mark over rare migrants when they are seen this far inland as this species can be imported in larval form in bags of peas. However, the timing of this record makes this the best candidate we have for a genuine wild migrant.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtHgVvVY_MIfjV8nwmmDPdpZpjKjLCdfmfin9OAQ2tK4C9k_F24iYoOf9zu0i8Uu1HVuhvMX-0H5WqU9ueF_3nE76t4nJIZwHVHQS-D8HHUT-h0bZC1FoLtf4Zo6SJbdior5XAb2ruKzen_cZ-Z0h-aK_MChV6Yan6BJJkOZbeni1qPIMmo5IwJPd/s4285/Long%20Tailed%20Blue,%20Doug%20Goddard.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4285" data-original-width="3214" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtHgVvVY_MIfjV8nwmmDPdpZpjKjLCdfmfin9OAQ2tK4C9k_F24iYoOf9zu0i8Uu1HVuhvMX-0H5WqU9ueF_3nE76t4nJIZwHVHQS-D8HHUT-h0bZC1FoLtf4Zo6SJbdior5XAb2ruKzen_cZ-Z0h-aK_MChV6Yan6BJJkOZbeni1qPIMmo5IwJPd/w480-h640/Long%20Tailed%20Blue,%20Doug%20Goddard.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue, Lakeside Pub, Northampton 2022. Photo taken by Doug Goddard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjameY-WnEo7u_UIQ-O2MIYfpCoIkR6PIrehSBA92o0gc-DZrCYN59PiM6YhFBhF0c_XVPq36eHGOGb8mx7tDYvy5iG57kx1-4pogjkr6kLu4snujww5pWyYegoHirupqZWjp4wTjGuDOY_RWT-g-D-uCTQtR0GJJ8PT6DLLEh6A2VGtdytpnF8PS10/s2048/Long-tailed%20Blue,%20Mark%20Williams%20copy-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjameY-WnEo7u_UIQ-O2MIYfpCoIkR6PIrehSBA92o0gc-DZrCYN59PiM6YhFBhF0c_XVPq36eHGOGb8mx7tDYvy5iG57kx1-4pogjkr6kLu4snujww5pWyYegoHirupqZWjp4wTjGuDOY_RWT-g-D-uCTQtR0GJJ8PT6DLLEh6A2VGtdytpnF8PS10/w640-h426/Long-tailed%20Blue,%20Mark%20Williams%20copy-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue, Lakeside Pub, Northampton 2022. Photo taken by Mark Williams<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI2SuUnYnRouleH9SpEa1E9nllPkXJPjqGLSLbSU6CGI-AsMzfsbfUHgV9c0Z8bCrWYEbE5zSLh-2zxwUGvRYxZ5yzdW17AnLCCTXayM7gyeZ_Ix-83dcnnK0MZVxUSS-kuKsCMEg8DOHUKlGFVlmUIqxGJb1wi5F784EaTBZ6XCMp6erq9K48qsf/s3507/Longtailed%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghI2SuUnYnRouleH9SpEa1E9nllPkXJPjqGLSLbSU6CGI-AsMzfsbfUHgV9c0Z8bCrWYEbE5zSLh-2zxwUGvRYxZ5yzdW17AnLCCTXayM7gyeZ_Ix-83dcnnK0MZVxUSS-kuKsCMEg8DOHUKlGFVlmUIqxGJb1wi5F784EaTBZ6XCMp6erq9K48qsf/w640-h452/Longtailed%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-tailed Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> <b>Chalkhill Blue</b></p><p>The Chalkhill Blue used to be recorded annually in Northamptonshire but unfortunately an area that was at the time a recently discovered key site for them near Wakerley Wood was destroyed when it was turned into a quarry in 2017. There have been no records of Chalkhill Blues in the county ever since. It was therefore a great surprise when Fiona Barclay and David Howdon discovered a Chalkhill Blue at Twywell Hills and Dales on the 24th of July making it the first to be seen in the county for five years!<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHGC1uVHUsJmKa1Xy5Yw7ELAP-d0A5ivpjwBWgRYRPfkYiqy-5Cby6hyd-GNsuwc-1f_OdkAM6NsfCQ0exq04kCkp6yQyZFBCtox7biG_H3w4-JL7X7S1J-hwxH97j-Gf3zJ-PRX0rQCLYcrQBHy8Qq-Y07xAzceoWj64QYpZqCMRMQAdeeutiCP0/s1487/Chalkhill%20Blue,%20David%20Howdon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1487" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHGC1uVHUsJmKa1Xy5Yw7ELAP-d0A5ivpjwBWgRYRPfkYiqy-5Cby6hyd-GNsuwc-1f_OdkAM6NsfCQ0exq04kCkp6yQyZFBCtox7biG_H3w4-JL7X7S1J-hwxH97j-Gf3zJ-PRX0rQCLYcrQBHy8Qq-Y07xAzceoWj64QYpZqCMRMQAdeeutiCP0/w640-h428/Chalkhill%20Blue,%20David%20Howdon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue, Twywell Hills and Dales 2022. Photo taken by David Howdon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICAgTSfQq93BsYgjYNNq0i8A4HPZcrImiDivTR-EApphBmaBfIRIGT4d8-YlbM0_kNEX894OjUU1XZ8kGWX_eyAQuFa-XCIYNmGSELg6yMDM2FC9Gw4B4dJTjqKZkAy7s4pSuqU2I_cZyMFNxGtg8OMlsEVAlLFBsxPr5J3KZSYFIry8aceO5dTTs/s3507/Chalk%20Hill%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICAgTSfQq93BsYgjYNNq0i8A4HPZcrImiDivTR-EApphBmaBfIRIGT4d8-YlbM0_kNEX894OjUU1XZ8kGWX_eyAQuFa-XCIYNmGSELg6yMDM2FC9Gw4B4dJTjqKZkAy7s4pSuqU2I_cZyMFNxGtg8OMlsEVAlLFBsxPr5J3KZSYFIry8aceO5dTTs/w640-h452/Chalk%20Hill%20Blue%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> White Admiral</b><p></p><p>The White Admiral shows a 105% increase in records from the previous year but it still 44% below the five year average. There has been a lot of forestry recently which has no doubt affected the populations in some key sites. This butterfly also doesn't do well in very hot conditions and while this species normally flies in the county into late July and early August no records were received after temperatures soared prior to the record breaking heatwave. The best places to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Fineshade Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazeborough Wood, and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 15th of June in Salcey Forest and the last of the year was recorded on the 16th of July in Lilford Wood.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsPyBv8ueaAaoQc-oC_lU-yx9qqJS7U9xoylRIO8uuwLifVRApsZrnjU3XcKDUV6CjvA4mljfq7cFPyHt4WkzjZ2KGUszeSu2YPOSXIpdWKCNRUotK5_WIjnN4YOXZP3B_pSTB1SqrDSXPvhG3lxhFpZXpSjZPhQc91AxGpE2a_JgIcqYYLpdiH2G/s3576/White%20Admiral,%20Salcey,%2026.06.22-DeNoiseAI-low-light-SharpenAI-softness-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2386" data-original-width="3576" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsPyBv8ueaAaoQc-oC_lU-yx9qqJS7U9xoylRIO8uuwLifVRApsZrnjU3XcKDUV6CjvA4mljfq7cFPyHt4WkzjZ2KGUszeSu2YPOSXIpdWKCNRUotK5_WIjnN4YOXZP3B_pSTB1SqrDSXPvhG3lxhFpZXpSjZPhQc91AxGpE2a_JgIcqYYLpdiH2G/w640-h428/White%20Admiral,%20Salcey,%2026.06.22-DeNoiseAI-low-light-SharpenAI-softness-gigapixel-standard-scale-2_00x.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi9wz7s2sjwpze1F-6paooipjFEf_LxNfNR0rbZNFkrXR2t0KwLedw1TmYNSInwuZ3xcKyZIU7AGeD2A3xB2rdyFjn7UQplG67j-oQK1V_sic1vUYKiuc2Tp3qkiWvp2XhJRmmOmHcRNx7n5ByZvxYjB6rbn9Mw7QmLsu1x7xmQDGZVEssXQpdmzE/s3507/White%20Admiral%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi9wz7s2sjwpze1F-6paooipjFEf_LxNfNR0rbZNFkrXR2t0KwLedw1TmYNSInwuZ3xcKyZIU7AGeD2A3xB2rdyFjn7UQplG67j-oQK1V_sic1vUYKiuc2Tp3qkiWvp2XhJRmmOmHcRNx7n5ByZvxYjB6rbn9Mw7QmLsu1x7xmQDGZVEssXQpdmzE/w640-h452/White%20Admiral%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b>Purple Emperor</b></p><p>The Purple Emperor had a slightly better than average year. It shows a 16% increase in records from the previous year and a 9% increase above the five year average. The best places to see this magnificent butterfly were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Harry's Park Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood and Salcey Forest. They were also recorded in the private Yardley Chase complex. A Purple Emperor was recorded for the first time at Pitsford Nature Reserve when a male Purple Emperor, in keeping with this species' taste in foul smells, was seen flying around the fish gut bin at the fishing lodge! The first of the year was seen on the 21st of June in Bucknell Wood and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 23rd of July in Bucknell Wood and Fermyn's Souther Wood.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Hk6bALdawiZyiUNA_2ij9zh-4106m_1zLBb7Fak-EMZllt3oeVKC3ThwB-twovsYUks97B2D2H5qvU7h_zk9UK-CXeMlxjveXJ80XzZ9yfBy2etNVmrWoSNYNUPndnEGry7V1RSlOl9CwsWiSkVaWNNh4ET00JUr3cmnP6xNEjBMuGHLly2jWXcy/s3204/Purple%20Emperor,%20Salcey%20Forest,%2011.07.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="3204" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Hk6bALdawiZyiUNA_2ij9zh-4106m_1zLBb7Fak-EMZllt3oeVKC3ThwB-twovsYUks97B2D2H5qvU7h_zk9UK-CXeMlxjveXJ80XzZ9yfBy2etNVmrWoSNYNUPndnEGry7V1RSlOl9CwsWiSkVaWNNh4ET00JUr3cmnP6xNEjBMuGHLly2jWXcy/w640-h426/Purple%20Emperor,%20Salcey%20Forest,%2011.07.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor enjoying the new Pay and Display sign in Salcey Forest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8pvu8i11iM7BWYOddOCTuaINgIW8_0SdTPVp4uWp5OeOlx-Vno9Gr0RcJ4yrVUTkR6TCAcxMJp2bB-nGe83-MQlYSFtsEBVxcqEfu1IwZp0Oyw5tY5qFvL-lDg_ShD6LtLLvK_YeKXG-fWjqt9dAVkYx33ZGWReVwgimMRwDafkimoAjEE579pxb/s3507/Purple%20Emperor%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8pvu8i11iM7BWYOddOCTuaINgIW8_0SdTPVp4uWp5OeOlx-Vno9Gr0RcJ4yrVUTkR6TCAcxMJp2bB-nGe83-MQlYSFtsEBVxcqEfu1IwZp0Oyw5tY5qFvL-lDg_ShD6LtLLvK_YeKXG-fWjqt9dAVkYx33ZGWReVwgimMRwDafkimoAjEE579pxb/w640-h452/Purple%20Emperor%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Red Admiral</b></p><p>The Red Admiral didn't have a good year in 2022. It shows a 27% drop in records from the previous year and a 34% drop in records from the five year average. This is a widely distributed butterfly and could be seen in all habitats where there were suitable nectar sources and larval food plants. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of January in Rushden and the last ones of the year were seen on the 28th of November at Titchmarsh Nature Reserve and in Wollaston.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9KrqLbDA_CR0gTDRKjOHYfwTdd2KUv8v0eekaW_7Nb-qF-6nsffChds76Eixl4eTCCP_kQJ0e3IoODdF9--4UnTOc7ior9fVQlcaXwVY-m56TOfIAPq8pHOuL0LmD7iyt0qKDhCOaWF5zR6Cd-7B9HwNvpJZR9dXmZtM4DraCym9TH9nG0Xzu7Ql/s4128/Red%20Admiral%20(2)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="4128" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9KrqLbDA_CR0gTDRKjOHYfwTdd2KUv8v0eekaW_7Nb-qF-6nsffChds76Eixl4eTCCP_kQJ0e3IoODdF9--4UnTOc7ior9fVQlcaXwVY-m56TOfIAPq8pHOuL0LmD7iyt0qKDhCOaWF5zR6Cd-7B9HwNvpJZR9dXmZtM4DraCym9TH9nG0Xzu7Ql/w640-h472/Red%20Admiral%20(2)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5plURVw1rckniA8E75-b1CnyCBQf5K8aA2GRUHuK61oCal_Jw5Pco2WbmoUilgB5qPRUPCcoFrymZ5-0Q8dP_m49qPsTjoiqtZzJk08G_fWiZh86LqykUsDNOoHHmYidbk_rjqhcPt1MfHZZrJUvKnJb0MrjznxVbL_62ZrhsXoZbMVhC2RWTuTQj/s3507/Red%20Admiral%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5plURVw1rckniA8E75-b1CnyCBQf5K8aA2GRUHuK61oCal_Jw5Pco2WbmoUilgB5qPRUPCcoFrymZ5-0Q8dP_m49qPsTjoiqtZzJk08G_fWiZh86LqykUsDNOoHHmYidbk_rjqhcPt1MfHZZrJUvKnJb0MrjznxVbL_62ZrhsXoZbMVhC2RWTuTQj/w640-h452/Red%20Admiral%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Painted Lady</b></p><p>The Painted Lady shows a 39% increase in records over the previous year but a 35% decrease below the five year average. Annual populations of this migrant butterfly are known to fluctuate quite wildly so these peaks and troughs are quite normal. This is a widely distributed butterfly and can be seen anywhere where there is suitable nectar sources and larval food plants. The first of the year was recorded on the 16th of May at Bragborough and the last of the year was seen on the 14th of October in Warmington.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhInwpMIaMkgOrpmB71i2o6pkmoLpcad61efYjKy7FMMceZe-PiZTNfQ87t8DMhke1ZMCZdNhqi_RVvV_Q0gIVK8QCNk5nUBHM3p3z0oZccZcyO9H_-rSU9vrhfTSIMEBxm4O1Z10HFJZYcb5o2wij8aYbtua5s6EZGsuqu6Xw8kbnaCIbT0qwDQZG/s3206/Painted%20Lady.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="3206" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhInwpMIaMkgOrpmB71i2o6pkmoLpcad61efYjKy7FMMceZe-PiZTNfQ87t8DMhke1ZMCZdNhqi_RVvV_Q0gIVK8QCNk5nUBHM3p3z0oZccZcyO9H_-rSU9vrhfTSIMEBxm4O1Z10HFJZYcb5o2wij8aYbtua5s6EZGsuqu6Xw8kbnaCIbT0qwDQZG/w640-h426/Painted%20Lady.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZpfYxmIRcDMWh7i8IbRAjH0ARHXMtMGPaTG1M4sA8dLaGMg5_wS-UXbJf60guHBtfU7GLjzY5qwbgv5Hf6sUiuiZ_9RgyHXd3d_MiIpFQI3ylwYQWr-ZSc2IWAW9wn9h38zapuvRM2BX7AwyUdMKbtC4_tdn-QwvAB_PMmWn68y2hM61dIzM6yoA/s3507/Painted%20Lady%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZpfYxmIRcDMWh7i8IbRAjH0ARHXMtMGPaTG1M4sA8dLaGMg5_wS-UXbJf60guHBtfU7GLjzY5qwbgv5Hf6sUiuiZ_9RgyHXd3d_MiIpFQI3ylwYQWr-ZSc2IWAW9wn9h38zapuvRM2BX7AwyUdMKbtC4_tdn-QwvAB_PMmWn68y2hM61dIzM6yoA/w640-h452/Painted%20Lady%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Large Tortoiseshell</b></p><p>On the 6th of May another extremely exciting county record was received when Dennis McQuillan photographed this Large Tortoiseshell in Bucknell Wood. As previously mentioned rare migrants seen this far inland will always raise questions about their origins as a home reared release can't be ruled out. However, with the many records of Large Tortoiseshells being seen around the country prior to this record this is without a doubt the best candidate we have of a genuine wild migrant.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEQwH4YQbQgzcWkRvTulau6GwLsUYqTo-T55DrfdM3eJrgupmsPZorJtLjK_sCSYBxwgQJcmvKtLoWBdRHZihxxTE-jl4oUCh7Mr5YnsdBw6jTc4wLGDGeTOU0j70wOQp-RdPFUHQNPndR2DBBb1zxEP-6w6RbQ9ebEoWQsoO5ioB_5fW1OIoI1r-/s4000/Large%20Tortoiseshell,%20Dennis%20McQuillan.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEQwH4YQbQgzcWkRvTulau6GwLsUYqTo-T55DrfdM3eJrgupmsPZorJtLjK_sCSYBxwgQJcmvKtLoWBdRHZihxxTE-jl4oUCh7Mr5YnsdBw6jTc4wLGDGeTOU0j70wOQp-RdPFUHQNPndR2DBBb1zxEP-6w6RbQ9ebEoWQsoO5ioB_5fW1OIoI1r-/w640-h480/Large%20Tortoiseshell,%20Dennis%20McQuillan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Tortoiseshell, Bucknell Wood 2022. Photo taken by Dennis McQuillan<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXb1GhhSib8lxB9_4LseGM7wTVg9vZdJ4GFMk2TCdIlZ8zbulVVklvB3icOX0US-i0D3Ueb3hcPt-2_oBr4LBSSLTMUoE8ox6egzPi4ScawTQLvxUDeazmZkJME_1KXu19iHPiuXGYehE5uonFgxC4EiqB-JY4RQT9zEwXaoXvfpG3ThtfCIY_cLl/s3507/Large%20Tortoiseshell%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXb1GhhSib8lxB9_4LseGM7wTVg9vZdJ4GFMk2TCdIlZ8zbulVVklvB3icOX0US-i0D3Ueb3hcPt-2_oBr4LBSSLTMUoE8ox6egzPi4ScawTQLvxUDeazmZkJME_1KXu19iHPiuXGYehE5uonFgxC4EiqB-JY4RQT9zEwXaoXvfpG3ThtfCIY_cLl/w640-h452/Large%20Tortoiseshell%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Tortoiseshell Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Small Tortoiseshell</b></p><p>The Small Tortoiseshell also didn't have a very good year in the county. It shows a 23% drop in records from the previous year which is 14% below the five year average. This widely distributed butterfly could be seen anywhere where suitable nectar sources and larval food plants grow. The first of the year was seen on the 2nd of January in Greatworth and the last of the year was recorded on the 20th of November in Kettering.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw11Y6YoqQozHC53LGm5lc6vGc_v2ZpHNszBrTYxhgY2G3WGgdQxVrlHIZ4BOk7YKv4u3LrYKjRP1V8LmHRIwdHfz58zJVSN3-PYfCa7DW4MfYpQDnuYjABjaGE-mKz5bdlQ4hClCb_aHynkFfCAi1yWYgAz5lY3_AM4d8wM8e3FzAjkwi_DDpZPPt/s5186/Rollright%20Stones,%20Small%20Tortoiseshell,%20King's%20Men%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3457" data-original-width="5186" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw11Y6YoqQozHC53LGm5lc6vGc_v2ZpHNszBrTYxhgY2G3WGgdQxVrlHIZ4BOk7YKv4u3LrYKjRP1V8LmHRIwdHfz58zJVSN3-PYfCa7DW4MfYpQDnuYjABjaGE-mKz5bdlQ4hClCb_aHynkFfCAi1yWYgAz5lY3_AM4d8wM8e3FzAjkwi_DDpZPPt/w640-h426/Rollright%20Stones,%20Small%20Tortoiseshell,%20King's%20Men%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCU6PLg16dI1msgbDN0QVvOKfHKQoBxtbZpQxaWgGiMNaRmJQpoDACoz6S_4uDoYX6UlG5p-lewSxYmlF4XD8lPjZN5QSqi0A9QDYC8vDn3QNiEaFHu78bEsI10EMj7ItNny9OHCq3buPJy7GrJCZMQPULpOMYmxkc5dCMnauEK2K3SxU2twjgfqZ/s3507/Small%20Tortoiseshell%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCU6PLg16dI1msgbDN0QVvOKfHKQoBxtbZpQxaWgGiMNaRmJQpoDACoz6S_4uDoYX6UlG5p-lewSxYmlF4XD8lPjZN5QSqi0A9QDYC8vDn3QNiEaFHu78bEsI10EMj7ItNny9OHCq3buPJy7GrJCZMQPULpOMYmxkc5dCMnauEK2K3SxU2twjgfqZ/w640-h452/Small%20Tortoiseshell%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Peacock</b></p><p>The Peacock didn't have a good year in the county and show a 32% drop in records from the previous year which places it 24% below the five year average. However, 2022 was an interesting season for the species as very late in the year larvae were discovered by Judith Barnard who then took them home to monitor them. On the 6th of November the first adult Peacock emerged and this was followed by further eclosures on the 8th, 12th and 18th of November. These are almost certainly a second brood in which case they are the first second brood Peacocks recorded in the county. This is a widely spread butterfly that can be seen anywhere where nectar sources and larval food plants grow. The first ones of the year were seen on the 16th of January in Northampton and Pitsford Nature Reserve and the last of the year was recorded on the 20th of December in Polebrook.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwpOrjh-has3VyRYSZDhidSkHhbZmP3XZcnYIoutyaqNcIkyJoyi4YDggM1aIYsRqpkGR3tM0INLxWGn4xCy2iWCnF9b6Isp5yJaDhHp3yqrbXCecbEEhfKAJ-5Dc4ZRjQahIXoPVuiPdlFnEjSvzUa7YeP9Dm3FTZ4C3XQfbEC2H8q-7BXu5D1rj/s4746/Peacock%20Polebrook-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="4746" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwpOrjh-has3VyRYSZDhidSkHhbZmP3XZcnYIoutyaqNcIkyJoyi4YDggM1aIYsRqpkGR3tM0INLxWGn4xCy2iWCnF9b6Isp5yJaDhHp3yqrbXCecbEEhfKAJ-5Dc4ZRjQahIXoPVuiPdlFnEjSvzUa7YeP9Dm3FTZ4C3XQfbEC2H8q-7BXu5D1rj/w640-h408/Peacock%20Polebrook-DeNoiseAI-low-light.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintkS5NVQMRwBpJLc0ry4CLO2ORcXWOnjor51dBfFUbDabesTCVIaW5m1KWczWUh99M3FhKpkzYSfaQ_c6d6Cta_u2eArJhUPf1SrgmTpPOff78FbzT2YU1X15QLyCwHzqycdHogYw-NX3P-coHOe5j93KgbbE1Y7u1F9GcIgK2YOrWfS-RulpQtCn/s3507/Peacock%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintkS5NVQMRwBpJLc0ry4CLO2ORcXWOnjor51dBfFUbDabesTCVIaW5m1KWczWUh99M3FhKpkzYSfaQ_c6d6Cta_u2eArJhUPf1SrgmTpPOff78FbzT2YU1X15QLyCwHzqycdHogYw-NX3P-coHOe5j93KgbbE1Y7u1F9GcIgK2YOrWfS-RulpQtCn/w640-h452/Peacock%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Comma</b></p><p>The Comma did well in 2022 and shows a 56% increase from the previous year and a 17% increase over the five year average. This is another widespread butterfly that can be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of January in Fermyn Woods and the last of the year was seen on the 9th of November west of Hanging Houghton.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvlgspcNJEty142Lws-AoMSt2kCdtJZg5c9-bsyc_mfOeynnl9jbGp24YDTCIf8d9deT3WZnUXtGc9oie6zDMTpj0QTDPkjMNDdNH4XoeK6SuZ_9lAMED9-O1m6RN4Kl8BFoQPJ2iN3Bu-LNc0gZdJtuC5yPFLNcnyP2AMYOq4QgUjD9kcVL8T7QU/s3473/Comma,%20Salcey%20Forest%2011.04.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2315" data-original-width="3473" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvlgspcNJEty142Lws-AoMSt2kCdtJZg5c9-bsyc_mfOeynnl9jbGp24YDTCIf8d9deT3WZnUXtGc9oie6zDMTpj0QTDPkjMNDdNH4XoeK6SuZ_9lAMED9-O1m6RN4Kl8BFoQPJ2iN3Bu-LNc0gZdJtuC5yPFLNcnyP2AMYOq4QgUjD9kcVL8T7QU/w640-h426/Comma,%20Salcey%20Forest%2011.04.22%20(1)%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggbiT3oP1DVjNyL0wffbyWlq_DL25gulC1mzoV0XJo31ptULTLEUh4BwkYc1MKV91_JEp2ChhfdzI8zBFf2_LvezLxeyi3IInR6ZG0jB5_ae9_hZUJZmwY6F9zgwcInwGtVRSaha8684C5jzF5BN7S3OzjqI_KoJFJF4blwQ9UHpZi1rm7Brt2Qs8/s2442/Comma%20Egg,%20between%20Whiston%20and%20Cogenhoe,%2029.06.22%20Edit%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1628" data-original-width="2442" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggbiT3oP1DVjNyL0wffbyWlq_DL25gulC1mzoV0XJo31ptULTLEUh4BwkYc1MKV91_JEp2ChhfdzI8zBFf2_LvezLxeyi3IInR6ZG0jB5_ae9_hZUJZmwY6F9zgwcInwGtVRSaha8684C5jzF5BN7S3OzjqI_KoJFJF4blwQ9UHpZi1rm7Brt2Qs8/w640-h426/Comma%20Egg,%20between%20Whiston%20and%20Cogenhoe,%2029.06.22%20Edit%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma egg</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb0MugzX3r7nDnfIfOdgHWUZCNj1i90SrRSv1157_h4J87yoOA7p7p8ejCptT4kh4q6nR_WT0VUmFWeOH6nHYh5ZrrO8rRYdSZtMkQnLTXegGDqhZdDHXeKXuf1Rq-y3jFrYSRM1UN6uamUwmySYm9jFeFU783nSRkcNALpkNotQOsjwh0x_GOuMn/s3507/Comma%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb0MugzX3r7nDnfIfOdgHWUZCNj1i90SrRSv1157_h4J87yoOA7p7p8ejCptT4kh4q6nR_WT0VUmFWeOH6nHYh5ZrrO8rRYdSZtMkQnLTXegGDqhZdDHXeKXuf1Rq-y3jFrYSRM1UN6uamUwmySYm9jFeFU783nSRkcNALpkNotQOsjwh0x_GOuMn/w640-h452/Comma%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Dark Green Fritillary</b></p><p>The Dark Green Fritillary continues to gain its foothold in the county, and this previously rare sight in Northamptonshire is now becoming a much more regular one. The records show a huge 1099% increase in records over the previous year and a 757% increase above the five year average. The main colonies are still up in the northeast of the county but they are being seen in many more places now and a new colony has been discovered near RAF Croughton too. Without a doubt the best place to see them in the county is the Old Sulehey and Ring Haw complex where in one day 200 were recorded on the 17th of June. They were also seen in Barton Seagrave, Canons Ashby, Easton-on-the-Hill, Fineshade Wood, Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Kinewell Lakes in Ringstead, Twywell Hills and Dales and Wakerley Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 27th of May at Old Sulehey and the last of the year was seen on the 23rd of August also at Old Sulehey.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A5a6RSA7aIdACEAb7rSoRS_e1LXi_iqyXUR25cQ6XZ6HJ6SFp0cJ38EnjsicQod_NNkbJyCnf960_VtPUvNi849pxU-Rao1BDsHamgr7aLbsDoiRUpQL1DWqcPzcPpKqLutCC08LwkUu0KSnXGJ8_jhUDrnRn3iVzCswcvq4Arb420lDIA8GtkJx/s2945/Dark%20Green%20Fritillary,%20Ring%20Haw%202%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="2945" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A5a6RSA7aIdACEAb7rSoRS_e1LXi_iqyXUR25cQ6XZ6HJ6SFp0cJ38EnjsicQod_NNkbJyCnf960_VtPUvNi849pxU-Rao1BDsHamgr7aLbsDoiRUpQL1DWqcPzcPpKqLutCC08LwkUu0KSnXGJ8_jhUDrnRn3iVzCswcvq4Arb420lDIA8GtkJx/w640-h426/Dark%20Green%20Fritillary,%20Ring%20Haw%202%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h7lWjTS57tb89eXV4h9liP_X4eJImK5-PTGL4q52CZCQZ48Z6G4iPHnJ7HbQPT2iqXB4sPrEdpnUxSlUixL8Oiup7wz9gbUunEBU7y57-md5Urj81wlhq8U-yhp7ZaqwbA-PhftpMgZ7ebFQr4KIyUu9pqQlhjFM7ONjWH2PKtkS9utlrIRFKY8H/s3507/Dark%20Green%20Fritillary%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5h7lWjTS57tb89eXV4h9liP_X4eJImK5-PTGL4q52CZCQZ48Z6G4iPHnJ7HbQPT2iqXB4sPrEdpnUxSlUixL8Oiup7wz9gbUunEBU7y57-md5Urj81wlhq8U-yhp7ZaqwbA-PhftpMgZ7ebFQr4KIyUu9pqQlhjFM7ONjWH2PKtkS9utlrIRFKY8H/w640-h452/Dark%20Green%20Fritillary%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Silver-washed Fritillary</b></p><p>The Silver-washed Fritillary shows a 94% increase in records above the previous year but this is still 11% below the five year average. The best places to see this woodland butterfly were Ashton Wold, Bucknell Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, the Fermyn Wood complex, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood, Old Sulehey Forest and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 10th of June at Old Sulehey and the last ones of the year were soon on the 14th of August in Fineshade Wood and Polebrook<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggifVI7o4hDbUZWzrNfNMOwVmcPE4sOMM4bPEeFQ7TSjpSZXA9A-ZCNSm2JyWciZnTqSOMPR4LKrllqMfJtqwNUmgArlsBj850HuohDGfg8JHRyDtj7so99sfneKI_6I9Z2YKa_ifg1V5buQBdzWiZDGrrDao52PoVxYrFN2lS_MjDZxRAoZUvJPHd/s3671/Silver-washed%20Fritillary%20(4)-denoise.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="3671" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggifVI7o4hDbUZWzrNfNMOwVmcPE4sOMM4bPEeFQ7TSjpSZXA9A-ZCNSm2JyWciZnTqSOMPR4LKrllqMfJtqwNUmgArlsBj850HuohDGfg8JHRyDtj7so99sfneKI_6I9Z2YKa_ifg1V5buQBdzWiZDGrrDao52PoVxYrFN2lS_MjDZxRAoZUvJPHd/w640-h458/Silver-washed%20Fritillary%20(4)-denoise.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9wixeElxl12iZ-2PHb-XbIrkkIN2wjyEDU0AHF7fDwq-vheDUHElRXllVegsaOrjVxQAlFKmske0CMbN2cGZ7X1DLapOsMDP5dqJcsGKVhu1ZNAIlLk1oK2HL1xd1xhb0yHUZrA-zZlcaEfqbjizmjDFbs_jRTrFXUGMk5Q5hqZAMJC4q-SD4UAT/s3507/Silverwashed%20Fritillary%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9wixeElxl12iZ-2PHb-XbIrkkIN2wjyEDU0AHF7fDwq-vheDUHElRXllVegsaOrjVxQAlFKmske0CMbN2cGZ7X1DLapOsMDP5dqJcsGKVhu1ZNAIlLk1oK2HL1xd1xhb0yHUZrA-zZlcaEfqbjizmjDFbs_jRTrFXUGMk5Q5hqZAMJC4q-SD4UAT/w640-h452/Silverwashed%20Fritillary%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Speckled Wood</b></p><p>The Speckled Wood had an average year in the county and despite numbers showing a 94% increase over the previous year it is just slightly above the five year average at 4%. This is a widespread butterfly that can be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 18th of March in New Duston and the last of the year was seen on the 29th of October in Eastfield Park in Northampton.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnWBKEaMzRP5x5khL_zsaqe3A8mNS6D7cMtIrSwSPuPMQfOMY_fEe4XLUkS2fP4vggqR1Q2g8CoJO0nvBOtEcsLiQYdnv6VgGMraZPSRbzESc0NfZQTFY0QGazW-FusIAh6KS37isfR5SFwh3igJkw5YbtbUkRrTzbIkRrS8HTGYAwFqMnwvdFFfv/s4126/Speckled%20Wood,%20Fermyn,%2028.05.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="4126" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnWBKEaMzRP5x5khL_zsaqe3A8mNS6D7cMtIrSwSPuPMQfOMY_fEe4XLUkS2fP4vggqR1Q2g8CoJO0nvBOtEcsLiQYdnv6VgGMraZPSRbzESc0NfZQTFY0QGazW-FusIAh6KS37isfR5SFwh3igJkw5YbtbUkRrTzbIkRrS8HTGYAwFqMnwvdFFfv/w640-h426/Speckled%20Wood,%20Fermyn,%2028.05.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zjnXqlBtWFHM56EbwCAhoZM3hfi8_JOK-Bcrjw0anUFZyeU6ONCy2UpgKNjiSL_NPk-j_ObSj2bXsiZe_hmVfkMF8-hrptGcakaPVgy-amI13BYhbZbWUYSUgt90MW2-39xztnnF0TbOCowg0-jSIf3Il0XaKpb_9dYTTCJL0Wgiz8-rp6Ov5_3x/s3507/Speckled%20Wood%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zjnXqlBtWFHM56EbwCAhoZM3hfi8_JOK-Bcrjw0anUFZyeU6ONCy2UpgKNjiSL_NPk-j_ObSj2bXsiZe_hmVfkMF8-hrptGcakaPVgy-amI13BYhbZbWUYSUgt90MW2-39xztnnF0TbOCowg0-jSIf3Il0XaKpb_9dYTTCJL0Wgiz8-rp6Ov5_3x/w640-h452/Speckled%20Wood%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Marbled White</b></p><p>The Marbled White had a much better year in 2022. It shows a 110% increase in records over the previous year and a 7% increase over the five year average. This is a fairly widespread grassland butterfly however best places to see them where Bradlaugh Fields, Fermyn Woods, Harrington Airfield, Hollowell Reservoir, New Duston, Old Sulehey, Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Weekley Hall Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 9th of June in New Duston and the last of the year was seen on the 7th of August at Bradlaugh Fields.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l_oEWHcEoWVF0MctRRGx0DQOLd_EIYc6PILr_BmL-d_PA10J6Z0p8uLZleF2bULQoEGHR68OpuRe0Qs1Ev-5TtcdZNzUPOkaAufx-bgYER7MELbyurz7IkhjDnlDyf5mBRhZ0_1ofdjXQ12NG2s7r4gHswdLuGp7YYYIv8534Lbu_ODvsg6N9Y05/s3365/Marbled%20White.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2243" data-original-width="3365" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l_oEWHcEoWVF0MctRRGx0DQOLd_EIYc6PILr_BmL-d_PA10J6Z0p8uLZleF2bULQoEGHR68OpuRe0Qs1Ev-5TtcdZNzUPOkaAufx-bgYER7MELbyurz7IkhjDnlDyf5mBRhZ0_1ofdjXQ12NG2s7r4gHswdLuGp7YYYIv8534Lbu_ODvsg6N9Y05/w640-h426/Marbled%20White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4-Sayrp59Co4IBXFL5pOZXqWavBIW9zQ66erImH6sSetqCJSk8tDGzCPXKXXAabfPnKazF6mVmse6SENPoZMCuc4ckuxrdkuoXJ4YKGo8WvxyvkC9s17ZSj-jquAeBVTXU04pGk_7n0UJp0_e3ehwsqEkHTBKFLDQ_Yirl1EW3GrMjHnCw2OSUz1/s3507/Marbled%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4-Sayrp59Co4IBXFL5pOZXqWavBIW9zQ66erImH6sSetqCJSk8tDGzCPXKXXAabfPnKazF6mVmse6SENPoZMCuc4ckuxrdkuoXJ4YKGo8WvxyvkC9s17ZSj-jquAeBVTXU04pGk_7n0UJp0_e3ehwsqEkHTBKFLDQ_Yirl1EW3GrMjHnCw2OSUz1/w640-h452/Marbled%20White%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Gatekeeper</b></p><p>The Gatekeeper had a good year in the county and shows a 43% increase in records over the previous year which puts it 26% above the five year average. This is an extremely widespread butterfly of grasslands and hedgerows and can be encountered anywhere with there is suitable habitat. The first of the year was recorded on the 15th of June near Flore and the last of the year was recorded on the 4th of September at Fermyn Woods Country Park.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXRBlINeAq3NZWIooTT7GXUo4wnaftsDuMUUkY9qLOG9suWWN1QXu6iF0K7XlmcKEV6UrjrWdCdWB6cH0PXxbECIqSVTOjiBsHflUAM--GToX1AQZe8M9vJOisF9WdGom5SDZG25ytM8v4kY_d7ytx6ONOphIKLoxE20fF4UUNY6ootydITjXqmkg/s2945/Gatekeeper,%20Brackmills,%2007.08.22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="2945" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXRBlINeAq3NZWIooTT7GXUo4wnaftsDuMUUkY9qLOG9suWWN1QXu6iF0K7XlmcKEV6UrjrWdCdWB6cH0PXxbECIqSVTOjiBsHflUAM--GToX1AQZe8M9vJOisF9WdGom5SDZG25ytM8v4kY_d7ytx6ONOphIKLoxE20fF4UUNY6ootydITjXqmkg/w640-h426/Gatekeeper,%20Brackmills,%2007.08.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhiw1E2GFRJhMMvCQV_5LXXP3sHOaEL8tVRxEMuBh_EJrPCd7iCsE8Y2byIAoXhHqn7PnbvjqayKin2vHxbrRXo3V--rzAqCwi361mGFWX8agWfw-3iR-Fhv0YOufnbmn9QOcsAktjWafK8vNPVCUULeQDbaodaflFPYS8tyW62k2bG7H6NFY9fWc/s3507/Gatekeeper%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhiw1E2GFRJhMMvCQV_5LXXP3sHOaEL8tVRxEMuBh_EJrPCd7iCsE8Y2byIAoXhHqn7PnbvjqayKin2vHxbrRXo3V--rzAqCwi361mGFWX8agWfw-3iR-Fhv0YOufnbmn9QOcsAktjWafK8vNPVCUULeQDbaodaflFPYS8tyW62k2bG7H6NFY9fWc/w640-h452/Gatekeeper%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Meadow Brown</b></p><p>Although the Meadow Brown shows a 12% increase in records over the previous year it is still 6% below the five year average. Despite these figures, this extremely common and widespread grassland butterfly could still be seen flying in good numbers all over the county. The first of the year was seen on the 22nd of May at the Nene Wetlands and the last of the year was recorded on the 17th of September at Ring Haw.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36-kqpc1tNfxpR_M82dDXeZRs-gIaVJ7YRECQnVoAZGOYVj8S8d8xD8pAE8kyvyYsuZuWMsd40MfTRBGKBkOTt4wowVfzKsqNKUnOcTqxzB0oPd2C2eZlZL2y-C5RngUOWMSesjkLCnSwdnZ4zSbLRaOE5Lws0-KlDHPTEAerrTiR583XTEwKeRaG/s2426/Meadow%20Brown%202,%20Wootton%2010.07.21%20PS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2426" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36-kqpc1tNfxpR_M82dDXeZRs-gIaVJ7YRECQnVoAZGOYVj8S8d8xD8pAE8kyvyYsuZuWMsd40MfTRBGKBkOTt4wowVfzKsqNKUnOcTqxzB0oPd2C2eZlZL2y-C5RngUOWMSesjkLCnSwdnZ4zSbLRaOE5Lws0-KlDHPTEAerrTiR583XTEwKeRaG/w640-h426/Meadow%20Brown%202,%20Wootton%2010.07.21%20PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vUt98dcRhjWfssgjM39S6If4ZGT_NluGnY46tCS2jAN9jRJjlJjluo-D5tziTM12XS8iiJ396Z20SNRFfnJ3UBcDZ_axqekPzTyvmWaZWI53USn4foYgtxWRaDkhp1GIW_WJvpww4m-yi4ht4eTSZvrzJZ3MpIlVLk0YRRGvUJ06Lsomc7jvXyDA/s3507/Meadow%20Brown%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vUt98dcRhjWfssgjM39S6If4ZGT_NluGnY46tCS2jAN9jRJjlJjluo-D5tziTM12XS8iiJ396Z20SNRFfnJ3UBcDZ_axqekPzTyvmWaZWI53USn4foYgtxWRaDkhp1GIW_WJvpww4m-yi4ht4eTSZvrzJZ3MpIlVLk0YRRGvUJ06Lsomc7jvXyDA/w640-h452/Meadow%20Brown%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Ringlet</b></p><p>The Ringlet did quite well in the county in 2022 and shows a 56% increase in records over the previous year which puts it 6% above the five year average. This is a very common butterfly which could be encountered anywhere where there is suitable grassland habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 10th of June in Eydon and the last of the year was seen on the 11th of August in Brackley.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHnYlKOEfYaZ19BHYcQ8ocp0o3s14rZUM-OAdzX3qWYI540cGTP82V-mMXMKTCYB0ENB56EeCwqwBLv1Y5Ol18tziPZ7IIIPyP9b6efY5dzBU-jchZCB29xPmsLTQDT_A-qKTBUA6elkGkZqjb6qarZtFMYf3XfAx3WcBokRwMUYSp3pQMR1EdZN8/s3056/Ringlet-denoise%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="3056" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHnYlKOEfYaZ19BHYcQ8ocp0o3s14rZUM-OAdzX3qWYI540cGTP82V-mMXMKTCYB0ENB56EeCwqwBLv1Y5Ol18tziPZ7IIIPyP9b6efY5dzBU-jchZCB29xPmsLTQDT_A-qKTBUA6elkGkZqjb6qarZtFMYf3XfAx3WcBokRwMUYSp3pQMR1EdZN8/w640-h470/Ringlet-denoise%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNUge-rPjYXiR0I9BD1Q3giiQx18khyAq_P8Vcgr_omSaXk0teTrsctHtsdSv2ajpCwPJYvQzA6CVK8tYcRyNktaXMANepmeP1l2iVYBYnRS982sf4HgMp2YcWNIwC2SDC4oIXuoBlGM2k4XQbI-hcFkOjjkJwdYwZfIydZf7OQT6D-854PcXKMQu/s3507/Ringlet%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNUge-rPjYXiR0I9BD1Q3giiQx18khyAq_P8Vcgr_omSaXk0teTrsctHtsdSv2ajpCwPJYvQzA6CVK8tYcRyNktaXMANepmeP1l2iVYBYnRS982sf4HgMp2YcWNIwC2SDC4oIXuoBlGM2k4XQbI-hcFkOjjkJwdYwZfIydZf7OQT6D-854PcXKMQu/w640-h452/Ringlet%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Small Heath</b><br /></p><p>Although the Small Heath shows a 27% increase in records form the previous year it is still 9% below the five year average. On the bright side though as more people record in the wider countryside more locations for this species are being discovered all the time. The Small Heath is a fairly widespread grassland butterfly but the individual populations can be quite localised. The best places to see them in the county during 2022 were Fineshade Wood, Harrington Airfield, Lyveden New Bield, Pitsford Nature Reserve, Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Woodford Shrubbery. The first of the year was seen on the 16th of April at Ring Haw and the last of the year was recorded on the 23rd of September at Stanford Reservoir.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84mXkyYEX52Tn6qAxysyAikBlkz6AKhLVxj3B3tWgT97sR7ErH9hFzXBEYIT65tGMpGnhVTbIxYl0VhJRNyO9O3FdVw0lTAT9RZF1NGTxJsEkWKUtm5dFRXmVfPLgMXCR4LN08v7zilQqTbPqzWpOShtGX8w3uUg4qd5IhTbPcS3YPP1G6Vm3kRXO/s4256/Small%20Heath%20(4)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="4256" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84mXkyYEX52Tn6qAxysyAikBlkz6AKhLVxj3B3tWgT97sR7ErH9hFzXBEYIT65tGMpGnhVTbIxYl0VhJRNyO9O3FdVw0lTAT9RZF1NGTxJsEkWKUtm5dFRXmVfPLgMXCR4LN08v7zilQqTbPqzWpOShtGX8w3uUg4qd5IhTbPcS3YPP1G6Vm3kRXO/w640-h438/Small%20Heath%20(4)-denoise%20PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbGTzh5vrUmr8VNKc7OvUax1F8KdTDyW0NS740IOe9Y3PJdvs7nDsY0KRy-vxBrzsfWgiyHBfytpVQcdyiRJhnDjO5AtXUUMryGIm84ovhO4pzCftZO1adna1S8BloulAuurnPxz7IS45uLZ7Nk-0Va7WFh46Sn-fMYWsrpBOUd26JO7dajlC4CRa/s3507/Small%20Heath%202%20km%20atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbGTzh5vrUmr8VNKc7OvUax1F8KdTDyW0NS740IOe9Y3PJdvs7nDsY0KRy-vxBrzsfWgiyHBfytpVQcdyiRJhnDjO5AtXUUMryGIm84ovhO4pzCftZO1adna1S8BloulAuurnPxz7IS45uLZ7Nk-0Va7WFh46Sn-fMYWsrpBOUd26JO7dajlC4CRa/w640-h452/Small%20Heath%202%20km%20atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-14758154522516776772022-01-03T11:37:00.002+00:002022-01-04T11:19:04.729+00:00<p><b>The Butterflies Of Northamptonshire in 2021</b></p><p>Butterfly recording proved to be rather a challenge during 2021 as the seemingly endless run of unsettled weather continued throughout the year. Spring was changeable and although there was some occasional fine weather it was chiefly dominated by unsettled conditions. Summer started well but by mid July it had turned cooler with a thundery breakdown and what followed was weeks of cloudy days with limited sunshine which pretty much lasted for the rest of the year. However, despite this we still managed to receive 19,906 records detailing the distribution of 64,446 individual butterflies which is a remarkable achievement. The below accounts of course could not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the local butterfly recorders out there so many thanks for all of your records. An extra special thank you has to go to the transect walkers who took the time to walk their chosen routes each week despite the prolonged gloomy weather making the effort at times seem pointless. Of course there is no such thing as a wasted day recording and it is just as important, in many respects more so, to record during the poorer seasons as it is the good ones. The data below is compiled from UKBMS transect walks, WCBS survey squares, the Big Butterfly Count and casual records sent to me directly or added to iRecord. The use of the excellent iRecord recording platform has been steadily increasing each year and remains the favourite way of submitting records. At the time of writing I am still waiting for the Garden Butterfly Survey and Migrant Watch records but these will be added to the annual dataset in due course. It is also worth mentioning that we received a lot more records in 2020 than we did in 2021 so this needs to be taken into consideration when comparing butterflies on an annual basis so each species will also be compared to the 5 year average. Looking forward to 2022 I am pleased to say that spring and summer events put on by the local Beds and Northants branch of Butterfly Conservation are now already in the pipeline. These walks and open days are well worth attending and are a great way of receiving expert guidance at some of our key butterfly sites. Winter work parties have also already started so a big thank you to those dedicated folk who regularly roll their sleeves up and get stuck into some practical conservation work. For more information about work parties and future butterfly walks and open days check out the events page on the Beds and Northants Butterfly Conservation branch website (click <a href="https://www.beds-northants-butterflies.org.uk/events.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Lastly don't let the below species accounts make you too downhearted. Not every year can be a good one and the poorer years reinforce just how special the better years really are. Let us hope that 2022 brings better weather, many more butterflies and more opportunities to go and record them!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Dave James - Northamptonshire Butterfly Recorder</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAPj1YM7kyI1J55Cyy-o5VgRZN3xohfWMKcRb-ImfUhmJSd0au3JPJk3NiQ19Exjmr2qD70uabGvVRzyRw1Ko-VPk9BiENtZfV9QftZgTmVwppsV7TcfYyJ111txKV6unqmpWwZlK6-Dj5siJxdiWKFnIBLNXtoWyJUAnA_bCNYrszZkDezZgnqvxn=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAPj1YM7kyI1J55Cyy-o5VgRZN3xohfWMKcRb-ImfUhmJSd0au3JPJk3NiQ19Exjmr2qD70uabGvVRzyRw1Ko-VPk9BiENtZfV9QftZgTmVwppsV7TcfYyJ111txKV6unqmpWwZlK6-Dj5siJxdiWKFnIBLNXtoWyJUAnA_bCNYrszZkDezZgnqvxn=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">2021 Monad Coverage</div><p><br /></p><p><b>Chequered Skipper</b></p><p>Chequered Skippers were once again recorded in the release area of Rockingham Forest. For more information keep an eye on the Butterfly Conservation webpage as further news is announced.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY06QAI3lbdQHwfg7IZoGR8NDQiUKAy-_mRz_oL-zv0UCR8tXXiLPkgFbCl2kqt9-z_TlPbIOBx6T7R2FuCJ9OrT8OvAcI0sbghCroXEgAK-OFfSu5YKaxshnLoNH9Qv-UHmWAAntyQ3HNBBg4QW5iodcPpfK4ZL_ZL54NFOHDoh-ke8Ha3Vcd3NTL=s3676" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2450" data-original-width="3676" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY06QAI3lbdQHwfg7IZoGR8NDQiUKAy-_mRz_oL-zv0UCR8tXXiLPkgFbCl2kqt9-z_TlPbIOBx6T7R2FuCJ9OrT8OvAcI0sbghCroXEgAK-OFfSu5YKaxshnLoNH9Qv-UHmWAAntyQ3HNBBg4QW5iodcPpfK4ZL_ZL54NFOHDoh-ke8Ha3Vcd3NTL=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Small Skipper, Essex and Large Skipper</b></p><p>All three of our golden Skippers were down from the previous year with the Essex Skipper showing a significant downward drop. The Small Skipper was 24% down from 2020 and 38% down from the five year average, the Essex Skipper was 66% down from the previous year which is 86% down from the five year average and the Large Skipper was 48% down from the previous year which is 37% down from the five year average. These grassland butterflies could be seen anywhere where there is suitable habitat but the best sites were Irchester County Park, the Nene Wetlands and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first Small Skipper was seen on the 15th of June at the Nene Wetlands and the last was seen on the 22nd of August at Titchmarsh. The first Essex Skipper was seen on the 23rd of June at Bradlaugh Fields and the last was seen on the 24th of August near Great Brington. The first Large Skipper was seen on the 8th of August in Fineshade Wood and the last was seen on the 8th of September also in Fineshade Wood.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbjAyiRlPUh3JfA7HuVzDBDe76OtoGVPHnRpml0CsIcZBTZYA1XsXYQFFP2JQ_CBa16ztCpqFwgX38FmB-IQdpJwqm0pGmss5GOqWpyg8qLaN5rtR4xXW_aZWD6H8_l2UNe1XGPC1xbfRAIqvxbJbrW7V0scyd1h3RQy0b5AVllhyzRWInltwfH6nR=s1685" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1685" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbjAyiRlPUh3JfA7HuVzDBDe76OtoGVPHnRpml0CsIcZBTZYA1XsXYQFFP2JQ_CBa16ztCpqFwgX38FmB-IQdpJwqm0pGmss5GOqWpyg8qLaN5rtR4xXW_aZWD6H8_l2UNe1XGPC1xbfRAIqvxbJbrW7V0scyd1h3RQy0b5AVllhyzRWInltwfH6nR=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper, Wootton, 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUAaSAnADEnOwR7sPSGncqCiPu-Xu_chVSCOZ5vB9eBb-hIaA7d5ewotUSR_9_70YeAXLXipyhh_Wb2gHUX4EfJBTEG3-Da5OY13K-Sq_AndHLy7fxoCR55S4NLMGlQNf6j23AgOnWUS96GoLVuLkeghzQhETTFbIkFr8Tgw4ZtEoEeU7LQAFrYSwC=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUAaSAnADEnOwR7sPSGncqCiPu-Xu_chVSCOZ5vB9eBb-hIaA7d5ewotUSR_9_70YeAXLXipyhh_Wb2gHUX4EfJBTEG3-Da5OY13K-Sq_AndHLy7fxoCR55S4NLMGlQNf6j23AgOnWUS96GoLVuLkeghzQhETTFbIkFr8Tgw4ZtEoEeU7LQAFrYSwC=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper Distribution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJoXKRlE9cfCmR3evU3QcPrYMGGwHfAy7r0CK9cKsuAbZ7675cncDCj07BrbiOHkaIiWJ8BFwsJJbUvI24vodjoCU4ir5hft9hbEq9YoBVffeMz5FlSTMuRqiAYaDIU70yTIjhmSjUME8J5bgTDYjlvBEU6x48dVQVWow0k7uNgycv6yL4YqWFk3pF=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJoXKRlE9cfCmR3evU3QcPrYMGGwHfAy7r0CK9cKsuAbZ7675cncDCj07BrbiOHkaIiWJ8BFwsJJbUvI24vodjoCU4ir5hft9hbEq9YoBVffeMz5FlSTMuRqiAYaDIU70yTIjhmSjUME8J5bgTDYjlvBEU6x48dVQVWow0k7uNgycv6yL4YqWFk3pF=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper Distribution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwm8bVW0fMeSNVVQXzW26vafdFLCbJ_60TPXIznB9LbvnlIHkEDCZvxvi1zDORv3fAmLP5gfJ6qP1DpyoUoQyeG8o7IN4N8HHo9xoyBriFzjZvEV9vLF02ltKd-5GOAy2ZHpVkJ6rviCPVtMFVjfKRNbkYr1QkWhNZKr5sW1Fu9_fC8WOVWlorGLca=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwm8bVW0fMeSNVVQXzW26vafdFLCbJ_60TPXIznB9LbvnlIHkEDCZvxvi1zDORv3fAmLP5gfJ6qP1DpyoUoQyeG8o7IN4N8HHo9xoyBriFzjZvEV9vLF02ltKd-5GOAy2ZHpVkJ6rviCPVtMFVjfKRNbkYr1QkWhNZKr5sW1Fu9_fC8WOVWlorGLca=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper Distribution</div><div><br /><div><b>Dingy Skipper</b><br /><p>The Dingy Skipper was recorded in almost identical numbers to the previous year which puts it 19% down from the five year average. A new location for this species was discovered on the 5th of June when one was seen at Fotheringhay Castle. The best sites to see this grassland butterfly were Fermyn Woods Country Park, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehey, Polebrook Airfield and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was recorded on the 27th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 22nd of June also at Twywell Hills and Dales.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNgQi8XrLVMtxaiH3UWKN00jcXNGySMnjolVU53CfOnVKlxUA2-49Gfg_rIkqBDYp3HbPZnm7SZNKeZSu2ULcOObfQuz2rGWyvSvPJzrOFlld0PYsOVrfrt3EVlNh-l7KA27S0PdM6Q0mXb6E0cVkzYTPSvQRUTMFTqti6TkAIyyNkjg0aw02xYgCm=s1737" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1737" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNgQi8XrLVMtxaiH3UWKN00jcXNGySMnjolVU53CfOnVKlxUA2-49Gfg_rIkqBDYp3HbPZnm7SZNKeZSu2ULcOObfQuz2rGWyvSvPJzrOFlld0PYsOVrfrt3EVlNh-l7KA27S0PdM6Q0mXb6E0cVkzYTPSvQRUTMFTqti6TkAIyyNkjg0aw02xYgCm=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper, Fermyn Country Park, 2021</div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZfzg076KBTl7favyYzpE1CBSLv7dRXhck3pj8ejnzzA4UQU3l7l2iAfXm0cqjEa49Spq-hhxlUP-bqkRgKAryc3lVbdEve-SSCcKK_Le_gsCTA1pS4Cxi76580NtoBM_l0Xnfl-2iaUKqTwFGgJwGXhG_sGGHYo20wrz6hvukRBp5ShLOez4aNBXp=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZfzg076KBTl7favyYzpE1CBSLv7dRXhck3pj8ejnzzA4UQU3l7l2iAfXm0cqjEa49Spq-hhxlUP-bqkRgKAryc3lVbdEve-SSCcKK_Le_gsCTA1pS4Cxi76580NtoBM_l0Xnfl-2iaUKqTwFGgJwGXhG_sGGHYo20wrz6hvukRBp5ShLOez4aNBXp=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper Distribution</div><p><br /></p><p><b>Grizzled Skipper</b></p><p>Similarly to the Dingy Skipper the Grizzled Skipper was recorded in almost identical numbers to the previous year which places it 12% below the five year average. Two new locations were discovered for this spring butterfly with a sizeable colony being found along a footpath north of Southwick Wood and also a few being recorded at Quarry Walk which is south of the river Nene near Grendon. The best places in the county to see this species were Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehey, Polebrook Airfield and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first Grizzled Skipper of the year was seen on the 19th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 22nd of June also at Twywell Hills and Dales.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2XIQirFMpoHF9YsBRvhf7d_hecIPsS9wFAVsZ5C6xOZnMLm25i9w2fJLzg4OpVeCznvoSHIrHTzHhZH2Wqv7QdKmtr3_NV_INMOYPuUB-weYKRbjIRR5nC2QzYxBwz2cf-XFJRKbCsQv_TzitE1f2kdm47zVwOlaXSqHcxe7s_efgoNTv8u-WlOy7=s5156" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3437" data-original-width="5156" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2XIQirFMpoHF9YsBRvhf7d_hecIPsS9wFAVsZ5C6xOZnMLm25i9w2fJLzg4OpVeCznvoSHIrHTzHhZH2Wqv7QdKmtr3_NV_INMOYPuUB-weYKRbjIRR5nC2QzYxBwz2cf-XFJRKbCsQv_TzitE1f2kdm47zVwOlaXSqHcxe7s_efgoNTv8u-WlOy7=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper, Fermyn Country Park, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih20NppO6qvVqBp1s7NShNWtVLbHvSV8xxYoxMOfA5Y8stNmAholTNS6UP9WeN3m_-PtemYUCMEZZiKufV8sWAjE39KFRnHFMeJGp5A5UGSBfamo6vtcYJg2V08QDkIReujf225ViV86g6u8vEGYGpyjxFIjj9S9hTtsC5rSydw-hxo_JzWdiRqpya=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEih20NppO6qvVqBp1s7NShNWtVLbHvSV8xxYoxMOfA5Y8stNmAholTNS6UP9WeN3m_-PtemYUCMEZZiKufV8sWAjE39KFRnHFMeJGp5A5UGSBfamo6vtcYJg2V08QDkIReujf225ViV86g6u8vEGYGpyjxFIjj9S9hTtsC5rSydw-hxo_JzWdiRqpya=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wood White</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Wood White shows a 40% drop in records from the previous year which puts it 26% below the five year average. The recently discovered Geddington Chase colony remains strong with records again being received in nearby Harry's Park Wood. It is surely is only a matter of time before butterflies from this private site colonise the Fermyn Wood complex! The best sites to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood and Salcey Forest. The first was seen on the 16th of May in Hazleborough Forest and the last was seen on the 12th of August in Yardley Chase.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6O_jVd9KT9QK7HIYXd2VMyd_-EsBupNjW5HIJhLisyUHB4kNrX8LeEwAjyvvfjM7Ns3ad7GCuyiI4hyk1NXtrEZM4NRuriYVQwZ18u-SgZ7boKxFjYr5MhN_aTd18gktDQDP8qdVZEc7hEu-9YSU6WNBJIYOSXJwJ6OBUrtmVdJo3SpVPD1ZbeKES=s4732" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3154" data-original-width="4732" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6O_jVd9KT9QK7HIYXd2VMyd_-EsBupNjW5HIJhLisyUHB4kNrX8LeEwAjyvvfjM7Ns3ad7GCuyiI4hyk1NXtrEZM4NRuriYVQwZ18u-SgZ7boKxFjYr5MhN_aTd18gktDQDP8qdVZEc7hEu-9YSU6WNBJIYOSXJwJ6OBUrtmVdJo3SpVPD1ZbeKES=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_ka2_wFott9aZqP5I2waknfqZkeVE6tbz4hy3UhRXKk2z_q64QV_urzRt_8X4qh2Y37AaMJ_Rb6HNvaESb3LcMaaB9AwMNmon_wQgLstO-ihs9fg68nUe8hBzPcPVX1MXyZcJKLvqJHL0C3Y2XCZZtdbW7RuZNZjWpg9fEPJI1T7dAW-kOYfhQzb=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh_ka2_wFott9aZqP5I2waknfqZkeVE6tbz4hy3UhRXKk2z_q64QV_urzRt_8X4qh2Y37AaMJ_Rb6HNvaESb3LcMaaB9AwMNmon_wQgLstO-ihs9fg68nUe8hBzPcPVX1MXyZcJKLvqJHL0C3Y2XCZZtdbW7RuZNZjWpg9fEPJI1T7dAW-kOYfhQzb=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wood White Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Clouded Yellow</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The migrant Clouded Yellow had a very poor showing in 2021 and shows a 94% drop in records form the five year average. Single Clouded Yellows were recorded at Everdon on the 19th of July, Hanging Houghton on the 22nd of July, between Cottersbrooke and Blueberry Farm on the 5th of August, Hollowell on the 11th of August and Harrington Airfield on the 18th of August.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnPzpjIAXvagsZLGrNpZ1Ubi8mNc-OxWYl8zFl5Pjx5xTJyiTwjCPmsEDMYU0hzUNZELmir8xWT1aZ5jCl3MLZKfrzw4y0yAdGYtPqd-m_HpMw7EC9rXiIZhjgHCzbp9AARr3BAXVN7brKESbJ2dHmJiKzQmO-0D1omhhRn8-BgLtg9ZVbbUXCtHrh=s2826" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2826" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnPzpjIAXvagsZLGrNpZ1Ubi8mNc-OxWYl8zFl5Pjx5xTJyiTwjCPmsEDMYU0hzUNZELmir8xWT1aZ5jCl3MLZKfrzw4y0yAdGYtPqd-m_HpMw7EC9rXiIZhjgHCzbp9AARr3BAXVN7brKESbJ2dHmJiKzQmO-0D1omhhRn8-BgLtg9ZVbbUXCtHrh=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIDicEkydR_U78TiYHiUFpN2Sq1WLkMrNApQkOFjJMCTIJvbgv7btymv9qbHOfGhwHKvAgL7KzONlUoGr_slVhFCzITfmHMiBCLEYH_aPkGArAQSwbogoa08EBufAZ74Q703n36K4TJedbKkocRjPAmXOoiokwfcLLYnQeUO-3v_6its5hgPw23lbS=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIDicEkydR_U78TiYHiUFpN2Sq1WLkMrNApQkOFjJMCTIJvbgv7btymv9qbHOfGhwHKvAgL7KzONlUoGr_slVhFCzITfmHMiBCLEYH_aPkGArAQSwbogoa08EBufAZ74Q703n36K4TJedbKkocRjPAmXOoiokwfcLLYnQeUO-3v_6its5hgPw23lbS=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow Distribution</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>Brimstone</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Brimstone had an average year in 2021 and while it shows a 14% drop in records from the previous year that puts it just 2.5% below the five year average. Being a butterfly that overwinters as an adult it is one of the first to be seen each year and the sight of Brimstones flying along the hedgerows on the first sunny days of the year is certainly a welcome one. This butterfly can be encountered anywhere and is a frequent visitor to parks, gardens and cemeteries as well as the wider countryside. The first Brimstones of the year were recorded on the 22nd of January at Desborough, Summer Leys Nature Reserve and Raunds, the last of the year was seen on the 12th of December in a Cogenhoe garden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV09PjAAPrJfRdIWVVGYBuDFUyfQZNjJW_aEuAEFUVgJJg4hf0Y-0MNuO7n_jOl8oGoEO0vuOiyMfpN7NTqJ8gheZiw8fpbCC5iBHFMWExq6EbhEeCEldVxxq4l_tG6B39Z155OrI2wYUJL1fnoHosTzUIeq1aj90Dn9pVRL_pZ5pqwvSlHDA5pNG6=s4848" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3232" data-original-width="4848" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV09PjAAPrJfRdIWVVGYBuDFUyfQZNjJW_aEuAEFUVgJJg4hf0Y-0MNuO7n_jOl8oGoEO0vuOiyMfpN7NTqJ8gheZiw8fpbCC5iBHFMWExq6EbhEeCEldVxxq4l_tG6B39Z155OrI2wYUJL1fnoHosTzUIeq1aj90Dn9pVRL_pZ5pqwvSlHDA5pNG6=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brimstone, Brackmills Wood, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfSc2muk877QB95a0L8_fkerwQihp9WDRHc-8IbAt06WLe7G_8MxEo5bzJaC5az3IJogk34c4NJCk9MRS3zui_BImPiWuiE6Wg-5d5v6h27iYsS-fU-U82HhsezKUWP-Ax5JvzF4W7BEWQZt_oczzKErSz9ZGlF6s53QIfm2TSUBkNM63HNP_Iau3D=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfSc2muk877QB95a0L8_fkerwQihp9WDRHc-8IbAt06WLe7G_8MxEo5bzJaC5az3IJogk34c4NJCk9MRS3zui_BImPiWuiE6Wg-5d5v6h27iYsS-fU-U82HhsezKUWP-Ax5JvzF4W7BEWQZt_oczzKErSz9ZGlF6s53QIfm2TSUBkNM63HNP_Iau3D=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brimstone Distribution</div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Large, Small and Green-veined White</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Large and Small Whites had a very slightly below average year and were down by 1% and 4% respectively from the five year average. The Green-veined White had a slightly poorer showing and shows a 14% drop in records from the five year average. All three butterflies can be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first Large White was seen on the 31st of March at Farthinghoe Reserve and the last was seen on the 26th of September near Braunston. The first Small White of the year was seen on the 24th of March in a Rushden garden and the last was seen on the 2nd of November near Whiston Lock. The first Green-veined White was seen on the 4th of April at the Ise Brook in Kettering and the last was seen on the 6th of October in Islip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0vO8brxE9IqeccmLrmUho-jGU8DbyEBd0S3J6746mhi6faQVQkPlgdsfCQEjTuYORsRnwWAbavUosYZJKD7uVVRmPvDcGQc1SGUSI95rnm8Mx2ZrPWWqYdXnvTDJfwuyz-5Gn29LQAJMORcFvEblLVKASPRWoFnELMFNhnXts9eeJVROW1f2fPMb0=s1917" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1917" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0vO8brxE9IqeccmLrmUho-jGU8DbyEBd0S3J6746mhi6faQVQkPlgdsfCQEjTuYORsRnwWAbavUosYZJKD7uVVRmPvDcGQc1SGUSI95rnm8Mx2ZrPWWqYdXnvTDJfwuyz-5Gn29LQAJMORcFvEblLVKASPRWoFnELMFNhnXts9eeJVROW1f2fPMb0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small White, Wootton, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirYiC_lt891dvjtMqf9FDvDEu7O97FSvp84CRA0qXEM_vm-uKEOr2vRvMNFIWBYrdgU7oqGzX-NUQJ1aJW6CJzTnDlAelVEFuSx_b7SE4fFVCmEiDUdNUgZya_pZzZYsQ0sTz9GhNpKaa-C8271jdoo3454bB7u3L-V4eUReY9LGlez9RYJUtxA7Wf=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirYiC_lt891dvjtMqf9FDvDEu7O97FSvp84CRA0qXEM_vm-uKEOr2vRvMNFIWBYrdgU7oqGzX-NUQJ1aJW6CJzTnDlAelVEFuSx_b7SE4fFVCmEiDUdNUgZya_pZzZYsQ0sTz9GhNpKaa-C8271jdoo3454bB7u3L-V4eUReY9LGlez9RYJUtxA7Wf=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Large White Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgorbsvny8GQNHmNMwZTtN3bqqxo5M79X9D75qsCTVgtfR5Crid2Eo9SikwpI9-VBKwihTFMnyEIOlzqAm6xGgHVyhneBmxsiXYsqInySgyvWXKOsRbUajp0wk1VY07jAL_auY8PdxxBiz65ckfiu4AeB1yAkRJrk4MQ383QiCJTmei19SEj_sCyihs=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgorbsvny8GQNHmNMwZTtN3bqqxo5M79X9D75qsCTVgtfR5Crid2Eo9SikwpI9-VBKwihTFMnyEIOlzqAm6xGgHVyhneBmxsiXYsqInySgyvWXKOsRbUajp0wk1VY07jAL_auY8PdxxBiz65ckfiu4AeB1yAkRJrk4MQ383QiCJTmei19SEj_sCyihs=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small White Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGv4N80DWhYNyh31BQM-jGR7TjZXCGLD2EK07cgypD3C35Su_Zu9iOxjZUx-xplC8wU3bboQaHMQ6j05lM5X3pOFJgjNuysPWk09dl1pCo3q3NeB73pnE_PKCdP5EOAsINfdswYVpgR7fNECzFpE9lpL2dnzMk1j1H-ExlHq16pMzyxHzki2B9viIW=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGv4N80DWhYNyh31BQM-jGR7TjZXCGLD2EK07cgypD3C35Su_Zu9iOxjZUx-xplC8wU3bboQaHMQ6j05lM5X3pOFJgjNuysPWk09dl1pCo3q3NeB73pnE_PKCdP5EOAsINfdswYVpgR7fNECzFpE9lpL2dnzMk1j1H-ExlHq16pMzyxHzki2B9viIW=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White Distribution</div><b><br />Orange-tip</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Orange-tip<b> </b>showed a 40% reduction in records from the previous year which places it 20% below the five year average. This is a common butterfly which can be seen in a variety of habitats where it's larval foodplants grow. The first one was seen on the 29th of March in Woodford and the last of the year was seen on the 7th of July in Salcey Forest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiehaebasGqylUG6FPkLp45RuY4vU6lk6EM0EfwYZWNDlecJVcAyP2kZq4FvlvzjBCR9MXUF3l6tPixhyHBeDohNaLPEeaTO8AgGVSTBAMgmsFA0dXT1p0XT-wFNxjSxE4qMJAL7YiK_bt0LgkykHt50g6I1iZNvY_LAUN_Q-yVG9PLEfRV6Sqe2qJ=s2657" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="2657" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiehaebasGqylUG6FPkLp45RuY4vU6lk6EM0EfwYZWNDlecJVcAyP2kZq4FvlvzjBCR9MXUF3l6tPixhyHBeDohNaLPEeaTO8AgGVSTBAMgmsFA0dXT1p0XT-wFNxjSxE4qMJAL7YiK_bt0LgkykHt50g6I1iZNvY_LAUN_Q-yVG9PLEfRV6Sqe2qJ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip, Salcey Forest, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEh6as7c9i1-GiWWISqQrvc9TSF81i3IictaOp2dJPAzxoArvBPi0crjLbcecNSguIs9b_Ai9q6kbLvzjU9xrlUgNaCBsGU1WLCqEHEm8U4g7OhQcafXuJLu9FZK3lwteCbwaFIODahsZlBQdSxTN7AG_5IdPjzoVTD4Qv1uBfyJTr9KJkMeyKwy3b=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEh6as7c9i1-GiWWISqQrvc9TSF81i3IictaOp2dJPAzxoArvBPi0crjLbcecNSguIs9b_Ai9q6kbLvzjU9xrlUgNaCBsGU1WLCqEHEm8U4g7OhQcafXuJLu9FZK3lwteCbwaFIODahsZlBQdSxTN7AG_5IdPjzoVTD4Qv1uBfyJTr9KJkMeyKwy3b=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Distribution</div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Green Hairstreak</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Green Hairstreak had a poor showing in 2021 and the records show it to be 51% down from the previous year and 62% down from the five year average. The best sites to see this grassland species were Fermyn Country Park, Harrington Airfield, Old Sulehey, Polebrook Airfield and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 20th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one was recorded on the 1st of July in Islip.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinsdHQ40vRMw0J8PxdudHmdGKA0uImnaEHwpoP_R0AnSq46ECtAiHr96Cohi4__QGN7UVftNBJus1sse6MaUEHV8UBAEBou5Q6MC2QWHDHBugKh0DeV4O_v2zTbIOAEkLt-Rx1v1BKfQsB7ie4d6ES83WFUFoXCJ4PEQOw3w8lnX2Wl2XT6dGcGguz=s3156" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2104" data-original-width="3156" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinsdHQ40vRMw0J8PxdudHmdGKA0uImnaEHwpoP_R0AnSq46ECtAiHr96Cohi4__QGN7UVftNBJus1sse6MaUEHV8UBAEBou5Q6MC2QWHDHBugKh0DeV4O_v2zTbIOAEkLt-Rx1v1BKfQsB7ie4d6ES83WFUFoXCJ4PEQOw3w8lnX2Wl2XT6dGcGguz=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak, Fineshade Wood, 2021</div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyEemZAoVj7XWUllPYcZNkZhfMdfnYuwqgDWch9GT2MNsrFd1JtxO95kMqHpLPAm69HpbhZfD_xqDQizpx5QaB-SgmKO8Zt23KjH-1H52ButcnooAqzSCDXZkZw40o45IzobNunrdqOALkRlwlXusbJAWzM7QzJ_KemLx8TGT959F6TYt0UbfYXdUv=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyEemZAoVj7XWUllPYcZNkZhfMdfnYuwqgDWch9GT2MNsrFd1JtxO95kMqHpLPAm69HpbhZfD_xqDQizpx5QaB-SgmKO8Zt23KjH-1H52ButcnooAqzSCDXZkZw40o45IzobNunrdqOALkRlwlXusbJAWzM7QzJ_KemLx8TGT959F6TYt0UbfYXdUv=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak Distribution</div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Purple Hairstreak</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Purple Hairstreak was 35% down from the previous year's records which places it 29% below the five year average. This best sites to see this woodland butterfly were Brampton Ash, Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of July in Fermyn Woods and the last of the year was recorded on the 11th of September in Salcey Forest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsaTWE2Dy8YiS8D3D_xTqrXeCmjFgTtbWFd1yil6RPcfYHXpirZykRA0o0QQU0ukXJvxZrbyUCT2K4OcQHT5mh07C1KSmOzLlxkuwDJTdnOOon98MMlpjbl6o3I5T089unrT-O0czladO2ezBIT4pv5frCh1cN9CyXrbabDIN64uog1hgGtS501tvK=s3204" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="3204" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsaTWE2Dy8YiS8D3D_xTqrXeCmjFgTtbWFd1yil6RPcfYHXpirZykRA0o0QQU0ukXJvxZrbyUCT2K4OcQHT5mh07C1KSmOzLlxkuwDJTdnOOon98MMlpjbl6o3I5T089unrT-O0czladO2ezBIT4pv5frCh1cN9CyXrbabDIN64uog1hgGtS501tvK=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak</div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrSGW0N_iQ9coZ3c5XNzmShdqeXUgGJNdmj6Qs0EOjpYhLz6bneW6JJFZx0WXZgfW4pU41EZP-nF0NvKdQINsNugSUu3WhK91PmaLvwSM9Y6S56llDCgdYyt5Rw_mx7s2tgE_3AWK0VbZav-GdIxQmOHa3jbhZvkRXekjT3bnlIzmZbmxUBNaImvGX=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrSGW0N_iQ9coZ3c5XNzmShdqeXUgGJNdmj6Qs0EOjpYhLz6bneW6JJFZx0WXZgfW4pU41EZP-nF0NvKdQINsNugSUu3WhK91PmaLvwSM9Y6S56llDCgdYyt5Rw_mx7s2tgE_3AWK0VbZav-GdIxQmOHa3jbhZvkRXekjT3bnlIzmZbmxUBNaImvGX=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>White-letter Hairstreak</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The White-letter Hairstreak was 28% down from the previous year and 48% down from the five year average. The best places to see this butterfly were the Brackmills Industrial Estate, the Fermyn Wood complex, Fineshade Wood and Hermitage Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 24th of June in Harlestone Firs and the last was seen on the 17th of August in a Raunds garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYpgISedW2yt8yJhTo9at6I0gAQtTfii2U1ULgQ9VtjmwzVkpYnoyciqmYR6qI2tL8h3Bhbnb31CsQYQByAJJ48hhpARgThQwOFP4ui2E5IU8J3evz6ZGkzeeZVi3h-sFJMhtK0TvB6Md6CXhXCsP711nw_Cb6HpM_DtSjBuWTq-JMi6cYlVTG3j_Y=s3396" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3396" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYpgISedW2yt8yJhTo9at6I0gAQtTfii2U1ULgQ9VtjmwzVkpYnoyciqmYR6qI2tL8h3Bhbnb31CsQYQByAJJ48hhpARgThQwOFP4ui2E5IU8J3evz6ZGkzeeZVi3h-sFJMhtK0TvB6Md6CXhXCsP711nw_Cb6HpM_DtSjBuWTq-JMi6cYlVTG3j_Y=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQvKxtuXC59nUgEGNftyvpPn2R7ImDBMpuKf_50HLglSuq9WXGgDXyZ7acQJAMzVin4-lKYPWXgtRR9Jvkj676zoLs7vfzfwQDtaj3WxZofP-KBk1qoZTj--bc_5CTl5d-U2Qse2MZ0M5V24i5cjM16gnaj2rWFcCk9RtO3LvK_MiHjM-P49bG7_NC=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQvKxtuXC59nUgEGNftyvpPn2R7ImDBMpuKf_50HLglSuq9WXGgDXyZ7acQJAMzVin4-lKYPWXgtRR9Jvkj676zoLs7vfzfwQDtaj3WxZofP-KBk1qoZTj--bc_5CTl5d-U2Qse2MZ0M5V24i5cjM16gnaj2rWFcCk9RtO3LvK_MiHjM-P49bG7_NC=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Black Hairstreak</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Black Hairstreak had a poor year in the county and it's late emergence in mid June was immediately impacted by a spell of cold and unsettled weather. The records show show it to be 50% down from the previous year and 75% down from the five year average. The best places to see this butterfly were Fermyn Country Park, Fermyn Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Polebrook Airfield and Salcey Forest. Salcey Forest is now becoming one of the best sites (along with Glapthorn Cow Pastures) to see Black Hairstreaks and are best viewed from the ride south of the Horsebox car park and also the large Blackthorn hedge in the meadow by the M1. The first of the year was seen on the 16th of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last of the year was seen on the 20th of July in Harry's Park Wood.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGwTux28AOJiJoKOzUPjGMG90iG7EAqLAOiHD48wPWVrsKGwui5GdbltOrTCr7jf71QJM3KeJYfBRg2G2aiS6Zfb4iGTT3qcpV6eNo3tB6g_-LctLLMF7RJuL4uso_h8PemNtSq8zueZHwzUQKWcAS33VfakOKy1jLgzkXU8BlGzNx4wPZglE6pGEV=s1628" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1628" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGwTux28AOJiJoKOzUPjGMG90iG7EAqLAOiHD48wPWVrsKGwui5GdbltOrTCr7jf71QJM3KeJYfBRg2G2aiS6Zfb4iGTT3qcpV6eNo3tB6g_-LctLLMF7RJuL4uso_h8PemNtSq8zueZHwzUQKWcAS33VfakOKy1jLgzkXU8BlGzNx4wPZglE6pGEV=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, 2021</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd9j9rphmE6ESwLG2EYd7jsKkOGpahwRtg44uRin7ijyGh0pJfjT52a-CBVIBQdoLPHJMQGNYij0jL9sFZv6NOIkf_IYApOdL1cxbiSRmcj-9g6_0Rc6z4dkoaKllqGKcLKoHSxLgNWci8sCopUNblPr0hBylKSzj302dd2Lc0fxQmIgic_b8igxU1=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhd9j9rphmE6ESwLG2EYd7jsKkOGpahwRtg44uRin7ijyGh0pJfjT52a-CBVIBQdoLPHJMQGNYij0jL9sFZv6NOIkf_IYApOdL1cxbiSRmcj-9g6_0Rc6z4dkoaKllqGKcLKoHSxLgNWci8sCopUNblPr0hBylKSzj302dd2Lc0fxQmIgic_b8igxU1=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Small Copper</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Small Copper shows a drop of 44% in the records from the previous year which is a 35% drop from the five year average. This is a widespread grassland butterfly which can be found anywhere where it's larval foodplant of Sorrel grows. The best sites to see them were Borough Hill in Daventry, Bradlaugh Fields, Harlestone Firs, the Nene Wetlands and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first ones of the year were seen on the 16th of May at Summer Leys Nature Reserve and Twywell Hills and Dales and the last ones were recorded on the 10th of October in Harlestone, New Duston and Summer Leys Naure Reserve.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyiuQgCJMywGf999EnssBHri4kcI6C7XjI0ohcz0ZW8-TdfkpYe0csjYRKRInfggkq3TMMgO900Kd5dZ87kjAP9H1ymTUH-3ag5hX8VX4pDV8pQU-w2py2yHxAu_UuvJAA-NdGcbbz5CRgyNSfQPZstVwydGQ88J52byBt0ELgo4Kvvhqjoblg2hbs=s2835" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="2835" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyiuQgCJMywGf999EnssBHri4kcI6C7XjI0ohcz0ZW8-TdfkpYe0csjYRKRInfggkq3TMMgO900Kd5dZ87kjAP9H1ymTUH-3ag5hX8VX4pDV8pQU-w2py2yHxAu_UuvJAA-NdGcbbz5CRgyNSfQPZstVwydGQ88J52byBt0ELgo4Kvvhqjoblg2hbs=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeGRUZBXYo6qDAiogUT7_rexTm71weaHRQdjtY3O8DZG06_z6TVheF6jqu6QnSpRMtHJkwUZqN91ZeEZd3E7yGd5THPg9-cUwRrWMV9Wy--dQEnV_0zW4hLGG5I-JWTU-tp-R2iWhLoNmxCWAXRbDg623DvCXuAGWhqYs8_Qh2nHHdcpl8MSoZBdlb=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeGRUZBXYo6qDAiogUT7_rexTm71weaHRQdjtY3O8DZG06_z6TVheF6jqu6QnSpRMtHJkwUZqN91ZeEZd3E7yGd5THPg9-cUwRrWMV9Wy--dQEnV_0zW4hLGG5I-JWTU-tp-R2iWhLoNmxCWAXRbDg623DvCXuAGWhqYs8_Qh2nHHdcpl8MSoZBdlb=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Copper Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Brown Argus</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Brown Argus had a poor year with a 40% drop in records from 2020 and a 68% drop from the five year average. The grassland butterfly could be found anywhere where there is suitable habitat but the best sites to see them were Collyweston Deeps, Bradlaugh Fields, Harrington Airfield, Great Morton Sale, the Nene Wetlands and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 29th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 6th of October at Summer Leys Nature Reserve.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv3oBJQG_9M4Xwg5qwmMHc3qYTpsqS4hmjaF156xySWHlGHwNdqryTEEnMLYvO-MQfkmi7-Jd5YWbwNoEx6wwN4TqgHnkm3ZnGmpFHyMlTVgQECVETdry92dyrZszo726m8muYYxmiLkRqmyAJId_gFFO2tbx5gNFmwFneM3FbPnJrvW1LPk8fhLVC=s2688" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="2688" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhv3oBJQG_9M4Xwg5qwmMHc3qYTpsqS4hmjaF156xySWHlGHwNdqryTEEnMLYvO-MQfkmi7-Jd5YWbwNoEx6wwN4TqgHnkm3ZnGmpFHyMlTVgQECVETdry92dyrZszo726m8muYYxmiLkRqmyAJId_gFFO2tbx5gNFmwFneM3FbPnJrvW1LPk8fhLVC=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgn1Uvhtea5HCWvZEur9TpQBP28OXP884vcD0Uakc6ymMwsZpzCTsm02VcarI8I_zQhK4Cc-SyEQb1ESpLD007daBREQCHxIqGirz5J9WYbX-JX2rkdOvCoxMSLV7Atd0p5EKC7ie_ObpT4DbhFn2pF1Ufi5BhUG4-m55-UCD-N5yxZ_qcRMmFjtADF=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgn1Uvhtea5HCWvZEur9TpQBP28OXP884vcD0Uakc6ymMwsZpzCTsm02VcarI8I_zQhK4Cc-SyEQb1ESpLD007daBREQCHxIqGirz5J9WYbX-JX2rkdOvCoxMSLV7Atd0p5EKC7ie_ObpT4DbhFn2pF1Ufi5BhUG4-m55-UCD-N5yxZ_qcRMmFjtADF=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus Distribution</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Common Blue</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like the Brown Argus the Common Blue also had a poor year in the county with a 30% drop in records from the previous year which is a 58% drop from the five year average. This is a common grassland butterfly which can be found anywhere with suitable habitat but the best sites to see them were Collyweston Deeps, Great Morton Sale, Harrington Airfield, Lyveden New Bield, the Nene Wetlands, Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first ones of the year were seen on the 18th of May at Brackmills and Potterspury and the last of the year was seen on the 6th of October at Summer Leys Nature Reserve. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0KcSmEV5CDgwW8qMjBp0_szzz5nWUL5tH2V-z_9YhNUvktguaxCNq6C9w2FHOjYzuki9I18aWPf80OlfcWIYCPhB2obG6me1WtgmLx88e6kxpkZosVlWQsyGoTP2OMq0b1TiC1Qb_XNRRYn8dA_3RSmaCRat83L_rG9HrQjhgfpk2gWsMm7tDFmkM=s3000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="3000" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0KcSmEV5CDgwW8qMjBp0_szzz5nWUL5tH2V-z_9YhNUvktguaxCNq6C9w2FHOjYzuki9I18aWPf80OlfcWIYCPhB2obG6me1WtgmLx88e6kxpkZosVlWQsyGoTP2OMq0b1TiC1Qb_XNRRYn8dA_3RSmaCRat83L_rG9HrQjhgfpk2gWsMm7tDFmkM=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkHIF6zJyA_kjYOnvtIT2Es6l74ZKKS7mJKkWWABalp0nZ2GePBR_WwntJoVzzoiVy_w31dMH4_QnjwHo78ffTy1SuILnCyBaz16fpxM3PeTQNxYRJoyRHYoSzpKlL-KLE76mVBuNR7cfirST61XebE8RseOwzAdRkyLiFeD1oZZuu7TxWKQVSS7WX=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkHIF6zJyA_kjYOnvtIT2Es6l74ZKKS7mJKkWWABalp0nZ2GePBR_WwntJoVzzoiVy_w31dMH4_QnjwHo78ffTy1SuILnCyBaz16fpxM3PeTQNxYRJoyRHYoSzpKlL-KLE76mVBuNR7cfirST61XebE8RseOwzAdRkyLiFeD1oZZuu7TxWKQVSS7WX=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Blue Distribution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Holly Blue</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Holly Blue shows a 29% drop in the records from the previous year which is a 30% drop from the five year average. This is a common hedgerow butterfly which frequents parks and gardens as well as the wider countryside. The best sites to see them were Abington Park, Brackmills, Eastfield Park in Northampton and Finedon Pocket Park. The first of the year was seen on the 30th of March in Norton and the last of the year was seen on the 30th of October in Polebrook.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEharYV7KFfu83uqtirC6kjnEohN-SG5EV37sl5GbagXm8viB_ia4looHCR9a-ngAzAYOVHpo1uWM3evwcXmGGfnLp_FYkLKD0v-x89stulcjfHB0OWhl6pL-p8J1xVvlac0Z7k4v1eKSWy9MSsK3U97gi5NULeiG0LfqOG91hpqTJ4wXoK9TjCx-_k4=s4105" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2934" data-original-width="4105" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEharYV7KFfu83uqtirC6kjnEohN-SG5EV37sl5GbagXm8viB_ia4looHCR9a-ngAzAYOVHpo1uWM3evwcXmGGfnLp_FYkLKD0v-x89stulcjfHB0OWhl6pL-p8J1xVvlac0Z7k4v1eKSWy9MSsK3U97gi5NULeiG0LfqOG91hpqTJ4wXoK9TjCx-_k4=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeswa4ajKpQ1JcOA_HzOqSv_mWlBu1ocTXGfPZLkjmEp2ZKJmudBZA8YHSHvUM1NHTpKF30sLDk0X6ab7QymyGL3CDHD9VW5u33mc-R7PpYs_b3K1BT64gQiyhwku5-4LPqswRsmw1_IJ22CTOMDuyWjCv4e-YEUgVGM7Yeip_Qb5yEhOqsgLsSsCP=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeswa4ajKpQ1JcOA_HzOqSv_mWlBu1ocTXGfPZLkjmEp2ZKJmudBZA8YHSHvUM1NHTpKF30sLDk0X6ab7QymyGL3CDHD9VW5u33mc-R7PpYs_b3K1BT64gQiyhwku5-4LPqswRsmw1_IJ22CTOMDuyWjCv4e-YEUgVGM7Yeip_Qb5yEhOqsgLsSsCP=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">White Admiral</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Anyone who frequented the woodlands of Northamptonshire during the summer of 2021 will have noticed that the White Admiral was being seen in much fewer numbers than previous years. It is thought a number of factors could be responsible for this drop with the poor weather and the large amount of forestry that occurred in its strongholds during the previous winter being chief among them. The records show an 80% reduction from 2020 which is a 73% drop in numbers from the five year average. The best sites to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Salcey Forest and Wakerley Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of July in Plumpton Wood and the last ones of the year were seen on the 12th of August in Wakerley Wood and Yardley Chase.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ4NyyTFYaKHN13AWw2pQmBrac8-6L4HMLjdvePtHLdT4EhNkdC5f0K76K8x8Fw73XQEFVAmw7I3jRasF7AsoAQguNVH-23qEhhB6hXSWu_Cnv3rgalX80ISL4RF3jCfmpjxEyiIfVxhRSV01uiyaV_TTbtHQhxRTcjYJU2CkEnul9JnsJmTBoP3xo=s3841" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3841" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ4NyyTFYaKHN13AWw2pQmBrac8-6L4HMLjdvePtHLdT4EhNkdC5f0K76K8x8Fw73XQEFVAmw7I3jRasF7AsoAQguNVH-23qEhhB6hXSWu_Cnv3rgalX80ISL4RF3jCfmpjxEyiIfVxhRSV01uiyaV_TTbtHQhxRTcjYJU2CkEnul9JnsJmTBoP3xo=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White Admiral</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZO5hZOuUcg89QfCFfZJBy4doJK851NJR9b174hOrcUs5BpsAbg7581pgP7dmrbodDNj89UzwjMXnmgDBj2PQbXQ6g8786NT-UMBreg69avxmF2xBAaiUp_dvFLD7jsLhSSNvsXtZGKa_M8llKToTdv5_5iXk38NlbO8aK2-SPeqsphdEo28lZVUSq=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZO5hZOuUcg89QfCFfZJBy4doJK851NJR9b174hOrcUs5BpsAbg7581pgP7dmrbodDNj89UzwjMXnmgDBj2PQbXQ6g8786NT-UMBreg69avxmF2xBAaiUp_dvFLD7jsLhSSNvsXtZGKa_M8llKToTdv5_5iXk38NlbO8aK2-SPeqsphdEo28lZVUSq=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">White Admiral Distribution</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">Purple Emperor</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Purple Emperor had a slightly less than average year in the county but did see an increase in range. Records show it to be 41% up from the previous year's records which places it just 5% under the five year average. It was also recorded in some new sites in 2021 with records being received from Irchester Country Park, Roade Cutting, and the magnificent setting of the grounds of Rockingham Castle. The best places to see this woodland butterfly were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Harry's Park Wood and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 2nd of July in Hazelborough Forest and the last of the year was seen on the 10th of August in Souther Wood (part of Fermyn Woods).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtunBO_F4nVQXJKSx9aKLXGbMmBSc6OifUlBDdhxieoUZyAcSn9UG-Ma_2PEpB0nt3CqHLmfmEV7IDqQvkriLZ_dt1R4s5mbpyoSRlwKcXV5UDLwGpE9tgEraW54pk5zodgLwzvcqrqi1QCcEGtWz9u59ZNC8tKssODv_PSmvV4kDzMoCWCrjSyugl=s3528" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2392" data-original-width="3528" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtunBO_F4nVQXJKSx9aKLXGbMmBSc6OifUlBDdhxieoUZyAcSn9UG-Ma_2PEpB0nt3CqHLmfmEV7IDqQvkriLZ_dt1R4s5mbpyoSRlwKcXV5UDLwGpE9tgEraW54pk5zodgLwzvcqrqi1QCcEGtWz9u59ZNC8tKssODv_PSmvV4kDzMoCWCrjSyugl=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Fermyn Woods, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9N3zaU7X8Y-6NvNCjGXJwf-gMd6Hl4W19b6qWLt7rsaYtGtAEcDVN0YmYPgGiPi1-jEDyeHkvZ5bPLfBNMoScejwEgsfoMapvS8kfYgyQWAVY32kh3C0JWVju5JWuPfP99sLgUHloC48nQ56WtiqRRRtZAoovrv8bMC8KYVQzfKIvoQguxdPrxv3j=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9N3zaU7X8Y-6NvNCjGXJwf-gMd6Hl4W19b6qWLt7rsaYtGtAEcDVN0YmYPgGiPi1-jEDyeHkvZ5bPLfBNMoScejwEgsfoMapvS8kfYgyQWAVY32kh3C0JWVju5JWuPfP99sLgUHloC48nQ56WtiqRRRtZAoovrv8bMC8KYVQzfKIvoQguxdPrxv3j=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor Distribution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Red Admiral</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Red Admiral had an average year in the county and although the records show a drop of 21% from the previous year it places it just slightly below the 5 year average. This is a common butterfly frequenting gardens and parks as well as the wider countryside and could be found anywhere with suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 22nd of January in Brampton Ash and the last of the year was seen on New Years Eve in Fermyn Wood Country Park.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcOxMD819ueGLxEycK9ZP2S_vDcBKHWEh6DWY7WHi-RJAZLaN06CZOapBEVHK8bH1pjF6e4wacU7t_pty6Elb7xFVgrsIiRB1NkxSBLQS6Fl1VolJnfnHxfZYxYXR626YPvmx66Yxvz_s1MtKtySax1rvzm9YjG7cm45tiGS1IARym7cwi14T-X3XG=s4320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="4320" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcOxMD819ueGLxEycK9ZP2S_vDcBKHWEh6DWY7WHi-RJAZLaN06CZOapBEVHK8bH1pjF6e4wacU7t_pty6Elb7xFVgrsIiRB1NkxSBLQS6Fl1VolJnfnHxfZYxYXR626YPvmx66Yxvz_s1MtKtySax1rvzm9YjG7cm45tiGS1IARym7cwi14T-X3XG=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1wqCXt2Pf-8hG1HL4xtXefbaLPLo2pl1J-GpYpgi4GNsR_QcJaBj75GcoF27pDIqe_F--sDYIF1no7hhtlcfZm8DcbOetQG6yOmQeyksv9yDLazIK_DU-ZdHS0mzOyoLqfRrs070wRVW8p6nuS4GJHRnqOmqASO89sdmjRuFtJ0Go5WpkYJZzvhTR=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1wqCXt2Pf-8hG1HL4xtXefbaLPLo2pl1J-GpYpgi4GNsR_QcJaBj75GcoF27pDIqe_F--sDYIF1no7hhtlcfZm8DcbOetQG6yOmQeyksv9yDLazIK_DU-ZdHS0mzOyoLqfRrs070wRVW8p6nuS4GJHRnqOmqASO89sdmjRuFtJ0Go5WpkYJZzvhTR=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Painted Lady</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Although the numbers of Painted Ladies were 87% up from the previous year they were still 52% down from the five year average. However, numbers of this migrant butterfly do often fluctuate quite dramatically each year. This butterfly can be encountered anywhere and is very often found in gardens in it's search for nectar. The first of the year was seen on the 13th of April near Little Oakley and the last of the year was seen on the 23rd of November in East Hunsbury in Northampton.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXh3Lwni2DnZ-raV0HHnzC-qLoHV2nNky54AZIqAsZyaU9LW8CoH34GxCmuFbaHRWnJtAM2jVuGlkEY4HZNATQKDh3pGXfknpwoNc1CzbYVlB6cRQ_OaGVQJQDJa7qB1Cs5RE7aO-VDR5MUTACVYR41L-gJO4JSdyr95XyNs68HlP-dAcdowuEJvWH=s5295" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3530" data-original-width="5295" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXh3Lwni2DnZ-raV0HHnzC-qLoHV2nNky54AZIqAsZyaU9LW8CoH34GxCmuFbaHRWnJtAM2jVuGlkEY4HZNATQKDh3pGXfknpwoNc1CzbYVlB6cRQ_OaGVQJQDJa7qB1Cs5RE7aO-VDR5MUTACVYR41L-gJO4JSdyr95XyNs68HlP-dAcdowuEJvWH=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Wootton, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJZbrv0Zc7K8Us8X0p113Fv0MAxIsXHhGbDxvoPycZGbMf18PEaYjxHZ3Z4VMRklS6BIu9fJUsVdTDbACJ7FRwTpLBvG0U3yRZAHDskfyqDjMDG6KD3yELjykCvCRvbNSG9IqWoqgYroN8ZzthL7lMSDLnjJjPy-VFuaDM9vP4gki2CrO2_ymLMpVq=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJZbrv0Zc7K8Us8X0p113Fv0MAxIsXHhGbDxvoPycZGbMf18PEaYjxHZ3Z4VMRklS6BIu9fJUsVdTDbACJ7FRwTpLBvG0U3yRZAHDskfyqDjMDG6KD3yELjykCvCRvbNSG9IqWoqgYroN8ZzthL7lMSDLnjJjPy-VFuaDM9vP4gki2CrO2_ymLMpVq=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Small Tortoiseshell</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Small Tortoiseshell had a good year in the county and although the records are 29% down from the previous year they are 29% above the five year average. This butterfly could be encountered anywhere including parks and gardens and the wider countryside. The first of the year was seen on the 16th of January in a Brackley garden and the last of the year was seen on the 30th of December in Woodford Halse.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIU5yle_fwFsDNcX-imeoO0T61JFWS99oR3GTdk1aOB8lqTFbbBqTSDSl4SPglSthR4rsZTvEXBqs1nKUjXIoRoj8hI_HxAfU7VEmVrd3ZyiJ2CNIHDLTQhc2rEGaRCNDJaOZRxDZL_zx9-gC5DC4q1dTTU_Nj5Kq76A699QgNBh33gBwV6OhhTfit=s5184" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIU5yle_fwFsDNcX-imeoO0T61JFWS99oR3GTdk1aOB8lqTFbbBqTSDSl4SPglSthR4rsZTvEXBqs1nKUjXIoRoj8hI_HxAfU7VEmVrd3ZyiJ2CNIHDLTQhc2rEGaRCNDJaOZRxDZL_zx9-gC5DC4q1dTTU_Nj5Kq76A699QgNBh33gBwV6OhhTfit=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1N_NSvDDFxM-YITMjfVkO5E3QQ8jr_7rvJ_qv_vw1YSWfXv0e4wFBCXlcLIwDsn_xQkTKlDaXf7x9kGcHA3pr7Nh9MGipp4qdg8f7xcLHw6do9BjRITL4ip3ywDOPQIthA2WFbkQfSVEOuUgahMlzhYthcjJA0GOFZPYS8gDaAKmmfrXGuLI_c4N6=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1N_NSvDDFxM-YITMjfVkO5E3QQ8jr_7rvJ_qv_vw1YSWfXv0e4wFBCXlcLIwDsn_xQkTKlDaXf7x9kGcHA3pr7Nh9MGipp4qdg8f7xcLHw6do9BjRITL4ip3ywDOPQIthA2WFbkQfSVEOuUgahMlzhYthcjJA0GOFZPYS8gDaAKmmfrXGuLI_c4N6=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Peacock</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Like the Small Tortoiseshell the Peacock also had a good year n the county. Despite the records showing a 44% drop form the previous year they are still 35% above the five year average. This butterfly can be seen anywhere where there is suitable habitat but were recorded in particularly big numbers in Evenley, Farthinghoe Reserve, Harry's Park Wood, the Nene Wetlands, Salcey Forest and Stanwick Lakes. The first of the year was seen on the 10th of January in Cranford and the last of the year was seen on the 8th of November on the Lamport Estate.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis6qRYAGOgcecrEhCTyPdsKwbw4cWn-QF8AmZj_pn62oLADE9wRF2z4YPtUjimyowG1SkW7T5t6WiDYMRk22QoUCiw07UL3lvssyHcSOix6cDwiYATc6ev5KZGg0nChJBIhIKrFgxslv5AQHn9paljnR23LZO4LQRy5wzW6je9tw0s85TTVSl3eY_g=s3227" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2305" data-original-width="3227" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis6qRYAGOgcecrEhCTyPdsKwbw4cWn-QF8AmZj_pn62oLADE9wRF2z4YPtUjimyowG1SkW7T5t6WiDYMRk22QoUCiw07UL3lvssyHcSOix6cDwiYATc6ev5KZGg0nChJBIhIKrFgxslv5AQHn9paljnR23LZO4LQRy5wzW6je9tw0s85TTVSl3eY_g=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peacock</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIizuIewcwREpaR_lHf60cuJkryK0P1YPOqgxNLJLP35vtx2S9r7Oaq3lNRiBj9Ban--PrY8rsZQQ0bmpHe7gPbbUaZkfzHuvl8dRNinlpDI0JQKMW4YYYBcKmwKCjm8qEpiTGJfikn22YeaqW_Io3qHV-y2p3g4xzC6CqMF5Hx5Y7UwM6imQMEPh0=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIizuIewcwREpaR_lHf60cuJkryK0P1YPOqgxNLJLP35vtx2S9r7Oaq3lNRiBj9Ban--PrY8rsZQQ0bmpHe7gPbbUaZkfzHuvl8dRNinlpDI0JQKMW4YYYBcKmwKCjm8qEpiTGJfikn22YeaqW_Io3qHV-y2p3g4xzC6CqMF5Hx5Y7UwM6imQMEPh0=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peacock Distribution</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Comma</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Comma shows a 33% drop in numbers below the previous year's figures and was 22% below the five year average. This another common butterfly which can be found anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first ones of the year were seen on the 24th of February in Great Houghton and Grendon and the last of the year was seen on the 9th of November in Barton Seagrave.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5sON4xH7aVVrnwzkByD-aipxi8YFw0kLBTNnbhuH6mN6iW2yrrJPu3PSGSXUkjdq9AazYMREFiVp4Dwn4Mg4WwxeyOOi_1XDfICT58APU8sShY39mBUwlZUt7tpzbdPWfEZufuK6cJog6IFkTXTEdvt-05qYQJdPZ-KSjSSKKRA5hzKwyF_w7S75r=s2804" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2804" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5sON4xH7aVVrnwzkByD-aipxi8YFw0kLBTNnbhuH6mN6iW2yrrJPu3PSGSXUkjdq9AazYMREFiVp4Dwn4Mg4WwxeyOOi_1XDfICT58APU8sShY39mBUwlZUt7tpzbdPWfEZufuK6cJog6IFkTXTEdvt-05qYQJdPZ-KSjSSKKRA5hzKwyF_w7S75r=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Comma, Salcey Forest, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXstbsWYmKr1tHqlm7ODZbgDoCQoR5R97J85Pjsb4NVq5bjpcmJMdWC9ifC5ow1JT0ZWD4hui5tVIQpal9mn_iyDFyljRO0XqNJ79RLp5IM2qR4yzTo5xRWVe9lSglGwCgiWAmsed2ZckwgJX37D8bBpmklZFpD-NOGLp7HYeP-AtZKGA_pNksTVfM=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXstbsWYmKr1tHqlm7ODZbgDoCQoR5R97J85Pjsb4NVq5bjpcmJMdWC9ifC5ow1JT0ZWD4hui5tVIQpal9mn_iyDFyljRO0XqNJ79RLp5IM2qR4yzTo5xRWVe9lSglGwCgiWAmsed2ZckwgJX37D8bBpmklZFpD-NOGLp7HYeP-AtZKGA_pNksTVfM=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Comma Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Dark Green Fritillary</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Dark Green Fritillary had a slightly less than average year and although the numbers show a 74% decrease from the previous year it is only 18% below the five year average. Although this is chiefly a grassland butterfly they can wander big distances from their normal strongholds. The biggest surprise came on the 21st of July when one was seen in a garden in the middle of Brackley! The best sites to see this species were Old Sulehey, Ring Haw and Wakerley Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 23rd of June in Fineshade Wood and the last of the year was seen on the 12th of August in the Fermyn Wood complex.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsiudJP6lRpAqyfwfTJ0Wqzy1S321oQ5-ZIRjhqDcmYxIEECn_GMJHhGLk7YCKViYHCCkHqyo8dRbWugxqVBe3ZrbEQso1im0XZELe6qz9aYLXTzQ-nPaPAq4qJRa2y_3EWxYvgXsa5RNza3TqIC8DAa_OLI5XSozfuYglYrFdK0szX46DmoKqi5lD=s2456" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1472" data-original-width="2456" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsiudJP6lRpAqyfwfTJ0Wqzy1S321oQ5-ZIRjhqDcmYxIEECn_GMJHhGLk7YCKViYHCCkHqyo8dRbWugxqVBe3ZrbEQso1im0XZELe6qz9aYLXTzQ-nPaPAq4qJRa2y_3EWxYvgXsa5RNza3TqIC8DAa_OLI5XSozfuYglYrFdK0szX46DmoKqi5lD=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary, Fineshade Wood, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhddAaitdaL1MFqGfDTRHByFJ-oZs5VtiXYP1PI9lLoGdv0r61DLgCe5B2rdtXf6vAC7v6aXAXrP7F40PZk3S6FAU4JPiE5LN4GmIuKc-S_f4YjfP3tUk3Np6o4ga0sSNkfx7cJMvMOXih7Yrj9bWlY77JFHxT4dAtmt1WmZWdDLJLrgqe4W59Yrera=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhddAaitdaL1MFqGfDTRHByFJ-oZs5VtiXYP1PI9lLoGdv0r61DLgCe5B2rdtXf6vAC7v6aXAXrP7F40PZk3S6FAU4JPiE5LN4GmIuKc-S_f4YjfP3tUk3Np6o4ga0sSNkfx7cJMvMOXih7Yrj9bWlY77JFHxT4dAtmt1WmZWdDLJLrgqe4W59Yrera=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Silver-washed Fritillary</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Silver-washed Fritillary had a poor year in the county with a 43% drop in numbers from the previous year and a 54% drop from the five year average. This woodland butterfly can be found in most of our woodlands with the best sites being Ashton Wold, Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Great Morton Sale, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of July in Bucknell Wood and the last ones of the year were seen on the 29th of August in Bucknell Wood and Fineshade Forest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtAGW3I_eAxoXcuBUu23v0c8GvuinQQUuHPLyHU7cBF-bWHZC-g-VlPHGyp725bDDSr0i-E0rYI2zownoKGST7UWX5wX5KrplLwFvbQTM1gmfJspnmr0j5c5YTNuOfxtMNvdOv6hVUXz0s-94kC6PBF2JSOX8KpnoPR7KHbprBZB7VwZI_oc2h1q9a=s4282" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2855" data-original-width="4282" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtAGW3I_eAxoXcuBUu23v0c8GvuinQQUuHPLyHU7cBF-bWHZC-g-VlPHGyp725bDDSr0i-E0rYI2zownoKGST7UWX5wX5KrplLwFvbQTM1gmfJspnmr0j5c5YTNuOfxtMNvdOv6hVUXz0s-94kC6PBF2JSOX8KpnoPR7KHbprBZB7VwZI_oc2h1q9a=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNyiXQFY7KxqTvfRv_aQBzKCWECGF_bv9uzVfanEvfTGo7GQyNk5GMaSbMI8PIyFSaPhhJFbHq08ZPNzfqwnfnlGzdfkJohXblsdykY8HPkADwyjvo1cEYWgb0A0dIRtke-mXFh1rBwFwbNgshFz7qmk2r8PfAzkhHn0ZCjROqhPY9cSH22srDkEpX=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNyiXQFY7KxqTvfRv_aQBzKCWECGF_bv9uzVfanEvfTGo7GQyNk5GMaSbMI8PIyFSaPhhJFbHq08ZPNzfqwnfnlGzdfkJohXblsdykY8HPkADwyjvo1cEYWgb0A0dIRtke-mXFh1rBwFwbNgshFz7qmk2r8PfAzkhHn0ZCjROqhPY9cSH22srDkEpX=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Speckled Wood</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Speckled Wood shows a 16% drop in records from the previous year and a 22% drop from the five year average. This common woodland butterfly can be found anywhere with suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 13th of April at Fermyn Woods Country Park and the last one of the year was seen on the 20th of October in Thrapston.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3d528AOFe2iKBzyf3o6R-RwyaHrQ2mRCedJ20woW8tgE-7zg4q1_wLKL8xCWSRTYJIFcAWjFCllIccHKlLVaQuRDDE9ppmykxH2Hg_Yo33qzy8LZ8FAev3QigCqFcSBepI2Xox5r6uuwOPuyinzC0BdH6Uf7hIAoXV_cfq81Ay5a-SlO6NosZNUkW=s2796" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1864" data-original-width="2796" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3d528AOFe2iKBzyf3o6R-RwyaHrQ2mRCedJ20woW8tgE-7zg4q1_wLKL8xCWSRTYJIFcAWjFCllIccHKlLVaQuRDDE9ppmykxH2Hg_Yo33qzy8LZ8FAev3QigCqFcSBepI2Xox5r6uuwOPuyinzC0BdH6Uf7hIAoXV_cfq81Ay5a-SlO6NosZNUkW=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFTWe7kvGfRLr2SqUVJBTTD2CF7Ym79b7-J3C3PoYQ1V-nog7Rps4RNcIlhqWfPKMR4Tx-DfmHaK-DzI7XQ7fJ0CboPCSVKlBHQr6sZJ9_FOsk_1UUC3iyU0njrTEW8XzAK-jL-nCgYRZQ3aAQbPeU8NOlsm8tJ3GN1Ywwkh8qglcMZG-yMjUL5l9W=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFTWe7kvGfRLr2SqUVJBTTD2CF7Ym79b7-J3C3PoYQ1V-nog7Rps4RNcIlhqWfPKMR4Tx-DfmHaK-DzI7XQ7fJ0CboPCSVKlBHQr6sZJ9_FOsk_1UUC3iyU0njrTEW8XzAK-jL-nCgYRZQ3aAQbPeU8NOlsm8tJ3GN1Ywwkh8qglcMZG-yMjUL5l9W=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Marbled White</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Marbled White had a poor year in the county with a 49% drop from the previous year and a 52% drop from the five year average. This is a common grassland butterfly which can be seen in abundance at suitable sites. The first ones of the year were seen on the 23rd of June at Althorp, Bradlaugh Fields, Fermyn Woods Country Park and Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one of the year was seen on the 13th of August at Duston Quarry.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCgj-p_gLoiiBmn_FfrzPe5UMPIUROsQkTH7N3OaAYGl5HKgGBbuqStFVTsr8Ypi-PJNyAN0Yf_UpEKmL0Nb9RPCzQsSiziv3Jmxn8kcVA6ZYJMRS69Mx-eLEG2OOn9ldby57WPfoS52TV_GPU1f3eIYpIRL36KwCzxiqE6yOqEbSEpS4YkbCnPYNc=s4064" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="4064" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCgj-p_gLoiiBmn_FfrzPe5UMPIUROsQkTH7N3OaAYGl5HKgGBbuqStFVTsr8Ypi-PJNyAN0Yf_UpEKmL0Nb9RPCzQsSiziv3Jmxn8kcVA6ZYJMRS69Mx-eLEG2OOn9ldby57WPfoS52TV_GPU1f3eIYpIRL36KwCzxiqE6yOqEbSEpS4YkbCnPYNc=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Marbled White</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP4WA7caoRygK-bgj-dda8cAY8lfqyUVFtEdDizdvJ1q_71UukroMLZo817hGa41UWkRcAJeWQ6JmkRNphnyf0qpBMK6ofDVhdTG5J4N9Y6CA_apHrY0MZ4ykYNzjl0vz7hPUYJEvmQMPJAybqjGa-hTRE6T8FK8sDe8bFT9ti0lbU5t0oRFc_91yU=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiP4WA7caoRygK-bgj-dda8cAY8lfqyUVFtEdDizdvJ1q_71UukroMLZo817hGa41UWkRcAJeWQ6JmkRNphnyf0qpBMK6ofDVhdTG5J4N9Y6CA_apHrY0MZ4ykYNzjl0vz7hPUYJEvmQMPJAybqjGa-hTRE6T8FK8sDe8bFT9ti0lbU5t0oRFc_91yU=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Marbled White Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Gatekeeper</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Gatekeeper had an average year and although 29% down in numbers from the previous year it was just 3% down from the five year average. This is a very common hedgerow butterfly which can be found anywhere with suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 23rd of June in Bradlaugh Fields and the last one of the year was seen on the 26th of September in Salcey Forest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDB0EaH0cHC5MOHnZUCrHrNoa9TnVW9ddTIsyj7FR3xv0I3PrlyHHueTDZ1sxNGCppo2ma8Uh8G4j1wR60onDgTHAGMWsGr85lYr3k9VyW7vHkYY5urjpVBeLFLcSHro0oXI0nLsTgZygs2sJFJxzRCblvFkm4rOydihQK6FgHWYc4qCGbax3o3DPw=s5184" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDB0EaH0cHC5MOHnZUCrHrNoa9TnVW9ddTIsyj7FR3xv0I3PrlyHHueTDZ1sxNGCppo2ma8Uh8G4j1wR60onDgTHAGMWsGr85lYr3k9VyW7vHkYY5urjpVBeLFLcSHro0oXI0nLsTgZygs2sJFJxzRCblvFkm4rOydihQK6FgHWYc4qCGbax3o3DPw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaJnkwVJ4qZp9e50iqPIBa_eDlqs6bnWGahW0Ysfea0Yvn9-1blBmBj2DB3Cz3HlSUQ7P0me3yDXCjrcWBfvxnLEfPBnhHXJ3wvrW2k1O4asXAKVmKXfyVifu3URq7C3kEUyOEOjXQYb5dBsjIEIELWzznBfrbYAE-1YFSLbuqOCc7qciWUZP2uL9D=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaJnkwVJ4qZp9e50iqPIBa_eDlqs6bnWGahW0Ysfea0Yvn9-1blBmBj2DB3Cz3HlSUQ7P0me3yDXCjrcWBfvxnLEfPBnhHXJ3wvrW2k1O4asXAKVmKXfyVifu3URq7C3kEUyOEOjXQYb5dBsjIEIELWzznBfrbYAE-1YFSLbuqOCc7qciWUZP2uL9D=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Meadow Brown</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Like the Gatekeeper the Meadow Brown also had a slightly less than average year with a 31% drop in numbers from the previous year and a 9% drop in numbers from the five year average. This is a very common grassland butterfly and can be found anywhere with suitable habitat. The first of the year was seen on the 11th of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last of the year was recorded on the 23rd of September at Ring Haw.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYmKKxj0grfZUKVLPpPrbYOu2xTPcj66f_MR4BiDEiIl5vt8tepr1jTLs-99URm60LQqESi2D67TqQXk0pFv4ckicvxcUMum_zjQ6O82_8mB1VkJOloSVGzLP8IcgEPiqCU_sow-So8wYLqpXyRuFokNW3ABPYJdL8MKjdO54YrXBmP07jOC5TU2Vo=s1898" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1898" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYmKKxj0grfZUKVLPpPrbYOu2xTPcj66f_MR4BiDEiIl5vt8tepr1jTLs-99URm60LQqESi2D67TqQXk0pFv4ckicvxcUMum_zjQ6O82_8mB1VkJOloSVGzLP8IcgEPiqCU_sow-So8wYLqpXyRuFokNW3ABPYJdL8MKjdO54YrXBmP07jOC5TU2Vo=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown, Wootton, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvqc7ueX1x-c_KKCixXGzbe0ozOpOL4O4t5qnEQBpGpIXN7HNvUIJkQ253DcYPIrDhRgqHhXjiLaaeneNRQVfAq1vnYj_wC154nQhECElje_EHyXDoTJ1I3_3SDgC9yImBix6aMEb8HldGQ7-R5qndTmmBSW7SbBBLKSXdYspEbhVjWyIDYmVo-CpH=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvqc7ueX1x-c_KKCixXGzbe0ozOpOL4O4t5qnEQBpGpIXN7HNvUIJkQ253DcYPIrDhRgqHhXjiLaaeneNRQVfAq1vnYj_wC154nQhECElje_EHyXDoTJ1I3_3SDgC9yImBix6aMEb8HldGQ7-R5qndTmmBSW7SbBBLKSXdYspEbhVjWyIDYmVo-CpH=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Ringlet</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The Ringlet shows a 20% drop in records from the previous year and a 35% drop from the five year average. This is another very common butterfly that can be found anywhere with suitable habitat. The first Ringlet of the year was seen on the 20th of June in Sulby Gardens and the last of the year was seen on the 6th of September in Salcey Forest.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYgNDQBRiGqDV_FAzNYd8-Vrp8r-havVc2BAIsojYQK1Agff3oWG9lPEwM1n66QVC1e2qqFqm31yNC35YoEQIQYSz8X05hN3ISB-cbOFHCbvXKNrErlqd7gRDEfD2cHh48tivdZor9a5BGDYb5fDkiffqLgMy4_2dskxxZI8HO4uBhg6ac-Be2nbe4=s1969" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1969" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYgNDQBRiGqDV_FAzNYd8-Vrp8r-havVc2BAIsojYQK1Agff3oWG9lPEwM1n66QVC1e2qqFqm31yNC35YoEQIQYSz8X05hN3ISB-cbOFHCbvXKNrErlqd7gRDEfD2cHh48tivdZor9a5BGDYb5fDkiffqLgMy4_2dskxxZI8HO4uBhg6ac-Be2nbe4=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ringlet, Wootton, 2021</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjukfvTAChNh-8d5kVO1xHPj4DchuCVKF64cj_K1lVmblEuM_kjTlVLHpuqvlB_26Q57rbQx1UGaV-BFfIH0ME2CCqShcGpjlEq5nnv5SgVbg6ra9CmkAEvZHuxU8O_4cl-alzrgYh21qx9KTtuEkiteKKioD9j1MV9CwlkrzHH4lyuk10O3cBua3mb=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjukfvTAChNh-8d5kVO1xHPj4DchuCVKF64cj_K1lVmblEuM_kjTlVLHpuqvlB_26Q57rbQx1UGaV-BFfIH0ME2CCqShcGpjlEq5nnv5SgVbg6ra9CmkAEvZHuxU8O_4cl-alzrgYh21qx9KTtuEkiteKKioD9j1MV9CwlkrzHH4lyuk10O3cBua3mb=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ringlet Distribution</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">Small Heath</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Small Heath shows a 33% drop in records from the previous year and a 21% drop in records from the five year average. This grassland butterfly is quite localised but can be seen flying in good numbers at some locations. The best sites to see them in 2021 were Bradlaugh Fields, Fineshade Wood, the Nene Wetlands, Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Weekley Hall Wood. The first Small Heath of the year was seen on the 12th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last of the year was seen on the 1st of October also at Twywell Hills and Dales.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQTYQBW5VkH_sBw2kf5ldSb67TXdQ2GugxXykr_aMvJX4arUTWiPYtrDs5oBcrxPRvzxTiZfhxZMoqPVVCHolRyJDkahYQlEtVxTW0xTbyQmjv37fdpawSOyW1UN5ne3LgujUg9zOkmE2uwGHMczQbMd8EiSeRdOmkpsdwSl-TpM3fdWhbPQD_FP8r=s5044" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3362" data-original-width="5044" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQTYQBW5VkH_sBw2kf5ldSb67TXdQ2GugxXykr_aMvJX4arUTWiPYtrDs5oBcrxPRvzxTiZfhxZMoqPVVCHolRyJDkahYQlEtVxTW0xTbyQmjv37fdpawSOyW1UN5ne3LgujUg9zOkmE2uwGHMczQbMd8EiSeRdOmkpsdwSl-TpM3fdWhbPQD_FP8r=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkYfi2Q874wF0fwjKojKjAMgDeUlCx5uyXlS-pRmpkGT8D-atN-2LeaVb5KbFORwxhUaK2jU_kyDeU24s07W2M-LolhVTH9PqYvZQ9n26RvihrVyU4nnmE7YMwQGLzHhgG-cVtFBUgCTFM7L9W6afsjbrYQ1YT_ZAYTJ3g5Bh8wf2NreC0I9XWXXT2=s3507" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="3507" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkYfi2Q874wF0fwjKojKjAMgDeUlCx5uyXlS-pRmpkGT8D-atN-2LeaVb5KbFORwxhUaK2jU_kyDeU24s07W2M-LolhVTH9PqYvZQ9n26RvihrVyU4nnmE7YMwQGLzHhgG-cVtFBUgCTFM7L9W6afsjbrYQ1YT_ZAYTJ3g5Bh8wf2NreC0I9XWXXT2=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Small Heath Distribution</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></div></div><p></p></div></div>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-82727872664577042762021-01-03T10:57:00.005+00:002021-02-06T10:39:44.039+00:00The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2020<p>I think it goes without saying that 2020 was a difficult year for many reasons and the devestating impact of the Coronavirus pandemic put butterfly recording justifiably on hold for the majority of the Spring. Official transect walks were temporarily cancelled and non essential car journeys to nature reserves were not allowed. We did however receive quite a few records during the lockdown as people used their hour of daily exercise to explore the local countryside or urban parks and counted the butterflies they saw as they did so. Some lucky people live within walking distance of some of our key sites and they provided records from these areas too. By the end of May the rules restricting movement began to relax slightly and people could drive further and exercise for longer but the importance of social distancing of course meant some popular sites to see key butterfly species were quite rightly avoided by many. This of course means that, during the spring especially, we received much fewer records than usual so comparisons between yearly butterfly totals is tricky. This needs to be taken into consideration when analysing the localised spring butterfly species such as Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak and I have mentioned when I think this is a contributing factor in the butterfly statistics in the individual species accounts below. Weather wise spring started well with prolonged sunshine during April and May however clear skies lead to a few ground frosts. Daytime temperatures were regularly above 20c during mid May but high winds came in towards the end of the month leading to a fairly unsettled summer with average temperatures and a few sunny days interspersed with regular periods of strong wind. As for butterfly recording in the county we have so far received 29,499 records detailing the locations of 103,206 individual butterflies. The records used to compile this report come from the UKBMS transect walks, the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, the Big Butterfly Count and casual recording. There has been a big uptake in people using the iRecord website and the excellent iRecord Butterflies smartphone app to submit records which is something I would like to encourage. We were lucky enough to have two exciting projects continue in Northamptonshire during 2020 with Back From the Brink's Roots of Rockingham Project based in the Rockingham Forest area and Woodland Wings Project down in the south of the county along the Yardley Whittlewood Ridge. We sadly said goodbye to Woodland Wings officer Caz Temple at the end of the year as she left to pursue another project and I would like to thank her for her superb achievements in conserving and raising awareness of the butterflies in Bucknell, Hazelborough, Salcey Forest and Yardley Chase. Finally I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute records during this challenging year and lets hope there are better times ahead.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Dave James - Northamptonshire Butterfly Recorder<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgouJ8gd2OmZNSzQTOLu-JclthGhNY2RZ0OI61A2_bSf0e4KvIjPWLixF9LQoa9JIFifXULGlazxJBU1WRzOJ73tLuBM8qiSbt_B3MOrmx1jfWWGfazT5JEKVcQw1nz0siG5fWbWn2bA/s2048/Northants+Records.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgouJ8gd2OmZNSzQTOLu-JclthGhNY2RZ0OI61A2_bSf0e4KvIjPWLixF9LQoa9JIFifXULGlazxJBU1WRzOJ73tLuBM8qiSbt_B3MOrmx1jfWWGfazT5JEKVcQw1nz0siG5fWbWn2bA/w640-h452/Northants+Records.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northamptonshire Records 2020</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Chequered Skipper </b></p><p>Fortunately the lockdown restrictions were relaxed just in time for the Chequered Skippers flight period which allowed for some monitoring of the reintroduction area. For up to date news about this exciting project please see the Roots of Rockingham area of the Back from the Brink website <a href="http://naturebftb.co.uk/the-projects/roots-of-rockingham">naturebftb.co.uk/the-projects/roots-of-rockingham</a> or see page 12 of the local Butterfly Conservation branch Autumn Newsletter (link posted at the bottom of the page) <br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP9DbOouwn_07g7wNZ1uJPxbJ7sLjOB1u7kL6RUJXf399Z5NMtOo0GUVIfBw6tbCSd6Sl3EZEXEYr0kf4ySXmfEfjf_Q9fp5l53n44zVwJZiGvfWSPf3bLs39BZYqxl8hjLzelRuIr5o/s2048/Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPP9DbOouwn_07g7wNZ1uJPxbJ7sLjOB1u7kL6RUJXf399Z5NMtOo0GUVIfBw6tbCSd6Sl3EZEXEYr0kf4ySXmfEfjf_Q9fp5l53n44zVwJZiGvfWSPf3bLs39BZYqxl8hjLzelRuIr5o/w640-h428/Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest 2020<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> </b><p></p><p><b> Small, Essex and Large Skipper</b></p><p>Small and Essex Skippers didn't have a particularly good year with Small Skipper down by 23% and the Essex Skipper down by 65%. The Large Skipper however showed a slight increase with a 26% increase over the 4 year average. These grassland species could be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first Small Skipper was seen on the 31st of May at Earls Barton gravel pits and the last ones were seen on the 23rd of August in Salcey Forest and near Kings Cliffe. The first Essex Skipper was recorded on the 21st June at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last was seen on the 6th of August in Yardley Chase. The first Large Skipper was seen on the 19th of May at Summer Leys Nature Reserve and the last ones were recorded on the 23rd of August at Kings Cliffe and Salcey Forest. <br /><b></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH284C8NY6d7l2nQK52HnvKxNAXIQQ2YShjzjcb4cSPbaXNn3PKi0UgfcfKDxIwTS1BBQ3BVSijg9fWpGxua05JwUH0e4ARhpLr2yS9iaTZp-KKMTOY7QvwfAFa5Nd_wFLDYBGbgC5Z8E/s2048/Large+Skipper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH284C8NY6d7l2nQK52HnvKxNAXIQQ2YShjzjcb4cSPbaXNn3PKi0UgfcfKDxIwTS1BBQ3BVSijg9fWpGxua05JwUH0e4ARhpLr2yS9iaTZp-KKMTOY7QvwfAFa5Nd_wFLDYBGbgC5Z8E/w640-h426/Large+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxOknF9dcZ_rZ5GKut8b_h0-dO4vcHwNLNlIj1bEBnPznzjRWKRmPDnhIJfAMzaTzTW7fAuFEfQ_xlhQwP_m9jfJQpcR1Cam5qVqtJvzJcEwZ3pV6BoQ-W-nuh-5uqXwYuuNWbhBLyOg/s2048/Large+Skipper+Larva.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxOknF9dcZ_rZ5GKut8b_h0-dO4vcHwNLNlIj1bEBnPznzjRWKRmPDnhIJfAMzaTzTW7fAuFEfQ_xlhQwP_m9jfJQpcR1Cam5qVqtJvzJcEwZ3pV6BoQ-W-nuh-5uqXwYuuNWbhBLyOg/w640-h426/Large+Skipper+Larva.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper Larva and Feeding Tube</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9sFWJwE39wZox-1Jdd5yLO8K1Kgjn1uB4i944yDvIvYcWBMvQRX92B2FHuE8gXJ47Bi1Ks6QiPWVxeL9p0iKwnCi-wNcKmA0NEgOZO4LHuzk-xeb_ajteewKcb9LoDiy4vdNzxnYN-A/s2048/Essex+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9sFWJwE39wZox-1Jdd5yLO8K1Kgjn1uB4i944yDvIvYcWBMvQRX92B2FHuE8gXJ47Bi1Ks6QiPWVxeL9p0iKwnCi-wNcKmA0NEgOZO4LHuzk-xeb_ajteewKcb9LoDiy4vdNzxnYN-A/w640-h426/Essex+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Essex Skipper hiding away in Salcey Forest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnk9eEyhgRHOmhrqHMddXpIgXtqD3uu_s-ps_4y1sklqPGL5lTkSscFAktrti_KIQv4eZ_xpaDlHGcqicVN0jtIGtgAtErdEZiuPN4mggc-kSxXuqzfY1jDZccBGNDFdCFLbrE4IFdYc/s2048/Small+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnk9eEyhgRHOmhrqHMddXpIgXtqD3uu_s-ps_4y1sklqPGL5lTkSscFAktrti_KIQv4eZ_xpaDlHGcqicVN0jtIGtgAtErdEZiuPN4mggc-kSxXuqzfY1jDZccBGNDFdCFLbrE4IFdYc/w640-h452/Small+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdHI8lnbvj4Pd13ITxtsIbjsBHDuXmJJBxXOvqfPZm5RH9e3d_tOrMD_6wrMAU1eYic_tp_uiYF49hQ0rprQHTxkptQkng0NOf6xijRqyC-3dFhXqRFyXhVcGOvKUpfaXcOxEih6j2r0/s2048/Essex+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdHI8lnbvj4Pd13ITxtsIbjsBHDuXmJJBxXOvqfPZm5RH9e3d_tOrMD_6wrMAU1eYic_tp_uiYF49hQ0rprQHTxkptQkng0NOf6xijRqyC-3dFhXqRFyXhVcGOvKUpfaXcOxEih6j2r0/w640-h452/Essex+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE1DoLLY9taDc3U6ngB78uGOvfzqXEOCo4_M4wq7Aru4fHnw7dgYx8oC1ZtRGm4QRkM7hZMGJ-3ayyA35kKB0vAcERqQ0d3D1Kgbd5RqXzZPFYFPiJgPKcTCL5B2_rWFmXpJ_mt33ZOA/s2048/Large+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE1DoLLY9taDc3U6ngB78uGOvfzqXEOCo4_M4wq7Aru4fHnw7dgYx8oC1ZtRGm4QRkM7hZMGJ-3ayyA35kKB0vAcERqQ0d3D1Kgbd5RqXzZPFYFPiJgPKcTCL5B2_rWFmXpJ_mt33ZOA/w640-h452/Large+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Dingy Skipper</b></p><p>The Dingy Skipper shows a 22% decrease from the 4 year average but as the majoroity of it's flight period was during lockdown that is to be expected. The locations with the highest numbers were Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehey, Priors Hall, Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first was seen on the 16th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last on the 9th of June at Weekley Hall Wood. However, 2020 was a particularly remarkable year for the Dingy Skipper in Northamptonshire with the rare occurence of a single second brood specimen discovered at Twywell Hills and Dales on the 26th of July which remained on site until the 2nd of August.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgannCVAJJBYkTWSEvDWEvu2sw0gB8EPD2uSLLLA8o0qYtHak8sYg86n4lBYxbx7UIDNuRFtPl13z3jIswJmlgWXEbCMWoIQIB7gwHgvpmtwamD5ogquO_EFu_7uUAK0t6Dqywq0uvj_VU/s2048/Dingy+Skipper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgannCVAJJBYkTWSEvDWEvu2sw0gB8EPD2uSLLLA8o0qYtHak8sYg86n4lBYxbx7UIDNuRFtPl13z3jIswJmlgWXEbCMWoIQIB7gwHgvpmtwamD5ogquO_EFu_7uUAK0t6Dqywq0uvj_VU/w640-h426/Dingy+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63nq1f08AX6hJiKM9o90BIteus0bVjjweKbFXZgU7Oopfspd0eeMU6wA5eY8elF9qzRVYg_LkarWJ0nrxDDoDJVTzxwkn4a8OVNj6qgi7xac9uX1gQfwBJGfQ8MfewTU18UviI-MUvZs/s2048/Dingy+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63nq1f08AX6hJiKM9o90BIteus0bVjjweKbFXZgU7Oopfspd0eeMU6wA5eY8elF9qzRVYg_LkarWJ0nrxDDoDJVTzxwkn4a8OVNj6qgi7xac9uX1gQfwBJGfQ8MfewTU18UviI-MUvZs/w640-h452/Dingy+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Grizzled Skipper</b></p><p>The Grizzled Skipper shares the same flight period as the Dingy Skipper so the lockdown rules in place during the marjority of it's time on the wing no doubt contributes to its 19% decrease from the 4 year average. The best places to see this species were Barford Meadow, Fermyn Country Park, Priors Hall and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first was seen on the 15th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the 26th of June also at Twywell Hills and Dales.<b> <br /></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fbNQX9jlbaP4p2_zJf0r-LLEeZMpk5ZQCLze1JzL0u2ZVx7o05aQfHJMUDyTrQpPDA-X2_hMDWKJgMEKoSDO7oCw4T2Z0iy6V5NMKTilZC4BWmJNH5_hlVzFix-EfcKcb_-LjnYlknA/s2048/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fbNQX9jlbaP4p2_zJf0r-LLEeZMpk5ZQCLze1JzL0u2ZVx7o05aQfHJMUDyTrQpPDA-X2_hMDWKJgMEKoSDO7oCw4T2Z0iy6V5NMKTilZC4BWmJNH5_hlVzFix-EfcKcb_-LjnYlknA/w640-h460/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBlAkqMzjJUCdDqHc7QLL4kTJtjUUnwD-LD5xPLy8TVNkGsN20-S2lURvRr04mx1MOzElL31AJY7YPekrF88-VDH9SVgQ5_o55xOWdMo_axaPdqC83AcmExkDv8qPaMPQyxhR1vVYG4w/s2048/Grizzled+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBlAkqMzjJUCdDqHc7QLL4kTJtjUUnwD-LD5xPLy8TVNkGsN20-S2lURvRr04mx1MOzElL31AJY7YPekrF88-VDH9SVgQ5_o55xOWdMo_axaPdqC83AcmExkDv8qPaMPQyxhR1vVYG4w/w640-h452/Grizzled+Skipper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Wood White</b></p><p>The Wood White had a good year in the county and shows a 31% increase over the 4 year average. The discovery in 2019 of a small number of Wood Whites in the private Geddington Chase by Back from the Brink project officer Susannah O'Riordan led to further surveying in 2020 where<b> </b>54 were recorded on a single day at the end of May. This firmly places Geddington Chase as a new entry on the list of stronghold sites for the species in the county. Even more excitingly butterflies from here made their way to nearby Harry's Park Wood where 2 were seen on the 31st of May and a Wood White even made it's way all the way to Fermyn Wood with 1 recorded on the 13th of June. Other key sites for the species were Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Hazelborough Wood, Salcey Forest and the private sites of Sywell Wood and Yardley Chase. There was a large second brood observed in the county too with numbers reaching double figures in Yardley Chase. The first Wood White of the year was seen on the 2nd of May in Bucknell Wood and the last were recorded on the 11th of August in Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest and Salcey Forest. <br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBin2rBQXghLi0cGqi4zFlcToSLEsi-SpRCvs3A-Nsl_8hjI5QWxXOk6Z1LB6aKJuc1wropbH3ADAUEbnnFrfD7g42S1CCfbnjLhlz2G8nr2YIL-gYa2PkSE09KpKNttE3j1QznWnlNcc/s2048/Wood+White+Salcey+17.06.20+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBin2rBQXghLi0cGqi4zFlcToSLEsi-SpRCvs3A-Nsl_8hjI5QWxXOk6Z1LB6aKJuc1wropbH3ADAUEbnnFrfD7g42S1CCfbnjLhlz2G8nr2YIL-gYa2PkSE09KpKNttE3j1QznWnlNcc/w640-h426/Wood+White+Salcey+17.06.20+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpxj3PLBihLa2TRs4oDsaT6U409Flk33fu_3b88HreFcq7ifbCJl12c_yptIGTW_-ph6hccVT4gHtILQSM4jKVpraTarzhpCQomyknKbCW2kT1MT8hEPHLR5mDLPcA6GMelLPzYCyMN0/s2048/Wood+White+Egg+Salcey+17.06.20+2+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpxj3PLBihLa2TRs4oDsaT6U409Flk33fu_3b88HreFcq7ifbCJl12c_yptIGTW_-ph6hccVT4gHtILQSM4jKVpraTarzhpCQomyknKbCW2kT1MT8hEPHLR5mDLPcA6GMelLPzYCyMN0/w640-h426/Wood+White+Egg+Salcey+17.06.20+2+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White Egg</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AQB1CBywmhqUjfNI8Q56FFof0_HiGLkZnwzW7qYIuX-J0V7Lk6mmVSYz9vut5T27XLD0x9KkIY67kdviTdfS_3XVcCNWHYqyCLjG01dvAZ_R-ve1p_PVQLD1k-4gDQPHe3zj2WFawJI/s2048/Wood+White+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AQB1CBywmhqUjfNI8Q56FFof0_HiGLkZnwzW7qYIuX-J0V7Lk6mmVSYz9vut5T27XLD0x9KkIY67kdviTdfS_3XVcCNWHYqyCLjG01dvAZ_R-ve1p_PVQLD1k-4gDQPHe3zj2WFawJI/w640-h452/Wood+White+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Clouded Yellow</b></p><p>The migrant Clouded Yellow had a better than average year with a 27% increase<b> </b>and a good spread of records around the county. By far the best place to see them was the area between Hanging Houghton and Cottesbrooke. They were first recorded at this location on the 1st of June and breeding no doubt took place as at the end of July they reappeared in the area and were regularly recorded on site throughout August and into September allowing a lot of local butterfly enthusiasts the opportunity to see them. The first of the year was recorded on the 17th of May in Daventry and the last was seen on the 1st of October in Yardley Chase.<br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVm_11CzEMgiEAFtQHUIg6dc1ouplyqGZXkoXq-5OJuvN8KM6fATEa6xvZN3SiWA0GpxxmSkNLXlGSHli_Hvm6Uoqv532H4b_456Wi0jtqPh7NVSiTzWy9sCs5wiUUuDYEqx2LdPNBA/s2048/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjVm_11CzEMgiEAFtQHUIg6dc1ouplyqGZXkoXq-5OJuvN8KM6fATEa6xvZN3SiWA0GpxxmSkNLXlGSHli_Hvm6Uoqv532H4b_456Wi0jtqPh7NVSiTzWy9sCs5wiUUuDYEqx2LdPNBA/w640-h456/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2c5uCETkIUbDJCyHnxbgFSkPmygLsXqyHBlTvgC5GTTBymZACC2l0TvClFoVvk5U-UEWZIndP17yTUMtJtGyilKnh4JTgae_VOdVJF79yfBJANQSbXg4Fn1c-Z4DOaurk_fte90gV9s/s2048/Clouded+Yellow+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2c5uCETkIUbDJCyHnxbgFSkPmygLsXqyHBlTvgC5GTTBymZACC2l0TvClFoVvk5U-UEWZIndP17yTUMtJtGyilKnh4JTgae_VOdVJF79yfBJANQSbXg4Fn1c-Z4DOaurk_fte90gV9s/w640-h452/Clouded+Yellow+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </b><p></p><p><b>Brimstone</b></p><p>The Brimstone showed a 17% increase during 2020 and could be seen all over the county. The highest numbers were recorded in Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Summer Leys and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 14th of February at West Lodge near Desborough and the last of the year was recorded on the 24th of November in a Brackley garden. <b> <br /></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyupf0fvDVdQBocZLHxN3kTJ_qIh1WPAVeZF8NlfsUNefJbSjhyphenhyphenXfg8Bx2V_takdbXl6bMGi_WMevHJI30YI4VM6svmuwWTndBd0Vs-KL19mndhit4LF9tQCvJQCdIeoW9dbZcZEUJbnM/s2048/Brimstone+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2048" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyupf0fvDVdQBocZLHxN3kTJ_qIh1WPAVeZF8NlfsUNefJbSjhyphenhyphenXfg8Bx2V_takdbXl6bMGi_WMevHJI30YI4VM6svmuwWTndBd0Vs-KL19mndhit4LF9tQCvJQCdIeoW9dbZcZEUJbnM/w640-h462/Brimstone+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-ODHapvxpxeYKT49wQekA-PSDQL3dadIP-fNnjUb05Xw6_bboVvHYh9lxcdRfJP0z8dxtoJhDPQ3-gtohlz1nQ5aFAc_hC8cjKThLWfwOJh4TAmojGTlQF0T4rTJzQOy5FifbpiNaGg/s2048/Brimstone+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-ODHapvxpxeYKT49wQekA-PSDQL3dadIP-fNnjUb05Xw6_bboVvHYh9lxcdRfJP0z8dxtoJhDPQ3-gtohlz1nQ5aFAc_hC8cjKThLWfwOJh4TAmojGTlQF0T4rTJzQOy5FifbpiNaGg/w640-h452/Brimstone+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Large, Small and Green-veined White</b></p><p>While the Green-veined White had an average year the Small and Large White saw quite a big increase in records. The Small White was 45% above the 4 year average and the Large White shows a 41% increase. All three species could be encountered anywhere in the county. The first Large White was seen on the 25th March in a garden in Wootton and the last was seen on the 10th of October in Barton Seagrave. The first Small White was seen on the 22nd of March in Duston and the last were seen on the 22nd October near Cogenhoe. The first Green-veined White was recorded on the 7th of April near Brackmills and the last was seen on the 11th of October in Upton Country Park.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad6Ba1SaPtuoG6A0jLsuHUbOzwJURvIZkroi8UrXk60MsTWRiHzXkFoqS-2hUUTg5kvYLMmfhK3QFJZEU8MTcHhO_tA-FkG25gwGO4Lpfr9KSKrA3r8YyU-zfwNMwkKi9xeAImuXpSh0/s2048/Large+White%252C+Dave+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiad6Ba1SaPtuoG6A0jLsuHUbOzwJURvIZkroi8UrXk60MsTWRiHzXkFoqS-2hUUTg5kvYLMmfhK3QFJZEU8MTcHhO_tA-FkG25gwGO4Lpfr9KSKrA3r8YyU-zfwNMwkKi9xeAImuXpSh0/w640-h458/Large+White%252C+Dave+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau9I-UZptpE4L0UMJkkzzuxpfDKBEmiOrMeIS4Cr4KdXQ_RjJUEM19-djtOR4nrslmKnDKKfabEtwYJWQBCGEiyBg-GtHSlaFkKQBaOGslP6f9lzBvYaz6hRIVWcipjg7T1z5wFrVXDA/s2048/Large+White+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau9I-UZptpE4L0UMJkkzzuxpfDKBEmiOrMeIS4Cr4KdXQ_RjJUEM19-djtOR4nrslmKnDKKfabEtwYJWQBCGEiyBg-GtHSlaFkKQBaOGslP6f9lzBvYaz6hRIVWcipjg7T1z5wFrVXDA/w640-h452/Large+White+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b></b><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rSHCUn5WD4-J_mK27NCJxPHhsgf4Vm8UhQm2OYX3wUdznAkH2bVg_vo4E1mKW_bp5tUQS-V6H6foQfLJohgrYcyrV933_7YCcNlRjCxa91wC8GLbZDHjO72zD64X8-O3j3I5c2xdHsQ/s2048/Small+White+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rSHCUn5WD4-J_mK27NCJxPHhsgf4Vm8UhQm2OYX3wUdznAkH2bVg_vo4E1mKW_bp5tUQS-V6H6foQfLJohgrYcyrV933_7YCcNlRjCxa91wC8GLbZDHjO72zD64X8-O3j3I5c2xdHsQ/w640-h452/Small+White+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small White Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5NppVJyYGKiXhbypjcIzxGOvM7hKH3glWJ4KSKTagH01btNWzHCDvKDxeojLzsYkww4-CS6Rciqd8zCBEdJfS4ANGJxLbJaQchJvhMfFFeyvnT6ON_8XpWx_zCvRhVVULGeVS_qUWZY/s2048/Greenveined+White+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5NppVJyYGKiXhbypjcIzxGOvM7hKH3glWJ4KSKTagH01btNWzHCDvKDxeojLzsYkww4-CS6Rciqd8zCBEdJfS4ANGJxLbJaQchJvhMfFFeyvnT6ON_8XpWx_zCvRhVVULGeVS_qUWZY/w640-h452/Greenveined+White+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Orange-tip</b></p><p>The Orange-tip had a good year in the county with a 45% increase in the records. The flight period of this butterfly was during the lockdown and the big increase in people recording during daily local health walks along the roadside verges and countryside footpaths<b> </b>where this butterfly thrives could well have contributed to this increase. The first Orange-tip was seen on the 16th of March in Plumpton Wood and the last was seen on the 23rd of June in Sulby gardens.<br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgx0_wTPxTXea4-n8_xWgW2KPB4CYryf89L0S4bS_l3L_o0_lTkHkDqHlfsFRj2LWDDToBwC1abC1MCbXnuDTyLVUjV3QCMot82SOqwyb7bUJIAWzq0nqeke2XsnxmTpMewJjLAfdOXs/s2048/Orange+Tip+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="2048" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgx0_wTPxTXea4-n8_xWgW2KPB4CYryf89L0S4bS_l3L_o0_lTkHkDqHlfsFRj2LWDDToBwC1abC1MCbXnuDTyLVUjV3QCMot82SOqwyb7bUJIAWzq0nqeke2XsnxmTpMewJjLAfdOXs/w640-h444/Orange+Tip+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtmnr80gv4o-YLLvwczgFbW00i1LEBSIddXNnWcw5U0vPDNJMFtPeEbuSI3mgIaNXUUbdrS4jl8CGDpcy5NH2FyL5Yyz1i5Xot53M-zxn3XZHGfOr0SGf07FhXOkbagGupRj60ChaBiM/s2048/Orangetip+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtmnr80gv4o-YLLvwczgFbW00i1LEBSIddXNnWcw5U0vPDNJMFtPeEbuSI3mgIaNXUUbdrS4jl8CGDpcy5NH2FyL5Yyz1i5Xot53M-zxn3XZHGfOr0SGf07FhXOkbagGupRj60ChaBiM/w640-h452/Orangetip+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Green Hairstreak</b><p></p><p>The Green Hairstreak shows a 28% decrease from the 4 year average but once again this spring butterfly's flight period was predominately during the lockdown so this certainly could have contributed to the fewer records. The sites with the highest numbers were Collyweston Deeps, Fermyn Country Park and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first was seen on the 17th of April on the outskirts of Corby and the last was seen on the 31st of May at Collyweston Deeps.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MK-wT5_N3ZSCgpeptDdyVyOLcI7Dgt1zZPa7Ij6S3DAQu8c8KG_T8SIyZj_sAJbHsEARV0ylVsGWXI4vhbPKxETb0OvY_mlZ7AB2nje1uIxiL7d3zYq_o-_UveAjn5AW9zW2cJk7WwI/s2048/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1398" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MK-wT5_N3ZSCgpeptDdyVyOLcI7Dgt1zZPa7Ij6S3DAQu8c8KG_T8SIyZj_sAJbHsEARV0ylVsGWXI4vhbPKxETb0OvY_mlZ7AB2nje1uIxiL7d3zYq_o-_UveAjn5AW9zW2cJk7WwI/w640-h436/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFhYbYeuWXSLeylHsIulJu8QEaWE04kUWoersaA6IWTKtAIyT9DVOqyr22rhn7cLu-u_akjzFy2_aqLv1IgSJEJ2ug1OY-yAZfYCjb0_QfUlYdafh0PXElBM3CUDP83xn2BzEMPTxsbM/s2048/Green+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFhYbYeuWXSLeylHsIulJu8QEaWE04kUWoersaA6IWTKtAIyT9DVOqyr22rhn7cLu-u_akjzFy2_aqLv1IgSJEJ2ug1OY-yAZfYCjb0_QfUlYdafh0PXElBM3CUDP83xn2BzEMPTxsbM/w640-h452/Green+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Purple Hairstreak</b><p></p><p>The Purple Hairstreak had a better than average year with a 12% increase in the records. They were recorded in nearly all the main woodlands with the highest numbers being seen in Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Wood and Forest, Polebrook Airfield, Salcey Forest and Whistley Wood. The first was seen on the 15th of June near Pipewell and the last was seen on the 24th of August in Salcey Forest <b> <br /></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs4b9y4HXRYc08f3VMQ4o3iC8qrqRua6SCnvvS7hzjbjSyoPAVP0XrR9k7WIWWXeb4cK2dF8cYOLXvTyKmd4wF5sm_1gHTVbakiZPYuYNeYJh1F7BgHpEKm2f_bqBPl2zfP1emqh9BNA/s2048/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs4b9y4HXRYc08f3VMQ4o3iC8qrqRua6SCnvvS7hzjbjSyoPAVP0XrR9k7WIWWXeb4cK2dF8cYOLXvTyKmd4wF5sm_1gHTVbakiZPYuYNeYJh1F7BgHpEKm2f_bqBPl2zfP1emqh9BNA/w640-h426/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprNcemF3GyCZ6KVcsPe-IemU6wJDtQr-YBr8HlrkDmu914VJUzvreolUeO2Y_zyM20-eCLQLR48CXZexz-ElN8MrR2W4fjxFy3mX8q18mO-0JHo1bA82MNlI6g4im77tKgzjeGU2AOcU/s2048/Purple+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprNcemF3GyCZ6KVcsPe-IemU6wJDtQr-YBr8HlrkDmu914VJUzvreolUeO2Y_zyM20-eCLQLR48CXZexz-ElN8MrR2W4fjxFy3mX8q18mO-0JHo1bA82MNlI6g4im77tKgzjeGU2AOcU/w640-h452/Purple+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> White-letter Hairstreak</b><p></p><p>The White-letter Hairstreak shows a 39% decrease from the 4 year average and a 15% drop from the previous year. The weather was quite poor during it's flight period though which may have contributed to this drop in records. The sites that held the highest numbers were Brampton Ash, Bucknell Wood, Easton-on-the-hill and Finedon Pocket Park. The first was seen on the 12th of June at Upper Harlestone and the last was recorded on the 8th of August in a Badby garden.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocDVrRTJFyFLS7zTMsFRPziQsb4IaTNkZORhXcDPz4xUzCVIT5ERxw8LOz_zUh4mAzBanYHmQkAKf2kQRSsc_uMFkv7edPQZ0GihZVMYrDkaawx3t8RxIqaD4fpfrK3Z6voFQa80dhYA/s2048/White-letter+Hairstreak%252C+Dave+James+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="2048" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocDVrRTJFyFLS7zTMsFRPziQsb4IaTNkZORhXcDPz4xUzCVIT5ERxw8LOz_zUh4mAzBanYHmQkAKf2kQRSsc_uMFkv7edPQZ0GihZVMYrDkaawx3t8RxIqaD4fpfrK3Z6voFQa80dhYA/w640-h470/White-letter+Hairstreak%252C+Dave+James+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5THzklUCdzyiXAzuHKJkC2WZyNdfEToYuFETDXbbTFetR3sYl_aamcGzPRUsKLBlHb2v9Ell0JMG5TRu4hwrtmEGscftXgmHK4QadOj8Ct-BKSae-wZqqsCKEbKvNzBGiYwjvtDiohA/s2048/Whiteletter+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5THzklUCdzyiXAzuHKJkC2WZyNdfEToYuFETDXbbTFetR3sYl_aamcGzPRUsKLBlHb2v9Ell0JMG5TRu4hwrtmEGscftXgmHK4QadOj8Ct-BKSae-wZqqsCKEbKvNzBGiYwjvtDiohA/w640-h452/Whiteletter+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Black Hairstreak</b><p></p><p>The Black Hairstreak looked on course to have a good year but unfortunately poor weather hit just as they were reaching their peak. The first ones were recorded very early on the 27th of May (this beats the previous county record by one day) at Glapthorn Cow Pastures where several freshly emerged butterflies were seen. On the 1st of June 74 were recorded in a single day at Glapthorn and 23 were recorded in Salcey Forest on the 2nd of June which was the day before the inclement weather set in. After the wind and rain subsided a marked drop in numbers was seen. As well as the aforementioned Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Salcey Forest Black Hairstreaks were also found at Fermyn Woods Country Park, Lady and Souther Wood, Fineshade Wood, Southwick Wood, Polebrook Airfield and Yardley Chase. The last Black Hairstreaks of the year were seen on the 28th of June in Salcey Forest and Lady Wood. <br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5wLtEGh-KTaJQ9hHN3Gowv2yLBiMa0Uw0HHjybJ0q8Wc7CcHbwHqxxi9YsS6jVhLEONi0HjLWOQj9gPhlNopwob7hrX3xVWaL0qDyT3Vmb3OYtFbhGkiMuOL2a0KolH65IWdnSMBaN0/s2048/Black+Hairstreak+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5wLtEGh-KTaJQ9hHN3Gowv2yLBiMa0Uw0HHjybJ0q8Wc7CcHbwHqxxi9YsS6jVhLEONi0HjLWOQj9gPhlNopwob7hrX3xVWaL0qDyT3Vmb3OYtFbhGkiMuOL2a0KolH65IWdnSMBaN0/w640-h426/Black+Hairstreak+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX2DR-3QdkR0JPnq9M7rOL0pXWZ_eq83KJK4Alx2C3OTf-LAVoNBQtNOTq-2AwsUro84KF1nY7K3yNbda3GFe-gNMlCvX_11n_82ZouNrv6lScAsHZdrGGBY5-x6091fNkyuiwGmxm7Y/s2048/Black+Hairstreak+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlX2DR-3QdkR0JPnq9M7rOL0pXWZ_eq83KJK4Alx2C3OTf-LAVoNBQtNOTq-2AwsUro84KF1nY7K3yNbda3GFe-gNMlCvX_11n_82ZouNrv6lScAsHZdrGGBY5-x6091fNkyuiwGmxm7Y/w640-h426/Black+Hairstreak+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak with pupal case<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hIcTkWR80WZae8Mv1qiOyD4NY_JC7nJfUCUCE81GMO8S6K18TuwHJsCHrazYEnq-RPQl1HdGHri6gdUWFtMdpmxDO4U3Vmx8qPCOIespuPqF_OQxUsJOUkk9k35q1zjxSiM7Q5luSLQ/s2048/Black+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hIcTkWR80WZae8Mv1qiOyD4NY_JC7nJfUCUCE81GMO8S6K18TuwHJsCHrazYEnq-RPQl1HdGHri6gdUWFtMdpmxDO4U3Vmx8qPCOIespuPqF_OQxUsJOUkk9k35q1zjxSiM7Q5luSLQ/w640-h452/Black+Hairstreak+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> Small Copper</b></p><p>The Small Copper had a good year in the county and the records show a 46% increase above the 4 year average. The sites that held the most numbers were Harlestone Firs, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Sywell Country Park and Twywell Hills and Dales.<b> </b>The first Small Copper was recorded on the 24th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the 22nd of October in Harlestone Firs.<br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG36DiDPUY76krk4kHhHg4Gla9jI_bv2SsjoaBe7c9wuUUyO0mkjtbIg-N1ANTk2_lfis2NqSUctVycxGYbMGPxzSWiTfJrSLIunnk0IeL-TVYSNkhvsdzATGoAtf2fBDaZ3Nr5U50cw/s2048/Small+Copper+ab.caeruleaopunctata%252C+Whiston+Lock+1+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG36DiDPUY76krk4kHhHg4Gla9jI_bv2SsjoaBe7c9wuUUyO0mkjtbIg-N1ANTk2_lfis2NqSUctVycxGYbMGPxzSWiTfJrSLIunnk0IeL-TVYSNkhvsdzATGoAtf2fBDaZ3Nr5U50cw/w640-h426/Small+Copper+ab.caeruleaopunctata%252C+Whiston+Lock+1+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgZPDyooDVpZvoE8819JlWZyxUkDb_pzs_YXIZCQJwj2DWFn-ahEReiPAkZDkEXx89eR7cHwc_n5n458kvDXA_L9T1IqmTcyje9_TVQbSUIm4YFa1GUUhBMBZECw_mXorkOffOjlv80Q/s2048/Small+Copper+egg+crop+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgZPDyooDVpZvoE8819JlWZyxUkDb_pzs_YXIZCQJwj2DWFn-ahEReiPAkZDkEXx89eR7cHwc_n5n458kvDXA_L9T1IqmTcyje9_TVQbSUIm4YFa1GUUhBMBZECw_mXorkOffOjlv80Q/w640-h426/Small+Copper+egg+crop+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper egg<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsu0U8fCwn98q6ucZQA1BXGrcHGNzhQqWTGHBGUlb78FBPZ993Cha6j0amklCrRK7oIOVDTvMGqOwywpQCvk4jDLk-2Cyl3aiIG7FEIbsGhpS11LOY5dQDsnWiiwCQQU26DLjNqUv5Zo/s2048/Small+Copper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsu0U8fCwn98q6ucZQA1BXGrcHGNzhQqWTGHBGUlb78FBPZ993Cha6j0amklCrRK7oIOVDTvMGqOwywpQCvk4jDLk-2Cyl3aiIG7FEIbsGhpS11LOY5dQDsnWiiwCQQU26DLjNqUv5Zo/w640-h452/Small+Copper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Brown Argus</b></p><p>The Brown Argus shows a 52% decrease from the 4 year average and a 63% drop in records from the previous year. They were recorded in only single figures in all of it's locations with a peak count of just 9 on the 25th of July at Summer Leys Nature Reserve. The first was seen on the 5th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the 11th of October also at Twywell Hills and Dales.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtteu7y4aLUWwkd-5a0tLwdckn17ziz-Oyml9vquLzf8VSEVnkcU5IYdtDjVP3UMSuGMRx4sNAQkO9LX3_Q8pOnzEuURXuRl7gDxIFO3j7ZmHxiMtTQJ2Fo1G9ROabZ3KdfxnRpCuvUPU/s1928/Brown+Argus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1928" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtteu7y4aLUWwkd-5a0tLwdckn17ziz-Oyml9vquLzf8VSEVnkcU5IYdtDjVP3UMSuGMRx4sNAQkO9LX3_Q8pOnzEuURXuRl7gDxIFO3j7ZmHxiMtTQJ2Fo1G9ROabZ3KdfxnRpCuvUPU/w640-h460/Brown+Argus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7KYS8nSezsOgv_8C0dSGTLMnFY7kIShcfqyExdZoMDQvjjSvxfFterXTTiDBCrLt1wYRk0ntw4OAir-ycwN316W45V8epRMB3TA9WWrsVbr0Fo-vp8VPf-LRVhC1WF-mFQwMqewfbwk/s2048/Brown+Argus+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7KYS8nSezsOgv_8C0dSGTLMnFY7kIShcfqyExdZoMDQvjjSvxfFterXTTiDBCrLt1wYRk0ntw4OAir-ycwN316W45V8epRMB3TA9WWrsVbr0Fo-vp8VPf-LRVhC1WF-mFQwMqewfbwk/w640-h452/Brown+Argus+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Common Blue</b><p></p><p>Similarly to the Brown Argus the Common Blue didn't have a good year either and shows a 45% decrease from the average. The highest count in a single day was 38 at Ring Haw on the 30th of July and they were also seen in fairly good numbers at Hollowell Reservoir, Great Morton Sale, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Twywell Hills and Dales and Welford Quarry. The first of the year was seen on the 22nd of April in near Kettering and the last was seen on the 16th of October in Brackmills.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLAclU-x4zMbHy6RBuKeRnVIT4iVfka5JVmvDrMu2q0NV9nOiXrq_ZUpNGvCdlfgWcUEPmAK4eRa9PFCXh_bU3nwsppuVqp-_QHz3JgIuWK5EKV76Aoxy9VAh3_qYSjhX8Wm68_sFj5M/s2048/Common+Blue%252C+Dave+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="2048" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLAclU-x4zMbHy6RBuKeRnVIT4iVfka5JVmvDrMu2q0NV9nOiXrq_ZUpNGvCdlfgWcUEPmAK4eRa9PFCXh_bU3nwsppuVqp-_QHz3JgIuWK5EKV76Aoxy9VAh3_qYSjhX8Wm68_sFj5M/w640-h434/Common+Blue%252C+Dave+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJFR5WMqEhWYqIBTglAZkdiRSoVWR90rq5267pH79vxMJziaJAGxkVnWxAA-VdisUEzq7ViWYB9-BdS1oh4f__2QGDnBBnWPHnHRZMFxN86Rq_c1w_dsTXE2uPYzdoU714IUZrRbokpk/s2048/Common+Blue+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJFR5WMqEhWYqIBTglAZkdiRSoVWR90rq5267pH79vxMJziaJAGxkVnWxAA-VdisUEzq7ViWYB9-BdS1oh4f__2QGDnBBnWPHnHRZMFxN86Rq_c1w_dsTXE2uPYzdoU714IUZrRbokpk/w640-h452/Common+Blue+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Holly Blue</b><p></p><p>The Holly Blue had an average year in the county but the fact that this butterfly embraces urban environments as well as rural meant it also added a much welcome dash of colour during daily health walks in lockdown. The sites with the highest numbers were Abington Park, Eastfield Park in Northampton and Twywell Hills and Dales with good numbers also being seen in private gardens in Brackley, Cogenhoe and Kettering too. The first of the year was seen on the 3rd of April in Flore and the last of the year was seen on the 4th of September in the 20th of September in Kings Sutton.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bJJ7bCHxOJc0vAKeua7Hmum1xRMQzOiyRxX9rz9GqcUtZU7WDuvz377nyHTmBU8gwF5IAO7oMnsvNwdSAENMQKBW-Ntf8XNGudNgcyFQ3C05QHWsVWqMkKuKrq525u8rXktv_7tclOw/s2048/Holly+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="2048" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bJJ7bCHxOJc0vAKeua7Hmum1xRMQzOiyRxX9rz9GqcUtZU7WDuvz377nyHTmBU8gwF5IAO7oMnsvNwdSAENMQKBW-Ntf8XNGudNgcyFQ3C05QHWsVWqMkKuKrq525u8rXktv_7tclOw/w640-h460/Holly+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DWVC_VM2fg7mJsX0NeX9mhjbbQmoYODIs2tw5OJVT59cqiSS6YCiMy1YANDiqOgpm-rm2x_XWDqGKPQetCAJR7V3aRhxdBT_xVODqtQwHXeGS-6m2SB4oyD00hXIRIsfMxRlLAbhLso/s2048/Holly+Blue+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DWVC_VM2fg7mJsX0NeX9mhjbbQmoYODIs2tw5OJVT59cqiSS6YCiMy1YANDiqOgpm-rm2x_XWDqGKPQetCAJR7V3aRhxdBT_xVODqtQwHXeGS-6m2SB4oyD00hXIRIsfMxRlLAbhLso/w640-h452/Holly+Blue+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> White Admiral</b><p></p><p>The White Admiral had a good year in Northamptonshire and shows a 59% increase in records from 2019 which puts it 21% above the 4 year average. One of my favourite moments of 2020 was experiencing the abundance of White Admirals during a summer's walk in Hazelborough Forest on the 23rd of June! The best sites to see them were Bucknell Wood, the Fermyn Wood complex, Hazelborough Forest and Wood, Salcey Forest and Wakerley Wood. The first one was seen on the 13th of June in Bucknell Wood and the last of the year was recorded on the 30th of July in Fineshade Wood. <br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplKOWeynHbcm7GAnybDNwJHOq90dXTYuM_h2pBZ3x7Cp7zus4Ii8_DAy4T5ZrzFYacvZoW9Wq_4Qpd7meT5ilWXBZKQbSRpLcnURFQovKJM4-eA9_8IS1lD_r43qFilIurUskZQSUTsY/s2048/White+Admiral+PSP+2%252C+Bucknell+Wood+06.07.20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplKOWeynHbcm7GAnybDNwJHOq90dXTYuM_h2pBZ3x7Cp7zus4Ii8_DAy4T5ZrzFYacvZoW9Wq_4Qpd7meT5ilWXBZKQbSRpLcnURFQovKJM4-eA9_8IS1lD_r43qFilIurUskZQSUTsY/w640-h426/White+Admiral+PSP+2%252C+Bucknell+Wood+06.07.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2DWaU1v0SzAZOl8YKVxE9gLk0CykNzysMwlRzP0Uwzgmj4ZKplkuBLU6GvA1OgvJA4peKIed4VTsMAeWg7Khk3xY-VzTcvNgm6Ct2jD6AOcC7usSQWws6LCjqhFit5SrXBdUISb7iOU/s2048/White+Admiral+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2DWaU1v0SzAZOl8YKVxE9gLk0CykNzysMwlRzP0Uwzgmj4ZKplkuBLU6GvA1OgvJA4peKIed4VTsMAeWg7Khk3xY-VzTcvNgm6Ct2jD6AOcC7usSQWws6LCjqhFit5SrXBdUISb7iOU/w640-h452/White+Admiral+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Purple Emperor</b><p></p><p>The Purple Emperor had a poor year in 2020 with records 38% below the 4 year average. Although numbers were fairly low in the Fermyn Wood complex (the peak count was 31 Purple Emperors on the 26th of June) this species continues to spread and is now firmly established in many of the Northamptonshire woodlands with Bucknell Wood and Salcey Forest now becoming primary sites to see them for those wishing to avoid the crowds in Fermyn. The first of the year was seen on the 21st of June in Salcey Forest and the last of the year was recorded on the 23rd of July in Souther Wood. <br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGlL877fX-ZvNrposTU5N0G6lIq-hzDWbRIOi3GHotNaCM3-btC5nscKd26894AMwajSnfDS-ECzJ7bmSmDP6AQcNp3cMLSmYmWfVkm3cacjmP01IQ2po-3WRVAtNVLPE7Ab16fO0JmA/s2048/Purple+Emepror%252C+Dave+James+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGlL877fX-ZvNrposTU5N0G6lIq-hzDWbRIOi3GHotNaCM3-btC5nscKd26894AMwajSnfDS-ECzJ7bmSmDP6AQcNp3cMLSmYmWfVkm3cacjmP01IQ2po-3WRVAtNVLPE7Ab16fO0JmA/w640-h426/Purple+Emepror%252C+Dave+James+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JPmzNX9cBkFduffRbFzBawKEa9AMdURTRfs4lLxYcgtl1GSxQuLZWIA376fYZCOBrKrAX7w3L5MKIzJTFnIgEnHcLyjAT5mC0qisyknrqFp-gapb2cjeFgbL0qU7EjuAN6GieCoeAYA/s2048/Purple+Emperor+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JPmzNX9cBkFduffRbFzBawKEa9AMdURTRfs4lLxYcgtl1GSxQuLZWIA376fYZCOBrKrAX7w3L5MKIzJTFnIgEnHcLyjAT5mC0qisyknrqFp-gapb2cjeFgbL0qU7EjuAN6GieCoeAYA/w640-h458/Purple+Emperor+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaau8Vhw4GnJUGGTuP73rJSrnVmgM6zU1X7WJMq2r7CNbnona-RXs553jyw2Bi8NrCqunN7883V-xdTm1PXH0slBuuS43wQoD4mag2NoJOZSyexdp0rubgI9Ik8JKaIdQzpVHMuOnfbyI/s2048/Purple+Emperor+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaau8Vhw4GnJUGGTuP73rJSrnVmgM6zU1X7WJMq2r7CNbnona-RXs553jyw2Bi8NrCqunN7883V-xdTm1PXH0slBuuS43wQoD4mag2NoJOZSyexdp0rubgI9Ik8JKaIdQzpVHMuOnfbyI/w640-h426/Purple+Emperor+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor mud puddling in Bucknell Wood<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuNrSYkQmY6mhhZWQH4f_JM0CXien6x0P83PwaGvFnultwO4N4Ukgcicg-sYAdNWQAb1BPAiAQKGZ99zSOPR2YEQ8WXUwhNYPJxZYfLN8Sa0c_hbPBlO_Zxsqj9sWgb3DqiVFlvBu8NY/s2048/Purple+Emperor+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuNrSYkQmY6mhhZWQH4f_JM0CXien6x0P83PwaGvFnultwO4N4Ukgcicg-sYAdNWQAb1BPAiAQKGZ99zSOPR2YEQ8WXUwhNYPJxZYfLN8Sa0c_hbPBlO_Zxsqj9sWgb3DqiVFlvBu8NY/w640-h426/Purple+Emperor+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhws-OKDrqakvv9y1335P7RXHwJ95kFPxvmRXOoqiRszLu1dO8o06OJj4F4-EMj5-5Cbc0dZs5XFHv8mIWUYZ0CjJK4tW9LQZNgz7_j62xv5jtufvATEQjp5Hx7jbIylYUwk388KREb4/s2048/Purple+Emperor+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhws-OKDrqakvv9y1335P7RXHwJ95kFPxvmRXOoqiRszLu1dO8o06OJj4F4-EMj5-5Cbc0dZs5XFHv8mIWUYZ0CjJK4tW9LQZNgz7_j62xv5jtufvATEQjp5Hx7jbIylYUwk388KREb4/w640-h452/Purple+Emperor+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </b><p></p><p><b>Red Admiral</b></p><p>Although slightly down from 2019 the Red Admiral had a good year in the county with a 25% increase over the 4 year average.<b> </b>They were seen all over the county with particularly high counts in Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Wood, the Nene Wetlands, Summer Leys Nature Reserve and some of the villages including Achurch, Bugbrooke, Islip and Wootton. The first of the year was seen on the 29th of January in West Hunsbury and the last of the year was seen on the 22nd of November in a Hollowell garden.<br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuVE5_wo7gGS8WvEM10kQ61fLLNSvlM77eknkkgvkspnIafLyEoUyotfe06yAESIzGQCGdirLXeVnUHrJ3AmXepHo2GIBqHgUF5dek2EliyN53WfYHKQzIlSPzN1nA7PIOyJmdUvzGuo/s2048/Red+Admiral+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuVE5_wo7gGS8WvEM10kQ61fLLNSvlM77eknkkgvkspnIafLyEoUyotfe06yAESIzGQCGdirLXeVnUHrJ3AmXepHo2GIBqHgUF5dek2EliyN53WfYHKQzIlSPzN1nA7PIOyJmdUvzGuo/w640-h426/Red+Admiral+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3CXZCDnrhtsq_4R4Oz3hg_Nb6nfVmftBQPtxZ4jlygPrsBC6gIhbdkaVAOhU6221RJI7l6torJAztghLzu2OR9802q9BDBZhpQ2rRQlFFAttQx85qYplj17_u2R-gL5YissKjUI_uc/s2048/Red+Admiral+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3CXZCDnrhtsq_4R4Oz3hg_Nb6nfVmftBQPtxZ4jlygPrsBC6gIhbdkaVAOhU6221RJI7l6torJAztghLzu2OR9802q9BDBZhpQ2rRQlFFAttQx85qYplj17_u2R-gL5YissKjUI_uc/w640-h452/Red+Admiral+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </b><p></p><p><b>Painted Lady</b></p><p>The fluctuating peaks and troughs of Painted Lady butterfly migrations over the years coupled with 2019 being an invasion year led to a predictable slump in numbers during 2020. However, it was quite a big drop and the species shows a 78% decrease in records from the 4 year average. The first of the year was seen on the 4th of April in Burton Latimer and the last was seen on the 26th of September at Wicksteeds Park.<b> <br /></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbho_7Z0-zfkiocqtCUR7XjWAkJVUCGH-6fz06wm-MumnoJ_msPC27em_skARsKy0CNtbswbvHh0BQMSxJ5KrNGQXbIic03JMLJqxM6FRsiFJsz6wXOCDd1W5IfLTCPeYsvCGCWcdIOs/s2048/Painted+Lady%252C+Wootton%252C+Northampton.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbho_7Z0-zfkiocqtCUR7XjWAkJVUCGH-6fz06wm-MumnoJ_msPC27em_skARsKy0CNtbswbvHh0BQMSxJ5KrNGQXbIic03JMLJqxM6FRsiFJsz6wXOCDd1W5IfLTCPeYsvCGCWcdIOs/w640-h458/Painted+Lady%252C+Wootton%252C+Northampton.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPZmdGif4a_YIZOkyGdH5Khbev47dd-Px9hFEQrsq9-lCI4cP2jNO3zYWEDGfahRz0uSJcuTK1T-msuMwoUxXnzL9I89zjBrobWIEkHBIwx7AV-DwVg_IvbFXrOWAer9i4elhfWO2ULw/s2048/Painted+Lady+2+km+atlas.png"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPZmdGif4a_YIZOkyGdH5Khbev47dd-Px9hFEQrsq9-lCI4cP2jNO3zYWEDGfahRz0uSJcuTK1T-msuMwoUxXnzL9I89zjBrobWIEkHBIwx7AV-DwVg_IvbFXrOWAer9i4elhfWO2ULw/w640-h452/Painted+Lady+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b> Small Tortoiseshell</b><p></p><p>The Small Tortoiseshell had a superb year in 2020 with a 50% increase in records from 2019 and a 127% increase over the 4 year average.<b> </b>The first of the year was recorded on New Year's Day in Desborough and the last of the year was seen on Christmas Day in Northampton, both no doubt unexpectedly woken from overwintering diapause. Numbers well into double figures were recorded with 83 seen along the Jurassic Way near Harringworth on the 15th of June, and on the 9th of August 64 were recorded at Harrington Airfield and on the same day a huge 130 seen at Sywell Reservoir. <br /><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fNSfbE_Yqv0toHswY9VcKCud4AY2wiKHI5synbZMdpJZInaJOufIAhpNS4r6hcpcVTHdAUzF4HfjuG6hXnlH16C5NDHY16QKELRVWrUFlVP-LZMtSshTBkZad2JNZRdn-MUGXJwvJHg/s2048/Small+Tortoiseshell%252C+Dave+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7fNSfbE_Yqv0toHswY9VcKCud4AY2wiKHI5synbZMdpJZInaJOufIAhpNS4r6hcpcVTHdAUzF4HfjuG6hXnlH16C5NDHY16QKELRVWrUFlVP-LZMtSshTBkZad2JNZRdn-MUGXJwvJHg/w640-h452/Small+Tortoiseshell%252C+Dave+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTuNbAXwxcVeURf55J5a8VabYOuLFqZEWlYWhjvvRAe-9i4uK2uKm8EsQ56tBzjpTL6wvRP8yeD2i7ubj4RysxylLcFuRYLPndGFoCwsOXVS9JeoyamVmj-bPJUR69ZvMrca-ScbyTFA/s2048/Small+Tortoiseshell+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTuNbAXwxcVeURf55J5a8VabYOuLFqZEWlYWhjvvRAe-9i4uK2uKm8EsQ56tBzjpTL6wvRP8yeD2i7ubj4RysxylLcFuRYLPndGFoCwsOXVS9JeoyamVmj-bPJUR69ZvMrca-ScbyTFA/w640-h452/Small+Tortoiseshell+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Peacock</b></p><p>The Peacock had a fantastic season in 2020 and shows a 271% increase over the 4 year average. This species was recorded all over the county with some incredible numbers coming from some locations and some equally impressive larval webs recorded too. Double figure counts came in thick and fast during the summer months with one recorder counting over 200 on a walk around the village of Old on the 17th of July. Other peak counts include 67 at Canons Ashby on the 18th of July, 86 in Bucknell Wood on the 21st of July and 56 in Wakerley Wood on the 24th of July. In total 8313 adult Peacock butterflies were recorded in the county during the year. On the 13th of June an estimated 600 Peacock larvae were found in Farthinghoe Nature Resrve. The first of the year was seen on the 18th of January in a Thrapston garden and the last was seen on the 17th of December at Pitsford Nature Reserve.<br /></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ucZdnpo8GckSvDp4JUlcj_Go18yCZZxqM_ecPsyEzPtk0q-iNg3viejsYuJvxz4_5P7iKUAEdRvELS7VboB3-YgJrW6ZhK2pKiplTSgV9KmxvypiW2luTPQBLBtB_w4rg4_1Gcg3M0k/s2048/Peacock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ucZdnpo8GckSvDp4JUlcj_Go18yCZZxqM_ecPsyEzPtk0q-iNg3viejsYuJvxz4_5P7iKUAEdRvELS7VboB3-YgJrW6ZhK2pKiplTSgV9KmxvypiW2luTPQBLBtB_w4rg4_1Gcg3M0k/w640-h458/Peacock.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDjeEzF0quHSPLEzcx8o4PBhWhDcAhQQb6KoKuu24sZ8j9DOhZ5qmI4Cn3qHJ2Mydu1wctl4aFYSTVwCSfdsEFkhhkhpQoTRix5yDHaUKgS2mGyH3pz1pYSqP_Mi3WjTF8RtDg6Zm2qo/s2048/Peacock+and+Heralds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDjeEzF0quHSPLEzcx8o4PBhWhDcAhQQb6KoKuu24sZ8j9DOhZ5qmI4Cn3qHJ2Mydu1wctl4aFYSTVwCSfdsEFkhhkhpQoTRix5yDHaUKgS2mGyH3pz1pYSqP_Mi3WjTF8RtDg6Zm2qo/w640-h480/Peacock+and+Heralds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overwintering Peacock with Herald moths<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpN-iHbrOllkitgIMzYGhmLpRrGEm2M8f6L0meIe-C40U1StxW8k2MsrmzJeFa7M0tAPz9IVFTMuxxmfCqsSrUe5F6OJkKD_agMvvsDHWNJRBns_2EAWrZ65DXY339wLm4Eu0xgCumms/s2048/Peacock+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZpN-iHbrOllkitgIMzYGhmLpRrGEm2M8f6L0meIe-C40U1StxW8k2MsrmzJeFa7M0tAPz9IVFTMuxxmfCqsSrUe5F6OJkKD_agMvvsDHWNJRBns_2EAWrZ65DXY339wLm4Eu0xgCumms/w640-h452/Peacock+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b> Comma</b><p></p><p>Although slightly down from the previous year the Comma shows a 21% increase in records above the 4 year average. The first of the year was seen on the 11th of March in Wollaston and the last of the year was recorded on the 26th of November in Spanhoe Wood. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4yHYKGplDijfIs4aYAEuGujO0S8nhLFXPnXlPg5sTDONKb7lfMik_eEHFBQ2ylQjQ95IzDsVD7d3QRCFuzgw0esXc8HKfFyn6iGPA6T32R88DYC-r9h8fFOUpzBXmzirIJIg0jPWkZM/s2048/Comma+huthinsoni.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4yHYKGplDijfIs4aYAEuGujO0S8nhLFXPnXlPg5sTDONKb7lfMik_eEHFBQ2ylQjQ95IzDsVD7d3QRCFuzgw0esXc8HKfFyn6iGPA6T32R88DYC-r9h8fFOUpzBXmzirIJIg0jPWkZM/w640-h426/Comma+huthinsoni.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma f.hutchinsoni<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTXdmSXNwN8Am_GvRQg6pjhjLhB7X0moZL0TybnuYkwxL8jlRrFh4Cf3yz75tG-z-HkiGqU-6Cct6PjiF7ToEFv6LJzPvwkcRe4T6SnqDAu7EgeIPnvfgPZBROfkF_BvBqXGbDgv-Gv0/s2048/Comma+Larva%252C+Salcey.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTXdmSXNwN8Am_GvRQg6pjhjLhB7X0moZL0TybnuYkwxL8jlRrFh4Cf3yz75tG-z-HkiGqU-6Cct6PjiF7ToEFv6LJzPvwkcRe4T6SnqDAu7EgeIPnvfgPZBROfkF_BvBqXGbDgv-Gv0/w640-h428/Comma+Larva%252C+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma larva<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqd3MRh1yPhH11MuUFq7BkUBzgAIy6j8JfXsx7j0_-NyWkIxTt4vkAcc0xZKQf7ur13ozIfn_4IM2oIEZIVZayWZ9hPaGaLOZQNrtIEVInwlS_kidykqu5Epkw0xCV9NCVIIsyWMBBvQg/s2048/Comma+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqd3MRh1yPhH11MuUFq7BkUBzgAIy6j8JfXsx7j0_-NyWkIxTt4vkAcc0xZKQf7ur13ozIfn_4IM2oIEZIVZayWZ9hPaGaLOZQNrtIEVInwlS_kidykqu5Epkw0xCV9NCVIIsyWMBBvQg/w640-h452/Comma+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma Distibution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Dark Green Fritillary</b></p><p>In recent years the Dark Green Fritillary has been steadily colonising the north of the county and it certainly shows no sign of slowing down it's expansion. The records show a 134% increase from 2019. The best place to see them in the county is west of Yarwell with peak counts of 15 at Ring Haw on the 13th of June and 101 at Great Morton Sale on the 24th. Other records came from Brampton Ash, Brockhall, Croughton Quarry, Fineshade Wood, Roade Cutting, Salcey Forest, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Sywell reservoir, Twywell Hills and Dales and Wakerley Wood<b>. </b>The first of the year was seen on the 28th of May at Ring Haw and the last was recorded on the 12th of August also at Ring Haw.<br /><b></b></p><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq05GL4m7HW8XlOQz0haagkIEmjmbyHiFKyq6dg_U3zpBs3KoFtN-HY1t2iCrZU7O_ELYZp328TVu1mhNnTd32QuZQwsmT7JdKKdHtxweBydPLNNCuEsES5PLaTKi1WEGZXru1tGtW484/s2048/Dark+Green+Fritillary%252C+Ring+Haw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq05GL4m7HW8XlOQz0haagkIEmjmbyHiFKyq6dg_U3zpBs3KoFtN-HY1t2iCrZU7O_ELYZp328TVu1mhNnTd32QuZQwsmT7JdKKdHtxweBydPLNNCuEsES5PLaTKi1WEGZXru1tGtW484/w640-h426/Dark+Green+Fritillary%252C+Ring+Haw.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrrU5CD9PJaNxVTqm7isHZ_oz9CY24roGKUI6XgBThtQZL03ZRgVGExF8rLq7UD6ozovKn8zzld33uBLfapcZWBccPUZqKz12JbnUbSfjRuuVAIKAosvPGJPQzD8M_H9TQeYWg_F319o/s2048/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrrU5CD9PJaNxVTqm7isHZ_oz9CY24roGKUI6XgBThtQZL03ZRgVGExF8rLq7UD6ozovKn8zzld33uBLfapcZWBccPUZqKz12JbnUbSfjRuuVAIKAosvPGJPQzD8M_H9TQeYWg_F319o/w640-h452/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b><p></p><p><b> Silver-washed Fritillary</b></p><p>Although a now common butterfly in our woodlands the Silver-washed Fritillary numbers were slightly down and showed a 23% drop below the 4 year average. However, it was still a notable year for the species as the valezina colour form continues to appear in our woodlands with increasing regularity and Salcey Forest and Weekley Hall Wood were added in 2020 as new entries to the list of where to see them. The first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year was seen on the 9th of June in Hazelborough Forest and the last of the year was seen on the 22nd of August in Bucknell Wood.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCnD-84_tz6_mJOPw0sIZd5izmKlzL0MInK6akhJRxlzu22vaEwhfwaYsYMooxJYY7vkyWIUwKazHrpaKvjefyHNk-_cHOwFOwgEJxpX5Em5RIByI4F1jNIh7zBcxznLEVSdh5Agw7DE/s2048/Silver-washed+Fritillary%252C+Salcey%252C+07.07.20-denoiselow-light.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCnD-84_tz6_mJOPw0sIZd5izmKlzL0MInK6akhJRxlzu22vaEwhfwaYsYMooxJYY7vkyWIUwKazHrpaKvjefyHNk-_cHOwFOwgEJxpX5Em5RIByI4F1jNIh7zBcxznLEVSdh5Agw7DE/w640-h426/Silver-washed+Fritillary%252C+Salcey%252C+07.07.20-denoiselow-light.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpKG1iVj-N4DmsSmidMfpYZqWWl4pb52PgWiKdTB7_COuO0y4zLH8hKMYX9-gpIiEGneDdqYdm9DuSfRtow9WGgUMIMOabbCAxvm6_WgkVJbZlzGkAHg4KUV1GSGz7F7nv7orHQqQwk8/s2048/Silver-washed+Fritillary+form+valezina%252C+Salcey%252C+07.07.20+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpKG1iVj-N4DmsSmidMfpYZqWWl4pb52PgWiKdTB7_COuO0y4zLH8hKMYX9-gpIiEGneDdqYdm9DuSfRtow9WGgUMIMOabbCAxvm6_WgkVJbZlzGkAHg4KUV1GSGz7F7nv7orHQqQwk8/w640-h426/Silver-washed+Fritillary+form+valezina%252C+Salcey%252C+07.07.20+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary form valezina, Salcey Forest<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2TwozSQNLrH4pGiUv1SEg22OZt7XY5Gki5mD56S3b31hc7rfIHU8eHElTMQa62k_7uLMQtMl_JPhdhHCbfBs0u3TyzysE_10KBszZObijxh94curg0MLxipNYOiy8Wme9tpH7ZTtvL4/s2048/Silverwashed+Fritillary+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2TwozSQNLrH4pGiUv1SEg22OZt7XY5Gki5mD56S3b31hc7rfIHU8eHElTMQa62k_7uLMQtMl_JPhdhHCbfBs0u3TyzysE_10KBszZObijxh94curg0MLxipNYOiy8Wme9tpH7ZTtvL4/w640-h452/Silverwashed+Fritillary+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b> Speckled Wood</b></p><p>The Speckled Wood had an slightly below average year but was still a very common sight in the county. The first of the year was seen at Glamis Wood in Wellingborough on the 6th of April and the last of the year was recorded on the 28th of October at Summer Leys Nature Reserve.<br /><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWzzUWBmCaU3-suSG0z2MtUtnZ49PYgtJto1ErR0SUgphClbjWAaHsz89AxNdfPcgErExbGhry0_pOhpyokFzptdu64CLHCWmE9-oerjuMq2Ci5_XO84niohTY9oJm7cJz70M_IWu08g/s2048/Speckled+Wood+Upperwing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="2048" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWzzUWBmCaU3-suSG0z2MtUtnZ49PYgtJto1ErR0SUgphClbjWAaHsz89AxNdfPcgErExbGhry0_pOhpyokFzptdu64CLHCWmE9-oerjuMq2Ci5_XO84niohTY9oJm7cJz70M_IWu08g/w640-h412/Speckled+Wood+Upperwing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyrGwOxhHRA3vxWPGNAdT94Vh-fr2DXanzVLYEV0goBN09wqEyyt0Vsld2cOAqvmPJ8ST5DsojWOzxMSlwIlg_20QywJ9-mcVu0Ot_Opc-w1_cak9tNrnrCisLhkrFQdTWOmvTJNtPAA/s2048/Speckled+Wood+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyrGwOxhHRA3vxWPGNAdT94Vh-fr2DXanzVLYEV0goBN09wqEyyt0Vsld2cOAqvmPJ8ST5DsojWOzxMSlwIlg_20QywJ9-mcVu0Ot_Opc-w1_cak9tNrnrCisLhkrFQdTWOmvTJNtPAA/w640-h452/Speckled+Wood+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><b>Marbled White</b></p><p>The Marbled White had a slightly below average year but continues to increase it's range in the county. This grassland species could be seen almost anywhere with suitable habitat but the biggest counts came from New Duston, Ring Haw, Roade Old Quarry, Twywell Hills and Dales and Weekley Hall Wood.<b> </b>The first of the year was seen on the 1st of June in Southwick Wood and the last of the year was seen on the 23rd of August in Weldon.<br /><b></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZQuuLodTKzKFMzQ_9SGAXdG9vEI4CygCGaJL1066gwiehZutXFAza0gutsVZWlr5E1kLOchJgtTtaWiegy7JGA6s4nq9LltdQPuRP_OrH-rAhfJf-flYGhXpcAb_wtxcD_4UDTFaFGA/s2048/Marbled+White.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZQuuLodTKzKFMzQ_9SGAXdG9vEI4CygCGaJL1066gwiehZutXFAza0gutsVZWlr5E1kLOchJgtTtaWiegy7JGA6s4nq9LltdQPuRP_OrH-rAhfJf-flYGhXpcAb_wtxcD_4UDTFaFGA/w640-h426/Marbled+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcDWcmhlOhox6Xiy8i5TvR9q3b1b6JgPlAgyFN9A2C6q3iiOSnQWDKDyRbXT5HiSNIPkfhAx4PpFzM5ifNxmAldYLWCXtWbUAPdZB6yRuj12CJHE4cVM2zhwFFYG1oFT57SHbfV8oGhk/s2048/Marbled+White+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcDWcmhlOhox6Xiy8i5TvR9q3b1b6JgPlAgyFN9A2C6q3iiOSnQWDKDyRbXT5HiSNIPkfhAx4PpFzM5ifNxmAldYLWCXtWbUAPdZB6yRuj12CJHE4cVM2zhwFFYG1oFT57SHbfV8oGhk/w640-h452/Marbled+White+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White Distribution</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Gatekeeper</b></p><p>The Gatekeeper had a good year in Northamptonshire and the records show a 51% increase above the 4 year average. This species could be seen all over the county but particularly high counts came from the Hollowell Reservoir, Polebrook Airfield, the Nene Wetlands and Priors Hall. The first of the year was seen on the 20th of June at Great Oakley Hall Park and the last of the year was recorded on the 26th of August in Desborough.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDKHeu5F5k5HipY1shimbXouPyMhJWLEV2fhlqUc0Xo4JprTsagH9Px-IsLkNw0FX3Helxs0P6SXUsW7qOuTQd2i9WEExl9OT6VHpMeFTNpVDSjPgMogS_n6X-QuzybUAw-sX7zT47fI/s2048/Gatekeeper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDKHeu5F5k5HipY1shimbXouPyMhJWLEV2fhlqUc0Xo4JprTsagH9Px-IsLkNw0FX3Helxs0P6SXUsW7qOuTQd2i9WEExl9OT6VHpMeFTNpVDSjPgMogS_n6X-QuzybUAw-sX7zT47fI/w640-h426/Gatekeeper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e7RQe3M9xtxwg_SxWttWtTzd9kig7fQzDATNaUf79Etj_lwVyoZtDe4HRcxdYzAKgoloo9Rs9etn6A_clpKXbgp_Pm0wxkxelrvYwXlMpShgqQLB40D-5d7aan6YEFiqqS3MxyTQGfM/s2048/Gatekeeper+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0e7RQe3M9xtxwg_SxWttWtTzd9kig7fQzDATNaUf79Etj_lwVyoZtDe4HRcxdYzAKgoloo9Rs9etn6A_clpKXbgp_Pm0wxkxelrvYwXlMpShgqQLB40D-5d7aan6YEFiqqS3MxyTQGfM/w640-h452/Gatekeeper+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Meadow Brown</b></p><p>The Meadow Brown had a good year in the county and shows a 44% increase in records above the 4 year average. Abundance wise it's hard to match this butterfly and in all<b> </b>17,127 adult Meadow Browns were recorded in Northamptonshire during 2020. The first of the year was seen on the 26th of May near Cogenhoe and the last were seen on the 5th of September at Summer Leys, Ring Haw and Harlestone Firs. <br /><b></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXBAgUVMxqzuZdm78uCyiwTznTKwVLrE3dDvXpW3-McxuXeF3e9xtUrKrMt9jm53PKnuTnOGX84DXet5SREdBDyYd67wYX28mPjhpmSF3poP_p-QQTNlIRurQO67FYilVJA6-kJNtfzE/s2048/Meadow+Brown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXBAgUVMxqzuZdm78uCyiwTznTKwVLrE3dDvXpW3-McxuXeF3e9xtUrKrMt9jm53PKnuTnOGX84DXet5SREdBDyYd67wYX28mPjhpmSF3poP_p-QQTNlIRurQO67FYilVJA6-kJNtfzE/w640-h458/Meadow+Brown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgeIP32SmK8Vf-QBLWlzjPovE36JeCkELwRP4_Z-KHfkuAvhL9glSItq7RpEkChSZziFhyBuDkXMilGIvqOMIeYjxNMtIaFZBP5SHQSuuUewt4k3w5PE8JtjW-Ec2uMQsEHzJ6gcuZ2E/s2048/Meadow+Brown+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgeIP32SmK8Vf-QBLWlzjPovE36JeCkELwRP4_Z-KHfkuAvhL9glSItq7RpEkChSZziFhyBuDkXMilGIvqOMIeYjxNMtIaFZBP5SHQSuuUewt4k3w5PE8JtjW-Ec2uMQsEHzJ6gcuZ2E/w640-h452/Meadow+Brown+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></div><b> </b><p></p><p><b>Ringlet</b></p><p>The Ringlet had the poorest year of the Brown butterflies and shows a 23% drop below the average. The first of the year was seen on the 29th of May at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last of the year was seen on the 23rd of August near King's Cliffe.<b> <br /></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthidaiMKw5IrcPMNZFob8tgL7uuASz4Nd_ZoOYU4PzYVIPvUVcqm4qhjgrNNYRtGB4SyIkt58x9sny0uemPhaEjIrq1m7yJN3waEoZt170AOwx6xo6bAEs608qYwfCaydAvEk8vaTHlY/s2048/Ringlet+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="2048" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthidaiMKw5IrcPMNZFob8tgL7uuASz4Nd_ZoOYU4PzYVIPvUVcqm4qhjgrNNYRtGB4SyIkt58x9sny0uemPhaEjIrq1m7yJN3waEoZt170AOwx6xo6bAEs608qYwfCaydAvEk8vaTHlY/w640-h470/Ringlet+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NluOdfRAbu9nO05s_ON7tPGpBhFI1uAx-Kwfm9H_FmgBnYmidtgjy288L51pEKdZZA3_xi-GR-wUwAbSDWw9XaEqWDRwzzlIXUewfY7F-107forFjyKIWbxcjrQsxuXAJ8SI_e-l5ek/s2048/Ringlet+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NluOdfRAbu9nO05s_ON7tPGpBhFI1uAx-Kwfm9H_FmgBnYmidtgjy288L51pEKdZZA3_xi-GR-wUwAbSDWw9XaEqWDRwzzlIXUewfY7F-107forFjyKIWbxcjrQsxuXAJ8SI_e-l5ek/w640-h452/Ringlet+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Small Heath</b></p><p>Although down in numbers from 2019 the figures for the Small Heath during 2020 show it to be 54% above the average. This grassland butterfly can be encountered at a number of sites but the best areas to see them where Collyweston Deeps, Croughton Quarry, Deenethorpe Airfield, the Jurassic Way near Harringworth, Pistford Nature Reserve, Priors Hall, Ring Haw, Southwick Wood and Twywell Hills and Dales.<br /><b></b></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLomJNYi-JS-YdWhxev18wKzRG15mrLq3zt4D8Ev1y1JwxG6jHa3ObWmnebJgS7ThKF3Kjt-Ubj6ymgtc3ZDXhSRwhcJFaKMASIhdLU9SwsVFwWFTPapY0Uh0AgtHgKzEpbXwApm18z0/s2048/Small+Heath%252C+Dave+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLomJNYi-JS-YdWhxev18wKzRG15mrLq3zt4D8Ev1y1JwxG6jHa3ObWmnebJgS7ThKF3Kjt-Ubj6ymgtc3ZDXhSRwhcJFaKMASIhdLU9SwsVFwWFTPapY0Uh0AgtHgKzEpbXwApm18z0/w640-h426/Small+Heath%252C+Dave+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UagNVoC1Q1e1T9cEGzEyB5wlVibLDo-IiSnzH4_rrGy3KvKae_ABy7ckk0wmXM1o_B5UZxhcuWYyppAGiOK4SDOh3_VYBBiW-dcf8tRPNPUsbGHNgn1XOQe-Ii679DceN7miKAD4DaI/s2048/Small+Heath+2+km+atlas.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UagNVoC1Q1e1T9cEGzEyB5wlVibLDo-IiSnzH4_rrGy3KvKae_ABy7ckk0wmXM1o_B5UZxhcuWYyppAGiOK4SDOh3_VYBBiW-dcf8tRPNPUsbGHNgn1XOQe-Ii679DceN7miKAD4DaI/w640-h452/Small+Heath+2+km+atlas.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath Distribution<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p>If you'd like to read further news about Northamptonshire's lepidoptera during 2020 the superb newsletter by the Beds and Northants local branch of Butterfly Conservation can be read here - <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/NewsletterAutumn2020.pdf" target="_blank">Autumn 2020 Newsletter</a><br /><b></b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-54766382739192622512020-01-11T16:53:00.002+00:002020-06-18T13:57:15.265+01:00The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2019The fantastic butterfly season during 2018 was always
going to be a difficult act to follow and although some species were down in
2019 the year still held some great success stories. Among 2019’s achievements was
a very welcome spike in Peacock numbers, a Painted Lady invasion, the continued
colonisation by Dark Green Fritillaries and the incredible news of the first
Chequered Skippers to emerge in the wild in the county for nearly half a
century. On a personal level highlights for me were being lucky enough to be
monitoring on the day of the Chequered Skipper emergence (see post <a href="http://www.davidjameswildlifediary.com/2019/12/the-chequered-skipper-flies-once-again.html" target="_blank">here</a>) and
also after the staggering 2018 Black Hairstreak season being able to find all
the early stages of the species the following winter and spring (see post <a href="http://www.davidjameswildlifediary.com/2019/07/a-year-in-life-of-black-hairstreak.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Weather wise 2019 was rather changeable to say the least. The year started
mildly including a very unseasonably warm day in February where temperatures
reached nearly 18c, but this was followed by a wet and windy spring where warm
sunny days were few and far between. The summer didn’t fare much better and although
July had some fine summer days August saw the return of high winds and rain and
after a dry September rain reappeared at the end of the month leaving unsettled
conditions to dominate for the rest of the year. Despite the often less than
ideal butterfly recording conditions we once again saw a huge increase in
records with a good coverage of the county. So far we have received 25,291 records detailing the locations of 103,558 individual butterflies so many thanks to everyone who sent in records. As the number of records have jumped so dramatically over the last few years I've compared the 2019 results in the below species accounts to three year averages, I have however also included ten year comparisons to some species that had an unusually good season in 2018 (such as the Blues and Hairstreaks). These records are made up from UKBMS transect data, the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, the Big Butterfly Count, casual recording and iRecord. The results of the Garden Butterfly survey and Migrant Watch will be added once the data is repatriated to county recorders early in 2020. We are lucky to have a dedicated gang of transect walkers in the county who do an amazing job recording along their routes every week and in 2020 two new transects will be monitored in Salcey Forest which is great news! There is also a great conservation volunteer effort in Northamptonshire and we have plenty of opportunities to help out at work parties during the winter months, regular events are put on by Woodland Wings, the Back from the Brink project and also the local Butterfly Conservation branch. If these are something you'd like to help with you can find work parties in your area on the Beds and Northants Butterfly Conservation website events page (click <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/events?field_branches_target_id=131&field_categories_target_id=All&geolocation_geocoder_google_geocoding_api=&geolocation_geocoder_google_geocoding_api_state=1&field_event_location_proximity-lat=&field_event_location_proximity-lng=&field_event_location_proximity=50" target="_blank">here</a>), on social media and also in the fantastic branch newsletter.<br />
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<b>Chequered Skipper</b><br />
After the Back from the Brink project released 42 Belgian Chequered Skippers into Rockingham Forest in 2018 there was a lot of eager anticipation to see if their offspring had survived in the wild. In the Spring of 2019 Chequered Skippers emerged in Rockingham Forest for the first time in over 40 years! You can read more about it on the Roots of Rockingham section of the Back from the Brink Website (click <a href="https://naturebftb.co.uk/category/roots-of-rockingham/" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq7qWvtZQUp6EbZ0UH-kYz4TFuX-LgU3Ez8b0bMhWxsaIAr080bWYEpxoXqfvNPxoXNjBFD3LpcN6VshIdmp1lQ9rzdrLifKRIyzOLHYP19XdCKaxb2Mur4U7ub45zeAnoa3HIrjZHhY/s1600/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq7qWvtZQUp6EbZ0UH-kYz4TFuX-LgU3Ez8b0bMhWxsaIAr080bWYEpxoXqfvNPxoXNjBFD3LpcN6VshIdmp1lQ9rzdrLifKRIyzOLHYP19XdCKaxb2Mur4U7ub45zeAnoa3HIrjZHhY/s640/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Small, Essex and Large Skipper</b><br />
All three Skippers were up from the previous year with the Large Skipper especially having a good season. The Small Skipper was up 32% from the previous year and up 43% from the three year average, the Essex Skipper was up 33% from the previous year but down 39% from the three year average and the Large Skipper had a 75% increase from 2018 with is a 97% increase over the three average. The first Small Skippers were seen on the 6th of June at Ring Haw and Hollowell Pocket Park, the last Small Skipper was recorded on the 25th of August in Daventry garden. The first Essex Skipper was seen on the 23rd of June at Bradlaugh Fields and the last one on the 15th of August at Sulby Manor gardens. The first Large Skipper of the year was recorded on the 29th of May at Stanwick Lakes and the last were seen on the 20th of August at Hazelborough Forest and Fineshade Wood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rCxwrVamwSd0fnJ74PIjDs11MKS6Y3PAdTHW90dOdAVeXL7RCaOMASKZ5NuIhmgRSeP5ul2O11w1NBML2JTtEWdxRtxszisJAlICAlM1ZU_A-dhsoIhmOXphzh4JILA79SxbJhgkdgw/s1600/Essex+Skipper+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rCxwrVamwSd0fnJ74PIjDs11MKS6Y3PAdTHW90dOdAVeXL7RCaOMASKZ5NuIhmgRSeP5ul2O11w1NBML2JTtEWdxRtxszisJAlICAlM1ZU_A-dhsoIhmOXphzh4JILA79SxbJhgkdgw/s640/Essex+Skipper+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b></b>
<b>Dingy Skipper</b><br />
The Dingy Skipper had a good year in the county with a 39% increase from 2018 which is 86% over the 3 year average. The first one was seen at Twywell Hills and Dales on the 17th of April and the last was recorded on the 30th of June at Fermyn Woods Country Park. The sites that held the biggest numbers were Twywell Hills and Dales, Great Morton Sale, Polebrook Airfield and Fermyn Country Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyJRyn7sGs9QKZ6HWBO0rJmoOiRmb0H1GraVuHriA9Hz48d3xmvrQSKz30ftoyFRH66r3avr06eH1uDysjP1iQVrpO0UtlWtr4s5xLEy5lcjrymVwuNSAE6NJvf6-jK9U0Cxy38nDxu8/s1600/Dingy+Skipper-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyJRyn7sGs9QKZ6HWBO0rJmoOiRmb0H1GraVuHriA9Hz48d3xmvrQSKz30ftoyFRH66r3avr06eH1uDysjP1iQVrpO0UtlWtr4s5xLEy5lcjrymVwuNSAE6NJvf6-jK9U0Cxy38nDxu8/s640/Dingy+Skipper-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper, Fermyn Country Park</td></tr>
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<b></b>
<b>Grizzled Skipper</b><br />
Although the Grizzled Skippers were down 24% from 2018 they were still 25% above the three year average. Despite this decrease from the year before 2019 was notable for the species as three new locations were discovered with singles recorded at Bucknell Wood and Roade and 2 seen at the Nene Wetlands just by the Rushden Lakes shopping complex. The first Grizzled Skipper of the year was seen on the 17th of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last on the 4th of July at Polebrook Airfield. The best sites to see them was Twywell Hills and Dales, Barford Meadows, Fermyn Country Park, Great Morton Sale, Old Sulehay and Polebrook Airfield.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUM3MATbvhSZAH8zYGCs8toOLGmkfnM0Ca_aM8NZxiMgyE8bBu7Q1Hwmp7wA3ebAgwmcrUxwx8Wiot2tTEG_DDXDWDLP0q4517scu-tS4OxCi-STRo_Tx0vXWTbmSfz_Zu777RnuY-Hk/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper+%25287%2529+crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUM3MATbvhSZAH8zYGCs8toOLGmkfnM0Ca_aM8NZxiMgyE8bBu7Q1Hwmp7wA3ebAgwmcrUxwx8Wiot2tTEG_DDXDWDLP0q4517scu-tS4OxCi-STRo_Tx0vXWTbmSfz_Zu777RnuY-Hk/s640/Grizzled+Skipper+%25287%2529+crop.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
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<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Wood White</b><br />
The Wood White had an average year with a slight 10% increase over 2018. The first one was recorded on the 10th of May in Bucknell Wood and the last ones were seen on the 2nd of August in Hazelborough Forest and another (which may be a wanderer) on the 4th of August in Evenley Wood Garden. This species is known to occasionally wander quite far from it's known locations and can sometimes turn up in unexpected places. On the 1st of June one was seen at Summer Leys Nature Reserve and another was seen in Brampton Ash, of course these could also be indicators of nearby unknown colonies in private woodlands. The public sites that held the largest populations were Bucknell Wood, Salcey Forest and Hazelborough Forest. Unfortunately, with the exception of Wicken and Whistley Woods, all the other locations are in private woodlands but for now the species seems to be doing well in the county and will be helped by the excellent efforts put in by the Woodland Wings Project which encourages ride management to benefit the species.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISU1FJ7PqkztLh0FyO3ieyPAIXJkaTvlWdlvL1QRSWPK_Stc-pClvqq6Qr9xCDY5EhyFpTeovkNBZr912ybC2jrcdSOu9bjpcdSZeDeg1wHXTRk6-ITQK306vW_nzXDbBnyIqLwNrA1A/s1600/Wood+White+1-denoise+PSP+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISU1FJ7PqkztLh0FyO3ieyPAIXJkaTvlWdlvL1QRSWPK_Stc-pClvqq6Qr9xCDY5EhyFpTeovkNBZr912ybC2jrcdSOu9bjpcdSZeDeg1wHXTRk6-ITQK306vW_nzXDbBnyIqLwNrA1A/s640/Wood+White+1-denoise+PSP+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Clouded Yellow</b><br />
The Clouded Yellow had a good year in Northamptonshire during 2018 so it was no surprise that 2019 would show a loss. They were down 79% from the previous year and down 43% from the three year average. Despite this we did have a handful of sightings with singles being recorded at Pitsford Nature Reserve, a Piddington garden, Titchmarsh Nature Reserve, Harrington Airfield, Woodford Halse and 2 were seen at the private Bozeat Quarry on the 29th of August. By far the best and most reliable site to see them was the National Trust's Lyveden New Bield with a peak count of 9 seen on the 21st of September. The first of the year was recorded on the 16th of July at Lyveden New Bield and the last was seen on the 22nd of October at Harrington Airfield.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv75cNUxn10GH10wB53uV1P_1llURqRh50g-6C1GQLIv4Fdc1ynm8fcCu3LVU_2egtZdLHBYoWLTUOlziUUGR4ZmxDwLXpogjvDA5malmjgcFNAnbCp-s1EQBsBfd7S7kj_f5IQZiNqI4/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+1-denoise+PSP+Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv75cNUxn10GH10wB53uV1P_1llURqRh50g-6C1GQLIv4Fdc1ynm8fcCu3LVU_2egtZdLHBYoWLTUOlziUUGR4ZmxDwLXpogjvDA5malmjgcFNAnbCp-s1EQBsBfd7S7kj_f5IQZiNqI4/s640/Clouded+Yellow+1-denoise+PSP+Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Lyveden New Bield</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7Op8TJJ4dNzUDXlu1hS5bjeAiqOsvppk4OKT2J8jEp3O2exyNPbgCbVUEGKzJrGeRAEttzQoWcWaEp-yu8G4yRL3gKW82lpc2L99l_vVX5Cg8ueSpasGV1tQkRxBc7yThfNuB5_C4sw/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_CY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7Op8TJJ4dNzUDXlu1hS5bjeAiqOsvppk4OKT2J8jEp3O2exyNPbgCbVUEGKzJrGeRAEttzQoWcWaEp-yu8G4yRL3gKW82lpc2L99l_vVX5Cg8ueSpasGV1tQkRxBc7yThfNuB5_C4sw/s640/Northants_2km_2019_CY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Brimstone</b><br />
2019 turned out to be a good year for the Brimstone, they were up 73% over the previous year and up by 95% over the three year average. The first ones were seen on the 13th of February at Pitsford Reservoir and Salcey Forest and the last was recorded on the 22nd of November in Kettering. This is a species that can be encountered anywhere but the sites where the biggest counts came from were Wakerley Woods, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Stanwick Lakes, Twywell Hills and Dales and the Nene Wetlands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35WHJcyl3WyCT8NPNMFRAYn4mYFZG8BZfS_ZAey9DUMXWjx2Z4UbABYGGRVJ46smXTvy87qItQ8OiHGb5aZGuMayY8qHoDoWLFqM3jrt6J4If5PgnJEn_OK-ihNr_MjKGqUnB6L2GKLo/s1600/Brimstone+1+.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35WHJcyl3WyCT8NPNMFRAYn4mYFZG8BZfS_ZAey9DUMXWjx2Z4UbABYGGRVJ46smXTvy87qItQ8OiHGb5aZGuMayY8qHoDoWLFqM3jrt6J4If5PgnJEn_OK-ihNr_MjKGqUnB6L2GKLo/s640/Brimstone+1+.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brismstone, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<b></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNP-Ja9xx5ID-zIAv0x-BjMvDaI2GbCK7D-F5KQAonC2NXkmiS728yO4j0q6wjnxPajo-CpFtN6JjN9RUoFAm3HZSWks4zZ9zsjQ0PhA68mN_UdOEhZ7lqLZNCMMZjdLRknj6483tqnA/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNP-Ja9xx5ID-zIAv0x-BjMvDaI2GbCK7D-F5KQAonC2NXkmiS728yO4j0q6wjnxPajo-CpFtN6JjN9RUoFAm3HZSWks4zZ9zsjQ0PhA68mN_UdOEhZ7lqLZNCMMZjdLRknj6483tqnA/s640/Northants_2km_2019_B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b></b>
<b>Large, Small and Green-veined White</b><br />
The Large White had a good year and was 33% up from 2018 although Small and Green-veined Whites were both down with losses of 23% and 47% respectively. The analysis with the three year average shows the Large White up by 11%, the Small White up by 49% and the Green-veined White down by 18%. The first Large White of the year was seen on the 24th of March in Weldon and the last was seen on the 22nd of October at Ditchford Lakes. The first Small White was seen on the 25th of February in Kettering town centre which was followed by another early one on the 26th in Becketts Park in Northampton, the last Small Whites were recorded on the 22nd of October at Pitsford Nature Reserve and Woodford. The first Green-veined White was seen on the 29th of March near the Brampton Valley Way in the area near Merry Tom Lane in Brixworth and the last was seen on the 8th of October at Farthinghoe Nature Reserve.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7yYSJFWCqFuFkGoe4Kt_MMfMnturOFA7zhB8uPrqpUc3TJxbwJINI16JV_lZROBSeZON935OmkSkEXV2r4VH9uZMioE4-WQ_3u8sj5Qi4Is4BCeP2HbZYgQmygW9MLt2MTAtjhcL1tw/s1600/Large+White-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7yYSJFWCqFuFkGoe4Kt_MMfMnturOFA7zhB8uPrqpUc3TJxbwJINI16JV_lZROBSeZON935OmkSkEXV2r4VH9uZMioE4-WQ_3u8sj5Qi4Is4BCeP2HbZYgQmygW9MLt2MTAtjhcL1tw/s640/Large+White-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White, Hazelborough Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TdIVCJQaH5E3T8ZWd_RO9i5QnnyV3waANnDhHLt5p1hTIXBrr19sUAkLRrPSL0ECGDLL09rBqTlaJiulAigLXZ8bagIBdRlf6hAbacgCO9YZJfoRPKUtuD4Pi3-jrBF0t4eCVve4b8M/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_LW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TdIVCJQaH5E3T8ZWd_RO9i5QnnyV3waANnDhHLt5p1hTIXBrr19sUAkLRrPSL0ECGDLL09rBqTlaJiulAigLXZ8bagIBdRlf6hAbacgCO9YZJfoRPKUtuD4Pi3-jrBF0t4eCVve4b8M/s640/Northants_2km_2019_LW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsNa-KoFAe5v2mmZaJ75dAClu90OLiGR0m9nkzf0N1mO8se-owOM9N1FRDDfX43X7C_tCd-VzULFNtthm6Wnnk2wJqM79pc2R3Vtg6yNgb-h4SWZGSnrISnlPXHwp9c9nN5jrW7IEu9s/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_SmW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsNa-KoFAe5v2mmZaJ75dAClu90OLiGR0m9nkzf0N1mO8se-owOM9N1FRDDfX43X7C_tCd-VzULFNtthm6Wnnk2wJqM79pc2R3Vtg6yNgb-h4SWZGSnrISnlPXHwp9c9nN5jrW7IEu9s/s640/Northants_2km_2019_SmW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqplI0YkpPVOdPSO7Xb9ESdYECSpjgCY1SVDF5qSQHKsV7LoEr6gicMcZK5E9OnPgYOJXwJ6_Z7DfGVLK2NREcgHaVSiOX4lQLTPOGEigpy2gQKZ3IgypnqvdS9MhGC-_Z-dQeBoPaMOQ/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_GvW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqplI0YkpPVOdPSO7Xb9ESdYECSpjgCY1SVDF5qSQHKsV7LoEr6gicMcZK5E9OnPgYOJXwJ6_Z7DfGVLK2NREcgHaVSiOX4lQLTPOGEigpy2gQKZ3IgypnqvdS9MhGC-_Z-dQeBoPaMOQ/s640/Northants_2km_2019_GvW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Orange-tip</b><br />
The Orange-tip did well in 2019 with a 47% increase over the previous year and a 105% increase over the three year average. The first were seen on the 24th of March at Clopton churchyard and at Duston Mill lake in Northampton, the last was seen on the 22nd of July in a Daventry garden. This species can be found pretty much anywhere where it's larval foodplant grows (Cuckoo Flower and Garlic Mustard) but the highest counts came from Stanwick Lakes, the Nene Wetlands, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Old village, Hazelborough Forest and Merry Tom Lane near Brixworth.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tWP7omL2WtjracWe0sb3lSDW2aaMmX8Ripc-FakjCu6WqoBwevZRA3oPtXn-1NbLWPLOpJlLiaRRkRCHmEfVxgwqSOxQYAFmMVNZ6mOGx5LI57qqTDcI3Oq7VWGMp0x3JgwKfQt8qf0/s1600/Orange+Tip+salcey+17.5.16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tWP7omL2WtjracWe0sb3lSDW2aaMmX8Ripc-FakjCu6WqoBwevZRA3oPtXn-1NbLWPLOpJlLiaRRkRCHmEfVxgwqSOxQYAFmMVNZ6mOGx5LI57qqTDcI3Oq7VWGMp0x3JgwKfQt8qf0/s640/Orange+Tip+salcey+17.5.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3UHKnBbglKBpI5JmkB9QPrzMZMY5pLr2bMbkZnfFmLOkgJcYtOe0qTOpHIDyqM5TtG2zCcdHQHdm9SAk55RI3VQKl0EcsUMmgA9yIWIqcdD19ptW4W7WT_p-0CI6rSKQ3P3aVipe9PY/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_OT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3UHKnBbglKBpI5JmkB9QPrzMZMY5pLr2bMbkZnfFmLOkgJcYtOe0qTOpHIDyqM5TtG2zCcdHQHdm9SAk55RI3VQKl0EcsUMmgA9yIWIqcdD19ptW4W7WT_p-0CI6rSKQ3P3aVipe9PY/s640/Northants_2km_2019_OT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> Green Hairstreak</b><br />
The Green Hairstreak had an average year with a slight 2% increase from 2018 and a 7% increase over the three year average. The first one was seen on the 17th of April at Weekley Hall Wood quarry and the last was seen on the 15th of June at Twywell Hills and Dales. This is a very localised butterfly and the best sites to see them were Twywell Hills and Dales, Fermyn Country Park, Great Morton Sale, Weekley Hall Wood quarry and Ring Haw near Old Sulehay.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPK2XVrBB7lQhA-_rywcAXQV9FJ3SR1L_UQjwgMRObLpkDh_uZU5qPk1RBPOARiB1fSmwnPIG01tEaQgSpLm0u_EbHTrJ74KaRkROTAMaktpcAfIGMz1qs_50PkL8eSo8tG_x5IjnYbM/s1600/Green+hairstreak+Edgefield+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPK2XVrBB7lQhA-_rywcAXQV9FJ3SR1L_UQjwgMRObLpkDh_uZU5qPk1RBPOARiB1fSmwnPIG01tEaQgSpLm0u_EbHTrJ74KaRkROTAMaktpcAfIGMz1qs_50PkL8eSo8tG_x5IjnYbM/s640/Green+hairstreak+Edgefield+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV0KlZUdsYWLcMILUZSg1f01rfLWIJGvdk_OwyDZN0nQCyY49cU7GElkNWBS55lk-Fz_uWNqzBeDXrGhdqOMlDf54W4DleXBkb9KTANO5s-r-ha1sWMoK6zHXX3GVmeaI6UWkwttFGh8/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_GH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV0KlZUdsYWLcMILUZSg1f01rfLWIJGvdk_OwyDZN0nQCyY49cU7GElkNWBS55lk-Fz_uWNqzBeDXrGhdqOMlDf54W4DleXBkb9KTANO5s-r-ha1sWMoK6zHXX3GVmeaI6UWkwttFGh8/s640/Northants_2km_2019_GH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Purple Hairstreak</b><br />
The 2018 Purple Hairstreak season was extremely good so it's no surprise there was a big drop in numbers during 2019. They were 64% down from the previous year and 21% down from the three year average. The three year average figure is slightly misleading though due to the big numbers recorded during 2018 so looking at a longer term trend they were 88% above the ten year average therefore it can still be considered a good year for them. The first of the year was seen on the 28th of June in Salcey Forest and the last of the year was recorded on the 26th of August also in Salcey Forest. The best sites to see them were Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Whistley Wood, Hollowell Reservoir, Brampton Ash, Salcey Forest, Bucknell Wood and Fermyn Woods.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bCUYWu6nPLQaD2FL7u4q3tESBBgEqDmKkkOD3dnZ1qdR0dA3N7KM45XNw6h566X16Kt38gCBHMznmmdLKMsDMHLfrlDOEzJtkdX450NJjTWdMoGCpCW99f6fitInT7NyZYqAINLIFlQ/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bCUYWu6nPLQaD2FL7u4q3tESBBgEqDmKkkOD3dnZ1qdR0dA3N7KM45XNw6h566X16Kt38gCBHMznmmdLKMsDMHLfrlDOEzJtkdX450NJjTWdMoGCpCW99f6fitInT7NyZYqAINLIFlQ/s640/Purple+Hairstreak-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYtnV78xjS0mjuAXvoFtxxRCE-z83crNjDXdCOyVOB-Tc2iY3qkeCH5xE0_0QNU3A-RIQG_Zcc2Zz475rmC9plcC6JCco8w5BH5CgwSWBc_9YdSkB5EaKw9k5G_gr4NSLgm0F3qfhtsk/s1600/Purple+Hairstteak+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYtnV78xjS0mjuAXvoFtxxRCE-z83crNjDXdCOyVOB-Tc2iY3qkeCH5xE0_0QNU3A-RIQG_Zcc2Zz475rmC9plcC6JCco8w5BH5CgwSWBc_9YdSkB5EaKw9k5G_gr4NSLgm0F3qfhtsk/s640/Purple+Hairstteak+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Wakerley Wood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyit0PdFrbj3IerKQ9G-RD-dnQ1ZOVLDIeVzqUaIe1zmwy1H6v2nZ_eWzGsJuL7gUO5R7xOP-DI0CmhexU59p9fH61Lk_Lkty3c8Z-jm7Tr01BbYlCQJ8MbsVDNM8TLRo93iNT-661VnQ/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_PH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyit0PdFrbj3IerKQ9G-RD-dnQ1ZOVLDIeVzqUaIe1zmwy1H6v2nZ_eWzGsJuL7gUO5R7xOP-DI0CmhexU59p9fH61Lk_Lkty3c8Z-jm7Tr01BbYlCQJ8MbsVDNM8TLRo93iNT-661VnQ/s640/Northants_2km_2019_PH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>White-letter Hairstreak</b><br />
The White-letter Hairstreak had a slightly better than average year. Once again 2018 was an unusually good year for the species so 2019's 70% drop in numbers is to be expected although a 57% increase over the ten year trends does indicate a better than average year. The first one was seen on the 23rd of June at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last ones were recorded on the 3rd of August in Fineshade Wood and the Fox and Hounds pub garden in Harlestone.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7xCq4n5zCxWmNXE2GkLxUHNwmz_jv8wyhWjrWz5h7X58cWBUo-gRHMAOZBrMm1Vj4sJpEZTnmMAT21ZRdK1X9v0pfE9baYlkBuKwk4VMb197-9TBa4W8ajo4-esRfNMLWYLUvas2lsk/s1600/White+Letter+Bucknell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7xCq4n5zCxWmNXE2GkLxUHNwmz_jv8wyhWjrWz5h7X58cWBUo-gRHMAOZBrMm1Vj4sJpEZTnmMAT21ZRdK1X9v0pfE9baYlkBuKwk4VMb197-9TBa4W8ajo4-esRfNMLWYLUvas2lsk/s640/White+Letter+Bucknell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc8_0tj9HhnZlOGBoHk7J5FuDUKnDtZuIqWt5ucYGS3109TXVk_-4hOOI01pe7SSu236FQ2Lz6LYgbgkNAfaXxNZjIS30sT_8pU2Y47sc8euMZmusyhQH3LUh-7MsXVOBAr_QVJ4f1Uk/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_WlH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc8_0tj9HhnZlOGBoHk7J5FuDUKnDtZuIqWt5ucYGS3109TXVk_-4hOOI01pe7SSu236FQ2Lz6LYgbgkNAfaXxNZjIS30sT_8pU2Y47sc8euMZmusyhQH3LUh-7MsXVOBAr_QVJ4f1Uk/s640/Northants_2km_2019_WlH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Black Hairstreak</b><br />
The Black Hairstreak was 60% down from the previous year but 4% up from the three year average. The superb 2018 season also meant the following winter and spring was the best opportunity to try and find the elusive early stages of the butterfly in the wild to understand more about this secretive insect. The first one was recorded on the 4th of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last was recorded on the 7th of July in Fermyn Woods. Without doubt the best site to see them remains Glapthorn Cow Pastures but they can also be seen in the Blackthorn thicket at the north end of Fermyn Country Park, Fermyn Woods and the rides south of the Horesbox car park in Salcey Forest.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDgPvdzfd_IRKkdLgNHKk0NcmEmIGIRWQwvoIhRtMD0Qwvrd-Cd6boz4DU6dj7UBuwOSpx7TNHIN-inBkBA5YlX0cKcibBCR23j3bjJFznevQGKRQ0PlHprg11WwhgM0ZJQDtvscFzx0/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+egg+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDgPvdzfd_IRKkdLgNHKk0NcmEmIGIRWQwvoIhRtMD0Qwvrd-Cd6boz4DU6dj7UBuwOSpx7TNHIN-inBkBA5YlX0cKcibBCR23j3bjJFznevQGKRQ0PlHprg11WwhgM0ZJQDtvscFzx0/s640/Black+Hairstreak+egg+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Egg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MfM4VLdUv7PafPPxcNkDLUSyV-d7IXPNE_Rae6oODZqr3Sgkj9KSd3ZaSfhFbCz5litTOxbHseYMB0UgfEyUlzCpvgD5e4g99w8FywDbbIMJpcti1v6qbyk8A74y2buAigfu_prb6Mw/s1600/Black+hairstreak+Larva+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MfM4VLdUv7PafPPxcNkDLUSyV-d7IXPNE_Rae6oODZqr3Sgkj9KSd3ZaSfhFbCz5litTOxbHseYMB0UgfEyUlzCpvgD5e4g99w8FywDbbIMJpcti1v6qbyk8A74y2buAigfu_prb6Mw/s640/Black+hairstreak+Larva+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Larva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEtr7ixLkCwJtS_vHszy-VxtkgAtStcbdR0VKhlXhEnFcV-1zY2449TqFgs1is7G-t6hfJTT_lJkQD4LS1u9C0_i3kGYK7qFppRofTsYKvwTCNMMzzbbIxGo_T-xV64OMNlx0S3hfD2s/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP+Twitter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEtr7ixLkCwJtS_vHszy-VxtkgAtStcbdR0VKhlXhEnFcV-1zY2449TqFgs1is7G-t6hfJTT_lJkQD4LS1u9C0_i3kGYK7qFppRofTsYKvwTCNMMzzbbIxGo_T-xV64OMNlx0S3hfD2s/s640/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP+Twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Pupa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawdKkvOnlGB7-Q6TuMi0iK5ducI4HnIXffCrHhaI_O9-UMg-5i0NymHHXuoOOPNcKae3T8Y-UaHwe47NafS590r4Q3TveeCuAC_ekvwMjNNFPo2QOWaV2yiJSuxEnasBH74MKL1eHwiE/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawdKkvOnlGB7-Q6TuMi0iK5ducI4HnIXffCrHhaI_O9-UMg-5i0NymHHXuoOOPNcKae3T8Y-UaHwe47NafS590r4Q3TveeCuAC_ekvwMjNNFPo2QOWaV2yiJSuxEnasBH74MKL1eHwiE/s640/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqZ9RrM0YTx0ws-V0hW9raSmZUaJ36GNwaILDaGZah_n702DrrUa_6bpTxB0huaXTCey64icZpY7wzwNPKyEFidb6mcIQRNiui_1lf-dGC18vvzXe-56kW3Fbn8CD61_CZVLIYIOsaO8/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_BlH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqZ9RrM0YTx0ws-V0hW9raSmZUaJ36GNwaILDaGZah_n702DrrUa_6bpTxB0huaXTCey64icZpY7wzwNPKyEFidb6mcIQRNiui_1lf-dGC18vvzXe-56kW3Fbn8CD61_CZVLIYIOsaO8/s640/Northants_2km_2019_BlH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> Small Copper</b><br />
The Small Copper had a higher than average year and despite being 43% down from the previous year they were still 22% above the three year average. The first ones were seen on the 18th of April at Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Thrapston Gravel Pits, the last one was recorded on the 19th of October near Wicksteeds Park. The species can be seen anywhere with suitable grassland and brownfield habitats but the highest counts came from Ravensthorpe Reservoir dam, Twywell Hills and Dales, Summer Leys Nature Reserve and Pitsford Reservoir.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-WZxwo_qea9XvQQs5brwGwHJOlDv5sMar8XWuhJPiD5tBg33TCR9IAO30bhDF_eo0H3nPKczHgzTv57MwH-8eR3dnnnc0kWuqyhTTZKXvWI6zHh6KzVm_ZwZs03WWgQ6qaKf5wEfvkU/s1600/Small+Copper+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-WZxwo_qea9XvQQs5brwGwHJOlDv5sMar8XWuhJPiD5tBg33TCR9IAO30bhDF_eo0H3nPKczHgzTv57MwH-8eR3dnnnc0kWuqyhTTZKXvWI6zHh6KzVm_ZwZs03WWgQ6qaKf5wEfvkU/s640/Small+Copper+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PNxaa5tp2cpCno-_OutBe9AZv1wzl9OWP4CY50z3eDhxdRsO_Jj-hQ8_4ZRzkyZ92cBGfTMwxIyJESXCOOEYkilDnWqY7HJXripanbuMckv0UN4pFCXmc2qyWNUhyphenhyphennRluCtsfgak6GU/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_SC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PNxaa5tp2cpCno-_OutBe9AZv1wzl9OWP4CY50z3eDhxdRsO_Jj-hQ8_4ZRzkyZ92cBGfTMwxIyJESXCOOEYkilDnWqY7HJXripanbuMckv0UN4pFCXmc2qyWNUhyphenhyphennRluCtsfgak6GU/s640/Northants_2km_2019_SC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Brown Argus</b><br />
The Brown Argus did well in 2019 and although down by 33% from 2018 they were still 40% above their three year average. The first of the year was seen on the 23rd of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was recorded on the 17th of September in Sudborough. The sites with the highest totals were Clifford Hill Gravel Pits (aka Nene Washlands), Harlestone Meadow, Polebrook Airfield, Summer Leys Nature Reserve, Ring Haw, Harrington Airfield and Twywell Hills and Dales.<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7_4C9uaF_FHoEa2Go7gjR2c7uPyIWodJSXH9C559Kzn_mcu3cos6f3VjGyqOBQSqkYnlYYcyfRR4dlgiLg5AbX52juSHLcM5v4hKKUPQwCY2q1dYFhcwF3SutaGUbhq2KgD3PV78qYQ/s1600/Brown+Argus+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7_4C9uaF_FHoEa2Go7gjR2c7uPyIWodJSXH9C559Kzn_mcu3cos6f3VjGyqOBQSqkYnlYYcyfRR4dlgiLg5AbX52juSHLcM5v4hKKUPQwCY2q1dYFhcwF3SutaGUbhq2KgD3PV78qYQ/s640/Brown+Argus+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5otivULrrCW4kYaNx3E4gAcQ3kOxO1OeDBNM6G1oPsEZinLkFglD4nVVhN133T5Xytn9cYfik7vYX0tq2NLQXikePhYrkUV8oaSxE6iuWMDd-SORKCRz1jMbqJXTgq4OOe_yWwb5vPic/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_BA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5otivULrrCW4kYaNx3E4gAcQ3kOxO1OeDBNM6G1oPsEZinLkFglD4nVVhN133T5Xytn9cYfik7vYX0tq2NLQXikePhYrkUV8oaSxE6iuWMDd-SORKCRz1jMbqJXTgq4OOe_yWwb5vPic/s640/Northants_2km_2019_BA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Common Blue</b><br />
Like many of the other Blues and Hairstreaks the Common Blue had a superb season in 2018 so 2019 was always going to show a drop. They were down 70% from the previous year which equates to a 37% drop from the three year average. When looking at the ten year trend though the Common Blue shows a slight 7% increase. The first was seen on the 19th of April at the Nene Wetlands and the last of the year was seen on the 28th of September at Ring Haw. This is a fairly common grassland butterfly but the sites with the largest counts were Irchester Country Park, Polebrook Airfield, Bucknell Wood, Lyveden New Bield, Great Morton Sale, Nene Wetlands, Sywell Country Park, Ring Haw, Weekley Hall Wood quarry and around the Salcey Forest Solar Farm.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWBnMiQmzmgKxFnif1tqh0dC_c1k8cQ5MLkyKCwgH3hIv-1yHzlsQI5sUpRfXYibmNzZoh1PL_djxhHZV3_xYw0yB1J07SL_q86rA4Lp9ndFhrClqXWbJZXPXhPnkV-WEjncS12deBGw/s1600/Common+Blue+%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWBnMiQmzmgKxFnif1tqh0dC_c1k8cQ5MLkyKCwgH3hIv-1yHzlsQI5sUpRfXYibmNzZoh1PL_djxhHZV3_xYw0yB1J07SL_q86rA4Lp9ndFhrClqXWbJZXPXhPnkV-WEjncS12deBGw/s640/Common+Blue+%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ03silSJLct1zOvVReBdUycJF7S0QZ_sTnIkT3HJ6RBk8PRE2tw__P6kGIGogRRNmggv-Vwx7VOj1scC-5l1GcGM_EwcLKF9o3d0rCLnjzQwTX6uW_QT5KI7emloXOQzkZtlr2hql2c/s1600/Common+Blue+%252812%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ03silSJLct1zOvVReBdUycJF7S0QZ_sTnIkT3HJ6RBk8PRE2tw__P6kGIGogRRNmggv-Vwx7VOj1scC-5l1GcGM_EwcLKF9o3d0rCLnjzQwTX6uW_QT5KI7emloXOQzkZtlr2hql2c/s640/Common+Blue+%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJFDq-pHvK17e1Pd_j8916J1MlD8YqbAE5Uz7dVoC2T-DMj4LlshAqa8FsHCZDs0g-pa1AoDfsfybXVdLsVce60cWQJeoF-ZKL3cXiJ4t03dKGlmf5oC1fWMV58tz8H1wgh2ZznuwS4/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_CB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJFDq-pHvK17e1Pd_j8916J1MlD8YqbAE5Uz7dVoC2T-DMj4LlshAqa8FsHCZDs0g-pa1AoDfsfybXVdLsVce60cWQJeoF-ZKL3cXiJ4t03dKGlmf5oC1fWMV58tz8H1wgh2ZznuwS4/s640/Northants_2km_2019_CB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Holly Blue </b><br />
The Holly Blue saw a 10% decrease from 2018 but was still 53% above the three year average. The first of the year was seen on the 25th of March at Summer Leys Nature Reserve and the last of the year was seen on 18th of September on Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton. This is a species that can be seen in a variety of habitats but the best sites in 2019 were Abington Park, Brackley Cemetery, Wellingborough near Isebrook and London Road Cemetery in Kettering.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn-15l7i9XUwrLtwPor-T2NbR7y-cG-HDfdbomWYKICEguvBQ4zuw5XRzOjvk89VONAbqxDCeW3vXu46taAlC2sA724yxVa1B8AsRwT721v9jOmvg4S_3jg5mGVyLTmQJkpuhQ7Ej-LE/s1600/Holly+Blue+1+%25283%2529-denoise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn-15l7i9XUwrLtwPor-T2NbR7y-cG-HDfdbomWYKICEguvBQ4zuw5XRzOjvk89VONAbqxDCeW3vXu46taAlC2sA724yxVa1B8AsRwT721v9jOmvg4S_3jg5mGVyLTmQJkpuhQ7Ej-LE/s640/Holly+Blue+1+%25283%2529-denoise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mcfriJDExWDVxo3Y2B4lJHjRteRICBjxF3RER4DbFXE7wqdC7H4ZsZ_vbB6owckXkSs7QXcsg6VsxzXbORk8HhLABi43-8HAgHB0V9q859j2BQwdm17Que7UlKOmoIQ5SZHdHlriBJA/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_HB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mcfriJDExWDVxo3Y2B4lJHjRteRICBjxF3RER4DbFXE7wqdC7H4ZsZ_vbB6owckXkSs7QXcsg6VsxzXbORk8HhLABi43-8HAgHB0V9q859j2BQwdm17Que7UlKOmoIQ5SZHdHlriBJA/s640/Northants_2km_2019_HB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>White Admiral</b><br />
The White Admiral shows a drop by 40% compared to 2018 but is only down by 4% from the three year average. The first one was seen on the 22nd of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last one of the year was seen on the 16th of August in Salcey Forest. The best sites to see them were Fermyn Woods, Salcey Forest, Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Plumpton Wood and Harry's Park Wood.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQWBCmu12B2NsplL2WcnpiT6L4gLoqTLKocgPYEKhrlF10Pbu0dpgi68cftsSQuwIHPNbVPw3Xx1HUhJKZe9ralC5zBIzLAmW-JA8QM0_GgJUu0l13jnuzOTY-xRs6Ygw6EurpLKq0EQ/s1600/White+Admiral-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQWBCmu12B2NsplL2WcnpiT6L4gLoqTLKocgPYEKhrlF10Pbu0dpgi68cftsSQuwIHPNbVPw3Xx1HUhJKZe9ralC5zBIzLAmW-JA8QM0_GgJUu0l13jnuzOTY-xRs6Ygw6EurpLKq0EQ/s640/White+Admiral-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORlxgLim1RhjFQ8UEx8exIiUJpZbKCPE1sLXSTxYLgNpUbR6ETCWErNERlbLmjd41iCVmUuuFQI1lOH7IncXNAfYfqMmxlOufIOA7oR9bBc7SL7Y1PsK2gkWwvPWzOvHih5pxuwGeTtg/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_WA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORlxgLim1RhjFQ8UEx8exIiUJpZbKCPE1sLXSTxYLgNpUbR6ETCWErNERlbLmjd41iCVmUuuFQI1lOH7IncXNAfYfqMmxlOufIOA7oR9bBc7SL7Y1PsK2gkWwvPWzOvHih5pxuwGeTtg/s640/Northants_2km_2019_WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Purple Emperor</b><br />
Although slightly above the ten year average the Purple Emperor didn't have a particularly good year. The records show a 56% drop in numbers compared with 2018 and they were 25% down from the three year average. There was a degree of forestry in the Fermyn Wood complex the proceeding winter and although in the long run this should benefit many butterflies in the short term it may have effected Purple Emperor numbers at that site. They did seem to do well at other sites though and 16 were observed on the 9th of July in Salcey Forest. We also had some surprises in 2019 as singles appeared at Summer Leys Nature Reserve, along the footpath between Upper and Lower Harlestone, Wakerley Wood and a garden in Flore. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of July in Harry's Park Wood and the last ones of the year were recorded on the 4th of August in Fermyn Woods and the aforementioned Flore garden. Despite the forestry the best site in the county to see them still remains Fermyn Woods followed by Salcey Forest, Bucknell Wood and Hazelborough Forest. They have expanded their range a lot in recent years though and they can be encountered in most woods with a suitable mix of Oak and Sallow.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiwYlrLNnqrcz8WkqLp9cqKf2rI9dmlhBf7VZ6alhfcHa4iaRZWDjeWlKJnfKCaq99wsx5EFh9Wie2C9-5x40VM9GLw5MaS58frYHQGLQXSkWYBMITYSTbNMVBaNdeXbcdkI7cBTD-AE/s1600/Purple+Emperor+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiwYlrLNnqrcz8WkqLp9cqKf2rI9dmlhBf7VZ6alhfcHa4iaRZWDjeWlKJnfKCaq99wsx5EFh9Wie2C9-5x40VM9GLw5MaS58frYHQGLQXSkWYBMITYSTbNMVBaNdeXbcdkI7cBTD-AE/s640/Purple+Emperor+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDJMP-r8FV3NzCho5ALT8VpZBNgdrhnRr_A316_ULYet5bCRbllqlym4MCZC20UHKr0ayo9uFfuga249POKbNFcPnwFZXjau1jwCjJxmKewh8JP0_N34Ugq_tdGPBnYJ11yUn01KoSD0/s1600/Purple+Emperor+3-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDJMP-r8FV3NzCho5ALT8VpZBNgdrhnRr_A316_ULYet5bCRbllqlym4MCZC20UHKr0ayo9uFfuga249POKbNFcPnwFZXjau1jwCjJxmKewh8JP0_N34Ugq_tdGPBnYJ11yUn01KoSD0/s640/Purple+Emperor+3-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh98AjxOsQAkirS6tt04f-JkuLIzOAoJ8_9hZsKpLDK4uNHVkuymzhsjp0aEV3mIh6pwL4vV8bAo1nk7M-oHl0XwkZAuIbwWJVnPzwiIXyKdH-A0rPKlhUUnmYjfleqP7MBeZ7eQc_Zcs/s1600/Purple+Emperor+4+-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh98AjxOsQAkirS6tt04f-JkuLIzOAoJ8_9hZsKpLDK4uNHVkuymzhsjp0aEV3mIh6pwL4vV8bAo1nk7M-oHl0XwkZAuIbwWJVnPzwiIXyKdH-A0rPKlhUUnmYjfleqP7MBeZ7eQc_Zcs/s640/Purple+Emperor+4+-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Horsebox Car Park, Salcey Forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHZ2-EUWAnFuxq3hXenBk-SbavmGGShzQ-7FMAUBJKjz79Ti-DD4OfDdoqz6Vs5bZ9-K9DfMax-OEHcKWVP3SEDjtKZfzmcxICqA1YifO96DI4LKeTqc1HBLi7bWXI4DrI2UaK0t97-k/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_PE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHZ2-EUWAnFuxq3hXenBk-SbavmGGShzQ-7FMAUBJKjz79Ti-DD4OfDdoqz6Vs5bZ9-K9DfMax-OEHcKWVP3SEDjtKZfzmcxICqA1YifO96DI4LKeTqc1HBLi7bWXI4DrI2UaK0t97-k/s640/Northants_2km_2019_PE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Red Admiral</b><br />
Like most of the butterflies that overwinter as an adult the Red Admiral had a good year in 2019. They were 309% up from 2018 and 73% above the three year average. The first one was seen on the 8th of January in Fineshade Wood and the last one was recorded on the 30th of December in Salcey Forest.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk-dqEF0Bno-b-mo4GwswtJDfNzQ-_0eU2xAMHiKgnnEldxS4m4pXdOtnR9po9pq9m3YRDrvRLk1KCimyz_pehSxl5Jv4Fbwd7uzRYSNJrLFJrtMKbfA_cEG4jM_EXOxueM1ubtsnGhw/s1600/Red+Admiral+%252811%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk-dqEF0Bno-b-mo4GwswtJDfNzQ-_0eU2xAMHiKgnnEldxS4m4pXdOtnR9po9pq9m3YRDrvRLk1KCimyz_pehSxl5Jv4Fbwd7uzRYSNJrLFJrtMKbfA_cEG4jM_EXOxueM1ubtsnGhw/s640/Red+Admiral+%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_hwAcXgKPPnB3z0jTprhC6caKl9aaIinsk8jCYzI9NDXX7YxbsEqiZILZtyDHzDZ9KeL0LLGgXRjV1_oEAKWnDdyrXOOXXc4AhBzZYnQthoYAvQL7Ntj0Pw4VEgcYcpvyzpRA01sLDc/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_RA.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_hwAcXgKPPnB3z0jTprhC6caKl9aaIinsk8jCYzI9NDXX7YxbsEqiZILZtyDHzDZ9KeL0LLGgXRjV1_oEAKWnDdyrXOOXXc4AhBzZYnQthoYAvQL7Ntj0Pw4VEgcYcpvyzpRA01sLDc/s640/Northants_2km_2019_RA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Painted Lady</b><br />
This migrant butterfly occasionally has invasion years and 2019 was certainly one of these. They were up from the previous year by 960% and up by the three year average by 910%. The last invasion year was exactly ten years prior to this back in 2009. They were seen all over the county in 2019 especially in peoples gardens and this spectacle no doubt encouraged a lot of the public to take part in the Big Butterfly Count.The first of the year was seen on the 23rd of February at Finedon Cally Banks and the last one was seen on the 22nd of October at Sywell Country Park.<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFEvrLWZqehXu_KcpYYpaiPMNOU8WpsF9gRGeb55eQDOxYUnsR3OMST7RY3khDhkqOFt2DFyztF9ZH9WL4DPxr2wXInhr_97VJwxrKOgpsTbTSW0wmvjIjmTBiah0dP4zHQFh1dkY7tg/s1600/Painted+Lady+Salcey+Forest.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFEvrLWZqehXu_KcpYYpaiPMNOU8WpsF9gRGeb55eQDOxYUnsR3OMST7RY3khDhkqOFt2DFyztF9ZH9WL4DPxr2wXInhr_97VJwxrKOgpsTbTSW0wmvjIjmTBiah0dP4zHQFh1dkY7tg/s640/Painted+Lady+Salcey+Forest.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Y2ylVKJ8LvY2Uo0pJPrmOtr0lbpsIgRLzyU7hONL2BvHao7-UePiCFPxBN84pV7Z3o_HmSdr6_DW1mAaReg84NdZiSJU7scDWIl9cIW06r3BW2Lju6Y7NlS9eEFrKJDny2c-m10mWI/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_PL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9Y2ylVKJ8LvY2Uo0pJPrmOtr0lbpsIgRLzyU7hONL2BvHao7-UePiCFPxBN84pV7Z3o_HmSdr6_DW1mAaReg84NdZiSJU7scDWIl9cIW06r3BW2Lju6Y7NlS9eEFrKJDny2c-m10mWI/s640/Northants_2km_2019_PL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b></b>
<b>Small Tortoiseshell</b><br />
The Small Tortoiseshell showed an 80% increase over the previous year and a 57% increase over the three year average. The first was seen on the 14th of February in a Finedon garden and the last Small Tortoiseshell seen on the wing was recorded on the 29th of October on the Westone Estate in Northampton.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3S1eHtZv5zB0PTln3tMcIEkwZeMFFDz3tlMy0r3sGZ-qVQOdkbnKDsRdjpZzopk_sgo1tm57CHqzy-ka6TkOB6gXVz766ypnVmi-gt2qPLC88gUn2wUeLkht_cYgm_DQOU5txwb1_Uc/s1600/Small+tortoiseshell+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3S1eHtZv5zB0PTln3tMcIEkwZeMFFDz3tlMy0r3sGZ-qVQOdkbnKDsRdjpZzopk_sgo1tm57CHqzy-ka6TkOB6gXVz766ypnVmi-gt2qPLC88gUn2wUeLkht_cYgm_DQOU5txwb1_Uc/s640/Small+tortoiseshell+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYU9o3euAY6JCIVJxsCnmGJ6CwxgTs0b8fb_inAKSf-J96k5Abc5eZ69WuAMtAF62S6pRvV5C16aAF-sR8l7oHozrtfH3iCRcuHgftpecWc_cn2GB5OMQWyaiFimX1o5pueWzGDIIOKg/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_SmT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYU9o3euAY6JCIVJxsCnmGJ6CwxgTs0b8fb_inAKSf-J96k5Abc5eZ69WuAMtAF62S6pRvV5C16aAF-sR8l7oHozrtfH3iCRcuHgftpecWc_cn2GB5OMQWyaiFimX1o5pueWzGDIIOKg/s640/Northants_2km_2019_SmT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b>Peacock</b><br />
The Peacock had a superb year in 2019 which was a bit of a surprise
considering the lack of records during the summer the previous year.
It has been theorised that they went into a period of aestivation
(diapause caused by excessive heat) during the 2018 summer heatwave
prior to overwintering. This seemed to be confirmed by the large amount
of records for them in the Spring the following year. Peacock records
show a 371% increase from the year before and a 318% increase over the
three year average. The first of the year was seen on the 21st of February
at Farthinghoe Nature Reserve and the last one was recorded on the 25th
of November in Yelvertoft.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ImbDZFfDqXqjOwkJOuc8d1XQplWdKvdt-6F_4SpT6NCAwlDaaueaB3wTiq8FWbp02XWojotmc0LmMCykFD101o9OYuXaLPal-agHgdz8kjSxIqha7RsLKMeqYHaXwVNchE6hofzYJIM/s1600/Peacock+1-denoisePSP+Crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ImbDZFfDqXqjOwkJOuc8d1XQplWdKvdt-6F_4SpT6NCAwlDaaueaB3wTiq8FWbp02XWojotmc0LmMCykFD101o9OYuXaLPal-agHgdz8kjSxIqha7RsLKMeqYHaXwVNchE6hofzYJIM/s640/Peacock+1-denoisePSP+Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock, Wakerley Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b>Comma</b><br />
The Comma had a slightly better than average year with a 78% increase from the previous year and a 62% increase over the three year average. The first one was seen on the 11th of February in Hardingstone and the last one of the year was seen on the 29th of October at Lyveden New Bield.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOglncQdsShQjkqqR6HDngufgqG3avKSIAaTBktjvVP13wuUSnhEQf7KbCEuXpESHMzq_K5YuiuewTiDnlYoOTP0vgjS8N56sRgt2UftqW-_TQ7XaW8_1dqnxHXaksGpm_gBan8-coQw/s1600/Comma+2+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOglncQdsShQjkqqR6HDngufgqG3avKSIAaTBktjvVP13wuUSnhEQf7KbCEuXpESHMzq_K5YuiuewTiDnlYoOTP0vgjS8N56sRgt2UftqW-_TQ7XaW8_1dqnxHXaksGpm_gBan8-coQw/s640/Comma+2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2xwMU1COqOFt4OGCN-sl_Hv3rE-M-sYzFqSOxLumnUUk5AgsWntOyYH2BRFPNmF8XsRMBtTgYq31hwHSD1mpOuDzJjaaKcPkjzQS7797exrDOE9cxhH3387T4FUD6Xrk1-PgdqHTKNM/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_C.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2xwMU1COqOFt4OGCN-sl_Hv3rE-M-sYzFqSOxLumnUUk5AgsWntOyYH2BRFPNmF8XsRMBtTgYq31hwHSD1mpOuDzJjaaKcPkjzQS7797exrDOE9cxhH3387T4FUD6Xrk1-PgdqHTKNM/s640/Northants_2km_2019_C.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>Dark Green Fritillary</b><br />
The Dark Green Fritillary has really gained a foothold in the county in recent years and the records recieved in 2019 certainly show a big increase in numbers. The species was 262% up from 2018 which is a 707% increase above the three year average. Although the populations are concentrated in the north of the county we did see some recorded at different sites with singles recorded at Croughton Quarry, Roade and Twywell Hills and Dales. The main sites for them though are Old Sulehay, Ring Haw, Fineshade Wood, Wakerley Wood and Great Morton Sale. The first of the year was seen on the 20th of June at Old Sulehey and the last of the year was seen on the 8th of August in Fineshade Wood.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfRVsV62-OTgKBdGy9SmqgjNrAlk6pueW5mV4d7brQhBgWPMh0aNIaeb5RC-HTH-0JAOTq0oZOGgFxh0J7PriIpehkkh27Q0fh7briRLe81zwmTs1m32zmrACUhER1StWkgFyaAPxsYE/s1600/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfRVsV62-OTgKBdGy9SmqgjNrAlk6pueW5mV4d7brQhBgWPMh0aNIaeb5RC-HTH-0JAOTq0oZOGgFxh0J7PriIpehkkh27Q0fh7briRLe81zwmTs1m32zmrACUhER1StWkgFyaAPxsYE/s640/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoeH5kN30iIH042nU4zKGwEDYzm9SDlBgj714JpE1IxSqBl3kfpvicVNUD0e5ofqlwCqo46AwjzItpHFpTfkn7OKiXGgksPedBzXlAFOP33-Tuq2TA0NzgRhNgdJ-oh5DmsgpLPkSTs4/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_DGF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoeH5kN30iIH042nU4zKGwEDYzm9SDlBgj714JpE1IxSqBl3kfpvicVNUD0e5ofqlwCqo46AwjzItpHFpTfkn7OKiXGgksPedBzXlAFOP33-Tuq2TA0NzgRhNgdJ-oh5DmsgpLPkSTs4/s640/Northants_2km_2019_DGF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b>Silver-washed Fritillary</b><br />
The Silver-washed Fritillary showed a slight 14% drop in numbers compared to 2018 but were still 35% above the three year average. They could be seen in most of our woodlands but the best sites in 2019 were Fermyn Woods, Bucknell Wood, Salcey Forest, Wakerley Wood, Fineshade Wood, Great Morton and Little Sale and Hazelborough Forest. The colour form valezina was also seen in most of the colonies but Bucknell Wood remains the best site in the county to see them.The first of the year was seen on the 18th of June in Salcey Forest and the last of the year was seen on the 26th of August in Bucknell Wood.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7M8be2ZiNOYmIChEjG9dcsewjkeXX72927s2ZAQgnbR65ePkg3wNwFVNilGee-fIvciHDKKzuyP8THi3njbLTmd3Q3v3vc91ymu1WDMX9HmaeZF_gSYOKplePgxg_ajukc04076we6g/s1600/Silver-washed+Fritillary+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7M8be2ZiNOYmIChEjG9dcsewjkeXX72927s2ZAQgnbR65ePkg3wNwFVNilGee-fIvciHDKKzuyP8THi3njbLTmd3Q3v3vc91ymu1WDMX9HmaeZF_gSYOKplePgxg_ajukc04076we6g/s640/Silver-washed+Fritillary+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b> </b><br />
<b> Speckled Wood</b><br />
The Speckled Wood showed a slight decrease of 17% from the previous year but was 13% above the three year average. The first were seen on the 28th of March in Great Doddington, Barnes Meadow, Moulton and Piddington, the last of the year was recorded on the 16th of October in Yardley Chase.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iKPBACl6_RYSU6jjc04td77-lVAhGu959G_346lL-iQsK5Ret3peD-fISCw7oNvEDdwPOYmj1BSXeFn4DZb1K-SjiErMGpSS0680vFT1PXvB3Yl2Yj1-EPjxcHcCXeTYgJ9KKV5K5U0/s1600/Speckled+Wood+1+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iKPBACl6_RYSU6jjc04td77-lVAhGu959G_346lL-iQsK5Ret3peD-fISCw7oNvEDdwPOYmj1BSXeFn4DZb1K-SjiErMGpSS0680vFT1PXvB3Yl2Yj1-EPjxcHcCXeTYgJ9KKV5K5U0/s640/Speckled+Wood+1+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd_aIsIDqFO4yXrM2gfOExB0rf49ufq0pFk6dnv2M5-nKgIyswAAhkIDbL3OqZP26fLcs9qjsdvPCHNoLU0qwl_I7tMRmwru3JOat_rf4AXuOs73eDWA3Eps1NGwluONH55Y_kPRqwQ8/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_SpW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd_aIsIDqFO4yXrM2gfOExB0rf49ufq0pFk6dnv2M5-nKgIyswAAhkIDbL3OqZP26fLcs9qjsdvPCHNoLU0qwl_I7tMRmwru3JOat_rf4AXuOs73eDWA3Eps1NGwluONH55Y_kPRqwQ8/s640/Northants_2km_2019_SpW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><b>Marbled White</b><br />
The Marbled White is still increasing its range<b> </b>in the county and saw a slight increase of 9% over 2018 and a 49% increase over the three year average. This grassland species can be encountered on most suitable grassland sites but the best sites to see them are Twywell Hills and Dales, Bradlaugh Fields, Weekley Hall Wood quarry, Helmdon Old Station Yard, Polebrook Airfield, New Duston, Ring Haw and Old Sulehay and Barford Meadows. The first of the year was seen on the 15th of June at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the 21st of August in Stefan Hill Pocket Park in Daventry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwyGExkexFTUNq8CqAXlrLRFCAJEGukRPWaCJXmmIt-loKzlnsubglbH85FZvJKTV0V9Sw1rVMl3ajhZC3xo2bEMSha3F6ZbOI_7Gb2gJrjsbMF-Am2sZ_PakWqRdrfdXuAXEHOe0W2Y/s1600/Marbled+White+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwyGExkexFTUNq8CqAXlrLRFCAJEGukRPWaCJXmmIt-loKzlnsubglbH85FZvJKTV0V9Sw1rVMl3ajhZC3xo2bEMSha3F6ZbOI_7Gb2gJrjsbMF-Am2sZ_PakWqRdrfdXuAXEHOe0W2Y/s640/Marbled+White+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrdLhPijStblkdD01Tk94bGa2bZRHApYDkzi-Tkv-Ra6x6YSCEzgXhoviyhb0fo7n0R2GdxXhfyYPV0iEYGMXkpcxS9kaq6MphCh6MLVoeAyHrL4PnKALfaWEy0YAYrH3KFIrOtfjxeQ/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_MW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrdLhPijStblkdD01Tk94bGa2bZRHApYDkzi-Tkv-Ra6x6YSCEzgXhoviyhb0fo7n0R2GdxXhfyYPV0iEYGMXkpcxS9kaq6MphCh6MLVoeAyHrL4PnKALfaWEy0YAYrH3KFIrOtfjxeQ/s640/Northants_2km_2019_MW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Gatekeeper</b><br />
The Gatekeeper had a great season in 2019 and were up by 102% from the previous year and up by 132% over the three year average. The first of the year was seen on the 24th of June in Great Oakley Hall Park and the last of the year was seen on the 5th of September in Kettering.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_fg4wFBObRPVpueWIwdePkOYGkYsTfd4dAJNT4wcDqoiBFEoMv7TBRFp54DxJIA5yLnj-wiDJVs4lcDSNrGchtxu-j_T-OGw8_bLChlZJMCxrIWG092IB1vjFABGwVl7Zl7kuc8kAt4/s1600/Gatekeeper+1-denoise+PSP+Twitter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_fg4wFBObRPVpueWIwdePkOYGkYsTfd4dAJNT4wcDqoiBFEoMv7TBRFp54DxJIA5yLnj-wiDJVs4lcDSNrGchtxu-j_T-OGw8_bLChlZJMCxrIWG092IB1vjFABGwVl7Zl7kuc8kAt4/s640/Gatekeeper+1-denoise+PSP+Twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ItQBn4FLXpnkGn55rN9zl0zxuqq5IEKo-IXY5i1IXdMAJSTq1gSKQuE7XyHn74_AY_xnRinHzB0qpyLuaV50Jmp0wTdy96On171z6GUPq0UVAfDwdt-pc1HYd4cztcNtOfqHAPZW90g/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_GK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ItQBn4FLXpnkGn55rN9zl0zxuqq5IEKo-IXY5i1IXdMAJSTq1gSKQuE7XyHn74_AY_xnRinHzB0qpyLuaV50Jmp0wTdy96On171z6GUPq0UVAfDwdt-pc1HYd4cztcNtOfqHAPZW90g/s640/Northants_2km_2019_GK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Meadow Brown</b><br />
The Meadow Brown was up by 68% from the previous year and up by 120% over the three year average. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of June on the Nene Wetlands Nature Reserve and the last of the year was seen on the 28th of September at Ring Haw.<br />
<br />
<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqWm8jscrmaj2SWxOYbYi7XDeV0OsjAf_IpyFUDEvV9KGo0ssDKe-Qomi7ow3hbzZ8ZOW1Nm1sguE9Kc0k1MMSMgU9iU_wszeW2aRmfy5ptlbfAYVbp3GZn2PuAwqdFmj7KugyK6z-DI/s1600/Meadow+Brown+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqWm8jscrmaj2SWxOYbYi7XDeV0OsjAf_IpyFUDEvV9KGo0ssDKe-Qomi7ow3hbzZ8ZOW1Nm1sguE9Kc0k1MMSMgU9iU_wszeW2aRmfy5ptlbfAYVbp3GZn2PuAwqdFmj7KugyK6z-DI/s640/Meadow+Brown+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjroZ9eLdlf5-BytuQFCHG4gtvEfnehcQLYgI9ImxmsT4USGKvZq4tyTdyzTLO89AXLCsRdEsmGxbB9ZWwuB6wdkTTlbrfxkoQ2xq_vMudi8vSEOy-SWbiAd8jN1Ad0XhgfWxbcZdN0M/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_MB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjroZ9eLdlf5-BytuQFCHG4gtvEfnehcQLYgI9ImxmsT4USGKvZq4tyTdyzTLO89AXLCsRdEsmGxbB9ZWwuB6wdkTTlbrfxkoQ2xq_vMudi8vSEOy-SWbiAd8jN1Ad0XhgfWxbcZdN0M/s640/Northants_2km_2019_MB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b></b>
<b>Ringlet</b><br />
The Ringlet showed a 46% increase over 2018 and a 130% increase over the three year average. The first of the year was seen one the 1st of June on Moulton Park Industrial Estate and the last of the year was seen on the 22nd of August near Hellidon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRrGWXfMCT50V1Fj44DiUBVNyvIUXx24zi9jaQYMDYzVz-XYbJWdWbL2ZHk6gx19OYh1cP3_ziwC_LxkxQM7bukMZGxV9-p4jcOI8sPc0Ri-J8mObpxH20WbKmQgyEQLsli8JZc5_J9U/s1600/Ringlet+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRrGWXfMCT50V1Fj44DiUBVNyvIUXx24zi9jaQYMDYzVz-XYbJWdWbL2ZHk6gx19OYh1cP3_ziwC_LxkxQM7bukMZGxV9-p4jcOI8sPc0Ri-J8mObpxH20WbKmQgyEQLsli8JZc5_J9U/s640/Ringlet+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcza0ifxVJCS1bVQKLSz5tUBFgIvnCMC0QdNcr6ANCT5_UWnHjZ5U7CDme2kL3Qivf-nrOgOHKKRNfyWcsBf8heQOO_YKxTRhyrKVfSea7u_jsct9URwYG1o7mRCd_L2ucRW_708uiJA/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_R.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcza0ifxVJCS1bVQKLSz5tUBFgIvnCMC0QdNcr6ANCT5_UWnHjZ5U7CDme2kL3Qivf-nrOgOHKKRNfyWcsBf8heQOO_YKxTRhyrKVfSea7u_jsct9URwYG1o7mRCd_L2ucRW_708uiJA/s640/Northants_2km_2019_R.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Small Heath </b> <br />
The Small Heath saw a very small increase of 1% above 2018 but it was still 75% above the three year average. The best sites to see them in 2019 were Twywell Hills and Dales, Ring Haw, Croughton Quarry, Borough Hill near Daventry, Welford Quarry, Weekley Hall Wood quarry, Great Morton Sale and Barford Meadows. The first of the year was seen on the 19th of April at Ring Haw and the last of the year was recorded on the 28th of September also at Ring Haw.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphUL1J7VYJqN41OjuHZjG60sg_jaYdnYQQO68cPZ0rfGRvnF2cudjYMQk9SBq5cm_lE9xeqSmNl8NBvAKvifVpQaw9cNvpH5vyQGbZLVUWX2wEojV8PRwgm4vX9ddahTCQ4VZ-PoNWFA/s1600/Small+Heath+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphUL1J7VYJqN41OjuHZjG60sg_jaYdnYQQO68cPZ0rfGRvnF2cudjYMQk9SBq5cm_lE9xeqSmNl8NBvAKvifVpQaw9cNvpH5vyQGbZLVUWX2wEojV8PRwgm4vX9ddahTCQ4VZ-PoNWFA/s640/Small+Heath+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBNJ2ekyVFoK2w4FilNLqL0d5knKAIqkYq5H7Z8ztzKwtI8Eh7JU6ksUwC7L6Fq1bFBV2BTeHXwkn0x289VemnzFLxoRJ4dahu3_r3VzfTM4FrOS_0glTc3vbdCNpnhPy5tfVLYxDOYw/s1600/Northants_2km_2019_SH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBNJ2ekyVFoK2w4FilNLqL0d5knKAIqkYq5H7Z8ztzKwtI8Eh7JU6ksUwC7L6Fq1bFBV2BTeHXwkn0x289VemnzFLxoRJ4dahu3_r3VzfTM4FrOS_0glTc3vbdCNpnhPy5tfVLYxDOYw/s640/Northants_2km_2019_SH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<br />
<b></b>
<b></b>
<br />
<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-6731947723247038802019-12-07T09:34:00.002+00:002019-12-07T09:35:34.344+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Chequered Skipper Flies Once Again! </span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing Chequered Skippers
flying once again in their former English strongholds has been a dream of mine
since I was a child. I grew up in Northamptonshire in a house that backed on to
fields and while exploring the seemingly endless natural world beyond the back
gate I developed a fascination for butterflies. I kept this interest in
butterflies into my adult life and I now find myself as the Northamptonshire
county butterfly recorder. It was during my early studies of butterflies when I
first came across the Chequered Skipper, unfortunately it wasn’t on the side of
a woodland ride but rather in a book as the species became extinct in England
two years before I was born. I was saddened to read the accounts of its
disappearance from its former strongholds here in the county and I was amazed
to learn just how rapidly a species can decline and become extinct in a
relatively short space of time. I was therefore rather excited to hear of an
amazing new project called Back from the Brink that was being set up with the
intention of working with lots of conservation partners in order to help our
wildlife, but I was especially excited to hear one of these partners was
Butterfly Conservation and the aim was to reintroduce the Chequered Skipper
back into Rockingham Forest! I put my name down as a volunteer as soon as I
could as I really wanted to play a part in this project and it was great to
help with the monitoring in 2018 after the initial release to see the Belgian
Chequered Skippers getting used to their new home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw53wDji4xfrh-Op5d2zWzL7O_8YB4AHpFJcVD7UsEFPiDyevUTnN3gaFae3J5oup6P8E6hbEDCWJOozO2wxTZ7ita3Wy1hyphenhyphenqGFjSSp1ia8X657BQlCZp0Rr8MCztJpwaVNvDTzajF2I/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+1+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw53wDji4xfrh-Op5d2zWzL7O_8YB4AHpFJcVD7UsEFPiDyevUTnN3gaFae3J5oup6P8E6hbEDCWJOozO2wxTZ7ita3Wy1hyphenhyphenqGFjSSp1ia8X657BQlCZp0Rr8MCztJpwaVNvDTzajF2I/s640/Chequered+Skipper+1+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, May 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAVCjSHCsEN3MHr25JHkAvmuMCgfRa40ePtPLbL4pKI1buen0jbZ5_-bWKGP_r9MUIJ4xOxI8QV6talEfXKAkSm_RvM8d_u2lOmqM1Ytviu3BLfX2xcoowuZs-86UDT7Q-Y2X5Xg2bBE/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAVCjSHCsEN3MHr25JHkAvmuMCgfRa40ePtPLbL4pKI1buen0jbZ5_-bWKGP_r9MUIJ4xOxI8QV6talEfXKAkSm_RvM8d_u2lOmqM1Ytviu3BLfX2xcoowuZs-86UDT7Q-Y2X5Xg2bBE/s640/Chequered+Skipper+2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, May 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahgPYONemNYlgrFWo_DsNC6af9ALfEKJKkLdXB6kgm6ztjFP1qwm7NiMOg9GzCRbixia7lOrEWVoQ1MAoOgPA0UqNnqwWTcKYjy1lEouQLSlvRw0FJIgYeAkL63Gwur489Tis3CovQwA/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahgPYONemNYlgrFWo_DsNC6af9ALfEKJKkLdXB6kgm6ztjFP1qwm7NiMOg9GzCRbixia7lOrEWVoQ1MAoOgPA0UqNnqwWTcKYjy1lEouQLSlvRw0FJIgYeAkL63Gwur489Tis3CovQwA/s640/Chequered+Skipper+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest, May 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">One thing I and a few other volunteers
agreed on at the time was how exciting it would be should some Chequered
Skippers survive from this release and emerge the following year, now that
would be amazing! Throughout the rest of the year I’d talk to other volunteers
and I admit a bit of worry crept in as although the long hot summer led to one
of the best butterfly seasons for many species we’ve ever had in
Northamptonshire would the Chequered Skipper larvae be able to survive it with
the drying up of so many foodplants? As Spring started in 2019 news eventually
broke that Chequered Skippers had begun to emerge in Europe and then in mid May
they emerged in Scotland. By now the monitoring had already begun and despite
everyone unfortunately drawing a blank and I was itching to get in there to
help but work and local butterfly conservation branch commitments meant I
couldn’t start my first monitoring session until later in May. I woke up
to find the sun shining so I headed to the site a little earlier than planned
as I really wanted to make the most of my day there. The method of monitoring
is quite simply to walk as many rides as possible in the area and if any
Chequered Skippers are seen record their exact location so we can see how they’re
dispersing. As none had been seen yet I had already worked out a route on the
map the night before that paid particular attention on the rides I’d seen the
released Belgian ones in the year before. It’s a puzzle even to me then as to
why I didn’t go up the first ride I’d marked on my route but I’m very pleased I
didn’t! I got to the start of the ride and paused while looking down it but for
some reason it just didn’t seem right. I’m not sure looking back whether it was
the position of the sun or the direction of the wind at that time in the
morning that put me off but whatever it was I decided to walk a bit further and
head down a different ride instead. At the start of the ride I took out the
clipboard and noted the ride number, time date, wind speed and direction etc
and started to walk paying particular attention to the Bugle flowers as I did.
Quite a few Bees caught my eye as they darted around and then all of a sudden a
butterfly took off from out the grass and settled to show itself as a Small
Heath which was reassuring as it showed that butterflies were already on the
wing. I continued to walk and after only a few paces I noticed another small
patch of Bugle on my left and I froze, my jaw slowly dropped open and
goosepimples appeared on both arms. Right in front of me busily nectaring on a
Bugle was a Chequered Skipper!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_ql6bHnJ4UqG9w-qjnMdG1RWhlhEbdFXI5GLhmVHkW_iGvQ6dHxlfRk8xdORMq2ikWhG74KyvHTPL8TsTleAzexnnQI7vhY8J-kibOMN7B2hkqJ2P3KiM3yOoxHxDQrHXcc3CQjIH6A/s1600/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_ql6bHnJ4UqG9w-qjnMdG1RWhlhEbdFXI5GLhmVHkW_iGvQ6dHxlfRk8xdORMq2ikWhG74KyvHTPL8TsTleAzexnnQI7vhY8J-kibOMN7B2hkqJ2P3KiM3yOoxHxDQrHXcc3CQjIH6A/s640/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper, male, the very 1st to emerge in Rockingham Forest, May 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I slowly put down my rucksack and took out my
camera to take a few photos before ringing Susannah O’Riordan to give her the
good news. By the now the Skipper had moved from the Bugle and was now basking
in the grass. I took this opportunity to take a couple more photos before logging
it’s location with a GPS, writing down it’s description and behaviour before
continuing <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with the monitoring route. A
friend of mine arrived later who was also down to monitor and between us we
managed to find another two more in separate areas of the site during the day
and although were obviously early days in the emergence of these English
Chequered Skippers the signs were really encouraging!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvdNz4xZ8mSRfbw2LIDgsQUJGz_uiyKqhYM6s12F5_EOFeKjlFQVQ_LnIPMDU-qCB9gI34GqznrmRZIrusjqJTg7paocDM59UU7hZZZviFDcCHZBZiRDBrmUTn5IzkpZy93sMOOTed8k/s1600/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvdNz4xZ8mSRfbw2LIDgsQUJGz_uiyKqhYM6s12F5_EOFeKjlFQVQ_LnIPMDU-qCB9gI34GqznrmRZIrusjqJTg7paocDM59UU7hZZZviFDcCHZBZiRDBrmUTn5IzkpZy93sMOOTed8k/s640/19.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper, male, 3rd to emerge in Rockingham Forest, May 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I had to wait a week
before being able to monitor again but this was interesting for me as it
coincided with this year’s release day of another batch of Belgian Chequered
Skipper. I helped with the setting up of the release pens and while the
butterflies in the nets were getting used to their new home I started my monitoring
survey as the sun broke through the clouds. Unfortunately this sun was short
lived as within 10 minutes of starting the heavens opened and the rain started
to pour. I half heartedly walked a few of the rides on the route I’d given
myself while I wasn’t sheltering under the trees and looped round back to the
release site. The rain stopped and it even warmed up a bit as I walked back up
the ride towards the rest of the group who were gathered around one of the pens
ready to release the butterflies. As I approached I noticed a butterfly out of
the corner of my eye and to my amazement there was a Chequered Skipper!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjssm9iFKiTR10F9PblvoBqXG7f9Cq-HUaWpRndekUkrKCogTdQNDdivXtpMzGWqyzsnAAq6ECcASVvbRVZM3Q2IbRsmt8u96y1XtXx40h6oRN-KjK6toYMn0SpfDGSo2iTZHhRRfKDo4/s1600/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjssm9iFKiTR10F9PblvoBqXG7f9Cq-HUaWpRndekUkrKCogTdQNDdivXtpMzGWqyzsnAAq6ECcASVvbRVZM3Q2IbRsmt8u96y1XtXx40h6oRN-KjK6toYMn0SpfDGSo2iTZHhRRfKDo4/s640/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper, male, Rockingham Forest, May 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> I
called everyone over and it was fantastic to see the excitement in the group as
they gathered round to admire this special butterfly! Very soon after this the new batch of Belgian Chequered Skippers were released, they were marked with small coloured dots to seperate them from the freshly emerged English ones.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-8uVMjCXXVzlYomvvq9lIoEzE2XY4I51Ei2oG3FmdjlYSqxd7TUjPPoVhUY3590KPMZRhIJ_i8kXqleZZ-L3RVf55SFUB2VwaI59_7oYh6dAJRrmYY-xhWeErXhqgKk-5A8uB6PTQpk/s1600/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-8uVMjCXXVzlYomvvq9lIoEzE2XY4I51Ei2oG3FmdjlYSqxd7TUjPPoVhUY3590KPMZRhIJ_i8kXqleZZ-L3RVf55SFUB2VwaI59_7oYh6dAJRrmYY-xhWeErXhqgKk-5A8uB6PTQpk/s640/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Chequered Skipper about to be released, male, Rockingham Forest, May 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2q0adLp3RykkQoytoCiIgDO36ShH08Rx6CAUfRPbG8pXnvfaKd-0vkkyEnHIritVqNijMn6C3HacbP3GyyBntHiwEYtUbrrUr3h_YAy_xg8u8VUiJZA4TE7FJmhw_w5vpem0CAdwIWI/s1600/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2q0adLp3RykkQoytoCiIgDO36ShH08Rx6CAUfRPbG8pXnvfaKd-0vkkyEnHIritVqNijMn6C3HacbP3GyyBntHiwEYtUbrrUr3h_YAy_xg8u8VUiJZA4TE7FJmhw_w5vpem0CAdwIWI/s640/26.05.19+Chequered+Skipper+%2528Release+Day%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgian Chequered Skipper shortly after release, male, Rockingham Forest, May 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A few years ago I visited
a very good friend of mine who lives in Fort William and he took me to see the
Chequered Skippers around the Highlands and it amazed me then how quickly they
can come out after a rain shower. These new English ones seem to show the same characteristics
as after the new batch of Belgian Chequered Skippers were released I continued
my survey and found a few more fresh English Chequered Skippers basking on the
tops of wet grasses in between rain showers. When it comes to wet weather they
certainly seem to be a very plucky butterflies! The last Chequered Skipper I saw was in early June and was a nice fresh female, let's hope she was full of eggs to continue the success of the reintroduction.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Ud7VsSDzhlGZRSGEf_KKMvwobGTzH7Z0LM3_smmJvEKW6a2jZ65ThFgftqGSOeSf017SiFqMM1UyVdfwlNKKmIkc5BY4DE7b1zTv1L5fJbFS7y4BXz8EcvFiS4c0_GhQmLP0JZaLOY/s1600/01.06.19+Chequered+Skipper+Female+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Ud7VsSDzhlGZRSGEf_KKMvwobGTzH7Z0LM3_smmJvEKW6a2jZ65ThFgftqGSOeSf017SiFqMM1UyVdfwlNKKmIkc5BY4DE7b1zTv1L5fJbFS7y4BXz8EcvFiS4c0_GhQmLP0JZaLOY/s640/01.06.19+Chequered+Skipper+Female+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper, female, Rockingham Forest, June 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A few return visits were made later in the year to try and find larvae in order to gain a better understanding of the species breeding requirements. I only had time to make one visit but I'm pleased to say after a few hours searching Andy Wyldes and I eventually found one. The larva makes a shelter by drawing the sides of a blade of grass together with silk to create a feeding tube. In the first photo you can just see it's head poking out and also the distinctive feeding damage along the edge of the leaf.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHfUN_xipRoQXvMJv2pNxY9ql4RUHcTU5ZDgGbAXOGQnEHVv0wMSNlCHjS2OfF7BvlvUvJ6S4FfiGBh093jamw1SXoLAJ-Kn-_BXARLsfy-r7AtzwxEh1cN2JWS88dxWG_ll_uub7_hg/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+1-denoise+PSP+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHfUN_xipRoQXvMJv2pNxY9ql4RUHcTU5ZDgGbAXOGQnEHVv0wMSNlCHjS2OfF7BvlvUvJ6S4FfiGBh093jamw1SXoLAJ-Kn-_BXARLsfy-r7AtzwxEh1cN2JWS88dxWG_ll_uub7_hg/s640/Chequered+Skipper+1-denoise+PSP+Best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper larva, Rockingham Forest, September 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UzSirXt2SGSwF3r8H6iU5u8us-wFjpZoMXu8XMcm_-GNE49khrzCR7jueuHyYrPpO-fY19Fq7n1jUxnvFvJMSMmJA_SHUr9IjwNJyLCaYWmk9scZl7D2S8CWX9pvxwxg3po_pOQ34fE/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+Larva+2-denoise+PSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UzSirXt2SGSwF3r8H6iU5u8us-wFjpZoMXu8XMcm_-GNE49khrzCR7jueuHyYrPpO-fY19Fq7n1jUxnvFvJMSMmJA_SHUr9IjwNJyLCaYWmk9scZl7D2S8CWX9pvxwxg3po_pOQ34fE/s640/Chequered+Skipper+Larva+2-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English Chequered Skipper larva, Rockingham Forest, September 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Back from the Brink project
and Butterfly Conservation deserve congratulations for their amazing
accomplishment this year I feel extremely privileged to have been given the
chance to help this project in my own small way and I would urge anyone who is
reading this to offer some free time to volunteer for other Back from the Brink
projects you may have in your area.</span></div>
David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-70774879198234036972019-07-28T20:01:00.001+01:002019-07-28T20:01:35.832+01:00A Year in the Life of a Black HairstreakThe Black Hairstreak butterfly has held a special place in my heart for almost as long as I've held an interest in butterflies. Their specific needs making them a real Northamptonshire speciality coupled together with the elusiveness making them a challenge to study only make the species more appealing to me. The Black Hairstreak was one of the first species of butterfly I made a special trip to see when many years I ago I headed to Glapthorn hoping that I'd bump into someone who knew what they were doing and show me where to see them. As it happens I was in luck and no sooner had I visited the reserve a knowledgeable chap agreed to let me accompany him and he took me for a tour round before showing me my first Black Hairstreak nectaring on a flowing in the infamous third ride! The experiences on this day made a big impression on me, not only did I fall in love with this small but beautiful insect but the seeds were also sown in my mind to study butterflies in much more detail. One of the biggest regrets of my early days is not getting the contact details of this man who took me around (he cut a very distinguished figure in his plus fours, long walking stick and hat with a feather) as I would really like to personally thank him for inspiring me to follow a path that has led to me becoming the Northamptonshire butterfly recorder. For the next few years I visited Glapthorn every year on my annual pilgrimage to admire this butterfly and then I decided once I'd had my fix for the year I'd try and find some at a different site. After some reports of Black Haistreaks being seen at Fermyn Country Park I checked that area out for a few years too. What I really wanted though was to discover some for myself and after my local patch at Grange Park got scraped and made into a couple of warehouses I decided to make Salcey Forest my new area of study. I'd already had plenty of conversations prior to this with Doug Goddard the previous butterfly recorder and listened intently to him reminiscing about the many Black Hairstreaks that used to be seen around Salcey before their slow demise and considered extinction at the site so I had to make find Black Hairstreaks a priority. I spent day after day during the winter months searching for suitable Blackthorn stands and clearings before staring over the same areas during the butterfly's flight time hoping to see one. Then in 2015 I struck lucky when during a quick early morning visit I saw a small butterfly flit from a Blackthorn bush and onto a Sallow. A quick photo with the bridge camera zoomed right in showed the black dots along the outer edge of the hindwing proving by some amazing piece of luck I'd somehow managed to do it and find them once again in Salcey! Even luckier the butterfly then took off and descended to vegetation within reach of the SLR so here in the photo of the first one seen in Salcey for a fair few years!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptjC81lG64VN_AboJ9vQb3G6kj8dx2IPTq2ZCb2HhCE2Trlh1kcfrTcC0qOtTFiHJJpmrujjGmbnxrUW9NiMVFqUDREr5QrUDsf0oUtQxZ9Rsmv6s_PpDdBghaOWoY2hPfgA7RjQQdBQ/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey+3+email-denoise+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptjC81lG64VN_AboJ9vQb3G6kj8dx2IPTq2ZCb2HhCE2Trlh1kcfrTcC0qOtTFiHJJpmrujjGmbnxrUW9NiMVFqUDREr5QrUDsf0oUtQxZ9Rsmv6s_PpDdBghaOWoY2hPfgA7RjQQdBQ/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey+3+email-denoise+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Salcey Forest 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One thing that we are very lucky to have here in Northamptonshire is the dedicated band of butterfly recorders and after the news broke about the Black Hairsteaks being rediscovered in Salcey Forest a great team then searched and searched over the next few years and with their help we've learnt a great deal about their spread around the forest. The amazing Black Hairstreak season in 2018 saw some incredible numbers in their strongholds throughout the county and I realised this also offered the best opportunity I was probably going to have to study the early stages. I had already spent a couple days during each winter for 4 years leading up to this looking for Black Hairstreak eggs without success so I already knew that it would be a challenge even it had been the best season on record but I decided to accept the challenge all the same. Of course looking for early stages does have it's advantages, you don't need good weather, you get a tremendous sense of self congratulation when you find something and it's something butterfly related you can do in mid December when thoughts of June seem to be a distant memory. Personally I also find methodically going through branch over branch from tree to tree extremely relaxing but I know others baulk at the idea! The highest concentration of Black Hairstreak adults in 2018 unsurprisingly came from Glapthorn Cow Pastures and as this site is the first place I saw the species I decided to concentrate my efforts here.<br />
<br />
I started my first search during a wet day on the 28th of November in 2018. I searched all the Blackthorns along rides 2,3 and 4 along with the adjacent rides too. I have to admit I didn't realise how many moths lay their eggs on Blackthorns too and so often I thought I'd found one only to be disappointed once closer examination with the hand lens proved it to be a moth egg or an bud breaking on the branch. Eventually while searching again in ride 3 I searched some new Blackthorn growth and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a Blackthorn a bit deeper in with a small circular disc tucked under a thorn. Without looking through the hand lens I realised I'd finally found one! Below is the photo. The egg was situated on new growth approx 6ft high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-83Fary_vrLBQu6T_dDzCAQB-11xdKGhBuPxseAHJCWe2deoml2pkYQKCnyvw6cW0HlcdzwF8Xxa2NEMr8prD3Bm3X4jQ4bbD-ucZMgWHZGq9MZKbxkxbNTmI7ZGtp-VAxGaw5wTixs/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+egg%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+28.11.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-83Fary_vrLBQu6T_dDzCAQB-11xdKGhBuPxseAHJCWe2deoml2pkYQKCnyvw6cW0HlcdzwF8Xxa2NEMr8prD3Bm3X4jQ4bbD-ucZMgWHZGq9MZKbxkxbNTmI7ZGtp-VAxGaw5wTixs/s640/Black+Hairstreak+egg%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+28.11.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak egg, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 28/11/18</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After this sighting there was a bit of a gap in searching as the long awaited butterfly recording data repatriations poured in which meant I had to spend most of my days off on the laptop collating and analysing it all. I did get in a visit to Fermyn Country Park though as we had a conservation work party there on the 17th of March in 2019. As I hadn't had an opportunity to explore the site over the winter I arrived early in the morning to get a few hours searching in before the work party started. Despite searching all the new growth I failed to find any but as I was about to give up I searched some more out in the open Blackthorn and in the fork of a mature tree in a fork about 5ft up I discovered an egg casing! It wasn't a surprise that any discovered egg would have hatched as Spring was definitely well under way at this point but despite a very thorough search I couldn't find what would have been a tiny 1st instar larva.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClQ195tBudYHq-Z8cTz-_H7SwyziU5ofisgiMyuMVTPe-fpAAo_KW2VywHG1nHuvTR8TMtPkaFlNcUvmlxKabrMcAst-KeGHXujT2l_R2C6HmpNmQBt1Htv5zURXVTMRUHyic0UMIF-Y/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+egg+%2528hatched%2529%252C+Fermyn+Country+Park+17.3.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClQ195tBudYHq-Z8cTz-_H7SwyziU5ofisgiMyuMVTPe-fpAAo_KW2VywHG1nHuvTR8TMtPkaFlNcUvmlxKabrMcAst-KeGHXujT2l_R2C6HmpNmQBt1Htv5zURXVTMRUHyic0UMIF-Y/s640/Black+Hairstreak+egg+%2528hatched%2529%252C+Fermyn+Country+Park+17.3.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak egg (hatched), Fermyn Country Park 17/03/19</td></tr>
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Over a month later on the 28th of April I visited Glapthorn again but this time to look for larvae. I straight away went to the area I'd found the egg in but despite finding the egg successfully hatched I couldn't find any caterpillars on the branch. I kept checking along the stand of new Blackthorns and approximately 4 feet to the left of the egg on a different tree I found a larva tucked inside a leaf approx 3ft off the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi3uIFHME7nPw3F8JoizUDmkHa4CduHRmZIuI3_iNqVWD7CkCg1qqm43gmB9zXmUlenddg1OPCnMIF41RN3R-HiYSNg8o4LiGSbEUSGmPF9MvyV5KhWNpOasGiFEpqZS-rQ2RoNzPzf8/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+larva%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+28.4.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi3uIFHME7nPw3F8JoizUDmkHa4CduHRmZIuI3_iNqVWD7CkCg1qqm43gmB9zXmUlenddg1OPCnMIF41RN3R-HiYSNg8o4LiGSbEUSGmPF9MvyV5KhWNpOasGiFEpqZS-rQ2RoNzPzf8/s640/Black+Hairstreak+larva%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+28.4.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Larva, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, 28/04/19</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I then returned to the same area of Glapthorn a few weeks later on the 17th of May with the hope of finding the last early stage left to see but despite a thorough search I couldn't find any pupae. I did find this larva below though which after closer inspection showed it had spun a silk thread attaching itself to the leaf and was in preparation to pupate! You may have to open the image and zoom in to see it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo2Psl6-Qsua5R0PGt46tVS1Q2yh9IHbVlFL7U_OhpJtGtU7GbsIHt5yGZANgp1mXbglvKZm8FqC5R1y4Olw6x2hKEcBxDY3bkrjoDy4QHSDfvtekBDUmhSFaZBwJARu4XMXvEiCoGek/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+larva%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+17.5.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo2Psl6-Qsua5R0PGt46tVS1Q2yh9IHbVlFL7U_OhpJtGtU7GbsIHt5yGZANgp1mXbglvKZm8FqC5R1y4Olw6x2hKEcBxDY3bkrjoDy4QHSDfvtekBDUmhSFaZBwJARu4XMXvEiCoGek/s640/Black+Hairstreak+larva%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+17.5.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Larva (ready to pupate), Glapthorn Cow Pastures 17/05/19</td></tr>
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I must admit at this stage a degree of anxiety had crept in that (despite the pupal stage being the easiest to find in the wild) after coming this far I wouldn't be able to find any pupae so I had to make sure I could get back here as soon as I could to see if the larva that looked to be pupating had actually succeeded. I went back on the 19th of May and I was very surprised that the larva in question was still on the leaf but still very much in it's larval stage. I was a little dismayed by this to say the least as I knew that the pupal stage was the one they suffer the most predation in and I couldn't get back in here for another week due to work so it may well be snapped up by a bird before I could return. Despite this set back, and the fact I had also committed myself to another butterfly survey in the county so I didn't have much time, I decided to carry on searching as surely there must be some more in here! I spent a good hour checking all the Blackthorns in the ride but it was in vain. I felt the clock ticking and I was running out of time so I decided to head back to the entrance of the reserve but checking as much of the Blackthorn as possible along the way. As I approached the 2nd from last ride I looked at my watch and decided that at a push I could give it a half an hour search so I started looking. A sense of defeat had by now crept in and I half heartedly trawled through the branches. I should add at this point that the reason Glapthorn Cow Pastures is so good for Black Hairstreaks is because of the superb team of Wildlife Trust staff and a dedicated band of volunteers who do great conservation work here managing the Blackthorn. Laying the Blackthorn promotes fresh growth and it was while checking the twigs on the outer edge of one of these young bushes I noticed the tell tale bird dropping camouflage of a Black Hairstreak pupa nestled on the top of a thorn and tucked <span data-dobid="hdw">inconspicuously under a </span>leaf. The sense of relief I felt is almost impossible to put into words but by now I only had 20 minutes spare so I ran to the car to grab the tripod from the boot to get the photo below. It was quite a moment for me and was the culmination of a steep learning curve I had to take to learn more about this incredible butterfly and it's life cycle. My day got even better as after this as I had to travel to a site in Rockingham Forest to carry out a butterfly survey where I saw something else I'd always wanted to see, but more about that another day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDwxlg8_5yu6UHL8JSI11U9LPsvESsNyIhD0Cv7xC7hYioGGjeVhByCF8Dsxd_ZskC-8-dIg04gYL7pSOULS83TG5iUpeeIPrKntPLDLDthbSXiqGYhGAf9_h4UGAaMniyOEr34M2e2Q/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+pupa%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+19.5.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDwxlg8_5yu6UHL8JSI11U9LPsvESsNyIhD0Cv7xC7hYioGGjeVhByCF8Dsxd_ZskC-8-dIg04gYL7pSOULS83TG5iUpeeIPrKntPLDLDthbSXiqGYhGAf9_h4UGAaMniyOEr34M2e2Q/s640/Black+Hairstreak+pupa%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+19.5.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Pupa, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 19/05/19</td></tr>
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The following week on the 26th of May I just had to go back to Glapthorn while I had a couple of spare hours in the morning to see if the larva I'd found in the process of pupating (the one on the 5th photo) had succeeded. I walked up to where it was and instantly saw it surprisingly out in the open. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5VOjm3Gmdc31Hlos3lPFv1bs9e8JZO3xneyDXTVS1A9xS97MbjbDcVz8ZO5wN3PyhNsczgHJHdc1zcYQO0vioE6eOAyfkrlrqD1ZH9UjOiMn7hKPMjeCd5wXILVigRbzfsgbGSeYs58/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+Pupa%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+26.5.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5VOjm3Gmdc31Hlos3lPFv1bs9e8JZO3xneyDXTVS1A9xS97MbjbDcVz8ZO5wN3PyhNsczgHJHdc1zcYQO0vioE6eOAyfkrlrqD1ZH9UjOiMn7hKPMjeCd5wXILVigRbzfsgbGSeYs58/s640/Black+Hairstreak+Pupa%252C+Glapthorn+Cow+Pastures+26.5.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairsteak Pupa, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 26/05/19</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3lIJLzTQsXHpKjNWbTxqHVs_Aguky1B0QtrV3ACAz-x4AsJYze5YeqTK-z-gQfOXTakPDj2fv29UYDj-p5VNYdQftZiQxjiEDYjFEEOUcK5z1_LcXykgcEsLkgPuBFZErzfO4goYvh4/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+Pupa+2%252C+Glapthorn+26.5.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3lIJLzTQsXHpKjNWbTxqHVs_Aguky1B0QtrV3ACAz-x4AsJYze5YeqTK-z-gQfOXTakPDj2fv29UYDj-p5VNYdQftZiQxjiEDYjFEEOUcK5z1_LcXykgcEsLkgPuBFZErzfO4goYvh4/s640/Black+Hairstreak+Pupa+2%252C+Glapthorn+26.5.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak Pupa, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 26/05/19</td></tr>
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This pretty much brings the story to a close, except of course I couldn't do all of the above and not see the adults during their next season. Of course the numbers were lower than their spectacular season the previous year but they were still flying in good numbers so here are a few photos of the 2019 season adults. It was the culmination of an enjoyable journey tracking this insect all the way through it's life cycle. All I need to do now is try and work out which butterfly I should try and study this winter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0dkNLEQkJhkJdBofburtB2_W7caOojNb07yC8xTbSK70WjOCusuylfZ5EiG5Jx6QQvwLm-v-wJQCzg8EzcUZI74WFhk5cCX0FQv44Qa_E09DQyqbodexYRkQo88LCmi6wGuSGVSySxw/s1600/Black+hairstreak+2-denoise+PSP+Sharpened+More+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0dkNLEQkJhkJdBofburtB2_W7caOojNb07yC8xTbSK70WjOCusuylfZ5EiG5Jx6QQvwLm-v-wJQCzg8EzcUZI74WFhk5cCX0FQv44Qa_E09DQyqbodexYRkQo88LCmi6wGuSGVSySxw/s640/Black+hairstreak+2-denoise+PSP+Sharpened+More+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 09/06/19</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRiIyW1RFfUfnMAV1LssT-QY17bvzqZ9ZOf0bKoVVNlS79VQyHDiTP32RYqz4oEcd3THAwjUP0e72etmLJFgvhgHUX92GMYK5KipkUPvSUBudQM0bBnCzX-xbZJJCEL0oc7YgWj9I_-U/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRiIyW1RFfUfnMAV1LssT-QY17bvzqZ9ZOf0bKoVVNlS79VQyHDiTP32RYqz4oEcd3THAwjUP0e72etmLJFgvhgHUX92GMYK5KipkUPvSUBudQM0bBnCzX-xbZJJCEL0oc7YgWj9I_-U/s640/Black+Hairstreak+1-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 23/06/19</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Fl62Srf-mPSKHRaRbBHE85vySHcfn0X_7KbNB19tl9WEyaNd0rmX7NKqefwAS-SZ-ji5gKYZHKUsArNAB1hlzi-heQVBGXXqLEEs28OsWWS-Mtrz3BMCBD6D81WerOAZ1xm-vIQVDFE/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+2-denoise+PSP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Fl62Srf-mPSKHRaRbBHE85vySHcfn0X_7KbNB19tl9WEyaNd0rmX7NKqefwAS-SZ-ji5gKYZHKUsArNAB1hlzi-heQVBGXXqLEEs28OsWWS-Mtrz3BMCBD6D81WerOAZ1xm-vIQVDFE/s640/Black+Hairstreak+2-denoise+PSP.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures 23/06/19</td></tr>
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-8251257515366003382019-01-12T17:18:00.002+00:002019-04-10T18:33:57.901+01:00The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2018For Northamptonshire's butterflies 2018 has been a memorable year for many reasons. Not only did we have two national projects in the county but it was also an exceptional season for many of our butterflies. When I first became interested in the serious study of butterflies I'd often hear stories of huge groundings of Purple Hairstreaks, explosive Black Hairstreak years and numerous rare aberrations and colour forms which at the time such spectacles seemed to be confined to the history books so to witness many of these events first hand in 2018 made the year an extraordinary one to say the least. It's hard to say what made the year such a good one for many of our species and the consensus now is to think it's actually a number of factors with perhaps the climate being the biggest. Weather wise the year started quite mildly until exceptionally cold air blew in from the east (the "Beast from the East 1 and 2") in February and March and then after a slightly unsettled start to Spring the sun came out in May and with the exception of the occasional off day pretty much stayed out until mid September! This of course not only led to ideal conditions for the butterflies but also some of the best conditions (unless trying to separate Small from Essex Skippers) to view and record them in too. It could have been a very different story though as some parts of the country were reporting the drying up of larval foodplants in the drought which luckily we seemed to avoid. I did notice a lot of the Nettles were wilting in the mid summer heat so lets hope the species that use them could find suitable ones to lay eggs on. As for recording it was another good year too with several UKBMS transects being walked regularly and also a great coverage of WCBS squares. Casual recording was good with a lot of records emailed to me directly and also added to iRecord. It should also be noted that at the time of writing this I haven't received the results from the Garden Butterfly Survey or Migrant Watch yet so some of the below species details may see a slight increase when I do. So far we've received just over 17,090 records amounting to 87,518 individual butterflies but once the final surveys have been repatriated to the county recorders this figure should also go up slightly. It really is encouraging so see so many people taking the time to record the butterflies they're seeing as this data really helps in our understanding of the population trends over the years. A big thank you also has to go to the small army of volunteers who help out at our conservation work parties during the winter months and this year more dates have been added with Woodland Wings and the Back from the Brink Project also holding work parties too.If you'd like to help give a bit back you can find details of the winter work parties on the events page of the Beds and Northants Butterfly Conservation website (www.bedsnorthants-butterflies.org.uk/events) and also in the branch newsletter. Not only are these conservation days important for the ongoing health of our butterflies there is also nothing better than walking around a site during the butterfly season seeing butterflies utilising an area you helped clear the winter before and knowing you helped make a difference! We also had a well attended series of summer walks last year in the county under the expert guidance of Doug Goddard with all target species spotted! If you'd like to join us on one of these walks this year to enjoy some of the species mentioned below they will be posted on the events page of the website and also in the spring edition of the newsletter.<br />
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<b>Chequered Skipper</b><br />
I cannot complete a summary of 2018 without briefly mentioning the superb work by the Back from the Brink Project in the attempted reintroduction of the Chequered Skipper back into the Rockingham Forest area. On the 24th of May 42 Chequered Skippers were released into a Rockingham Forest woodland with great media coverage and even an appearance on Springwatch. The decision was made to keep this initial release location quiet in order to give the butterflies the best chance of success in establishing themselves and also to allow for detailed monitoring of their behaviour without disturbance. Keep an eye on the Back from the Brink website for news about how the various projects are going and also for dates of work parties if you'd like to help by volunteering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cIzNDnQp_5ubZqimgAGeufEtYZQNTTOYQVaU37mSdI2ku87CPluAghm2IJ_TaZAmDfYGGTf0O4yVHa1909RfF-tLx01FlgoW4KUFrmtWywK8sXqbehey1TkAOftj-L2NDX49aNyAvmI/s1600/Chequered+Skipper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cIzNDnQp_5ubZqimgAGeufEtYZQNTTOYQVaU37mSdI2ku87CPluAghm2IJ_TaZAmDfYGGTf0O4yVHa1909RfF-tLx01FlgoW4KUFrmtWywK8sXqbehey1TkAOftj-L2NDX49aNyAvmI/s640/Chequered+Skipper+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chequered Skipper, Rockingham Forest 2018</td></tr>
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<b>Small, Essex and Large Skipper</b><br />
The Small Skipper was 10% down from 2017 but the Essex Skipper was down by 79%. I think this is more to do with the fact that they were almost impossible to confidently record in the heat as they shot around the meadows like missiles and 2017 was a very good year for both species. Either way both species showed an increase when compared with a 10 year average with the Small Skipper up 74% and the Essex Skipper up 27%. The Large Skipper had a better showing than it did in 2017 with a 16% increase. These species could be encountered just about anywhere where suitable grassland was present with the biggest counts coming from places such as the Nene Wetlands, Bradlaugh Fields, Fermyn Woods, Twywell Hills and Dales etc. The first Small Skipper of the year was seen on the 7th of June at the Nene Wetlands and the last one was seen on the 4th of August at a site near Rushden. The first Essex Skipper was seen on the 10th of June at the Nene Wetlands and the last one was recorded at Hollowell Reservoir on the 11th of August. The first Large Skipper was recorded on the 26th of May on the New Duston Estate in Northampton and the last was seen on the 8th of August in Salcey Forest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B53VzeF_eh6vkM6oUNk_lvkhv7cXVvN8x87CvNW-TpJ7E2LyQPGt72lOzmsdFH_IeIBVAVSFnPUW-Nt_CqaL_fgxaUEmG8XrXkkwBaWEAghNKpHK8VYYx4ie4lBtUldiyI3Ztx6nhB8/s1600/Large+Skipper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2B53VzeF_eh6vkM6oUNk_lvkhv7cXVvN8x87CvNW-TpJ7E2LyQPGt72lOzmsdFH_IeIBVAVSFnPUW-Nt_CqaL_fgxaUEmG8XrXkkwBaWEAghNKpHK8VYYx4ie4lBtUldiyI3Ztx6nhB8/s640/Large+Skipper+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuB02KlmKo222aGBiE2TCPAJgS5_3DPrHs4UIWQ87vsVRm5dElhqdvKie69LMtzaszR4t8qvIZiCFAnrHaL4Rf7JR4P6fzf3vo7qbI4YyjmUPHm6XaaXTmEqCXd-hBnVZfqtqLZya1yc/s1600/Large+Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuB02KlmKo222aGBiE2TCPAJgS5_3DPrHs4UIWQ87vsVRm5dElhqdvKie69LMtzaszR4t8qvIZiCFAnrHaL4Rf7JR4P6fzf3vo7qbI4YyjmUPHm6XaaXTmEqCXd-hBnVZfqtqLZya1yc/s640/Large+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Dingy Skipper</b><br />
The Dingy Skipper had a good year in the county with a 52% increase from 2017 and a 148% increase over a 10 year average. The species remains fairly localised and with the exception of a small colony in the south of the county at Croughton Quarry all the other known populations are in the north. The best sites to see this species were Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehey Quarry, Twywell Hills and Dales and Polebrook Airfield. The first one was seen on the 7th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one was seen on the 21st of June also at Twywell Hills and Dales.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPsSiRjOPH8400_KOu7QXce66gbydLBAf46n5HBBO4jfIO2XAbRjGEEQeRCHPExpoW-8bT8CWIN2TGhR4mCYQvOq7YgkaZlxBqfW3yZSCsMZcWa6gxNuPfGf0fF2GERC98SsoHoFUIzo/s1600/Dingy+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPsSiRjOPH8400_KOu7QXce66gbydLBAf46n5HBBO4jfIO2XAbRjGEEQeRCHPExpoW-8bT8CWIN2TGhR4mCYQvOq7YgkaZlxBqfW3yZSCsMZcWa6gxNuPfGf0fF2GERC98SsoHoFUIzo/s640/Dingy+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper</td></tr>
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<b>Grizzled Skipper</b><br />
The Grizzled Skipper was up by 83% from 2017 and 148% from a 10 year average. The Grizzled Skipper season was also notable for the discovery of a 2nd brood individual at Twywell Hills and Dales which is a rare occurrence in the county and only recorded on a few occasions before. Like the Dingy Skipper this species is localised in it's distribution with southern populations restricted to Croughton Quarry, Helmdon Railway Cutting and Yardley Chase while the other are in the north of the county with Twywell Hills and Dales and Fermyn Country Park giving the highest counts. The first Grizzled Skipper was seen on the 3rd of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one, which was of course the 2nd brood, was recorded on the 21st of August also at Twywell Hills and Dales.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXe5ZqGe7vEHoVEyEVm22Q3HX3ToyZXl3hOyOB5goyu5a0L8jm0NRmpTTq2BZW5jm-POILIcLFbWlQ-raH625ld8tuFj8zenwcS8xdGGUYUxuU_iilXy4xmvxxqOgr63TaBUlIjEgUAE/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXe5ZqGe7vEHoVEyEVm22Q3HX3ToyZXl3hOyOB5goyu5a0L8jm0NRmpTTq2BZW5jm-POILIcLFbWlQ-raH625ld8tuFj8zenwcS8xdGGUYUxuU_iilXy4xmvxxqOgr63TaBUlIjEgUAE/s640/Grizzled+Skipper+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gTlPmrRnlbN6ryVzUoK-Cw3CKiy-rLtWSAnPiDjf-u8CRk9sox5J6koqhSg9dxsz8iBNuWlKuTgseGu2yBAp7oCtEu291iGC6lIBa4Q4C_Lbi1NWyuNbxAKjv2iGRCzf4vUHqqtfBq4/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gTlPmrRnlbN6ryVzUoK-Cw3CKiy-rLtWSAnPiDjf-u8CRk9sox5J6koqhSg9dxsz8iBNuWlKuTgseGu2yBAp7oCtEu291iGC6lIBa4Q4C_Lbi1NWyuNbxAKjv2iGRCzf4vUHqqtfBq4/s640/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Wood White</b><br />
The Wood White was slightly down on 2017 by 13% but was still 44% up from the 10 year average. The strongholds still remain to be the woodlands along the Yardley Whittlewood ridge with Bucknell Wood and Salcey Forest being the best sites to see them although they can also be found in Hazelborough Forest and Wicken Wood. The species is also present in Yardley Chase and Sywell Wood and a colony was rediscovered during 2018 in Geddington Chase but please note all three of these sites are strictly private. A project by Butterfly Conservation has been set up to help the Wood White and the Black Hairstreak in the Yardley Whittlewood region and is already well under way. This fantastic project, called Woodland Wings, is working with the Forestry Commission to help protect and provide the habitats these species need. There are events and work parties throughout the year to help support the project and details of these can be found on the events page of the Beds and Northants Butterfly Conservation local branch website (www.bedsnorthants-butterflies.org.uk/events). Salcey Forest was also honoured in 2018 when Julie Williams (CEO of Butterfly Conservation) and Sandra Muldoon (Head of Fundraising for Butterfly Conservation) paid a visit to see Wood Whites and Black Hairstreaks! Doug Goddard, Sharon Hearle and I had great pleasure showing them round and luckily the butterflies put on a good show for our visitors too. The first Wood White of the year was seen on the 14th of May in Bucknell Wood and the last of the 2nd broods were seen on the 4th of August in Hazelborough Forest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzMLn54EIL6whVF9o987hbd1fZaVOGVnj0sa7_jZYogzEn0mERaLJIYJUwqjz3tM_oAfM9USmMFapPsNMkkh6MsRpkbHxz4plQD47sjzjRepYockELbSAMVbTgKL_saBTZbhwmqgBkr0/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzMLn54EIL6whVF9o987hbd1fZaVOGVnj0sa7_jZYogzEn0mERaLJIYJUwqjz3tM_oAfM9USmMFapPsNMkkh6MsRpkbHxz4plQD47sjzjRepYockELbSAMVbTgKL_saBTZbhwmqgBkr0/s640/Wood+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Whites Courting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2SE78JYWxbmWV_Hwj4WNlQa0amFrpcChT-opxSpIE4QYoR79UtT4tLXQsJWWY3uEmrpsf7CkMPVYdRbOkhbvmlOqnC3ilSA0H4XfCXQQRLmw4kn7_sDIiaYXfLPwtFA9IxKoet347vs/s1600/Wood+White+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2SE78JYWxbmWV_Hwj4WNlQa0amFrpcChT-opxSpIE4QYoR79UtT4tLXQsJWWY3uEmrpsf7CkMPVYdRbOkhbvmlOqnC3ilSA0H4XfCXQQRLmw4kn7_sDIiaYXfLPwtFA9IxKoet347vs/s640/Wood+White+egg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White Egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRGW0j600OsPtkkQEzHjjoxlL5zonQtBGgurggEdmHk4Hn3TqnBuEcFxid2JcDlZhm0vLFR5ffVNppbtNfXwjaDJFsFQKTZDMD82PUg18-Ohla5JGEjwG2K0J_fEdH647Si4njdMcORQ/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRGW0j600OsPtkkQEzHjjoxlL5zonQtBGgurggEdmHk4Hn3TqnBuEcFxid2JcDlZhm0vLFR5ffVNppbtNfXwjaDJFsFQKTZDMD82PUg18-Ohla5JGEjwG2K0J_fEdH647Si4njdMcORQ/s640/IMG_4103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave James (me), Julie Williams (CEO of Butterfly Conservation), Sandra Muldoon (Head of Fundraising for Butterfly Conservation), Sharon Hearle (East of England Officer for Butterfly Conservation), and Doug Goddard (former county recorder and current Chairman of the Beds and Northants Butterfly Conservation local Branch) in Salcey Forest.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmKVaWXUsNJPtlJRi2F7q1tMU9UcNMUV4wwX3KWPXdwh_j5IbWVs09_BBDNzl0O63JbGDHJ0GN0VqBoLe1w_1ilv_iRSnITtPW0UzfC-hi-AhFeKzMn4ehtQ5Fql4jol2ZI9AHKtsLNk/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmKVaWXUsNJPtlJRi2F7q1tMU9UcNMUV4wwX3KWPXdwh_j5IbWVs09_BBDNzl0O63JbGDHJ0GN0VqBoLe1w_1ilv_iRSnITtPW0UzfC-hi-AhFeKzMn4ehtQ5Fql4jol2ZI9AHKtsLNk/s640/Wood+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Clouded Yellow</b><br />
The Clouded Yellow had a superb end to it's season in the county after a steady trickle of sightings during the spring and summer culminated with evidence of breeding at three locations and also a good display of the colour form <i>helice</i> too. As Clouded Yellows are migrants some years they're abundant while in other years where there are very few and the records show a 800% increase from the decade average showing that despite a slow start it's year ended on a high. The one was recorded in Bucknell Wood on the 6th of June and then they started to appear in single figures around the county at Ravensthorpe and Hollowell Reservoirs, Pitsford Reservoir, Brackmills Wood, Salcey Forest, Fermyn Country Park, Stortons Pits and Old Sulehey etc. Then as autumn approached Salcey Forest and Old Sulehey suddenly produced small concentrated populations showing evidence of successful breeding while Sywell Country Park produced a peak count of 24 on the 1st of October (the 2nd highest count we have on record), several mating pairs were observed and also several different form <i>helice</i> were recorded too. The form <i>helice</i> were also recorded at Hollowell and Salcey Forest too. The last Clouded Yellows of the year were seen at Sywell Country Park on the 22nd of October.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsBFZnyudx2qcDQSJh1hWnAIt6JZeSvNSsr5SMseVNNE-KaWW7t7dmQtCMiw0NbCGNAnSzcqYt0UsZHNwyRACel__p8kTn9LWulSGVk3k6WMArWfF3-wjHElWsUlDIB59H8JPMsIabug/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Sywell+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsBFZnyudx2qcDQSJh1hWnAIt6JZeSvNSsr5SMseVNNE-KaWW7t7dmQtCMiw0NbCGNAnSzcqYt0UsZHNwyRACel__p8kTn9LWulSGVk3k6WMArWfF3-wjHElWsUlDIB59H8JPMsIabug/s640/Clouded+Yellow+Sywell+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Sywell Country Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgePJiz5Ei3o8qQOBssFrMFmjwRYP-L4JSWmc1zb8H7qLuWSVfM2wIKYtWTwAuM2UmL8CgkiAjQRokzEbkweWoi2l5jz6zieSLZOE0WmMTuJJ_GUQtF37wUhFvq_88LfEqeT1NGMC7AgQ/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Sywell+helice+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgePJiz5Ei3o8qQOBssFrMFmjwRYP-L4JSWmc1zb8H7qLuWSVfM2wIKYtWTwAuM2UmL8CgkiAjQRokzEbkweWoi2l5jz6zieSLZOE0WmMTuJJ_GUQtF37wUhFvq_88LfEqeT1NGMC7AgQ/s640/Clouded+Yellow+Sywell+helice+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow form <i>helice, </i>Sywell Country Park</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv4EFPShvB2y1twz9Q8qHlJBF3AodFL-rnvjUllbKYsVgTp1-VQItOUlLsQNb0dQ5I5XvpPblDiqduxnclwyo1tk5knHC21TNqIzCM9i5dO3JK7pwHRroP6XBHpefWgFZLnCI9GfB1-U/s1600/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnv4EFPShvB2y1twz9Q8qHlJBF3AodFL-rnvjUllbKYsVgTp1-VQItOUlLsQNb0dQ5I5XvpPblDiqduxnclwyo1tk5knHC21TNqIzCM9i5dO3JK7pwHRroP6XBHpefWgFZLnCI9GfB1-U/s640/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Brimstone</b><br />
Although the Brimstone was 160% up from the 10 year average the numbers were only just higher than they were in 2017. The species can be encountered anywhere and is often the first butterfly seen during sunny days in the winter and early spring. The first one was seen on the 25th of January in Fineshade Wood and the last of the year was seen on the 13th of November at Pitsford Reservoir.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_aP4ZE_9g4BPogst0M-AosnkKFMl2yEAqrPwFEVl17psrcwBI4qsk8Z2YnIXNWfix3v2MH2LP3he6R-bBAYIte3Xl_q9aaFQa82bHqoMN3vr8uWM8vIZgDC0wwQTL9uM0JNsQIzKMlY/s1600/Brimstone+cammo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_aP4ZE_9g4BPogst0M-AosnkKFMl2yEAqrPwFEVl17psrcwBI4qsk8Z2YnIXNWfix3v2MH2LP3he6R-bBAYIte3Xl_q9aaFQa82bHqoMN3vr8uWM8vIZgDC0wwQTL9uM0JNsQIzKMlY/s640/Brimstone+cammo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brimstone and it's amazing camouflage!</td></tr>
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<b>Large, Small and Green-veined White</b><br />
The commoner Whites had a fairly poor showing in 2017 so it was good to see them all flying in big numbers once again in 2018. The Large White was up 152% from 2017, the Small White was up 278% and the Green-veined White was up by 171%. All three are well above their 10 year averages with the Small White up by nearly 800%. The first Large White was seen on the 16th of April in Long Buckby and the last on the 10th of October in Old village. The first Small White was recorded on the 16th of March in Barton Seagrave and the last one was seen on the 22nd October at Sywell Country Park. The first Green-veined White was seen on the 14th of April in Corby and the last one was seen on the 22nd of October at Farthinghoe Nature Reserve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidtEEPQF27jSCXXl6JpfRXejvued_W6jKAM_LX_cntB3jzj7NfI9EJeUezsuST6L5i3avbQ1NCp3L37LEzU9ka0q-NJEND7Bp0aweCLdtaM6Fj8-SZ0NH8Y64Gm0hRWleKNlplEGneAY/s1600/Green+Veined+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidtEEPQF27jSCXXl6JpfRXejvued_W6jKAM_LX_cntB3jzj7NfI9EJeUezsuST6L5i3avbQ1NCp3L37LEzU9ka0q-NJEND7Bp0aweCLdtaM6Fj8-SZ0NH8Y64Gm0hRWleKNlplEGneAY/s640/Green+Veined+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDNkmJBXvNp9bfUKIgVe3dbIMZKhOJvKpqJb7Yf8scxTWvqgVGe93KedXP92c2ItuM2wbCvRfghHNiJXTwa6UntZ3Q8JheRnFKGCS32iiCgGx8Yl2BSbl4Ho7nGPBxQHYV_Z85U1oqDY/s1600/Large+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDNkmJBXvNp9bfUKIgVe3dbIMZKhOJvKpqJb7Yf8scxTWvqgVGe93KedXP92c2ItuM2wbCvRfghHNiJXTwa6UntZ3Q8JheRnFKGCS32iiCgGx8Yl2BSbl4Ho7nGPBxQHYV_Z85U1oqDY/s640/Large+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5W4ZbK_tQXTUh6xxF9qd9x375i-exFBOB-DQ2_b78t-8WVVvwqISvzoQvgHJFZz7_TiNtIGB6ygRKdyzybufqvsTcsVe6tqzIb7Lq0W0BmFOIYjtlSndMAcSpHQYCbjb7WqpJFtWHQk/s1600/Green-veined+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5W4ZbK_tQXTUh6xxF9qd9x375i-exFBOB-DQ2_b78t-8WVVvwqISvzoQvgHJFZz7_TiNtIGB6ygRKdyzybufqvsTcsVe6tqzIb7Lq0W0BmFOIYjtlSndMAcSpHQYCbjb7WqpJFtWHQk/s640/Green-veined+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Orange-tip</b><br />
The Orange-tip was slightly up from 2017 and luckily seemed to dodge the unsettled weather at the start of the year. This is another species that can be found almost anywhere where it's larval plants grow (Garlic Mustard and Cuckoo Flower) but the highest counts came from the Nene Wetlands, Barnwell Country Park, Bucknell Wood, West Lodge Rural Centre near Desborough, Titchmarsh Nature Reserve, Twywell Hills and Dales and stretches of canal near Braunston and Hunsbury. The first ones were seen on the 14th of April at Little Harrowden and Thrapston Gravel Pits and the last one was recorded on the 1st of July in Daventry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pfdLzisn3VyOQvt6D9tZyW1WZgHcLTOKgz9ADjuZtT1qWFqsmVHpar_7hsXBaN4zmMFX_vjl13772byviYGjZVk6tzbwYBOdppnFelK_XELpS7iOYhz9DmIBI7uP41PR3NKnk20yXRs/s1600/Orange-tip+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_pfdLzisn3VyOQvt6D9tZyW1WZgHcLTOKgz9ADjuZtT1qWFqsmVHpar_7hsXBaN4zmMFX_vjl13772byviYGjZVk6tzbwYBOdppnFelK_XELpS7iOYhz9DmIBI7uP41PR3NKnk20yXRs/s640/Orange-tip+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip on Cuckoo Flower (spot the egg!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4A6fz0ha3YdGUdtMmHlbjk7C38DPE2TQ4dw_luLSB0KkkK54xNPCOZwI2NpJRH3dWu333HzZAcktzAXR8c8z-duPyzci-QxlaKSk5INmNBugO6YmL4SM10_8p8aepQ0HdlyQBxnhqJA/s1600/Orange-tip+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4A6fz0ha3YdGUdtMmHlbjk7C38DPE2TQ4dw_luLSB0KkkK54xNPCOZwI2NpJRH3dWu333HzZAcktzAXR8c8z-duPyzci-QxlaKSk5INmNBugO6YmL4SM10_8p8aepQ0HdlyQBxnhqJA/s640/Orange-tip+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uEK1OT0I2W74vLVWLOW4QFe9RjT8Z_A_YKhKhPfMf7Nurf-BP2nkkO7fwZYPqqybUuBEMhW4IS45nbu1olEO1SPcXDqFcl2BTr25H_Ey-b-ytZN0iyE0SSx3hQmm6XkGZoVUNbds-BM/s1600/Orange-tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uEK1OT0I2W74vLVWLOW4QFe9RjT8Z_A_YKhKhPfMf7Nurf-BP2nkkO7fwZYPqqybUuBEMhW4IS45nbu1olEO1SPcXDqFcl2BTr25H_Ey-b-ytZN0iyE0SSx3hQmm6XkGZoVUNbds-BM/s640/Orange-tip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Green Hairstreak</b><br />
The Green Hairstreak was slightly down from 2017 and show a 16% decrease although that's still 18% above the 10 year average. This is a very localised butterfly in the county and is restricted to a few sites in the north of the county. The best places to see them in 2018 were Fermyn Country Park and Twywell Hills and Dales which had the biggest numbers but they were also seen at Collyweston Quarry, Priors Hall, Weekley Hall Wood, West Lodge Corner Plantation, Old Sulehey etc. The first Green Hairsteak of the year was seen on the 1st of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last on the 11th of June at Fermyn Country Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdwU8WRg-Ec5r3kqsbUFmWG9DiNq6YPAISvPRt_TU9yC_U_oH23-i7aq2TlaacyM0rWS1eT6r8I3PYCjWCow5Vk1TtzUppBI6I6GsUFaiD5VndpafhwLi8poJjF2wUvABeLvbNqmxSdw/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdwU8WRg-Ec5r3kqsbUFmWG9DiNq6YPAISvPRt_TU9yC_U_oH23-i7aq2TlaacyM0rWS1eT6r8I3PYCjWCow5Vk1TtzUppBI6I6GsUFaiD5VndpafhwLi8poJjF2wUvABeLvbNqmxSdw/s640/Green+Hairstreak+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak</td></tr>
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<b>Purple Hairstreak</b><br />
The Purple Hairstreak had an exceptional year with the species being recorded in many locations and also in some big numbers. They were 299% up from 2017 and 809% up from the decade average. It wasn't just the large numbers that made the year amazing but also the amount of groundings observed as this normally elusive insect descended from the canopy and onto low lying vegetation or the ground. In fact on two occasions in 2018 while out recording I had to watch where I put my feet in case I didn't tread on any. This video below was taken in Old Sulehey and every speck you can see flying about is a Purple Hairstreak with 40 being recorded on this Bracken alone!<br />
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The Purple Hairstreak was recorded in a lot of localities around the county with one lucky observer even finding one on their Kettering town centre fence! Of course the highest numbers came from our woodlands with the best sites being Whistley Wood, Fermyn and Lady Woods, Salcey Forest, Bucknell Wood, Brampton Wood, Southwick Wood, Hazelborough Forest and Old Sulehey. The first ones of the year were recorded on the 22nd of June in Fermyn Wood and Salcey Forest and the last were seen on the 11th of August at Sywell Country Park and Wicken Wood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqzwxsJ7eG-zqhU-9zeSKMdxi65MekFcuKzauNkSTsTnhoq80x8FRb2JRAcaYWVJ6miuDfjkHdqJCX3ILCcOX7n-Icdsd60met9lWI12LMzv-3JKZ4bMoyPeqhZWDeMSO1olyiEe6Spw/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqzwxsJ7eG-zqhU-9zeSKMdxi65MekFcuKzauNkSTsTnhoq80x8FRb2JRAcaYWVJ6miuDfjkHdqJCX3ILCcOX7n-Icdsd60met9lWI12LMzv-3JKZ4bMoyPeqhZWDeMSO1olyiEe6Spw/s640/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak</td></tr>
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<b>White-letter Hairstreak</b><br />
The White-letter Hairstreak season looked good from the start so a request was made for recorders to check all the local Elms and this proved productive in finding new colonies. The species was 480% up from 2017 and 856% up from the 10 year average. The best sites to see them were Fermyn and Lady Woods, by the A5 at the Hillmorton Lane junction, Lyvedon New Bield, Hermitage Wood and Ashton Wold. The first ones of the year were seen on the 18th of June at Borough Hill in Daventry and along the path that runs through the middle of Brackmills Industrial Estate and the last one was observed on the 2nd of August in Yardley Chase.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16UF3hFxTJW9A2HgjMSbTidnYOKM7YWRa7nJv0yRnFe6LQhui51uCii6qL87xSWHuWQisRwX9Wn5VNTDGbD7xiU2bPwypVaHg2YtKkuSaUxJrTUnEEcgMYgFZXI6Wzr3Y5mDx4WyQSno/s1600/White-letter+Hairstreak+Lyveden+New+Bield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16UF3hFxTJW9A2HgjMSbTidnYOKM7YWRa7nJv0yRnFe6LQhui51uCii6qL87xSWHuWQisRwX9Wn5VNTDGbD7xiU2bPwypVaHg2YtKkuSaUxJrTUnEEcgMYgFZXI6Wzr3Y5mDx4WyQSno/s640/White-letter+Hairstreak+Lyveden+New+Bield.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreak</td></tr>
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<b>Black Hairstreak</b><br />
2018 be will talked about for many years to come for it's staggering Black Hairstreak season! Being lucky enough to witness it first hand will be something I don't think I'll be forgetting anyway. The chief strongholds of the species in the county had incredible numbers and it really was a sight to behold. To try and put this into perspective more Black Hairsteaks were seen in a single day at Glapthorn Cow Pastures in 2018 than the whole of the county the previous year. They were up by 869% from 2017 and up by a very impressive 2250% above the 10 year average. The best sites to see them were Glapthorn Cow Pastures, the Blackthorn thicket above Fermyn Country Park, Fineshade Wood and Salcey Forest and few new locations were found after recorders checked local Blackthorns away from the key sites. The first one was seen on the 3rd of June at Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last on the 2nd of July in Salcey Forest. This incredible year for the species also allowed me to realise an ambition of finding one of the eggs in the wild. Black Hairstreak eggs are very hard to find and despite years of trying I've failed to locate one, until this year that is when spurred on by their recent abundance I managed to find one in Glapthorn Cow Pastures!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3b4SYb_fAJpu3uHhUNUnIgq7EnTzHs7fv7MI6HJhw3Ndo33KewCVmyvpGx8uvXpAIXuvWyDGLRf04ZyJmEtc-ls3zaNsEqcvrHgiwD_BVXSDMFM7uDwUUgfwhl6oa1kVmlLldJVohtE/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3b4SYb_fAJpu3uHhUNUnIgq7EnTzHs7fv7MI6HJhw3Ndo33KewCVmyvpGx8uvXpAIXuvWyDGLRf04ZyJmEtc-ls3zaNsEqcvrHgiwD_BVXSDMFM7uDwUUgfwhl6oa1kVmlLldJVohtE/s640/Black+Hairstreak+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKOH1Ox6orVmAWFe9m3gA8ldd8AbnCHyEtxqNRua_rUenW4LcbG5tzbVcxEe-kgXbVJ-GsETKdAAN-394qIkWV9tJUhAaTYXf6YZXCThRr0TPbADLD9fPWndWwjXCFGlXLjhJ25rS_kY/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+egg+contextual+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKOH1Ox6orVmAWFe9m3gA8ldd8AbnCHyEtxqNRua_rUenW4LcbG5tzbVcxEe-kgXbVJ-GsETKdAAN-394qIkWV9tJUhAaTYXf6YZXCThRr0TPbADLD9fPWndWwjXCFGlXLjhJ25rS_kY/s640/Black+Hairstreak+egg+contextual+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak egg</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak egg (close up)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Small Copper</b><br />
The Small Copper was another species that seemed to do extremely well in 2018 with good numbers in the Spring and Summer broods and a spectacular showing in Autumn. Records of Ragworts and Thistles covered in Small Coppers were not unusual during August, September and October and good numbers were seen at Summer Leys, Harlestone Firs, Hollowell Reservoir, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Pitsford Reservoir, the Nene Wetlands and Sywell Country Park where they had to wrestle at the last site with the Clouded Yellows to get to the nectar! They were 264% up from 2017 and 757% up from the 10 year average. The first one was seen on the 6th of May at Borough Hill and the last on the 5th of November at Sywell Country Park. If I could pick just the one butterfly as a butterfly of the year it has to be the very rare aberration found by Doug Goddard. After a very excited phone call from him and a mad after work dash I managed to see it. It's called the Small Copper aberration schmidtii and this one also had the markings of an aberration caerleopunctata too. Unfortunately the following day it had vanished, perhaps it was predated or perhaps it just moved on but it's a real shame it disappeared so quickly. You can see a couple of photos of it below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper (ab.caerleopunctata)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper and Clouded Yellow, Sywell Country Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgofBmuey-ES4Y1Q66hVFhvyK-moxjIifadBhmIbvcsWnkFcE8Ir2sGTiAtY4DgmN-mkb17Sfvq-0YtmhQj3MtUEMQ6anB2uo4mNCL0myxMI19rtQXUtxlpTKtW7VJfZ3IsLgeOIX8RRQ/s1600/Small+Copper+ab+Schmidtii%252Bcaeruleopunctata+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgofBmuey-ES4Y1Q66hVFhvyK-moxjIifadBhmIbvcsWnkFcE8Ir2sGTiAtY4DgmN-mkb17Sfvq-0YtmhQj3MtUEMQ6anB2uo4mNCL0myxMI19rtQXUtxlpTKtW7VJfZ3IsLgeOIX8RRQ/s640/Small+Copper+ab+Schmidtii%252Bcaeruleopunctata+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper (ab.schmidtii+caerleopunctata)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqPErY11evWXcfx4pnU8NOzcB28JqwIdxrd6GuAwA1WtZIOFXCugJAZ4hZlr_DV0AXVlNrj7RGWHNN2c9B1H6FcpnOGiBvRUfun7ex7FgAsIuZWaaWmESJ3gfpKreJf9yajKfPGi8T70/s1600/Small+Copper+ab+Schmidtii%252Bcaeruleopunctata+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqPErY11evWXcfx4pnU8NOzcB28JqwIdxrd6GuAwA1WtZIOFXCugJAZ4hZlr_DV0AXVlNrj7RGWHNN2c9B1H6FcpnOGiBvRUfun7ex7FgAsIuZWaaWmESJ3gfpKreJf9yajKfPGi8T70/s640/Small+Copper+ab+Schmidtii%252Bcaeruleopunctata+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper (ab.schmidtii+caerleopunctata)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVNrjnuuJEkiM6A0uZyjud7bp9f7Wni8bxHrWpkdB-US-zvLKV7bFQ4cJELr1x7zJW-RivzpqqOzQjgLD1dvwFmLUvIQ79TA1zcjgS1yeR3U8qU4DFxpAgl_QZ0qvcLTO66epQN5Rxk/s1600/Small+Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctVNrjnuuJEkiM6A0uZyjud7bp9f7Wni8bxHrWpkdB-US-zvLKV7bFQ4cJELr1x7zJW-RivzpqqOzQjgLD1dvwFmLUvIQ79TA1zcjgS1yeR3U8qU4DFxpAgl_QZ0qvcLTO66epQN5Rxk/s640/Small+Copper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Brown Argus</b><br />
The Brown Argus also did well in 2018 with an increase of 319% from 2017 and a 430% increase over the decade average. The highest counts came from Summer Leys, Harlestone Firs, Twywell Hills and Dales, Irchester Country Park, Salcey Forest, the Nene Wetlands and Great Morton Sale. The first was seen on the 17th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the 10th of October at Harlestone Firs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNwlx5-Q9rLUQ9BjTdSwVsZA0rDyTfPu6Q0A3rmZ-75AItZZJ1bITm7arwF_eLNA_HZ2c0kLGDYJJhHAX9OhoK1RHJAF6l605MTD7bsekAiCEuGIRzZ34wD1GiHgThkSl2z8BqlNKF_s/s1600/Brown+Argus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNwlx5-Q9rLUQ9BjTdSwVsZA0rDyTfPu6Q0A3rmZ-75AItZZJ1bITm7arwF_eLNA_HZ2c0kLGDYJJhHAX9OhoK1RHJAF6l605MTD7bsekAiCEuGIRzZ34wD1GiHgThkSl2z8BqlNKF_s/s640/Brown+Argus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Common Blue</b><br />
The Common Blue season was similar to the Brown Argus with a 255% increase from 2017 and a 406% increase from the 10 year average. Some incredible counts of up to 300 came from some sites during the latter part of the year. The best sites to see the species were Summer Leys, Old Sulehey Quarry, the Nene Wetlands, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Polebrook Airfield, Twywell Hills and Dales, Helmdon Railway Cutting, Collyweston Quarry, Great Morton Sale and exceptionally high counts came from Welford Quarry, Priors Hall, Harlestone Firs, West Lodge Rural Centre near Desborough and Hollowell Reservoir dam. The first one of the year was seen on the 3rd of May in Wellingborough and the last was recorded on the 21st of October in Croughton Quarry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSHYfG8lUjaMU0Zq13x7OaE27vz4QNB8XSwmW_DWzTpCHjoyj4DP5YfJfvLHVz63ToxOB8CgcSRdLG5Na_ifXRsj5GqiT6y338B2GWyacGS72crkziwr3eJOlVhJKBJRDMewIHc4CmME/s1600/Common+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSHYfG8lUjaMU0Zq13x7OaE27vz4QNB8XSwmW_DWzTpCHjoyj4DP5YfJfvLHVz63ToxOB8CgcSRdLG5Na_ifXRsj5GqiT6y338B2GWyacGS72crkziwr3eJOlVhJKBJRDMewIHc4CmME/s640/Common+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Chalkhill Blue</b><br />
After the large colony at Spanhoe airfield was discovered by Brian Laney in 2017 it was subsequently scraped and turned into a working quarry. Consequently no records have been seen in the county since. Luckily when it became clear the Chalkhill Blue population was destined for destruction some of the butterflies were rescued by Brian Laney and Alan Butler and successfully reared through the winter to be released at another site just outside Northants in 2018. Both Brian and Alan need to be congratulated for achieving the best possible outcome in an otherwise very dire situation. Alan Butler has very kindly provided this account of how it all unfolded below -<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Brian
Laney had visited Spanhoe Airfield earlier in 2017 to collect various wild flower
seed having heard that this site was going to be quarried sometime in November
that year. When at the site collecting seed he noticed that there was a healthy
population of Chalkhill Blue (P coridon) flying and immediately became
concerned that this species would also be eradicated as quarrying commenced. He
contacted me to ask if I had bred coridon, or knew anyone else who had, with a
view to releasing butterflies on a new site in Northamptonshire the following
year. I was pleased to be able to tell him that I had previously bred this
species of butterfly on many occasions. I was particularly keen to help because
I felt that this population may have been isolated and as such could be
genetically very interesting.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brian
sought permission from the landowners to collect adult butterflies and once
granted we duly set off to Spanhoe on 25th August 2017. I was concerned that
this was already late in the flight period of this species, and with 2017
having been such a hot summer there was a good chance that most of the adult
butterflies would already have laid out or expired. Indeed when we got there,
although numbers flying were still good, the majority of butterflies were well
past their best. I managed to catch around 50 females in just over an hour and roughly
selected the best 30 females for egg laying. When I got home later that day I
gave the females a good feed on honey and water solution and placed half on
growing food plant (also collected from Spanhoe) under black netting and placed
half on cut foodplant in a plastic cylinder type breeding cage. The females
were seen laying the following day, although several had expired already
probably due to old age.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the autumn, the ova laid on the growing food plant were left outside for the
duration of the winter and had to face the “beast from the east” early in 2018.
To increase the chances of overall success, a different approach was taken with
the ova on the stems of cut food plant which were removed from the cylinder
cage and placed in a shallow cylinder with netting top and bottom and the whole
was pinned to a south facing fence and left open to the elements of the winter.
A significant number of ova had also been laid on the side of the cylinder and
on the net top. These ova were painstakingly removed, one by one and placed
inside the double netted shallow cylinder. This double netting design was used
to ensure good drainage and free passage of air to minimise the risk of mould
and mildew. This technique is also very effective in excluding predators such
as earwigs, snails and birds etc. After the extreme cold weather had passed the
shallow cylinder was placed inside a larger sealed plastic box (to prevent
desiccation of the ova) and the whole was placed inside a refrigerator which
was kept between 2 and 7 degrees C. This precaution was taken because of the
unreliability of the ambient weather at the time. By keeping the ova cold until
the spring had properly settled it was felt that the survival rate of the small
larvae might be higher.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both
setups produced several hundred larvae, and these then developed at more or
less the same rate as would be expected in the wild. It was very important that
the development of the larvae and pupae, and ultimately the emergence of the
butterflies was in synchronisation with the wild populations to ensure that the
conditions would be optimum for egg laying after release.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
first adult to emerge was a male on 4th July. Several more males emerged over
the next days before the first female emerged on 11th July. This female was
paired before the wings had even fully expanded. It is normal that males start
emerging before the first females and as females emerge males often assemble to
copulate with the females before they have taken their maiden flight. All the
adult butterflies were transferred at night to the original netted pot with
growing food plant for pairing. It was felt that the best success would be
achieved if paired females were released rather than releasing males and
females at the new site and hoping for pairings afterwards. Likewise it was
felt that putting down pupae at the new site would in
all likelihood be less successful than releasing paired females.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately
by the time a new release site had been identified and permission to release
had been gained, some of the adult butterflies had expired. The new site chosen
for release was Southorpe Rough and permission was granted for release on 5th
August, almost 1 month after the first adult butterflies had started to emerge.
During this period 53 females and 58 males had emerged, and on the 5th August,
after feeding the butterflies on water and honey solution, 25 females and 18
males were released. This number included two females still in copulation. No
ovipositing was witnessed at the site on the day of release, but this was not
particularly surprising."</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Holly Blue</b><br />
The Holly Blue had a good year with a good spread of records around the county. They were 343% up from 2017 and 507% up from their 10 year average. Although they were observed all over the county the best sites were Abington Park, Farthinghoe Nature Reserve, Castle Fields in Wellingborough and Finedon Pocket Park. The first ones were seen on the 18th of April in gardens in Northampton and Kettering and the last one was recorded on the 25th of September at Sywell Country Park. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq1-3n1TXPC-cJdr8e_jhN0wiytF_pGRYnYqOdx32VRSYGKt-azbatehNkGVgeZZnj4ZbwPL7vXTo-T9jp8Ie1HFIF4blJsYLP0_oaXoIMKAZEOMydDazJegHymmMa2AFICGOJiWF_VY/s1600/Holly+Blue+egg+laying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq1-3n1TXPC-cJdr8e_jhN0wiytF_pGRYnYqOdx32VRSYGKt-azbatehNkGVgeZZnj4ZbwPL7vXTo-T9jp8Ie1HFIF4blJsYLP0_oaXoIMKAZEOMydDazJegHymmMa2AFICGOJiWF_VY/s640/Holly+Blue+egg+laying.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7r7bubb-pj-PtXXoh4DCxlFU1z1Fl35PCSzW2elJOiLX1x7Yt09E9edhDH8_ODqgTcB_ihX4GGZts5x3TGmqbB5IPhCVegU_qTvbpZdDxomnGeMUUDfOF0zI_5iIMdUFkNDtE07jlNk/s1600/Holly+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7r7bubb-pj-PtXXoh4DCxlFU1z1Fl35PCSzW2elJOiLX1x7Yt09E9edhDH8_ODqgTcB_ihX4GGZts5x3TGmqbB5IPhCVegU_qTvbpZdDxomnGeMUUDfOF0zI_5iIMdUFkNDtE07jlNk/s640/Holly+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>White Admiral</b><br />
Like the previous year 2018 proved to be a good season for the White Admiral and they could be seen flying in good numbers in our woodlands with Bucknell Wood, Salcey Forest, Hazelborough Forest and Fermyn and Lady Woods being the chief strongholds. They were 57% up from 2017 and 230% up from the 10 year average. The first ones were seen on the 18th of June in Fermyn Wood and Bucknell Wood and the last one was recorded on the 2nd of August in Yardley Chase.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv-9cPMnyAnUr31HwfM_dO2bO-hq3ZHJl26wrN_4w6tBXIA3dtePVE1QzI0m5qUBsFA5fPxQDIL8V6NN199sY_vtWuEyGbNUam2gIwg9wY5IpqvvJUdwC3sGy2FkLysdpZeSQhmuFekg/s1600/White+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCv-9cPMnyAnUr31HwfM_dO2bO-hq3ZHJl26wrN_4w6tBXIA3dtePVE1QzI0m5qUBsFA5fPxQDIL8V6NN199sY_vtWuEyGbNUam2gIwg9wY5IpqvvJUdwC3sGy2FkLysdpZeSQhmuFekg/s640/White+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjuwhfTKa0KT5ZvZaPCNNEGKFvyhlMufyLCIcFVFGk48XaVIcbIatdaNY5kV-jV3yNO3d_2f5Spi_yAEKRCO-ZzQ30jO9Dv3JYvkaQJ4Mv4qHcsIJac1_IkgRazfePUKbTKfvKO6QTPs/s1600/White+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjuwhfTKa0KT5ZvZaPCNNEGKFvyhlMufyLCIcFVFGk48XaVIcbIatdaNY5kV-jV3yNO3d_2f5Spi_yAEKRCO-ZzQ30jO9Dv3JYvkaQJ4Mv4qHcsIJac1_IkgRazfePUKbTKfvKO6QTPs/s640/White+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Purple Emperor</b><br />
The Purple Emperor did well in 2018 and the species has increased it's range once again. Sightings came in from all over the county with some amazing records too such as the man who found one on his lunch break at Rushmills Industrial Estate in Northampton and the other lucky chap who saw one fly over his garden in Brackley! They were up by 207% from 2017 and up by 344% over the 10 year average. The best site to see them remains Fermyn and Lady Woods for numbers but good counts were also made in Bucknell Wood, Brampton Wood and Salcey Forest. The first of the year was seen on the 20th of June in Bucknell Wood and the last was seen on the 27th of July also in Bucknell Wood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dvnv8MrU7Kq9e0qOmtauYcIj2FCZgx99EDG7mFQR1dLELgNg_u3QzBtkG_vtSTuhoFiaxxxQfBW91w7DdYB0Sk0ENewH4jcwICnUeC34XsqeaousYgitC0aS2SSC3wmrWHJE0XqYdag/s1600/Purple+Emperor+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Dvnv8MrU7Kq9e0qOmtauYcIj2FCZgx99EDG7mFQR1dLELgNg_u3QzBtkG_vtSTuhoFiaxxxQfBW91w7DdYB0Sk0ENewH4jcwICnUeC34XsqeaousYgitC0aS2SSC3wmrWHJE0XqYdag/s640/Purple+Emperor+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxaZT_8jgbLossWMlWl5ewI2vSzEQRaLDCy7dVzhFjNNCOox9ic8BHsJA7GMtETOAlqP5z5YjplxzU1DCNSJZov-73zzxreOrHM2z2-6TxWfuTTAp16tuqRemfKXXftLGwQB-6p8f7to/s1600/Purple+Emperor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxaZT_8jgbLossWMlWl5ewI2vSzEQRaLDCy7dVzhFjNNCOox9ic8BHsJA7GMtETOAlqP5z5YjplxzU1DCNSJZov-73zzxreOrHM2z2-6TxWfuTTAp16tuqRemfKXXftLGwQB-6p8f7to/s640/Purple+Emperor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Red Admiral</b><br />
2017 was an exceptionally good year for the Red Admiral so it's no surprise the records show a decline in 2018. Despite this they were still 9% above the 10 year average. The first one was seen on the 10th of January in Northampton and the last of the year were seen on the 18th of November in gardens in Wellingborough and Thrapston.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZG_Vjk6F-8iDZbuKwYFqq6TIKE9L_kV92iWL2t5eY0nmeCjXy9I9Y4EfIIw-ns2xgN6ugHI7781QOc2Q19TejglU8MmKT8aTSY4388IldnhEcPqNnGsA244LMwUYVbCh3VLX6JRHBCw/s1600/Red+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZG_Vjk6F-8iDZbuKwYFqq6TIKE9L_kV92iWL2t5eY0nmeCjXy9I9Y4EfIIw-ns2xgN6ugHI7781QOc2Q19TejglU8MmKT8aTSY4388IldnhEcPqNnGsA244LMwUYVbCh3VLX6JRHBCw/s640/Red+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH67gKa5_xHAjGo-GvRxQmeTtnQtwHaLZ_7k2RC1DNE6d5fM4li4vD0hdaI9eLW0lEejXewnc47mzSft4I9ie0ePBsXucdusRuSJmICfowCot-0kv0RpxgyHD9a32knmGC5eaBVNIl6w0/s1600/Red+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH67gKa5_xHAjGo-GvRxQmeTtnQtwHaLZ_7k2RC1DNE6d5fM4li4vD0hdaI9eLW0lEejXewnc47mzSft4I9ie0ePBsXucdusRuSJmICfowCot-0kv0RpxgyHD9a32knmGC5eaBVNIl6w0/s640/Red+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Painted Lady</b><br />
Although very slightly up from the 10 year average the Painted Lady was down 16% from the previous year but once the Migrant Watch survey results are in this may increase the results. They were seen all around the county although some high concentrations may well be the results of releases from the increasingly popular Painted Lady rearing kits. The first one was seen on the 14th of April at Stortons Pits and the last one was recorded on the 18th of October at Bozeat Quarry.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4exlKJrn-XJb1FIaEvqxkkEbNVYBh8Y5lcmXHPUwYRUobzJtG3IHm1fKmU9uVUvKtrVPFFmra5whZc5_2bf82ocHUidBxZcL4gx8kXdix3lI2kKrcBHrxqeTrZSgVwvEBhEXUkuOp-cQ/s1600/Painted+Lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4exlKJrn-XJb1FIaEvqxkkEbNVYBh8Y5lcmXHPUwYRUobzJtG3IHm1fKmU9uVUvKtrVPFFmra5whZc5_2bf82ocHUidBxZcL4gx8kXdix3lI2kKrcBHrxqeTrZSgVwvEBhEXUkuOp-cQ/s640/Painted+Lady.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Small Tortoiseshell</b><br />
The Small Tortoiseshell was another species that didn't do too well in 2018 but despite being 33% down from 2017 it was still 103% up from the 10 year average. The first ones were seen on the 24th of February in a Kettering garden and Polebrook village and the last ones were recorded on the 4th of November at Pitsford village hall with another woken from it's overwintering diapause on New Years Eve in a Kettering garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydHvJTXozu5q_14DxPeHRoN3VPaj-eQpZ-9ROYzeMkfJVk9goAjLUu3IWTaZXkmhZYR-YAdEqIOVz_voGctG8tfOgrqoBsHLem11nkql6CVaeBoH45KfhzKvH9BV6nXqtw3M7QEtkqCQ/s1600/Small+Tort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydHvJTXozu5q_14DxPeHRoN3VPaj-eQpZ-9ROYzeMkfJVk9goAjLUu3IWTaZXkmhZYR-YAdEqIOVz_voGctG8tfOgrqoBsHLem11nkql6CVaeBoH45KfhzKvH9BV6nXqtw3M7QEtkqCQ/s640/Small+Tort.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Peacock</b><br />
The decline in Peacock numbers has been a cause of concern for a while and unfortunately 2018 didn't show a change in this downward trend. They were down 19% from the 10 year average and 25% down from 2017. The first one was recorded on the 28th of January in a pub garden in Chacombe and the last was seen on the 30th of December at Kinewell Lake near Ringstead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPTjXIrTe_BK8PUlL9CTGV9E6CzBay9WRVGqWkzbr-Ttvx1ai3ByjSZ0Dugnx7koqFlJcIP490xOT-vDeaqPgxG9UbpZyWMIb3DQIVyQqx_2ts_gnJJsNtgBA3q94yCj3fi2q0MNo4yc/s1600/Peacock+Twywell+Hills+an+Dales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPTjXIrTe_BK8PUlL9CTGV9E6CzBay9WRVGqWkzbr-Ttvx1ai3ByjSZ0Dugnx7koqFlJcIP490xOT-vDeaqPgxG9UbpZyWMIb3DQIVyQqx_2ts_gnJJsNtgBA3q94yCj3fi2q0MNo4yc/s640/Peacock+Twywell+Hills+an+Dales.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Comma</b><br />
Although 33% down from 2017 the Comma was 82% up from the 10 year average. The species seemed to have a poor showing at the start of the butterfly season but they had a resurgence in numbers by the end of summer. The first one was seen on the 20th of February at Blueberry Lodge near Hanging Houghton and the last was recorded on the 5th of November along the old railway track near Stanford Reservoir.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXU9JcBuhyIsLYBeZRorMPNbKHA_vhk3pVZSJviwtTJDQfvy5iThXvdlZLYTTTZtKGtk7Klg1BmgFcjvjW9oXCD6xRr9P2sTnfWE7s3uleXG59DvUKYXv61s6kZRdwtGahPw5zHU4LAQ/s1600/Comma+Hartwell+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXU9JcBuhyIsLYBeZRorMPNbKHA_vhk3pVZSJviwtTJDQfvy5iThXvdlZLYTTTZtKGtk7Klg1BmgFcjvjW9oXCD6xRr9P2sTnfWE7s3uleXG59DvUKYXv61s6kZRdwtGahPw5zHU4LAQ/s640/Comma+Hartwell+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Dark Green Fritillary</b><br />
We had more records of Dark Green Fritillary than previous years and at a few different locations too. They have been recorded at Ring Haw regularly for a few years but in 2018 they were seen at more sites which hopefully indicates an attempted colonisation. The species was once again recorded at Ring Haw and also in the nearby Old Sulehey Wood, Great Moreton Sale, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Polebrook Airfield and at two locations in Fineshade Wood with egg laying behaviour observed here too. The first of the year was seen on the 18th of June at Ring Haw and the last of the year was seen on the 24th of July also at Ring Haw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiwxOVI-LuViZInftZ-KM8xmhAzvOjLY8C9Rserf_9cmm2ow3yVuH_poA7eDqNzEfl7ocg_pYsxTY1DcBNtuvtkjt_BSVYOuS8CjLrPQxTRwlmJI3k9VAiv2dajwk3geOFs6abD05cKg/s1600/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiwxOVI-LuViZInftZ-KM8xmhAzvOjLY8C9Rserf_9cmm2ow3yVuH_poA7eDqNzEfl7ocg_pYsxTY1DcBNtuvtkjt_BSVYOuS8CjLrPQxTRwlmJI3k9VAiv2dajwk3geOFs6abD05cKg/s640/Dark+Green+Fritillary+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Silver-washed Fritillary</b><br />
The Silver-washed Fritillary also had a good year and were 61% above the year before and 608% above the decade average. The best places to see them remain the chief strongholds such as Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Wood, Fineshade Wood, Great Morton Sale, Hazelborough Forest, Old Sulehey Wood, Wakerley Wood and Salcey Forest although they could be encountered in most of our woodlands with new sites added in 2018. The abundance of Silver-washed Fritillaries also produced some nice aberrations and once again the colour form <i>valezina </i>was encountered regularly. The first ones of the year were seen on the 18th of June at Bucknell Wood and Fermyn Wood and the last of the year was recorded on the 15th of August at Great Morton Sale.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWOsiZF2XAK8bzXUNembasC8Y4eMyx2H54WdjnDkfGUh2v_NnX4q1k2q0Hxp7ST58MTnCKS2IMZn_kWMXTvkmI24iM8U2EysB8S7F7YPFWn8tU0tZ5pzjeqj9mwuujAlWmqKWcNeY0j4/s1600/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWOsiZF2XAK8bzXUNembasC8Y4eMyx2H54WdjnDkfGUh2v_NnX4q1k2q0Hxp7ST58MTnCKS2IMZn_kWMXTvkmI24iM8U2EysB8S7F7YPFWn8tU0tZ5pzjeqj9mwuujAlWmqKWcNeY0j4/s640/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+female.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rEe1bMM0j1_hfpJYHWIE1tQNEsYoGqas-c8IS145hGkly-ZJN0SOEXWHsTFX9F6C2X_1ymNU-H4frn3mxkXrNuQ7imLSIO44e4dgqakVVlh3g8N4LgCSZRCXtrzW-EVpjDzKouE1Oi4/s1600/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+valezina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rEe1bMM0j1_hfpJYHWIE1tQNEsYoGqas-c8IS145hGkly-ZJN0SOEXWHsTFX9F6C2X_1ymNU-H4frn3mxkXrNuQ7imLSIO44e4dgqakVVlh3g8N4LgCSZRCXtrzW-EVpjDzKouE1Oi4/s640/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+valezina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary form <i>valezina</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ByQp8zHcnuoI2OZsyvRK2isUL7SzQNdPbaNDEWmy1g_Oa7ZR3XRcq1wUJx2aekfejw9DlroFFtpelmgDJekXynEsCG9tauR4OwKLAIaotriU9OAv0rvdty_5ssglZ0mbJAsl26ZUzE/s1600/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+ab+confluens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-ByQp8zHcnuoI2OZsyvRK2isUL7SzQNdPbaNDEWmy1g_Oa7ZR3XRcq1wUJx2aekfejw9DlroFFtpelmgDJekXynEsCG9tauR4OwKLAIaotriU9OAv0rvdty_5ssglZ0mbJAsl26ZUzE/s640/Silver+Washed+Fritillary+ab+confluens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary ab.confluens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i></i>
<i></i>
Speckled Wood<br />
The Speckled Wood had a good year and were up by 60% from 2017 with a 238% increase over the 10 year average. The first one was seen on the 14th of April in Towcester and the last records of the year came on the 22nd of October at Farthinghoe Nature Reserve and Sywell Country Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66egE_a0IrPo7MZGBCYacaPgoVK2RvJpwqHvtT3DJ88PXijU7Ki1Ch5Li8s5yhoDZnAUCigEl5LoB94ra-8y07jNfl52NKlLD3kfMoQAFwLc-fQBHRxx-HltLoCZEZNab6JlrvCD0Czg/s1600/Speckled+Wood+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66egE_a0IrPo7MZGBCYacaPgoVK2RvJpwqHvtT3DJ88PXijU7Ki1Ch5Li8s5yhoDZnAUCigEl5LoB94ra-8y07jNfl52NKlLD3kfMoQAFwLc-fQBHRxx-HltLoCZEZNab6JlrvCD0Czg/s640/Speckled+Wood+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Marbled White</b><br />
The Marbled White was seen in better numbers than the previous year and show a 73% rise over 2017 and a 260% increase over the 10 year average. Once again the species appears to have spread in the county with records coming from new grassland sites. The first ones were seen on the 15th of June at the New Duston Estate in Northampton and at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one was seen on the 7th of August in Paulerspury.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrqTmidMP4OX2RzGcanaBq0plOxVkSh10fm3oNT8G8dIONIz5TFTGMpmQhQNSjWPGEp0XhqSnOXy5aBmNwgJUzEwRi1m3wA_mZgCT5F_DrVBW_FhWDvN8FqpPFudpUBYtYiEwV2ZdNsM/s1600/Marbled+White+Underwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrqTmidMP4OX2RzGcanaBq0plOxVkSh10fm3oNT8G8dIONIz5TFTGMpmQhQNSjWPGEp0XhqSnOXy5aBmNwgJUzEwRi1m3wA_mZgCT5F_DrVBW_FhWDvN8FqpPFudpUBYtYiEwV2ZdNsM/s640/Marbled+White+Underwing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Gatekeeper</b><br />
The Gatekeeper numbers stayed about the same as 2017 with only a 0.05% decrease in records but were still 149% above the decade average. The first of the year was recorded on the 24th of June on a Yelvertoft allotment and the last of the year was seen on the 25th of September at the Nene Washlands Reserve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Meadow Brown</b><br />
The Meadow Brown had a slightly better year than 2017 and along with the Ringlet remains one of our commonest butterflies. They were 33% up from the previous year and 226% above the 10 year average. The first was seen on the 1st of June at Summer Leys and the last was seen on the 1st of September at Ring Haw.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Ringlet</b><br />
The Ringlet had a good year in 2018 and were 431% up from 2017 and 263% up from the decade average. I think they may have been a victim of their own abundance during 2017 though and were under recorded by our surveyors. The first one was seen on the 11th of June in Sulby Gardens and the last of the year was seen on the 5th of September in a Daventry garden.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet</td></tr>
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<b>Small Heath</b><br />
The Small Heath also seemed to have a good year too with a 63% increase from 2017 and a 250% from the 10 year average. The first one was seen on the 13th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and last ones recorded one the 29th of September at Ring Haw and Twywell Hills and Dales.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath</td></tr>
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So that concludes the brief review of the 2018 butterfly season here in Northamptonshire. The only record we received of an exotic butterfly was a Monarch seen and photographed near Finedon on the 19th of May but this is no doubt the result of a home reared release. We did also get two tantalising records of Brown Hairstreak at a couple of sites but unfortunately the presence of the species couldn't be confirmed at either despite thorough searches. The fantastic work neighbouring Butterfly Conservation branches have put in with egg searches does show the Brown Hairstreak is getting very close to the Northants border so lets hope they push a bit further and we can have a new regular species! I think it's also worth mentioning that some of the sites mentioned in the species details above are private so please don't trespass to see a butterfly as there are public sites to see all species. Some of our recorders have arranged permission from the landowners to survey selected private sites but these may be retracted should too many people trespass to see the butterflies and therefore we will loose valuable records. In short please don't do what the chap below is doing unless you have written permission to do so!<br />
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All the above text and photographs are the copyright of Dave James (me)<br />
All distribution maps are the copyright of Beds and Northants Local Branch of Butterfly ConservationDavid Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-86430657352145996882018-02-07T15:39:00.000+00:002018-02-07T17:48:10.094+00:00The Butterflies of Northamptonshire in 2017Weather wise 2017 proved to be a mixed bag and started with a nice spring which caused many butterflies to emerge early, in fact some of the spring butterfly species emerged two weeks earlier than they had the year before. Unfortunately despite the year being one of the warmest on record the weather took a serious turn for the worst during late June when high winds hit the county and then unsettled conditions dominated as the storms battering the USA made their way across the Atlantic to us. Despite this rough weather during the summer the Northamptonshire
butterfly season went fairly well for our butterflies and with the
exception of the Purple Emperor all key species showed an increase from
2016. As always a huge thank you needs to go to all our recorders out there as without their valuable contribution none of these species analysis could take place. In all we received just over 16,000 records during 2017 which amounts to approximately 56,000 individual butterflies added to our database. As well as the the supply of casual records, UKBMS, WCBS, Garden Butterfly Survey and Big Butterfly Count records the use of iRecord to record butterflies has been a fantastic success. The iRecord website makes data entry easy for our people doing the counts and also (most importantly for me) makes the verification and importing data into our recording software process very easy too so it's certainly worth having a look at if you're not using it already. If you do decide to take up iRecord please still email me your records as you're seeing them so I can update the sightings page of the website but state clearly that you've added them to it so I don't add them to our system too and we get repetition in the records later in the year. As for 2018 it's an exciting time for Northants with two big national projects taking place within the county. The Woodland Wings project has started with the aim of conserving the Wood White and Black Hairstreak populations in Yardley Chase, Salcey Forest, Bucknell Wood and Hazelborough and of course the Back From The Brink Project looking to reintroduce the Chequered Skipper back into our woodlands in the Rockingham Forest area. The uptake in recording is very encouraging as none of the below could happen if it wasn't for your help. It's also superb to see the amount of people willing to record the commoner butterflies too as well as the scarce as quite often it's the Whites, Peacocks, Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells etc. that tell the true story about how well our butterflies are doing. We're all guilty of overlooking species when they're considered common and even seasoned butterfly recorders often let Whites etc. go when they
shoot past and they go unidentifiable unless a chase is ensued. It is worth
trying to record as many of the commoner species as possible though, even the ones in your garden, so we can build the best picture we can of the county's butterflies.<br />
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All below text and photos are mine and the distribution maps are copyrighted to Beds and Northants Branch of Butterfly Conservation.<br />
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<b>Small and Essex Skipper</b><br />
Small Skippers had a good year but the often under recorded Essex Skipper had an incredible year. Numbers of both species were well up on previous years with peak counts of 334 Small Skippers and 600+ Essex Skippers at Bradlaugh Fields on the 1st of July. I survey a private grassland site for butterflies just outside Northampton and during these surveys I was amazed at how many Essex Skippers there were and it seemed every Ragwort head had several Essex and Small Skippers busy nectaring on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35xfomx9KpuxTpO2PEqtYoZp1Sc2KiBC9XlOB4_Ec0Nv-JyqRaMk1hYubjoboyzh5VY7bimHO2kv1LszwKeV45Xng93_nNMYpDDEBxOmdYM9AlHr_mB5r7cVewsOo3wo6dO1hdijpAcg/s1600/Small+Skipper+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35xfomx9KpuxTpO2PEqtYoZp1Sc2KiBC9XlOB4_Ec0Nv-JyqRaMk1hYubjoboyzh5VY7bimHO2kv1LszwKeV45Xng93_nNMYpDDEBxOmdYM9AlHr_mB5r7cVewsOo3wo6dO1hdijpAcg/s640/Small+Skipper+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Skipper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Countywide Small Skippers were up 47% with the first being seen on the 1st of June in Wellingborough and the last one on the 24th August at Twywell Hills and Dales. Essex Skippers were up a massive 525% with the first one seen one the 18th June at Great Morton Sale and the last one on the 12th August at Bradlaugh Fields. Distribution maps for both species are below -<br />
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<b>Large Skipper</b><br />
Compared to previous years the numbers of Large Skipper remained about the same with a slight 6.9% increase and a good spread of records around the county.. The first one was reported on the 25th May in Duston and the last was seen on the 16th August near Southwick Wood. The highest counts came from Bucknell Wood on the 19th June and the 2nd of July and also Fermyn Wood on the 1st of July.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Skipper, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<b>Dingy Skipper</b><br />
The Dingy Skipper had a 13% increase from last year and the principle sites for the species were Twywell Hills and Dales, Fermyn Country Park, Old Sulehey and Great Morton Sale. The firsts and lasts of the year were both seen at Twywell Hills and Dales with the first seen on the 23rd April and the last on the 20th June. As with the other grassland species such as the Grizzled Skipper this species relies upon well maintained habitats which is why we put so much time and effort during our winter work parties into creating the right habitats for them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBnZQRw6qCHcnPvA0Oce7WpSVqsB8stLn4HuU9m-eZZSiDkHM9Aw1JODGStpRJujqceSBDEvQxwf1ckLeSu43Lrx8gfu-Z7n0bjCPqE_f7ldNvvYNr9mgaFaldUjz0tPwf7zvWlUzTKY/s1600/Dingy+on+Dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuBnZQRw6qCHcnPvA0Oce7WpSVqsB8stLn4HuU9m-eZZSiDkHM9Aw1JODGStpRJujqceSBDEvQxwf1ckLeSu43Lrx8gfu-Z7n0bjCPqE_f7ldNvvYNr9mgaFaldUjz0tPwf7zvWlUzTKY/s640/Dingy+on+Dandelion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Yq665RAFwXXiQoYHpq_4VVg9kN-MlY9T_67frk1QTf12_PCava5ArKpoIMQ6qrjY6310aeYCJGTA3LPTP8B1DVnNlG7MXmwRzJDeK8GR6NLqyHyuazHSMpJnwh43lEcSvygv1jSVjhw/s1600/Dingy+Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Yq665RAFwXXiQoYHpq_4VVg9kN-MlY9T_67frk1QTf12_PCava5ArKpoIMQ6qrjY6310aeYCJGTA3LPTP8B1DVnNlG7MXmwRzJDeK8GR6NLqyHyuazHSMpJnwh43lEcSvygv1jSVjhw/s640/Dingy+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-osxBSe3DwFnc8OxSSeI1687OpJMpo_Fsv7NzaV7AwuYjBgDvqd6CI_arcC3ZOQeYSlYFhy1WE2ZujICMvvE3zs2INx2PETf8MZX_rophCWMreIyPWZbJMauLWBPEJHQqTtTumepY8EA/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_DS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-osxBSe3DwFnc8OxSSeI1687OpJMpo_Fsv7NzaV7AwuYjBgDvqd6CI_arcC3ZOQeYSlYFhy1WE2ZujICMvvE3zs2INx2PETf8MZX_rophCWMreIyPWZbJMauLWBPEJHQqTtTumepY8EA/s640/Northants_2km_2017_DS.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<br />
<b> Grizzled Skipper</b><br />
The Grizzled Skipper had a good year with a fantastic 109% increase from 2016. The first record was seen on the 23rd April at Twywell Hills and Dales by Andy Wyldes and the last record was a remarkably late date suggesting a second emergence at Ring Haw on the 9th of July also seen by Andy Wyldes. Almost certainly the best site for the species in the county is Twywell Hills and Dales but other good sites to see them are Fermyn Country Park, Polebrook Airfield and Great Morton Sale. As mentioned above in the Dingy Skipper account a great deal of work is being done to conserve these species in the county and it is encouraged if you have the time to join us on our winter work parties to help provide the necessary habitats for them to thrive.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecO5JWT3biM5yjWziGHjZtwfHV7ZboHG_VGeEEbNfnGWisSuz1wo6WLmNzVK1UiQ5OKn3PCXUQCe1GyoJlAq3b_1IZrWrTOvODvgpvpWSvDONaqPXDoCkym6zQmfeN-0qPQMw_q63WBk/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper+roost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecO5JWT3biM5yjWziGHjZtwfHV7ZboHG_VGeEEbNfnGWisSuz1wo6WLmNzVK1UiQ5OKn3PCXUQCe1GyoJlAq3b_1IZrWrTOvODvgpvpWSvDONaqPXDoCkym6zQmfeN-0qPQMw_q63WBk/s640/Grizzled+Skipper+roost.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eIqak-mXLiv6etYxIEwrRajMIsm2O7l7aqFj4eGBUsh5HbDqaEGys4by4sxfe4qJ6KwPNKDBOXBdOb7Zty3ZGbJeFOUyvruiVHU1dHv6YD8_C5hKs49ik-vLFoUk5IrEfdSmTRkETso/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eIqak-mXLiv6etYxIEwrRajMIsm2O7l7aqFj4eGBUsh5HbDqaEGys4by4sxfe4qJ6KwPNKDBOXBdOb7Zty3ZGbJeFOUyvruiVHU1dHv6YD8_C5hKs49ik-vLFoUk5IrEfdSmTRkETso/s640/Grizzled+Skipper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper, Fermyn Country Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSJI1ineIa4SoZIf4cQMxaJxs7sSXrN5kC01XerM5rF2DiEi1YY3OFj6ESXaawuW6n7g9mmkx7wqr3X3XVoyGQwfihD7tAGWtDJP10oUafKFQrg9hzMwuxLbmoiJUdNddrqP-QAjeXQ8/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_GS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSJI1ineIa4SoZIf4cQMxaJxs7sSXrN5kC01XerM5rF2DiEi1YY3OFj6ESXaawuW6n7g9mmkx7wqr3X3XVoyGQwfihD7tAGWtDJP10oUafKFQrg9hzMwuxLbmoiJUdNddrqP-QAjeXQ8/s640/Northants_2km_2017_GS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> Wood White</b><br />
The Wood White populations remained about the same from last year with a minor 3% increase countywide. Despite numbers being good in the strongholds of Bucknell Wood, Hazelborough Forest, Sywell Wood and Yardley Chase (<b>please note that although the Forestry Commission still gives access to a few to carry out ecology surveys Sywell Wood and Yardley Chase are private with no access to the public</b>) they were down significantly in Salcey Forest and although numbers are still fairly good at the site action needs to be taken to reduce the possibility of a downward spiral. The Woodland Wings project which has started this year will address this issue in Salcey with a partnership with the Forestry Commission to develop a management plan to widen the rather overgrown rides to help this species to increase in numbers. The first Wood White was recorded in Hazelborough Forest on the 7th May and this typically long flying species continued into 2nd broods at a number of sites with the last of the year being seen on the 28th of August in Bucknell Wood which is incidentally the latest one we have in our records. Interestingly this species is known to stray quite far from it's normal areas and this year was no different when a surprising record came from the western end of Summer Leys Nature Reserve with a single Wood White nectaring on the flowers in a patch of meadow!<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ff8r1bAuTU2wD2vRnhqbRhSPfNtUEiDlqWxzdNfKYrpGe52sSAo48qMhKVWYhGXe_8YMcdtTFsY67SeGYmLnn2dh2_BxQ4G-rcvqtnJIFGgYLaiSw7jQf1FH3WsmvY6KKUOcSAjE788/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ff8r1bAuTU2wD2vRnhqbRhSPfNtUEiDlqWxzdNfKYrpGe52sSAo48qMhKVWYhGXe_8YMcdtTFsY67SeGYmLnn2dh2_BxQ4G-rcvqtnJIFGgYLaiSw7jQf1FH3WsmvY6KKUOcSAjE788/s640/Wood+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Yardley Chase (private)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V0WuUxd_6D6-rER9XqBv8if302JwW48XN08l9W9_hIAtYF8kpHyvdwBvoLo-F2fpMpbrvPO-rI2dA0XhZ3FHniipRlyFleZ6355tmczL9IxM8CHuLGsXL0Sjr2Oup_6bW1aPUTZCBnI/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_WW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V0WuUxd_6D6-rER9XqBv8if302JwW48XN08l9W9_hIAtYF8kpHyvdwBvoLo-F2fpMpbrvPO-rI2dA0XhZ3FHniipRlyFleZ6355tmczL9IxM8CHuLGsXL0Sjr2Oup_6bW1aPUTZCBnI/s640/Northants_2km_2017_WW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Clouded Yellow</b><br />
The Clouded Yellow was seen in a handful of locations in Northants during 2017 and with the exception of one seen at Stanwick Lakes on the 6th of August, another seen at Twywell Hills and Dales on the 10th of August and another at Titchmarsh Nature Reserve on the 26th of August all the others were in the north east of the county between Corby and the border with Cambridgeshire. The first one was reported on the 13th of July at Glendon and the last was seen on the 28th of August at Priors Hall with the records in between amounting to a 128% increase from last year (although that shouldn't be taken to mean too much as not many were seen in 2016).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB9NwmUijt0gJD-lCOFeRaYkAg9UDK2B1bDXrT6p1BJX6zxZBF0r3fEtbWZTG4nO8ZD5dmCLfhpF9FoQ7VQ6xSHs9vHQMmR5sh4hWss05ukcarseRLoM_97xk1Dit45dCIMZvs_Jl0gc/s1600/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB9NwmUijt0gJD-lCOFeRaYkAg9UDK2B1bDXrT6p1BJX6zxZBF0r3fEtbWZTG4nO8ZD5dmCLfhpF9FoQ7VQ6xSHs9vHQMmR5sh4hWss05ukcarseRLoM_97xk1Dit45dCIMZvs_Jl0gc/s640/Clouded+Yellow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pNdKQ1Sv3OR8oL_OUINElOEoNek1jYkriK64QcE886amu89be-lGi6Wgc28VuoP9X1jluvzHimsykKik3bDd7aOqdX8r3xuLQXGzht1yGIvDTauDjFfUAEBCxKUxU2DWjIXn-pvy9U/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_CY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pNdKQ1Sv3OR8oL_OUINElOEoNek1jYkriK64QcE886amu89be-lGi6Wgc28VuoP9X1jluvzHimsykKik3bDd7aOqdX8r3xuLQXGzht1yGIvDTauDjFfUAEBCxKUxU2DWjIXn-pvy9U/s640/Northants_2km_2017_CY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Brimstone</b><br />
Brimstone records show a 25% increase but this figure maybe skewed slightly due to the fantastic increase in records received by people last year compared to the year before. Either way it seems that for certainly the time being the species is doing well within in the county. The first one was recorded on the 15th of February at Priors Hall Park and the last one was seen along Polwell Lane in Barton Seagrave on the 17th of October.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1mFKHEwVxG8q2Y9CwNzhgmrrJPpuyR2sVOLD4zpP43z06HBCOeNd-kkDI0PRkIcROJg8OpD-vCh7IZlHPE5l50fs7TzDknfpfGDMqsSjdRM97-hhl_CG-zIcQ4YO4YFd1_SsI8dW_aw/s1600/Brimstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1mFKHEwVxG8q2Y9CwNzhgmrrJPpuyR2sVOLD4zpP43z06HBCOeNd-kkDI0PRkIcROJg8OpD-vCh7IZlHPE5l50fs7TzDknfpfGDMqsSjdRM97-hhl_CG-zIcQ4YO4YFd1_SsI8dW_aw/s640/Brimstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuct2n0_j-Ml1QpvTFbASu2QihEiYS-TIP5gtBU8lzb4h-OFlQ5svvOQF-2RyxfymxhCl0YrOk73HHMrFDnzP1qCkLjtoEYLSgaZ71nkfSba0l3FZcQsZw4cz3LT8XXkHDm2mKfTzM_I/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuct2n0_j-Ml1QpvTFbASu2QihEiYS-TIP5gtBU8lzb4h-OFlQ5svvOQF-2RyxfymxhCl0YrOk73HHMrFDnzP1qCkLjtoEYLSgaZ71nkfSba0l3FZcQsZw4cz3LT8XXkHDm2mKfTzM_I/s640/Northants_2km_2017_B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Large, Small and Green-veined White</b><br />
Despite the big increase in records mentioned above it does seem alarming that the common Whites do seem to show a decrease from last year. The Large White is down 5%, the Small White is down 4% and the Green-veined White is down 37%. The first Large White was seen on the 30th of March at Polebrook and the last on the 17th of October in Delepre Abbey Gardens, the first Small White was seen on the 13th of March in a Brackley garden and the last was seen on the 17th of October along Polwell Lane in Barton Seagrave, and the first Green-veined White was seen on the 3rd of April in Hazelborough Forest and the last on the 2nd of October in Harlestone Firs.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkyZpXE475PpvQphWZfbR-YiVSNKAcga5njm5PzY-yk88dyNk7oWOIF6AcfTiAZ5gxs2BBYjV6azmUixwpn7n90-04kWit6POsDmxP-p8rr2-cKV_tb7kwelLzmQshD3em78dvEWjmmQ/s1600/Large+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkyZpXE475PpvQphWZfbR-YiVSNKAcga5njm5PzY-yk88dyNk7oWOIF6AcfTiAZ5gxs2BBYjV6azmUixwpn7n90-04kWit6POsDmxP-p8rr2-cKV_tb7kwelLzmQshD3em78dvEWjmmQ/s640/Large+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFckc2xqOCpqGmt_gZv7YP6an7Pwc64xAIhyivr2XCIbYQc2di2vKgxw4QnGKEvhp5NDlHrtAJ_FMM4lKjbsamcvEDWaXhscQNQUyPdFHuh0zDiKbiMrUL1jbRn0jiNBQqsDMVWLdIy8/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_LW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFckc2xqOCpqGmt_gZv7YP6an7Pwc64xAIhyivr2XCIbYQc2di2vKgxw4QnGKEvhp5NDlHrtAJ_FMM4lKjbsamcvEDWaXhscQNQUyPdFHuh0zDiKbiMrUL1jbRn0jiNBQqsDMVWLdIy8/s640/Northants_2km_2017_LW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RcONkE6xVzIupgoUi7eqjlOCPN4kNHixmOqzW4_lVi_KppiRtENUbev-TFFrWDCJ2XRiur87htbmK03gr4ES8D8I3abDOzHPgwM8hyphenhypheniBlAimp1iRp0vBK7Hf4Bpo2LdKw2NyX4t-pw4/s1600/Small+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RcONkE6xVzIupgoUi7eqjlOCPN4kNHixmOqzW4_lVi_KppiRtENUbev-TFFrWDCJ2XRiur87htbmK03gr4ES8D8I3abDOzHPgwM8hyphenhypheniBlAimp1iRp0vBK7Hf4Bpo2LdKw2NyX4t-pw4/s640/Small+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QG8O0Poo0OY9xgYv_-ITEUHYOkeoeOxzc-GY3G7ybK6U1ITWgvlFxnX-GlnNbQCtIeaBVWmmbHXobW-pgBLbnkqT2R9qPzLo-syPPRnWF21DErXgrOCBwytf-Uzm2OR_R-Eztb8Hdrw/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SmW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QG8O0Poo0OY9xgYv_-ITEUHYOkeoeOxzc-GY3G7ybK6U1ITWgvlFxnX-GlnNbQCtIeaBVWmmbHXobW-pgBLbnkqT2R9qPzLo-syPPRnWF21DErXgrOCBwytf-Uzm2OR_R-Eztb8Hdrw/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SmW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8SpWaQTzb6xTHf3oxeZECOl6IvbVnxhZRUSedjne851QuRVuPDe4nMgWkhDqlJkJ_zzlLCtEPa7h28Z6HjihLwkwa5grysPCiCdAe1zFUN6bRvKobsvEmZxgPPwY_eKUH0Ao0uPbvzg/s1600/Green+Veined+White+Mating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI8SpWaQTzb6xTHf3oxeZECOl6IvbVnxhZRUSedjne851QuRVuPDe4nMgWkhDqlJkJ_zzlLCtEPa7h28Z6HjihLwkwa5grysPCiCdAe1zFUN6bRvKobsvEmZxgPPwY_eKUH0Ao0uPbvzg/s640/Green+Veined+White+Mating.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ajTTn1J7Nm11jCOsZ50AtIROVZwKAzqyE8GWxWtbRHD85wMC_nm32Y4hVz8QEPPhZhDveCYuOjlOvO_9-O99rZClBq9CMgkfwUUYvuUMdQgde1LV0HGkUkAZ3XP0o5oruQH7Ru7uT0U/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_GvW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ajTTn1J7Nm11jCOsZ50AtIROVZwKAzqyE8GWxWtbRHD85wMC_nm32Y4hVz8QEPPhZhDveCYuOjlOvO_9-O99rZClBq9CMgkfwUUYvuUMdQgde1LV0HGkUkAZ3XP0o5oruQH7Ru7uT0U/s640/Northants_2km_2017_GvW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Orange-tip</b><br />
The Orange-tip is one of the most eagerly awaited butterflies of the year as being one that doesn't overwinter as an adult it signifies the first emergence of the season. Orange-tips records were up this year by 36% and were seen all over the county with the highest counts coming from Fermyn Woods, Great Morton Sale<b>,</b> Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows and Stanwick Lakes. The first was seen on the 30th of March in Hazelborough Forest and the last on the 5th July near Towcester.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn2G-n_Zq2AsMgClqlQp2luM0brOinVzdnFwaxngakhilEA6N_T-NEekILsNNki7OEnJ8seNAsPLEI-Q26A2D3FhGYonq_kKFbfeoY1KZj_ZmeWJFdDi0RP7ClTvoaIhdf230F4tf0WA/s1600/Orange+Tip+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn2G-n_Zq2AsMgClqlQp2luM0brOinVzdnFwaxngakhilEA6N_T-NEekILsNNki7OEnJ8seNAsPLEI-Q26A2D3FhGYonq_kKFbfeoY1KZj_ZmeWJFdDi0RP7ClTvoaIhdf230F4tf0WA/s640/Orange+Tip+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jxuTrOXoW0BIhS-a0vQ65OutkmZcIyELBA7dXgGJruIAeMKBcS1a3e3W3cvqKXRIlTq6UyUa3te8PMfmDcfxy84yT6N_9pc0rJhycMpusYLNJI5xhISBPqABPg_V-Kj9MnBs4Gz3EHM/s1600/Orange+Tip+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jxuTrOXoW0BIhS-a0vQ65OutkmZcIyELBA7dXgGJruIAeMKBcS1a3e3W3cvqKXRIlTq6UyUa3te8PMfmDcfxy84yT6N_9pc0rJhycMpusYLNJI5xhISBPqABPg_V-Kj9MnBs4Gz3EHM/s640/Orange+Tip+Best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip, Northampton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN2gBScnnOQrYJeFmy9_9L7LT4LiaEKrJDjNjNvJ0WoZNIuOWS0_Pnj5AhA5VxMe-bD9Qma7KjmEwc6e6f479EukJxRatJmtChjgUJ6KLNSVS0mrmhV8zK9UdOkwyBluFIYZWTzu4-yg/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_OT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN2gBScnnOQrYJeFmy9_9L7LT4LiaEKrJDjNjNvJ0WoZNIuOWS0_Pnj5AhA5VxMe-bD9Qma7KjmEwc6e6f479EukJxRatJmtChjgUJ6KLNSVS0mrmhV8zK9UdOkwyBluFIYZWTzu4-yg/s640/Northants_2km_2017_OT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b> Green Hairstreak</b><br />
The Hairstreaks had a good year in Northants during 2017 and although confined to just a handful of sites in the north east of the county the Green Hairstreak was no exception. The records show a 79% increase from last year with the best places to see them being Fermyn Country Park, West Lodge near Desborough and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was recorded on the 23rd of April at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen at the same site on the 22nd of June.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmZUa1Ix-565ZTY9vpiId4oaWXsFIpeDCD6uBehtRXiOSkWuwYEdhR97OPZlw8PeIt2IjCCmBYSUPiC00D9t0NltrUkP9pJ3rX6g4XGnJBWt34XsA3eEsagB_4VpemwY4FVJLP1VevIQ/s1600/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmZUa1Ix-565ZTY9vpiId4oaWXsFIpeDCD6uBehtRXiOSkWuwYEdhR97OPZlw8PeIt2IjCCmBYSUPiC00D9t0NltrUkP9pJ3rX6g4XGnJBWt34XsA3eEsagB_4VpemwY4FVJLP1VevIQ/s640/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nJts5h64bKpPnjQZf2MSk-X0CHhq8ZY-TT1M2SM8-CykfzuXLiKdWUvX00jFs5sEKFaZifK3CkMChyphenhyphenq_QK_cmarn1gxNl-IxCFk_BtsmfPdaWYEpmGTfvE4c2DwVKSKvznRNAjGF4r8/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_GH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nJts5h64bKpPnjQZf2MSk-X0CHhq8ZY-TT1M2SM8-CykfzuXLiKdWUvX00jFs5sEKFaZifK3CkMChyphenhyphenq_QK_cmarn1gxNl-IxCFk_BtsmfPdaWYEpmGTfvE4c2DwVKSKvznRNAjGF4r8/s640/Northants_2km_2017_GH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Purple Hairstreak</b><br />
The Purple Hairstreak had a bumper year and the records show a 98% increase from 2016. This was reflected in my own personal observations as during my travels whilst out recording standing next to any oak tree in a suitable location seemed to result in a sighting!<b> </b>The highest count came from Brampton Wood with 65 seen on one day but other sites where they were seen in good numbers were Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Woods, and Salcey Forest. The area know as The Cover at Pitsford Water also had new records for them and I was quite surprised when I was invited to survey a private site near Little Houghton to see them flying around a mature Oak in the middle of a grass field at least a mile or so from the nearest woodland. The first of the year was seen on the 19th of June in Fermyn Wood and the last was reported on the 14th August at Barnwell Country Park.<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiCO444ei5QDFJTpdoXqAJTA4k8QiHbmS7UuSFbBHcYke7T7orilUrHSB9luNM3WVdvaACN3b28kddehm-ZRT0FLynA0FieYhwrrySevKeI-pXBlWsLT4dFMiaLBpCv3tEhKoHy0CCis/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiCO444ei5QDFJTpdoXqAJTA4k8QiHbmS7UuSFbBHcYke7T7orilUrHSB9luNM3WVdvaACN3b28kddehm-ZRT0FLynA0FieYhwrrySevKeI-pXBlWsLT4dFMiaLBpCv3tEhKoHy0CCis/s640/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf0_c0k6Dln-6xAZ3iI4FM3PAyAR4_nBB06z_itPYU_yRoBXqAwPlM57dumZC3ZVMK3S-JXh-Ct6dWiM8okdW-2Y4Nu3_jk46EGdo-C7RM-I0MJDFEujGD5oq00VAUnBx4TcLsTGXq7o/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf0_c0k6Dln-6xAZ3iI4FM3PAyAR4_nBB06z_itPYU_yRoBXqAwPlM57dumZC3ZVMK3S-JXh-Ct6dWiM8okdW-2Y4Nu3_jk46EGdo-C7RM-I0MJDFEujGD5oq00VAUnBx4TcLsTGXq7o/s640/Northants_2km_2017_PH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Black Hairstreak</b><br />
Although the Black Hairstreak shows an 87% increase part of this is due to an unusually large count at a single site. The thicket at Fermyn Country Park is very quickly becoming one of the premier sites for the species in the county and this is due to the hard work put in by the staff and their volunteers in creating such excellent habitat. A peek count this year of 31 Black Hairstreaks is testimony to the effort put in and they should be congratulated for their achievements! The nearby Fermyn and Lady Woods are also showing a spread of the species too and records were received from all over the site during the year. Numbers have increased in Salcey Forest with an increase in records along the ride south of the Horsebox car park and Glapthorn Cow Pastures also didn't disappoint the many people traveling to the county to see them and still remains the best site we have to see Black Hairstreaks up close. The first record of the year was seen on the 3rd of June at Fermyn Country Park and the last was recorded on the 2nd of July in Fermyn Woods.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBBLVDqN32PcQfTpLpxwpmpQRsB7C3M3JGAzKdZuVaozdxNwYuOy9Gb10KCZZfcmWcYDU40MCFXTQO2U9kbOTCqrZHe70NqWJkh8vGtmNXpnrXj7vppESFA97HZJfDdI__df8AygeQ7M/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+for+Glapthorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBBLVDqN32PcQfTpLpxwpmpQRsB7C3M3JGAzKdZuVaozdxNwYuOy9Gb10KCZZfcmWcYDU40MCFXTQO2U9kbOTCqrZHe70NqWJkh8vGtmNXpnrXj7vppESFA97HZJfDdI__df8AygeQ7M/s640/Black+Hairstreak+for+Glapthorn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dDOdjKyCgm65IFNLfVLKiru-5wYz1KhASrq_ue9pPf5vra8u4pxCsI6RmJvRPjkiVPABAQqGKi_yd-ojdH49tIv2gHFYKNSzDlE-aVWX_0W_tPw-zIoR32hVhOMHcVbqMcpXUEEtGvA/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_BlH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dDOdjKyCgm65IFNLfVLKiru-5wYz1KhASrq_ue9pPf5vra8u4pxCsI6RmJvRPjkiVPABAQqGKi_yd-ojdH49tIv2gHFYKNSzDlE-aVWX_0W_tPw-zIoR32hVhOMHcVbqMcpXUEEtGvA/s640/Northants_2km_2017_BlH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> White-letter Hairstreak</b><br />
The White-letter Hairstreak shows a 29% increase from last year and despite the ever present threat of Dutch Elm disease destroying old locations they do seem to be appearing in new ones. Lady Wood gave the highest numbers this year with 15 recorded down a single ride as well as single figure records around the Elms dotted around here and Fermyn Woods. They were also reported in Bucknell Wood, Finedon Country Park, Fineshade Wood, Little Wood, Wicksteeds Arboretum and Yardley Chase. The first of the year was seen on the 17th of June in Lady Wood and the last was seen on the 30th July in Fineshade Wood.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnJEc4SBygnWeH4BZTA0NkeWPxdxFnpyIZbjqO7cCQVmAazTB48zNzEINZu3RXEfwug9ME5rp7rEW7DkpGf_eyI3rGM2s8pAR9tbX9KnYtFE-86hDFolyEmf79SmnzGgwg6aHdxOOE-w/s1600/White-letter+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnJEc4SBygnWeH4BZTA0NkeWPxdxFnpyIZbjqO7cCQVmAazTB48zNzEINZu3RXEfwug9ME5rp7rEW7DkpGf_eyI3rGM2s8pAR9tbX9KnYtFE-86hDFolyEmf79SmnzGgwg6aHdxOOE-w/s640/White-letter+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreaks, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoUiseiT3ss7V2_qOJfR70LqD1J__8Q2K4Rtx8qwfSnYx8stqZgg585AE6vqOqn4foWHOX3xOd0wX0KJ4UFNpopFBdYxcOhzDcocMxLMxestxNbZWh3EJWJXccKw4qyKUCmxmK4b8IaA/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_WlH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoUiseiT3ss7V2_qOJfR70LqD1J__8Q2K4Rtx8qwfSnYx8stqZgg585AE6vqOqn4foWHOX3xOd0wX0KJ4UFNpopFBdYxcOhzDcocMxLMxestxNbZWh3EJWJXccKw4qyKUCmxmK4b8IaA/s640/Northants_2km_2017_WlH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Small Copper</b><br />
The records for Small Copper show a 139% increase from last year and the total annual count is the best we've had since the 2006<b>. </b>The species had a poor showing in 2016 until the autumn brought a resurgence in numbers so these figures are encouraging to see. The highest counts for Small Coppers in 2017 were at Bradlaugh Fields, Everdon Hill, Hollowell Reservoir, Pitsford Reservoir, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Summer Leys and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first record for the year was seen on the 5th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last one was seen on the 29th October at Summer Leys. The year also saw some nice aberrations with the ab.radiata seen at a couple of sites. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiKT9vDH0wwNgfhtsaokEij4129emHXLJiGmhNP2B29Y7YTvMi4hiRnaIMCTuKgkgd2JYwmmhTM3O4IdDPPtEkTp1qMcmhYVoBec79wZsja4Y6kucqO6rMghOBg4WyfL7ifMRKaY4rxQ/s1600/Small+Copper+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiKT9vDH0wwNgfhtsaokEij4129emHXLJiGmhNP2B29Y7YTvMi4hiRnaIMCTuKgkgd2JYwmmhTM3O4IdDPPtEkTp1qMcmhYVoBec79wZsja4Y6kucqO6rMghOBg4WyfL7ifMRKaY4rxQ/s640/Small+Copper+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph3pL9qJ39O1BRML5dWAv2v-3fkyn84wfkUHSaX8PohPozLk1shaRG1jpdriszTOk70kk5xgMP-vadS8TE0YW79uDuDmDA7HKwBlGPjg9SoPIFRngheHLaa5VsBqUrdwdT6AQv90sByE/s1600/Small+Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgph3pL9qJ39O1BRML5dWAv2v-3fkyn84wfkUHSaX8PohPozLk1shaRG1jpdriszTOk70kk5xgMP-vadS8TE0YW79uDuDmDA7HKwBlGPjg9SoPIFRngheHLaa5VsBqUrdwdT6AQv90sByE/s640/Small+Copper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CmJRVXLTX-UFAimTogYS82gDcbEDeAXfOCwcvgeNCtFfB8I0WcL_VIS7vNBfL7JPWDqlEakv3oPz2chJgBdDadqCyhK6jxO7sjteD6y9oH5Skr5jUOf9QrxCXVE6guNyAO272Zw8vrM/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CmJRVXLTX-UFAimTogYS82gDcbEDeAXfOCwcvgeNCtFfB8I0WcL_VIS7vNBfL7JPWDqlEakv3oPz2chJgBdDadqCyhK6jxO7sjteD6y9oH5Skr5jUOf9QrxCXVE6guNyAO272Zw8vrM/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Brown Argus</b><br />
The Brown Argus had a slight increase from last year with a highest count of 24 seen in a single visit to Collyweston Deeps on the 6th of August. Other sites with not quite as large counts as this include Finedon Pocket Park, Great Morton Sale, Summer Leys and Twywell Hills and Dales. They do have a good spread around the county though and can be encountered anywhere where there is suitable habitat. The first Brown Argus of the year was seen on the 10th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the same site also saw the last one on the 12th of September.<br />
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<b></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCzZrjh9RdOyBMht2MUx20vObAqtVKU3FPIYuFo_lyQwevGTeYB9N1MFlLq71CJHEaDiSMKtru25UrOql91TP-P4AERaMgh9dPYLcu44sgZ4a04JsJeG4-YIXtV8rytvPu4SDHvbftRk/s1600/Brown+Argus+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCzZrjh9RdOyBMht2MUx20vObAqtVKU3FPIYuFo_lyQwevGTeYB9N1MFlLq71CJHEaDiSMKtru25UrOql91TP-P4AERaMgh9dPYLcu44sgZ4a04JsJeG4-YIXtV8rytvPu4SDHvbftRk/s640/Brown+Argus+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK5J_JVSw5xfiFiwY_fyzFxNG41yw5FBkR5VDIH0PtwK9fR_8gqfcogro70hGLDsz4rS789ksY_pvOl3703O4Dfu6638kbXbpuJsFfUC-BJ46peDkbtvYiSpLhr8Nhp8gKK9c2elsRh4/s1600/Brown+Argus+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK5J_JVSw5xfiFiwY_fyzFxNG41yw5FBkR5VDIH0PtwK9fR_8gqfcogro70hGLDsz4rS789ksY_pvOl3703O4Dfu6638kbXbpuJsFfUC-BJ46peDkbtvYiSpLhr8Nhp8gKK9c2elsRh4/s640/Brown+Argus+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt0-ZGpCYgNF5mySkkve26B4-TJ_11Y7Zrv6uLAjF3BzmWMmeNntKgkvEzSmMsBsPoMgr0EcAGPPUiPcu-ENcSicv4zGbYMsrz4PsMOa3cUKweLU3TNhYyNG-7-QAm3YKfEOSjijtFII/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKt0-ZGpCYgNF5mySkkve26B4-TJ_11Y7Zrv6uLAjF3BzmWMmeNntKgkvEzSmMsBsPoMgr0EcAGPPUiPcu-ENcSicv4zGbYMsrz4PsMOa3cUKweLU3TNhYyNG-7-QAm3YKfEOSjijtFII/s640/Northants_2km_2017_BA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b></b>
<b> Common Blue</b><br />
The Common Blue had a good year with a 63% increase from 2016. The first one was seen on the 5th of May at Twywell Hills and Dales and the last was seen on the very late date of the 11th of October at Summer Leys. The best sites with the highest counts for the species were Boddington Reservoir, Draughton Airfield, Fermyn and Lady Wood, Helmdon Old Station Yard, Hollowell Reservoir, Lyvedon New Bield, Polebrook Airfield, Stanford Reservoir, Summer Leys and Welford Quarry. As with the Brown Argus though any suitable grassland habitat would no doubt produce a sighting.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDbL5P99gCecLz6kmN7BoB5fp6UOtqeITcypJJ5vptl5mLmKoL8M7-cZEVaPnqxucZWCovSpzFbZkpXJk8DI5Wr8iim-sMv9yRSt61rhmWK-LZcxMFh-DQFChya8XM6IaCHN2fZG-PnY/s1600/Common+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDbL5P99gCecLz6kmN7BoB5fp6UOtqeITcypJJ5vptl5mLmKoL8M7-cZEVaPnqxucZWCovSpzFbZkpXJk8DI5Wr8iim-sMv9yRSt61rhmWK-LZcxMFh-DQFChya8XM6IaCHN2fZG-PnY/s640/Common+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb1gQzHsf4SxRzfFouUvrFpH17PUJkNYJhSS97LAUThlD3Tv1CPV5bhxVfNImNm_FvF8hOW5re6IUU3QApe8wlrXgXt7MJLrm5Ne9gNYgxEdsDsu00lwagxA_agGg9HkOn4zlGeWsjXU/s1600/Common+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEb1gQzHsf4SxRzfFouUvrFpH17PUJkNYJhSS97LAUThlD3Tv1CPV5bhxVfNImNm_FvF8hOW5re6IUU3QApe8wlrXgXt7MJLrm5Ne9gNYgxEdsDsu00lwagxA_agGg9HkOn4zlGeWsjXU/s640/Common+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue, Bradlaugh Fields</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8CqXjn3RxpwBpVCYJrlYOZ4P4mury0S4uWPK8V8VARMfMHQlQZSGsS4V3U9ATLLuPm4re1jnXSaoPgXFBxunTz3-L3x2dJKWzz3t6IqnlY3rF-4Gn87BtipWEFKddyay0VNP3rwCcPM/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_CB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8CqXjn3RxpwBpVCYJrlYOZ4P4mury0S4uWPK8V8VARMfMHQlQZSGsS4V3U9ATLLuPm4re1jnXSaoPgXFBxunTz3-L3x2dJKWzz3t6IqnlY3rF-4Gn87BtipWEFKddyay0VNP3rwCcPM/s640/Northants_2km_2017_CB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b></b>
<b>Chalkhill Blue</b><br />
The Chalkhill Blue took a rather unexpected jump in records when a large colony was found at Spanhoe Airfield near Wakerley Wood. Unfortunately the colony was found during a last minute rare plant salvage mission as the site was under the advanced planning stages to turn it into a quarry which sadly happened a few weeks after the Chalkhill Blue flight time. The peak count at this site was 300+ so it's a real shame to have this colony destroyed so soon after being discovered. A few Chalkhill Blues were seen at a couple of different sites with 1 seen at Collweston Deeps on the 30th of July and 3 seen near Southwick on the 16th of August. The first Chalkhill Blues of the year were seen on the 17th of July at Spanhoe and the last were the aforementioned ones at Southwick on the 16th of August.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrERL1MENEtFIZdoD1Ldwtpa0_ftjbgB7_NeUXT-FDiCuLv-2lYHmLDo2RPyXJwtP-r45Gq7Ye-F4eJvKPyPRN8ExbGIscBhqseaW_j_zz0XNzR_Onb27vSaiTtAkB4TLZe178G5Y8HVY/s1600/Chalkhill+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrERL1MENEtFIZdoD1Ldwtpa0_ftjbgB7_NeUXT-FDiCuLv-2lYHmLDo2RPyXJwtP-r45Gq7Ye-F4eJvKPyPRN8ExbGIscBhqseaW_j_zz0XNzR_Onb27vSaiTtAkB4TLZe178G5Y8HVY/s640/Chalkhill+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blues, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZeB8KsjWeYIwmMzEgalkJ_1dAK-RJUFlY6hpvOoGl17TQbSH0JhRrDuHSUqFonRGcx51wkNRe7GMmwMQw-5Pif2qU0HvIGuaWbYE_KAWg8ZmOXSIOA5goL37NurVEUoMHLewQPyMqEM/s1600/Chalkhill+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZeB8KsjWeYIwmMzEgalkJ_1dAK-RJUFlY6hpvOoGl17TQbSH0JhRrDuHSUqFonRGcx51wkNRe7GMmwMQw-5Pif2qU0HvIGuaWbYE_KAWg8ZmOXSIOA5goL37NurVEUoMHLewQPyMqEM/s640/Chalkhill+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzS4d1PaoZJOnVDbDE7wyfyCkZ3PcOLE423rQfqdgFt0AFqBZ84qvQ2uLLbBKaRQIjjIHZsJFbr4iWm0ZoV0Qa72fkCIlM1FYPG_sm9ls7T8t27PXPsaK_Io95_o3s3C1aUwoVPmfbbI/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_CHB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzS4d1PaoZJOnVDbDE7wyfyCkZ3PcOLE423rQfqdgFt0AFqBZ84qvQ2uLLbBKaRQIjjIHZsJFbr4iWm0ZoV0Qa72fkCIlM1FYPG_sm9ls7T8t27PXPsaK_Io95_o3s3C1aUwoVPmfbbI/s640/Northants_2km_2017_CHB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Holly Blue</b><br />
The Holly Blue was down 57% in 2017 but with the many peaks and troughs of the species due to the constant threat of parasitoids this is nothing unusual and as 2016 was a good year for them in Northants it comes as no surprise that the numbers were down. Despite this we still had quite a lot of sightings dotted around the county. The first Holly Blue of the year was seen on the 15th of March in Burton Latimer and the last was seen on the 31st of August in Barton Seagrave.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnCc2EQDDKEDbZ2rzXTn0NOPxv37v_9BF6F5yorH4iUYVOgXPrCmv_CXsKhvfBmXLaA0_OIOWA-QM33lnufHTCwpErLS4G6z30tmN3yPLOjKNgOUzcp_1S_dB3XbEJqmqcIFUYLlVvdQ/s1600/Holly+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnCc2EQDDKEDbZ2rzXTn0NOPxv37v_9BF6F5yorH4iUYVOgXPrCmv_CXsKhvfBmXLaA0_OIOWA-QM33lnufHTCwpErLS4G6z30tmN3yPLOjKNgOUzcp_1S_dB3XbEJqmqcIFUYLlVvdQ/s640/Holly+Blue+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx5K5dhpYwTSVyfR5UL7kZWyqeEhUoPooqHMy_e9jCyWL7NkFmaw4tsZbv9SXpuOLRftRIuOdEBuFfrXizLTtS6TEpAtUO1FfRzObzFNAXt9J_6aMVF7G70MzVGmmYwndEz_HRSrQK4Q/s1600/Holly+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx5K5dhpYwTSVyfR5UL7kZWyqeEhUoPooqHMy_e9jCyWL7NkFmaw4tsZbv9SXpuOLRftRIuOdEBuFfrXizLTtS6TEpAtUO1FfRzObzFNAXt9J_6aMVF7G70MzVGmmYwndEz_HRSrQK4Q/s640/Holly+Blue+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpaXsPGBdjHP_PudoExSHfJyrx0KIuyzQDxh2JdhyphenhyphenE_ZIgh6sxp2bZeMtqDfo4MIjFa-XpmDwiBx5hRntW_ol-m6RUZerPl7EMYN5biHG2uxrOff_fYaSo_0yfWdoAOmYH_uo32KBBPc/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_HB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpaXsPGBdjHP_PudoExSHfJyrx0KIuyzQDxh2JdhyphenhyphenE_ZIgh6sxp2bZeMtqDfo4MIjFa-XpmDwiBx5hRntW_ol-m6RUZerPl7EMYN5biHG2uxrOff_fYaSo_0yfWdoAOmYH_uo32KBBPc/s640/Northants_2km_2017_HB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b>White Admiral</b><br />
After a couple of relatively poor years for the White Admiral it was very encouraging to see a good increase in records during 2017. The species were up by 143% and we received the largest amount of sightings since 2010. White Admirals were seen in good numbers in Bucknell Wood, Fermyn Wood, Lady Wood, Hazelborough Wood (with a large count of 35 seen on a single visit), Salcey Forest and Whistley Wood and they were seen in less numbers at Fineshade Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Harry's Park Wood, Lilford Wood, Stoke Albany, Upper Laundimer Wood, Wakerely Wood, Whistley Wood and Yardley Chase. The first of the year was seen on the 14th of June in Fermyn Wood and the last of the year was recorded on the 29th of July in Bucknell Wood.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAEXsAyjzDhUv7XEZyw5RfBP15vP2xCsKOKM9JISbxqTSKYz5CKVbhYqz7px_LNCMRBrdTjwwhDpwiN-GswympUx7ss30_xb3ig7e9S0i9yCczxO2TXWVFCBGnXPHvknUiMIntn8w_fc/s1600/White+Admiral+1+heavy+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAEXsAyjzDhUv7XEZyw5RfBP15vP2xCsKOKM9JISbxqTSKYz5CKVbhYqz7px_LNCMRBrdTjwwhDpwiN-GswympUx7ss30_xb3ig7e9S0i9yCczxO2TXWVFCBGnXPHvknUiMIntn8w_fc/s640/White+Admiral+1+heavy+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral, Fineshade Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kjT5o3gGJPjSoBn-EKNCb0cJm-M6YrvKYLCZfhiHeFRGz14geTmYfGqMEKFvjZtXUyHAHxrD5rR3Kwt-TckZz3WQl-LKvNPyymvz-LrHG6YboT4qrZeUts-gbsssEOHvLPzYAarEHuU/s1600/White+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kjT5o3gGJPjSoBn-EKNCb0cJm-M6YrvKYLCZfhiHeFRGz14geTmYfGqMEKFvjZtXUyHAHxrD5rR3Kwt-TckZz3WQl-LKvNPyymvz-LrHG6YboT4qrZeUts-gbsssEOHvLPzYAarEHuU/s640/White+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD-dCmDbnkMcYkWaLuGXvT7RK2DiTzn94waMVl5aldW5iIhyphenhyphennV2Tcy83VCC7HXhOv_Pkji2afPGBro_b7lICQGqYp7skfU3tweSmxvIAd6MBtZgoa8MfuexityGZnW3Q0cps8H7bepIk/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikD-dCmDbnkMcYkWaLuGXvT7RK2DiTzn94waMVl5aldW5iIhyphenhyphennV2Tcy83VCC7HXhOv_Pkji2afPGBro_b7lICQGqYp7skfU3tweSmxvIAd6MBtZgoa8MfuexityGZnW3Q0cps8H7bepIk/s640/Northants_2km_2017_WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Purple Emperor</b><br />
The story of the 2017 Purple Emperor season in Northants is certainly a tale of two halves. What was looking like a good start was abruptly cut short when high winds from the tale end of an Atlantic storm<b> </b>hit the UK just as the species looked to be about to peak. Consequently the records show a 29% decrease from last year. As always Fermyn and Lady Woods were the main sites to see the species but they were also seen in lesser numbers at Brampton Wood, Bucknell Wood, Fineshade Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures (the first one for the site), Harry's Park Wood, Horton Woods (private), Monks Arbor Wood, Salcey Forest, Weldon Park Wood, Wicken Wood and Yardley Chase (private). The first of the year was seen on the 17th of June in Lady Wood and the last of the year was seen on the 20th of July in Bucknell Wood.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXSmZUwzpQtMaoSEL7pVM8mwvLhyphenhyphenvIRkln3xNwsriA2MEvOO_ZEu4XPXTveXA88XZ8aSQ1gW3HwVqpG8fwD72U6lvPvEnD9cJk7llYLinENpBrWG1WLyHg8gHD0fD68sfH0Fan9gJ_vc/s1600/Purple+Emperor+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXSmZUwzpQtMaoSEL7pVM8mwvLhyphenhyphenvIRkln3xNwsriA2MEvOO_ZEu4XPXTveXA88XZ8aSQ1gW3HwVqpG8fwD72U6lvPvEnD9cJk7llYLinENpBrWG1WLyHg8gHD0fD68sfH0Fan9gJ_vc/s640/Purple+Emperor+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Fermyn Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw_lA3CV7j5zsbErrslI4_k_t_NAyue3vLq0wv6rGU5LRNUhnHm0No1P17apfQLZpSgu3e2-BrPKdb8SCu8OksxKx_9eV3eNfxITXsAeITcf4iSvQ0Z9dD3pUHSbHoxLtb6gzVhDZdio/s1600/Purple+Emperor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVw_lA3CV7j5zsbErrslI4_k_t_NAyue3vLq0wv6rGU5LRNUhnHm0No1P17apfQLZpSgu3e2-BrPKdb8SCu8OksxKx_9eV3eNfxITXsAeITcf4iSvQ0Z9dD3pUHSbHoxLtb6gzVhDZdio/s640/Purple+Emperor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4haVPEvUEOyZZKXoJHk2H75q0apiNhRQhE9PqhyCrIDBUdmeT8k10vBGURiRoG0lJCRMbZDQPP3VtxnyG95t2PZ4CIMQaid3EMypdyMnpD7F0AZLWSwQigZVxGaV-ZjOVekWMpRpy84o/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_PE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4haVPEvUEOyZZKXoJHk2H75q0apiNhRQhE9PqhyCrIDBUdmeT8k10vBGURiRoG0lJCRMbZDQPP3VtxnyG95t2PZ4CIMQaid3EMypdyMnpD7F0AZLWSwQigZVxGaV-ZjOVekWMpRpy84o/s640/Northants_2km_2017_PE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Red Admiral</b><br />
The Red Admiral had a good year and the species were up 97% from the year before. It is one of the few butterflies that can be seen during every month of the year and 2017 was no exception, the first one was seen on the 4th of January along Harborough Road in Northampton and the last one<b> </b>was seen on the 31st December in a Northampton garden. Being a species particularly attracted to Buddleia and other nectar rich plants common in urban environments double figure counts were seen in many gardens throughout the county and rural Brambles and Ivy in the fields and woodlands could be equally productive making this one of the most widely distributed butterflies in the county.<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8OoaUtGLxOMGr7lohkNk2fE5axYPY-sCH2mNhN9CzN275GLCb-JgbekEhwn11utVffIZmohVuwlBVvqs7eGHgmi6mMTGOPqZhIBkyKeyarvxf-SlglnR0-rXhyphenhyphen6XNdWlt4wqDEnbFW0/s1600/Red+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8OoaUtGLxOMGr7lohkNk2fE5axYPY-sCH2mNhN9CzN275GLCb-JgbekEhwn11utVffIZmohVuwlBVvqs7eGHgmi6mMTGOPqZhIBkyKeyarvxf-SlglnR0-rXhyphenhyphen6XNdWlt4wqDEnbFW0/s640/Red+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral, Ravensthorpe Reservoir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b></b>
<b> Painted Lady</b><br />
The Painted Lady records show a slight increase from the year before although some large counts at individual sites means releases from the popular "rear your own butterfly kits" can't be ruled out. The spread of individual records do seem to show a good migration of the species around the county though. The first one was seen on the 23rd of May at Sywell Country Park and the last for the year was seen on the 24th of September at Ravensthorpe Reservoir.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4-_-34hlzgHdj5BxTt98OTA4yGbd52yQbdOZNGXSj2gw7ymt_1A5h4cqAfG7Ljlpk-5vP1rurAXx8otX4YOd-iyNpNAop3HACChXWUhtydiyNqGQ5-UdV-q20a2oakBzGyeoDQEVvBw/s1600/Painted+Lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4-_-34hlzgHdj5BxTt98OTA4yGbd52yQbdOZNGXSj2gw7ymt_1A5h4cqAfG7Ljlpk-5vP1rurAXx8otX4YOd-iyNpNAop3HACChXWUhtydiyNqGQ5-UdV-q20a2oakBzGyeoDQEVvBw/s640/Painted+Lady.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZbzkQZiE5uv8dGdsA0NEtYOAcSQwsQfxknD_wSPJYgDnhENGuBfRwjcXPca2mOHdQU6f6M_rGpXaQOzu2ztd6b7b0BPyyNATH-UEgQgA1SbfZJUcRQ6-X50J9gYVeDqQUGlz6cC587o/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_PL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1362" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZbzkQZiE5uv8dGdsA0NEtYOAcSQwsQfxknD_wSPJYgDnhENGuBfRwjcXPca2mOHdQU6f6M_rGpXaQOzu2ztd6b7b0BPyyNATH-UEgQgA1SbfZJUcRQ6-X50J9gYVeDqQUGlz6cC587o/s640/Northants_2km_2017_PL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Small Tortoiseshell</b><br />
Small Tortoiseshell numbers were up by 55% percent in 2017 and considering the poor years not too long ago this is very nice to see. Like the Red Admiral this is a species seen readily in urban as well as rural environments and with the increase in people recording garden butterflies more and more this may have skewed the figures slightly in their favour. Either way they did seem to have a good year in the county and a walk in suitable habitat during their flight times was testimony to this. The first of the year was seen on the 8th of January in Northampton and the last was seen on the 17th of November in Thrapston.<br />
<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69ANYoLmtv8NOdrEgr2leFNPg1WhjrlWMbZuXSTYYFLref8yX3aEOAeM6vI1iBoknFvkbF9_5Y7raAXOjFDyvjCErjdoH8vDbZN9NpBX_BiQgnjTe8Bfr4lj1MCTwY_GJIO8YNs2Hlwk/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69ANYoLmtv8NOdrEgr2leFNPg1WhjrlWMbZuXSTYYFLref8yX3aEOAeM6vI1iBoknFvkbF9_5Y7raAXOjFDyvjCErjdoH8vDbZN9NpBX_BiQgnjTe8Bfr4lj1MCTwY_GJIO8YNs2Hlwk/s640/Small+Tortoiseshell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell, Ecton Gravel Pits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iaAcYbjF1jCuhgux5T-1qhyphenhyphenHBOJPqt8l5Erwo4rnWXTYqokZur4YqEOvpX7GICGcqXm_R5LVtwffrYLpnPnY1-GUukQoSvXZPphF9N59kshr0lpFAqApi5RtQ91ps7pZnpJb1ekRhVc/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SmT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iaAcYbjF1jCuhgux5T-1qhyphenhyphenHBOJPqt8l5Erwo4rnWXTYqokZur4YqEOvpX7GICGcqXm_R5LVtwffrYLpnPnY1-GUukQoSvXZPphF9N59kshr0lpFAqApi5RtQ91ps7pZnpJb1ekRhVc/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SmT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b> Peacock</b><br />
Peacock totals show a slight increase from 2016 with double figure counts coming from multiple urban and rural sites around the county. The first of the year was seen on the 11th of January at Stanford Reservoir and the last was seen on the 17th of October in Barton Seagrave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIt5nIvTHc1umRrT5igxeK8s2aCVHTXsVgBAshFShn5q3u5YzCRJVIk8yBdnIJ5OmfvVp7IAlkIEe06RMB8aWR-3PuexzxkRXEy07aTtmhH9tc7tEU6KhlIErW4c19vcNcJ4F-5KKuww/s1600/Peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIt5nIvTHc1umRrT5igxeK8s2aCVHTXsVgBAshFShn5q3u5YzCRJVIk8yBdnIJ5OmfvVp7IAlkIEe06RMB8aWR-3PuexzxkRXEy07aTtmhH9tc7tEU6KhlIErW4c19vcNcJ4F-5KKuww/s640/Peacock.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Comma</b><br />
Comma records were 87% up from 2016 and showed some good numbers at some sites<b>. </b>The highest counts came from Bradlaugh Fields on the 13th of March, Fermyn Wood on the 1st of July and Pitsford Reservoir on the 17th of August although a good spread of lower numbers were seen throughout the county. The first of the year was seen on the 9th of March in Northampton and the last on the 28th of October in Sulby Manor gardens.<br />
<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-bzTUi9-SVILw8V_gg96D_qXof4tzSxFhpLFQD7o67YN9fYz-fUnrGQ2LEGnMdGZB_ONcQbJhWCusGDvksAKZjIMj2s2jRm3amep9Pu0aONaggncdwfpvAumfUH1Pait7z5L0hT3fpI/s1600/Comma+twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-bzTUi9-SVILw8V_gg96D_qXof4tzSxFhpLFQD7o67YN9fYz-fUnrGQ2LEGnMdGZB_ONcQbJhWCusGDvksAKZjIMj2s2jRm3amep9Pu0aONaggncdwfpvAumfUH1Pait7z5L0hT3fpI/s640/Comma+twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b> Dark Green Fritillary</b><br />
<b> </b>We had a small set of Dark Green Fritillary records sent in during 2017 and although the species isn't present in the county in nowhere near large numbers I do feel them worthy of mentioning. Over the last few years Dark Green Fritillary records have been received from the north eastern part of the county and the regular sightings at Ring Haw (part of the Old Sulehey Reserve) does suggest they are resident there and the species being recorded from the 20th of June to the 31st of July there. We also received a confirmed sighting from Wakerley Spinney this year with one being seen there on the 20th of June too. The Fritillaries are notorious for wandering far from their strongholds so some of these records maybe those straying from across the county border, but after the discovery of such a large and previously unknown Chalkhill Blue colony in that area perhaps there is a Dark Green Fritillary colony tucked away up there and waiting to be discovered too!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDWXFzCcmcmhXhcv4yRLsC7mq7y1tDxHBDUOF3NS1VE9VUyTgdiYaG-9lZeZ2NoOROeAilpHBbeO9NIFm0wds7Od4HzQr9af3htJdHqFw8fbv9crDiAWTUJFgO0tbShFqrplRJk9Uh5o/s1600/dark+green+frit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDWXFzCcmcmhXhcv4yRLsC7mq7y1tDxHBDUOF3NS1VE9VUyTgdiYaG-9lZeZ2NoOROeAilpHBbeO9NIFm0wds7Od4HzQr9af3htJdHqFw8fbv9crDiAWTUJFgO0tbShFqrplRJk9Uh5o/s640/dark+green+frit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3d1Pa-AxiJ5ROz7AqSn4l5DL-cBUstfaCQAWYlq7THYkLC5M1_5i1gO0LvsCa8u-frGlzoICFeTTD0p5hqREqJ2nZxCo7JnLk4V-Zai_d32muK2ezQ4goP5K4uIvMXgb_m9-nqnoidY/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_DGF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3d1Pa-AxiJ5ROz7AqSn4l5DL-cBUstfaCQAWYlq7THYkLC5M1_5i1gO0LvsCa8u-frGlzoICFeTTD0p5hqREqJ2nZxCo7JnLk4V-Zai_d32muK2ezQ4goP5K4uIvMXgb_m9-nqnoidY/s640/Northants_2km_2017_DGF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Silver-washed Fritillary</b><br />
<b> </b>The Silver-washed Fritillary had a fantastic year in the county and the records were up 107% from the year before. The highest counts for the species were 59 in Bucknell Wood and 49 in Hazelborough Forest on the 2nd of July and 40 in Fermyn and Lady Woods on the 13th of July. Double figure counts also came from Ashton Wold, Fineshade Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Great Morton Sale, Harry's Park Wood, Upper Laundimer Wood, Weekley Hall Wood and Yardley Chase. The Silver-washed Fritillary colour form valezina was also regularly seen with 5 recorded in Fermyn Wood, 4 in Bucknell Wood, 3 in Hazelborough Forest and singles reported in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and Fineshade Wood. The first of the year was seen on the 16th of June in Glapthorn Cow Pastures and the last of the year was seen on the 28th of August in Bucknell Wood.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijObVzEBMsnZTyt5SNZnvMOp3lGq72OZWGgCozLX7VIqF_DkQeEYI7MnA1KHpWwUC-lVnCX0xyFNa5qGBm0pefVvhSxl3RsCJFjcxX6q5QCfhs5dZ5KFFsHhZl-tXy6I9CgE-Il6YHs-U/s1600/Silver-washed+fritillary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijObVzEBMsnZTyt5SNZnvMOp3lGq72OZWGgCozLX7VIqF_DkQeEYI7MnA1KHpWwUC-lVnCX0xyFNa5qGBm0pefVvhSxl3RsCJFjcxX6q5QCfhs5dZ5KFFsHhZl-tXy6I9CgE-Il6YHs-U/s640/Silver-washed+fritillary.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6vEcZNpUw2eDSf2kncn0H5NVwhfiLy7D_LhvL_qiqOBIJiZdDWVEoWMkGrJp0_sDLxsISUHw3qx7hswGJeoW_CH_RqyomdwBrmvCJG1Sw_-Qf9u_hS6PJdAyBzHS1HSgMm_Ng1BhgYM/s1600/Silver-washed+fritillary+valezina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6vEcZNpUw2eDSf2kncn0H5NVwhfiLy7D_LhvL_qiqOBIJiZdDWVEoWMkGrJp0_sDLxsISUHw3qx7hswGJeoW_CH_RqyomdwBrmvCJG1Sw_-Qf9u_hS6PJdAyBzHS1HSgMm_Ng1BhgYM/s640/Silver-washed+fritillary+valezina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary form valezina, Fermyn Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHcj2iYT-jhM4NfV3qml1ULCZ5oMsGEQNs_su8tdTLj1O60RkzpNGBJm4YnayBVMMwZO9emSF2del2Z9Vq7toryUCep_CDrLPJmOrpZbsl8N7_BYRrp7snYUvA5ksSNLna2nt8Zfya7U/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SWF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHcj2iYT-jhM4NfV3qml1ULCZ5oMsGEQNs_su8tdTLj1O60RkzpNGBJm4YnayBVMMwZO9emSF2del2Z9Vq7toryUCep_CDrLPJmOrpZbsl8N7_BYRrp7snYUvA5ksSNLna2nt8Zfya7U/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SWF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Speckled Wood</b><br />
The Speckled Wood showed a slight increase from 2016 with a 10% increase in records. The first of the year was seen on the 1st of April in Bucknell Wood and the last was seen on the 27th of October in Irchester Country Park. Particularly high counts were noted in Bucknell Wood, Castle Ashby Gardens, Fermyn Wood, Fineshade Wood, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Hollowell Reservoir, Salcey Forest, Shire Hill Wood, Stanford Reservoir, Sywell Country Park, Wakerley Woods and Yardley Chase.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfCcXDnvJXSmotkKNmuOYL6olS-LTWuEX1XZcMFBsMPGa_TQP_97XA7culhuNQ-za5EulOgc-LAbcSO0MHvbfH8llUDp7cPt7GGorm0ChKV1UMmeg3iVP8RWCCy4GpiG0TzmImmOf-1o/s1600/Speckled+Wood+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfCcXDnvJXSmotkKNmuOYL6olS-LTWuEX1XZcMFBsMPGa_TQP_97XA7culhuNQ-za5EulOgc-LAbcSO0MHvbfH8llUDp7cPt7GGorm0ChKV1UMmeg3iVP8RWCCy4GpiG0TzmImmOf-1o/s640/Speckled+Wood+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6W3Rukpm_XBxEKLnYCvPHOEk6Kj8HI71oJuV2noPx-hMjtZFsGp7RWqMIvkH9gWRmg8AkSO0RhKgxdMRQRAVMmnby8qgSeVgmgooM-V73SltiQ0YVSQq0Ft36KSJesfDOQgi9MtDyiw/s1600/Speckled+Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6W3Rukpm_XBxEKLnYCvPHOEk6Kj8HI71oJuV2noPx-hMjtZFsGp7RWqMIvkH9gWRmg8AkSO0RhKgxdMRQRAVMmnby8qgSeVgmgooM-V73SltiQ0YVSQq0Ft36KSJesfDOQgi9MtDyiw/s640/Speckled+Wood.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63B7-ZXr6M3O0L0afDRZx22Ua8N9t4qeZmbh1nAdTQx5n8NOatEX90EDGuN96wFcaWQXzrUEyF_67HJ9966Vg2lDmvkd62f5iBlmxuasUW2pxEgBKLIfx923k9H7Ls2UZhaxpKlJp0dU/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SpW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63B7-ZXr6M3O0L0afDRZx22Ua8N9t4qeZmbh1nAdTQx5n8NOatEX90EDGuN96wFcaWQXzrUEyF_67HJ9966Vg2lDmvkd62f5iBlmxuasUW2pxEgBKLIfx923k9H7Ls2UZhaxpKlJp0dU/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SpW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Marbled White</b><br />
After the rapid expansion of this species in the county over the last few years at some point the species was always going to have a "blip" year and 2017 appeared to be that time. Although the species suffered from blustery conditions in the summer during their flight time their numbers were only slightly down by 8% from the year before. By far the highest recorded figure came from Bradlaugh Fields when a large count of 345 were recorded in one day on the 1st of July and most of our other grassland sites held the species in double figures. The first of the year was seen on the 13th of June along the edge of the New Duston estate in Northampton and the last one was recorded on the 7th of August near Earls Barton.<br />
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<b></b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_zo_pJgz_blR5wdcSi8H7QsuqCzSkeXV1HdRletrnbAE4_37MnBQbPUXcUe5Yul9ouH1xAN5Ckx3lQXWdffKqprVvitM855WcVTYczSVm6fL3_-1xaf6VYEF32QYMSxIof6WvfOm1tE/s1600/Marbled+White+for+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_zo_pJgz_blR5wdcSi8H7QsuqCzSkeXV1HdRletrnbAE4_37MnBQbPUXcUe5Yul9ouH1xAN5Ckx3lQXWdffKqprVvitM855WcVTYczSVm6fL3_-1xaf6VYEF32QYMSxIof6WvfOm1tE/s640/Marbled+White+for+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDECrN5eMhmhn8U47vs8OM4ITPPa8KusJdrLbr8YUdCB7KjLddTAEZmt5l7IeILDQOC06dESTvLjD2RHmYo_drOMGRMNiqhtUVyYru8h_kaXO2BQ31HHpOr5NC__W_a0cDThTFR7r-fB4/s1600/Marbled+White+peek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDECrN5eMhmhn8U47vs8OM4ITPPa8KusJdrLbr8YUdCB7KjLddTAEZmt5l7IeILDQOC06dESTvLjD2RHmYo_drOMGRMNiqhtUVyYru8h_kaXO2BQ31HHpOr5NC__W_a0cDThTFR7r-fB4/s640/Marbled+White+peek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56aqrXK8n5DTe6-lG7SnVHXfXKtVOVx1nVJRiB4Rjx7kVsc39RYdbUMvi6JQg6uwmxav6TtcWoUKxgkZ1hyphenhyphennM_a4U7uGM-eQxC983UcJT7h5gmpo2th9gN-BJ7aLdsL6hi4xmYqS8z6E/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_MW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56aqrXK8n5DTe6-lG7SnVHXfXKtVOVx1nVJRiB4Rjx7kVsc39RYdbUMvi6JQg6uwmxav6TtcWoUKxgkZ1hyphenhyphennM_a4U7uGM-eQxC983UcJT7h5gmpo2th9gN-BJ7aLdsL6hi4xmYqS8z6E/s640/Northants_2km_2017_MW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b></b>
<b>Gatekeeper</b><br />
The Gatekeeper saw a 64% rise in records during 2017 with the highest counts coming from Bradlaugh Fields, Collyweston Deeps, Cosgrove, Easton Maudit, Fermyn and Lady Wood, Lyvedon New Bield, Polebrook Airfield, Towcester, Grange Park in Northampton, Weekley Hall Wood, the Embankment in Wellingborough, and Twywell Hills and Dales. The first of the year was seen on the 18th of June in Wellingborough and the last for the year was seen on the 11th of September in Draughton Crossing Meadow.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IxSiljEHGKWWX01IfG_h98DA3BZXkRZSQWP_7jYIGt5ykZwk59aReZ3x3Je0wv1w8hiNoA0wj7gKwFzrpKsOIHzWfTOWNTCWQ5AokxCVihhZjd8wxkKYm5BOXoqmt4lk8Wtb21EWE8g/s1600/Gatekeeper+excessa+Bucknell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IxSiljEHGKWWX01IfG_h98DA3BZXkRZSQWP_7jYIGt5ykZwk59aReZ3x3Je0wv1w8hiNoA0wj7gKwFzrpKsOIHzWfTOWNTCWQ5AokxCVihhZjd8wxkKYm5BOXoqmt4lk8Wtb21EWE8g/s640/Gatekeeper+excessa+Bucknell.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper (excessa), Bucknell Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXPm3GKcmQoZQaDeU8o2oE1eIa-bRqoZs2b1duJKFn8y-2m0rsQKFNIW3r_ay5kQqk2Hj6_1k1feLUuffrMUL9dmN2XzBsKugxoakwBPkZwgQxaxoVuBxZG6CN2XbM0d3FTzWJVMjQYE/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_GK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXPm3GKcmQoZQaDeU8o2oE1eIa-bRqoZs2b1duJKFn8y-2m0rsQKFNIW3r_ay5kQqk2Hj6_1k1feLUuffrMUL9dmN2XzBsKugxoakwBPkZwgQxaxoVuBxZG6CN2XbM0d3FTzWJVMjQYE/s640/Northants_2km_2017_GK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Meadow Brown</b><br />
The Meadow Brown was the most recorded butterfly in the county during 2017 and the records show an increase of 39% from 2016. They were seen in all the main grassland sites but the largest counts came from Ashton Wold, Bradlaugh Fields, Lyvedon New Bield, Ring Haw and Weekley. The first was seen on the 1st of June in Wellingborough and the last was seen on the 22nd of September at Ring Haw.<br />
<b> </b><b></b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0j5_-JKysXqWEnX_0hXQ8cSexbeg28jAsafaLR-RtI5cqo3Dz_9dqL51M3l7T9aT1BXKAGnsaEDwBEj8G7RNpfYWzLM5axvUQlGoLsl61-11LQvdF8SOhU4bm8JaisxlWbM78i8J5YM/s1600/Meadow+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0j5_-JKysXqWEnX_0hXQ8cSexbeg28jAsafaLR-RtI5cqo3Dz_9dqL51M3l7T9aT1BXKAGnsaEDwBEj8G7RNpfYWzLM5axvUQlGoLsl61-11LQvdF8SOhU4bm8JaisxlWbM78i8J5YM/s640/Meadow+Brown.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Brown, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4_fAYd7KieK7zqcR-0vnphinkOVkMX6bC2VEQnEQ4-ICXuB_ahvI-AlMj2ocUPes2rgHRuTxiXKTe5RkhnLTq-ct4CPy5qsuSGa4ZNez1k2Cljbqqqh36-J7hvrGhyphenhyphenaSfv8VUHWv56I/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_MB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4_fAYd7KieK7zqcR-0vnphinkOVkMX6bC2VEQnEQ4-ICXuB_ahvI-AlMj2ocUPes2rgHRuTxiXKTe5RkhnLTq-ct4CPy5qsuSGa4ZNez1k2Cljbqqqh36-J7hvrGhyphenhyphenaSfv8VUHWv56I/s640/Northants_2km_2017_MB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Ringlet</b><br />
The Ringlet certainly didn't have a very good year in Northants and the records show a large decrease of 73%. Despite them being present in most of the suitable habitats they had the poorest year since 2008. The first of the year was recorded on the 11th of June at Pitsford Water and the last one was seen on the 27th of August in East Haddon.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xzmYdKRWy0EF57DPHLYI5SMQYEYmeC4A8sKsGc1TEW5VFxPIt0pcDD3yD2mvNmh_D_jO1rbgmCFGDmH1-eL_ut2v7aSQsApgSX-P2RRqgTUWJ4fVfcplCQgjkQJEMw6pPrm255p6tcA/s1600/Ringlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xzmYdKRWy0EF57DPHLYI5SMQYEYmeC4A8sKsGc1TEW5VFxPIt0pcDD3yD2mvNmh_D_jO1rbgmCFGDmH1-eL_ut2v7aSQsApgSX-P2RRqgTUWJ4fVfcplCQgjkQJEMw6pPrm255p6tcA/s640/Ringlet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7Vudo2xpiyP5xFwshsLbsjSPbNU1PStLvSNVx9bNOPGosNOD-hA8BCIbIyeMcIALoRxO7dKx_gTYRrKCpodlZEonPe_u-ThmfpnwOFgcCPo7pfDx6K1zYB4TuRFFh034T4bQZrIcxY/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7Vudo2xpiyP5xFwshsLbsjSPbNU1PStLvSNVx9bNOPGosNOD-hA8BCIbIyeMcIALoRxO7dKx_gTYRrKCpodlZEonPe_u-ThmfpnwOFgcCPo7pfDx6K1zYB4TuRFFh034T4bQZrIcxY/s640/Northants_2km_2017_R.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b> Small Heath</b><br />
The Small Heath had a fantastic year and with one of the highest counts of the species for the county on record they were up from 2016 by 219%. Key sites for the species were Bradlaugh Fields, Collyweston Deeps, Great Morton Sale, Ring Haw, Twywell Hills and Dales and Welford Quarry. Twywell Hills and Dales produced both the firsts and the lasts of the year with the first one recorded on the 5th of May and the last one seen on the 5th of October.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RPVA2kMiud9_k-0oMR3uVru0AVnD2Xh0zIuaAYpIRJzlP0KHKx56AkRjG8NUvndvRAgFNu6xCWgX3fscufaBDesBhnqMkBTFkuEeDa-1jeXN0MKYmAgEoNZRTtdeiOaBkDxrU2k-LaI/s1600/Small+Heath+twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RPVA2kMiud9_k-0oMR3uVru0AVnD2Xh0zIuaAYpIRJzlP0KHKx56AkRjG8NUvndvRAgFNu6xCWgX3fscufaBDesBhnqMkBTFkuEeDa-1jeXN0MKYmAgEoNZRTtdeiOaBkDxrU2k-LaI/s640/Small+Heath+twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Heath, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA7M3IbUT8F7Fj7na1rdsPX0y3OhOP57aIErLYBMWCnGpMNMF4zOywvFseh1Fxg77CW77pno_vn9WWytt9g-i2SkHCbJD6mEvTABJbKJhmbWQ0oLd-a3GG8Y3EyoM1ay-Kot5TLxDhOc/s1600/Northants_2km_2017_SH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1294" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA7M3IbUT8F7Fj7na1rdsPX0y3OhOP57aIErLYBMWCnGpMNMF4zOywvFseh1Fxg77CW77pno_vn9WWytt9g-i2SkHCbJD6mEvTABJbKJhmbWQ0oLd-a3GG8Y3EyoM1ay-Kot5TLxDhOc/s640/Northants_2km_2017_SH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Escapees/Releases and Unusual Records</b><br />
I did receive a couple of interesting records during 2017 which are no doubt due to accidental releases or escapees from rearing. The first was a Monarch which was seen twice in Brixworth during early July and the other was a Long-tailed Blue seen and photographed in a Clipston garden on the 22nd of September. Another unusual record was a Brown Hairstreak reported at Jack's Green on the 27th of July. This seemed a bit more plausible as a genuine record so soon after Doug Goddard and I had a look and although we couldn't confirm the presence of any Brown Hairstreaks we did find lots of very suitable habitat so who knows, perhaps there's a secret colony of these tucked away somewhere in the county too!<b> </b><br />
<b></b><br />
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<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-16184482776739183462018-01-01T20:09:00.000+00:002018-01-01T20:09:24.233+00:00A Double Year Roundup! - 1st January 2018Well it has been a whole two years since the last post on this blog and to say a lot has happened is an understatement. Shortly after my last post in 2015 a big change in my personal life led to me changing priorities somewhat as I had to find somewhere to live and basically rebuild my life again from scratch hence why I haven't posted since. All I can say is never underestimate the power of family and friends as I couldn't have got through it if it wasn't for their support. On a brighter note things are really looking up now, I've settled down and since I last posted I've become the Northamptonshire Butterfly Recorder! During the initial turmoil I forgot to pay for the domain name for this blog and subsequently lost it but luckily I've been able to rectify this in 2018 and start it again. This post isn't going to compensate for the lack of posting too much as it's merely a selection of photo highlights over the last two years but I'm planning to use this platform to promote the butterflies of Northamptonshire in the future so it feels right to try and fill the gap.<br />
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2016 - A Steep Learning Curve<br />
<br />
I started the year in a bad way but luckily for me friends were keen to drag me out. I find nature has an incredible ability to take one's mind off things and it's amazing how clear your head becomes after a day out enjoying wildlife. During the winter of 2015/16 my friend Doug Goddard had asked me to take on the role of butterfly recorder in Northants as he'd been doing it for 30 years and due to a significant change in his circumstances too he wanted to take a step back. My passion for local butterflies had meant it's a role I'd considered myself doing in the future but I have to admit I hadn't quite expected it happening so soon! After some gentle persuasion I agreed but with some degree of trepidation as after all Doug Goddard and Andy Wyldes are incredibly knowledgeable so to join their ranks was something of an honour so I just hope I've done them proud. The good news is I did get out a few times while I wasn't preoccupied on the laptop dealing with butterfly records so here are a few of my favourite photos from 2016, I won't go through them all as the post will be too long!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5g1_DuxjgC4v_DXGS7WaDgGst7frNNmsqF-fMhYy3FoDuADV4yMFXMbHmjWsNxGwcli2SpPDJri8Wo51gvqhOkxii2TOK3oJED2cBKK6tbHiqLDgatJlMZKRL-UcYiJY0khyphenhyphen4Qs3SRw/s1600/Drinker+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5g1_DuxjgC4v_DXGS7WaDgGst7frNNmsqF-fMhYy3FoDuADV4yMFXMbHmjWsNxGwcli2SpPDJri8Wo51gvqhOkxii2TOK3oJED2cBKK6tbHiqLDgatJlMZKRL-UcYiJY0khyphenhyphen4Qs3SRw/s640/Drinker+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinker Moth Caterpillar, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh243C_iaOKS09zr5jUIbrG2OiRPUXp7Qt9ZK9CvJyb4oVhDE0Tcj5b7GOfXcbR3yC1ATHo-emVfT53txX690OrVL5ji8bc21hyphenhyphen3CoDzMdAH8o9bUWH3UbhCwKcKTOcwIvwDo1g-gdC4O8/s1600/Boar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh243C_iaOKS09zr5jUIbrG2OiRPUXp7Qt9ZK9CvJyb4oVhDE0Tcj5b7GOfXcbR3yC1ATHo-emVfT53txX690OrVL5ji8bc21hyphenhyphen3CoDzMdAH8o9bUWH3UbhCwKcKTOcwIvwDo1g-gdC4O8/s640/Boar+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Boar, Forest of Dean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9FXYDcGhoC1KgEA0QZmOxsQcwmjJAn8WPYndXtcfXSsPYgO_lN-ZY_RsnPBkpIKNDgCF7gY1nVm7bvy99BTLQKkbFgHOrqliN-iNik8qW2xvzT2E_WRwPtCtR6BQeV6qH541IufAnSY/s1600/Black+hairstreak+1+cs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9FXYDcGhoC1KgEA0QZmOxsQcwmjJAn8WPYndXtcfXSsPYgO_lN-ZY_RsnPBkpIKNDgCF7gY1nVm7bvy99BTLQKkbFgHOrqliN-iNik8qW2xvzT2E_WRwPtCtR6BQeV6qH541IufAnSY/s640/Black+hairstreak+1+cs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairtreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitieTVfAwuvLX6l_fbJwhKo6RNulUziTAh3-6gx1E0wMPA4ighvmU_tP3m8p_6xGJtLjS5B_RfGmzUr_wmbOgdDpjP81gAPFh8y5yE9Mhmcq5IPWY0uJQayZIogTIGttHY5qliKJLQGqo/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitieTVfAwuvLX6l_fbJwhKo6RNulUziTAh3-6gx1E0wMPA4ighvmU_tP3m8p_6xGJtLjS5B_RfGmzUr_wmbOgdDpjP81gAPFh8y5yE9Mhmcq5IPWY0uJQayZIogTIGttHY5qliKJLQGqo/s640/Brown+Hairstreak+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, Shipton Bellinger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcT3C_Eanl8SuV1ZyjxnqBK701th6dILZAi5bT1SdsHBXXoDyK-YsuHmiKuzVo4-HP_XcJZjy3V9nLasg6J9z2OtCc_w3wRyMhzNGBpj-7gToia2xuzossvGy8_kLeqAG5OOj_X-7VKI/s1600/Duke+Totternhoe+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcT3C_Eanl8SuV1ZyjxnqBK701th6dILZAi5bT1SdsHBXXoDyK-YsuHmiKuzVo4-HP_XcJZjy3V9nLasg6J9z2OtCc_w3wRyMhzNGBpj-7gToia2xuzossvGy8_kLeqAG5OOj_X-7VKI/s640/Duke+Totternhoe+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy, Beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Mw184kGRdjJGqUygxyp5cIb67lWxM_Eh5y7wqtOuRNiu37nmxfZoH9QYVT6m2q_5L9e8h0piZi8pH3kKq-hFtc0GZDYe3uasPJvVOcWOz7k5TgOUqMd-mN703bC16QqnpSjCLglvyE/s1600/ALT+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Mw184kGRdjJGqUygxyp5cIb67lWxM_Eh5y7wqtOuRNiu37nmxfZoH9QYVT6m2q_5L9e8h0piZi8pH3kKq-hFtc0GZDYe3uasPJvVOcWOz7k5TgOUqMd-mN703bC16QqnpSjCLglvyE/s640/ALT+2.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Ladies Tresses, Cambs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dpgwOPk_wbuDcs7m5iY0Xxbz-82S1QpkwA_k259e-aXaBy1Rft490OJ9PfTNEDpEAcTKf3HkiZT5cMjaY_-jYU9T12a_TeHZd82UcZNDfKpGrYi-NMiGOmROLfyl4TV20i7wZ3_Dytk/s1600/Common+Darter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dpgwOPk_wbuDcs7m5iY0Xxbz-82S1QpkwA_k259e-aXaBy1Rft490OJ9PfTNEDpEAcTKf3HkiZT5cMjaY_-jYU9T12a_TeHZd82UcZNDfKpGrYi-NMiGOmROLfyl4TV20i7wZ3_Dytk/s640/Common+Darter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Darter, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9_Rp8b3OHoakuUxHKYvYnog0R2wqXlpSTNT5ghCP8Okg7oNBqZlDF23IfSZTFB0VahpZY4U-2XesPvs6aC2UDB5UDY0X7n4EmSt6hMUvCu6akDpfr5WbeznqUvpOgCq-n1_kmAH5ESg/s1600/Common+Eyelash+Fungus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9_Rp8b3OHoakuUxHKYvYnog0R2wqXlpSTNT5ghCP8Okg7oNBqZlDF23IfSZTFB0VahpZY4U-2XesPvs6aC2UDB5UDY0X7n4EmSt6hMUvCu6akDpfr5WbeznqUvpOgCq-n1_kmAH5ESg/s640/Common+Eyelash+Fungus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyelash Fungus, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz2v7m35caxU-TPtHvaCccgaPF20FcIq7xCEHfSzZxFZ6DnkqYonpgBDsvLxL9QQym-uHTgESGf9l-Gh7LBOelJVL3WlD0N0HRkaDHIEfpgaK3EMqqOql48jrjHrnIkcEAHQQneV_jM0/s1600/Emerald+Damselfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz2v7m35caxU-TPtHvaCccgaPF20FcIq7xCEHfSzZxFZ6DnkqYonpgBDsvLxL9QQym-uHTgESGf9l-Gh7LBOelJVL3WlD0N0HRkaDHIEfpgaK3EMqqOql48jrjHrnIkcEAHQQneV_jM0/s640/Emerald+Damselfly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald Damselfly, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RMEykVHeeMJ-QNTcmx2VPUZppBUMAC2y3h9BkOP0nWgfphSnpDrx0-JlRjkAqfiVgWdCju4o-os8wY6UW1n-QovNLCAOYCE1GRYpoxCRRwikOzSFcJtlKsoRxi1s3vvx7AxnZpLw7As/s1600/Frog+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RMEykVHeeMJ-QNTcmx2VPUZppBUMAC2y3h9BkOP0nWgfphSnpDrx0-JlRjkAqfiVgWdCju4o-os8wY6UW1n-QovNLCAOYCE1GRYpoxCRRwikOzSFcJtlKsoRxi1s3vvx7AxnZpLw7As/s640/Frog+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Frog, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkDaQzwnmC6SBHsLeXxOceLWex78puvqOj8h774qwGyeeuyglzHIpir1F6O0-0CSA_XNm_dljYhcxRKAwYzwl1Xv-hPeznuo0cdJAanrvJM4WHha2m2nHCIBRwBtFTOdjitz3RI9oxA8/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+Serwell+Cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkDaQzwnmC6SBHsLeXxOceLWex78puvqOj8h774qwGyeeuyglzHIpir1F6O0-0CSA_XNm_dljYhcxRKAwYzwl1Xv-hPeznuo0cdJAanrvJM4WHha2m2nHCIBRwBtFTOdjitz3RI9oxA8/s640/Green+Hairstreak+Serwell+Cutting.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak, Beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGv1oGsOFIe1WnVghKfT_JUpFMv2wA-IMQUffkckT0tr7ChTyN-B0wH3ST9JQneGXz73r0xGE8hZGobx3KtT_ZtSwd7KDAnEhBmKc8GdfWldY5u5WWlbZDOybow0D_GSlLiwbMWSLhg4/s1600/Green+Winged+Orchid+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGv1oGsOFIe1WnVghKfT_JUpFMv2wA-IMQUffkckT0tr7ChTyN-B0wH3ST9JQneGXz73r0xGE8hZGobx3KtT_ZtSwd7KDAnEhBmKc8GdfWldY5u5WWlbZDOybow0D_GSlLiwbMWSLhg4/s640/Green+Winged+Orchid+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Orchids, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2017 - Life Is Good!<br />
<br />
After my jump into the deep end I've come out the other side almost a new me! My rather frantic year in 2016 has taught me quite a few lessons in life and after a lot of research and panicking has hopefully made me an acceptable county recorder too. I will admit I didn't realise just how much work goes into the role and from the outset and it became clear that the recording aspect was the easy part! On the bright side though it's a role I'm beginning to love. There are many times when the challenges of conservation can make life a little depressing but the battles we do win make it all the more the rewarding. Here are a few photo highlights from 2017 -<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafkefB6xVKhHQUjlt8GmnSp2XF8Pg1mUqxAV_1EFHP2myu3r5MhY19hOrCk28djwJnN6Hb99ehkqAhjsize04X-3Z2YJbFK8ZW3O-htVIrk0y2G0aN2-KRNYtHi6UhtdjZqMWT17IUR8/s1600/Amethyst+Deceiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafkefB6xVKhHQUjlt8GmnSp2XF8Pg1mUqxAV_1EFHP2myu3r5MhY19hOrCk28djwJnN6Hb99ehkqAhjsize04X-3Z2YJbFK8ZW3O-htVIrk0y2G0aN2-KRNYtHi6UhtdjZqMWT17IUR8/s640/Amethyst+Deceiver.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amethyst Deceiver, Hazelborough Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50yKdIOJ61aQ6-9HKDDnpcVmWYoBuK8hqrnGd3I5ro19R7HSC3UsU082l0txNgPPtS9l5o_nnPLqG7x-P2tYfnbOyVrnlNOSFqFktT5LLTykL3_s7kDw18qIJ5WCRMspAdWr4i73HeVw/s1600/Bleading+Oak+Crust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50yKdIOJ61aQ6-9HKDDnpcVmWYoBuK8hqrnGd3I5ro19R7HSC3UsU082l0txNgPPtS9l5o_nnPLqG7x-P2tYfnbOyVrnlNOSFqFktT5LLTykL3_s7kDw18qIJ5WCRMspAdWr4i73HeVw/s640/Bleading+Oak+Crust.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleeding Oak Crust, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cxgXHg4hhIIVXZiwHH8ovtHrTYWSNxcBA07yy2L4eNegpkO1zqV50gRffZMoigjJWKZ9UpnD8ifLfDmwio6nn8QSgk0fOlLvADi_sjNxo8x1JGDh8e5_uauGvxrWkC5pSHe4aIJI_dQ/s1600/Blue+Rock+Thrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cxgXHg4hhIIVXZiwHH8ovtHrTYWSNxcBA07yy2L4eNegpkO1zqV50gRffZMoigjJWKZ9UpnD8ifLfDmwio6nn8QSgk0fOlLvADi_sjNxo8x1JGDh8e5_uauGvxrWkC5pSHe4aIJI_dQ/s640/Blue+Rock+Thrush.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Rock Thrush, Glos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CNvLYsHOXob5IQmk0IM9BiyHjkE_ReNwSH3fgYpyfYoCYB0oLptIlsEo79wOzAgCorx4jSSulTYC7wUqw_o84xJY-EOjut_ZGWCaGVteDpFYqX2uRfo16vWrAYPYWrex5M88eAGxkv8/s1600/Boar+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CNvLYsHOXob5IQmk0IM9BiyHjkE_ReNwSH3fgYpyfYoCYB0oLptIlsEo79wOzAgCorx4jSSulTYC7wUqw_o84xJY-EOjut_ZGWCaGVteDpFYqX2uRfo16vWrAYPYWrex5M88eAGxkv8/s640/Boar+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Boar Family, Forest of Dean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRQxy6qJPUjF2anpPTsbNl9MhiowCWu4DB6NZXXuErqBuiN3seJFkcFFB3kv_HD59YCKX6s0R8A8OKPxa57FOeJfyQ0rIYukz9xYrYkP7H6djN3erQtAwV_MTwg70Qfay8Gem2kVjtjk/s1600/Brimstone+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRQxy6qJPUjF2anpPTsbNl9MhiowCWu4DB6NZXXuErqBuiN3seJFkcFFB3kv_HD59YCKX6s0R8A8OKPxa57FOeJfyQ0rIYukz9xYrYkP7H6djN3erQtAwV_MTwg70Qfay8Gem2kVjtjk/s640/Brimstone+egg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone Egg, Grange Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilecOYwOCvyg4tYO1A_CgCJAYwwWAJYk7FrwlH9inz_pRH2A-P4DhSaunzVEUkQ8iM6Bw36h9X4xg1BTMHcjTk-Sbx1igjBWSzpTQLqR3oiAKLjx3ZeWZaerp35YC9viYlovnI4-Wx1Cg/s1600/Bufftip+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilecOYwOCvyg4tYO1A_CgCJAYwwWAJYk7FrwlH9inz_pRH2A-P4DhSaunzVEUkQ8iM6Bw36h9X4xg1BTMHcjTk-Sbx1igjBWSzpTQLqR3oiAKLjx3ZeWZaerp35YC9viYlovnI4-Wx1Cg/s640/Bufftip+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bufftip moth, Pitsford Reservoir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SbVbkdWl4mLPiIcHlbFFEUC4-B_m6eNSpLypeK-lfrNxdftq_8EolW2I6fNDqUwpVmkqE02OHR2xugiqH-fnB3OsSo4TZF_5ufOcglQxuWJyAgIyATddH_mTeBCfm1RsJSb67_lGAPU/s1600/Caspian+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SbVbkdWl4mLPiIcHlbFFEUC4-B_m6eNSpLypeK-lfrNxdftq_8EolW2I6fNDqUwpVmkqE02OHR2xugiqH-fnB3OsSo4TZF_5ufOcglQxuWJyAgIyATddH_mTeBCfm1RsJSb67_lGAPU/s640/Caspian+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caspian tern, Clifford Hill, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyznGjlqd6Pj4fHW9aEoIqL_-sS0UqRBiZFGGpSzHXY0Gpxxj2gBNz4F7s6Z5NrERMt925SzfsgXdIc5VAshMGJDIR_vb9e5FwH1qOZkDVmoyJZnj_kHSbChGXF7EI2G13PvSspBycXkY/s1600/Chalky+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyznGjlqd6Pj4fHW9aEoIqL_-sS0UqRBiZFGGpSzHXY0Gpxxj2gBNz4F7s6Z5NrERMt925SzfsgXdIc5VAshMGJDIR_vb9e5FwH1qOZkDVmoyJZnj_kHSbChGXF7EI2G13PvSspBycXkY/s640/Chalky+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blues, Spanhoe Airfield, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1im2xo-QWOqz3g1bxV8djiE8wRTkoguft-xPIFLzLTJLu0AXBJKDQQOFfGyptHGSAT2Lr0pFVJCHn7k1qIDyoqoefB8kwUvIYHqttEbK6gzNY-tryZUS3k0YF6p0PK6SaLY112gmhxHA/s1600/Chalky+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1im2xo-QWOqz3g1bxV8djiE8wRTkoguft-xPIFLzLTJLu0AXBJKDQQOFfGyptHGSAT2Lr0pFVJCHn7k1qIDyoqoefB8kwUvIYHqttEbK6gzNY-tryZUS3k0YF6p0PK6SaLY112gmhxHA/s640/Chalky+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue, Spanhoe Airfield, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW75JLGBkWnbzNNRx0gVVvyzVpGtLdF6KTl1Oi4ud5eIzbQn-Eq07Y9U9aAOzSf0wHnFrhSazUH0kEBWJBD_NKLk0Hbye7HsQ7jeAKVzvXWhZFmrTVjV9-iwzpjnDFfYUCmPECa8QKtAg/s1600/Dartford+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW75JLGBkWnbzNNRx0gVVvyzVpGtLdF6KTl1Oi4ud5eIzbQn-Eq07Y9U9aAOzSf0wHnFrhSazUH0kEBWJBD_NKLk0Hbye7HsQ7jeAKVzvXWhZFmrTVjV9-iwzpjnDFfYUCmPECa8QKtAg/s640/Dartford+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dartford Warbler, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSkaPp-1mVWbOCpn9XzfRlQHPBtaGJsxTft89nYLGHnDEO8IMe26u6R69KI7hFl8Hl-y_479C-mXy8GmEu51_eEdkPmQikN6WjBZEGlqRdl6FL6Czj791gWmQ_KLh1LoSvedHwHqioQ/s1600/Devils+Fingers+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OSkaPp-1mVWbOCpn9XzfRlQHPBtaGJsxTft89nYLGHnDEO8IMe26u6R69KI7hFl8Hl-y_479C-mXy8GmEu51_eEdkPmQikN6WjBZEGlqRdl6FL6Czj791gWmQ_KLh1LoSvedHwHqioQ/s640/Devils+Fingers+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octopus Stinkhorn (aka Devils Fingers), Rushmere Country Park</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXHTIBqnmyZ0Fsnwxn7Ju_lS5kkJuW8_nh4T3KF0VWMzXo2ufFI8VG8Dq2WktMozFgoEfd39ZV0SvUhsCaUv9g2my9ee6_AtOyxNRHxWP6wPcOrLRkeisambpxnXoe6es1RXRtd_wEH8/s1600/Dingy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXHTIBqnmyZ0Fsnwxn7Ju_lS5kkJuW8_nh4T3KF0VWMzXo2ufFI8VG8Dq2WktMozFgoEfd39ZV0SvUhsCaUv9g2my9ee6_AtOyxNRHxWP6wPcOrLRkeisambpxnXoe6es1RXRtd_wEH8/s640/Dingy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QFkpOQ6s8vEQVzknznwnzFWU4WFXd8ltCatz3_ECSxSVYno_KKJRpWuzGpnqSHoe6ZHBcp81yhHeFD_YSoQP2ZYIkBfUAGzKx7v923xqZPJKgNfOsXrdjN4ZzVfTlIldd_7k1j2QJjw/s1600/GWO+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QFkpOQ6s8vEQVzknznwnzFWU4WFXd8ltCatz3_ECSxSVYno_KKJRpWuzGpnqSHoe6ZHBcp81yhHeFD_YSoQP2ZYIkBfUAGzKx7v923xqZPJKgNfOsXrdjN4ZzVfTlIldd_7k1j2QJjw/s640/GWO+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Orchid, Brackmills, Northampton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5mCEmRJ1EuG-dHcsTlOHA0f_wI64M0kE2Gi16woPJnBo3KG74KGZlmgl_sjSBwlzFtAzI0J9YK-bgVQm5lQPYlHyRQGVa4J2w42FWsb9jk2hjq5UbvSHS_Qroga9SR6MI4UwNxDzYaE/s1600/Hawfinch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5mCEmRJ1EuG-dHcsTlOHA0f_wI64M0kE2Gi16woPJnBo3KG74KGZlmgl_sjSBwlzFtAzI0J9YK-bgVQm5lQPYlHyRQGVa4J2w42FWsb9jk2hjq5UbvSHS_Qroga9SR6MI4UwNxDzYaE/s640/Hawfinch+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawfinch, Forest of Dean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdRC4GPMU34ZVEyNRbkbIdsPhXUd5mtgdkZZZG_fz70UKmG2k3EmYs101hnzJETaiEjBVFm-OdSdcIveJB0yjDrx_pZPiFX_NRNGFTq47swJc3anwXIa6KAB9XKmTCa4QzGEceZp76BQ/s1600/Hawfinch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdRC4GPMU34ZVEyNRbkbIdsPhXUd5mtgdkZZZG_fz70UKmG2k3EmYs101hnzJETaiEjBVFm-OdSdcIveJB0yjDrx_pZPiFX_NRNGFTq47swJc3anwXIa6KAB9XKmTCa4QzGEceZp76BQ/s640/Hawfinch+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawfinch, Forest of Dean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23iHcxwhixx-BmJB9LUn3hIrkHOaeQ9ssNMsohEWfyI7pz1lFRkDiurUxSrggOttihqp3fdX7RgPxky0AEmCo0HiRK-WlYSKpjVbFGdHPUcAl3ZwulGSR9yQDIlc6JBgoR3yWtHJynHI/s1600/Highland+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23iHcxwhixx-BmJB9LUn3hIrkHOaeQ9ssNMsohEWfyI7pz1lFRkDiurUxSrggOttihqp3fdX7RgPxky0AEmCo0HiRK-WlYSKpjVbFGdHPUcAl3ZwulGSR9yQDIlc6JBgoR3yWtHJynHI/s640/Highland+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland, East Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_E37kIPy3tq1YyOLbe-UY2tEBZ9iXbYShze-fuKMcm86wKHjXEbFwAaIJTuPT6icKbcC_BGgfJkXrGg6eznfxm8jWHkfYvGvTZ9aF31O_6tGkWeG2TzwXFH7GuLtuQcOWeV8zG1veao/s1600/Herald+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_E37kIPy3tq1YyOLbe-UY2tEBZ9iXbYShze-fuKMcm86wKHjXEbFwAaIJTuPT6icKbcC_BGgfJkXrGg6eznfxm8jWHkfYvGvTZ9aF31O_6tGkWeG2TzwXFH7GuLtuQcOWeV8zG1veao/s640/Herald+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herald moth, Pitsford Water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQxUgzlyqrXxYqyQzj9Nu9jKxu07VkjcTzwLJKZdQBPrlcOOetbVozUmAsx4AwIUMyGaij9TZMzffSO_SeMg10i_1FxXhVukdlDQ0HfxCkYM_UFpokEwE469YVP89mnBmKpEnm2VimKU/s1600/Ivy+Bee+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQxUgzlyqrXxYqyQzj9Nu9jKxu07VkjcTzwLJKZdQBPrlcOOetbVozUmAsx4AwIUMyGaij9TZMzffSO_SeMg10i_1FxXhVukdlDQ0HfxCkYM_UFpokEwE469YVP89mnBmKpEnm2VimKU/s640/Ivy+Bee+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy Bee, Yeoman Pub Garden, Wootton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcH-247DS3JbkG8CMDbuwNolFi4GJizwHDir7qTS0t5ulXt_64WQyRZBjjNxNMBxrQrgBjOMICbrx7D_mvWuF8B0b4CeLkI29rOby5Qvhog71zhSC_lNMiCSW5kYNDn7Qd7c5BfQrNDs/s1600/Ivy+Bee+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcH-247DS3JbkG8CMDbuwNolFi4GJizwHDir7qTS0t5ulXt_64WQyRZBjjNxNMBxrQrgBjOMICbrx7D_mvWuF8B0b4CeLkI29rOby5Qvhog71zhSC_lNMiCSW5kYNDn7Qd7c5BfQrNDs/s640/Ivy+Bee+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy Bees, Yeoman Pub Garden, Wootton, Northampton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGT3sErjaCMa1w6yW0Ya85k9-bxV9_90p6CNYhCLdeIO0mKt2qEYepB8qoLhIrT4xA3uc3awkTZvNqHpZ5SLE3ZuwLkPPwZ8Xcxw9ez7S4wJk_t-zEYitrJb5pqGfpg7PrZ40r_kb5r8/s1600/Kings+Cliffe+Beech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGT3sErjaCMa1w6yW0Ya85k9-bxV9_90p6CNYhCLdeIO0mKt2qEYepB8qoLhIrT4xA3uc3awkTZvNqHpZ5SLE3ZuwLkPPwZ8Xcxw9ez7S4wJk_t-zEYitrJb5pqGfpg7PrZ40r_kb5r8/s640/Kings+Cliffe+Beech.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King's Cliff Veteran Beech</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUtOE_KVgCyg1JrtjTiSDH7PMfoj_XPmny1Hry3uvO0QYx_hDvadF5YOjGTOAsekuE3ieUPzf1L28J5G4jn9z6bhAVCIB8Kqv-22k29g3pHQdwRmvF7YM6lW0-YxzEhB2NPfHMUiJ7ag/s1600/Migrant+Hawker+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUtOE_KVgCyg1JrtjTiSDH7PMfoj_XPmny1Hry3uvO0QYx_hDvadF5YOjGTOAsekuE3ieUPzf1L28J5G4jn9z6bhAVCIB8Kqv-22k29g3pHQdwRmvF7YM6lW0-YxzEhB2NPfHMUiJ7ag/s640/Migrant+Hawker+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migrant Hawker, Ecton GP, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIeLYz4eja03rZqU7YS-v3zJ4pDAlDmdYKOvZlWFdAuvfm3jiVXPacSpOcTBdcK9fusLOFdHE0oFymOYvuWO7OJJu0osNhtUnUaE5GyZiDI64d00IN-3hsEQxUYFhC5Ncz4xb_8thUWY/s1600/Nursery+Web+with+prey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIeLYz4eja03rZqU7YS-v3zJ4pDAlDmdYKOvZlWFdAuvfm3jiVXPacSpOcTBdcK9fusLOFdHE0oFymOYvuWO7OJJu0osNhtUnUaE5GyZiDI64d00IN-3hsEQxUYFhC5Ncz4xb_8thUWY/s640/Nursery+Web+with+prey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery Web Spider, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf9wZLRA_CIWL5p68eL9xKPcxQ-f1BT2egVDptKQILfWYWEzdVCEq_HvPBC0SALb1j04iGo-f-m9NBhOmLk7ZgxYcHcAULLVXqGa4WZoAuJonkDDF96p5GmZ90yEr4FCsE0UDdNWjUvM/s1600/Orange+Peel+Fungis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf9wZLRA_CIWL5p68eL9xKPcxQ-f1BT2egVDptKQILfWYWEzdVCEq_HvPBC0SALb1j04iGo-f-m9NBhOmLk7ZgxYcHcAULLVXqGa4WZoAuJonkDDF96p5GmZ90yEr4FCsE0UDdNWjUvM/s640/Orange+Peel+Fungis.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Peel Fungus, RSPB Sandy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG7UH0TAy86vDP5vUFfv0MHw0y3HJDNFYB8dsWN1xu6fsiD9W-EWHxtY_K4BZY6DFLPkw8IVp0wjXnC5I1eDhG2dySS557STSvnzRHE7OWOGZufcE230I4rWPCzfLGJd069L8sfHoNbA/s1600/OT+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG7UH0TAy86vDP5vUFfv0MHw0y3HJDNFYB8dsWN1xu6fsiD9W-EWHxtY_K4BZY6DFLPkw8IVp0wjXnC5I1eDhG2dySS557STSvnzRHE7OWOGZufcE230I4rWPCzfLGJd069L8sfHoNbA/s640/OT+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-tip Pupa, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMMCPRlt0fF-DTHVeCz4Mo0orSlkg6ZSE6cfTGj6nMbeKJyS88CSwYQA6sKx7DX22zZXeo8WiE87vi8yyu5VgoFBzm6LswD4MZIjtHtgsLCesZg1g5rO5jY9x58KxvAEzO9HSgtOimK4/s1600/Porcelein+Fungus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMMCPRlt0fF-DTHVeCz4Mo0orSlkg6ZSE6cfTGj6nMbeKJyS88CSwYQA6sKx7DX22zZXeo8WiE87vi8yyu5VgoFBzm6LswD4MZIjtHtgsLCesZg1g5rO5jY9x58KxvAEzO9HSgtOimK4/s640/Porcelein+Fungus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcelain Fungus, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmumGil74s9igqGgwXbjlDQPG1fiRfNRotdW2fihbq_sAt0OKpLq84UyQ3x7xqG5pg5g1wboDQHoqZZfnfOyMQ3UgoivjBxLjJC_dHVNaGIFoAGE5fUrxKS2ACMVmZlKUYo384GKcBXQ/s1600/Purple+Emperor+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmumGil74s9igqGgwXbjlDQPG1fiRfNRotdW2fihbq_sAt0OKpLq84UyQ3x7xqG5pg5g1wboDQHoqZZfnfOyMQ3UgoivjBxLjJC_dHVNaGIFoAGE5fUrxKS2ACMVmZlKUYo384GKcBXQ/s640/Purple+Emperor+Best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpc3BeM6FP99Hj573hReuu5hTy4vkrBuc9YhmKr9eN5AFQWJr_s1QeLQnuw6-CoJMFA_0kYkKQ47GuTZMBNPh0qF-mKkPcHTGVv8FWXDqfqeg8-g_Vy4gLPnQ0I2uNavk3n5Mj3lsGNc/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpc3BeM6FP99Hj573hReuu5hTy4vkrBuc9YhmKr9eN5AFQWJr_s1QeLQnuw6-CoJMFA_0kYkKQ47GuTZMBNPh0qF-mKkPcHTGVv8FWXDqfqeg8-g_Vy4gLPnQ0I2uNavk3n5Mj3lsGNc/s640/Purple+Hairstreak+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Bucknell Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0eEWoa9vAWP05RHQT6l6u3dhEQ0LOZ63pFtaud1CyicSsdGYdDhhyphenhyphenOeqO9J8i8bgYtJ63eqHtMoBFD4zddOoY5leGV5YXJaCHFaHmSZBzvxRsh47D6xqnpqkzFwsDKCygAqpp2vkd70/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0eEWoa9vAWP05RHQT6l6u3dhEQ0LOZ63pFtaud1CyicSsdGYdDhhyphenhyphenOeqO9J8i8bgYtJ63eqHtMoBFD4zddOoY5leGV5YXJaCHFaHmSZBzvxRsh47D6xqnpqkzFwsDKCygAqpp2vkd70/s640/Purple+Hairstreak+egg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak egg, Bucknell Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bxUAVIYymSSqTAxQoK1GXiWEbe9JHYVOF5I20b0yTEt9k-SAaXFDzGSPA-j_r_xcRfjbmtTjew7kgEqzQyj-q6hEPor0oYVVupM1QvfBHdafnPVMQAwHm23MDpoNXCuNK7n7WbHVKyU/s1600/Red+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bxUAVIYymSSqTAxQoK1GXiWEbe9JHYVOF5I20b0yTEt9k-SAaXFDzGSPA-j_r_xcRfjbmtTjew7kgEqzQyj-q6hEPor0oYVVupM1QvfBHdafnPVMQAwHm23MDpoNXCuNK7n7WbHVKyU/s640/Red+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral, Ravensthorpe Reservoir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfhJdzC0nM56D9j_VCQZfui3do2QFibp2HUxhdCclfRhyphenhyphen-ni65OvWXXkn3EQzVnXKwMbIAFKWVheUSRMAdpdKWDf8JPKIWylE2bJWbknL0L69qa-X-XkY04qgULCyPrwYCx_QcaMy44g/s1600/Sallow+Kitten+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfhJdzC0nM56D9j_VCQZfui3do2QFibp2HUxhdCclfRhyphenhyphen-ni65OvWXXkn3EQzVnXKwMbIAFKWVheUSRMAdpdKWDf8JPKIWylE2bJWbknL0L69qa-X-XkY04qgULCyPrwYCx_QcaMy44g/s640/Sallow+Kitten+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sallow Kitten Caterpillar, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsInI5nGHTNazJRCtv7aiwYRM5AMiml47whOMwnmWw3KPYoBtbB4cAfFuzW2Bs77hLvPk3NUg09rcJRMTdw7DHYtJ09n5b3HXPraFzr2msdMEq5DX1eK52WHFMN-H-90RaFzDhXo-QzVw/s1600/Sand+Lizard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsInI5nGHTNazJRCtv7aiwYRM5AMiml47whOMwnmWw3KPYoBtbB4cAfFuzW2Bs77hLvPk3NUg09rcJRMTdw7DHYtJ09n5b3HXPraFzr2msdMEq5DX1eK52WHFMN-H-90RaFzDhXo-QzVw/s640/Sand+Lizard+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Lizard, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLly21iLUKJjQwhcMmhtYDdR-PXir92UP-cGT9ek-2PSeKksbzt36KYa81AT63LY2C9h3A65D1H9HWhtTgrt20pSbzRahdDYTq34DbTVQ0KTvSiupyAC6LmYPUKtR4XcSFI7-yClzHF-0/s1600/Sand+Lizard+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLly21iLUKJjQwhcMmhtYDdR-PXir92UP-cGT9ek-2PSeKksbzt36KYa81AT63LY2C9h3A65D1H9HWhtTgrt20pSbzRahdDYTq34DbTVQ0KTvSiupyAC6LmYPUKtR4XcSFI7-yClzHF-0/s640/Sand+Lizard+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Lizard, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv6zTjuNe_Hi5pK07BNAXpu9jLqEcjPw-qmXkgxswOCaheacEM5JeEIKuzGcavvqHfw-mKB0IkGIf0AuBjyjZwy4QvEDE1Sqfr3pE9qDP3oVPnv58_ti8ZnTsHM_-0tbXWRH3n1geGIc/s1600/Scarlets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv6zTjuNe_Hi5pK07BNAXpu9jLqEcjPw-qmXkgxswOCaheacEM5JeEIKuzGcavvqHfw-mKB0IkGIf0AuBjyjZwy4QvEDE1Sqfr3pE9qDP3oVPnv58_ti8ZnTsHM_-0tbXWRH3n1geGIc/s640/Scarlets.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Elf Cups, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoMZsSrTV5vIqUYwiN0ap7_dW4IgTz7VBW3J3EZ4LLakPJlWCBb38Hrw1LrbwOiR39LNViFI1BaGkSzTq0fUZMgJiSE_8jI05H_57ELTeqkLMbsEVg1I2YQbtmFTM_XGiFFJj16EMQSQ/s1600/Small+Copper+egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1518" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoMZsSrTV5vIqUYwiN0ap7_dW4IgTz7VBW3J3EZ4LLakPJlWCBb38Hrw1LrbwOiR39LNViFI1BaGkSzTq0fUZMgJiSE_8jI05H_57ELTeqkLMbsEVg1I2YQbtmFTM_XGiFFJj16EMQSQ/s640/Small+Copper+egg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper Egg, Ravensthorpe Res</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTo_gHv-PFS6eTJk8DTOWAAhm9liFe99ZlUeaBqEVVTC-hq4sMRCU2ck0bMa4KLIMSjeY3I_JRpEdvUR5PqbL2TaVzcL2-DGcr9FC1BZB6RLO9-iaX9d62suOoxZbyV2UL7T4fxD7W4I/s1600/Staghorn+and+Puffball+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTo_gHv-PFS6eTJk8DTOWAAhm9liFe99ZlUeaBqEVVTC-hq4sMRCU2ck0bMa4KLIMSjeY3I_JRpEdvUR5PqbL2TaVzcL2-DGcr9FC1BZB6RLO9-iaX9d62suOoxZbyV2UL7T4fxD7W4I/s640/Staghorn+and+Puffball+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Staghorn and Puffball, RSPB Sandy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqemKmOGG-d7erzBf-44OVDWoSrD-j30Pp7qYCdm98Bp5Urv0RdKUvvH4x08UMhyphenhyphen2Te_3ivtxlU78U8LlnWdHnDWPq-AXHy7HttgDWYt3lW1eRyZVx-qzyzQcCdykD7x0dd1wi2zgWvJ0/s1600/Stinkhorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqemKmOGG-d7erzBf-44OVDWoSrD-j30Pp7qYCdm98Bp5Urv0RdKUvvH4x08UMhyphenhyphen2Te_3ivtxlU78U8LlnWdHnDWPq-AXHy7HttgDWYt3lW1eRyZVx-qzyzQcCdykD7x0dd1wi2zgWvJ0/s640/Stinkhorn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Stinkhorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhJPEFtMAnpN57vukU1ZAHkj-lYFgHUzUXOcR9mxSXKmzXl1ZBen2uFTyeb1i3DPziHBES1htPQUFIqKVmKsZwXshulUbOTZZ-zU-jgEKxM-UDWy_UCZo7s8WusnOpxjq0FE52b9qHFk/s1600/Valezina+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhJPEFtMAnpN57vukU1ZAHkj-lYFgHUzUXOcR9mxSXKmzXl1ZBen2uFTyeb1i3DPziHBES1htPQUFIqKVmKsZwXshulUbOTZZ-zU-jgEKxM-UDWy_UCZo7s8WusnOpxjq0FE52b9qHFk/s640/Valezina+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary form valezina, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q9Ojs7M_oyoP_414NzUd8AkijbPzQxUj1vBSyktOKtYFRYufhD1ur1oS7-ETLJQUUeiq_Z-JZXwPZhQI_TnrXfDSABYuSBZAQnpuLr-38GoheEnRWuUIF6FDz02tMQE2WmIiDd7IeTY/s1600/Wall+Lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q9Ojs7M_oyoP_414NzUd8AkijbPzQxUj1vBSyktOKtYFRYufhD1ur1oS7-ETLJQUUeiq_Z-JZXwPZhQI_TnrXfDSABYuSBZAQnpuLr-38GoheEnRWuUIF6FDz02tMQE2WmIiDd7IeTY/s640/Wall+Lizard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Lizard, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR0AHqERdi6O07X0mNj7X6skjsDZxlJlyrGxbACU2BOuFiwcGlNAAIeDkzSfAkv5jwoyOxz-8KmOrEeLsws6-rJ8rdq1khT8FT9S39LiAliYESx_Ger1s1AhA5GAWcl9om42iY9sVNfs/s1600/Waxwing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIR0AHqERdi6O07X0mNj7X6skjsDZxlJlyrGxbACU2BOuFiwcGlNAAIeDkzSfAkv5jwoyOxz-8KmOrEeLsws6-rJ8rdq1khT8FT9S39LiAliYESx_Ger1s1AhA5GAWcl9om42iY9sVNfs/s640/Waxwing+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwings, Roade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCz0eZMTB0J9meIWkArO4sw6S2Ht0LSL5AC-Xqf0s4Fzkz2ItxOsKHEnplqJl9a4Dx-amFLRPTXvxd0B8CsOeUrN3gKfY3DIZ7QbU9L9aka747xXNgfyO0e4sqOH2oHFwP4EuGJtaNqs/s1600/White-letter+Hairstreak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCz0eZMTB0J9meIWkArO4sw6S2Ht0LSL5AC-Xqf0s4Fzkz2ItxOsKHEnplqJl9a4Dx-amFLRPTXvxd0B8CsOeUrN3gKfY3DIZ7QbU9L9aka747xXNgfyO0e4sqOH2oHFwP4EuGJtaNqs/s640/White-letter+Hairstreak+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-letter Hairstreaks, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
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As for 2018 I'm hoping to be able to update a little more about what I've been up to now I'm in a better position to do so!<br />
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-25492916409179091202015-11-19T19:31:00.000+00:002015-11-19T19:31:05.642+00:00Salcey Forest Butterflies, Autumn Update - November 2015As late summer merged into an unseasonally warm autumn Salcey Forest continued to produce some great butterflies. It's been very enjoyable to concentrate most of my wildlife watching efforts at this site this year and I am already looking forward to next year's butterfly season! This brief post will finalize the end of the butterfly season within the woodland. As the daylight hours slowly dwindled we were lucky enough to have some good spells of sunshine and the butterflies certainly seemed to take advantage of it. One of my favourite sightings of the late summer was a single White Letter Hairstreak down in the motorway meadow but this will be covered in more detail at the end of this post. The grassland strip by the solar farm and the clearings dotted around the rides to the north played home to some very nice looking Blues and Skippers. Lots of Common Blues could be seen during August and also quite a few superb looking Brown Argus.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5urFxheHsnbrz3jkQyLxHInq63APfkSwVN56fiCsaldKRyn3jKTo2IyhXPsU4PmQSGVbgC8oxlNCYWhYBO60zYEDdHnBKxdEwn8us5rJRLCJl5DDM3QArJl5RIo5s6Uhvd_jRuhbHCK8/s1600/Brown+Argus+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5urFxheHsnbrz3jkQyLxHInq63APfkSwVN56fiCsaldKRyn3jKTo2IyhXPsU4PmQSGVbgC8oxlNCYWhYBO60zYEDdHnBKxdEwn8us5rJRLCJl5DDM3QArJl5RIo5s6Uhvd_jRuhbHCK8/s640/Brown+Argus+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Argus, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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Large, Small and Essex Skippers took advantage of the long grasses by the solar farm and the Whites enjoyed the nectar sources in the area too as Large, Small and Green Veined White were prolific during August to late September. Small Copper seemed to be easier to find during their second emergence and once again the solar farm played host to most of the sightings. One particularly small specimen was seen down in the clearing south of the Horsebox car park and during one evening visit seemed to settle nicely for photographs which I certainly took advantage of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP-G0rCE8V84qVYzApdWyK_km26RSbsFYZ0v1KUi1vLjpLcYUDjVecM8wmfdUjAocfpAW7lcZU_fA1DnrVYQx4lZfrcjTJcJotPfK4NBYDcT_AfacLz67S0SjnUMSV2TtgIlSF32zVo4/s1600/Small+Copper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP-G0rCE8V84qVYzApdWyK_km26RSbsFYZ0v1KUi1vLjpLcYUDjVecM8wmfdUjAocfpAW7lcZU_fA1DnrVYQx4lZfrcjTJcJotPfK4NBYDcT_AfacLz67S0SjnUMSV2TtgIlSF32zVo4/s640/Small+Copper+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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The usual late Nymphalidae and Brimstones could be seen in the forest flying late into the season, well this was if you knew where to look. I'd stumbled across a late flowering Buddleia in a clearing and I gave it a lot of attention especially when time was limited. Some days in the early afternoon the Buddleia's branches were almost bowing with the Red Admirals, Commas and Brimstones!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3a9RoCF9DppRdqqfDdSl_axvXyOQtOI2xmrVSkqkXiiMaOhTvlSw4o-OimipnYuaugAtP8kveQJBbFy0XOv5BGhOd75ivEx0o5UpG6_FQVNPGyYR1iXFb6QQAxeMGKYHafD7cNMC_tg/s1600/Brimstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3a9RoCF9DppRdqqfDdSl_axvXyOQtOI2xmrVSkqkXiiMaOhTvlSw4o-OimipnYuaugAtP8kveQJBbFy0XOv5BGhOd75ivEx0o5UpG6_FQVNPGyYR1iXFb6QQAxeMGKYHafD7cNMC_tg/s640/Brimstone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brimstone, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCYNY9Ed8_LkLC1GoH-ZvCsa_3hDrK4FDGjTDD5gntsz3ozf5JW1UYTm8WkNBVwRaSve0Rws0nOCdOKyRBrU9q-lNWnemsY_VzWSIHi5_TJVWA7dDcDa766AjJrLCPp3-tAdW2HVF3Oc/s1600/Comma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCYNY9Ed8_LkLC1GoH-ZvCsa_3hDrK4FDGjTDD5gntsz3ozf5JW1UYTm8WkNBVwRaSve0Rws0nOCdOKyRBrU9q-lNWnemsY_VzWSIHi5_TJVWA7dDcDa766AjJrLCPp3-tAdW2HVF3Oc/s640/Comma.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHrgazoMlscDe6nNbG3lasBIZ8jw8yi7ZD2jSgfpQJprcOEpzTxPXzhdJaDXRctF_TnE5diuOAbxUgQyasvDV5V3tE5hhjnR8jWY6pENZJXKoIubOt-dOEV8yUH2R7-7MRUI0c-d1Juc/s1600/Red+Admiral+draft+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHrgazoMlscDe6nNbG3lasBIZ8jw8yi7ZD2jSgfpQJprcOEpzTxPXzhdJaDXRctF_TnE5diuOAbxUgQyasvDV5V3tE5hhjnR8jWY6pENZJXKoIubOt-dOEV8yUH2R7-7MRUI0c-d1Juc/s640/Red+Admiral+draft+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZE4NL4bmefg5WDNU8OPCCOxd2SWHhyqD4ngcqr7sDVRMWmXMke_AiznRZO9QfhP3Q7S9Eeqlg1TVsFFMvFNW3pPAr6OZ0rVWzTIm9RVZEpv0IbvDXqWzorpZry8M4LwjlMP4XWUd1lo/s1600/Red+Admiral+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZE4NL4bmefg5WDNU8OPCCOxd2SWHhyqD4ngcqr7sDVRMWmXMke_AiznRZO9QfhP3Q7S9Eeqlg1TVsFFMvFNW3pPAr6OZ0rVWzTIm9RVZEpv0IbvDXqWzorpZry8M4LwjlMP4XWUd1lo/s640/Red+Admiral+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One afternoon while enjoying the spectacle of so many butterflies feeding in one place I had an unexpected visitor in the shape of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth. It shot in like a rocket and over the course of 10 minutes or so seemed to visit every flower head on the bush before shooting off with as much speed as it arrived! I did manage to keep up with it for some shots though but perseverance and constant setting changes on the back of the camera were definitely needed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEjWqHKNyW-UT55Ej9RYDRsZbd3WFFvo9oeYMTbDXeD5j7QiikfTsoxGVRjChYoe9As8QaOF0dn6W1znC0CvB3DH5KMZTToB_d_TQos3Ednse2DlHhywrToOVsMuYc-1vx2W0pfc5vQg/s1600/Hummer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEjWqHKNyW-UT55Ej9RYDRsZbd3WFFvo9oeYMTbDXeD5j7QiikfTsoxGVRjChYoe9As8QaOF0dn6W1znC0CvB3DH5KMZTToB_d_TQos3Ednse2DlHhywrToOVsMuYc-1vx2W0pfc5vQg/s640/Hummer+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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Some of the young from the earlier Painted Ladies had also started to emerge and one morning I stumbled upon this beauty sunning it's self at dawn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIg6J0FunQc7SVaVkGg8Gg0AUJAvOTzZw-SgUDmXSn6U-EPR1JvK4WhDOb1pxj685eaRH6RVu1n-FE9QH_401sRpF9QLVSJUkOjAsBI07MQ8zCJDRGnLdesenqXU7j0Y-m3VGr7xwsv0/s1600/Painted+Lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIg6J0FunQc7SVaVkGg8Gg0AUJAvOTzZw-SgUDmXSn6U-EPR1JvK4WhDOb1pxj685eaRH6RVu1n-FE9QH_401sRpF9QLVSJUkOjAsBI07MQ8zCJDRGnLdesenqXU7j0Y-m3VGr7xwsv0/s640/Painted+Lady.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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Other sightings within to woodland concerned the Hairstreaks. Purple Hairstreaks were seen all over the site with the best areas being the north ride near the solar farm, the ride south of the Horsebox car park, the area over the road from the main car park and the ride running north of the motorway meadow. It was great to watch them during evening after work visits and I was lucky enough at one point to have one down on the ground but just as I was about to get a photo a flipping fly came out of nowhere and attacked it sending back up high into the canopy! During one of my many visits to the south side I also found a new spot for some of the other spectacular site specialities, these being the great Common Lizard population. As I wandered down ride near the motorway meadow I noticed a tiny little face peeking out of the undergrowth during the midday sun. I managed to find at least three Common Lizard in the area and after a bit of stealth and patience (and a lot of funny looks from a group of passing joggers) I got some shots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fdyjA-cz7ij0pLYZsceJHVDfIzn5BjHAVOgcaJrQ0iA7EJqv2uLWwrF_58Z50TtjyX2X2BE0zO19caFaX2Wlqekbj0Y1qlxKhiPzwroyX5OCF-dAxq-dic9CblehoPz26LqDCrxDSf8/s1600/Lizard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fdyjA-cz7ij0pLYZsceJHVDfIzn5BjHAVOgcaJrQ0iA7EJqv2uLWwrF_58Z50TtjyX2X2BE0zO19caFaX2Wlqekbj0Y1qlxKhiPzwroyX5OCF-dAxq-dic9CblehoPz26LqDCrxDSf8/s640/Lizard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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At the beginning of August as I had a quick after work walk in the meadow I saw a little butterfly whirling around the Thistle heads. I waded through the grass and was amazed to find a very tatty White Letter Hairstreak. As far as I am aware the White Letter Hairstreak has never been common in the forest and although the odd annual report of one normally comes in not much is know about them. I got a couple of shots and rang Doug Goddard the county recorder of my find.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aj-9wwMk9Ydv1XgX1_JiVBYXYZTfyufBvCDJMLPREcJZCINtIYWTE4VxZZnOPzfEYNLu4Xr3HWDa2KalIy-ScA4jUkCA6BJWrEMsqoRsLMAGiR-kkp01O_NhHijuHvLJBbUodC2oFjE/s1600/White+Letter+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aj-9wwMk9Ydv1XgX1_JiVBYXYZTfyufBvCDJMLPREcJZCINtIYWTE4VxZZnOPzfEYNLu4Xr3HWDa2KalIy-ScA4jUkCA6BJWrEMsqoRsLMAGiR-kkp01O_NhHijuHvLJBbUodC2oFjE/s640/White+Letter+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatty White Letter Hairstreak, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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It's never good to admit to favourites as of course all of our wildlife is special but I have to admit I've got a real thing for Hairstreaks so I set myself the ridiculous challenge of trying to find where this butterfly must have come from. During November, as the weather turned more autumnal and the leaves slowly disappeared from the trees I started to search the Elms in the area looking for White Letter Hairstreak eggs. Believe me this is far easier said than done! On my first attempt I searched and searched before finally heading back to where I'd parked the car seemingly doomed to failure. I suddenly remembered a small Elm by the roadside and went to take a look but at first glance I couldn't find any. I took a breather and tried to remember what I had to get from the shop on the way home and as I did so I looked up and saw a tiny little disc underneath one of the branches. I took a pic using the macro lens and zoomed in one the back of the camera. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, I'd just found a White Letter Hairstreak egg! Despite searching I couldn't find any more so went home and as I was working or otherwise committed to other things for the next couple of weeks I had plenty of time to try and work out how to be more productive in finding these tiny eggs. The biggest problem I found when looking is due to the location they like to lay - this being on the scar underneath areas of new and old growth. Consequently you're always looking up against the sky. So the next time I went I took my bright LED torch with me and this helped no end. I not only managed to find a total of five eggs but they were in two separate locations which meant I'd also found two colonies now. Here's a few of pics of the results.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFTryTI8QyErZSaL-XnJzswWSzxhLprZomEweWpdGM1I_Vg2ssgZ9d8d8bk-Qe1vYkFP1NtJoRH1TZ337Ern1fSBE0tzOrog6T4JIcwyPzvChyOkmWBTVGTFtXz6XyyIGsuSIzFgWWZY/s1600/WLH+egg+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFTryTI8QyErZSaL-XnJzswWSzxhLprZomEweWpdGM1I_Vg2ssgZ9d8d8bk-Qe1vYkFP1NtJoRH1TZ337Ern1fSBE0tzOrog6T4JIcwyPzvChyOkmWBTVGTFtXz6XyyIGsuSIzFgWWZY/s640/WLH+egg+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak Egg, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5X3OIUg_4GB94zKhxVs7_azTdFYPmaolB6HbGtCzzNIu2Tl71v8sbg_aKMoO9KeEyavDdNELnWr9ro6q-0EVPRHjLeXJaBmqspSUgXad_fQeopCA2ayvLD11yi1Dehn0m4mK-mHcFi0/s1600/WLH+egg+twitter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5X3OIUg_4GB94zKhxVs7_azTdFYPmaolB6HbGtCzzNIu2Tl71v8sbg_aKMoO9KeEyavDdNELnWr9ro6q-0EVPRHjLeXJaBmqspSUgXad_fQeopCA2ayvLD11yi1Dehn0m4mK-mHcFi0/s640/WLH+egg+twitter+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak Egg, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kZ9T67UdSvHmYxWGZ14PzSO5LIbgM5_kAPSXI_71ryJf928OcpdDGyKzP8Yl36NhnJqUzKusH_FvypdfAPEKY9LbVm9fBBDnqbawDwVfvZJKK-kZdvMAzfQ8iikSh5etZk3rjOgJma8/s1600/White+Letter+Egg+thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kZ9T67UdSvHmYxWGZ14PzSO5LIbgM5_kAPSXI_71ryJf928OcpdDGyKzP8Yl36NhnJqUzKusH_FvypdfAPEKY9LbVm9fBBDnqbawDwVfvZJKK-kZdvMAzfQ8iikSh5etZk3rjOgJma8/s640/White+Letter+Egg+thumb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak Egg (with my thumb for scale), Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKdqryQillen5cRVFqqE7zxbrydfwopREctl2415igAa0yCAYGkM-lSUKOEbDLYAqlzkNLAIbUt8JWLzBQBVZ7X_wEIRXmyRQnz_3OyssG2y6rMEDIX62Rrk-EAb1OLDx0Chg0PvKZrQ/s1600/White+Letter+Eggs+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKdqryQillen5cRVFqqE7zxbrydfwopREctl2415igAa0yCAYGkM-lSUKOEbDLYAqlzkNLAIbUt8JWLzBQBVZ7X_wEIRXmyRQnz_3OyssG2y6rMEDIX62Rrk-EAb1OLDx0Chg0PvKZrQ/s640/White+Letter+Eggs+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak Egg Cluster, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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You may wonder why I've spent so much time trying to find these eggs but as the White Letter Hairstreak is a UK BAP species of high concern I thought it worthwhile. So anyway this draws to an end a rather short post. This year I've certainly learned a lot about Salcey Forest and the richness of habitat in there. It's one of those places where once you've seen the site specialites such as Wood White etc. it's very easy to dismiss it as a site of "not much there" but when you delve deep down it's amazing what you can find. Lets hope next year will be just as productive.<br />
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-91769811859170306842015-11-16T19:00:00.001+00:002015-11-16T20:28:38.968+00:00"If Carlsberg Made Butterflies", The Silver Washed Fritillary form
Valezina - August 2015I've been wanting to see a valezina form of the Silver Washed Fritillary for many years but they they always seemed to elude me. In my defence I hadn't looked too hard for them as I really wanted to find one of my own in Salcey Forest but as time wore on it was becoming apparent that that's easier said than done! There comes a time therefore when if you want to see something you have to travel and luckily for me I didn't have to travel far. The nearby forest of Bucknell Wood has been a very good site for Silver Washed Fritillary and it often throws up a valezina for the lucky butterfly watchers who visit it. Soon after I had returned from Indonesia (see previous post) I heard a valezina had indeed made an appearance again this year so I chucked the camera in the car and headed over. I searched the area it was seen in for a while and while I did so a tatty White Letter Hairstreak descended from the trees and onto the bushes. These had been absent from the wood for a while so it was nice to see them making a return. I turned my attention to taking photos of this while waiting for the Fritillary to make an appearance.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhD_X9Nq11v9ETjGSU78ISx6_epxrG4gPt5q754mtRJXDY1tQBiR20uYm0qqdq3TueNFust7SBUwxBWjOa35dih3i8i-bzk1lej24TlODPYYwOFAcgENWwBqfLIcoBBUzImr7haTJXFY/s1600/White+Letter+Bucknell+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhD_X9Nq11v9ETjGSU78ISx6_epxrG4gPt5q754mtRJXDY1tQBiR20uYm0qqdq3TueNFust7SBUwxBWjOa35dih3i8i-bzk1lej24TlODPYYwOFAcgENWwBqfLIcoBBUzImr7haTJXFY/s640/White+Letter+Bucknell+finger.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nmZdD8uD5aDRU3ef3Q18SHGDinyL7Jh12yiV4GK3KxDJshMB47en76sySlAYHDZLmrCAJydIw_E99XvMK0YCzWfCIUVv-z3KsKxCUx5IvUEZTE6hbeQN-jn56K6dXJ3QSvWqWwbwOBE/s1600/White+Letter+Bucknell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nmZdD8uD5aDRU3ef3Q18SHGDinyL7Jh12yiV4GK3KxDJshMB47en76sySlAYHDZLmrCAJydIw_E99XvMK0YCzWfCIUVv-z3KsKxCUx5IvUEZTE6hbeQN-jn56K6dXJ3QSvWqWwbwOBE/s640/White+Letter+Bucknell.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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A few other interesting butterflies were also whirling about in the forest glade I found myself in. There was a number of Gatekeepers on the wing and they seemed to be everywhere you looked. I spent a while inspecting them and easily found a few of the Gatekeeper aberration excessa. This aberration has extra spots leading down from the main forewing spot.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnJ5HvSofNDieQTSSbpUzcZCrMof6-oLmgCNn9BfUfJjvrg0YXBFi0q3572j6mxasWT937fUuuPxwoyGSibRH2hew-UgmntiHlmRAs88UXrIVmBWtX2D5X6nUALNyFz93azWcOjnVKIE/s1600/Gatekeeper+excessa+Bucknell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnJ5HvSofNDieQTSSbpUzcZCrMof6-oLmgCNn9BfUfJjvrg0YXBFi0q3572j6mxasWT937fUuuPxwoyGSibRH2hew-UgmntiHlmRAs88UXrIVmBWtX2D5X6nUALNyFz93azWcOjnVKIE/s640/Gatekeeper+excessa+Bucknell.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper ab.excessa, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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A tiny Small Copper whizzing around among the long grasses also added a nice distraction.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdwNRPrn8A912u_unSKPA8sl5nnoGYhc34SgTeodTWBoOgLtKNtvB5tDoz2VRAtIaQz40DXQUWkzbuhGPXRjNquSmp8yp3ypE3PFhAqvKTF_UX_OPgMNQUallO_YwiLP6xeH7Mmo4nOs/s1600/Small+Copper+Bucknell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdwNRPrn8A912u_unSKPA8sl5nnoGYhc34SgTeodTWBoOgLtKNtvB5tDoz2VRAtIaQz40DXQUWkzbuhGPXRjNquSmp8yp3ypE3PFhAqvKTF_UX_OPgMNQUallO_YwiLP6xeH7Mmo4nOs/s640/Small+Copper+Bucknell.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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I was about to give up and head to Salcey when I finally saw a Fritillary glide down from the woodland edge and settle on a Bramble bush. There was my first Silver Washed Fritillary valezina in all it's glory busily feeding on a flower! I had spent many years admiring other peoples photos of these stunning butterflies online and to finally see one was quite a moment! The valezina is a variant form of the female Silver washed Fritillary where the orange on the wings is replaced by a beautiful greenish pearl effect. Unfortunately this pearl effect quickly wears off and as this butterfly had emerged while I was away on holiday it was now looking a bit ropey to say the least. I left the site glad to have finally seen one but a little disappointed it wasn't in better condition. Whilst I was at work the following week though amazing records started to come out of Bucknell Wood of up to five valezinas being seen in the same area I had been in at the weekend! There must have been some new emergence and as the weather was looking good on my next day off work I was joined by Simon Hales and we shot over there to have a look. No sooner had we arrived in the glade we found a valezina nectaring on a Bramble, and then we saw another and then yet another. We had three valezina feeding on the same bush right infront of us all in varying condition but one though, with the exception of a tiny notch in the wing, was pristine! I have to admit, I've been lucky enough to see some magnificent butterflies abroad and here in the UK but this butterfly, as it twirled around in the bright sunshine, was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8XXge0ZS0YsJ7FQyK3y2xp2m0kvRRoS91IRDoPvayIELYJW7yJF_tmtHkt7kM5CwcPS21gkw9yzxNQVqiT148YA3w-T76obQxnwOX-AAQPYpysSNe6gNQOGPSJ2H7G5NKeZZh2lgQfc/s1600/Valezina+%2528new%2529+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8XXge0ZS0YsJ7FQyK3y2xp2m0kvRRoS91IRDoPvayIELYJW7yJF_tmtHkt7kM5CwcPS21gkw9yzxNQVqiT148YA3w-T76obQxnwOX-AAQPYpysSNe6gNQOGPSJ2H7G5NKeZZh2lgQfc/s640/Valezina+%2528new%2529+2.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary form valezina, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowFUkYoJcZxexLgsI-f75-egrNDzzteVdRnjkNyOtN14hVpCvfhFkYOuQjeYPjQq4aM8IjeofBe_5pS_vW22m3AQI5dsJjHJVXA1wBx5rAAZ4PRuYGu769ZaMI7fsArRhB6o8n_9cjsk/s1600/Valezina+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowFUkYoJcZxexLgsI-f75-egrNDzzteVdRnjkNyOtN14hVpCvfhFkYOuQjeYPjQq4aM8IjeofBe_5pS_vW22m3AQI5dsJjHJVXA1wBx5rAAZ4PRuYGu769ZaMI7fsArRhB6o8n_9cjsk/s640/Valezina+1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary form valezina, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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The stunning colours changing from green to blue and then to bronze as the light reflected off the butterfly's wings was almost mesmerizing but it's something that you can't really recreate in a photo. Luckily I had the foresight to record this short video clip of it feeding. Play in fullscreen and the highest quality you can.<br>
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I also spent a lot of time trying to get the underwing shot. The underside of this butterfly is a gorgeous green colour and it was quite a challenge to get as the heat of the late summer sun shone through the woodland canopy. I posted this picture on Facebook and someone commented on the Easter Island Statue's face on the forewing, ever since then I can't help but notice it!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7n_C8q1H2nbkjU_CvTYC9VxCx6QujsUmFgzMYZ3LUSpBne75epuDcLD5ee_6U0jkpigX_O9TwY3dJJngQy09NuKTSlNSTt3aR_S8w2J00Ro9ciCedK11P84-6ijSeCypOUCMR_89Xgw/s1600/Valezina+%2528new%2529+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7n_C8q1H2nbkjU_CvTYC9VxCx6QujsUmFgzMYZ3LUSpBne75epuDcLD5ee_6U0jkpigX_O9TwY3dJJngQy09NuKTSlNSTt3aR_S8w2J00Ro9ciCedK11P84-6ijSeCypOUCMR_89Xgw/s640/Valezina+%2528new%2529+1.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver washed Fritillary form valezina, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRBIwr4Zy4aixUz9ote4GBvNeKsDQvJg0PuPG3ri8cCGoiQ_nGkbkxBnXs-S989ea71VRIy9QDrx_DlQSuggXEt97_EFfLRiv7WuwuZ1CFFESnrHC13R8FXCp989d5K8Br9h0Bb4i2MI/s1600/Valezina+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRBIwr4Zy4aixUz9ote4GBvNeKsDQvJg0PuPG3ri8cCGoiQ_nGkbkxBnXs-S989ea71VRIy9QDrx_DlQSuggXEt97_EFfLRiv7WuwuZ1CFFESnrHC13R8FXCp989d5K8Br9h0Bb4i2MI/s640/Valezina+2.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary form valezina, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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Even more luck headed our way during our afternoon visit as for a period of less than an hour a few Purple Hairstreaks seemed to like descending from the tree tops and onto the grasses by the paths. They really put on a show as they flew around our feet and before settling deep in the vegetation.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT7it2zeLyV0jIHXHprWVb9tzS9UBOjHlzgoWN5xGxSyFMivZcjEDJwjrg88M54CbWpfMPT4iEMo48efWomyZItrWbUCKFEtugUfD4mdrOI5st-MPhmrCxMZK-72khFEPQ-GOZ41tkE4/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwT7it2zeLyV0jIHXHprWVb9tzS9UBOjHlzgoWN5xGxSyFMivZcjEDJwjrg88M54CbWpfMPT4iEMo48efWomyZItrWbUCKFEtugUfD4mdrOI5st-MPhmrCxMZK-72khFEPQ-GOZ41tkE4/s640/Purple+Hairstreak+2.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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Eventually on came down and started to feed on the honeydew on the low laying leaves of the Bramble bush. I slowly sneaked up on it and luckily got one of the best Purple Hairstreak photos I have ever taken.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzNTI4qWRJOtU9OfUd7M_0Hih1O0UGOVycEBjdj3i6qmAR8DqVMGxa5Y1ic-sOuzB_gxELcEDO2Xp7i7FCdHzZuyR7VPoM2FxPb4R1hFwaY3uTHh2S8hi1D45aqkynZZOLH5gEuOoQvo/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+3+sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzNTI4qWRJOtU9OfUd7M_0Hih1O0UGOVycEBjdj3i6qmAR8DqVMGxa5Y1ic-sOuzB_gxELcEDO2Xp7i7FCdHzZuyR7VPoM2FxPb4R1hFwaY3uTHh2S8hi1D45aqkynZZOLH5gEuOoQvo/s640/Purple+Hairstreak+3+sat.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak feeding on honeydew, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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We left the site very happy with the day's sightings! I returned yet again a few days later in the week in order to try and get photographs of the Silver Washed Fritillary eggs. The area is so good they were very easy to find and several were found in a quick search of the moss on the trees by Violet patches. I've included a couple of shots, one macro pic to show the structure of the egg and another more distant one to show how small they are.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhyUqQmWtSosak6EGx46luQbC52pM0pwTjTnvu97J5GzdTzbACgVPiHwG7S7R_UGKsTlLNSfj2lBe6P6P4aLX7WTeFpXxL_qfZLNCTTrKgfSvJf5tJSH5TDkJjBv4uH_yy2wWUV7-tfk/s1600/Silver+Washed+Egg+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhyUqQmWtSosak6EGx46luQbC52pM0pwTjTnvu97J5GzdTzbACgVPiHwG7S7R_UGKsTlLNSfj2lBe6P6P4aLX7WTeFpXxL_qfZLNCTTrKgfSvJf5tJSH5TDkJjBv4uH_yy2wWUV7-tfk/s640/Silver+Washed+Egg+crop.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver washed Fritillary egg, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPklcv1kfZr6xnIgmSpSxsiuHEAfO3TG4jeMIuaRvrrlxDfiR5wYFAeg-60P2FPSmbIdR8Dkm8zFz_M_xRD6aLXqijksQDauGKiWmKSKb1U9C9kzJ5vzvi_SU5CMBC0i_Cc1ttG7QDxOc/s1600/Silver+Washed+Egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPklcv1kfZr6xnIgmSpSxsiuHEAfO3TG4jeMIuaRvrrlxDfiR5wYFAeg-60P2FPSmbIdR8Dkm8zFz_M_xRD6aLXqijksQDauGKiWmKSKb1U9C9kzJ5vzvi_SU5CMBC0i_Cc1ttG7QDxOc/s640/Silver+Washed+Egg.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary egg, Bucknell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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It was great to pay a few visits to Bucknell even if I did have pangs of guilt for neglecting my local patch while I was there. The butterfly sightings were superb! From now on though I'll keep searching in Salcey Forest and hopefully one day that beautiful greenish pearl will gentle glide through the forest and I would have finally found my own.<br>
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<br>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-48954539407999328432015-11-14T19:07:00.001+00:002015-11-15T21:51:23.062+00:00Indonesia - July 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Far be it for me to bore everyone with holiday snaps but my summer trip this year saw me heading off to Indonesia to see my wife's home country. The wildlife of the country is as staggering in it's beauty as it is in it's diversity and as I'm not an expert on Indonesian wildlife is you see any identification errors in the below pictures please get in touch and let me know! The holiday started with me, my wife Desica and my step kids Jessica and Oscar catching a flight from Gatwick to Istanbul and after a long wait (taken up with a few glasses of Efes while admiring the local Hooded Crows) we finally caught the flight to Jakarta. We arrived in Jakarta late in the day and headed straight for the hotel. My wife had planned the itinerary of the trip with military precision and it looked like it was going to be the trip of a lifetime and it started with a hotel room with quite possibly the most staggering of night time cityscapes I have ever seen!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh05WVwcFP3_saxvw5BRBktaexRubFSt4zE6cbd2vpMf-HLtSMgHeswS_b6G5bSz3RL3BwTy3Hj2193uHVPAg42Q4Tuh3j_1vEhi9inKNwOqFSj-38jCUMIS_ygmoOTN6OBG-ubopmg0/s1600/IMG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFh05WVwcFP3_saxvw5BRBktaexRubFSt4zE6cbd2vpMf-HLtSMgHeswS_b6G5bSz3RL3BwTy3Hj2193uHVPAg42Q4Tuh3j_1vEhi9inKNwOqFSj-38jCUMIS_ygmoOTN6OBG-ubopmg0/s640/IMG_8379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the bedroom window</td></tr>
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We then headed out to a bar to relax and as we sat in the beer garden I had my first interaction with the local wildlife. Having just got off the plane I hadn't counted on the mosquitos still being active at 2 in the morning and after being eaten alive while sinking several bottles of Bintang I made sure I was covered in repellent for the rest of the holiday! In the morning the view from the window was even more amazing and it was pretty incredible to open the curtains to be greeted by the view.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPhMq4i7hs40uM8iWiOi_x1R3eFcEuzKs1qr2Et4Om8VyRdxp7J4NP7rTRU7p_Dc0ifZpoCzfZ7hlUG8gJGF8vjBBxhkM4UG2pdZQciPl46xIBzqHMHISLsX1F27cly0Mui7KLf21nsg/s1600/IMG_8387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPhMq4i7hs40uM8iWiOi_x1R3eFcEuzKs1qr2Et4Om8VyRdxp7J4NP7rTRU7p_Dc0ifZpoCzfZ7hlUG8gJGF8vjBBxhkM4UG2pdZQciPl46xIBzqHMHISLsX1F27cly0Mui7KLf21nsg/s640/IMG_8387.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the window by day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then went out to explore the city. Jakarta is an amazing place and is an incredibly live and vibrant city, unfortunately the same can't be said for the wildlife but then that's probably the same for any city. It does have a problem with pollution which no doubt explains the lake of birds but one this that was very much in evidence though were the Swiftlets and the large Eurasian Tree Sparrow population. It was quite a surprise when the first birds I saw where ones I can see quite easily at home and I though I was hearing things when I heard the chirping coming from the vegetation by the hotel.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN5dfvvn0mwW0dBBBsMG_YscakQ4A6nr_Ph6-MS26WM6Cv2mevMmkTlPPBngSY6ysuJLM6TajogcPE730NBNvnzL5-zUmJ7jJqVSlqE3Z7gb_IhjBpVb0dfsESu4MZ4ucHBCEweAUmAw/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN5dfvvn0mwW0dBBBsMG_YscakQ4A6nr_Ph6-MS26WM6Cv2mevMmkTlPPBngSY6ysuJLM6TajogcPE730NBNvnzL5-zUmJ7jJqVSlqE3Z7gb_IhjBpVb0dfsESu4MZ4ucHBCEweAUmAw/s640/IMG_3457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Jakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of Spotted Turtle Doves were also huddled up on the top of one of the lamp posts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXq2l77-LDpdVriVU4PIwxNFlOLIGWqhIJ9UJW2rJJSh2zolBI7mtRwt5zNpgyafO3q3Z_OOqvqLNYpIJOe7F6xDhkLK01FysPwlp5rzz0kyuDKlux71H-f6NAsXZg9YxtmMG_KgdO_w/s1600/IMG_3462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXq2l77-LDpdVriVU4PIwxNFlOLIGWqhIJ9UJW2rJJSh2zolBI7mtRwt5zNpgyafO3q3Z_OOqvqLNYpIJOe7F6xDhkLK01FysPwlp5rzz0kyuDKlux71H-f6NAsXZg9YxtmMG_KgdO_w/s640/IMG_3462.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Doves, Jakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent a few days sight seeing around the city and my wife caught up with her old friends and I also made some new ones. My brother in law Ronang also joined which was a great surprise and his expert guidance as he showed me around the "real Jakarta" while my wife relaxed in the malls will never be forgotten. Soon though it was time for the next leg and this involved a flight to Yogyakarta.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Yogyakarta</b></u><br />
We arrived in Yogyakarta late in the afternoon and I could tell from the flight in that we were now in a much more rural location. Although Yogyakarta is a city it lacks the traffic and high rise buidlings of Jakarta itself and the air quality could be seen to be much clearer as we landed. At the airport we met our guide for the area, a very nice chap called Frans Henry and if you are visiting the area I can seriously recommend you look him up as his expertise is par none (you can find him here - http://dejongasia.com don't forget to ask for Frans!). We then went to meet my mother-in-law Sri Seoprapti and then popped to the hotel which once again looked stunning despite it being dark. After dinner me, Jessica and Oscar spent a bit of time exploring the place and trying to see wildlife at night. There were loads of Geckos up in the rafters of the walkways which we very comical to watch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm28Vv2qFHi6IOwv7PyCwt2VvXRJsEIl8dP3FgZCyPYE2eBgFVdErDGb36nEElJmSizpRnjLrPsytwDBxuNS6vTQfSWVhKyQwJ7AlSQxsSDeUROSSi_Z2hn3caTXXS8XZg6FLpaYZryA/s1600/IMG_8548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm28Vv2qFHi6IOwv7PyCwt2VvXRJsEIl8dP3FgZCyPYE2eBgFVdErDGb36nEElJmSizpRnjLrPsytwDBxuNS6vTQfSWVhKyQwJ7AlSQxsSDeUROSSi_Z2hn3caTXXS8XZg6FLpaYZryA/s640/IMG_8548.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicak (House Gecko), Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Flying around by the pool was this special little butterfly. It's called a Common Evening Brown and it's bizarre as I only ever saw them at night when it was dark! It seems that they only come out in the evenings and this one was very settled on the sunbeds under the floodlights by the hotel's swimming pool.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHC2pTsMa5KpNEm-MgOeKSIZW4-qbjs1p7xQ8JjKEi-TmoVFTGj6stKYaJI0XNzS_X4-8kfh64hjmRRE-gwR8QhStW43ByGMCdebj7Iqv55p08laeo0mN4yLaC5CjvW94XyY1njfxW9bE/s1600/IMG_8584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHC2pTsMa5KpNEm-MgOeKSIZW4-qbjs1p7xQ8JjKEi-TmoVFTGj6stKYaJI0XNzS_X4-8kfh64hjmRRE-gwR8QhStW43ByGMCdebj7Iqv55p08laeo0mN4yLaC5CjvW94XyY1njfxW9bE/s640/IMG_8584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Evening Brown, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also in the outflows of the swimming pools a number of Javanese Toads could be seen. It was becoming very apparent that even the common wildlife here has amazing markings!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwPIkCyf__OuHQyWBf0y6rrVOJ2l8rjpvxoAA0U6_p0NnzRDK3C9ae85kJ8bp8b7XlSpGFxYQHl9uBr8t3MVhPL9M2BZJdVgvcfqFm-PjNiu81knSjMimFg8hwNEPZGdtjvZzVQP55f0/s1600/IMG_8550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwPIkCyf__OuHQyWBf0y6rrVOJ2l8rjpvxoAA0U6_p0NnzRDK3C9ae85kJ8bp8b7XlSpGFxYQHl9uBr8t3MVhPL9M2BZJdVgvcfqFm-PjNiu81knSjMimFg8hwNEPZGdtjvZzVQP55f0/s640/IMG_8550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javanese Toad, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following day as we went for breakfast I found myself in a garden that alive with wildlife! Lots of Eurasian Tree Sparrows could be seen on the walls and after a bit of working out I found out the birds in a distant tree were Javan Munia and Yellow Vented Bulbul. Unfortunately I didn't have much time to explore as we had to be ready to head to the first stop of the day so we were soon in a car heading to a cave in the Winosari region. We drove through lots of rice fields on the way and then headed up towards the cave itself. I must have been a right pain as I was asking to stop the car every few seconds when I saw something. En route Jessica managed to find this stunning Tiger Moth which I managed to get to pose on my finger for a photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHCEc44td9K2DsY9vm5LQcYqkaJPBUZ836tDeEG4v0wntlS6rhBzCXEsycOdHjBCy-JIAGYzAfsvjVe2OCkMa4Csrst5Qbyw4KhYSjmiRzPTejXT7kXjmC1_Pm3R-n54V61St2IVr6pw/s1600/IMG_8575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHCEc44td9K2DsY9vm5LQcYqkaJPBUZ836tDeEG4v0wntlS6rhBzCXEsycOdHjBCy-JIAGYzAfsvjVe2OCkMa4Csrst5Qbyw4KhYSjmiRzPTejXT7kXjmC1_Pm3R-n54V61St2IVr6pw/s640/IMG_8575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Moth (Amata huebneri), Yogykarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also managed to get a pretty rubbish pic of a Long Tailed Shrike by the side of the road too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOENWzNG-V2OBxErTb3RN0HGTAPt4XvraAf94io0ngl3UIaWeaIYIS3jRhvs1g33Zsqc4hb5IOD90ZCzPjlbk7Gw1VLx0STRWw44hTj98VfZYr9HCOmv1SHJ7VzfWX5a0jMMmtNkj4Td4/s1600/IMG_8566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOENWzNG-V2OBxErTb3RN0HGTAPt4XvraAf94io0ngl3UIaWeaIYIS3jRhvs1g33Zsqc4hb5IOD90ZCzPjlbk7Gw1VLx0STRWw44hTj98VfZYr9HCOmv1SHJ7VzfWX5a0jMMmtNkj4Td4/s640/IMG_8566.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Tailed Shrike, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll be the first to admit that abseiling down into a cave really isn't my thing, especially when there is so much wildlife to enjoy on the surface! So I watched the rest of the family drop down into the hole and then I went exploring the area. A type of gliding lizard was creeping up a nearby tree.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03GV2vTeCwAcZhfN8l5OZJh-pAhkXunZMM5CAIU0G0jnTkUJRp2AFqxF9_TErrAGDrlexLCvTG7cVrdRxl9jnX9GL5xpX9PfnsNoXPU0ylSbsADSpmOL_g0yBmiA6ck6sVuGENLqgipQ/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03GV2vTeCwAcZhfN8l5OZJh-pAhkXunZMM5CAIU0G0jnTkUJRp2AFqxF9_TErrAGDrlexLCvTG7cVrdRxl9jnX9GL5xpX9PfnsNoXPU0ylSbsADSpmOL_g0yBmiA6ck6sVuGENLqgipQ/s640/IMG_3651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gliding Lizard, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The place was also absolutely alive with butterflies but I knew that in this heat they would be very difficult to get stationary. To add to this I was using the bridge camera (Canon SX60) as it's a good all rounder but it doesn't have the versatility of my SLR (which I had left at home to safe weight but was now regretting!). Frans offered to take me back down the road in the car and straight away we saw butterflies by the roadside so leapt out and and the chase began. After some perseverance I managed to get some shots of the many Common Yellow Grass flying around.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_QbyOwyE1MRC1ZDLmRg3PWJA3siT2hVBxN6jKZy_aCb67JEBNE_DLtMQTLqAwwOTwfVEHh_F7-joCW6ouoTz2gu2MdPgiW1cRfJ_B-cFSSwvwo7rwXFiL-ETSgke7cMswah9jgI_5YI/s1600/IMG_8574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_QbyOwyE1MRC1ZDLmRg3PWJA3siT2hVBxN6jKZy_aCb67JEBNE_DLtMQTLqAwwOTwfVEHh_F7-joCW6ouoTz2gu2MdPgiW1cRfJ_B-cFSSwvwo7rwXFiL-ETSgke7cMswah9jgI_5YI/s640/IMG_8574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Yellow Grass, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the hardest to get shots were of the Lemon Emigrants which are the Asian version of our Clouded Yellows. They're incredibly strong flyers and it was almost impossible to get a clear photo. Luckily I noticed a pair go into cop and I managed to keep up with them as they flew up into a bush.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jxqQsy7Brk8zOMh-g1Cns548s0Xy0QQGkcvLmqsXmuxx7e3DJ4d127J8KOwO8U4zyqBuMryq9mSVWTNVahzASX6nOEXb5qNYIOThOsWkl1SK7N4v7lRRuQ3WyfdcsMRtZ8zZ0bIy-CI/s1600/IMG_8577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jxqQsy7Brk8zOMh-g1Cns548s0Xy0QQGkcvLmqsXmuxx7e3DJ4d127J8KOwO8U4zyqBuMryq9mSVWTNVahzASX6nOEXb5qNYIOThOsWkl1SK7N4v7lRRuQ3WyfdcsMRtZ8zZ0bIy-CI/s640/IMG_8577.JPG" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Emigrants in cop, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Me and Frans then returned back to the cave to wait for the others and I had no hesitation in now exploring the gardens nearby. Giant Asian Orange Tips were on some of the flowers but I never got a shot unfortunately. Then a butterfly really caught me attention as it flew from flower to flower. This butterfly turned out to be a Plain Tiger (a type of Monarch) and how I didn't sprain my ankle chasing it I'll never know. I wasn't prepared to let this go though so I chased and I chased! Eventually it settled for a while on a flower and I managed to get an ropey photo of it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nN0yHzgaEkOmhai72GS9J3ZlOMgItQya0Pxf0R7tUEPEoGEPt3LVgmt5rc7Qcxcs0cl07EZACNiFv8K5JeV1lfAyECGWndvSTQvWciTLnVyNyBVqCcVvm_RRYdCr5N6eFgAmfwMibo/s1600/IMG_8570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6nN0yHzgaEkOmhai72GS9J3ZlOMgItQya0Pxf0R7tUEPEoGEPt3LVgmt5rc7Qcxcs0cl07EZACNiFv8K5JeV1lfAyECGWndvSTQvWciTLnVyNyBVqCcVvm_RRYdCr5N6eFgAmfwMibo/s640/IMG_8570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain Tiger, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After getting some shots I gave up the chase and returned to the area around the buildings. The mown grass also provided habitat for some interesting insects and this particular butterfly gave me a right headache with it's identification! I'm pretty sure it's a Common Five Ring and is one of the Ypthima species of butterfly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGmeZdhYoddijgeCiqpFVJ8RftuZ6InT-VZKt5UDchA8KToLS2hpypvOKQr5SxQNgPLID0HTwNUqtu-q6oko8F9xyiAfWJNNiVtzz9be15y52sFti7Onxx7gkNcm3t9Gn60OUO8CbAtI/s1600/IMG_8576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGmeZdhYoddijgeCiqpFVJ8RftuZ6InT-VZKt5UDchA8KToLS2hpypvOKQr5SxQNgPLID0HTwNUqtu-q6oko8F9xyiAfWJNNiVtzz9be15y52sFti7Onxx7gkNcm3t9Gn60OUO8CbAtI/s640/IMG_8576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Five Ring, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also found this unusual looking grasshopper on the road too, after a bit of searching it seems to be Attractomorpha crenulata (Vegetable Grasshopper).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVmpKZTH7M8961vV_-mdJNw2WOx3RuBAveThYJnP85BNmjEcllCDnx6fOxaTOFbsrLEdnRprmItVnczuXwrog7qAsX0TGGx_6kF-CHJ4LvgL3ylzBqTrtT6dW1L7Kb4GeynSi07sc6h8/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVmpKZTH7M8961vV_-mdJNw2WOx3RuBAveThYJnP85BNmjEcllCDnx6fOxaTOFbsrLEdnRprmItVnczuXwrog7qAsX0TGGx_6kF-CHJ4LvgL3ylzBqTrtT6dW1L7Kb4GeynSi07sc6h8/s640/IMG_8573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractomorpha crenulata (Vegetable Grasshopper), Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the rest of the family returned from their cave adventure we sat and had some lunch in the shade and afterwards as we made our way to the car I noticed a dragonfly buzzing around the walls of a nearby building. Luckily it settled on the end of a branch and I managed to sneak up on it for a shot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF2GoC6T20xhOHvr8GYEgvNcnKiXE-1hQT8pg2Ey5GsIIH5n2cg0S2WXIfox5x1_p4abuW11HMehSCBtBbXfGLM5tkHsSGiA3ksp7ggtVfXp5FXEt-2JE_UAtEhOyVnl5C-QaA1hzakw/s1600/IMG_8571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRF2GoC6T20xhOHvr8GYEgvNcnKiXE-1hQT8pg2Ey5GsIIH5n2cg0S2WXIfox5x1_p4abuW11HMehSCBtBbXfGLM5tkHsSGiA3ksp7ggtVfXp5FXEt-2JE_UAtEhOyVnl5C-QaA1hzakw/s640/IMG_8571.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indonesian Red Dragonfly, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then returned back to the hotel and spent the rest of the evening exploring the city. The following morning I was up early and went for a walk round the hotel gardens before breakfast. Lots of Javan Munias were back in their tree and another Plain Tiger could be seen whirling around the tops of one of the trees. As I walked around exploring the bushes I noticed a small colony of Skippers and after taking a few shots and a quick internet search I found them out to be the Clouded Skipper.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_4tu7c__72Idk20YtJNIPGTEDiD9owZcDhAg7YOmHrxoD2c4KTJmY2Ox_xaGyYotkbE_WOO_Wg9K-3iaTV7yfgq37qVyJIdLYuByaay2nOcdX4hu3sKLIHZPirfiWfdimJJJPYQUOf0/s1600/IMG_8615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_4tu7c__72Idk20YtJNIPGTEDiD9owZcDhAg7YOmHrxoD2c4KTJmY2Ox_xaGyYotkbE_WOO_Wg9K-3iaTV7yfgq37qVyJIdLYuByaay2nOcdX4hu3sKLIHZPirfiWfdimJJJPYQUOf0/s640/IMG_8615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Skipper, Yogyakarta</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bkqq2kd_0SyFFeeKGaGkoE-F5PN_VBzTP1ki8_iqHm6C46exC7xiwuHfjhY91iKdswEkxaUophzlCoTRwrkg6QMZT4Hr0bQtNHKV7RDerMOxSM11klPyTfGewF6dSXezd_2CPG3Dquk/s1600/IMG_8614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bkqq2kd_0SyFFeeKGaGkoE-F5PN_VBzTP1ki8_iqHm6C46exC7xiwuHfjhY91iKdswEkxaUophzlCoTRwrkg6QMZT4Hr0bQtNHKV7RDerMOxSM11klPyTfGewF6dSXezd_2CPG3Dquk/s640/IMG_8614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Skipper, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also saw a small butterfly whirling around the base of some bushes round the corner and luckily it managed to stop so I could get a photo. This little stunner is one of the Cupids and of which I'm pretty sure this is the Plains Cupid.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xD_uUkqAsMoR446Gy7O5Vy1BKuVK5Q8OaxIRHN02YfGbul8ZKGH30ZqhT_yE0efM88cqbe3LZA1PUf8hdhxU0udHtXHFRB6zAa5p7CnI1SSVHiZruP3JudPGqq8NV-JUlTFPs-QYj9w/s1600/IMG_8621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xD_uUkqAsMoR446Gy7O5Vy1BKuVK5Q8OaxIRHN02YfGbul8ZKGH30ZqhT_yE0efM88cqbe3LZA1PUf8hdhxU0udHtXHFRB6zAa5p7CnI1SSVHiZruP3JudPGqq8NV-JUlTFPs-QYj9w/s640/IMG_8621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plains Cupid, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It took me a while to tear myself away from this stunning looking butterfly but it was time to meet the rest of the family for breakfast and then afterwards to meet up with Frans for our next venture. Our first stop was the incredible Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAe_OxmrCXsCrIgrunV1JfUzYhcTiOGcsGZ2v3IXo55tauypsQWCKgt47AuZ7zAoI5O6A8rZziHz8BqfmCt2tye1AqCTubWXTWnbiiyrK7o7KGY05Q_iAEptR3WHwUzPpaaFNd6ZakdA/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAe_OxmrCXsCrIgrunV1JfUzYhcTiOGcsGZ2v3IXo55tauypsQWCKgt47AuZ7zAoI5O6A8rZziHz8BqfmCt2tye1AqCTubWXTWnbiiyrK7o7KGY05Q_iAEptR3WHwUzPpaaFNd6ZakdA/s640/IMG_3792.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prambanan Temple, Yogyakarta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now there is a little story to tell here as when I first arrived in Jakarta and saw the Tree Sparrows I searched for them on the internet and while doing so I kept seeing pictures of this stunning looking bird called the Javan Sparrow. It turns out that these Javan Sparrows are now rare and very difficult to see, so when Frans mentioned during one of our conversations that they had been seen at Parambanan Temple I got very excited. I'm not going to lie as impressive as the site is all I could think about was the possibility of seeing this rare bird and from the moment we got there I was scanning everything! Yellow Vented Bulbuls and Javan Munias were all over the place and as I looked up towards the tops of the building Swiftlets could be seen swirling round. I then glanced at a bird that looked a little different fly up the side of a building. "I'm sure that had grey on it" I was saying to myself and I searched and searched to try and relocate it. Suddenly there it appeared perched right on the top of a piece of ornate architecture was a male Javan Sparrow! We had an excellent guide showing us around and unfortunately the appearance of the Javan Sparrow happened right in the middle of one of his talks and I later felt the need to apologise to him for my reaction when I saw it. It was very distant but fortunately the long zoom of the SX60 allowed me to get a couple of record shots of the bird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BY-AbXDr7IIkRIT9uqdcaGehiJWLvObOPwO2V-m53pxWAWHM06ljthw-lbShKe81yANDMuAesxCzkpSx8dfX1YS3JFWA1LTQsGhlzncqO-D6O6Pw5lkgNJ8p8P-XZIkRKH7vajZcsFQ/s1600/IMG_8633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BY-AbXDr7IIkRIT9uqdcaGehiJWLvObOPwO2V-m53pxWAWHM06ljthw-lbShKe81yANDMuAesxCzkpSx8dfX1YS3JFWA1LTQsGhlzncqO-D6O6Pw5lkgNJ8p8P-XZIkRKH7vajZcsFQ/s640/IMG_8633.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javan Sparrow, Prambanan Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlerg2CNFPVM7inDndrkmzHQkw37FHHr1zbSqQ8kSUWD9pyKY4xl1FUCbirh6TLP9UN2BVhgJbZhRq2bj_5DfL4Rlx3sL0Px3xNLTeQNz46kjbtKQmL7H8X6uA1HbRND-qhGn_qKrwZGE/s1600/IMG_8638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlerg2CNFPVM7inDndrkmzHQkw37FHHr1zbSqQ8kSUWD9pyKY4xl1FUCbirh6TLP9UN2BVhgJbZhRq2bj_5DfL4Rlx3sL0Px3xNLTeQNz46kjbtKQmL7H8X6uA1HbRND-qhGn_qKrwZGE/s640/IMG_8638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javan Sparrow, Prambanan Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then carried on exploring the site with our guide but despite a lot of searching by me I never did glimpse the Javan Sparrow again. It turns out these Javan Sparrows are a bit of an enigma as this really isn't the sort of place they should be breeding. Approximately a decade ago there was an earthquake in the region and afterwards they were found to have relocated (they normally breed out in the rice fields) into one of the temple towers. It's such a mystery that one of the local universities is now conducting a long term ringing programme of the birds to try and understand why. The rest of the temple complex was a real joy to explore, not just for the amazing architecture and stunning carvings but the wildlife using the site was fantastic. Inside the tops of the tall towers Bats could be seen hanging and a very large Tokek (a large Gekko) was seen just above the doorway in one of the buidlings.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYUIJmz9UoNkh8WGF8aNw3V7wZHrWiy0fc4LwyE2J2ylb218zhSJBvsmIDet7ipR7MVYlB8hlrpXU2HMbopG4WiMIKEwd5hI6v8Y27NRFCO7hEFiZeDd-C_nHBv_35acdVc0USiD0AdY/s1600/IMG_8635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYUIJmz9UoNkh8WGF8aNw3V7wZHrWiy0fc4LwyE2J2ylb218zhSJBvsmIDet7ipR7MVYlB8hlrpXU2HMbopG4WiMIKEwd5hI6v8Y27NRFCO7hEFiZeDd-C_nHBv_35acdVc0USiD0AdY/s640/IMG_8635.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokek, Prambanan Temple </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The grounds of the temple also didn't disappoint and the short mown grasses of the slopes proved a haven for insects. There were Blues aplenty in one area but trying to get clear shots while it was so hot was a real challenge (it was so hot here the rubber armouring on my binoculars had started to melt!) but one really tiny one just had to be photographed so I spent ages chasing it. Eventually it settled on a flower and I managed to get a couple of shots. It turned out to be a butterfly called an Eastern Grass Jewel and despite it's tiny size it was a real stunner when seen close up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSkXeVYhe74p62h-FyLKiAG3uy-4c1GowbVE_ZFNpLAU3XSTBniQLd3W8xmePUE2UtmIV5Bxs3a8TJIyYUrVr6y9FFUvLnM3NV-HP0LA-s6D2PDgCpoxeOAd9P4Pwt9EkULN9GxUp6_E/s1600/IMG_8636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSkXeVYhe74p62h-FyLKiAG3uy-4c1GowbVE_ZFNpLAU3XSTBniQLd3W8xmePUE2UtmIV5Bxs3a8TJIyYUrVr6y9FFUvLnM3NV-HP0LA-s6D2PDgCpoxeOAd9P4Pwt9EkULN9GxUp6_E/s640/IMG_8636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Grass Jewel, Prambanan Temple </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A nice looking dragonfly was also whizzing around the ruins in the grounds and it did seem a little more approachable than the butterflies. Since coming home I have searched and searched online to find out exactly what it is but the closest I have come to identifying it is as a Green Skimmer. If anyone reading this knows better please let me know.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmUuNqXTpFjzLyPVCcPzj5FbdUSMYXH-v7m6z58N1QtgKX4aRmCxOMukc0mqX2XQo6xpCcTDZhazUXJY0fHsGv_MzjyxcmzBTU_p0S-XmhyphenhyphenT9wP1DO9sjC8U-vc4Mr6XKfr5fJfsL5Fk/s1600/IMG_8637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmUuNqXTpFjzLyPVCcPzj5FbdUSMYXH-v7m6z58N1QtgKX4aRmCxOMukc0mqX2XQo6xpCcTDZhazUXJY0fHsGv_MzjyxcmzBTU_p0S-XmhyphenhyphenT9wP1DO9sjC8U-vc4Mr6XKfr5fJfsL5Fk/s640/IMG_8637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Skimmer? Prambanan Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our visit to Prambanan Temple we got in the car and headed to our next destination - the hotel in the grounds of the Buddhist Temple of Borobudur. We arrived here once again in the dark and after admiring a Tokek up in the rafters of the reception room we went to bed. We had to be up early the next day as we'd planned to be at the top of the temple for sunrise. It really was magical to see the sun come up between the hills in such a amazing place!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Nb-fPmIShaFoBi442LClEP9yCM89r-29JZgbP-mnIbbskgMS6AQCNEZxSCcEbcMTnHkPHecjgh-VdcdWqTNFmU7s6X9UHG8pd_apQgKRrKsJv6PBqOoWG-w9y7zYfXrXJ7-Cf5gS-8/s1600/IMG_8684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6Nb-fPmIShaFoBi442LClEP9yCM89r-29JZgbP-mnIbbskgMS6AQCNEZxSCcEbcMTnHkPHecjgh-VdcdWqTNFmU7s6X9UHG8pd_apQgKRrKsJv6PBqOoWG-w9y7zYfXrXJ7-Cf5gS-8/s640/IMG_8684.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borobudur Temple sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0DXm2_EB1salzJjoLDbw5EQ7TqTNDeuApQnP_FhtOCmXcoPqstAgXmaNO2TYhKPw6zbNOVTx2Mcup3BZiUrE54PV1XDfz7GrKWEWsgpc1kgzmS0kW4LlH_8F9n7f_hiELPGmiIhO2_Y/s1600/IMG_8715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0DXm2_EB1salzJjoLDbw5EQ7TqTNDeuApQnP_FhtOCmXcoPqstAgXmaNO2TYhKPw6zbNOVTx2Mcup3BZiUrE54PV1XDfz7GrKWEWsgpc1kgzmS0kW4LlH_8F9n7f_hiELPGmiIhO2_Y/s640/IMG_8715.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borobudur Temple sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rest of the family went back to the hotel to have a nap after the early start but I decided to hand around. The whole place was coming alive while dawn was breaking and I also took the opportunity to take a few shots before the masses of people arrived to visit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmkjOJPFzvUwJDybZBkyVWkHND9oYvKkSaY6afYuztL5K2Aj3VKydc1-FZOZFEeO4GG5BAjBFc7KCUYkt1_NMQA8KyK1f8MEeUXaWfvE5zu6GMnC9opq4pqeVks8bjwoUG_EhY1Iqvus/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmkjOJPFzvUwJDybZBkyVWkHND9oYvKkSaY6afYuztL5K2Aj3VKydc1-FZOZFEeO4GG5BAjBFc7KCUYkt1_NMQA8KyK1f8MEeUXaWfvE5zu6GMnC9opq4pqeVks8bjwoUG_EhY1Iqvus/s640/IMG_4054.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borobudur Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgj2NgedYSP6VeTSIzmKGJD0ICT_eJalztu1bIaaUZKheII4w137-ImWaK8lLMmrvtfBlO7UN-P16noPo4dWkvDuKah2hImLRWetqUHoVV9Y-SOS2nmuObCojhF6a_tTVbWXW0QTPuZs/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjnVKlglhnS09Reg-cURsDUmD1VZkF3Ii-lG5k0xI8KoIWHBOgiwf7IVVzyOuQIYRXCDm4XkQD0xpi33TCb8Bkh89OrpWeVLZo02nGR3b7m_C1mD8mqQBniqRc-o93x8Pj1X1V01P_lE/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjnVKlglhnS09Reg-cURsDUmD1VZkF3Ii-lG5k0xI8KoIWHBOgiwf7IVVzyOuQIYRXCDm4XkQD0xpi33TCb8Bkh89OrpWeVLZo02nGR3b7m_C1mD8mqQBniqRc-o93x8Pj1X1V01P_lE/s640/IMG_4022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borobudur Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There was quite a lot of activity in the trees around the temple with flocks of Javan Munias and the odd Grey Cheeked Green Pigeon.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY4Pkh_7h2L3k1MsOlMPb6kZv2So0p_ZKGtxyiHnny_Wp1YUlttP-d9Fh5Bl-jssJt-I-Xr3DGd6iLXDrip0cebTlH1DmCGpV5IleJ94eXgyytGwnEjVMeZWY6CLU0ljew5C3anjXFtc/s1600/IMG_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY4Pkh_7h2L3k1MsOlMPb6kZv2So0p_ZKGtxyiHnny_Wp1YUlttP-d9Fh5Bl-jssJt-I-Xr3DGd6iLXDrip0cebTlH1DmCGpV5IleJ94eXgyytGwnEjVMeZWY6CLU0ljew5C3anjXFtc/s640/IMG_4026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Cheeked Green Pigeon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back at the hotel though I found a fantastic spider. A single tree in the grounds was full of Medusa Spiders. I had spotted a male Medusa Spider the night before but now the sun was beaming lots of females had emerged and were hanging in their webs. They're a member of the Agriope genus of spider (cousins of the Wasp Spiders we get here in the UK) and they are staggeringly beautiful! They also have a nice diagonal stabilimentum running through the web.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorIMQYEVQvsj6RTIXcqFxQfBn7Pe0mcmXG6t07q2bNbnQKuX1MoKEgYHR318hRc7Fn8Bs_14XkMZHlYkY5f-8e4ApjhV8NxvtqzPWaVXio9R2IV2XSbO3BlpUeE9b_O81y_C1CzHCY2o/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorIMQYEVQvsj6RTIXcqFxQfBn7Pe0mcmXG6t07q2bNbnQKuX1MoKEgYHR318hRc7Fn8Bs_14XkMZHlYkY5f-8e4ApjhV8NxvtqzPWaVXio9R2IV2XSbO3BlpUeE9b_O81y_C1CzHCY2o/s640/IMG_8685.JPG" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medusa Spider, Borobudur Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_DTpvhKtbBXF6rwfnEWGy_E5kgU1kueW7l4TyH2MYgZ4nKg-lsMrOhXHsgP1ltoe4MBadm_9RTX-GAGsbaCh5rYy5ypUD_m03wauqni2jeeeiKA3Rh_chR8L5EVu8l7GFzLf2Ek6XcE/s1600/IMG_8686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_DTpvhKtbBXF6rwfnEWGy_E5kgU1kueW7l4TyH2MYgZ4nKg-lsMrOhXHsgP1ltoe4MBadm_9RTX-GAGsbaCh5rYy5ypUD_m03wauqni2jeeeiKA3Rh_chR8L5EVu8l7GFzLf2Ek6XcE/s640/IMG_8686.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medusa Spider, Borobuder Hotel</td></tr>
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I spent a few hours relaxing outside the hotel room after this and it was nice to see the Javan Munias coming and going in the trees and hedgerows. I took this shaky video of one picking the seeds off a grass stem by my patio.<br />
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All of a sudden I saw this enormous insect come flying into the hotel garden. I lept up to go and see what it was and as I did so it flew from the grass and onto a nearby tree. It turned out to be a Locust and it was the most impressive Grasshopper I'd ever seen, it had a very powerful jump and due to it's strong wings it could cover long distances when it flew so it was quite a challenge to keep up with. Luckily I got a couple of pics before it shot off into the hedgerows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub31-AahmbYmKhhsoxkdKIBuBS4dK5wqFQcT4ryA9oBlE-kBl4yFauaGlqUVFrPGfPFGG_-tgE39vfdLI693f3JxAbgMntpuplmdF-ZF2PkM6oJ_OrGtkS5Pt7tjlBimUWZG5Ftp6aS4/s1600/IMG_8692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub31-AahmbYmKhhsoxkdKIBuBS4dK5wqFQcT4ryA9oBlE-kBl4yFauaGlqUVFrPGfPFGG_-tgE39vfdLI693f3JxAbgMntpuplmdF-ZF2PkM6oJ_OrGtkS5Pt7tjlBimUWZG5Ftp6aS4/s640/IMG_8692.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locust, Borobudur Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUZlHwwUz5hfXAYEH2ZrEE0FUlGkg2Kt9PVNsJM8GeqxCVLc_2D9EDXNIvlN_pkTdTZ88ijHR-L6oAIQ13427bIThkmz-16P2siBjqxn007nUz6hTfNQ5rJMzo3JxuY3WlPi7HG2SJEc/s1600/IMG_8693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUZlHwwUz5hfXAYEH2ZrEE0FUlGkg2Kt9PVNsJM8GeqxCVLc_2D9EDXNIvlN_pkTdTZ88ijHR-L6oAIQ13427bIThkmz-16P2siBjqxn007nUz6hTfNQ5rJMzo3JxuY3WlPi7HG2SJEc/s640/IMG_8693.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locust, Borobudur Hotel</td></tr>
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It was then time to head to our next destination and we soon found ourselves on a Garuda Indonesia flight to Bali. I do enjoy flying and this flight was special due to the stunning sight of the volcano Mount Merapi poking up out of the clouds as we flew out of Yogyakarta airport.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volcano Mount Merapi poking through the clouds</td></tr>
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We arrived in Bali as it got dark and after meeting up with my sister in law Kitri we went to Menega Cafe for one of the finest seafood meals I've ever had and then for the long drive inland to the hotel in Ubud. The place we stayed in was superb! A nice little apartment block in the middle of the rice fields and simply by sitting on the balcony meant that you were surrounded by wildlife. We stayed in Ubud for a few days and I really did enjoy getting up at sunrise and seeing what could be seen from this balcony while sipping Jasmine Tea. Some of the most easily seen birds were the Scaly Breasted Munias that like to sit on the wires opposite the room.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaly Breasted Munia, Bali</td></tr>
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Also prevalent were numerous Spotted Doves around the whole area, in fact they were in every direction you looked and could be quite tame as they perched on the hotel walls. The constant sounds of their calls was actually quite soothing and when I play back the videos it was I remember most from the hotel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwVELJra0PDmvnSYxDY2GBbRVBsq6VfKmnECnfkirM7i_qc1bvhxWO314oLlcu9pvKLhyvWk2zHMc0zGh_3Wia_JrwJN1M1RJBR4_qz4O_9TK9O7W0kVPHl-WBv16BCVmQULTIAWCuqE/s1600/IMG_8766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwVELJra0PDmvnSYxDY2GBbRVBsq6VfKmnECnfkirM7i_qc1bvhxWO314oLlcu9pvKLhyvWk2zHMc0zGh_3Wia_JrwJN1M1RJBR4_qz4O_9TK9O7W0kVPHl-WBv16BCVmQULTIAWCuqE/s640/IMG_8766.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Dove, Bali</td></tr>
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Other birds included the White Breasted Waterhens which lurked around in the long vegetation of the paddyfields but the best views came early in the morning before they left their roosts in the trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyJyvGAiYviICVZoVESB2KyR77rs9NSpUY2yhI7nTVK38fk94N0WUgb7uTTS_N83MO8vZ7UozaaHKJQmltVLOGa6eq3A5hPgzu07nIUgZ0RZs8tROvNDltGHDfeDTIlXHIFg6K7B9gHo/s1600/IMG_8765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyJyvGAiYviICVZoVESB2KyR77rs9NSpUY2yhI7nTVK38fk94N0WUgb7uTTS_N83MO8vZ7UozaaHKJQmltVLOGa6eq3A5hPgzu07nIUgZ0RZs8tROvNDltGHDfeDTIlXHIFg6K7B9gHo/s640/IMG_8765.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Breasted Waterhen, Bali</td></tr>
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As the sun got higher Herons and Egrets could be seen leaving the their roosts and a real highlight came as a small brown bird flying between the houses turned out to be a Cinnamon Bittern. Cattle Egrets and Javan Pond Herons came down to feed in the rice fields as the morning wore on and provided quite a show as they strutted about underneath me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRObmylaaxKba5Py4WHbmXxu_VNK9rTyLYM2DyQ-DiqBlSStLcNISQmg_JoqEdR9BrUuC114rFAYxPtxSARsMMkUMmrwZjHmI1atlVTNWkLkHLtCXENgbyMld8N-QWWHbjUN50_gWjc_U/s1600/IMG_4506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRObmylaaxKba5Py4WHbmXxu_VNK9rTyLYM2DyQ-DiqBlSStLcNISQmg_JoqEdR9BrUuC114rFAYxPtxSARsMMkUMmrwZjHmI1atlVTNWkLkHLtCXENgbyMld8N-QWWHbjUN50_gWjc_U/s640/IMG_4506.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret, Bali</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g9wTufJ7xVvanAvCP-bjK0bgr23K7kcMC5N90Ji5M5P8xUn94b6a0aM2WdfEO0hrJ023612tHhq7xf8pDlVpJS5X92jsyp1KZgnaTOfymmPtIV0hNVDosYMIaaz4mGiV6e_sZQz7PVo/s1600/IMG_8769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g9wTufJ7xVvanAvCP-bjK0bgr23K7kcMC5N90Ji5M5P8xUn94b6a0aM2WdfEO0hrJ023612tHhq7xf8pDlVpJS5X92jsyp1KZgnaTOfymmPtIV0hNVDosYMIaaz4mGiV6e_sZQz7PVo/s640/IMG_8769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javan Pond Heron, Bali</td></tr>
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Yellow Vented Bulbuls could also be seen working their way through the trees early in the morning, it was amazing to watch the area come alive as dawn broke in fact I think I could spend a whole two weeks just sitting on this balcony watching what flies by!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kz6Rs9mguhW-ryVk3G4dIW6QppbV574ryuBoHzqQvpkLq17L2FZhhxonnxTHtCAhVuw19VX1szrvatWYgHMdoT0e9CGNKLq5QlhD4Jq55CqZeOAYBof-psDe8bsu_KOI-7jpZd5Gj20/s1600/IMG_8768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kz6Rs9mguhW-ryVk3G4dIW6QppbV574ryuBoHzqQvpkLq17L2FZhhxonnxTHtCAhVuw19VX1szrvatWYgHMdoT0e9CGNKLq5QlhD4Jq55CqZeOAYBof-psDe8bsu_KOI-7jpZd5Gj20/s640/IMG_8768.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Vented Bulbul, Bali</td></tr>
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Another fantastic little bird could be seen no doubt feeding young in the bush opposite the balcony. I'm pretty sure it's a female Olive-backed Sunbird. Interestingly I spent the whole trip trying to find Preying Mantis but failed, it was only when I returned back to the UK and played the video back of the Sunbird I noticed the insect it was mercilessly bashes against a branch was a Mantis!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvAEB-v4bIzX44uVeZW4l95hHEUeEwQa5Ztk1T6AdDZPZ9_M5ytrBXvJx2Bk0NlOGq18v4R-9IdR4WevO-fWaU0CmyRWckzu17rfwaOl3Mb0kkagGMP2knTDP8ntqkF4aglmw9jDXSf8/s1600/IMG_8767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvAEB-v4bIzX44uVeZW4l95hHEUeEwQa5Ztk1T6AdDZPZ9_M5ytrBXvJx2Bk0NlOGq18v4R-9IdR4WevO-fWaU0CmyRWckzu17rfwaOl3Mb0kkagGMP2knTDP8ntqkF4aglmw9jDXSf8/s640/IMG_8767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive-backed Sunbird, Bali</td></tr>
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A few butterflies were flying about underneath in the undergrowth, the best photo I could manage though was this ropey long distance and very cropped shot of a Peacock Pansy butterfly. Also a Bali Skink could be seen sunning itself at the base of a nearby tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUgljWBB88zyuuyJev_Ewpzd1se4bfmbtzfBrjCM0fw4wpH1lFzvkeZNI7mHxStA0P9xds_5_AP_r5B_BfKxc9VDy4E-H50T0X0YhW0UVnCPW19QRy584Ye9gRqTBQ2-Of3la411ywNE/s1600/Peacock+Pansy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUgljWBB88zyuuyJev_Ewpzd1se4bfmbtzfBrjCM0fw4wpH1lFzvkeZNI7mHxStA0P9xds_5_AP_r5B_BfKxc9VDy4E-H50T0X0YhW0UVnCPW19QRy584Ye9gRqTBQ2-Of3la411ywNE/s640/Peacock+Pansy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Pansy, Bali</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__KArSmdhVlhLHR0By7TYV0ApqRHkg5Yy1ItRJNDWWywXTSCZ9VM174kzotN-yZSNXW2L7VSxsKb47HdPNMBoV7vab3jeenO1zN83klZcYkRbYicAt4PowZ-CM7ekrrUiR9h1Zi695MQ/s1600/Bali+Skink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__KArSmdhVlhLHR0By7TYV0ApqRHkg5Yy1ItRJNDWWywXTSCZ9VM174kzotN-yZSNXW2L7VSxsKb47HdPNMBoV7vab3jeenO1zN83klZcYkRbYicAt4PowZ-CM7ekrrUiR9h1Zi695MQ/s640/Bali+Skink.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bali Skink, Bali</td></tr>
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The wires overhanging the nearby rice fields also provided a perch for a couple of Striated Swallows which were very busy feeding one morning and then they vanished no doubt to continue their migration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfryuVafo80-ZhZ9w52QWvL5_OJJUg-rhM0Zj_3pbgJB4fXZisAwzgfvYJRgdVF_Fftvgz0i13Zfx2GdLyjXbWBXj6HXBC_pGqeYPFz8vtnY8NM3Zf97fuNTphsjdpcQvjr7En1BlbMFo/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfryuVafo80-ZhZ9w52QWvL5_OJJUg-rhM0Zj_3pbgJB4fXZisAwzgfvYJRgdVF_Fftvgz0i13Zfx2GdLyjXbWBXj6HXBC_pGqeYPFz8vtnY8NM3Zf97fuNTphsjdpcQvjr7En1BlbMFo/s640/IMG_8751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striated Swallow, Bali</td></tr>
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Another regular visitor to the balcony was a very impressive Jumping Spider but it was a complete nightmare to get a decent shot of with the bridge camera (not for the first time I was really missing the SLR!) but I persevered and got a couple of images. I also couldn't help taking a video as it kept attacking me when I got close up for a shot - you've got admire this little guys bravery!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-qxXzbXCyxMKryK6FM28q6O04gaq8tHcUEDNiAjB26GiSwaDte_TAFxsW_ZDb9RMTBMHz-55vITaDolGSTGKomNOsNst4rQ8ZVFHfNbgcytR_ij7iZ9rs8uys82qmEAwY92ExU7LTFI/s1600/IMG_8776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-qxXzbXCyxMKryK6FM28q6O04gaq8tHcUEDNiAjB26GiSwaDte_TAFxsW_ZDb9RMTBMHz-55vITaDolGSTGKomNOsNst4rQ8ZVFHfNbgcytR_ij7iZ9rs8uys82qmEAwY92ExU7LTFI/s640/IMG_8776.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping Spider, Bali</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TZt1Ny-JXNU8MCa-NA6LZ_en2NcD7rJd0vfTymIDeiH7xfOtZNdovvb-5RCrRvZBhig-G2CCZ9OFr6t6790hvaqQB3qQk7FtJcDix7Cy3yYLZeQubdt6X6LpKjTAkxJGnpWxMvHJyLo/s1600/IMG_8777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TZt1Ny-JXNU8MCa-NA6LZ_en2NcD7rJd0vfTymIDeiH7xfOtZNdovvb-5RCrRvZBhig-G2CCZ9OFr6t6790hvaqQB3qQk7FtJcDix7Cy3yYLZeQubdt6X6LpKjTAkxJGnpWxMvHJyLo/s640/IMG_8777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping Spider, Bali</td></tr>
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The wildlife from the balcony wasn't restricted to the daytime though, in the evening the constant humming of the night time insects, frogs and reptiles could be heard. Cicak Geckos were always calling from the apartment walls and the amazing sound of the Tokek Gecko would occasionally be heard coming from nearby buildings. One evening while sitting on the balcony I was surprised to see a huge insect come shooting in obviously attracted to the lights. It turned out to be a Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and after a bit of gentle persuasion I managed to get it onto my hand so I could get a shot showing the size of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6k7ugMiflj0USNOwafoSh1QX8HvgeNQRTnWveFEH9qOTAMm_HMdTLZMfoTLe2TDzim8MOu26NBbcc9U3Gwlr0apbYsrO040in6JWazhmtS0vXq0I4hrcOf9P0u1afqJaKjudf9qn4Z4/s1600/IMG_8783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6k7ugMiflj0USNOwafoSh1QX8HvgeNQRTnWveFEH9qOTAMm_HMdTLZMfoTLe2TDzim8MOu26NBbcc9U3Gwlr0apbYsrO040in6JWazhmtS0vXq0I4hrcOf9P0u1afqJaKjudf9qn4Z4/s640/IMG_8783.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Bali</td></tr>
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One evening I was also visited by a Common Evening Brown, I still can't get used to seeing butterflies at night!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF_rEMnCv3n3Ox0AbSuTtmUX4cYYx2q6O1Cfk9Dx17HelwW8E_NgOmG49mbGW0ai5Xy_aO-rpASslFWEv-eqBtC6lqWLiZO6N6tR0TeMjbobf4_Ya6BMS9O3rDsO91weurwvWtIkKd8c/s1600/Common+Evening+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF_rEMnCv3n3Ox0AbSuTtmUX4cYYx2q6O1Cfk9Dx17HelwW8E_NgOmG49mbGW0ai5Xy_aO-rpASslFWEv-eqBtC6lqWLiZO6N6tR0TeMjbobf4_Ya6BMS9O3rDsO91weurwvWtIkKd8c/s640/Common+Evening+Brown.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Evening Brown, Bali</td></tr>
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Ubud is famous for having the Monkey Forest and on one of our days in the area we couldn't help visiting and it's certainly an interesting place. The Monkey Forest is situated in an area of three Hindu Temples and was formed to follow the principle of Tri Hita Karana (Three ways to reach spiritual and physical well-being), the doctrine of this principle promotes harmonious relationshipes between humans and humans, humans and their environment, and humans and the supreme God. This principle has led to the forest surrounding the forest becoming protected and turned into a wildlife sanctuary with the population of Crab-eating Macaques (known locally as the Balinese Long-tailed Monkey) particularly benefiting from this. There are currently about 600 Macaques in the forest and when entering you are given the opportunity to buy small Bananas in order to feed them and it's certainly an experience I can recommend to anyone visiting Bali.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMDM_uLG0ILUZ8Nw0CN0xSkun4Dl9wp5_Ni2ZLijmBNeFTU376bY7KpkDwKeQ1jwEIWk50_EDgngbtT545SYQEpeFbiudjet0-1DfPPtqQmLcdegbrih7CP6Gu4NQC2Nwq1lWuXxNam8/s1600/IMG_4200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMDM_uLG0ILUZ8Nw0CN0xSkun4Dl9wp5_Ni2ZLijmBNeFTU376bY7KpkDwKeQ1jwEIWk50_EDgngbtT545SYQEpeFbiudjet0-1DfPPtqQmLcdegbrih7CP6Gu4NQC2Nwq1lWuXxNam8/s640/IMG_4200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab-eating Macaque, Bali</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU7J-_8_GTVo8-xFO1-yaTV2Of9Ia9xVO5rR6hGe27T77lX7aEtBeSnNWuIvlGLLRZ3DC_5NMgcIKv86ZHoM1OlHoGLnZtQ3al1t-isBssiiL5dqh8wWOHzZOkLwSFfRNFKaFCxujkzY/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDU7J-_8_GTVo8-xFO1-yaTV2Of9Ia9xVO5rR6hGe27T77lX7aEtBeSnNWuIvlGLLRZ3DC_5NMgcIKv86ZHoM1OlHoGLnZtQ3al1t-isBssiiL5dqh8wWOHzZOkLwSFfRNFKaFCxujkzY/s640/IMG_4211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab-eating Macaque, Bali</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFImjZiKfkFbNA1_oFAROH2vUpJIp2_tb8o6p1XXKzKHlREULHyQdfgKMGghY3QYWgGOXerT9BHgtHGvATojme0mrX7n_MbuUZZPKcvqpWM0JCxK2kyX2AC1cZ1JrPiyMulaohI-szu0/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFImjZiKfkFbNA1_oFAROH2vUpJIp2_tb8o6p1XXKzKHlREULHyQdfgKMGghY3QYWgGOXerT9BHgtHGvATojme0mrX7n_MbuUZZPKcvqpWM0JCxK2kyX2AC1cZ1JrPiyMulaohI-szu0/s640/IMG_4264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab-eating Macaque</td></tr>
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It was in this forest where I saw my butterfly highlight of the whole trip too. White standing on a balcony overlooking the gorge in the middle of the forest I looked down and gliding through the light dappled valley bottom was a stunning Common Birdwing! There was no way I could get anywhere near it for a shot but the sighting was more than enough for me as I watched it powerfully glide through it's rainforest domain before disappearing into the vegetation. <br />
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After a few days on Bali it was time to head to our next destination so it was back on a plane to fly to Jakarta. Once in Jakarta we had a long drive to the west coast of Java and to our hotel. Once again the hotel ground provided a haven for wildlife and lots of birds could be seen simply by relaxing on the balcony. A White-headed Munia provided a nice dash of colour one evening as it sat on top of it's tree!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtveKOqcFDWcMPmPqmtgS3chndmN0OvWfNHqfxEi-aDeUM6njAJcygU3Zj_8pKUrL25NTcnIxndHxTIQ-K3ljFVnidvHYehhtAkNiH14bZAsvmz_0tSQEfP4xh68KPBA00cZAFQcQUk-c/s1600/IMG_8872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtveKOqcFDWcMPmPqmtgS3chndmN0OvWfNHqfxEi-aDeUM6njAJcygU3Zj_8pKUrL25NTcnIxndHxTIQ-K3ljFVnidvHYehhtAkNiH14bZAsvmz_0tSQEfP4xh68KPBA00cZAFQcQUk-c/s640/IMG_8872.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-headed Munia, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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Also in the surrounding trees were a pair of very noisy White Collared Kingfishers and it was great to watch them flying in and out of the hotel's gardens. They never seemed to go far away and when they returned their presence was announced by their constant racket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumywPFxqsOowO5FchyxRuMACQNfx2LizQAac9bWFBqve5_ax2zXJiK1_jPppG6qeRag4C4ivfdY1kz0iHxpkmXwC05W6bpwD3xkTklIncd-6kGAaunI_a1U-RcKFpOXtyxrGx-5ACPY/s1600/IMG_8870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumywPFxqsOowO5FchyxRuMACQNfx2LizQAac9bWFBqve5_ax2zXJiK1_jPppG6qeRag4C4ivfdY1kz0iHxpkmXwC05W6bpwD3xkTklIncd-6kGAaunI_a1U-RcKFpOXtyxrGx-5ACPY/s640/IMG_8870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Collared Kingfisher, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe8wJ_zHyFIlFl253RtanBRGff_iMUQcdqDw2VMCdYS6TD55saMDDzvFLDKXCmLlvNjVqxdtGZKQG9KutbkN6o0sSFLVpOELZXtIcieoLj2vKR02_jCc6fUO8gmS5_7U0VxPMAGeMmuc/s1600/IMG_8871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe8wJ_zHyFIlFl253RtanBRGff_iMUQcdqDw2VMCdYS6TD55saMDDzvFLDKXCmLlvNjVqxdtGZKQG9KutbkN6o0sSFLVpOELZXtIcieoLj2vKR02_jCc6fUO8gmS5_7U0VxPMAGeMmuc/s640/IMG_8871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Collared Kingfisher, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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One evening in a tree opposite the balcony we were visited by a very colourful bird. Unfortunately it happened late in the evening so the record shots I took were at very high ISO and to add to it they're also obscured by a branches but I thought I'd share them anyway. A stunning male Brown Throated Sunbird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-8nUS0dtY-nb1AJkEAtcYSH_YoW5kZ2wdMxblx4piAQFdZzTqJLMtoNawHWufPxiOogSSsUtsiMtiYa5zIBpaLMF2rFVIqiUb_jZdvnWAzMPBE8WMqtIV6N_9AdiNEpMFqM-BerzgK0/s1600/IMG_4760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-8nUS0dtY-nb1AJkEAtcYSH_YoW5kZ2wdMxblx4piAQFdZzTqJLMtoNawHWufPxiOogSSsUtsiMtiYa5zIBpaLMF2rFVIqiUb_jZdvnWAzMPBE8WMqtIV6N_9AdiNEpMFqM-BerzgK0/s640/IMG_4760.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Throated Sunbird, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGPQGS1cmCymt82goGZa_rS9d8ptm8kXM0Nds4EhL79sn66SjFXb1_wH578eBb42HnqNw_QequwRdl0GhUFhA_SGgWD1LrsPAAJxEr5zZ6sOVC1Yhmcw1gB62_0PQAZYDkz_FtUBxuZ4/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGPQGS1cmCymt82goGZa_rS9d8ptm8kXM0Nds4EhL79sn66SjFXb1_wH578eBb42HnqNw_QequwRdl0GhUFhA_SGgWD1LrsPAAJxEr5zZ6sOVC1Yhmcw1gB62_0PQAZYDkz_FtUBxuZ4/s640/IMG_4762.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Throated Sunbird, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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Also down by the shoreline some were lot of Crabs on the rocks and they had some quite interesting markings. They took some sneaking up on as whenever they saw me with the camera they shot out of view incredibly quickly!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dBh_XEfpI587cNLPhIEZ85sU_5J1YnGgBDKAls9NAQNw3H6TvP50pTTiUgcJ_do4qh9vFmdHOfEcsVQ64VytFyIOR-7jPE_xFqiJDP_0eHwBq5UWiZymAQ1VPfDU528uK97vWXpuJf8/s1600/IMG_8860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dBh_XEfpI587cNLPhIEZ85sU_5J1YnGgBDKAls9NAQNw3H6TvP50pTTiUgcJ_do4qh9vFmdHOfEcsVQ64VytFyIOR-7jPE_xFqiJDP_0eHwBq5UWiZymAQ1VPfDU528uK97vWXpuJf8/s640/IMG_8860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore Crabs, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzIBNduuTnhR9hDvhOur9HaHzzmWVQvkD-qxsSIi7ueR_PV5LFKkU2c9eRtQP7QouXdhvWgAc3hyEi-NjtTLQWC0xrLVmgdPwutMMrhBqI5LxdDALdA-o7uzvbX6NMQoUOAZebkV2wew/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzIBNduuTnhR9hDvhOur9HaHzzmWVQvkD-qxsSIi7ueR_PV5LFKkU2c9eRtQP7QouXdhvWgAc3hyEi-NjtTLQWC0xrLVmgdPwutMMrhBqI5LxdDALdA-o7uzvbX6NMQoUOAZebkV2wew/s640/IMG_8861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore Crabs, Banten, Indonesia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During our stay here in the area we undertook one of those real trips of a lifetime. I had told my wife Desica in the past how I would like to visit Krakatoa one day and she had somehow managed to plan it into our holiday itinerary. So one morning we were picked up from the hotel and taken to a dock further up north. From here we jumped on board a small boat and we started the trip across the sea towards Krakatoa volcano. It took what seemed like a long time to get out there but then if you look at the map it is actually quite a long way! Soon enough the large looming shape of Krakatoa Island could be seen in the distance and as we got closer and closer the sheer scale of the area could be appreciated. In the below pic you can see the large triangular shape of Krakatoa Island on the left, Lang Island on the far right and the smoking vent of Anak Krakatoa in between them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5jOo7yflumT5zCwBYTPwk92f5uoKyLRthT0b_8GjKnLqhyphenhyphenA6B7fBMD2ucTcjZjJqV78g9YTVuRHW3clBXLOud-6icZ_g6fQdsRIESdMIEateu-tnqjO8S-GEEhz4kesJpHpbABes68Q/s1600/Krakatoa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5jOo7yflumT5zCwBYTPwk92f5uoKyLRthT0b_8GjKnLqhyphenhyphenA6B7fBMD2ucTcjZjJqV78g9YTVuRHW3clBXLOud-6icZ_g6fQdsRIESdMIEateu-tnqjO8S-GEEhz4kesJpHpbABes68Q/s640/Krakatoa+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krakatoa Island (left), Lang Island (right) and Anak Krakatoa in middle.</td></tr>
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When you look at the above picture you need to imagine that all the islands are joined up forming one huge volcano. In 1883 it had a cataclysmic eruption and it tore itself apart leaving three islands and a large empty hole in the middle. The sound of the eruption is regarded as the loudest sound ever heard and barograph recorders counted the explosion's shockwave several times over a period of days showing that it went around the globe three and a half times! Modern day volcanic activity is now centered on Anak Krakatoa which emerged from the sea and has been growing since 1930. As the boat swang round to the right it was clear that this was our first destination. It was quite imposing as the boat went in between the islands, not just because of the smoking vent of Anak Krakatoa infront of us, but due to the realisation that this huge area (approx 8 miles across!) was one massive volcano that literally blew itself apart. You just can't get your head around the kind of force that must have done that! As the boat got closer Anak Krakatoa made for a very impressive sight as we got nearer and nearer, it's not everyday you get to get so close to a volcanic vent spewing Sulphur and gasses out into the atmosphere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApN61uKNpPNK1-sPDVOfq7nNfimnIrkMY3uWnLVMy22HXYI8P-1bP1UUmJjoGrCPxEtpJ4w6vw8UDQPIKkvL5mrO7MkrtkHGbVSPBFxWUifKJz7kn2fKvYI8K0YF4louVvvKreK-p3y4/s1600/IMG_8855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApN61uKNpPNK1-sPDVOfq7nNfimnIrkMY3uWnLVMy22HXYI8P-1bP1UUmJjoGrCPxEtpJ4w6vw8UDQPIKkvL5mrO7MkrtkHGbVSPBFxWUifKJz7kn2fKvYI8K0YF4louVvvKreK-p3y4/s640/IMG_8855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anak Krakatoa</td></tr>
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Soon enough we had landed on the black sand of Anak Krakatoa's shore and we started the trudge up through the small forest at the bottom of the slope. We had been told that Monitor Lizards were on the islands and it didn't take me long to see one but it certainly wasn't hanging around for a photo as it shot off into the undergrowth with impressive speed. As we neared the edge of the forest the black slopes could be seen rising to a plateau opposite the summit of the vent. The colours of the landscape provided some interesting contrasts as the bright greens of the tropical vegetation mixed with black rocks of previous volcanic activity and chunks of yellow Sulphur that had broken up where they had landed after being spat out of the vent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAwK3NfORYjdIMEaHV0LAygq-B7V2GEAlPcII8lzpvM-LbwlXj_cn2_nYZNe1Avhdz2gYu4-rl3ZJVp8SHFdjwd91oAAfZJtTmP9G3zA1KlUr5P2tc4ZjkyJQY_JjL2Z1897G96gkRAg/s1600/Sulphur_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAwK3NfORYjdIMEaHV0LAygq-B7V2GEAlPcII8lzpvM-LbwlXj_cn2_nYZNe1Avhdz2gYu4-rl3ZJVp8SHFdjwd91oAAfZJtTmP9G3zA1KlUr5P2tc4ZjkyJQY_JjL2Z1897G96gkRAg/s640/Sulphur_.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumps of broken Sulphur amongst the black sands and green vegetation of Anak Krakatoa </td></tr>
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There was a surprising amount of birds around the islands too with Javan Munias in the trees and White Collared Kingfishers on the rocks by the shore. I know it's a bit sad but I couldn't help take a selfie at the ridge near the summit of Anak Krakatoa and shoot a panoramic video of the area too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbxKd0lNB7tUAVg3nfaC983TZe4MXKpxx7qLw4-Pys5Q64_4zMGF4AHHANpMRmdXBzlfV0vZ_fBof-LuGMcyq_sy9Kx725ukTcPAmGnEaPeTky831CVawSfZOzdOc_S7rGCGnOIrfbVU/s1600/IMG_8854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbxKd0lNB7tUAVg3nfaC983TZe4MXKpxx7qLw4-Pys5Q64_4zMGF4AHHANpMRmdXBzlfV0vZ_fBof-LuGMcyq_sy9Kx725ukTcPAmGnEaPeTky831CVawSfZOzdOc_S7rGCGnOIrfbVU/s640/IMG_8854.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anak Krakatoa selfie</td></tr>
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Once we'd been up on Anak Krakatoa for a while it was time to return to the boat as the next step of the trip was to go snorkeling off Krakatoa Island. When we returned to the shore we hadn't previously realised how hot the sand was on the beach and we had to really run to get to the boat before the ground burnt our feet. An added bonus was had on the journey to the next island as I noticed a fin coming out of the water to our right and as I told the boat crew they stopped the boat and we waited to see what it was. All of s sudden a pod of Dolphins breached and although they were distant the put on quite a show as they swam between the island. Despite bobbing up and down in the back of a boat I somehow managed to get this ropey video of grab of one breaching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhBR5G6AbPHe6dq7LT3MWU9l85MHhV9SaskoFMHWOdBhtLUIXxVNZcyqGDHR54g3B3V8Y34JCsT06pWYTBV8HIQ2-o5ikC1kyaX1fRB-NhZ6v1U1G3F4Bm789O3q02wRnaSlrTGUFx8Y/s1600/Dolphin+screengrab+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhBR5G6AbPHe6dq7LT3MWU9l85MHhV9SaskoFMHWOdBhtLUIXxVNZcyqGDHR54g3B3V8Y34JCsT06pWYTBV8HIQ2-o5ikC1kyaX1fRB-NhZ6v1U1G3F4Bm789O3q02wRnaSlrTGUFx8Y/s640/Dolphin+screengrab+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin, Krakatoa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43OmvWJEdNnD0JF79HOEVd1nm53u4TiWu1iqF0teNGw5DatLC2E0WgJ2sH3tdjluDrTue7KBzhDhDKYpj6NQ-FPHZQ8kKu1CwMjxnKC4Bg925TpLgmIS7wwUd09HDISAN3SXGcOJ6fFA/s1600/Dolphin+screengrab+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43OmvWJEdNnD0JF79HOEVd1nm53u4TiWu1iqF0teNGw5DatLC2E0WgJ2sH3tdjluDrTue7KBzhDhDKYpj6NQ-FPHZQ8kKu1CwMjxnKC4Bg925TpLgmIS7wwUd09HDISAN3SXGcOJ6fFA/s640/Dolphin+screengrab+%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphin, Krakatoa</td></tr>
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We then carried on and arrived on Krakatoa Island. Very soon after we had been given our lunch of chicken and rice a Monitor Lizard with a keen noise could be seen walking through the undergrowth. It turns out these Monitors are quite common on the islands and they're not very shy if they can smell food! This one certainly wasn't anyway! I just had to put my lunch down a get a few shots and I was a little in awe at just how brave it was wandering through a load of people to pick up scraps of chicken........as far as this Lizard was concerned it was definitely the boss round here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqACyghmhjrw78DVfyHAQyuVJzytfjkpp_W1txPtM7WtYSM19ccdm1-S86LS66cOetZEW9X4EnQMU1n5vqiMJTync7ILGyfpF2kltabSOLyp_gT_uK04GG2h1LpYIXXYaj7977yt7OlxM/s1600/IMG_8858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqACyghmhjrw78DVfyHAQyuVJzytfjkpp_W1txPtM7WtYSM19ccdm1-S86LS66cOetZEW9X4EnQMU1n5vqiMJTync7ILGyfpF2kltabSOLyp_gT_uK04GG2h1LpYIXXYaj7977yt7OlxM/s640/IMG_8858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard, Krakatoa</td></tr>
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After a very pleasant time snorkeling it was time for us to leave and as an added bonus when we got back to dry land we were rewarded with a few Coconuts. I drank one there and then and I took another back to hotel with me, where it was topped up with Rum and drank on the balcony while admiring the White Collared Kingfishers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dYdajMHTSPpn527dJdGWC44cr8gYGYfu3lJjKfWYsnKkmWdq7t56jdnd61ZfGMi0XYh_jwXpKC2Pdr5JkvDsbPCajYjwb-DXNxahaC5BcZXi1Iiz4GN_ziqyMfLl6BhlfVjkvR9VTlg/s1600/IMG_8862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dYdajMHTSPpn527dJdGWC44cr8gYGYfu3lJjKfWYsnKkmWdq7t56jdnd61ZfGMi0XYh_jwXpKC2Pdr5JkvDsbPCajYjwb-DXNxahaC5BcZXi1Iiz4GN_ziqyMfLl6BhlfVjkvR9VTlg/s640/IMG_8862.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut topped up with a dash of Rum - delicious!</td></tr>
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It was then time to head to our final destination of the holiday. We took the long drive south and after an interesting journey we found ourselves on another dock opposite the island resort of Umang Island. A boat came and picked us up and we made our way over to a very rickety looking dock with an even ricketier looking causeway which led to our accomodation for the few days. It felt a little like arriving at the gates to Jurassic Park, but little did I know at the time though that the Jurassic Park analogy proved to be truer than I'd expected!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hk9gVM1fe7O05R30Lyxms0tl97gcv2IyExr7vpl7vMsN8ILiogpl0J6Y0PKtpoiMUvzRQjgY5MJayMpGObqfWD5dHvyrI_BZISR_2OrJMjeeEFzBnPO0MrPlfESy2pgvUNB-1a6ZKmM/s1600/IMG_8920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hk9gVM1fe7O05R30Lyxms0tl97gcv2IyExr7vpl7vMsN8ILiogpl0J6Y0PKtpoiMUvzRQjgY5MJayMpGObqfWD5dHvyrI_BZISR_2OrJMjeeEFzBnPO0MrPlfESy2pgvUNB-1a6ZKmM/s640/IMG_8920.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umang Island</td></tr>
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When we arrived the rain was absolutely pouring it down but despite this while we were checking in Jessica and Oscar had run off on a little exploration but soon returned with news that they'd just seen a Monitor Lizard. Now I was still very pumped up from the Monitor Lizard we'd seen on Krakatoa but nothing could prepare me for what was instore on this island. Umang Island was full of Monitor Lizards, and I do mean full! You could see their tell tale tracks all over the sandy beaches, pathways and between the apartments.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AxHHFwEghqVtYnkUwyHxMXiOFeHIvw_o2EGcIh2yoLyywMBVEe_wFfdo1nd2LdGnbEUIFVuWU9IR3MSvpzbTXpgdRJmZ639UkP2DlMaYwH1szn7ox3AW7EXyj1Z0kWF7ELVYOKCVLC4/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AxHHFwEghqVtYnkUwyHxMXiOFeHIvw_o2EGcIh2yoLyywMBVEe_wFfdo1nd2LdGnbEUIFVuWU9IR3MSvpzbTXpgdRJmZ639UkP2DlMaYwH1szn7ox3AW7EXyj1Z0kWF7ELVYOKCVLC4/s640/IMG_6515.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard tracks</td></tr>
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We'd arrived late in the day at the resort (by the way we were almost the only people there so pretty much had the place to ourselves) and so after a couple of drinks at the bar I went to bed. I couldn't wait to get up in the morning and see what was on the island so I crept up and headed out in the darkness to see the sunrise. My wife had the same idea and we stood their together watching the sun coming up over the fishing boats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaf3utMBZy0cquKwrVx_tWap7keGQWixNtH27xihwHFSb3uE-C49BgzDrll_hJ2uXXVMqh79rv3W4VRZrseFv28eSgaF4yWrDZaPrM4dnTcHuKw8sq057uXZavbIib1GNos9-JbXjpGs/s1600/IMG_8891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaf3utMBZy0cquKwrVx_tWap7keGQWixNtH27xihwHFSb3uE-C49BgzDrll_hJ2uXXVMqh79rv3W4VRZrseFv28eSgaF4yWrDZaPrM4dnTcHuKw8sq057uXZavbIib1GNos9-JbXjpGs/s640/IMG_8891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise, Umang Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFA7Hw56Apd18bx_fLgMvrBYQh6WV2UUt5PSo1zCo13OnjlSS2shqzhWnSyDmzGVpSwc1E7Jm-RDC7mGiH-l0KtL-YIytC591AjUIa7QpGEwiZLErmw2JicTHHG0FdEnam2ud2ZEWXqk/s1600/IMG_8893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFA7Hw56Apd18bx_fLgMvrBYQh6WV2UUt5PSo1zCo13OnjlSS2shqzhWnSyDmzGVpSwc1E7Jm-RDC7mGiH-l0KtL-YIytC591AjUIa7QpGEwiZLErmw2JicTHHG0FdEnam2ud2ZEWXqk/s640/IMG_8893.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise, Umang Island</td></tr>
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My wife decided the best option after this was to go to bed but I stayed up and went for a walk. As the sun rose the island started to come alive. White Collared Kingfishers were calling in amongst the trees and Javan and Scaly Breasted Munias were in the bushes by the shoreline. A nice surprise came in the shape of a dark morph Pacific Reef Heron busily feeding in the surf.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm9F-ap_S0rQL06_WKocz9cwO9RmOMKqxlDU038NZIybaoELIYf66UK4adUq1OYyX5nd1rDhyxUnEtnXTwQcswSDP_KbN_pM2Gx3qg9deBd5Kpdapgkcc5sBgO3pizxVO2fq-maLC4xo/s1600/IMG_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm9F-ap_S0rQL06_WKocz9cwO9RmOMKqxlDU038NZIybaoELIYf66UK4adUq1OYyX5nd1rDhyxUnEtnXTwQcswSDP_KbN_pM2Gx3qg9deBd5Kpdapgkcc5sBgO3pizxVO2fq-maLC4xo/s640/IMG_8887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Reef Heron (dark morph), Umang Island</td></tr>
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Also sitting at the top of one of the trees was an Olive Backed Sunbird making the most of the cool breeze before the sun got too hot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTte2vdrhl8wLKxhX14Utdj9r0KuBghVl2TvyMuAflfipWaW8ejIfhWOuC0m_4PisqxaSLmF8nsknF-MATLwhuFFSarozA-Tw6WRB-4jJN3acvG5xzZCIuZcjZc1ZbeIu0SzWcOYW6t0/s1600/IMG_6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTte2vdrhl8wLKxhX14Utdj9r0KuBghVl2TvyMuAflfipWaW8ejIfhWOuC0m_4PisqxaSLmF8nsknF-MATLwhuFFSarozA-Tw6WRB-4jJN3acvG5xzZCIuZcjZc1ZbeIu0SzWcOYW6t0/s640/IMG_6554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olive-backed Sunbird, Umang Island</td></tr>
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As sun rose in the sky the Monitor Lizards started appearing and soon enough they were all over the place. A particularly big one was strutting it's stuff along the pathway by the beach flicking it's tongue out as it went looking for food. I stood there in awe as this magnificent reptile walked towards me and I took this short video.<br />
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They obviously reach the island by swimming and was interesting to watch them doing so in the sea. They are very capable swimmers and it's amazing how such a lumbering beast can be transformed into something so graceful in the water.<br />
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One evening my wife and I had gone out for a walk and as we walked around a corner we found this big Monitor laying on the patio of an empty apartment. It was absolutely exhausted and from the amount of water beneath it I guess it must have had a long swim from the mainland. On the plus side it meant I got get a lot closer than normal before I had to dodge the tail as it whipped round - at which point I got the message and walked away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigPIav70YVsII5nF78SKsOa47O8J9zk465Y3_O6eSV3ATn2C2EWsP9IYeHOWF5fwq6oXdL3nkKH0Yb4t6FADPZg33sRUzqLxmEAMO6b-EFRFlO3LaHWEwVeO_5wdYnEnUVSdLF2-O-HA/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigPIav70YVsII5nF78SKsOa47O8J9zk465Y3_O6eSV3ATn2C2EWsP9IYeHOWF5fwq6oXdL3nkKH0Yb4t6FADPZg33sRUzqLxmEAMO6b-EFRFlO3LaHWEwVeO_5wdYnEnUVSdLF2-O-HA/s640/IMG_8881.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard, Umang Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap3xnFve8P5vFAKLZVCWKcoQlrvqHJEhISoA6tIpOxhzpv9qkk5VocBRJRGHaI31JuX1MnjtxpiqLKv0XhlTbxIy2rJNBBP2aEb6kwqkCru1uc5KjpPzhB5Rl55Q68mrsjGDD-6m2Tfo/s1600/IMG_8879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiap3xnFve8P5vFAKLZVCWKcoQlrvqHJEhISoA6tIpOxhzpv9qkk5VocBRJRGHaI31JuX1MnjtxpiqLKv0XhlTbxIy2rJNBBP2aEb6kwqkCru1uc5KjpPzhB5Rl55Q68mrsjGDD-6m2Tfo/s640/IMG_8879.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monitor Lizard, Umang Island</td></tr>
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We also spent a day during our visit on a nearby island for more snorkeling. I really must get an underwater camera one day as the fish here (and at Krakatoa earlier) were superb but you'll just have to take my word for it. Luckily for me during one of our discussions with the guys running the boat the subject of me being into wildlife came up. This was great as whenever I was a passenger in the speedboat towing the Banana Boat behind he'd stop when we got close to some of the local birds. The many Shrimp boats were covered in what I'm pretty sure were Great Crested Terns and we got great views as we sailed close to them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj8Y1T2sZPPsYQzV0lpsxvZS92Cm9leLozBz0CirGyYhs5ytw5xDv4cI0bjeDF_eBvwOux0ty7BL4ulAUkfhRww-815tFU3ugQmx2Kwdy0vXyb2qpGsEEpuYLxWsHjaZSUEyuqwqaJwg/s1600/IMG_8911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj8Y1T2sZPPsYQzV0lpsxvZS92Cm9leLozBz0CirGyYhs5ytw5xDv4cI0bjeDF_eBvwOux0ty7BL4ulAUkfhRww-815tFU3ugQmx2Kwdy0vXyb2qpGsEEpuYLxWsHjaZSUEyuqwqaJwg/s640/IMG_8911.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Tern (I think), Umang Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXngV3rjigkEOMdE28VXRlTsFzEuNd0C4lZhWInb5BuEsYwwXSXzZiFDq72PyomQeVhguO5cDASyS8yZwM0tstBDp5C1lB9x-wqerpaYjJAV2VjvvWP40WyVvglcmdvLM8ABLXWucmGc/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXngV3rjigkEOMdE28VXRlTsFzEuNd0C4lZhWInb5BuEsYwwXSXzZiFDq72PyomQeVhguO5cDASyS8yZwM0tstBDp5C1lB9x-wqerpaYjJAV2VjvvWP40WyVvglcmdvLM8ABLXWucmGc/s640/IMG_8912.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Terns (I think), Umang Island</td></tr>
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Whilst on one of our speedboating sessions the guy controlling stopped suddenly and pointed up as a pale and dark morph Pacific Reef Herons drifted overhead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh0fV1h9FtP0x_PGasLypWRSV72C93J0xEmfr_olDDiwejRhYqWVpLwXf5JlwpOTV84GVZCeXqpMHY3tYY07jOhnIq6zKxCgptnF9liRhrpRMjer8WjBES7pchs1lHgyZVvsVZU5lp6I/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh0fV1h9FtP0x_PGasLypWRSV72C93J0xEmfr_olDDiwejRhYqWVpLwXf5JlwpOTV84GVZCeXqpMHY3tYY07jOhnIq6zKxCgptnF9liRhrpRMjer8WjBES7pchs1lHgyZVvsVZU5lp6I/s640/IMG_8913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Reef Heron (pale and dark morph), Umang Island</td></tr>
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After a lot of fun we returned back to Umang Island itself and I had a long walk round as it got dark. It was unfortunately the end of my journey wildlife wise as the following day it was time to return to Jakarta for the final few days of the holiday and in doing so leave the amazing wildlife of Indonesia's rich countryside behind. On the bright side we were heading to Jakarta to celebrate my mother-in-laws 80th birthday and I was to meet some of the family I had never met before. But at the same time I must have looked a solemn figure as I walked along the beach looking at the Monitor Lizards tracks. I had learnt that Indonesia is a country of fantastic people, wildife, history and landscape. As I sat there in the growing darkness I was already forming the plans for my return..............I will definitely be back Indonesia!<br />
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-23402200444842864082015-07-12T17:28:00.001+01:002015-07-12T20:25:30.764+01:00Salcey Forest Butterflies in 2015 The Story So Far - 12th July 2015Since my old local butterfly patch (Grange Park) is now a building site I have been spending a lot of time concentrating on the butterflies in Salcey Forest which is just down the road from me. It is great of course to travel and see butterflies but nothing beats finding a good area and visiting it a lot to try and learn in detail the ecology of the site. One of the other benefits of watching an area so close to home is you can visit it whenever you get some free time with ease, in fact if I'm feeling fit I can be there within 15 minutes on the bike! This method of continued visits and study also means that new discoveries can be made, one of these will be covered in the last part of this post!<br />
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One of the real highlights of Salcey Forest is it's population of Wood Whites. This dainty little butterfly can be seen can be seen fluttering along the vegetation on the sides of the woodland rides and is always a welcome sight when they emerge in early summer. We've had another good year for them here in the forest and I managed to get a maximum count one day of over 90 whilst a week later when more had emerged a survey by other Butterfly Conservation volunteers reached 153 through the whole complex. With there being so many they were also very easy to find even in cloudy weather and I know quite a lot of people traveled to the site to see them this year, in fact a lot of people were asking me for directions to Salcey while I was at Glapthorn watching the Black Hairstreaks. Here are a few photo's of this years Wood White display.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF0psoq62CBXWM8tszwXv9FnU2uSYdBkE73O6Ilr-5ghoZaPWCfcNwP6sb6e8dAvoqtFBzvxdtc0KqolYfoCbFVl7kr_zSQR0Mky3Oik4-gCel78Lp1Vb82Xnvo_zmzy6jNLWgIi0gKU/s1600/Wood+White+1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF0psoq62CBXWM8tszwXv9FnU2uSYdBkE73O6Ilr-5ghoZaPWCfcNwP6sb6e8dAvoqtFBzvxdtc0KqolYfoCbFVl7kr_zSQR0Mky3Oik4-gCel78Lp1Vb82Xnvo_zmzy6jNLWgIi0gKU/s640/Wood+White+1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2jPSWIRSiRo-Csg-ZBeXu9ZcrFELtuBBDTZxhXySXCGwN2yCFLWESRuWcU5VbjWn-4VnKTxVxXQ6LYLJmNtf_e_Mt1fBbP5nF4Z2wQR5_y__2g6QOstyD8YFo3Yh90f5lAIGp8dLq8g/s1600/Wood+White+2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2jPSWIRSiRo-Csg-ZBeXu9ZcrFELtuBBDTZxhXySXCGwN2yCFLWESRuWcU5VbjWn-4VnKTxVxXQ6LYLJmNtf_e_Mt1fBbP5nF4Z2wQR5_y__2g6QOstyD8YFo3Yh90f5lAIGp8dLq8g/s640/Wood+White+2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nztDKp185T6HKC6Ond81ARroQNPSFJla8MLSV6HIUCVUn_jzdKAloqSFEY0suHhm7gPHosTw_Hz_6PmTpyo85QiGZdlACw1Sp55BmYEtc7Zf0BD3Fd4_CdvdM0w4-dLtqNVjR00oF4w/s1600/Wood+White+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nztDKp185T6HKC6Ond81ARroQNPSFJla8MLSV6HIUCVUn_jzdKAloqSFEY0suHhm7gPHosTw_Hz_6PmTpyo85QiGZdlACw1Sp55BmYEtc7Zf0BD3Fd4_CdvdM0w4-dLtqNVjR00oF4w/s640/Wood+White+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj753K0VuPIp2CQVkYKUnKQrHdX2p1fqN9ZYEQtrBzYinLwdQXNuYx2UNFp9Vopq6l3PsU_dPaBNBdq0z9lsE6L6hsqeLQZtFuKoZ7z9xqwautV8vGewuEDs5DKnFWmoQWWVASTuYxFQd8/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj753K0VuPIp2CQVkYKUnKQrHdX2p1fqN9ZYEQtrBzYinLwdQXNuYx2UNFp9Vopq6l3PsU_dPaBNBdq0z9lsE6L6hsqeLQZtFuKoZ7z9xqwautV8vGewuEDs5DKnFWmoQWWVASTuYxFQd8/s640/Wood+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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Like other butterflies they do seem to like dung too, and as there are a lot of horse riders who also enjoy Salcey Forest there is no shortage of it. The main concentration of their population seemed to be along the rides around the Piddington crossroads area and quite often the dung piles had quite a few Wood Whites sat on them. For some reason it's something they seem to do when the sun goes behind a cloud or if it rains!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5fB-S4yCrJZRGIy0CxVZGmgMthx07XNoNbJ9zaOO8v5Li7_zfZ-bAFWcoAMno6cABG_4KFSiSQPEI0qLenqK2UUwfIe-uqlf0xNvytIGY3SKFzPWfCAOvCNhqeBpOS4Cyc8GbAtQokE/s1600/Wood+White+dung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5fB-S4yCrJZRGIy0CxVZGmgMthx07XNoNbJ9zaOO8v5Li7_zfZ-bAFWcoAMno6cABG_4KFSiSQPEI0qLenqK2UUwfIe-uqlf0xNvytIGY3SKFzPWfCAOvCNhqeBpOS4Cyc8GbAtQokE/s640/Wood+White+dung.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Whites on Horse Dung, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG76AhCLLFgJTwq3iReyo6BF7UAclHBjElhtn5mNzDeb59A1GCOL717EqjK6J2MkiP6STgw8qGrEiWNB-FxSU9ig81nTcZPtN0dRuEiANCbXluwp2SFo01QE9PI-49kmQHyBKWta-laA/s1600/Wood+White+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCG76AhCLLFgJTwq3iReyo6BF7UAclHBjElhtn5mNzDeb59A1GCOL717EqjK6J2MkiP6STgw8qGrEiWNB-FxSU9ig81nTcZPtN0dRuEiANCbXluwp2SFo01QE9PI-49kmQHyBKWta-laA/s640/Wood+White+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White on Horse Dung, Salcey Forest.</td></tr>
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They do have an amazing behavioural characterist that's a real delight to witness too and this is their courtship ritual. I was lucky one evening when I popped in after work to find a location where two pairs were busy with their display. While the female sits on a perch the male positions himself opposite and gently flicks her on either side with his proboscis while regularly flapping open his wings. He will carry on this relentlessly until she either agrees to mate or simply flies away. Unfortunately for the males on the evening I watched them they both ended in failure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtZmrLcCg9eqdBFXNghSmbFzu0BozoiA8jjFj9qDQJIYRtRTmrpX36eSYx5GEFaRogMJyuuHATIj2vnMDd0svviyyiJWJjrVlzs-J-tToHCejKC0bnJJoH8Orprqne0ooJjeQMUm0jpQ/s1600/Wood+White+CShip+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtZmrLcCg9eqdBFXNghSmbFzu0BozoiA8jjFj9qDQJIYRtRTmrpX36eSYx5GEFaRogMJyuuHATIj2vnMDd0svviyyiJWJjrVlzs-J-tToHCejKC0bnJJoH8Orprqne0ooJjeQMUm0jpQ/s640/Wood+White+CShip+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White Courtship, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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I also managed to get a couple of videos which I've slowed down a tad so you can see the ritual in detail. Both clips are in HD so turn up the quality to watch.<br />
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Of course the Wood Whites aren't the only butterflies in the forest and many of the commoner woodland butterflies are all present in good numbers. One which proved a particular distraction for me and Doug Goddard (Northants County Butterfly Recorder) on one of our visits was this Red Admiral.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa2Ks3pIkYIM5mH4AUd1JqpuuY9CCqV2HpUPkd_eRLbKSOj6a8MNEGYsfBt28ZbOtrwPWAOXMUbn5HKyptVrTy_z9Dfr0xwhXDoLZouBFRjBlt-PbARh0bZ3G7CLNcSy9ZgSwaCEdcVU/s1600/Red+Admiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa2Ks3pIkYIM5mH4AUd1JqpuuY9CCqV2HpUPkd_eRLbKSOj6a8MNEGYsfBt28ZbOtrwPWAOXMUbn5HKyptVrTy_z9Dfr0xwhXDoLZouBFRjBlt-PbARh0bZ3G7CLNcSy9ZgSwaCEdcVU/s640/Red+Admiral.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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While we watched she could be seen darting around through the Nettles and it became apparent she was in fact egg laying. Trying to keep an eye on where she was laying was far easier said than done but luckily she landed on a leaf in open view and we managed to find it. As you can see the tiny egg is remarkably well camouflaged!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkOVFHRyT1bsgM6Pp7C-_KdXGgReUuDsagVkP603MALRrc_gY48ckMoZF_a3s9eWLT8nmKhKgShAfHeuZi7W_CxB9D3NsC0YtY5a_dPC5nkRpVAtsH5L4j2RQnprDEjfJWvHR5QXYexc/s1600/Red+Admiral+egg+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkOVFHRyT1bsgM6Pp7C-_KdXGgReUuDsagVkP603MALRrc_gY48ckMoZF_a3s9eWLT8nmKhKgShAfHeuZi7W_CxB9D3NsC0YtY5a_dPC5nkRpVAtsH5L4j2RQnprDEjfJWvHR5QXYexc/s640/Red+Admiral+egg+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral Egg, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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Of course one of the benefits of having a static subject to photograph is you can get as close as possible and I managed to get this macro shot to show the structure of the egg.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfIFgO8WT4mMaqk2DW9A0z9JHPL8oPWS9vsDPqy2SGdFe3h7zSAPTom2G9rFx69l4aGT0bIgACVUdn3kpDb1o_c_I7S-WGg028vW3Kn-dYd5MBScXIKWZlZhxROhuMdhrcnNOKkuMiew/s1600/Red+Admiral+egg+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfIFgO8WT4mMaqk2DW9A0z9JHPL8oPWS9vsDPqy2SGdFe3h7zSAPTom2G9rFx69l4aGT0bIgACVUdn3kpDb1o_c_I7S-WGg028vW3Kn-dYd5MBScXIKWZlZhxROhuMdhrcnNOKkuMiew/s640/Red+Admiral+egg+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Admiral Egg, Salcey Forest.</td></tr>
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You may also remember from the previous post that I had found a great ride full of Garlic Mustard, the larval food plant of the Orange Tip butterfly. I'd spent a few evenings looking for the eggs and here is a photo showing one of the many found under a Garlic Mustard flower head, apologies for repetition as this photo was posted in the previous post but I've included it again for illustrative purposes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_ryEEMF5pKB4-XByzQj8Yfk9bsf_GdyU231BQgmiqhpQny9mxF396KwZXlTS2It2drJoFsUJPn44I7-RmXKGBdlRDJhtblbmwQCxH13hXvAsPyZwFYkqxaREofBVwxqcuWlx3iq1yrY/s1600/Orange+Tip+Egg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_ryEEMF5pKB4-XByzQj8Yfk9bsf_GdyU231BQgmiqhpQny9mxF396KwZXlTS2It2drJoFsUJPn44I7-RmXKGBdlRDJhtblbmwQCxH13hXvAsPyZwFYkqxaREofBVwxqcuWlx3iq1yrY/s640/Orange+Tip+Egg+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip Egg, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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The above photo was taken back at the end of May and by now they had all hatched. The caterpillars are cannibalistic so you can usually only find the one on each plant but once again their camouflage is very good. They spend their time busily eating the flowers heads and pretty soon all the flowers had vanished leaving just stalks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6eoN8PhfIJ-YrXzX_jS9L6EznOhMeXzbJNA9Wyo9HJIzwra0pJXvtI0cWUWsscy8qvVGcnOKRx1_4PraQsV1YEYNsCngzHnyyTgE9Uudc8QIqoVz_hiYJjzEiqIbe3AwLiBMGM6nKTU/s1600/Orange+Tip+cat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6eoN8PhfIJ-YrXzX_jS9L6EznOhMeXzbJNA9Wyo9HJIzwra0pJXvtI0cWUWsscy8qvVGcnOKRx1_4PraQsV1YEYNsCngzHnyyTgE9Uudc8QIqoVz_hiYJjzEiqIbe3AwLiBMGM6nKTU/s640/Orange+Tip+cat+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip Caterpillar, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The colouration on their bodies even recreates the shine of the sun on the stalks of the Garlic Mustard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRadsivEmEetTXUlKClwaCmVD3ds-OoqfDSXPvzqzDalQ9-UCVmWUfJ7YO4851ZfcPO5ZBZA_FQsy6JjE3683EeL9Arewg0ICzaMYqI94cDO8hZSoAmKWFPIAMMRdlVRj4xTS_P7ShF7M/s1600/Orange+Tip+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRadsivEmEetTXUlKClwaCmVD3ds-OoqfDSXPvzqzDalQ9-UCVmWUfJ7YO4851ZfcPO5ZBZA_FQsy6JjE3683EeL9Arewg0ICzaMYqI94cDO8hZSoAmKWFPIAMMRdlVRj4xTS_P7ShF7M/s640/Orange+Tip+cat.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip Caterpillar, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This caterpillar below was also interesting as I <span class="entry"><span class="entry-body"><span class="runon-head"><span class="runon-title" title="Derived word"><span class="w">inadvertently knocked the plant and disturbed it while taking pics. As it felt in danger it positioned itself and lifted it's body up slightly to form the shape of one of the stalks. A very clever trick!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="entry"><span class="entry-body"><span class="runon-head"><span class="runon-title" title="Derived word"><span class="w"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpg43boUs2-4tEtNQrE_4ZltAK_wIH5XkYrbzx_0XFGr_IEDn_YxlIqb09_oypBdep8PtnSmhl_BIbPRpsnvt3ylV2dJxvodQnkdM8cR82QtS3QgktkqFXFRk4pG9Q5wOhg_Y6Xg8Lgs/s1600/Orange+Tip+larva+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpg43boUs2-4tEtNQrE_4ZltAK_wIH5XkYrbzx_0XFGr_IEDn_YxlIqb09_oypBdep8PtnSmhl_BIbPRpsnvt3ylV2dJxvodQnkdM8cR82QtS3QgktkqFXFRk4pG9Q5wOhg_Y6Xg8Lgs/s640/Orange+Tip+larva+2.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip Caterpillar, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="entry"><span class="entry-body"><span class="runon-head"><span class="runon-title" title="Derived word"><span class="w"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>Another interesting inhabitant of rows of the Garlic Mustard and with equally as good camouflage were these tiny Crab Spiders with this one positioning it's legs to blend in with it's background.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag5lGx7R827Ij7FgwZYs6pdi1WqBgKYP8TvC13JZp25jr8ghajN2LN5alIz5ZdsN99MBX2OZ-KRD0JE4_ThyhbSbQAN-GtVBskF3qGXf0KoVH8-z06ow9_9oUr7I4iyjC82IPxXjdclo/s1600/Spider+sp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag5lGx7R827Ij7FgwZYs6pdi1WqBgKYP8TvC13JZp25jr8ghajN2LN5alIz5ZdsN99MBX2OZ-KRD0JE4_ThyhbSbQAN-GtVBskF3qGXf0KoVH8-z06ow9_9oUr7I4iyjC82IPxXjdclo/s640/Spider+sp2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider (Diaea dorsata), Salcey Forest<br />
<h1>
</h1>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the local Dragonflies also provided a welcome sight as the many small ponds in the area provide great habitats for them, Broad Bodied Chasers, 4 Spot Chasers, Emperor Dragonflies and Brown and Southern Hawkers are all fairly easy to find.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0hRStrwF2Q89VnFKSr_Wp7KwtznDnPjqQx0g0LZsize5VpQ_7iOZk55tGWbS0k4y3XAG_DhI0SF3nQ2SBI5T_jKpBfWR_x4cp6kFBnj3jVY_wsklRIrXITUKFuneecQLiOcGJlxIQ6I/s1600/4+Spot+Chaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0hRStrwF2Q89VnFKSr_Wp7KwtznDnPjqQx0g0LZsize5VpQ_7iOZk55tGWbS0k4y3XAG_DhI0SF3nQ2SBI5T_jKpBfWR_x4cp6kFBnj3jVY_wsklRIrXITUKFuneecQLiOcGJlxIQ6I/s640/4+Spot+Chaser.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 Spot Chaser, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN8Vua7_NwIkLNrPC3YiqAec4wqemoT2kEa-OvwXIEPryI7455l_bYGPlhqa6JUXqcdp7ZTB4QZuwYt_J5EwkK2CNvj5D5HQ87ebVrANq6cPwPY2QGfCSwTBjOpflqRpKGP8pEEHHkDM/s1600/Broad+Bodied+Chaser+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN8Vua7_NwIkLNrPC3YiqAec4wqemoT2kEa-OvwXIEPryI7455l_bYGPlhqa6JUXqcdp7ZTB4QZuwYt_J5EwkK2CNvj5D5HQ87ebVrANq6cPwPY2QGfCSwTBjOpflqRpKGP8pEEHHkDM/s640/Broad+Bodied+Chaser+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad Bodied Chaser, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObRLRe0Umdc9qVVsv9tSZo0YLHuK77AYxVHIEDBSOPCElWVG7BTdpXvIjRML4YubzpX29YFRrytFyAXk7LucLndM91vENvYWB7CB-9r0whfhmBv8hsLDEnH_zh4DlsfG_0ZjO1D1b1bE/s1600/Broad+Bodied+Chaser+male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObRLRe0Umdc9qVVsv9tSZo0YLHuK77AYxVHIEDBSOPCElWVG7BTdpXvIjRML4YubzpX29YFRrytFyAXk7LucLndM91vENvYWB7CB-9r0whfhmBv8hsLDEnH_zh4DlsfG_0ZjO1D1b1bE/s640/Broad+Bodied+Chaser+male.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad Bodied Chaser, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxLBkNRYQHoe0tQHC1faOHbgEMUzYb51lng71NG9Y49fvFbAYbYsPHYtA_2c3XzDTT8qYJdgP6aPCrrzTr7WoOvT6TsVjN7cQsq79yhYzYsQYTWvlBrJw1SyNuXeqbLIB84v7Drfi38c/s1600/Emperor+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxLBkNRYQHoe0tQHC1faOHbgEMUzYb51lng71NG9Y49fvFbAYbYsPHYtA_2c3XzDTT8qYJdgP6aPCrrzTr7WoOvT6TsVjN7cQsq79yhYzYsQYTWvlBrJw1SyNuXeqbLIB84v7Drfi38c/s640/Emperor+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emperor Dragonfly, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdqD0tE1UMnX0E-JK3hJdqIw3xiUBJlprIZ7IuvxZTE8GuDIUNpag_pJcrmKMocJRXRWthKf8LcAzXRrgytD4_sHcGJZteXFEUa5PRoCoN2oDUmrzBaYjCX_O3hOHwTzmg1MS_peLmPQ/s1600/Emperor+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdqD0tE1UMnX0E-JK3hJdqIw3xiUBJlprIZ7IuvxZTE8GuDIUNpag_pJcrmKMocJRXRWthKf8LcAzXRrgytD4_sHcGJZteXFEUa5PRoCoN2oDUmrzBaYjCX_O3hOHwTzmg1MS_peLmPQ/s640/Emperor+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emperor Dragonfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVAZbaR6fshKjVmW8zcasICa7G1sMq2a8qZFFC-1ZqHYGQHrymVpatdt4-MpJU3jvuek2GuYDtoNRO5sDcHt9dWrkcsMkCN54QP4lRkjh3Xs3VHRr9NHwWGWc3pGxS7A2k8xeQonSxao/s1600/Southern+Hawker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVAZbaR6fshKjVmW8zcasICa7G1sMq2a8qZFFC-1ZqHYGQHrymVpatdt4-MpJU3jvuek2GuYDtoNRO5sDcHt9dWrkcsMkCN54QP4lRkjh3Xs3VHRr9NHwWGWc3pGxS7A2k8xeQonSxao/s640/Southern+Hawker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Hawker, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Getting back to butterflies the meadow section near the motorway also came up trumps with a nice population of Marbled Whites. These really are stunning butterflies and is in fact one of the species that got me into the subject many years ago. I can still remember standing at Twywell Hills and Dales as a Marbled White fluttered passed me and it completely took my breathe away. I went home and looked it up and from then on I was hooked on butterflies! It is one of the butterflies that has an underwing and upperwing that are equally beautiful in their own right. It is often confused as a "White" but it is in fact a "Brown" being a member of the Nymphalidae (four footed butterflies) as can be seen in the photo's below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jWVb62IuI3TRMRpH3A8MCqOPBgNMH4FzL8rmzeRwOqEfSdl197WvlF8EaefrqHsCXI4CRpVihn1ZgnMqQl65XpGdF44-1p81Q24bzVGcA0-7_OsOWGcxJqzNRuZ27KV-zgvRMtJtgo/s1600/Marbled+White+3+twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6jWVb62IuI3TRMRpH3A8MCqOPBgNMH4FzL8rmzeRwOqEfSdl197WvlF8EaefrqHsCXI4CRpVihn1ZgnMqQl65XpGdF44-1p81Q24bzVGcA0-7_OsOWGcxJqzNRuZ27KV-zgvRMtJtgo/s640/Marbled+White+3+twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOFdgk6VytDnH0VW-usAvOGhEev-85vaIezgEPRrr6q9ZIxvd9JAOig8FG0JBhZN0Ein-El07TPLd6kEou7wDq0oX4MZ5AKRdrgkgRSGk-SE04a61Fst1XLEaWg3cWsZ7upFeqlrzqms/s1600/Marbled+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOFdgk6VytDnH0VW-usAvOGhEev-85vaIezgEPRrr6q9ZIxvd9JAOig8FG0JBhZN0Ein-El07TPLd6kEou7wDq0oX4MZ5AKRdrgkgRSGk-SE04a61Fst1XLEaWg3cWsZ7upFeqlrzqms/s640/Marbled+White.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2015 has also been a good year for Painted Lady lots sightings throughout the UK and Salcey Forest has been no exception. They can be very hard to get photos of at times as they really can move like lighting. It can come as a real surprise that something so small and delicate can have so much energy and it's no wonder they can make such epic migrations. Occasionally they do come to rest though, sometimes to nectar on a flower or sometimes just to rest on the ground. When they do rest on the floor their underwing pattern really comes into it's own as it blends in with it's surroundings. In fact if you take your eye off it it can be surprisingly hard to find again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ9oqwxg5tztWgiKntg_TAiKgoDnbBAc9mmUsRI4fuNRAEiJ4GoFV4rmG__xXVJsqA6Okt0lCA_puCgE0OtYImrxRUhFjup9NDIoyV7XXRuV2PAw3VbGpzCpR4gc3hGfRYL1k7f-WnZs/s1600/Painted+camo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ9oqwxg5tztWgiKntg_TAiKgoDnbBAc9mmUsRI4fuNRAEiJ4GoFV4rmG__xXVJsqA6Okt0lCA_puCgE0OtYImrxRUhFjup9NDIoyV7XXRuV2PAw3VbGpzCpR4gc3hGfRYL1k7f-WnZs/s640/Painted+camo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first ones I saw were really quite battered, perhaps from their journey to get here. Despite it's appearance though this individual below was moving like mad and it certainly took some keeping up with before I eventually got a shot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyQqjVHE73a9xW7T34ca_VWcIiIg2d5AxOy9XiHVqmj5lPeKFU0nCfrniOEivLAhpsVGDtlWkSpxvH-2-Sx5J473fkNQrhUfa04Rg4-LDmeEu8msDERVT6UBJ9cK_3c2t-T18TVOiTZw/s1600/Painted+Worn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyQqjVHE73a9xW7T34ca_VWcIiIg2d5AxOy9XiHVqmj5lPeKFU0nCfrniOEivLAhpsVGDtlWkSpxvH-2-Sx5J473fkNQrhUfa04Rg4-LDmeEu8msDERVT6UBJ9cK_3c2t-T18TVOiTZw/s640/Painted+Worn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Salcey Forest</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Other Painted Ladies seen though were very fresh indeed and this one was no exception, that upperwing does have a real subtle beauty about it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eK7ifzSjhVsK1Bs7c0XxLd2jgcxuBXxGiJLDOj_SXvpiwec58Z_iFOQDdThRw-RqX9G8cLDSP98tMQkSA-H9t4IU2L7KMNMP9ksAaZhPK6Dt0ZjYdlgCbZ_N_hWpcRZEZKkOyEkSyec/s1600/Painted+Fresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eK7ifzSjhVsK1Bs7c0XxLd2jgcxuBXxGiJLDOj_SXvpiwec58Z_iFOQDdThRw-RqX9G8cLDSP98tMQkSA-H9t4IU2L7KMNMP9ksAaZhPK6Dt0ZjYdlgCbZ_N_hWpcRZEZKkOyEkSyec/s640/Painted+Fresh.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Early to mid July saw the start of the really impressive woodland specialities emerging and Salcey Forest is becoming very well established as a home to iconic woodland butterflies included the Purple Emperor, Silver Washed Fritillary and the White Admiral. My first Purple Emperor of the year was unfortunate though as it looks like it had difficulty emerging, it's deformities certainly didn't seem to hinder it though as it soon shot off up into the Oaks after I took the below photo.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwwHmUw3RWQc961Ht7ZE_kB8hB6QM_CDLexw5q5EgP_Xwzs_eNfwBPU2hyuAMMaNPAtE-o1OtGMumYfRFdXsyMBHE63kNgzZNV2gOcpLGV9-Mnmcfb0qQCjrKA_Hzj3pEUl-G2-Xm8wQ/s1600/Tatty+Emperor+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwwHmUw3RWQc961Ht7ZE_kB8hB6QM_CDLexw5q5EgP_Xwzs_eNfwBPU2hyuAMMaNPAtE-o1OtGMumYfRFdXsyMBHE63kNgzZNV2gOcpLGV9-Mnmcfb0qQCjrKA_Hzj3pEUl-G2-Xm8wQ/s640/Tatty+Emperor+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Beds and Northants branch of Butterfly Conservation held an event on the 11th of July to look for Emperors and it was great to see so many flying around the canopies of the Oaks. A short walk from the south side car park had nearly double figures including a fantastic aerial display by a male chasing a female. Other masters of the woodland ride edges were the White Admirals that glide effortlessly through the dense branches looking for Honeysuckle. I was rewarded one evening as I wandered along a ride on the south side to see a White Admiral busily nectaring in an area lit up by the last shafts of light from a slowly setting sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJkmDNH-e5RGUkudIh6UkJxnWde9jciEOocspASnvE3PCzBJVJVMYLSGuQdsHi7fLtSZNwd1Xvh8cpMC9eZ2DKLOZVgsxZed_Q39x7a31K2NkP2W_P_CtA9f6ndYad4QhfeymBFhZ3HE/s1600/White+Admiral+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJkmDNH-e5RGUkudIh6UkJxnWde9jciEOocspASnvE3PCzBJVJVMYLSGuQdsHi7fLtSZNwd1Xvh8cpMC9eZ2DKLOZVgsxZed_Q39x7a31K2NkP2W_P_CtA9f6ndYad4QhfeymBFhZ3HE/s640/White+Admiral+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Admiral, Salcey Forest.</td></tr>
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Now here comes one of my best ever butterfly discoveries! Until the end of the 90's Salcey Forest used to be a great place to see the Black Hairstreak but since then numbers dwindled and a few years later they stopped being reported. When I decided to start surveying Salcey as my local patch I set myself the almost impossible task of finding Black Hairstreaks in the forest - lets just say I like a challenge! So in the winter months I spent many days wandering around rides and thickets looking for areas of Blackthorn, this continued into spring and I always tried to keep an eye out for what looked like suitable places for Black Hairstreaks to be. Unfortunately (or fortunately whichever way you look at it) there were a lot of places that looked good dotted all around the forest and it became obvious very quickly that finding one would be a real needle in a haystack. Not deterred though I started my search whilst also keeping an eye on the sightings of the Black Hairstreaks being reported elsewhere to try and work out when they maybe emerging. Reassuringly I wasn't the only one looking this year as Alan Neale had decided to look too but hardly surprisingly we seemed doomed to failure. No matter how hard we tried we didn't catch even a glimpse of anything remotely like a Black Hairstreak despite spending long hours watching intently at the tops of the Blackthorns. Soon enough the idea of seeing one in Salcey became ever distant as the short lived Black Hairstreak season was coming to an end and they were well passed their best at the other sites and reports of them slowed down. On the morning of the 11th of July, as mentioned previously, we had arranged a Butterfly Conservation event to help people see the Purple Emperors in the forest. The event didn't start until 10.30am but as I woke up to a bright blue sky at 7am I decided to get there early armed with some fish sauce to try and help entice the Emperors out of the canopy. I walked into the forest and came across one of the many sections we'd looked at as a possible Black Hairstreak site. The sun was blazing into an open area that was fringed with old Blackthorn bushes and then amongst the many Large Skippers and Ringlets whirling around something caught my eye as it flitted up and landed on a small Sallow bush in the middle of the tiny glade. I couldn't help thinking that it looked very much like a Hairstreak as it flew but as I'd made the rookie error of coming out without the binoculars I had to do a lot of squinting to try and find it amongst the foliage. Luckily though eventually I did and it was now behaving like a Hairstreak too as it twirled round to get the sun on it's undwerwing. I took a ropey record shot at full zoom on the bridge camera but the photo was rubbish to say the least although it did show that the butterfly had held it wings closed despite the sun blazing down. Unfortunately the butterfly was very worn and had positioned itself at such an angle I couldn't make out any of the markings on the wings and then almost as quickly as it came it shot off and out of sight. I stood there as amazed as I was frustrated as White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks had emerged at the other local sites and I was very annoyed I couldn't get a positive id on this one. I kept checking the back of the camera from all sorts of angles but I couldn't get enough detail to see exactly what it was. I waited patiently for what seemed like ages and I was almost about to leave when another Hairstreak looking butterfly flew up and landed on a different area of the Sallow. This one was in much better condition and it conveniently turned round into a more favourable position enabling me to get a good look. I couldn't believe what I was seeing as the orange back to the butterfly's hindwing could be seen even at this long distance and my thoughts were that this must be a White Letter Hairstreak which was great as it's also a butterfly not seen here for a while. I got the bridge camera out again and took a shot at full zoom. It still wasn't very good so I took a couple more and checked the pics on the back of the camera. As I zoomed into the out of focus shot I started to see details which I couldn't quite believe at first. There running up the orange band was a row of black dots! I really had to pinch myself and look again several times to prove to myself I wasn't seeing things. Here in front of me, finally after all the weeks of searching was a Black Hairstreak! Here is the first record shot I took, apologies for the rubbish quality but as it's the first one I was able to get an identification from I thought I'd include it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybCfU24HzmkjZijCxjEncUOaxbe41HTK4TS08Tu6Gat8_2lLAs4nJhyfsHY8jdHsQdfSeLTdrwL5LPvKoxGpt2O2NwggABK0-WLS7IXfUkidAiWgFfrcXNDgMgKMayoucKg2M-WBMzG8/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey+sx60+2+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybCfU24HzmkjZijCxjEncUOaxbe41HTK4TS08Tu6Gat8_2lLAs4nJhyfsHY8jdHsQdfSeLTdrwL5LPvKoxGpt2O2NwggABK0-WLS7IXfUkidAiWgFfrcXNDgMgKMayoucKg2M-WBMzG8/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey+sx60+2+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairsteak, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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I was almost in a state of shock! This one shot off quickly too and I waited for what seemed like ages (but in reality was only 15 minutes) and started to walk back to the car. As I did so I saw another Hairstreak fly up and into the Blackthorn further along and on other side of the ride. I watched as it did battle with a Ringlet before sitting up in the top of a tree. Once again it was well out of range of the SLR so I grabbed the bridge and got a shot at high magnification. This one came out a lot better and showed another very nice looking female Black Hairstreak up in the canopy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8AOc7IAiuwNlwq6YjRng3aNxjmttHm65-urGHv-40NVtHlZF43aM3USFAhzKM6biM3vpmAXNh6pQhempx9mqzCD4-B6m0255zfCRIDx6q_UHmH41RrELUol2TezcbhBX_9_ED2lNjko/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey+sx60+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8AOc7IAiuwNlwq6YjRng3aNxjmttHm65-urGHv-40NVtHlZF43aM3USFAhzKM6biM3vpmAXNh6pQhempx9mqzCD4-B6m0255zfCRIDx6q_UHmH41RrELUol2TezcbhBX_9_ED2lNjko/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey+sx60+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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It then commenced to do battle with the Ringlet again and took off and shot across to the other side of the ride and settled low down in the vegetation. This time it was well in SLR range! I turned on the live preview mode and pushed the end of the lens through the grass and as I knew that I probably only had one chance of getting this the pressure was high. I rattled off shots while trying to constantly change apertures settings with one hand. I only managed half a dozen photos before it once again shot off and I tentatively looked at the back of the camera. The pics had really come out well and the below photos portray one of the highlights of my butterfly watching career! After several years of no records, I had now proven that the Black Hairstreak still exists in Salcey Forest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjjh9tK2iBPqbXisa9_8b9jkYPAIf7lLrAIpFP9Knt0DiNdV4G8t4FB2zoDaEGsLb7TMUc6S2XElyy5_t1U8AhczSANLsuv7lPpaJL92PCoZxt2z8XYXPmagTxVSgH_BIo1Aa6YgWK6k/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjjh9tK2iBPqbXisa9_8b9jkYPAIf7lLrAIpFP9Knt0DiNdV4G8t4FB2zoDaEGsLb7TMUc6S2XElyy5_t1U8AhczSANLsuv7lPpaJL92PCoZxt2z8XYXPmagTxVSgH_BIo1Aa6YgWK6k/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtQxJJUFZ7TqyOMKCOzXQIeeoi8ds-sMZMIuG6wgPTyJsDN9m-DXP_MmmoEckaKz69POqHA6Nsdel_9dKvHv78StugcVc7xdwVHDLGQOcBJm3OAdVgzo2j1tGL6BJCCRaFI8e8F1wBmY/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtQxJJUFZ7TqyOMKCOzXQIeeoi8ds-sMZMIuG6wgPTyJsDN9m-DXP_MmmoEckaKz69POqHA6Nsdel_9dKvHv78StugcVc7xdwVHDLGQOcBJm3OAdVgzo2j1tGL6BJCCRaFI8e8F1wBmY/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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As a nice touch as I left I noticed another butterfly tumbling out of the Blackthorn and into the vegetation below. I had a closer look and saw a very worn male Black Hairstreak, this was significant as the other two Black Hairstreaks seen were female so it looks like they may have bred. Again it's not the best photo but I thought I'd share it all the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6uCb-3Oe_tpsU7zT9r5beggyZJeaaXAty1aTT4z00t2xmH12GvgyNZbyEYrDqtqFggp_E6KU-9sG-4dwUSHPhq3uQs9UIx0MOQdoaL10kmhj3uQsvv6rp62nKn9kB2AdXg3o6IG1f18/s1600/Black+Hair+Salcey+male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6uCb-3Oe_tpsU7zT9r5beggyZJeaaXAty1aTT4z00t2xmH12GvgyNZbyEYrDqtqFggp_E6KU-9sG-4dwUSHPhq3uQs9UIx0MOQdoaL10kmhj3uQsvv6rp62nKn9kB2AdXg3o6IG1f18/s640/Black+Hair+Salcey+male.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak (male), Salcey Forest</td></tr>
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So now we know where they are and it was certainly a morning I won't be forgetting in a hurry. I'm already looking forward to next year when we can study them in more detail! It's moments like this that make local patch watching so worthwhile! <br />
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-36625526156832279932015-06-02T17:02:00.000+01:002015-06-02T18:06:28.819+01:00"none but those deprived of their senses, would go in pursuit of butterflies" - 2nd of June 2015A strange title for a blog post written by someone who is a lover our of Country's butterflies I know but ever since I read it it's been in my mind and in some ways is strangely accurate. It was written by Morris Harris in his book The Aurelian in 1766 and is describing the court case regarding the contested Will of an Eleanor Glanville who was a C17th lepidopterist. Her family used the fact that she was obsessed with butterflies as evidence of her lunacy after her death in order to get her Will changed more in their favour. The attitude towards lepidopterists at the time was evidently one of suspicion, the judge found in the family's favour and poor Eleanor Glanville's reputation was left tarnished as a lunatic. Unfortunately though this doesn't seem to be an attitude that has been left in the C17th century and it still exists today in various forms. Indeed a few times me and my mates have sometimes looked at each other thinking we must be a little mad for doing what we do (normally while chasing a Clouded Yellow up and down in mid summer heat for a shot!) and you certainly meet some eccentric and interesting characters while you're out and about. More seriously though it is also an attitude of many developers, councils and landowners and habitat loss is damaging our butterflies to such an extent it's of real concern. I've lost count of the many stories I've heard at butterfly sites from people all around the country of populations that have been lost due to sites being built on or destroyed. My local patch at Grange Park in Northampton is a superb site for Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Heath and Marbled White etc but by the end of the year it us due to be flattened and become transformed into two large industrial units. It's heartbreaking it really is, but it's just one story amongst many and it's happening all around the country as the authorities turn their backs on nature in favour of investment. I'm certainly not opposed to development but until the planners and decision makers take proper account of the ecology of the sites to be developed (and I don't mean turning up in February, saying "there's nothing here" and walking away again) then there will be serious issues in the future.<br />
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This is the first post from me after a long break from blogging. I don't tend to write about the stuff I do locally and my winter has been filled with BTO WeBS counts and Butterfly Conservation work parties etc. The issues outlined in the previous paragraph have led me to take more of an active role within Butterfly Conservation and I now find myself as the Membership Secretary of the local branch (Beds and Northants) and also run their Twitter account in an effort to spread awareness. It's not all doom and gloom though and over the last month or so I've been lucky enough to see some great butterflies which will be outlined below. A few people have inspired me to blog again and I've been asked why I've stopped a number of times (even by a nice couple from Lancashire last weekend!), and reading other peoples great blogs have given me the push to write again including local photographer Doug McFarlane's blog <a href="http://dougmcfarlane.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> and Lucy Flower's Natural Interlude <a href="http://naturalworldnotes.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> both of which I can recommend a read of.<br />
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<b><u>His Grace the Duke of Burgundy </u></b><br />
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I'm very lucky to have some great the Duke of Burgundy sites not too far away down in the Chilterns and the first ones to be seen emerged up on Ivinghoe Beacon so on the 2nd of May me, Jon and Kirsty headed over to take a look. As it was so early for them it became quite clear that a lot of searching was going to be involved and while we were there we bumped into Lucy Flower and lead ranger at the Ashridge Estate Lawrence Trowbridge. A short time later Lawrence found one in a secluded area near the road and luckily it hung around long enough for us to get some shots of it. It's always a cause for celebration when you see these as you know when the Dukes are out the butterfly season is well underway!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQncI-ahmfd0j8Vt_17bWLAsXsOcG1ZSC9H3uzQGm25pxz1lpJjZmDegYCJlFC0zJMach8dcpkexFhEPc9Hs6Ixk9LoPh_swqv5t5g17-Ibjl9I_0gPAdNVFF3OTDJ-W1HQ7KvjOPtpA/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQncI-ahmfd0j8Vt_17bWLAsXsOcG1ZSC9H3uzQGm25pxz1lpJjZmDegYCJlFC0zJMach8dcpkexFhEPc9Hs6Ixk9LoPh_swqv5t5g17-Ibjl9I_0gPAdNVFF3OTDJ-W1HQ7KvjOPtpA/s640/Duke+of+Burgundy+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgudy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H2Dnhf0FNPrgamsxbdlqgCspaNCHxo1fjT_uIh2YOu8DXdsVMSi9OhtrX3QHMLWLu5Y1EgB4wcJVnhhOrF8dpcReMkOC2IwH3qKOeN8pPCEqpYYft5pCutVSAxcMwNjkktYF36T2w6E/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H2Dnhf0FNPrgamsxbdlqgCspaNCHxo1fjT_uIh2YOu8DXdsVMSi9OhtrX3QHMLWLu5Y1EgB4wcJVnhhOrF8dpcReMkOC2IwH3qKOeN8pPCEqpYYft5pCutVSAxcMwNjkktYF36T2w6E/s640/Duke+of+Burgundy+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRNmwCm74T_1Jg5vGxDh60aARy0FE3do1XhPkZf4fUy4Wd4nbZVtjOyux8u7BFUpD41Y_pXdcTY22qUJnxhF1tQPWn7yF3FAPg042tC69cv0QRs5FvBEfgrz_ntXKtlMY7S5pTQRHvHI/s1600/Duke+Of+Burgundy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRNmwCm74T_1Jg5vGxDh60aARy0FE3do1XhPkZf4fUy4Wd4nbZVtjOyux8u7BFUpD41Y_pXdcTY22qUJnxhF1tQPWn7yF3FAPg042tC69cv0QRs5FvBEfgrz_ntXKtlMY7S5pTQRHvHI/s640/Duke+Of+Burgundy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
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The bushes along the roadside were also full of Green Hairstreaks which provided an added distraction from the single Duke and a rather colourful Yellow-tailed Moth caterpillar posed for photos too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7vmdtjVsvS__n56kU5YTZYLvu4k2NP-eYedotPWmajCm_8awlxmLStNqWUToWLPIkY4PZJUGdXWAoGFuuSpW7qXfbeY6XHlQg9ah3jRGCDMoBRO5KJs5-1UZVcJXg-UWYS-2QkKThGk/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7vmdtjVsvS__n56kU5YTZYLvu4k2NP-eYedotPWmajCm_8awlxmLStNqWUToWLPIkY4PZJUGdXWAoGFuuSpW7qXfbeY6XHlQg9ah3jRGCDMoBRO5KJs5-1UZVcJXg-UWYS-2QkKThGk/s640/Green+Hairstreak+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJkMtujxIC3Bsh0JaVVXWCqne_RjvZbE5WufMWPpxXjg_JeXaZArkwe0tfbxDOKYFQSUG-NkQ4ir58W78hRRutMdheFBX-EQftP-AllP39zdFfTRrCXFclz6f7DjVQNL6bhmxfuiCMKo/s1600/Yellow+Tailled+Moth+Caterpillar+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJkMtujxIC3Bsh0JaVVXWCqne_RjvZbE5WufMWPpxXjg_JeXaZArkwe0tfbxDOKYFQSUG-NkQ4ir58W78hRRutMdheFBX-EQftP-AllP39zdFfTRrCXFclz6f7DjVQNL6bhmxfuiCMKo/s640/Yellow+Tailled+Moth+Caterpillar+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-tailed Moth caterpillar</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfjTGB2eruu0dSmRm_RGJo2xS_SOSR77Cyb8AHzLU-3v8V71uGqnqU63e-1Mo_9kQF4bPXRSXSp99piZTh_cSt7s6Tw0s0Jr-5UvoDqEoPLmkleDjMmBbqubxm738e11DS_6Jg1_2sL0/s1600/Yellow+Tailled+Moth+Caterpillar+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfjTGB2eruu0dSmRm_RGJo2xS_SOSR77Cyb8AHzLU-3v8V71uGqnqU63e-1Mo_9kQF4bPXRSXSp99piZTh_cSt7s6Tw0s0Jr-5UvoDqEoPLmkleDjMmBbqubxm738e11DS_6Jg1_2sL0/s640/Yellow+Tailled+Moth+Caterpillar+%25281%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-tailed Moth caterplillar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The following day I returned to Ivinghoe Beacon this time with John-Friendship Taylor and Simon Hales for hopefully more of the same but unfortunately the weather wasn't too good and despite a lot of searching we couldn't find a Duke. The other specialities of the area more than made up for it with more Green Hairstreaks and a stunning Holly Blue which I managed to get a photo of almost completely open winged!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y4JZ3cQiGDoj3TRa9OHq6xg2Xi20si96BNwoeXVRYaEQoSN8crtuZFLwzJfLeQzwmXTzdYss3zetAVnyfgLSfgoVdN_mXzOyGkQcvSoQzsxl8H3PBLmJY0di45H4wzdO8sQ3QT1EMXI/s1600/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y4JZ3cQiGDoj3TRa9OHq6xg2Xi20si96BNwoeXVRYaEQoSN8crtuZFLwzJfLeQzwmXTzdYss3zetAVnyfgLSfgoVdN_mXzOyGkQcvSoQzsxl8H3PBLmJY0di45H4wzdO8sQ3QT1EMXI/s640/Green+Hairstreak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoqBrxEU_qLtp1zbR8cgYFaMO4aZL-qXvO_61NwJREbbe9oev1Tw6B-AR3f0KZemNBdoFRpObNgpvxw61rTnzD39SWVDZ3rNSuZWKVy6DBE2_5-3cmGZLSNqYeR-sgKEJeSiSgWxa-Ho/s1600/Holly+Blue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoqBrxEU_qLtp1zbR8cgYFaMO4aZL-qXvO_61NwJREbbe9oev1Tw6B-AR3f0KZemNBdoFRpObNgpvxw61rTnzD39SWVDZ3rNSuZWKVy6DBE2_5-3cmGZLSNqYeR-sgKEJeSiSgWxa-Ho/s640/Holly+Blue+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also took the time to explore the nearby Wendover Woods as Simon had never seen a Firecrest before, we were very glad we did as we found the showiest Firecrest I've ever seen!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXVQHPNZicmcbqg662IoPcCAAsEYX6Hb-SSC9siFnzx2SseCsUoJ2xkKMUJcMDlI4UXnUSLiZvrBwF7aFXATLL4YqomMgtd595ol70eOUf-MxXcxl2G9pPFECXxn5qGuYynOztSL7XFA/s1600/Firecrest+Wendover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXVQHPNZicmcbqg662IoPcCAAsEYX6Hb-SSC9siFnzx2SseCsUoJ2xkKMUJcMDlI4UXnUSLiZvrBwF7aFXATLL4YqomMgtd595ol70eOUf-MxXcxl2G9pPFECXxn5qGuYynOztSL7XFA/s640/Firecrest+Wendover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple of weeks later me and Simon Hales came back down to the Chilterns but this time headed to the Bedfordshire site of Totternhoe. It is such a superb area and there are things to see all over the place, in fact you could easily spend the whole day here. We headed straight towards the Duke of Burgundy area admiring a Corn Bunting singing it's head off along the way and it wasn't long before we were in the hollow at the east end and surrounded by Dukes. They are such charismatic little butterflies and a real joy to photograph as they perch up keeping an eye out for any other butterflies that stray into it's patch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB2w9syTl07OFbKA5m1leCc65_hVozCfxLaLJ55S7CKKt0Aq9r1Ntr8uGKL4aJ_CEfoftJcGc_t79SfOEzV5PhncB3KiVhxCtHgP03DroQLC3V2t7Q2NDjLJmvKLpxs1iGu7WoTT_eS8/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuB2w9syTl07OFbKA5m1leCc65_hVozCfxLaLJ55S7CKKt0Aq9r1Ntr8uGKL4aJ_CEfoftJcGc_t79SfOEzV5PhncB3KiVhxCtHgP03DroQLC3V2t7Q2NDjLJmvKLpxs1iGu7WoTT_eS8/s640/Duke+of+Burgundy+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfXhIudj0beSariWoGvjyXs3v_ihYT89SowJDVQqMyjvZaVl2uAq0RcMQA49OZsmWXhLlLUhHFNMeC6yYJiQkEF5aqg6Xwzni7kPQIJVVck1tCR3wb84f5M2-eM3ql8UG-42P_iN87mU/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfXhIudj0beSariWoGvjyXs3v_ihYT89SowJDVQqMyjvZaVl2uAq0RcMQA49OZsmWXhLlLUhHFNMeC6yYJiQkEF5aqg6Xwzni7kPQIJVVck1tCR3wb84f5M2-eM3ql8UG-42P_iN87mU/s640/Duke+of+Burgundy+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duke of Burgundy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After filling our boots with the Dukes we then wandered off to explore the area with a particular Orchid in mind that I'd never seen before. We had been given directions and even armed with these they were quite difficult to locate but after a bit of searching found the stunning Man Orchids.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBeICOb9pJmh5HeLUjqZz9ynWZ90FpIlu2R9Y7V1wmXz_A_BgrQXQ7264s0wsWH-y2GxpFz1Al49edFxsDuDta0uu-fjac-en032qdbPasEWRypSeLlnFd1sQFuuKJ7puJFSKwLi6D64/s1600/Man+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBeICOb9pJmh5HeLUjqZz9ynWZ90FpIlu2R9Y7V1wmXz_A_BgrQXQ7264s0wsWH-y2GxpFz1Al49edFxsDuDta0uu-fjac-en032qdbPasEWRypSeLlnFd1sQFuuKJ7puJFSKwLi6D64/s640/Man+Orchid.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42LIzzXp4LYuB5ylcz30HRDLgxvdsK4_PvhOBsC9GfJB7FStiPBJDZOmHciOXtVBZ_jFJcWXsv8Mn261eIXXIcyJsmlKrNR4jJxB9Wd5_bDrohmY7wHq0td6z1guNlkrKqHFm3VdeMoQ/s1600/Man+Orchid+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42LIzzXp4LYuB5ylcz30HRDLgxvdsK4_PvhOBsC9GfJB7FStiPBJDZOmHciOXtVBZ_jFJcWXsv8Mn261eIXXIcyJsmlKrNR4jJxB9Wd5_bDrohmY7wHq0td6z1guNlkrKqHFm3VdeMoQ/s640/Man+Orchid+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also found a rather friendly Bloody-nosed Beetle along the track too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZsnwM3LbyMeSBmL_0ZRxnoGL_EtIhS-cX6pDcgexVfQCPCc0Njv5AwBNLSv2T5Pp7K6kgYYHaRmpqtOaufJB5P4p6k1sB124-qZPSNQFIPqq0YJwtQk_EYbJ0j6ECoVVInIpi5_Msac/s1600/Dung+Beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZsnwM3LbyMeSBmL_0ZRxnoGL_EtIhS-cX6pDcgexVfQCPCc0Njv5AwBNLSv2T5Pp7K6kgYYHaRmpqtOaufJB5P4p6k1sB124-qZPSNQFIPqq0YJwtQk_EYbJ0j6ECoVVInIpi5_Msac/s640/Dung+Beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloody-nosed Beetle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we arrived back near the car park we checked the area that's famous for it's Small Blues and met Jon and Kirsty who had also arrived on site. I had found one earlier but the day's strong sushine must have triggered an emergence as upon return several could be seen in the tall grass along the fence line.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmTnl3iaaa_kt0tIb1BNtW8Vi_mNYn7tCRHtD2wLZJw0Z0IBPxiqIwI9NRqFDA0HBw2Gcl9EEcgkKY15VtC-HB9hY6l6ViW15xI61VnQvE3aSJHU5Qvhlf-dM9VzgYrjxNSgNNULv8Hc/s1600/Small+Blue+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmTnl3iaaa_kt0tIb1BNtW8Vi_mNYn7tCRHtD2wLZJw0Z0IBPxiqIwI9NRqFDA0HBw2Gcl9EEcgkKY15VtC-HB9hY6l6ViW15xI61VnQvE3aSJHU5Qvhlf-dM9VzgYrjxNSgNNULv8Hc/s640/Small+Blue+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fJikq8kPj1ZW7GiTgf_aUpR6b9iTFDLKm_WOX9TrD7jsuksJZb-yQYySiGD1VHRtHKtyxKNtIwf1yfAJLU0ezJQxwtEe-9HQyJAS2QScCWN1tLOsGfd1btf8meLyV0s8DsDuJvntkBA/s1600/Small+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fJikq8kPj1ZW7GiTgf_aUpR6b9iTFDLKm_WOX9TrD7jsuksJZb-yQYySiGD1VHRtHKtyxKNtIwf1yfAJLU0ezJQxwtEe-9HQyJAS2QScCWN1tLOsGfd1btf8meLyV0s8DsDuJvntkBA/s640/Small+Blue.jpg" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then decided to leave the site and head back up into Northants. Simon had never seen a Wood White butterfly before and as were seemed to be on a roll be decided to ignore the thick dark cloud that had now rolled in and try and find one in Salcey Forest. Amazingly as we walked along the path from the Horse Box car park and into the wood we picked one up resting on a plant. A great end to a great day!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdGUhjpnRH8MGRiuvt-ZwX0itQeY0nYFvmQ37Pgiq08Y4m2bhvYpkC33KkWTS5S05Td84rtxrI4qnP6SCtBfTFY872VZ-ZOMJvEw4YgAPzrTRwMxcegTzfwUO-bJJ8e4PLvSolfmRFXE/s1600/Wood+White+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdGUhjpnRH8MGRiuvt-ZwX0itQeY0nYFvmQ37Pgiq08Y4m2bhvYpkC33KkWTS5S05Td84rtxrI4qnP6SCtBfTFY872VZ-ZOMJvEw4YgAPzrTRwMxcegTzfwUO-bJJ8e4PLvSolfmRFXE/s640/Wood+White+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Twywell Hills and Dales </b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
On the 5th of May we had a local branch Butterfly Conservation event to see roosting Skippers at Twywell Hills and Dales. The weather once again tried it's best to make things as hard as possible with a high wind relentlessly tearing across the site. I always find it amazing how wind direction always has that habit of being in exactly the wrong direction and this evening it was perfectly aligned right down the middle of the main ride! Despite this though we decided to make the best of a bad job and with us all separating we soon found quite a few. It's amazing how they can cling on in a wind we were finding it quite difficult to even walk in. A little bit of teamwork helped to get the pics too as the picture taken by Doug Goddard below shows, with me laying on the floor trying to get the pic while Andy Wyldes holds the butterfly steady in the gale!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozcW1xiGZqlQ1wZPukfZkqSrOFHKTxeGj2Zy4ioWeIwodloHtAdvQEiGJbOKguqhUC4cboxgYrwSSi78hRxvVfi0iW9xM_dYLh8qM-Jeg4VOBAhx5s_411mII5o7xBdsvHtg7EQ1Uo0g/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozcW1xiGZqlQ1wZPukfZkqSrOFHKTxeGj2Zy4ioWeIwodloHtAdvQEiGJbOKguqhUC4cboxgYrwSSi78hRxvVfi0iW9xM_dYLh8qM-Jeg4VOBAhx5s_411mII5o7xBdsvHtg7EQ1Uo0g/s640/048.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teamwork! Pic taken by Doug Goddard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's really interesting to take the time and see these specialist butterflies roosting like this and if you have them at a site nearby I can recommend visiting in the evening to see it for yourself. It's amazing how well camouflaged the Dingy Skippers are when hugging their chosen perch for the evening.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFB_vGQA92f1vASXisD-HEcKOiRM1iumw0VIwwaVa5bDPv7rz0vYT4WVV9oEy2p-udnfm7ctBHlwkXRXDDFWdh2G9jBpHxvSGWEP4fk9shdxj7wq88l4Ef56IWMrTVQD6WlgP5VW6LP8/s1600/Dingy+Skipper+roost+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFB_vGQA92f1vASXisD-HEcKOiRM1iumw0VIwwaVa5bDPv7rz0vYT4WVV9oEy2p-udnfm7ctBHlwkXRXDDFWdh2G9jBpHxvSGWEP4fk9shdxj7wq88l4Ef56IWMrTVQD6WlgP5VW6LP8/s640/Dingy+Skipper+roost+1.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingy Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even the Grizzled Skippers which roost much more prominently take a bit of finding as they're so small.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyspTVDomoHK4Fu7mz_25G5OYHnFnrSLKrQRHiNsROY7Q1EmzNo5YkTb_8RbnL0ldVgnhyphenhyphenO0bVYsVLSvym3Q78s-e3RIONJZdqeqak2CoQ-UIQOc7chDKj57QmzQOg4_hf-agc-wG44k/s1600/Grizzled+Skipper+roost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyspTVDomoHK4Fu7mz_25G5OYHnFnrSLKrQRHiNsROY7Q1EmzNo5YkTb_8RbnL0ldVgnhyphenhyphenO0bVYsVLSvym3Q78s-e3RIONJZdqeqak2CoQ-UIQOc7chDKj57QmzQOg4_hf-agc-wG44k/s640/Grizzled+Skipper+roost.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grizzled Skipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course where you have a reliable place for wildlife to visit you will also find the predators that like to prey on them. In the Skippers case it's this little killer, the Gorse Orb Weaver, sitting next to it's kill from earlier in the day. It's always a real pleasure to go out chasing butterflies with Doug and Andy and with their extensive experience you can learn so much!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjosR28ztLGfm5szA2RDIrSNV0Bqf_f6WQlnyF1CcEtP0kLWAI4oA-NXdINbPbwJDdfhAsBr71qIPEKodj5t7246VY_LnEs9mVRA9Jj1dzoaLgO5RYs7yKMPHet3Xlea_0M1IJ9UYuZbw/s1600/Gorse+Orb+weaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjosR28ztLGfm5szA2RDIrSNV0Bqf_f6WQlnyF1CcEtP0kLWAI4oA-NXdINbPbwJDdfhAsBr71qIPEKodj5t7246VY_LnEs9mVRA9Jj1dzoaLgO5RYs7yKMPHet3Xlea_0M1IJ9UYuZbw/s640/Gorse+Orb+weaver.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorse Orb Weaver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Salcey Forest </b></u><br />
<u><b> </b></u><br />
Due to my local site now being set aside for development this year I've moved my local patching to Salcey Forest and an incredible site it is too. The area is absolutely huge and there is always something to see. It's almost impossible to do the entire site in one day as it's so vast but I am enjoying exploring all the rides and tracks and it has been coming up with some great surprises. The first part of spring saw the emergence of our Common Lizards and they really like some of the large Oaks in the forest to bask in the sun<u><b></b></u>. I've been all over the country to look for wildlife but I've not had better views of Common Lizards anywhere else and it's amazing to be able to get so close. Arriving early means you can see them before they've warmed up and they're still a bit sluggish and you can get a lot closer than you can at midday when they're off at the first sign of anything approaching. A great deal of patience also helps as gradually they get used to you and you can snap away, it's not everyday you get to take macro shots of such a fast reptile! I didn't use a flash with these as that would disturb them too much so believe it or not that round light in the Lizards eyes is actually the sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IMfkYTslY3m4_GME5vSFARBd2lOLYoBTbv7IeHppcqqIPRkOatpttMHjPbbbjvfy382R69iMI1ZL58gst1I17Tgtzlza0ZZ0wWM_lInjTtmhyphenhyphenF9_A29z-If0w7RiDeBvm8nkzCC1fBY/s1600/Common+Lizard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IMfkYTslY3m4_GME5vSFARBd2lOLYoBTbv7IeHppcqqIPRkOatpttMHjPbbbjvfy382R69iMI1ZL58gst1I17Tgtzlza0ZZ0wWM_lInjTtmhyphenhyphenF9_A29z-If0w7RiDeBvm8nkzCC1fBY/s640/Common+Lizard+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnUHqjUy8IgMP9whFYKLh_F7FYnOXmotax1ib_o-50OxmiRyW2h_M8z65yhje0d7kvCwCWOPGdXbNqYcgXrF8sD7VCaNfiv9j-jIVUwCte3kGSRAvyJmpSuB9YInVVXSPN7ybhImJI6I/s1600/Common+Lizard+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnUHqjUy8IgMP9whFYKLh_F7FYnOXmotax1ib_o-50OxmiRyW2h_M8z65yhje0d7kvCwCWOPGdXbNqYcgXrF8sD7VCaNfiv9j-jIVUwCte3kGSRAvyJmpSuB9YInVVXSPN7ybhImJI6I/s640/Common+Lizard+LR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpqZ_JC6rPjrARqAHYmvqVcyn8UXm4U-OSPPqwY7qq8uIiu04E05nvmPpWXzJt-_xST5uisLP3X8GygotAyLA-L14fSRdlnO33XDOuJSbqLk0Tz1vb9_03WGDLgPsNidx_rfeWydGfmY/s1600/Common+Lizard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpqZ_JC6rPjrARqAHYmvqVcyn8UXm4U-OSPPqwY7qq8uIiu04E05nvmPpWXzJt-_xST5uisLP3X8GygotAyLA-L14fSRdlnO33XDOuJSbqLk0Tz1vb9_03WGDLgPsNidx_rfeWydGfmY/s640/Common+Lizard+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hc5eRneN840A1wVf199a7x4obGY4_2EXnqfCRzgRihQy4jdXOoD-UwchYZoqu5NXsKrRxLnZjcL7NRYzFfBLN7pZaw792YIbX5UxZv082doIIWT9lJIHRlAqQtVKqEUEiQ3jIoISV8w/s1600/Common+Lizard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hc5eRneN840A1wVf199a7x4obGY4_2EXnqfCRzgRihQy4jdXOoD-UwchYZoqu5NXsKrRxLnZjcL7NRYzFfBLN7pZaw792YIbX5UxZv082doIIWT9lJIHRlAqQtVKqEUEiQ3jIoISV8w/s640/Common+Lizard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizards</td></tr>
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It's really nice to see them in such good numbers too. My highest count was 16 on one tree and sometimes you could come across some quite sizeable groups all huddled together. How many can you see in this photo?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDlhDHHrjUd9oN2iQ-ZNyIo8cQ7XsnurLfws4b36M5RkmW2jEmy6uiEKB-xFuZbHFuj3BWl-9RTTVhYVb666AbCt71KrKc4uD3f5JHDv8LidAD5f6qUbpMAebNNXXAdWwfz2e4bthoAE/s1600/Lizards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDlhDHHrjUd9oN2iQ-ZNyIo8cQ7XsnurLfws4b36M5RkmW2jEmy6uiEKB-xFuZbHFuj3BWl-9RTTVhYVb666AbCt71KrKc4uD3f5JHDv8LidAD5f6qUbpMAebNNXXAdWwfz2e4bthoAE/s640/Lizards.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Lizards</td></tr>
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Other local reptiles are the Slow Worms and quite a few individuals have been seen in the forest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSq9CnPLpTqbGXbX_AsGzJQ_cFfCuTtfZZWc27pXLWzzbyUB4sW-acgBYDw1IcH4m4_ilRS-GAj6CEF2BbJsKqhrRBZR8VBNtxQ5x9AL34sW-YDF3c63EjOD0un3rfuuyYbeAMN3tG9o/s1600/Slow+Worm+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSq9CnPLpTqbGXbX_AsGzJQ_cFfCuTtfZZWc27pXLWzzbyUB4sW-acgBYDw1IcH4m4_ilRS-GAj6CEF2BbJsKqhrRBZR8VBNtxQ5x9AL34sW-YDF3c63EjOD0un3rfuuyYbeAMN3tG9o/s640/Slow+Worm+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow Worm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkWAo80HuECAjSQSt08T754J74XaEIclkrXJELoNppfu8UnO2nNYO9KJ0A6AIaM84DkyWfw-9W1kx1ltj0r-ORlFIS12sKLhZp15rgct_xveDHvtZgpETxr_tPt4XtROjRgkcv-AQiK0/s1600/Slow+Worm+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkWAo80HuECAjSQSt08T754J74XaEIclkrXJELoNppfu8UnO2nNYO9KJ0A6AIaM84DkyWfw-9W1kx1ltj0r-ORlFIS12sKLhZp15rgct_xveDHvtZgpETxr_tPt4XtROjRgkcv-AQiK0/s640/Slow+Worm+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow Worm</td></tr>
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Some of the local bugs have been great to find too and it's the beauty of macro photography that everything comes alive when seen close up. There is so much to see down there in the undergrowth but the majority of people simply walk passed it all without noticing what's beneath them. The Brassica Shieldbugs were new to me this year and I've been seeing quite a few dotted around on the Garlic Mustard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iwls0K2farTfcIztKjrUgWvMUSmQ0gfxlb7iu8jNUhwI9N9VTrQ18vC8ty5zHZczvbp0mE4pT4MzPhMJUqbfpAfsbfm167_4csMhlu2x1H36PMvuazULI9tPfFszJ-N_Bsl_hm29dV0/s1600/Brassica+Shieldbug+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iwls0K2farTfcIztKjrUgWvMUSmQ0gfxlb7iu8jNUhwI9N9VTrQ18vC8ty5zHZczvbp0mE4pT4MzPhMJUqbfpAfsbfm167_4csMhlu2x1H36PMvuazULI9tPfFszJ-N_Bsl_hm29dV0/s640/Brassica+Shieldbug+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brassica Shieldbug</td></tr>
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The Cinnamon Bugs and Cardinal Beetles also add a dash of colour to the green undergrowth too. During my photography session with the Cinnamon Bug a family came passed who were giving me some right funny looks as I snapped away!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlvx6VbRgfoC382REiFbLQBoLelO_8clM1t2zRPVs-BG8eqjvXnKe7hV6eLJx1kVXnxNJ-bkpB0I95ShMSuPOJiVzZgpNCFXzZa8gk3rmoDI_UbuWCYoLR2-mgFpywhLlMk4mk8LH1PE/s1600/Corizus+hyoscyami+%2528Cinnamon+Bug%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlvx6VbRgfoC382REiFbLQBoLelO_8clM1t2zRPVs-BG8eqjvXnKe7hV6eLJx1kVXnxNJ-bkpB0I95ShMSuPOJiVzZgpNCFXzZa8gk3rmoDI_UbuWCYoLR2-mgFpywhLlMk4mk8LH1PE/s640/Corizus+hyoscyami+%2528Cinnamon+Bug%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Bug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopxgXDWzmqB0TOVejcCQzaSkLVoChOcN47cDjATkL5y44d78Xru-BHBX69cnVSXjZ9raD0oivT6HP7U0gHWgYhnh91HaKl2zqhDvO3KezlDKz3KZRcQI4faJDSmBeAPlNAytYv0GlQSM/s1600/Cardinal+beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopxgXDWzmqB0TOVejcCQzaSkLVoChOcN47cDjATkL5y44d78Xru-BHBX69cnVSXjZ9raD0oivT6HP7U0gHWgYhnh91HaKl2zqhDvO3KezlDKz3KZRcQI4faJDSmBeAPlNAytYv0GlQSM/s640/Cardinal+beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal Beetle</td></tr>
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Also spreading a little colour amongst the hedgerows were the new flowers coming up. Forget-me-not and Herb Robert being particularly easy to find.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Q2G9zeoJm9tiqfGy0Tt0Ef-t1o-NQJrfjcjWSdxosQLecX39gxdoG2WpN_41_CTtlnLAFtz4vQtWCHBNyMwjgGG0d4Ei8Ev5xLycD7-mBqlTMQJn-5rI3ajni96YXPOJ2cLe4yD7Wg/s1600/Forget+me+not.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6Q2G9zeoJm9tiqfGy0Tt0Ef-t1o-NQJrfjcjWSdxosQLecX39gxdoG2WpN_41_CTtlnLAFtz4vQtWCHBNyMwjgGG0d4Ei8Ev5xLycD7-mBqlTMQJn-5rI3ajni96YXPOJ2cLe4yD7Wg/s640/Forget+me+not.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget-me-not</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10y_jZwoe1ed-gcza5h49UWxR4uaonbxswBNLKLC2_Yh2VpNC9rIZNBJRE4xngd7eb3GgsMuC5mP1WIn8SUZ_e_Ddv0Paulh0zukttX5rkByghagNPQgUvVOn0x7Qg-QIQn-Y0BDKSas/s1600/Herb-Robert+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10y_jZwoe1ed-gcza5h49UWxR4uaonbxswBNLKLC2_Yh2VpNC9rIZNBJRE4xngd7eb3GgsMuC5mP1WIn8SUZ_e_Ddv0Paulh0zukttX5rkByghagNPQgUvVOn0x7Qg-QIQn-Y0BDKSas/s640/Herb-Robert+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb Robert</td></tr>
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On one of my visits is was nice to see a large Glow Worm larva making it's across the path. I've only ever seen Glow Worms actually glowing on one occasion and seeing this has given me the urge to get out here one night and try and do a survey. It is of course actually a beetle rather than a worm and it's a ferocious predator of snails. It does look pretty alien when seen close up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OVBmChdVw9orKD8WilQ9p7zy9Zvx0Jva4bW69CTGQNFVD0F2X4RlkYNAjNMcfHe60hrx6KkjQ4lSeMv76aA2WdpnW1GwWRuGJRDNlW6l-thnNA6gDlJMSPvfX89148R5bSQ3b_NDjdE/s1600/Glow+Worm+Larvae+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OVBmChdVw9orKD8WilQ9p7zy9Zvx0Jva4bW69CTGQNFVD0F2X4RlkYNAjNMcfHe60hrx6KkjQ4lSeMv76aA2WdpnW1GwWRuGJRDNlW6l-thnNA6gDlJMSPvfX89148R5bSQ3b_NDjdE/s640/Glow+Worm+Larvae+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow Worm Larva</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71izCTVo5ZnmdUD2CqWkRJ4c9Fz3JGfenVdI3bQWlWvVMrLGbqHC_ZVEAxytRliGaKDHJU7atngj1Bqc1cnK9X6xDeyLTLfzGa6ulfOpR_W6krw6Rd7VJvbceDzoddMob-oms0gOkm9Q/s1600/Glow+Worm+Larvae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71izCTVo5ZnmdUD2CqWkRJ4c9Fz3JGfenVdI3bQWlWvVMrLGbqHC_ZVEAxytRliGaKDHJU7atngj1Bqc1cnK9X6xDeyLTLfzGa6ulfOpR_W6krw6Rd7VJvbceDzoddMob-oms0gOkm9Q/s640/Glow+Worm+Larvae.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow Worm Larva</td></tr>
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I know from past experience that Salcey Forest is also a great place to see one of my favourite arachnids, the Crab Spiders. There are a few different species of Crab Spider here and some can be seen on the leaves like the ones below. If you're scared of spiders it's probably best to skip this next bit!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zV_C7JOqj81TMZAbT6WDosjiLaovH6czVf2SOobnUhpEOno3gJaw3JrA5gPxjENySOPldUF9FHx6YSOgpBuG6izol8so6AeICArsk8YSjG3T0QHPC-Wq7zabA1C6Taj1OzUg2mGsUZk/s1600/Crab+Spider+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9zV_C7JOqj81TMZAbT6WDosjiLaovH6czVf2SOobnUhpEOno3gJaw3JrA5gPxjENySOPldUF9FHx6YSOgpBuG6izol8so6AeICArsk8YSjG3T0QHPC-Wq7zabA1C6Taj1OzUg2mGsUZk/s640/Crab+Spider+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider (Xysticus sp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdMAkodwqjD9TYtjzVZ_4tFFsy3GXd-HY8cLGx9GhHEHW-d_STw0Cu91FPzqZv1g_mFUEutKGuTqKV_vPLutClcifbpxHO7xtgxBnrQQFPGvd8CCt_p3ZVGSNpW0hYfXimkuuk9prjwc/s1600/Spider+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdMAkodwqjD9TYtjzVZ_4tFFsy3GXd-HY8cLGx9GhHEHW-d_STw0Cu91FPzqZv1g_mFUEutKGuTqKV_vPLutClcifbpxHO7xtgxBnrQQFPGvd8CCt_p3ZVGSNpW0hYfXimkuuk9prjwc/s640/Spider+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider (Xysticus sp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm4XtgpbirHUWRmO9OYsQUjg0q_CaWHGW7RowvuEZ4_j_59Q2gKv7v0FeKK3f_srJ6T_LIKa_BKwjXrKhV_H6GHpEx5x1u3vmL94XWHovG6JrNMWu3O6c8JMZhA8-yzdQhw9HIuNPKe8/s1600/Spider+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm4XtgpbirHUWRmO9OYsQUjg0q_CaWHGW7RowvuEZ4_j_59Q2gKv7v0FeKK3f_srJ6T_LIKa_BKwjXrKhV_H6GHpEx5x1u3vmL94XWHovG6JrNMWu3O6c8JMZhA8-yzdQhw9HIuNPKe8/s640/Spider+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider (Xysticus sp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also get good numbers of a very special Crab Spider called Misumena vatia. This is special due to it's incredible camouflage as it can change it's colour to match the flower it's on. One afternoon while on a stroll through the wood I noticed a female Orange Tip butterfly sitting patiently on the top of a Dandelion and as I got closer I realised why. I certainly hadn't seen the Crab Spider and neither did the butterfly leading to an unfortunate end. This was the first time I'd seen a yellow one!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeqnGfw9Dkli4GRnvZ6lTeQeqM09b6V6AU8zSnakc1KTG5P9G0MHgUFHHnhdlkN-cw9XCbaMYa-NV5i4uPp0M2x9MfgpIq43wacp3e5Y1eKWxWyuNUAfKCPLbkWOPW3Xmx1WZKDqG8-U/s1600/Crab+Spider+OT+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeqnGfw9Dkli4GRnvZ6lTeQeqM09b6V6AU8zSnakc1KTG5P9G0MHgUFHHnhdlkN-cw9XCbaMYa-NV5i4uPp0M2x9MfgpIq43wacp3e5Y1eKWxWyuNUAfKCPLbkWOPW3Xmx1WZKDqG8-U/s640/Crab+Spider+OT+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider and Orange Tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHl1D4i1WAu0HGPcokuFvv6UFQ2nRHIKCse_we-odq8uO_iByNb8JmLfbgg5QXmWY7imIeJjsiiIUbZ1jIBJpVFJIfN6ji_NtNsmhed9QnINf_8pLhL4-g3-l9ewDqDS00BYNiNBuUio/s1600/Crab+Spider+OT+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHl1D4i1WAu0HGPcokuFvv6UFQ2nRHIKCse_we-odq8uO_iByNb8JmLfbgg5QXmWY7imIeJjsiiIUbZ1jIBJpVFJIfN6ji_NtNsmhed9QnINf_8pLhL4-g3-l9ewDqDS00BYNiNBuUio/s640/Crab+Spider+OT+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider and Orange Tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I returned to this location the week after I took the above pics and I managed to locate the same Dandelion to find it had turned into a seed head. I was amazed therefore when I got closer and found not only was the Crab Spider still on it, now nestled in amongst the seeds, but it was still catching prey! This time it had caught a Bee sp.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq5yPw1RbGd9quQaJVrJdM5ywYQZPcErQh-hzo7a14TB6WgHxQZBAm_DfT3qOufAHq4IJmEKDJv0g3aKEb89IuAzz1mvcjHUesZu5MohzO-EMKjZ0rGXXL0W0v5phRDd3FGeLQWoP-6I/s1600/Crab+Spider+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq5yPw1RbGd9quQaJVrJdM5ywYQZPcErQh-hzo7a14TB6WgHxQZBAm_DfT3qOufAHq4IJmEKDJv0g3aKEb89IuAzz1mvcjHUesZu5MohzO-EMKjZ0rGXXL0W0v5phRDd3FGeLQWoP-6I/s640/Crab+Spider+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Spider and Bee sp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While admiring the many Crab Spiders other insects were gradually starting to emerge in the forest including my first Longhorn Moths and Green-veined Whites of they Year and the strange looking Scorpion Flies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUriFvkWacfrQI5CmxLHkRB7tMougDrp_lgJ4dXTSoJ8orKw6tNggnCePaRJZs11bCjTVDdDJU9MwCHZ3oVV30WJtqkOrDmvQsgt9tPel3M7_ZuxcHnA8iTwo8Mjv7x46JPi_1WjzmYg/s1600/Longhorn+Moth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUriFvkWacfrQI5CmxLHkRB7tMougDrp_lgJ4dXTSoJ8orKw6tNggnCePaRJZs11bCjTVDdDJU9MwCHZ3oVV30WJtqkOrDmvQsgt9tPel3M7_ZuxcHnA8iTwo8Mjv7x46JPi_1WjzmYg/s640/Longhorn+Moth+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longhorn Moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85408tmnbpsyvfwrrRpJh04TCwfQq7XZkrjEcs81UhWVePBd3nXHJjAKr8ykuHWmY3VV7wzQzeI_3EbdYsKWhyphenhyphenDEhumrVLxg23VvU-TTdWQ07Fx_3d4eRFfBfUlmcki2x5KcTrmkSb-I/s1600/Longhorn+Moth+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85408tmnbpsyvfwrrRpJh04TCwfQq7XZkrjEcs81UhWVePBd3nXHJjAKr8ykuHWmY3VV7wzQzeI_3EbdYsKWhyphenhyphenDEhumrVLxg23VvU-TTdWQ07Fx_3d4eRFfBfUlmcki2x5KcTrmkSb-I/s640/Longhorn+Moth+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longhorn Moths blowing in the wind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10BDMZwtxCaDRAml3RkNdglQVBE73hWFYBM2qBMpMsVsX5JI_ye77LdSNVOgOgUzC8vnc0lDnUXqFnUgPdlx9v2h5dRpT88dgXJidEfk2YjGy9rrNOBpTe79YPDZMtlz7hMW7Z4YZNu4/s1600/Scorpion+Fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10BDMZwtxCaDRAml3RkNdglQVBE73hWFYBM2qBMpMsVsX5JI_ye77LdSNVOgOgUzC8vnc0lDnUXqFnUgPdlx9v2h5dRpT88dgXJidEfk2YjGy9rrNOBpTe79YPDZMtlz7hMW7Z4YZNu4/s640/Scorpion+Fly.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorpion Fly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_6Q9zz_qBX1FVMLx4FRLNwoFdEyC1he-OVcf1TGO9kprYjyehniv0hN70k5btDrYmbJioJCAUvPw3zaygdkNUDEd20FjL5mprDnHdkeMuk8lCutHFMdbJ01UWGmLLCLYfRERP-I_gco/s1600/Green+Veined+White+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_6Q9zz_qBX1FVMLx4FRLNwoFdEyC1he-OVcf1TGO9kprYjyehniv0hN70k5btDrYmbJioJCAUvPw3zaygdkNUDEd20FjL5mprDnHdkeMuk8lCutHFMdbJ01UWGmLLCLYfRERP-I_gco/s640/Green+Veined+White+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HW7dld6bql24XrXQgHm0bmTKF5qIhc0428ica9yfSS3InGQk7ewc1N9omQFtTjZ0oCdWymlt4an0W1-10LYv41wogI4itNJC6IPoAQaMEnZAaUTUHeaIYpfZeiKYdKlCe2k-ALzyYIc/s1600/Green+Veined+White+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HW7dld6bql24XrXQgHm0bmTKF5qIhc0428ica9yfSS3InGQk7ewc1N9omQFtTjZ0oCdWymlt4an0W1-10LYv41wogI4itNJC6IPoAQaMEnZAaUTUHeaIYpfZeiKYdKlCe2k-ALzyYIc/s640/Green+Veined+White+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My first Wood Whites of the year came on the 16th of May with several on the north side and a couple on the south. As I write this the Met Office is predicting some good weather for a change at the weekend so I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing a proper Wood White survey.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaUzEN_SAz5JNgt7j-PPREMXYDRqg3v1chyphenhyphenbwwgSKv29SlC4Td5vs_Q3qp3qpsby1gEbmpeN5phjEyEj9s7IfLm024BKlJHwQFMGDzfda7JuSyHkM5ykIRC0Yn_5LBPmbEfiEJjbZyhU/s1600/Wood+White+Salcey+16th+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaUzEN_SAz5JNgt7j-PPREMXYDRqg3v1chyphenhyphenbwwgSKv29SlC4Td5vs_Q3qp3qpsby1gEbmpeN5phjEyEj9s7IfLm024BKlJHwQFMGDzfda7JuSyHkM5ykIRC0Yn_5LBPmbEfiEJjbZyhU/s640/Wood+White+Salcey+16th+May.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other spring butterflies, as already mentioned, were the Orange Tips and as always getting photographs was a challenge to say the least! A bit of perseverance paid off though as eventually I had a couple settle and one evening I also visited in order to look for Orange Tip eggs finding quite a few along one of the better rides for them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0w0kJQ6YjT5fBVO2NwS_-xsu70q8O4vupsaXz_I-zqQt9iHRHTWuPAFgyGYKYl-xTF4lSS4JLyoBz4Jzm-_EMEe0K1w4qf6ibiLf_tZI3Wu6GM7sMn_NvsYcsZjrZD1Gy5sdboac0U0/s1600/Orange+Tip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0w0kJQ6YjT5fBVO2NwS_-xsu70q8O4vupsaXz_I-zqQt9iHRHTWuPAFgyGYKYl-xTF4lSS4JLyoBz4Jzm-_EMEe0K1w4qf6ibiLf_tZI3Wu6GM7sMn_NvsYcsZjrZD1Gy5sdboac0U0/s640/Orange+Tip1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2YGJ0544o7phtsu13tsQYEG6kdBeNL9mDtn0gCZL-q16MNHdplAS8WcNDxt0frtse4hhpEQI3_LJ6IvGVjuyKikqUFtyy8RTvOl_vTlxYHGMLRC5p76OQQTZ7GpUkwemMY11c55dSyg/s1600/Orange+Tip+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2YGJ0544o7phtsu13tsQYEG6kdBeNL9mDtn0gCZL-q16MNHdplAS8WcNDxt0frtse4hhpEQI3_LJ6IvGVjuyKikqUFtyy8RTvOl_vTlxYHGMLRC5p76OQQTZ7GpUkwemMY11c55dSyg/s640/Orange+Tip+best.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHbacrU6MWaVDYuYR3kHmmiaplYw59v5D55ltU7w6Z0lfy-iD11Jg3yC45SN2_V9sCeN1Bj-Cm4FEBlz9pt_FjlF-C5325bBxMvSpUjaRD3BDzDpZZU-sFUk-fXQvn5oaQOij0HpVYr0/s1600/Orange+Tip+Egg+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHbacrU6MWaVDYuYR3kHmmiaplYw59v5D55ltU7w6Z0lfy-iD11Jg3yC45SN2_V9sCeN1Bj-Cm4FEBlz9pt_FjlF-C5325bBxMvSpUjaRD3BDzDpZZU-sFUk-fXQvn5oaQOij0HpVYr0/s640/Orange+Tip+Egg+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip egg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ImPw73-Uq1t5WkOcG8OrwQobMYhCh1X-AqpEQgNxf0AWl1YixLobg6EjyKAE5ianC8aTrWSKM4rHku6zh8aif2M5CIrcbU4QR-QbsBmDNeD2j7u20INtCB3zyouL7a_NwtJPOFsIquw/s1600/Orange+Tip+Egg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ImPw73-Uq1t5WkOcG8OrwQobMYhCh1X-AqpEQgNxf0AWl1YixLobg6EjyKAE5ianC8aTrWSKM4rHku6zh8aif2M5CIrcbU4QR-QbsBmDNeD2j7u20INtCB3zyouL7a_NwtJPOFsIquw/s640/Orange+Tip+Egg+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Tip egg (with a thumb for scale)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Strawberry Banks</b></u><br />
<br />
On the 23rd of May me, Jon and Kirsty headed to a very special place indeed to see some very special butterflies. The main target of the day were the Marsh Fritillaries at Strawberry Banks but we also couldn't resist a visit to Hailey Wood to try and see some Pearl Bordered Fritillaries first. We wandered down the path passed the Saw Mill and into the clearing and almost straight away a Pearl Bordered Fritillary whirled across the path in front of us. Bitter experience from last year taught us to get here fairly early as once the Pearls have warmed up they're almost impossible to photograph. The morning was perfect though with enough sun to keep them active but enough cloud to keep them still for longer than a couple of seconds!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUyvTPMgrC2oOS39DjNEtPJSHTVJ3bBanXzuVtzrnpZEo5Krz0gLuiPuC0arSCgFXdYktjt8iu1l3WyuJrwqshhPMLoNaGXn6Oi2G1n7CsOuU9wB13AQVwisK-GodN2sGxeSq7Wt3Vng/s1600/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUyvTPMgrC2oOS39DjNEtPJSHTVJ3bBanXzuVtzrnpZEo5Krz0gLuiPuC0arSCgFXdYktjt8iu1l3WyuJrwqshhPMLoNaGXn6Oi2G1n7CsOuU9wB13AQVwisK-GodN2sGxeSq7Wt3Vng/s640/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqNKcnjdNTnanOnybotPRQlSezuGCdenOtk-QxbAE1wF7ZSDnTv6qB-VMYdVoV01gJkBPhNRdMq7m7VCrT9wuq7GOzDcxzx4A8V_yBVCL0h7PMtf6PX9n6HH27SOQXkZrEAXpY5JPTBU/s1600/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqNKcnjdNTnanOnybotPRQlSezuGCdenOtk-QxbAE1wF7ZSDnTv6qB-VMYdVoV01gJkBPhNRdMq7m7VCrT9wuq7GOzDcxzx4A8V_yBVCL0h7PMtf6PX9n6HH27SOQXkZrEAXpY5JPTBU/s640/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's also easy to forget when looking for butterflies that it's always a good idea to look up as these Pearls really like to perch on the tops of the trees!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaqlyK7cKxgzCkb8CigLXu0yx56D64cj1-dr-3Ner-dTdRpo9GoIP-QWXN-EHXDOWFCmjtsudE6boHc2DwL7IBL6cNIdwQD53hnDtyH4ZWTnIoI23XO8eoo1G1LuHak5F4fl3GtEI0bo/s1600/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaqlyK7cKxgzCkb8CigLXu0yx56D64cj1-dr-3Ner-dTdRpo9GoIP-QWXN-EHXDOWFCmjtsudE6boHc2DwL7IBL6cNIdwQD53hnDtyH4ZWTnIoI23XO8eoo1G1LuHak5F4fl3GtEI0bo/s640/Pearl+Bordered+Frit+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl Bordered Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After we'd taken lots of photos we then moved onto Strawberry Banks. Lots of reports had come through during the previous week of what a spectacle it was and they certainly weren't wrong. We parked up at the bottom of the wood and walked up the steep footpath (almost being blown away by the strong smell of Wild Garlic) and entered the site to be confronted with quite a sight! Lots and lots of Marsh Fritillaries! They were everywhere and as you walked carefully through the grass they flew up in front of your feet only to settle back down on the next set of flowers. Last year there were a lot too but this year was something else. We certainly didn't waste anytime and got straight to work taking photos. It was such a pleasure to spend the next few hours in such an incredible place!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v2qRcpDItcUUaDWzQyO9G_jOTdo-wJHfIXA2BTwskI23VHY4Acq7Qt-OfkGo_kb6hb0qAOzu6Oxi-WAhgoeHFFA3e8Nq075KKkjzXzob6PtbT_d4a6DufUVa3BdJMYuJIugyGNPC_CQ/s1600/Marsh+Fritillary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4v2qRcpDItcUUaDWzQyO9G_jOTdo-wJHfIXA2BTwskI23VHY4Acq7Qt-OfkGo_kb6hb0qAOzu6Oxi-WAhgoeHFFA3e8Nq075KKkjzXzob6PtbT_d4a6DufUVa3BdJMYuJIugyGNPC_CQ/s640/Marsh+Fritillary+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Fritillaries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYXM1V5Ru2O7FSyUEkqPSg5bSkMB4875Or6n-b6wBUJwGyba0QKjzm3Utev9fkQgWcujLqMV89WGs_usP2epDz65MvvSWGPyVhLe9k7FwYAZk-9goV8I6rs8g09uIjul0sqFcLwPnRTs/s1600/Marsh+Fritillary+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYXM1V5Ru2O7FSyUEkqPSg5bSkMB4875Or6n-b6wBUJwGyba0QKjzm3Utev9fkQgWcujLqMV89WGs_usP2epDz65MvvSWGPyVhLe9k7FwYAZk-9goV8I6rs8g09uIjul0sqFcLwPnRTs/s640/Marsh+Fritillary+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhFYehAUXhpG3FfSg_ejvfVPapJarJkvcGjL4JOWgyn2p_phoMhzRYjfvTlVDGJxQJ6MMWEcEIZ9G545i9U4RI4zyt85Sr76yl5vunJ8r31qQXJaWJK4jtxPFbtr8zcpF3fOTjXIPJlY/s1600/Marsh+Fritillary+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhFYehAUXhpG3FfSg_ejvfVPapJarJkvcGjL4JOWgyn2p_phoMhzRYjfvTlVDGJxQJ6MMWEcEIZ9G545i9U4RI4zyt85Sr76yl5vunJ8r31qQXJaWJK4jtxPFbtr8zcpF3fOTjXIPJlY/s640/Marsh+Fritillary+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A few very nice looking Common Blues were also on site and proved rather more difficult to photograph than the Marsh Fritillaries.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpKWnUrEDUfytyoJuYfYcawCqfZSt5zaidzV2TvztSt9Hy0n49GcGyvVrl8JtHctp6g-yX8vM6uB3EaezTzvFqHyynNWLezn0Z24Qh1jvURo6ynv_V7dyluxeqUK8NioAgTMFpsAPQqM/s1600/Common+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpKWnUrEDUfytyoJuYfYcawCqfZSt5zaidzV2TvztSt9Hy0n49GcGyvVrl8JtHctp6g-yX8vM6uB3EaezTzvFqHyynNWLezn0Z24Qh1jvURo6ynv_V7dyluxeqUK8NioAgTMFpsAPQqM/s640/Common+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was also great to see many other people who had made the trip to witness this spectacle and a great deal of time was spent chatting to others from around the country. It's great to listen to the stories and tales from other peoples sites and it's interesting to hear how other Butterfly Conservation branches work and meet their volunteers. It should also be mentioned that it's not just the Marsh Fritillaries at Strawberry Banks that makes the place so special. It's also a superb place for Orchids and right from getting out of the car by the road you can see spikes of Birds Nest Orchids reaching up through the leaf litter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwyrjEMHJuuQRyMHtecL6H21wikjpju8Oaxv5azt3M5tV4cFrj0hx_nj4sIdkZqwpfjLJPk_8btQrYixaEn-cDd3WlfJXWtANzqEGLJaeK4MUkor3zrTwnkZt7CEZIzDiL8fu492DeW8/s1600/Birds+Nest+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwyrjEMHJuuQRyMHtecL6H21wikjpju8Oaxv5azt3M5tV4cFrj0hx_nj4sIdkZqwpfjLJPk_8btQrYixaEn-cDd3WlfJXWtANzqEGLJaeK4MUkor3zrTwnkZt7CEZIzDiL8fu492DeW8/s640/Birds+Nest+Orchid.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birds Nest Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When up on the reserve there were lots of Early Purple Orchids and some very nice looking Lesser Butterfly Orchids too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydpXMuWOzTnQJA7suPe7W1X5jBYbrsxehQUPJ_iEjw9S8xjsTWQoQaplzoMyDim0Gt0qGkrlEQLmNSJXzQhxTW7_AcBXlEfZp0g3b5T1hGom9OeUTIIpwoTfZVtVQP-8KO7KbZ7gX3Bc/s1600/Early+Purple+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydpXMuWOzTnQJA7suPe7W1X5jBYbrsxehQUPJ_iEjw9S8xjsTWQoQaplzoMyDim0Gt0qGkrlEQLmNSJXzQhxTW7_AcBXlEfZp0g3b5T1hGom9OeUTIIpwoTfZVtVQP-8KO7KbZ7gX3Bc/s640/Early+Purple+Orchid.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Purple Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TzIdq2kkuAiPH1RsK1KcxWQ_lvbtBbTYojP7HLxzeX6jidq_NcrxJHXQMklBrZ2fRFwVPvRL5AASFH4fnQzMPlhRgK0w8qvr-t-tkmTMmj0Djeb0xRKjNY9BbPBRRFMKTeS46RB1nLM/s1600/Lesser+Butterfly+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TzIdq2kkuAiPH1RsK1KcxWQ_lvbtBbTYojP7HLxzeX6jidq_NcrxJHXQMklBrZ2fRFwVPvRL5AASFH4fnQzMPlhRgK0w8qvr-t-tkmTMmj0Djeb0xRKjNY9BbPBRRFMKTeS46RB1nLM/s640/Lesser+Butterfly+Orchid.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Butterfly Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was very excited to see the Lesser Butterfly Orchid and such were the numbers of Marsh Fritillaries I decided to see if I could get a photo of the two together. I waited patiently by a flower and it didn't take long before a Marsh Fritillary landed on it. You don't very often get two target species in the one shot!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z0eyMdwttI957nW6kz7E4xXG8pd6_8qqgXJi4dIleGfflThg_d3X0wQZhyphenhyphenBcsUlUrmQ96KemYUbJi7_N6zgxiUo0EP2hfxs_C3oUesJsPTpri2GVw7Z0P2MXHm04IHF8E8qtiHMRR6U/s1600/Marsh+Fritillary+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z0eyMdwttI957nW6kz7E4xXG8pd6_8qqgXJi4dIleGfflThg_d3X0wQZhyphenhyphenBcsUlUrmQ96KemYUbJi7_N6zgxiUo0EP2hfxs_C3oUesJsPTpri2GVw7Z0P2MXHm04IHF8E8qtiHMRR6U/s640/Marsh+Fritillary+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Fritillary on Lesser Butterfly Orchid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It had been an incredible visit to the site and all the butterflies and Orchids really made it a superb day. I finished it off by wandering up to the top of the bank and sat next to a small cluster of Lesser Butterfly Orchids, I put the camera down and and admired the Marsh Fritillaries flying around me while occasionally looking down into the valley to watch the many photographers running around getting their pics underneath. For a moment I think I even had a little snooze, today this place was paradise!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOccP00rXn_vEoWHNF2_NG1yWorp3Dq-ZsAPAIYIZz_-6tkrbQqpSRW7iMQmt5Ql8Osq_meaC7ynd96rUQUggUGdp649dV8VWygvnG0gQ9j37DZUNImj5A5L8tVpUe2sCA2HEBQwKDAq0/s1600/IMG_8067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOccP00rXn_vEoWHNF2_NG1yWorp3Dq-ZsAPAIYIZz_-6tkrbQqpSRW7iMQmt5Ql8Osq_meaC7ynd96rUQUggUGdp649dV8VWygvnG0gQ9j37DZUNImj5A5L8tVpUe2sCA2HEBQwKDAq0/s640/IMG_8067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Banks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b>Glanville Fritillary, Orchids and Adonis Blues</b></u><br />
<br />
You may be forgiven for wondering why this blog post started with a history lesson but if you have made it this far reading this rather long post all will now become clear. The lady who was the focus of the quote, Eleanor Glanville, had a butterfly named after her - the Glanville Fritillary. The only place to see the last of the truly wild ones is the south coast of the Isle of Wight and I can't justify travelling so far this year but luckily I was sent the directions to a site where they have been reintroduced in 2011. So on the 30th of May me, Jon and Kirsty found ourselves heading down to Surrey and to a nice little reserve called Hutchinson's Bank. The Glanville Fritillary is very much a sun loving species and today was meant to be pretty good first thing but unfortunately the long periods of predicted sunshine never materialised as ever thicker clouds rolled in. Only a Small Heath could be seen up in the cutting so I decided to try my luck along the footpath parallel to the road. As I walked down the path I could see small clumps of Trefoil which was encouraging and despite the cloud and still saturated grass from the previous days heavy rain a Common Blue could be seen whirling about. My hopes were fading fast when all of a sudden a small brown butterfly came past me like lightning. I tried to chase it but it was going incredibly fast and I could hardly keep up with it. Then by an amazing piece of luck it changed direction and came straight back towards me and flew back over my head and landed in the vegetation in the hedgerow. I slowly walked towards it and as I got closer I got my first glimpse of that most exquisite underwing that belongs to the Glanville Fritillary. I rang the others to tell them I'd found one and started to take some pics while they came over.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KLVuLKFqmUME6R6w-VDS3OOEdRx52Rd4Er_bAEiKy4yeI9rxbKpm3hb1X8fYFmLQRFeg5TgYt977_7iZY3GDCwq5hTqaCcfJKDUfL6fvi_8PV9hCuk3AqDpgraJjVLzxWq7HlbPlMB4/s1600/Glanville+Fritillary+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KLVuLKFqmUME6R6w-VDS3OOEdRx52Rd4Er_bAEiKy4yeI9rxbKpm3hb1X8fYFmLQRFeg5TgYt977_7iZY3GDCwq5hTqaCcfJKDUfL6fvi_8PV9hCuk3AqDpgraJjVLzxWq7HlbPlMB4/s640/Glanville+Fritillary+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glanville Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We did manage to find another Glanville Fritillary which posed nicely on some bare ground before relocating to a small bunch of Trefoil and evidently we were very lucky to have the views we did. A local guy also came down to join us and said he couldn't believe we'd seen one at all considering the conditions!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52VPdaB-Tab4RpFlS4RPQdmmet5Z2-JQ-HuUhI7Jp9aha9ZhoxhvVbLMtYoOIOYv0aZ6l2dInTAnsLP0AmAhUlF7s-0lS5cZL7MbOhIAP6R-s-oGic62vQ-w7W-Sk9pOiTEI6dLp0eTY/s1600/Glanville+Fritillary+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52VPdaB-Tab4RpFlS4RPQdmmet5Z2-JQ-HuUhI7Jp9aha9ZhoxhvVbLMtYoOIOYv0aZ6l2dInTAnsLP0AmAhUlF7s-0lS5cZL7MbOhIAP6R-s-oGic62vQ-w7W-Sk9pOiTEI6dLp0eTY/s640/Glanville+Fritillary+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glanville Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8EkbsxjMlj4lW9zyJ05ppM6eWH6kdaZqAY0iSXEZ5pCgGPYUv5Ru0DWQquAx934TO94EJ31iLT6UEcUfP1S5Hf9g9iZRSvT3Ba4uRi2tx8x7zAR5o9fxUpJYx8b7s28EJGLFESn_XS0/s1600/Glanville+Fritillary+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8EkbsxjMlj4lW9zyJ05ppM6eWH6kdaZqAY0iSXEZ5pCgGPYUv5Ru0DWQquAx934TO94EJ31iLT6UEcUfP1S5Hf9g9iZRSvT3Ba4uRi2tx8x7zAR5o9fxUpJYx8b7s28EJGLFESn_XS0/s640/Glanville+Fritillary+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glanville Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BSaM4FBQbq3969QZwBe3YJXDramroBy6Ee6tRpZ9Mbw2sWYZ8M-iNtk2pZUknrEWNvBUp60lOyhCMzK73YZnVwJfQQySdZtHlYDYlxQoLSnp8-E_W14dMti7RunSavPn9Vofq5bzJ44/s1600/Glanville+Fritillary+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BSaM4FBQbq3969QZwBe3YJXDramroBy6Ee6tRpZ9Mbw2sWYZ8M-iNtk2pZUknrEWNvBUp60lOyhCMzK73YZnVwJfQQySdZtHlYDYlxQoLSnp8-E_W14dMti7RunSavPn9Vofq5bzJ44/s640/Glanville+Fritillary+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glanville Fritillary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also had a dapper Small Blue up in the cutting area which due to the weak sun sat patiently on a leaf trying to bask allowing everyone there to get a photo but unfortunately there wasn't much else to be seen on an overcast day like today. At least we'd seen what we were after!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJTWjhESLByTaRmhooLSdVQ2hidmmRdPRp0oODzO8J2uTghrFNtuav9-LwT86-Wt1Ri8dYL2VhUcmI9trypS_9tpiQ9zMgvKwVASRmXodQV0lrJLE_gBXOFJSu8_sEgfhhL0yqVhgVZU/s1600/Small+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJTWjhESLByTaRmhooLSdVQ2hidmmRdPRp0oODzO8J2uTghrFNtuav9-LwT86-Wt1Ri8dYL2VhUcmI9trypS_9tpiQ9zMgvKwVASRmXodQV0lrJLE_gBXOFJSu8_sEgfhhL0yqVhgVZU/s640/Small+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily we also had another plan today once we'd seen the Glanvilles and one which wasn't quite so weather dependant. After seeing so many great Orchids this year I'd really got the bug and we decided to head to a fantastic Orchid Wood near Marlow on the way home after a tip off from John-Friendship Taylow who had been there week before. After some complicated navigation around the rural roads we found ourselves at the entrance to Homefield Wood and wandered in towards the first glade. It is such a good place for wild flowers and the main reason for the site being famous is the rare Military Orchid of which there were quite a few. My knowledge of plants is very limited but we were lucky to bump into a very friendly botonist who gave us a mini tour of the highlights in the glade and just about everything he showed me I had never seen before. Lots of Military Orchids with Fly Orchids, Common Twayblade, Greater Butterfly Orchids and White Helleborine dotted around too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi2iI1sGBa3h3I4Y39zLr2kL2PnefEqSnuh3nWagh3gHQVn87tJ_vPz5dCX2t_yY8EddU6xhei8IuEdwq4lqqA6rpDJXxmFWP_0j8W7Cdr1Mxtz1TIZitPW9GEUFUg_xA5UNIFzxOz6k/s1600/Military+Orchid+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoi2iI1sGBa3h3I4Y39zLr2kL2PnefEqSnuh3nWagh3gHQVn87tJ_vPz5dCX2t_yY8EddU6xhei8IuEdwq4lqqA6rpDJXxmFWP_0j8W7Cdr1Mxtz1TIZitPW9GEUFUg_xA5UNIFzxOz6k/s640/Military+Orchid+3.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gyhLDWiDD-c5vvtiTiJ2vRZhxWyLbPWSHaX97hRGMt_sEpPMhZk0Jy_FYoXI-fkj5_7rEeC2jXwe18j0ioW_L36Lm9AL8Ldi4e05e8TCNkk2ZAFULXS6vpKY3Hrcf_Z-w8RYbCFyVkE/s1600/Military+Orchid+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gyhLDWiDD-c5vvtiTiJ2vRZhxWyLbPWSHaX97hRGMt_sEpPMhZk0Jy_FYoXI-fkj5_7rEeC2jXwe18j0ioW_L36Lm9AL8Ldi4e05e8TCNkk2ZAFULXS6vpKY3Hrcf_Z-w8RYbCFyVkE/s640/Military+Orchid+2.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Military Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQBigM73Szb5bZnbLoYdb3-vo0Oat4ASx_sa1DSFDKb07SUup1yrszhArzCjgFnPja-8sroYqgPVTUnRkEBLhyA9jQcMNcI-o93TwiKHv1YnUuEorfG_THg55mY2YlIyz9VypkmH84E/s1600/Common+Twayblade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwQBigM73Szb5bZnbLoYdb3-vo0Oat4ASx_sa1DSFDKb07SUup1yrszhArzCjgFnPja-8sroYqgPVTUnRkEBLhyA9jQcMNcI-o93TwiKHv1YnUuEorfG_THg55mY2YlIyz9VypkmH84E/s640/Common+Twayblade.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Twayblade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfq3U_p-ICm24j_HOhyphenhyphenAPnuma8xX7tv7m-mb6h01WU5nTga0u2KLJL7qcuWiELo_URb_44gdy6s2Fl_ngX25RhGfLbiT5wqWdfOr_dOvIUKwidqENe8c-kbAj2a21GTYtJOp7MIdeuAI/s1600/Fly+Orchid+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfq3U_p-ICm24j_HOhyphenhyphenAPnuma8xX7tv7m-mb6h01WU5nTga0u2KLJL7qcuWiELo_URb_44gdy6s2Fl_ngX25RhGfLbiT5wqWdfOr_dOvIUKwidqENe8c-kbAj2a21GTYtJOp7MIdeuAI/s640/Fly+Orchid+2.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVQh9o7-HCOo7RVnvSHLXbGH4xSCHIngL1BJa7SqPYf-IK9xJeNVDT1biC9AfOXiV2IzpwL3Plm4annFfKcQIS9W9kdVXaIFWYcRx29Ndg8_aTe0UdjPMjDJazDa7dvw9a_it18qyUJc/s1600/Fly+Orchid+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVQh9o7-HCOo7RVnvSHLXbGH4xSCHIngL1BJa7SqPYf-IK9xJeNVDT1biC9AfOXiV2IzpwL3Plm4annFfKcQIS9W9kdVXaIFWYcRx29Ndg8_aTe0UdjPMjDJazDa7dvw9a_it18qyUJc/s640/Fly+Orchid+3.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPzFf-zot0wdYxIrmnwxsc6iWCMoOkHK99gcICj8_GmInr4JoQRoDYMpdg3mqHx6XJ9IErBHsorQcn2R-Th7l9X8jEVLZtU1vOuP6_2QYhjBmELk-5UvSGTP17AN11c_-rau0aJNttts/s1600/Greater+Butterfly+Orchid+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPzFf-zot0wdYxIrmnwxsc6iWCMoOkHK99gcICj8_GmInr4JoQRoDYMpdg3mqHx6XJ9IErBHsorQcn2R-Th7l9X8jEVLZtU1vOuP6_2QYhjBmELk-5UvSGTP17AN11c_-rau0aJNttts/s640/Greater+Butterfly+Orchid+1.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Butterfly Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfcrc3XARjPWMLDwqB_3b5kCdenAUfJxI2RbgcTdJCUjQzizMLEZRVjA0WiuOJgfgnRj-BYRnFtnYvzBaleQg3CZogXx5U5EgT1TpgERVyQpkwDkqcT81JFrp0Bhzx82G-hNHvLxVth0/s1600/Great+Butterfly+Orhid+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfcrc3XARjPWMLDwqB_3b5kCdenAUfJxI2RbgcTdJCUjQzizMLEZRVjA0WiuOJgfgnRj-BYRnFtnYvzBaleQg3CZogXx5U5EgT1TpgERVyQpkwDkqcT81JFrp0Bhzx82G-hNHvLxVth0/s640/Great+Butterfly+Orhid+1.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Butterfly Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrBiPTiczqHYdv3Dgc0iX1HtOtyHiQavumPGcWw0OrlW09oLz-IBhrdoxdWVIj6uMNap7EZlfgO0To-H4M8w5kAvImyfS32aY3M1IFvlvHTjXLaeOv7CoIA0e4X5rkdI2wPGejjraXo8/s1600/White+Helleborine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrBiPTiczqHYdv3Dgc0iX1HtOtyHiQavumPGcWw0OrlW09oLz-IBhrdoxdWVIj6uMNap7EZlfgO0To-H4M8w5kAvImyfS32aY3M1IFvlvHTjXLaeOv7CoIA0e4X5rkdI2wPGejjraXo8/s640/White+Helleborine.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Helloborine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another nice find was this Common Spotted Orchid with a Swollen-thighed Beetle clambering up it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlSYKRp7pg8o4MwICHlAI3LDZjiVEGXaopTRxd4XUNmYFS6IhT_iwxSSQZ3wAWZlLdzjJdq-ffg-85kmMP8OXcRFeKaUoe2ebbSfJZmMZA9LobjYyqWbv8DtD-UEb-fiIi8hR7au5R6k/s1600/Common+Spotted+Orchid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlSYKRp7pg8o4MwICHlAI3LDZjiVEGXaopTRxd4XUNmYFS6IhT_iwxSSQZ3wAWZlLdzjJdq-ffg-85kmMP8OXcRFeKaUoe2ebbSfJZmMZA9LobjYyqWbv8DtD-UEb-fiIi8hR7au5R6k/s640/Common+Spotted+Orchid.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Spotted Orchid and Swollen-thighed Beetle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After enjoying this site for a while the sun came out and after looking at the map we realised we were only just round the corner from Yeosden Bank and as we'd heard the Adonis Blue was out there we decided to pop over for a look. We ended up finding quite a few Adonis Blues at the far end of the reserve and I'd forgotten just how hard they are to get pics of. They always seem to settle in amongst the grass so getting shots of them out in the open is difficult and to make matters worse the wind had now picked up but we carried on and eventually got some good shots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaLXE_HaGfQ3kqX4jDymjOCz8HLRAg-5V1FlkcTKtd8tgGfFsM7mISibYlobfe-6mpt9ryIUaWZvK7dZ5hSxt3v5jgqnNczVYYrEMzpyCBipqVh_sFZJsbAfesur5rdVYE-rXBJywKDc/s1600/Adonis+Blue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaLXE_HaGfQ3kqX4jDymjOCz8HLRAg-5V1FlkcTKtd8tgGfFsM7mISibYlobfe-6mpt9ryIUaWZvK7dZ5hSxt3v5jgqnNczVYYrEMzpyCBipqVh_sFZJsbAfesur5rdVYE-rXBJywKDc/s640/Adonis+Blue+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adonis Blues</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lz3z2v3x9O8F2l_YbcP3s7yWQLLKiSwb9grLhSqfjrjoo4Bp5rRDZOquGBoYsZyyqX_Sx2WWJmh8prrIhdNXHSlpbu4LzvbSi9zA141_0_c9hYZVjpDE6gM7lWu0phA4k9PldoDkAfE/s1600/Adonis+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lz3z2v3x9O8F2l_YbcP3s7yWQLLKiSwb9grLhSqfjrjoo4Bp5rRDZOquGBoYsZyyqX_Sx2WWJmh8prrIhdNXHSlpbu4LzvbSi9zA141_0_c9hYZVjpDE6gM7lWu0phA4k9PldoDkAfE/s640/Adonis+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adonis Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we left Yeosden Bank Jon managed to find a stunning female Common Blue and the final photographs of the day were taken of that. It was a fitting end to a great day, we certainly seem to have had luck on our side. Also many congratulations if you are still reading as you have made it to the end of this rather large blog post, I'll try not to leave it so long next time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmR8c_lpxWJzpAM7xnXBTyFbDxxMztRsfBDSt_qpdiSV8QGPYGYsJKH-4z6OocHHAJkh3T7Wn5p5bX2ezfv_68FvZVOy-yWS4nEJy4c34TAIndy76mJUKnTnnW7PwYxJ6w26q8GtJPEc/s1600/Common+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmR8c_lpxWJzpAM7xnXBTyFbDxxMztRsfBDSt_qpdiSV8QGPYGYsJKH-4z6OocHHAJkh3T7Wn5p5bX2ezfv_68FvZVOy-yWS4nEJy4c34TAIndy76mJUKnTnnW7PwYxJ6w26q8GtJPEc/s640/Common+Blue.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Common Blue</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-13042366909787499162014-10-15T21:29:00.001+01:002014-10-16T05:34:20.815+01:00Glis glis, Hoopoe, Yellow-browed Warbler and a Steppe Grey Shrike -
15th October 2014The last few weeks have been as good as they've been unexpected with some great sightings of some rather surprising wildlife. I have recently changed my route at work to the Chilterns area and while I have been introducing myself I kept hearing stories of the infamous Glis glis (Edible Dormouse) that is in the area. They were released from Hungarian stock in 1902 by Lord Walter Rothschild into Tring Park and since then they've been doing rather well and now, although still confined to the Chilterns, their population is about 10,000 strong! In fact when talking to a lot of the locals it becomes apparent they are considered to be a real pest around here as they have nasty habit of invading peoples homes where they like to chew through electrical wires causing all sorts of expensive damage! They also have a very bizarre protection status too as although they are locally common they are nationally scarce so you have to have a special license in order to trap them, but as they're a non native species you can't just release them back into the wild so you need another license to do that! They're called the "Edible" Dormouse are rather unsurprisingly they used to be a food source enjoyed by the Romans and they were very clever how they went about it too. The Edible Dormouse, like other similar mammals, hibernates during the winter and I have read that during their hibernation they can loose 98% of their body heat and can slow their breathing down to one breathe per minute. The ever ingenious Romans utilised this by places the Edible Dormice in pots and feeding them up on Chestnuts and Acorns and when they reached a nice plump size they're pour cold water over the pot they were in too reduce the animals body temperature and cause them to fall into hibernation. They can then be kept without the need for feeding until they wanted a nice Dormouse snack! Anyway a nice chap in the area offered to show me some and apologies but as they're protected the site where I saw them shall remain nameless but during a day off I couldn't resist popping down to take a look. They love outbuildings and in particular electricity boxes and I was taken to an electricity box on the outskirts of Tring to see them. I didn't quite realise that this is where they'd be as I was expecting to get a glimpse of one in a tiny hole somewhere but the chap I was with walked up to the box and opened it up to show a load of them at the bottom! Another thing I wasn't expecting was just how tame they are (they simply look at you wondering what you're doing), how big they are and also how active they are during the day but admittedly I was there quite early in the morning so perhaps they hadn't quite settled down for their sleep. Anyway a few decided to take a look round in the branches of the local trees which is nice as I managed to get a couple of pics but they all headed back into their home when the door was shut. It was a real privilege to see them even if they are considered a pest round here, here is a couple of pics of the experience.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSNO-KKUZgtztwDgG6N4lmYbqwQldPupE-a2oPVVRvkZLMoGofA_Pqr_JPsS-1SJA4GVmtqRqC5SqlvLS4rcRqM4x-IMCrlSodDGgJB2ZHvmVFjptjWaMBaCtKqirmzdHnt29D-gf814/s1600/Glis+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSNO-KKUZgtztwDgG6N4lmYbqwQldPupE-a2oPVVRvkZLMoGofA_Pqr_JPsS-1SJA4GVmtqRqC5SqlvLS4rcRqM4x-IMCrlSodDGgJB2ZHvmVFjptjWaMBaCtKqirmzdHnt29D-gf814/s1600/Glis+1.jpg" height="480" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glis glis (Edible Dormouse), Chilterns</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNRp9ms2E-L3QMT_1HEr_ohU7dvQgGvtvy77UdI8CNuC3k86F_zbSmQLNF_vw6Y3GMalsZI78bqgqejqBZbXSrguGZq8pC0KFgl22nenv2lhSA5316XCKX3XMKDUscNxuqPgSL-zk14M/s1600/Glis+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNRp9ms2E-L3QMT_1HEr_ohU7dvQgGvtvy77UdI8CNuC3k86F_zbSmQLNF_vw6Y3GMalsZI78bqgqejqBZbXSrguGZq8pC0KFgl22nenv2lhSA5316XCKX3XMKDUscNxuqPgSL-zk14M/s1600/Glis+2.jpg" height="640" width="544"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glis glis (Edible Dormouse), Chilterns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While all this was going on a Hoopoe was spotted near Bedford but due to work and other plans I couldn't get to it during the first couple of days but on the Tuesday the 7th October I had an unexpected early finish at work so I couldn't resist a look. I headed to the site in a small village called Willington just east of Bedford and when I got the end of the road near the farm it was in I could see a few birders already there. The bird had been showing really well over the previous few days and was becoming quite famous for how confiding it was. Tonight wasn't any different and in fact it would've been better if the bird was a little further away (how often do you say that?!) as the fence was getting in the way of the bird slightly. It's always good thought to be in the presence of such a fantastic looking bird though and when they show like this it really makes your day. Other birds of note in the area was a pair of Raven mobbing a Buzzard over the nearby woods and an aggressive Wheatear which for some reason had a right pop at the Hoopoe at one point! Here is a quick phonescopped pic of the bird and a short video.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJuQ3jp1_tUzrw2GHbqk0_Z73Cq4AiySL_WT9PCusJ45P8mmaKDvrnngQyfurHxHBFPOJbUc-Js3XlHuNkqAgP0Rhi3s3BTSbbBsv9uH2iT22ajS3s3RTUxCM6ViAEDi72KnumGq4LaY/s1600/Hoopoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJuQ3jp1_tUzrw2GHbqk0_Z73Cq4AiySL_WT9PCusJ45P8mmaKDvrnngQyfurHxHBFPOJbUc-Js3XlHuNkqAgP0Rhi3s3BTSbbBsv9uH2iT22ajS3s3RTUxCM6ViAEDi72KnumGq4LaY/s1600/Hoopoe.JPG" height="428" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoopoe, Willington, Beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FWtDkuGklZU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Over the following days lots of birders and photographers visiting this showy bird and some incredible images of it have been produced. One of the best though was taken by my good friend Jon Philpot which is below, what a bird and what an image!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACEOrZKWXsMaAdDPwU30JKyuuSnjGF8gnb-qyHLDd4CGUlMP5dzAcQjQS5EueMXL5qB9LBCIM6ql0hQbYHn_PoLEf_1U3gjAoBV9fUEP1X2uy7Lc2gbgDREyOenXGsq2LEXqunKpII-A/s1600/10671342_10152833968338274_2862755445626040027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACEOrZKWXsMaAdDPwU30JKyuuSnjGF8gnb-qyHLDd4CGUlMP5dzAcQjQS5EueMXL5qB9LBCIM6ql0hQbYHn_PoLEf_1U3gjAoBV9fUEP1X2uy7Lc2gbgDREyOenXGsq2LEXqunKpII-A/s1600/10671342_10152833968338274_2862755445626040027_n.jpg" height="480" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoopoe, Willington, Beds - pic taken by Jon Philpot</td></tr>
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After our superb year of chasing butterflies I have to admit it was quite difficult to get back into birding again but this bird certainly went a long way in getting the enthusiasm building up again. So with the news of a mega in the shape of a Steppe Grey Shrike currently wowing the crowds in Norfolk we couldn't resist a trip over. So on the Sunday the 12th October me, Jon and Kirsty headed to Norfolk to take a look for ourselves. As we approached we were slightly worried by the amount of morning fog that was still present long after sunrise and we were even more concerned when a report came through that the bird hadn't been seen so far that morning! That sinking feeling started to fall over us that this was going to be a dip but our mood was raised significantly when a report came through just ten minutes later to say it was showing well! After sighs of relief all round we headed straight for the site and were rewarded with few of the Steppe Grey Shrike immediately after finding the crowds watching it. Unfortunately due to the light in the wrong place and the misty morning (I know I'm getting picky now) we decided to head off in search of the next target bird and return later when the sun was in a more favourable position.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ0Ru-CYN4bPDsE32Vw9iXofwgjhfKvE0ifguupdskEb4xREdsVmB4W6rudgVGduvv_W3AG602WVdCvtflbceS6iqfQRxisIe5EgsJISxmZzvDqF40LKHqPeK18PhAAwIRTwZsmN5exY/s1600/Steppe+fog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZ0Ru-CYN4bPDsE32Vw9iXofwgjhfKvE0ifguupdskEb4xREdsVmB4W6rudgVGduvv_W3AG602WVdCvtflbceS6iqfQRxisIe5EgsJISxmZzvDqF40LKHqPeK18PhAAwIRTwZsmN5exY/s1600/Steppe+fog.jpg" height="456" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike in the mist, Burnham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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The other bird was one of the Yellow-browed Warblers that had been seen along the Norfolk coast in recent days and as the RSPB reserve at Titchwell was the closest we headed there to try and see one as it would be a lifer for Jon and Kirsty. After a quick snack in the excellent cafe we started to bird the area and it wasn't too long before we managed to find the area one was in. We scoured the branches of the Sycamore tree above us and a tiny flitting bird could be seen zipping from branch to branch. After some perseverance we got great views of the this little gem as it busily fed on the flies brought out by the sun but as it was in the thick canopy pics were impossible. After enjoying the bird for a while we then decided to head back to the Steppe Grey Shrike. We were very glad we did as it showed incredibly well and with the help of a local birder placing a pot of mealworms on the ground it put on a real show. Jon very graciously allowed me to use his camera to get these pics below.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwTXjXdSIl7A_emf-195tAnjaUzlS_a4_dLVP8yg2DFA6slslYB0lTbdbqxwHewOmu9kBb1pi9hsXIVS5sZST6JpYUSnyHwJW_ReVJn6QDghMZFQmWSMliH2wXOJJUNsBEo_p2orsQmw/s1600/Steppe+Grey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwTXjXdSIl7A_emf-195tAnjaUzlS_a4_dLVP8yg2DFA6slslYB0lTbdbqxwHewOmu9kBb1pi9hsXIVS5sZST6JpYUSnyHwJW_ReVJn6QDghMZFQmWSMliH2wXOJJUNsBEo_p2orsQmw/s1600/Steppe+Grey+1.jpg" height="436" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike, Burham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPzjxBl21CGIqjd9omEbQPA3aGZmQcCX_sAO35kzfz9wyhH8H70H2C0RLucTwCXsOhfrukVn3Sy37s9ymqp8VeIesUKB4EcOuiCIHbKzc0fCo5P8ZLyOnUiFvLVUi385BMwkzOL5idXQ/s1600/Steppe+Grey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPzjxBl21CGIqjd9omEbQPA3aGZmQcCX_sAO35kzfz9wyhH8H70H2C0RLucTwCXsOhfrukVn3Sy37s9ymqp8VeIesUKB4EcOuiCIHbKzc0fCo5P8ZLyOnUiFvLVUi385BMwkzOL5idXQ/s1600/Steppe+Grey+2.jpg" height="440" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike, Burnham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyGTddrNCkswrT3F6PJt4LRVZMeOa2s4zRiyFipbRNelZQrZQzdqpwEaBSy8QEl8w3XHCB9C-Q7Zm4ZsRCpGpSpHBNBhH4nQSZlpd5DD8VKMKVvgQR7_HPba5RHm8BJOCNG3VCFrlE54/s1600/Steppe+Grey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyGTddrNCkswrT3F6PJt4LRVZMeOa2s4zRiyFipbRNelZQrZQzdqpwEaBSy8QEl8w3XHCB9C-Q7Zm4ZsRCpGpSpHBNBhH4nQSZlpd5DD8VKMKVvgQR7_HPba5RHm8BJOCNG3VCFrlE54/s1600/Steppe+Grey+3.jpg" height="440" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike, Burnham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYmJoTAFsyDTq3V73_s0bFkkTbmKJUGAQpNTrx1c0DeDSlT9KjQGhhobJSzntkt3ysY5LTisUfR44lv1a5yy8-KBclemkZgLESFl7BHX54nv4VZihPuwKvO5vrpIX8SGmWfIE15Hrgvo/s1600/Steppe+Shrike+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYmJoTAFsyDTq3V73_s0bFkkTbmKJUGAQpNTrx1c0DeDSlT9KjQGhhobJSzntkt3ysY5LTisUfR44lv1a5yy8-KBclemkZgLESFl7BHX54nv4VZihPuwKvO5vrpIX8SGmWfIE15Hrgvo/s1600/Steppe+Shrike+4.jpg" height="448" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike, Burnham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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The bird would often come down onto it's stick before heading back into the nearby bushes. On one occasion when it did this I managed to get a pic of it's back showing the tail and wing pattern. It's heavily cropped but shows plumage of the bird you don't normally get to see.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS_u_lJp56VHNNq40_rcFhgUPLMjlK5jeI6qPRcCx8AX8D1U3SapANtbn27QyDRN4krx2CJJBzFKeCxflw56RAHozW6O4VTaep7T3BVzzlGXvGbFC_LSjsMp7ebr7tjUOgEaVZ-gQIt4/s1600/Steppe+Grey+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizS_u_lJp56VHNNq40_rcFhgUPLMjlK5jeI6qPRcCx8AX8D1U3SapANtbn27QyDRN4krx2CJJBzFKeCxflw56RAHozW6O4VTaep7T3BVzzlGXvGbFC_LSjsMp7ebr7tjUOgEaVZ-gQIt4/s1600/Steppe+Grey+back.jpg" height="420" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steppe Grey Shrike, Burnham Norton, Norfolk</td></tr>
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And last but not least here is a phonescopped video, you can hear the shutters going off from the nearby cameras.<br>
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We decided to head to a couple of our other nearby favourite places after enjoying the bird so much, these being the Cider Shop in Wells-next-the-sea and the nearby Real Ale Shop just to the south to buy a couple of drinks for the journey home.<br>
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<br>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-57970309955890477172014-09-16T21:08:00.003+01:002014-09-16T21:23:50.735+01:00Wasp Spider at Tices Meadow in Surrey - 14th September 2014I have been wanting to see a Wasp Spider for years now but despite lots of searching around here in Northants I have drawn a blank. It's not surprising really as despite them being reported this far north on a couple of occasions by a lucky few they remain a southern species. I spent a while searching the sand dunes at RSPB Minsmere a few years ago when the juv King Eider was there but I couldn't find any and the lure of the rarity out to sea proved too much and I had to abandon the spiders to chase the King up the coast instead. Every year though especially in September my mind always draws back to them so I was very pleased when browsing Twitter when I saw a picture of a stonking female Wasp Spider at a site near Aldershot on the Surrey and Hampshire border called Tices Meadow. I spent the rest of the week trying to decide whether it was a good idea to drive all that way to see something that could very easily not be there and not only that but trying to search a large site that I am totally unfamiliar with trying to find a relatively small spider started to make me think it was a fools errand. I had actually decided against it but my wife unexpectedly got one of here car tyres puncture d while she was visiting friends in Watford and as the locking wheel nut key was up here at someone else house (long story) I had to take it down there to change her wheel. After I did this I sat in my car and checked the map to discover I was actually half way from Northampton to the Wasp Spider site so I decided to give it ago and I drove down to Aldershot with rather pessimistic thoughts going round in my head. I found the road (Lower Farnham Road SU867490 ) and parked up at the bottom and using my OS map app on my phone located the entrance to Tices Meadow (gated path on the left) and followed the paths through the scrub. Thanks to Lee Evans on Twitter I knew I had to find the "viewing mound" to find the spider and after walking along a small path that headed through one of the bushes I could see a lot of people standing on a mound further east so I made my way over. A Pectoral Sandpiper had been discovered here recently and it was drawing in quite a crowd of birders to see it so I approached them checking all the grassland on either side of the path. It became clear that it was going to be easier to ask a local as it really was going to be a needle in a haystack job in all the grassland. I'll admit I did feel a bit daft approaching someone to ask the location of a spider but I found a chap and popped the question. He then very helpfully span round and took me to a clump of grass and in the middle of it was one of the best looking wild creatures I've seen in Britain! Hanging in the middle of a web was a stunning female Wasp Spider and I have to say she was a lot bigger than I was expecting here to be. It really was a dream realised as I grabbed the camera and snapped away with one hand while trying to clear away the grass with the other. The web is also worthy of mention as it is just as impressive as the spider. The web includes a distinctive zig zag pattern below the centre which is called a stabilimentum and no one knows exactly what purpose it achieves. It used to be believed it was for web stability (hence the name) but it is also now considered that it could also be an aid to hunting, a camouflage technique or simply just decoration. Either way a stunning spider in an equally stunning web had me awstruck with this creature and it was nice when I was joined by a few of the birders and their children who had come over to see why I was taking so many pics in the grass, quite a few of them went back to their bags and returned with their camera! But anyway that's enough waffling from me so here's some of my pics of her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEiENb6ywIpPWPXpHUkezw5Wf2HiR3NIHzE0Di4UKGvKBQxJATYS_VF6xZ45NK6ZbTUhQC3IEqMy6Ecl0HSfKS1eF7YlfNRyICF-dXzJUCdybUvnpDDWksGx9oP6jBn5TC4_deE9pHlw/s1600/Wasp+Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEiENb6ywIpPWPXpHUkezw5Wf2HiR3NIHzE0Di4UKGvKBQxJATYS_VF6xZ45NK6ZbTUhQC3IEqMy6Ecl0HSfKS1eF7YlfNRyICF-dXzJUCdybUvnpDDWksGx9oP6jBn5TC4_deE9pHlw/s1600/Wasp+Spider.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp Spider, Tices Meadow, Surrey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcG7i8ZjJtVikz4xeGFO2Iwu_OnbphIv7Azn4oXuew9sFxmj2Je7o-nNz-p3zJUZMvh8sKJjl47Yjd4kBsTdMQDQtGTsio7Pl-3U7uEX_4SWMw2msbHeukqlMlMMGCwyjOKcBLmRm8Rw/s1600/Wasp+Spider+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcG7i8ZjJtVikz4xeGFO2Iwu_OnbphIv7Azn4oXuew9sFxmj2Je7o-nNz-p3zJUZMvh8sKJjl47Yjd4kBsTdMQDQtGTsio7Pl-3U7uEX_4SWMw2msbHeukqlMlMMGCwyjOKcBLmRm8Rw/s1600/Wasp+Spider+3.jpg" height="640" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp Spider (you can see the zig zag of the stabilimentum underneath her), Tices Meadow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B3cp36QvH6zBnyT9y2pzuzmyNQoUSp52F8PeQDuQFFCvi0NXzkyb9ZgpWrVno33Xy7MrsjDSGKpxvS7dPejnELby23cesK5QQrK6tujXmhX9O2COvbqqBOwSiQda7E0AVzHZrLO3cPw/s1600/Wasp+Spider+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7B3cp36QvH6zBnyT9y2pzuzmyNQoUSp52F8PeQDuQFFCvi0NXzkyb9ZgpWrVno33Xy7MrsjDSGKpxvS7dPejnELby23cesK5QQrK6tujXmhX9O2COvbqqBOwSiQda7E0AVzHZrLO3cPw/s1600/Wasp+Spider+1.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp Spider showing underside pattern, Tices Meadow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcadglRUQiRCNxYJWWUwjw8ivx-PJaaP4C76I3trs_VgBrfR64ZMpYFk_iFC7je_LJ8WGfON0nqsvbdbyQRdFLfHGrqfxDusRXfYkeliZTHPuBjjK6TRcskgal2hV-wWhzatqvmwbsy8/s1600/Wasp+Spider+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcadglRUQiRCNxYJWWUwjw8ivx-PJaaP4C76I3trs_VgBrfR64ZMpYFk_iFC7je_LJ8WGfON0nqsvbdbyQRdFLfHGrqfxDusRXfYkeliZTHPuBjjK6TRcskgal2hV-wWhzatqvmwbsy8/s1600/Wasp+Spider+2.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp Spider and stabilimentum, Tices Meadow</td></tr>
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After getting my pics I really had to tear myself away and after saying goodbye to the birders I made my way back to the car checking the pics on the back of the camera on the way. At last I've seen a Wasp Spider, and what a stunning specimen to see too! I was half way home before I realised that I hadn't even bothered to look at the Pectoral Sandpiper, my interest in insects is becoming a real priority with me at the moment and the birds are beginning to take a bit of a back seat in my wildlife watching and I am really broadening my interests - it's amazing what's out there if you look hard enough!<br />
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-33260896436795511782014-08-25T12:17:00.002+01:002014-08-25T12:17:41.084+01:00Graylings, Tiger Beetle, Brown Argus, and more Clouded Yellows - 25th August 2014The last few weeks have seen our luck run out with the weather as glorious sunshine shone through the week only for the clouds and rain to roll in at the weekends. The weekend of the 16th of August looked to be not too bad so on the saturday me, Jon and Kirsty headed off to the north coast of Norfolk to try and see another species of butterfly we hadn't caught up with this so far year. A birding friend of mine who lives in Norfolk (Kieran Nixon) offered to be our guide for the day while we looked for it so after picking him up we found ourselves searching the sea bank near Cley. Unfortunately the forecast of long sunny spells never materialised and a heavy layer of thick grey clouds soon made any blue patches of sky disappear. To add to this the wind was becoming quite strong and was an almost straight westerly which ripped straight along the coast leaving very few sheltered areas. It was very apparant that if we were going to see Grayling it certainly wouldn't be here with weather like this so we took Kieran's advice and decided to head inland to Holt Country Park hoping it will be a little less windy. As we arrived on site the cloud started to break up and we had some brief sunny spells. When the sun did come out the place came alive with numerous Gatekeepers and Meadow Brown and we also had a nice surprise as a Wall Brown made an appearance in the meadow. We found the bare patch of earth where the Grayling are normally found but by now the sun had gone back in and it was looking quiet again. We walked round and round but with no luck and it was looking very likely that we were going to dip. Kieran and Jon had found a male Black Keeled Skimmer which provided a bit of entertainment while trying to get a pic and as they chased it I carried on with the Grayling vigil. Suddenly as I crashed through a patch of heather a large brown butterfly took off and landed a few feet away, at last a Grayling! A large sigh of relief was exhaled as I called the others over for our 51st butterfly for 2014. Once everyone had seen it we then went closer to get some pics and despite the cool conditions it was surprisingly active. We got some good shots of it close up and I also couldn't resist a distant shot to show how well camouflaged they are.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxBgy__BdfuCTbvgB3uIU4-yI2NEdlqFfnALMLjH30UHnUwyP3YtOgksR8BHz8eTfLnflBQ67w-XokdnaemsLBIgai18y4HKAUKkPgd7xewEHmiaxHI_yjMiUkPwIqnCMbfPOqHLIL5Y/s1600/Grayling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxBgy__BdfuCTbvgB3uIU4-yI2NEdlqFfnALMLjH30UHnUwyP3YtOgksR8BHz8eTfLnflBQ67w-XokdnaemsLBIgai18y4HKAUKkPgd7xewEHmiaxHI_yjMiUkPwIqnCMbfPOqHLIL5Y/s1600/Grayling.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grayling, Holt CP, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisssb9uDGQvOnXCoiePazeRKme5VFxBxnoiz1Gk_IGchDfnIPfC778iVYRPY4J3Kspgcwz2F2TxG84vOrp1Q86QQZKpyo392TN2j1xg0Hz8B-umkFBQ96KX8TXgmdGRRrJiGwoAYECmM8/s1600/Grayling+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisssb9uDGQvOnXCoiePazeRKme5VFxBxnoiz1Gk_IGchDfnIPfC778iVYRPY4J3Kspgcwz2F2TxG84vOrp1Q86QQZKpyo392TN2j1xg0Hz8B-umkFBQ96KX8TXgmdGRRrJiGwoAYECmM8/s1600/Grayling+1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Spot the Grayling" - Holt CP, Norfolk</td></tr>
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We managed to see at least two or three while we were there but the other highlight was found by Kirsty as she discovered a Tiger Beetle running through the stones. A real challenge to photograph as it ran like mad. It always amazes me how something so small can run such a long way without stopping once! We got some fairly good pics but I couldn't get a clear one of the jaws, I've included a record shot of it under some vegetation to show those magnificent mandibles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujX3RiPETKI4jtnL99nNQHGKOnzv54E7Tn0mxBD1a447IG9cDaax5wB94iRYKOpA5i_4C2sljQen3nxnSmT_g5BVi8xhenaT-TbNbWgrNDUxyG3gL7ZyyY1VoBWPCl9J9dCr-K2nBwPQ/s1600/Tiger+Beetle+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujX3RiPETKI4jtnL99nNQHGKOnzv54E7Tn0mxBD1a447IG9cDaax5wB94iRYKOpA5i_4C2sljQen3nxnSmT_g5BVi8xhenaT-TbNbWgrNDUxyG3gL7ZyyY1VoBWPCl9J9dCr-K2nBwPQ/s1600/Tiger+Beetle+2.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Beetle record shot to show jaws, Holt CP, Norfolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoGDJnBHSaiukwhkXJDDut_XCmDxotlzgIrqfWd08WplMtVlS_pYl3o-c9Y-Ya116WhLOImEyFmTk44jkcljJN57CeYaYU0dFQF1kl3cK9ze38xZUgHWrUUJhkhEfadtI5S697Y5C5uQ/s1600/Tiger+Beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoGDJnBHSaiukwhkXJDDut_XCmDxotlzgIrqfWd08WplMtVlS_pYl3o-c9Y-Ya116WhLOImEyFmTk44jkcljJN57CeYaYU0dFQF1kl3cK9ze38xZUgHWrUUJhkhEfadtI5S697Y5C5uQ/s1600/Tiger+Beetle.jpg" height="438" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Beetle, Holt CP, Norfolk</td></tr>
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We also had some good views of a magnificent female Southern Hawker egg laying on the bank by the pond further down the hill. She was a stunning shade of green and brought a dash of colour to an otherwise grey day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv9t2r_FmTGZJDf7-9l857Dw18DL_ixH52Sm3tDZTTprSt2_MmcCe2CWPKoZM0scXinEJgEahWIprzk5Txihb3Q36CEEsk-Xo73ylugkNYIxz0LJdn9uFfzfDbunP9k2Az9SFrom5dSg/s1600/Southern+Hawker+female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv9t2r_FmTGZJDf7-9l857Dw18DL_ixH52Sm3tDZTTprSt2_MmcCe2CWPKoZM0scXinEJgEahWIprzk5Txihb3Q36CEEsk-Xo73ylugkNYIxz0LJdn9uFfzfDbunP9k2Az9SFrom5dSg/s1600/Southern+Hawker+female.jpg" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Hawker, Holt CP, Norfolk</td></tr>
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We decided to call it a day at this point so we headed to the fantastic Dun Cow in Salthouse for a lovely Fish Pie washed down with a couple of pints to celebrate another butterfly species to the yearlist.<br />
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The following day (Sunday the 17th Aug) I went to my local site at Grange Park and was very pleased to see that Clouded Yellows had found the site again. I managed to get three in total in the end with a female half way down the bank and two males which ended up fighting each other at the far end near the blanket of Trefoil. I managed to get a couple of pics despite them being very active.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oM1JZBclcfzUkpgiDE0SjR9I6gUUmkXR_3HatVj8qXXU4j930AuIv2DSdBBrywoe3tuexLYj1Wycb8EPbqYSM4F5Umc_tlyZflyY9stEFKcglYU7Zp-1LdptYRCT-Mqm9z9FpoZ3nU4/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+2+17th+Aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oM1JZBclcfzUkpgiDE0SjR9I6gUUmkXR_3HatVj8qXXU4j930AuIv2DSdBBrywoe3tuexLYj1Wycb8EPbqYSM4F5Umc_tlyZflyY9stEFKcglYU7Zp-1LdptYRCT-Mqm9z9FpoZ3nU4/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+2+17th+Aug.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park 17/08/14</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UuHj2xVKjqSr_ndxlB0fzNykgtnruES5v0mZ_-YYfB-oI23WrgGsKnXocv2GrvvNRpiI90puBA-4Vs63W5Bq52Gyfn4Mqpe_w5mSIDJYsxASIqUCIFDRucVwUXafX1GMaEseSQig9OA/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+17th+Aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UuHj2xVKjqSr_ndxlB0fzNykgtnruES5v0mZ_-YYfB-oI23WrgGsKnXocv2GrvvNRpiI90puBA-4Vs63W5Bq52Gyfn4Mqpe_w5mSIDJYsxASIqUCIFDRucVwUXafX1GMaEseSQig9OA/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+17th+Aug.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park 17/08/14</td></tr>
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Along with the Clouded Yellows there were lots of Small Heath, Common Blues, Brown Argus, Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks. I returned the following week (Sunday 24/08/14) but found significantly less butterflies but this may have been due to the fairly cool breeze blowing across the site. I did see plenty of Common Blues and lots of Brown Argus, in fact probably more Brown Argus than I have ever seen in one place at one time showing a good second emergence of both species. Small Tortoiseshells were also evident feeding on the tops of the Ragwort and a couple of pristine Red Admiral were also there. As I was making my way to the car I at last saw yellow butterfly whirling along the bank towards me and after a bit of a chase it landed and I got some pics. Looking at the photos at home I could see that this was one of the males from the week before (compare to the above photo of the Clouded Yellow with the small nick in the hindwing) and this is one of the benefits of digital photography as no two Clouded Yellows are the same and it's with study of the tiny markings on the wings you can track individual butterflies. This is why I have such a huge Clouded Yellow library on my laptop as I try and take detailed pics of all the ones I see here. It was so still I also took the opportunity to grab a video and I had to give it a nudge at the end to get it to move.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirycKwebsbF-MGliDyyQj4GuuQzN5jYVgCc_z6JczKbWCx2V3qC16jvfJH-S_I8oG-VCvwZu85pJMQY9pTLxB_FJImqZBJ4i_dgSgLa2yE6H2GaWgiXUoy5-SYe4PBDWWDk-6jTf7S28w/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+24th+Aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirycKwebsbF-MGliDyyQj4GuuQzN5jYVgCc_z6JczKbWCx2V3qC16jvfJH-S_I8oG-VCvwZu85pJMQY9pTLxB_FJImqZBJ4i_dgSgLa2yE6H2GaWgiXUoy5-SYe4PBDWWDk-6jTf7S28w/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+24th+Aug.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park 24/08/14</td></tr>
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Here too is a few pics of some of the other species present.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUOMe81c8va03qkEC4iniCpsuMzLleI4O2Th4BFsnDTZApVEJYOIKIBFMdYweKO0EXDr4DN8K_NZ1MeOzLjA5pFwvSERHBafqCM_FFJBpOtFP7raVNtV-UFJ_wTr8YiBGZezz6NgWsDQ/s1600/Brown+Argus+Grange+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUOMe81c8va03qkEC4iniCpsuMzLleI4O2Th4BFsnDTZApVEJYOIKIBFMdYweKO0EXDr4DN8K_NZ1MeOzLjA5pFwvSERHBafqCM_FFJBpOtFP7raVNtV-UFJ_wTr8YiBGZezz6NgWsDQ/s1600/Brown+Argus+Grange+Park.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatty Brown Argus, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWoknU4blg1lxAWp3dAxvaLM-aaEOwFkk7WxXg0FRJF-MR8JNMT2EG4VDPfDWsFf5yp5npg_VhbJbhTRXA0FMUXyHIus51kFiEVYieIqzw4j_a4w-BQEv3BpEk1tyFZSaxPX5xu5a5OE/s1600/Common+Blue+on+Buddleia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWoknU4blg1lxAWp3dAxvaLM-aaEOwFkk7WxXg0FRJF-MR8JNMT2EG4VDPfDWsFf5yp5npg_VhbJbhTRXA0FMUXyHIus51kFiEVYieIqzw4j_a4w-BQEv3BpEk1tyFZSaxPX5xu5a5OE/s1600/Common+Blue+on+Buddleia.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue on Budleia, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4mV3zbo2THPwU78RpBHBabBSPdjtpu1JqXNqzJj_v-_xhksIsNhfd1EoZlVClXhQ_y0uQ1HYHTkZ86hmv-SLj-vr0tlEznlxprvIMSBNtYPBhncW_on6JTuzXBIxlKOcTrAt-NGSA58/s1600/Small+Tort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4mV3zbo2THPwU78RpBHBabBSPdjtpu1JqXNqzJj_v-_xhksIsNhfd1EoZlVClXhQ_y0uQ1HYHTkZ86hmv-SLj-vr0tlEznlxprvIMSBNtYPBhncW_on6JTuzXBIxlKOcTrAt-NGSA58/s1600/Small+Tort.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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It seems a lot of the second emergence butterflies are now starting to look tatty so maybe the 2014 butterfly season is now slowly coming to an end. It's been quite a ride trying to see as many as we could and I recommend anyone to do it at least once if they have an interest in them. It's the Arnside Knott trip got rained off as we could've got a few more but that's wildlife watching for you, if it was too easy it wouldn't be so much fun would it?David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-70441435577808221192014-07-31T20:04:00.001+01:002014-07-31T20:08:11.182+01:00Brown Hairstreaks and Wall Browns Bring The Butterfly Yearlist To 50! - 27th July 2014The weather was bright and sunny on the Saturday of the 26th of July and me, Jon and Kirsty and Sam Candy had already planned to go to Aston Rowant to see the site's specialities of Silver Spotted Skipper and Chalkhill Blue. This site is simply amazing to see, in fact you don't just "see" Aston Rowant you "experience" it in mid summer as the whole place shimmers with butterflies everywhere and on the right day it truly is a sight to behold as Chalkhill Blues fly around your feet. Today didn't disappoint with the wanted species all over the place but I have no idea what was causing it but something out there was causing my hayfever to explode which put a dampener on the morning for me at least as my nose streamed and eyes ran. I did manage a couple of record shots of Chalkhills and Silver Spotted but as I'd achieved better shots last year I didn't try to hard as my eyes were itching like mad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9HNDOqzd-VUUT16fqc1gbUAc2v8W_vaBDqVlvqxhu150svqIXRjoqltNDh5Nnnn_q3JfwslRrm0B4IMPlUcCXpgvodGh6N_6r5ryYTNSi2jdN0FTmQR_GzMihGzswZ05WpBG8Z3LqaM/s1600/Chalkhill+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9HNDOqzd-VUUT16fqc1gbUAc2v8W_vaBDqVlvqxhu150svqIXRjoqltNDh5Nnnn_q3JfwslRrm0B4IMPlUcCXpgvodGh6N_6r5ryYTNSi2jdN0FTmQR_GzMihGzswZ05WpBG8Z3LqaM/s1600/Chalkhill+Blue.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill Blue, Aston Rowant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdZ0zJ-cIDRp1mNsups9Xbv82Vop77xcX09tE7lhMMSscPSLznbnqhUOKdmsklPRPXZsHBPDiXukTkahCt4wOFUL5fhZNt42x2yZnGdfDZ33FNukqfeNoJ5lMSolbfSx8Q2qrMIy8w-I/s1600/Silver+Spotted+Skipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdZ0zJ-cIDRp1mNsups9Xbv82Vop77xcX09tE7lhMMSscPSLznbnqhUOKdmsklPRPXZsHBPDiXukTkahCt4wOFUL5fhZNt42x2yZnGdfDZ33FNukqfeNoJ5lMSolbfSx8Q2qrMIy8w-I/s1600/Silver+Spotted+Skipper.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Spotted Skipper, Aston Rowant</td></tr>
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Despite the site being amazing it was somewhat of a relief to me when we left as my sudden attack of hayfever had become pretty bad so we headed to the next target species at the RSPB's reserve at Otmoor. I'd only ever seen one Brown Hairstreak before and that was last year and down the Old Roman Road behind this reserve's car park. So we parked up and headed straight back to the place we'd seen them a year before . I've got to be honest although I was outwardly very confident we'd see one deep inside I didn't think we'd see one at all! Certainly not like we did last year as one came quite far down, the best I was hoping for was a glimpse in the tops of the trees if any. We headed to the particular tree and as me and Jon were discussing what area we saw the previous years butterfly in Sam (who I have to say has a peculiar luck when it comes to finding Brown Hairstreaks) calmly pointed to a thistle right infront of us and said "isn't that one?" We couldn't believe our eyes! A Brown Hairstreak was slowly rotating the way Hairstreaks do on the top of a Thistle flower just at our waist height. It performed fantastically as it flew from flower to flower while slowly rubbing it's wings together and pirouetting around while we all took lots of shots. Unfortunately the base of one of the wings on one side was slightly damaged but other than that it was a nice looking butterfly. Here's a few of the pics below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcJTuUHX0VOnANkPDuDtM_bMEyFpJ6vQB_xGVVBxLm1T6OGs4TbAY6_x6t2ErajhjlNLYA8whH9lqvG5o72ba2U4L8M8v88NJ7GNzrkeaTZmtYuZR6BItb10fa6hDj5BYHUN-w3AAXpk/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcJTuUHX0VOnANkPDuDtM_bMEyFpJ6vQB_xGVVBxLm1T6OGs4TbAY6_x6t2ErajhjlNLYA8whH9lqvG5o72ba2U4L8M8v88NJ7GNzrkeaTZmtYuZR6BItb10fa6hDj5BYHUN-w3AAXpk/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+4.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rAemoS6uUUOYGBKzxQVBi-oEtY7_S9AtQbgTHsuc0apCawNRZYeO4456AUwoY5mbJpTW2431o-xXZTfubVx2uHC4nBeg4fY1cgtEXW518aV0i9So0INItaNNFm91DC5ovLp6zGBBoR0/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rAemoS6uUUOYGBKzxQVBi-oEtY7_S9AtQbgTHsuc0apCawNRZYeO4456AUwoY5mbJpTW2431o-xXZTfubVx2uHC4nBeg4fY1cgtEXW518aV0i9So0INItaNNFm91DC5ovLp6zGBBoR0/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU4d9Y5Sr2u4o_SYqJodUJfGDqZgcOAqP6PlHW5EQMpOi2CZgz43peocOsd4qmOiA0D2b1cKbFAmDbspY3s434A97djWnkmvsjfjlUY1l60OF1h4JsyU-Q2D-YpdaVAKUPXc3jz_RKHo/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU4d9Y5Sr2u4o_SYqJodUJfGDqZgcOAqP6PlHW5EQMpOi2CZgz43peocOsd4qmOiA0D2b1cKbFAmDbspY3s434A97djWnkmvsjfjlUY1l60OF1h4JsyU-Q2D-YpdaVAKUPXc3jz_RKHo/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+6.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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After while this little cracker shot back up into the canopy of a nearby Ash but soon enough Kirsty managed to find another one further along the track and this one was just as stunning, in fact it was almost pristine! By now a few more people had arrived and we took it in turns to snap away at this superb butterfly and I also grabbed the opportunity to get a short video too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2e7dA_XrEcCZup9yBS7_D0uFu3ZVqHo-S8R3EEBLvvDEbQfwscJnBSjkPiMSfz-GrPJJ-Jlu_O-NjWC3IZfcIe-hGdfjmgJcaquMG-GHv5wnyR4CVNdcevyN5qY9q4hED83wispPNjs/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2e7dA_XrEcCZup9yBS7_D0uFu3ZVqHo-S8R3EEBLvvDEbQfwscJnBSjkPiMSfz-GrPJJ-Jlu_O-NjWC3IZfcIe-hGdfjmgJcaquMG-GHv5wnyR4CVNdcevyN5qY9q4hED83wispPNjs/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+3.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdnMW8OTMWXa7BZ4vp9ndr_SAt745oOVNlReSlllkVkc02TyzfTr49qiTBpZjDYWgsJGHDTt73phPpX1DxxlokQa-UQh3F4T0ceOe5YqlVedMAgpVXhAK33l8KL-8WQPU-z2tqAqEVQ4/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+Lr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdnMW8OTMWXa7BZ4vp9ndr_SAt745oOVNlReSlllkVkc02TyzfTr49qiTBpZjDYWgsJGHDTt73phPpX1DxxlokQa-UQh3F4T0ceOe5YqlVedMAgpVXhAK33l8KL-8WQPU-z2tqAqEVQ4/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+Lr2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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I carried on searching the Roman Road while the others explored the reserve but the best i could do was another Brown Hairstreak high up in a tree. A Common Darter posed nicely on a perch for a moment so I grabbed a quick pic as the sun shone through it's wings.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Darter, RSPB Otmoor</td></tr>
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We then headed home via Grange Park and we were lucky enough to see a Clouded Yellow just before it was probably about to go to roost for the night, a nice end to a fantastic day!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA25TCgHAnjvEEXvteCjclEuYVhRI2QMlVZ-nM5nh6hEkBR7smxZZxG5sj5wJtZwl7XqQvWLqBmD6HEHfAhuPGquY7h8alvaTkNnATTxqez9tv_r6GfE9WqoXE_N_UM8v1DT2YJpHgbl0/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+26.7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA25TCgHAnjvEEXvteCjclEuYVhRI2QMlVZ-nM5nh6hEkBR7smxZZxG5sj5wJtZwl7XqQvWLqBmD6HEHfAhuPGquY7h8alvaTkNnATTxqez9tv_r6GfE9WqoXE_N_UM8v1DT2YJpHgbl0/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+26.7.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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The following day we decided to head to a couple of sites in Cambridgeshire for Wall Brown butterflies. I have admit I didn't realise the were so easy to see in the county as we had intended to head to Norfolk to see them along with Grayling but as these were relatively close to home we gave it a go. After some helpful directions from a mate on a Facebook Group we found ourselves at King's Dyke reserve near Peterborough (please note it's permit only) and had a handful of Walls right underneath the Buddleia opposite the car park. We were pretty ecstatic when we saw them as this was our 50th British butterfly species for 2014! Unfortunately due to the incredibly nice weather they wouldn't stay still for very long so getting pics was certainly a challenge. I managed to get this though all the same which I am very happy with, that underwing is pretty spectacular.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Brown, King's Dyke, Cambs</td></tr>
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After we left we headed to Ring's End reserve to see some more Walls before the heat got the better of us and we headed home to have a beer to celebrate the 50.<br />
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I haven't mentioned it before as I didn't want to jinx it but me, Jon and Kirsty had set ourselves the challenge to try and see 50 species of British butterfly this year in one season. It's harder than it sounds (especially when working full time) as it requires a lot of nice weather that coincides with days off from work and a considerable amount of luck helps too! Luckily for us we've been very lucky this year considering this is the first time we've attempted this and needed to do quite a bit of prior research to not only find butterfly sites but also to find out where you need to be at the site as some of the butterflies can be tucked in a small corner! We've also met some great people who have helped immensley this year so many thanks to you all. I've also found a great deal of information by carrying out lots of searches using the UK Butterflies forum and various Facebook groups - we'd have never have found the Pearl Bordered Fritillaries at Hailey Wood earlier in the year if it wasn't for people posting online! Hopefully 2014 will bring a couple more butterflies but for now it's a nice feeling to be able to head into the slow lane for a bit. I have to say that chasing butterflies is certainly addictive and this year so far has been superb and very enjoyable with some trips to some amazing places. Biggest thanks of course go to Jon and Kirsty (especially as Kirsty drove on most of the trips!) as we saw them all as a small group and without all of our enthusiasm it wouldn't happen, and of course to Matt for helping us see the Scottish specialites. For me though the Hairstreaks have to be the stars if the year, we have been very lucky to get such good photos of some very elusive insects!David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-86951990188989033002014-07-22T19:03:00.002+01:002014-07-23T21:02:50.704+01:00A Clouded Yellow and a Painted Lady at Grange Park in Northampton -21st July 2014The last few days have seen some interesting weather systems as the sunny and hot conditions gave way to some very impressive thunderstorms and some incredible lightning displays. These fronts coupled with the recent photos and sightings I had seen online turned my mind to a special migrant butterfly called the Painted Lady. The numbers that visit Britain fluctuate every year and sometimes there's lots and other times they can be quite scarce. In fact I only saw one last year and that was in Norfolk so we were wondering how easy they'd be to see this year. They originate from north Africa and they gradually migrate north with some reaching our shores and heading inland during the summer months so with this in mind I headed the my local patch at Grange Park in Northampton on the 20th July. Gatekeepers, Small and Essex Skippers seemed to be everywhere and just about every teasle head had a stunningly fresh Peacock busy feeding away. I went through these systematically hoping to see the orange flash of a Painted Lady but no luck at the base of the bank so I moved along slowly and headed up and hadn't got far before noticing a large butterfly take of and fly to the other side of a small clump of teasles. I was sure it was paler and noticeably more spotted than the Peacocks so I walked round to be greeted by the sight of a Painted Lady busy nectaring away. Migrants can always be held with a degree of uncertainty at the start of a year so a sigh of relief is exhaled when you see one. I rang up Jon and Kirsty to tell them the news and in record timing they arrived on site to enjoy it too. Here's a couple of pics which with the exception of a small degree of tattiness along the hindwing it was a nice looking specimen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLVQ5_D1f5HlhnFRbr8qEpus1DrjbaXCjR_AutY-a6aXd68GKPZb2zlR-7mwJdjAWXspIf0WNtEdOA7m5LkQ7H4um2QY-pJJvGb_-BIAxgZzQu5_o4pf4GkvGNFpopQhkppRIyYDQx6c/s1600/Painted+Lady+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLVQ5_D1f5HlhnFRbr8qEpus1DrjbaXCjR_AutY-a6aXd68GKPZb2zlR-7mwJdjAWXspIf0WNtEdOA7m5LkQ7H4um2QY-pJJvGb_-BIAxgZzQu5_o4pf4GkvGNFpopQhkppRIyYDQx6c/s1600/Painted+Lady+4.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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I also had the following day off work but the all day sunny spells never materialised in the morning. I did have a half hearted look at Brackmills Wood but a couple of lads on a motorbike and the ever greyer cloudy weather meant that not much was seen. I decided therefore to head back to Grange Park to see if anything else had turned up. I was surprised to see the Painted Lady was not only still there but it was busily feeding away on the same bunch of teasles, in fact it hadn't moved from it's location the previous day! I had a walk along the base of the bank and it was all pretty much the same as the day before until I reached a secluded area that's blanketed with a carpet of Trefoil. Almost as soon as I went passed a little yellow butterfly shot up and whirled up and down the bank! "I don't believe it" I said to myself as I watched a male Clouded Yellow do what Clouded Yellows do and tore across the wasteland with very impressive stamina! I'm 6 foot 4 inches tall with a large stride and although I'm not a marathon runner I consider myself to be pretty fit and within an hour it had well and truly wore me out! The first Clouded Yellow of the year (found by Ian Pretty while I was showing him the Bee Orchids here on the 8th of June) shot off so fast I couldn't get pics so I wasn't letting this one go lightly. For those who have seen the epic western The Good, The Bad and The Ugly if you can picture the last scene at the end of the film before the gun fight when Tuco is running through the graveyard then was that pretty much sums up what I was doing, and my legs are still aching a day later! Despite the fierce sun (the previous clouds had dispersed) it did stop every now and then to nectar on a flower allowing me a couple of shots before shooting off again with me running along in tow - only the Benny Hill music was missing (or Ecstasy of Gold if you're still thinking about the film). My favourite shots during the chase are below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UnFwKbk3ujd550FmRSONrOQqk2AxvUiqGl5dEd_VfSFfz3gxKx_THfuWEy0_BMRiHJW3W07w3wlq3WaccHviNWy54HxYuyhyphenhyphen5KArQGLQ16t9yXtKA8_vaYDZ8NolAzuyQcHIvPG8-KA/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+21st+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UnFwKbk3ujd550FmRSONrOQqk2AxvUiqGl5dEd_VfSFfz3gxKx_THfuWEy0_BMRiHJW3W07w3wlq3WaccHviNWy54HxYuyhyphenhyphen5KArQGLQ16t9yXtKA8_vaYDZ8NolAzuyQcHIvPG8-KA/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+21st+July+2014.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySV_WRC5fzOLyUS207r1WQuBW-OJ3uHUH9SLOZf1hsUSYOcd9oE-ll6fSrGWwLh0wlQGw9792w0mIwKD7QtbEP9evDf9cLtOIQOf96Ss4BLsfWbfk8WnRPUs5PLzGToxoKiE4_Nhz_NY/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+8+21st+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySV_WRC5fzOLyUS207r1WQuBW-OJ3uHUH9SLOZf1hsUSYOcd9oE-ll6fSrGWwLh0wlQGw9792w0mIwKD7QtbEP9evDf9cLtOIQOf96Ss4BLsfWbfk8WnRPUs5PLzGToxoKiE4_Nhz_NY/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+8+21st+July+2014.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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I'd made a few phone calls while all this was going on and Jon and Kirsty managed to get to the site in the afternoon to see it while a few more decided to head down in the evening. I couldn't resist heading back too as they're normally more photogenic as they settle down to roost. It took a bit of finding upon the return and unfortunately Ian Pretty had to leave before it did so but as Jon, Kirsty and Doug Goddard appeared I saw the little mustard coloured speck appear through the undergrowth and the chase started again. We did have quite a laugh as we raced round trying to get pics and then eventually it slowed down as it started to find a roosting site finally allowing prolonged and close up photography. We got some good shots as it rested on the floor and posed under leaves with the now low sun shining through the wings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iBX_cM2sh1qGf00YLCayLBdQUGarTFCjhoAOWFX3qOdkMiF8h7u5-k1CFRfcM_kIWkDHzMQPPiewYKHlmphVRg3bfEsCu6wlLayHeqhT_jEmAmj1Gp95gL8KBu2IDC_EowA817hKfCE/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+7+21st+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iBX_cM2sh1qGf00YLCayLBdQUGarTFCjhoAOWFX3qOdkMiF8h7u5-k1CFRfcM_kIWkDHzMQPPiewYKHlmphVRg3bfEsCu6wlLayHeqhT_jEmAmj1Gp95gL8KBu2IDC_EowA817hKfCE/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+7+21st+July+2014.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNKtzP7QBJcH4tKmKbii7RlryD1W7m9kZqIegUOAx57ZfF72tqmuGZlvNwxnSajJ-4BTrZrqrjT_-3fOtItoBmcEsmHzKE0B0suutq4ScpKFmEwlw5MJ77__XM1yF8_kypnM99Wlt1oQ/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+2+21st+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNKtzP7QBJcH4tKmKbii7RlryD1W7m9kZqIegUOAx57ZfF72tqmuGZlvNwxnSajJ-4BTrZrqrjT_-3fOtItoBmcEsmHzKE0B0suutq4ScpKFmEwlw5MJ77__XM1yF8_kypnM99Wlt1oQ/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+Grange+Park+2+21st+July+2014.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMz5uwBvpReG-pIbZJbJHsKxiuA5CkqweXZhmHWspsefvpe4kkm90E3Kz2-hy6tih7kWSEG8FLUjwqh6wS0nS-CLV-17JVOeZkDqr9YD6hkeraDUUD4Iqb7n3oTj2ZP6pT8xnFmYumI/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+3+21st+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bMz5uwBvpReG-pIbZJbJHsKxiuA5CkqweXZhmHWspsefvpe4kkm90E3Kz2-hy6tih7kWSEG8FLUjwqh6wS0nS-CLV-17JVOeZkDqr9YD6hkeraDUUD4Iqb7n3oTj2ZP6pT8xnFmYumI/s1600/Clouded+Yellow+3+21st+July+2014.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouded Yellow, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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Stuart Mundy also arrived at the right time as we were watching it roost and he got some good shots too. It's amazing how much happiness one little butterfly can bring to many and I'm not sure if it's the thrill of the chase, getting good pics or just seeing one on the first place? To be honest it's probably a combination of all three!David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-56821631999851802452014-07-17T22:34:00.002+01:002014-07-19T13:08:52.921+01:00A Purple Hairstreak Photo Completes the Set - 17th July 2014This evening I was lucky enough to get a photo of a Purple Hairstreak which for me is very special little insect. I love the whole family of British Hairstreaks as they (with the exception of the Green Hairstreak) have secretive lives and can seldom come down to the aspiring butterfly photographer. I have long since lost count of the many hours I have put into trying to get pics when the best views I could achieve is of their tiny silhouettes as they fly around their canopy of choice. Despite this a mixture of persistence, good luck and a few tip offs have meant that I have managed to get decent pics of the five British Hairstreaks with the final one tonight - this being the Purple Hairstreak. I find it slightly bizarre really that it took me this long to get a decent shot of one of the commonest Hairstreaks, and one which I regularly see flying around the large Oaks when I am out but until tonight I have never seen one down at eye level. This evening's Purple Hairstreak pics are included below and as it finishes my set of pics of the family I have decided to include all my best Hairstreak pics on one post, so apologies for regular readers as most of these pics you will have seen before.<br>
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<b><u>Black</u> <u>Hairstreak</u></b><br>
The Black Hairstreak is one of the rarest of our butterflies and is only found in a handful of sites in Britain. Luckily for us here in Northants one of the best places to see them is Glapthorn Cow Pastures near Oundle. They are stunners and always draw in quite a crowd when they emerge which can sometimes mean they are a challenge to photograph as a crowd of people can rush to see one if an individual tumbles down from the Blackthorn, particularly in years of bad weather when low down specimens can be few and far between! Lucky 2014 had superb weather during the period they were on the wing and I was lucky enough to have them almost to myself this year during my brief but productive visit after work. The main identifying feature is the row of black spots running along the out edge of the hindwing (compare to the White Letter Hairstreak at the end of this post for comparison).<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevdjOYGP125tlh8bLJ9qKbc_jrooOT8j48d_2QEieIFQwrGgPqftOxZYAl4v5OcjB5pc6DUqqdmX_wlC62zisMj3dYuXx5s0l8fnYWcP9v-wwQwkx-T2-AEUfB9fMH8IDnr8-nCrjzS0/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1.jpg" height="460" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY-0pzFRy8iOQOmvym_bSdziYjuF5tyL3a2xVUc33WnI9UYsl77ELFkIV2fg22mbSJwGA6t70rkRpqPYxZo6B77qR8QHwrlHkufaPvdvrf-Gbrziund9E9LJy3B79qvoXIHV3igDjol8/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijY-0pzFRy8iOQOmvym_bSdziYjuF5tyL3a2xVUc33WnI9UYsl77ELFkIV2fg22mbSJwGA6t70rkRpqPYxZo6B77qR8QHwrlHkufaPvdvrf-Gbrziund9E9LJy3B79qvoXIHV3igDjol8/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+2.jpg" height="440" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1QpRWyfEip4G4hfqJudR5hf51xHxjhfFZMW1fEbRQuFz_jvPMdulPiD0ak33Q7sxqljJW_xyoQ_I-PfcG_0LMHhql0fSNN3qUuq7C4iLf53IE6WWEGFTYW62UnD2zs8I5oecJsNg4qc/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1QpRWyfEip4G4hfqJudR5hf51xHxjhfFZMW1fEbRQuFz_jvPMdulPiD0ak33Q7sxqljJW_xyoQ_I-PfcG_0LMHhql0fSNN3qUuq7C4iLf53IE6WWEGFTYW62UnD2zs8I5oecJsNg4qc/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+3.jpg" height="432" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Haitstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QAG83iE6Fp3Vt1e9ZyLUwLSSefxG66YG_sSuV1GG8_TgnMbmg3VlNhERNELzrCuU9AA5zSLmtfYF5CJ8N72hGTMjpzKkq5FHfO9vyak47Ji7O6xFH6jOamxQVg0pgdbWjdSE6x7orJ4/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QAG83iE6Fp3Vt1e9ZyLUwLSSefxG66YG_sSuV1GG8_TgnMbmg3VlNhERNELzrCuU9AA5zSLmtfYF5CJ8N72hGTMjpzKkq5FHfO9vyak47Ji7O6xFH6jOamxQVg0pgdbWjdSE6x7orJ4/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+4.jpg" height="436" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3F8Nr6Z63RzNMw-V2HAUspgsFzh0RbkbyRpMCymgIVeBLC47MyacI_ayrGpJBCfOdOSpv5KwPstIqm8y2CTx11wL8nvkq4enAiTBgRS1W9Nf2l7moxBzmEyfSI0eAJiUu3PpSdytg5c/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3F8Nr6Z63RzNMw-V2HAUspgsFzh0RbkbyRpMCymgIVeBLC47MyacI_ayrGpJBCfOdOSpv5KwPstIqm8y2CTx11wL8nvkq4enAiTBgRS1W9Nf2l7moxBzmEyfSI0eAJiUu3PpSdytg5c/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+5.jpg" height="430" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxetcqADO8dWtqBYbO1M4oLRTblPZGS5vaXz4MW8EYlaiT1T_v-naV4X6yNJ08y486I2fTviBZVcpVwDJmlUpt4FO-foZ5mjMDYyBarmoOMfWmmLE6Zp44aCG_Jueo9vwADuQjLWEIXg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxetcqADO8dWtqBYbO1M4oLRTblPZGS5vaXz4MW8EYlaiT1T_v-naV4X6yNJ08y486I2fTviBZVcpVwDJmlUpt4FO-foZ5mjMDYyBarmoOMfWmmLE6Zp44aCG_Jueo9vwADuQjLWEIXg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+6.jpg" height="444" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIONcid0iC8AbokbXT1hgJdnUkEHAod29FEv9IxneOSKqZ1doJmFnAfm4gAh_YiGOhibwtE7awzPx2a4yzV8XtPoyTtiat6ZoMBxX0_4YrIb3nvQTZkFq2Rl2l_W4dsXwox4gsE6xhNhg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIONcid0iC8AbokbXT1hgJdnUkEHAod29FEv9IxneOSKqZ1doJmFnAfm4gAh_YiGOhibwtE7awzPx2a4yzV8XtPoyTtiat6ZoMBxX0_4YrIb3nvQTZkFq2Rl2l_W4dsXwox4gsE6xhNhg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+7.jpg" height="474" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCALIBAK16k88Yw9sy4yxXQrss6aC9q13xM4diHZpvaS12IKri-SVXSF4yFQeXcSn8t9diPNrSNMdaM69jvfQ3YU7wCSCshcaXMo-l4A6qU6JUA9warCDBkAmbPco6cC7_LAih6fJEKZo/s1600/Black+Hairtreak+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCALIBAK16k88Yw9sy4yxXQrss6aC9q13xM4diHZpvaS12IKri-SVXSF4yFQeXcSn8t9diPNrSNMdaM69jvfQ3YU7wCSCshcaXMo-l4A6qU6JUA9warCDBkAmbPco6cC7_LAih6fJEKZo/s1600/Black+Hairtreak+4.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Brown</b></u> <u><b>Hairstreak</b></u><br>
Last year (4th August 2013) I visited RSPB Otmoor with a group of friends and we decided to look along the "old Roman road" just in case a Brown Hairstreak had emerged. We walked up and down a couple of time before a tiny brown butterfly was seen by Sam Candy flying over the group. I watched it land at the top of a Bramble bush and was astonished to see a pristine Brown Hairstreak on top of a leaf. We hurriedly took pics and then it took off and we all held our breathe. We expected it to head back up into the canopy of the nearby Ash trees but in fact it did the opposite! It flew around for a short while before coming down and settling on a flower right infront of us. The below shot says more than I can put into words. An absolute cracker and I was incredibly lucky to be able to get it!<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7aj9v9hW8ba21GBB7RzR4rCQDWwQl5ROkKVRSX95OL1a6J9KWU3Y5ij45B1FTzG6qlM4EBC5FA28zP4rNguYXCDEo3IuerA4qQEafD1MzxhT1pI-6QDF-KURyaYtrQaF1ndznkJjkFM/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+Best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7aj9v9hW8ba21GBB7RzR4rCQDWwQl5ROkKVRSX95OL1a6J9KWU3Y5ij45B1FTzG6qlM4EBC5FA28zP4rNguYXCDEo3IuerA4qQEafD1MzxhT1pI-6QDF-KURyaYtrQaF1ndznkJjkFM/s1600/Brown+Hairstreak+Best.jpg" height="434" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Hairstreak, RSPB Otmoor, Oxon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Green</b></u> <u><b>Hairstreak</b></u><br>
Green Hairstreaks hold a special place in my heart as they're one of the first butterflies I actually went out to try and find after seeing reports of them at Twywell Hills and Dales many years ago in 2005. Being rather wet behind the years at the time I had to find them for myself as I didn't know anyone at the time who was into butterflies. I'll never forget that first green flash as one flew infront of a bush and with my limited camera gear I got a passable shot. A lot has changed since then and my experience (and camera gear) has improved considerably! The below pics were taken early this year on Gloucestershire were I was lucky enough to not only capture mating of the species but also egg laying. You may notice the dotted white line on the egg laying individual goes up the outer edge of the forewing aswell as the hind - this makes it the aberration punctata which semed to be very common in the area.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimLlZrLRSt4PV0aM5kR10eQQfhIjRTweL7tweoNajP4JQd4hROxcXNAY9ko34qyNdCHBMqwoo6Jxbe9tmm-qa5dZW61DFpRinZpfv5robYCpawtlSut8XjDm6jT92_oq4ngAl4xo0QMY/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+cop.jpg" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairsteaks in cop, Prestbury Hill, Glos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jf0jR0LyO1AtND6VmM5_adFNElJqjGD7E4LHgrXLghmViBpiwpd86cNej4IGLeWMKP9J_MwLkVXYyQ3wfk8v8kbhG2Kkajh10zQQVa7sPqNPXTNCo3Qtm2eMHBDdUBjdCDq8PBOtNs4/s1600/Green+hairstreak+Edgefield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jf0jR0LyO1AtND6VmM5_adFNElJqjGD7E4LHgrXLghmViBpiwpd86cNej4IGLeWMKP9J_MwLkVXYyQ3wfk8v8kbhG2Kkajh10zQQVa7sPqNPXTNCo3Qtm2eMHBDdUBjdCDq8PBOtNs4/s1600/Green+hairstreak+Edgefield.jpg" height="428" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairtreak, Edge Common, Glos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0ahI4ZEFex5vXkZbMT71YxC9MBEJbCkD4ymU3sZeX5-pni5eKWjPQ4E2iLpFLOvn7ANWWf9ytDZivrw362975l6gzV08G0AUgSPOR6K2HUq6BSMGPJs-x0eK3HLcD7JK8VG9qqkpUo8/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+laying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0ahI4ZEFex5vXkZbMT71YxC9MBEJbCkD4ymU3sZeX5-pni5eKWjPQ4E2iLpFLOvn7ANWWf9ytDZivrw362975l6gzV08G0AUgSPOR6K2HUq6BSMGPJs-x0eK3HLcD7JK8VG9qqkpUo8/s1600/Green+Hairstreak+laying.jpg" height="564" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak egg laying, Edge Common, Glos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Purple</b></u> <u><b>Hairstreak</b></u><br>
The below pics are the ones I managed to get tonight (17th July 2014) at Thorpe Malsor near Kettering in Northants. I have a friend of mine called Stuart Mundy to thank for me getting these after he gave me the tip off a few days ago about the site. The normal view of these is of little lilac flashes as they whirl around the tops of Oak trees so to have one so low for a prolonged period of time was a real treat! To add to the occasion it was also a nice looking specimen too.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSn5XL6kN_zFAzKFY_2c7R3XWoNaYk5YeKdH2QY6XmKPx_07k6wCT4j66RP8NssXg-1Ip8j8qTvkfbkHRSTFQ3jFUZbZ5yQcFQn23ykD5zD_LXR7V77fFJbMCXYM6aMisGWFjGZDcrrY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+1+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSn5XL6kN_zFAzKFY_2c7R3XWoNaYk5YeKdH2QY6XmKPx_07k6wCT4j66RP8NssXg-1Ip8j8qTvkfbkHRSTFQ3jFUZbZ5yQcFQn23ykD5zD_LXR7V77fFJbMCXYM6aMisGWFjGZDcrrY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+1+TM.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Thorpe Malsor, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5a1QvVswBFH2j7B5Ukjwv73UqgSN-ZaRBUgLuX8os8YFoTfV0FD2YfKfK_b6VYD1Y5NUqbbni8yE51wieBAagQ57bl-5YfCuuVTB_tefG4tQDgdUGAettG0b2KrbKPPnjoiutY4UbY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+TM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt5a1QvVswBFH2j7B5Ukjwv73UqgSN-ZaRBUgLuX8os8YFoTfV0FD2YfKfK_b6VYD1Y5NUqbbni8yE51wieBAagQ57bl-5YfCuuVTB_tefG4tQDgdUGAettG0b2KrbKPPnjoiutY4UbY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak+TM.jpg" height="434" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Thorpe Malsor, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_cWPffUG_eZEhnBIP6voaHsy0F-8AiSLSWxxIL5snaroA9HdZlm4U8ufV4RIVLpsJsynYYMwZl_L__x-pGdqaRqUKulvBvdvYhbUPHEVAIx5RAV7eP85_jIIIK89XndX3Gv_7NgPhoY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_cWPffUG_eZEhnBIP6voaHsy0F-8AiSLSWxxIL5snaroA9HdZlm4U8ufV4RIVLpsJsynYYMwZl_L__x-pGdqaRqUKulvBvdvYhbUPHEVAIx5RAV7eP85_jIIIK89XndX3Gv_7NgPhoY/s1600/Purple+Hairstreak.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Hairstreak, Thorpe Malsor, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>White</b></u> <u><b>Letter</b></u> <u><b>Hairstreak</b></u><br>
The story behind these pics of the final British Hairstreak was covered in the previous post so I'll keep it short to avoid repetition. These were taken over two seperate occasions a few days apart at Bedford Purlieus in Cambridgeshire. Once again I was very lucky in the first instance as the butterfly was literally flawless with hardly a mark on it. Notice also the comparison between this and the Black Hairstreak above with the lack of black spots along the outer edge of the hindwing.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1_uvUfa4RugP-6jMnNx5R6WaF_Ep6JqjJ0M3_uRM-swzImFbve1L-PwClIgmC4i-BpupYJ61xFVRM8siLhJvAFKGCcRa12DpvJZe00pHBvhHdDPyVPjsiHJzkmb_I3SsaoVMt20cjo/s1600/White+Letter+Fern+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb1_uvUfa4RugP-6jMnNx5R6WaF_Ep6JqjJ0M3_uRM-swzImFbve1L-PwClIgmC4i-BpupYJ61xFVRM8siLhJvAFKGCcRa12DpvJZe00pHBvhHdDPyVPjsiHJzkmb_I3SsaoVMt20cjo/s1600/White+Letter+Fern+2.jpg" height="428" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus, Cambs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWzNsFMOvqAdH370YA4-BbWsqQbiszFpkb9gDBxiLLNN5bbmL6L7v9pp380hq0Tlvln30CeuuXcCu3UbUbHRBydjq2Yd5-ski13NiieGaRfcM4NfG4eJhqagYktM_3yapxz0sK95yZ0I/s1600/White+Letter+Fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWzNsFMOvqAdH370YA4-BbWsqQbiszFpkb9gDBxiLLNN5bbmL6L7v9pp380hq0Tlvln30CeuuXcCu3UbUbHRBydjq2Yd5-ski13NiieGaRfcM4NfG4eJhqagYktM_3yapxz0sK95yZ0I/s1600/White+Letter+Fern.jpg" height="426" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus, Cambs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oMXd4fur44ONq7_o4mAPF2QLy5I8enzOBd-wwmvxBZfjO2TXb1ZeI-jPKG43W1kDwRgxV6wdMUHDlietKgHk7sJIi5afj5i47q7LH3leOQl4I04X28Bo1d_so3B3aLvvoXsyag7pXgI/s1600/White+Letter+Hairstreak+BP+(13th+July+2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oMXd4fur44ONq7_o4mAPF2QLy5I8enzOBd-wwmvxBZfjO2TXb1ZeI-jPKG43W1kDwRgxV6wdMUHDlietKgHk7sJIi5afj5i47q7LH3leOQl4I04X28Bo1d_so3B3aLvvoXsyag7pXgI/s1600/White+Letter+Hairstreak+BP+(13th+July+2014).jpg" height="436" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus, Cambs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u2lmL-gmXCw-tGNx0TK9hIpzjdSxTcBQKA1Xp4fQoLJc4aF8mppm9F2epyg4Uh3qGNoZqAjXg9-_SU_jy21PhXvZimAFoLgye6490GA4nW0910B9MZiz4OZCib3RXD9OC06FhKnVW0A/s1600/White+Letter+Hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u2lmL-gmXCw-tGNx0TK9hIpzjdSxTcBQKA1Xp4fQoLJc4aF8mppm9F2epyg4Uh3qGNoZqAjXg9-_SU_jy21PhXvZimAFoLgye6490GA4nW0910B9MZiz4OZCib3RXD9OC06FhKnVW0A/s1600/White+Letter+Hand.jpg" height="428" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus, Cambs</td></tr>
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<br>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-64607716196834268622014-07-16T19:47:00.002+01:002014-07-16T19:47:14.322+01:00Purple Emperors, Silver Washed Fritillaries, Dark Green Fritillaries, and White Letter Hairstreaks - 16th July 2014Since the last post Northamptonshire has played host once again to one of the butterfly higlights of the year, this being the Purple Emperor display at Fermyn Woods. This year didn't disappoint with plenty of sightings throughout the wood and also the first White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks of the year for me. What was also nice on the day we visited (2nd of July) is we met with a few people from a Facebook group that concerns butterfly sightings in the area. These groups are invaluable for meeting new people and learning about new sites and when butterflies emerge at them. We all met up at 09.30 and a few of the early people (myself, Jon and Kirsty included) were awarded with a Purple Emperor in the car park before we even set off into the wood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhje7TGgX7YfKZydKJ2pWVZ7P6I04QMTcsh3VfDdBudopBbkfDWeFWXct1fJlcCJ1omRkeed7L8E-hnWKgodyoIjfkdBGH21GK4nEYI_VZIXtlwTMTm8ymzvI1Wli5r2u0ApSwVIJaPo8/s1600/Purple+Car+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhje7TGgX7YfKZydKJ2pWVZ7P6I04QMTcsh3VfDdBudopBbkfDWeFWXct1fJlcCJ1omRkeed7L8E-hnWKgodyoIjfkdBGH21GK4nEYI_VZIXtlwTMTm8ymzvI1Wli5r2u0ApSwVIJaPo8/s1600/Purple+Car+Park.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor, Fermyn Woods, Northants</td></tr>
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We then ventured into the woods admiring the many White Letter Hairstreaks whirling around at the tops of the Ash and Elm trees and it wasn't long before we chanced upon another Purple Emperor loafing about in the path. It was very well behaved and all of the group managed to get good views and shots of it. I spent so long last year preoccupying myself with getting overwing shots I neglected the rather stunning underwing and so I concentrated on this in my photography this time. It performed very well on the ground and in nearby bushes allowing photography from nearly every angle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR49przqBrm_KaG5JrHbqNq3YExIGExRZrqE-WQshdCB0lX7srn5mkA15HA2CRb0FTqoRX9ibavohYliOtjHomCM2Zx2m_pxq_eYJ0wQPQXf5NoItqHeA-Uu9DjF99bh60b_861B8TAqU/s1600/Purple+Emp+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR49przqBrm_KaG5JrHbqNq3YExIGExRZrqE-WQshdCB0lX7srn5mkA15HA2CRb0FTqoRX9ibavohYliOtjHomCM2Zx2m_pxq_eYJ0wQPQXf5NoItqHeA-Uu9DjF99bh60b_861B8TAqU/s1600/Purple+Emp+2.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Empeor, Fermyn Woods, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUnbTs1bqivQoMmt5-tZZh8lqyxevKVkOd1_UswOm6i2MVCaCtW08ywJJ_XO2rAyu7RY9m0iKgBWdANghpchdO_4rgu9rhyphenhyphenV1yHU4TB-H3z5Uv47LhldMlX2UJtonaFZGizquCzNPAOY/s1600/Purple+Emp+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUnbTs1bqivQoMmt5-tZZh8lqyxevKVkOd1_UswOm6i2MVCaCtW08ywJJ_XO2rAyu7RY9m0iKgBWdANghpchdO_4rgu9rhyphenhyphenV1yHU4TB-H3z5Uv47LhldMlX2UJtonaFZGizquCzNPAOY/s1600/Purple+Emp+3.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Empeor, Fermyn Woods, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oMTSeVsvvVf8agwZuhCzsNOlbkJTM0m670Rbp_IYYze7zOHNL3lhU8PWlIe8kSelULFiBEQcF8ml27Je4Xguum7-Moq0Br__1OML10n5KSXUKOMjIVxGVl91CXBScXzNs76pbqd46-c/s1600/Purple+Emp+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oMTSeVsvvVf8agwZuhCzsNOlbkJTM0m670Rbp_IYYze7zOHNL3lhU8PWlIe8kSelULFiBEQcF8ml27Je4Xguum7-Moq0Br__1OML10n5KSXUKOMjIVxGVl91CXBScXzNs76pbqd46-c/s1600/Purple+Emp+4.jpg" height="640" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor (close up of wing), Fermyn Woods, Northants</td></tr>
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Purple Emperors are of course partial to settling on people too and this year the above butterfly after a brief fly around decided to have a look at my shoe, and was so preoccupied in doing so it allowed me to pick it up. Here are a few shots of it taken by Antony Wren.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5m0c43nGUIR6jw_a79rOgZzDMmOY4-G4nuWTnq9SWtzMhZdqxfBcS3sSajrnjDCyQTHwZ8Wr9hpl6QPF02G4KX92ZxXs4b7nkrq4o6O1wKKXMoo7mcV4aIc1QP09iQxz1_4eKUHgaU4/s1600/Iris+Shoe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5m0c43nGUIR6jw_a79rOgZzDMmOY4-G4nuWTnq9SWtzMhZdqxfBcS3sSajrnjDCyQTHwZ8Wr9hpl6QPF02G4KX92ZxXs4b7nkrq4o6O1wKKXMoo7mcV4aIc1QP09iQxz1_4eKUHgaU4/s1600/Iris+Shoe+2.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Emperor on my shoe, Fermyn Woods - pic taken by Antony Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI1p4p0uJzhT80_5lD2h-ApvhZE9xYv2N2kMJ19uhDhxQ_Z1bBJG0jvsJBwahdwIqYMs4tBtC886vLiMh9XD6sIA-NdTnyvjFM41g25RDMoXl8dn4VVVzOVKFCFHlM26A1AiTKkjeb4Q/s1600/DSC_8096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI1p4p0uJzhT80_5lD2h-ApvhZE9xYv2N2kMJ19uhDhxQ_Z1bBJG0jvsJBwahdwIqYMs4tBtC886vLiMh9XD6sIA-NdTnyvjFM41g25RDMoXl8dn4VVVzOVKFCFHlM26A1AiTKkjeb4Q/s1600/DSC_8096.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Empeor, Fermyn Woods - pic taken by Antony Wren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE56W9JGdexB27kpCyajmEco2Degx0DrUHOHfLdfXyNtnHjL5qYGlj1uMVPho_ArAYl7MDybp4CmYv1y9UL75cBNpfS8BAdJXdmAIuXTQndpTjVUL2US_MSMxKqpTIu3C2ZMC4Lwftj4/s1600/DSC_8097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE56W9JGdexB27kpCyajmEco2Degx0DrUHOHfLdfXyNtnHjL5qYGlj1uMVPho_ArAYl7MDybp4CmYv1y9UL75cBNpfS8BAdJXdmAIuXTQndpTjVUL2US_MSMxKqpTIu3C2ZMC4Lwftj4/s1600/DSC_8097.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Empeor, Fermyn Woods - pic taken by Antony Wren</td></tr>
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After a brief walk around Lady Wood seeing more Purple Emperors and White Letter Hairstreaks (and also bumping into Andy Wyldes for a nice chat) a few of us left Fermyn Woods and headed to nearby Bedford Purlieus in the hope that White Letter Hairstreaks may have come down to nectar. Unfortunately despite a few hours searching we drew a blank but astonishing number of Silver Washed Fritillaries slightly made up for it even if they were a challenge to photograph!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE_IlNTgyAYfBDAT-VZH_tPk4rJniCCe1HVJtN4JsS2lJajgS5dGTZ_FqpIGiFWfDz4XsHHvHZVn-ps1_PXCyWxPTnMLzwRZ7XYP6OrmPZ1Uz9dlMA3L_rqT52dNeMrhjEYtH-RIu6SY/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwE_IlNTgyAYfBDAT-VZH_tPk4rJniCCe1HVJtN4JsS2lJajgS5dGTZ_FqpIGiFWfDz4XsHHvHZVn-ps1_PXCyWxPTnMLzwRZ7XYP6OrmPZ1Uz9dlMA3L_rqT52dNeMrhjEYtH-RIu6SY/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+1.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW_uYAsu3KiB4ibw_kIS6XaBr1SNuHPrz17oUbf5LeOm373fnAsYoAYF_Rvg7Z1iZCpoQlATDaXhE3oRdvMKovwU1uhj_0Fqx4KcPoB5W6-8dIDFGX569QI1Rl59boUKehHyVoUjJ9ww/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijW_uYAsu3KiB4ibw_kIS6XaBr1SNuHPrz17oUbf5LeOm373fnAsYoAYF_Rvg7Z1iZCpoQlATDaXhE3oRdvMKovwU1uhj_0Fqx4KcPoB5W6-8dIDFGX569QI1Rl59boUKehHyVoUjJ9ww/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+2.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9ejkKVUMQOoTAwGazORZy5LUHCqZ9YCWiw-pBqXbaq2nC4B1t5V_maEJpt4XrRZN3AZUPmdxpUTfzG4oj-CAyRvjktYDMD50EMMVwFZ9QBrN3XJbOnRdGL2kLnAR4zh6_yWfxguNz2w/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9ejkKVUMQOoTAwGazORZy5LUHCqZ9YCWiw-pBqXbaq2nC4B1t5V_maEJpt4XrRZN3AZUPmdxpUTfzG4oj-CAyRvjktYDMD50EMMVwFZ9QBrN3XJbOnRdGL2kLnAR4zh6_yWfxguNz2w/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+3.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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After this visit I didn't have any time off work until the following Monday and as I had to visit the east of the county to get some tyres off my Uncle I couldn't resist driving the extra half an hour or so to Robert's Field in south Lincolnshire to try and see Dark Green Fritillaries. I wasn't to be disappointed as I saw one almost as soon as I entered the gate into the reserve! The weather was so hot though they were incredibly charged and getting pictures involved a lot of chasing around! Eventually after about an hour of running and swearing a lot I did get one nectaring on a flower head and it posed for pics before taking off and shooting off across the field.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lhP2LDeNMXwSq_-WVkTGxMN8H83nAdTgsu0WhfbPzhFAJP0MGV9QYhRUBXcn95LjuPnUuXhfuZkQ3ajiLLmUnoJo7LNPoq2F32XFZP-ZfTeIy8pYgeOx3Off-p8LO7wENELlQDkH3ZM/s1600/Dark+Gren+Frit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lhP2LDeNMXwSq_-WVkTGxMN8H83nAdTgsu0WhfbPzhFAJP0MGV9QYhRUBXcn95LjuPnUuXhfuZkQ3ajiLLmUnoJo7LNPoq2F32XFZP-ZfTeIy8pYgeOx3Off-p8LO7wENELlQDkH3ZM/s1600/Dark+Gren+Frit+1.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary, Robert's Field, Lincs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJhoqtozKkcv8hRqufn1hKZFJaE2RmOJO86N-lqX9EBlFtWQRUiwGJxTwi7DghWqI5FXiDBrphRpMH_h9n_FIxH6JNj8d_2bd52KIB5sVnYLVIuNPD-LqPrtnIqVA2xBh1o9aH4YPukA/s1600/Dark+Green+Frit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJhoqtozKkcv8hRqufn1hKZFJaE2RmOJO86N-lqX9EBlFtWQRUiwGJxTwi7DghWqI5FXiDBrphRpMH_h9n_FIxH6JNj8d_2bd52KIB5sVnYLVIuNPD-LqPrtnIqVA2xBh1o9aH4YPukA/s1600/Dark+Green+Frit+2.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Green Fritillary, Robert's Field, Lincs</td></tr>
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As soon as I got the pics though I decided to leave, I could have spent all day chasing them in order to get better ones but there was an ulterior motive for coming up here and this was to return to Bedford Purlieus. Hairstreaks are my favourite species of butterflies and ever since learning last year that White Letters regularly come down at this site I've been chomping at the bit to see it for myself as I've only ever seen them flitting around in the tree tops. I drove straight from Robert's Field and arrived at Bedford Purlieus at 09.45am and wandered down the ride (luckily coming here the previous week meant I at least knew where to be even if we hadn't seen any at the time) meeting local butterfly watcher Keith who was also there for the same reason as me. We walked up and down but to no avail and to add to the sinking feeling the clouds were now rolling in and a previously bright blue sky was becoming cloudy with sunny spells. I kept walking up and down though and at about 10.15 a small brown butterfly whizzed passed which looked very much like a White Letter but I lost it in amongst the swarm of Gatekeepers buzzing the tops of the bushes. I continued to walk up and down and then as I passed the block of ferns I noticed a small brown triangle in the middle! I walked closer and jumped the ditch to be rewarded with a few of a pristine White Letter Hairstreak slowly rotating on the top of a fern. To add to the luck it was a stunning looking specimen, one which Keith quite rightly referred to as "flawless", and it posed fantastically for photo's as it slowly pirouetted on it's perch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQKI3jltphII11QgOQYxjXSy_-58kOPn2a2wgUoIS6tE5RJi5FEfhvyxKlg5I-IKJ3da4CU31MbIVCGL7V2qp9PEaRn908-23mAqAlY-dt99QgGqa9K6YoZARPf-ZTWdKJy9uYUiIuJ8/s1600/White+Letter+Fern+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQKI3jltphII11QgOQYxjXSy_-58kOPn2a2wgUoIS6tE5RJi5FEfhvyxKlg5I-IKJ3da4CU31MbIVCGL7V2qp9PEaRn908-23mAqAlY-dt99QgGqa9K6YoZARPf-ZTWdKJy9uYUiIuJ8/s1600/White+Letter+Fern+2.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MjETTspNs6U4c-DGsU-2c1K02u5MFZzCo8HAeOH5NkixLyC28vsQ-V7LzSnpowUaDuhssVVvR_P19BKHm9hCjKcYlGiMXLEm3GLoiu_M1sUQowub0hEKseNa-MkPI_W7xaVBRDtfpgU/s1600/White+Letter+Fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MjETTspNs6U4c-DGsU-2c1K02u5MFZzCo8HAeOH5NkixLyC28vsQ-V7LzSnpowUaDuhssVVvR_P19BKHm9hCjKcYlGiMXLEm3GLoiu_M1sUQowub0hEKseNa-MkPI_W7xaVBRDtfpgU/s1600/White+Letter+Fern.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we had our pics I decided to push my luck a bit as no one else was around and popped my finger next to to see what it would do. I couldn't believe my luck as it slowly crawled onto my hand! The below pic also goes someway in showing just how small they are. After a few pics I popped it back onto it's fern and it then flew onto a nearby flower before heading up and back into the trees and lost from view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKc_PAosKcTjUpL1GuWkPhuU3bBtcbzb6hRgzR0gPPIW1dQQwyRTiKpbZoCACUlI17kzVkIvuFPYq52RpwNzfmAt0WdaTQ65phcP3XK_qmwMe2QRL82LsZD_d45wd4345HdbRbf0qJz9Y/s1600/White+Letter+Hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKc_PAosKcTjUpL1GuWkPhuU3bBtcbzb6hRgzR0gPPIW1dQQwyRTiKpbZoCACUlI17kzVkIvuFPYq52RpwNzfmAt0WdaTQ65phcP3XK_qmwMe2QRL82LsZD_d45wd4345HdbRbf0qJz9Y/s1600/White+Letter+Hand.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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I left here at this point to get some jobs done that I needed to do (dreaded MOT so tyres were needed) and as the clouds built up I tool one last snap of the day as a fantastic looking fresh Small Tortoiseshell nectared on a flower during a brief visit to Fermyn Woods<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ifrElT8ICd86u0dBiIbAKGcYvwadgVCzWBLgPg4ip_9vuWhIOT4FCtpprX0mJ_QiMluOG5kMvk0qnYvpvD0wPnXBHoRVgKbJG6Xb0dbAAWSeGNdZ-21wAhUYcXi6nSOFb1Yw-tK9eE/s1600/Small+Tort+Fermyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ifrElT8ICd86u0dBiIbAKGcYvwadgVCzWBLgPg4ip_9vuWhIOT4FCtpprX0mJ_QiMluOG5kMvk0qnYvpvD0wPnXBHoRVgKbJG6Xb0dbAAWSeGNdZ-21wAhUYcXi6nSOFb1Yw-tK9eE/s1600/Small+Tort+Fermyn.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell, Fermyn Woods</td></tr>
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Such is the allure of these White Letters I couldn't resist coming back to Bedford Purlieus yet again at the weekend this time in the company of Jon Philpot. We spent the whole day out exploring a few sites but as the weather wasn't playing ball we didn't see much elsewhere but as ever Bedford Purlieus was alive with butterflies with the Silver Washed Fritillaries putting on quite a show despite them starting to look a bit tatty now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJoK_gm0FhS5G5RPMpcmxf5iO0oEU4yM2ak-os3WEg1Y6yXSKZ95iG2lix3qvF8cgvvSuqqnbwJtD8Ygw_oXamKBn4FbfD1dVirDRvlbPP8DiNhcfikJdrWyBXMZsaeZ1SFIBltnWtQ/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+Male+and+Female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKJoK_gm0FhS5G5RPMpcmxf5iO0oEU4yM2ak-os3WEg1Y6yXSKZ95iG2lix3qvF8cgvvSuqqnbwJtD8Ygw_oXamKBn4FbfD1dVirDRvlbPP8DiNhcfikJdrWyBXMZsaeZ1SFIBltnWtQ/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+Male+and+Female.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillaries, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvigAKNkvZxUef5B2wdgPZ6usfq7ekMsvu8bndYoUDCcTBieHmmUJ6YPprKu-6n2oUwGkiQ9ANtPsORToy1azIRFP_lTDdbIHBkN6kSNRYuenI0KknWXFnZuzsL0logoXGpnpB5WGJ8nQ/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+under.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvigAKNkvZxUef5B2wdgPZ6usfq7ekMsvu8bndYoUDCcTBieHmmUJ6YPprKu-6n2oUwGkiQ9ANtPsORToy1azIRFP_lTDdbIHBkN6kSNRYuenI0KknWXFnZuzsL0logoXGpnpB5WGJ8nQ/s1600/Silver+Washed+Frit+under.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Washed Fritillary, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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Jon also found a stunning newly emerged Peacock too which just had to have it's picture taken! It's a shame that the commoner species get so often overlooked as they can look incredible when at their best.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PYb9RXnhRHRIwtnVOcnUkONdM3wWKao5xA1AFZQoIE_eBb-ztQ4gwCONSIH5NlaE76o0TA8E2l9aKoJmBOpFblOwH_QuQ-uJ_9IBXeLE69cJQMHVaKY4SrR04DzwcDBZsYbkHCZRuXo/s1600/Peacock+BP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PYb9RXnhRHRIwtnVOcnUkONdM3wWKao5xA1AFZQoIE_eBb-ztQ4gwCONSIH5NlaE76o0TA8E2l9aKoJmBOpFblOwH_QuQ-uJ_9IBXeLE69cJQMHVaKY4SrR04DzwcDBZsYbkHCZRuXo/s1600/Peacock+BP.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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We had met a couple at the site who were also looking for White Letter Hairstreak and after hours of searching I was noticed they were taking pics of something. I looked over and they waved us over. We dashed over and was rewarded with a White Letter feeding on Marjoram so we got to work taking pics and I also couldn't resist a short video.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCAHviT6KlpVAoblx5mMaKbP_OEJA_RHFkMmLJOUuIsSYmStryd2fb6w1-c5TOaK8IIa48VV9LU21NpgruLZCXbtRtOWUSx918zduP-VHBOJ5upXHXbc4F18WPKnbE7NyDGkjo9F4kRw/s1600/White+Letter+Hairstreak+BP+(13th+July+2014).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCAHviT6KlpVAoblx5mMaKbP_OEJA_RHFkMmLJOUuIsSYmStryd2fb6w1-c5TOaK8IIa48VV9LU21NpgruLZCXbtRtOWUSx918zduP-VHBOJ5upXHXbc4F18WPKnbE7NyDGkjo9F4kRw/s1600/White+Letter+Hairstreak+BP+(13th+July+2014).jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Letter Hairstreak, Bedford Purlieus</td></tr>
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The next focus of my attention will now be drawn in the direction of Chalkhill Blues and Silver Spotted Skippers and so hopefully the next post will be full of them. Well fingers crossed it will anyway!!David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-41257168791017255962014-06-24T20:56:00.000+01:002014-06-24T20:57:02.789+01:00Silver Studded Blues, Scarlet Tigers, Six-belted Clearwings, Large Blues and soggy Marbled Whites - 24th June 2014I had an unexpected day off from work on the 19th of June and after speaking to Jon we decided to head south to a Silver Studded Blue site near Reading with the hope of seeing Scarlet Tigers near Oxford on the way home. As it was all so close me, Jon and Kirsty waited until midday and headed down to the first stop which was Silchester Common just in the Hampshire border. Information about exactly where to see the Silver Studded Blues seemed to be very hard to find on the internet but as the site looked fairly small on the map we had a good feeling that we should be able to find them. This feeling however was short lived as we arrived just as the sun went behind a cloud! We searched the site from the car park heading to all the likely places but we could see no sign. We walked through the wood and met a local dog walker who didn't know either. It really wasn't looking good and that pessimistic sinking feeling really started to take over the mood but as always we persevered and heading out into another area of the clearing. I had read that Silver Studded Blues can be very communal so if you can manage to find one then you find them all so the speak as the local population can stick to a small very small area and luckily by now the sun had returned so things were starting to look up again. We walked across a more open area and out of the corner of my eye I saw the flash of blue. I cannot tell you how relieved I was when the "flash of blue" settled and proved itself to be a Silver Studded Blue! Then we saw another, and another, and another! We spent the next hour or so snapping away at this tiny colony of very nice looking butterflies and for once the weather was in our favour as bright sun gave way to a touch of cloud meaning we could get under and overwing shots. The Silver Studded Blue is definitely one of those things where no photo or picture in a book can do it justice and if you ever find yourself in an area to see them it's really worthwhile taking a look - they really are stunning butterflies! To add an added bonus for our butterfly lifelists this was our 50th British butterfly species seen for all of us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9-oOuHyyn3DjZl8equxrlMlduYihLIuOWhD6Vbry-CDlEuKH8diK6FfUydfsi204jsvwTb1EEt49-QXPkiFhQd7yP1yk5uP5QNWOY3Aj1xf1OO5SXXR6iCeUOP6_A3MczKjrmrLfg2E/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9-oOuHyyn3DjZl8equxrlMlduYihLIuOWhD6Vbry-CDlEuKH8diK6FfUydfsi204jsvwTb1EEt49-QXPkiFhQd7yP1yk5uP5QNWOY3Aj1xf1OO5SXXR6iCeUOP6_A3MczKjrmrLfg2E/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+1.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Studded Blue, Silchester Common,Hants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPAlkRHRyloVQdW7tArToTEKxXiOBYMqFr5xWzlr2752rNB5-LqsNxz2DFsSZDh80p5ozCyJorHnUM7UiUZ6g1NbGVp3kvlr8P-weBFxzqwPmuwUsGSrKTe_2YLUtQT3TbjBnzFqw3z4/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPAlkRHRyloVQdW7tArToTEKxXiOBYMqFr5xWzlr2752rNB5-LqsNxz2DFsSZDh80p5ozCyJorHnUM7UiUZ6g1NbGVp3kvlr8P-weBFxzqwPmuwUsGSrKTe_2YLUtQT3TbjBnzFqw3z4/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Studded Blue, Silchester Common, Hants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpa_VDlAcqmSJo4BLXciRdd6MoO2mIhtwlLSrozw9ZasaTVWyhZCyT8k2-Tp3APK9PVFf00U4u4ad2_wwmXMRK9VticcnHnc2SedA0Ry5u6c5zxnT8KXK4kNWW4HP4dHTbPlPWSk45uo/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpa_VDlAcqmSJo4BLXciRdd6MoO2mIhtwlLSrozw9ZasaTVWyhZCyT8k2-Tp3APK9PVFf00U4u4ad2_wwmXMRK9VticcnHnc2SedA0Ry5u6c5zxnT8KXK4kNWW4HP4dHTbPlPWSk45uo/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+12.jpg" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Studded Blue, Silchester Common, Hants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9shldNLj5sBBnLOpSR5xYcD_D6w4FsIwnU1I9dmPFYsF748x-947oqCeG_jB0POnUGsfggtzf8-nQKIWWFOwy2Cdee3ZRc5dxMEbjEK8VspM3-C_uikQ2Hnsf0ugc8sRlpoKhL0Bc7k/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9shldNLj5sBBnLOpSR5xYcD_D6w4FsIwnU1I9dmPFYsF748x-947oqCeG_jB0POnUGsfggtzf8-nQKIWWFOwy2Cdee3ZRc5dxMEbjEK8VspM3-C_uikQ2Hnsf0ugc8sRlpoKhL0Bc7k/s1600/Silver+Studded+Blue+4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Studded Blue, Silchester Common, Hants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We left here late afternoon and headed to Cothill just south if Oxford to try and see Scarlet Tiger moths. We found the area they were and found them easily but unfortunately they were incredibly flighty and when they did settle they did so at the tops of the trees. Luckily one came down far enough to be able to get a record shot but despite a lot of chasing I couldn't manage any better pics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4flJyOlJQtzz8rwJAkCPY1Qq1Xr_PqkimV5tQ8JPKxr1P_0LHLoxQnULvtV7vHhBPewyYGR1wsAM856kO9PdDmc51IaV1NKalTRBi1cPD04ZObLECnfqoSciZPzhZidSsFZYscXlfzM/s1600/Scarlet+Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4flJyOlJQtzz8rwJAkCPY1Qq1Xr_PqkimV5tQ8JPKxr1P_0LHLoxQnULvtV7vHhBPewyYGR1wsAM856kO9PdDmc51IaV1NKalTRBi1cPD04ZObLECnfqoSciZPzhZidSsFZYscXlfzM/s1600/Scarlet+Tiger.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Tiger, Cothill, Oxon</td></tr>
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My next day off wasn't until the Sunday the 22nd June and it was earmarked for a trip to try and see Large Blue. As it was closest to us here in Northants, and the fact that we'd seen pics of them on Twitter the week before, we decided to go to the reserve at Daneway Banks in Gloucestershire. Jon and Kirsty had managed to see them the day before while I was at work but they very nicely offered to take me with them on a return visit on the Sunday as well. I had been starting very early at work the week before and my body clock woke me up at 4.30am so after some breakfast I headed my local site of Grange Park before getting picked up to head to Daneway. Despite the sun blazing down even at 6am there was still a lot of dew on the grass and some of the still roosting butterflies looked pretty soggy in the damp.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJYcOHxMeKYmOKZKZ29cdvTpg7VPFZqeXFkCj1Lt2R07SmuoGJYnqwR8iHEVIk7GCVSHnlTlXJl2MtT1rG7JF91sDrzaMhmNDnbTfsi0TX6jtVuIjhTFC3jNbr16PZPQX_WG4lYKrRqQ/s1600/Common+Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJYcOHxMeKYmOKZKZ29cdvTpg7VPFZqeXFkCj1Lt2R07SmuoGJYnqwR8iHEVIk7GCVSHnlTlXJl2MtT1rG7JF91sDrzaMhmNDnbTfsi0TX6jtVuIjhTFC3jNbr16PZPQX_WG4lYKrRqQ/s1600/Common+Blue.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet Common Blue, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kleRqKvsMC5x0gdD72S1zLUB1TMmV17v4qRsghFiUzHzd6xmzjMkdMPIKnOkQoKF7a5Vh4BVclnRLR1O_xTw3S6m5kQEQelaVoCu6wdhHe2DjDaeizFuoJLmTs97oNnDBKcrXmBUh5c/s1600/Marbled+White+dew+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kleRqKvsMC5x0gdD72S1zLUB1TMmV17v4qRsghFiUzHzd6xmzjMkdMPIKnOkQoKF7a5Vh4BVclnRLR1O_xTw3S6m5kQEQelaVoCu6wdhHe2DjDaeizFuoJLmTs97oNnDBKcrXmBUh5c/s1600/Marbled+White+dew+2.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet Marbled White, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the sun came up they started to dry out and some were quite tame before the sun fully recharged their batteries. One even sunned itself for a moment on my hand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5tCKQFzlt3c897CLd3JO1HeThTiLZgek3DFW5k6M2IE7blzbTMLQA-uspfE9r5bZqJ-8sF-cX88nik-7MufZpZDmA9dqsVasqU_C7Oe9i6Q9r6F-QZkXK1fv3PZ_oueJsSfMSWYTo68/s1600/Marbled+White+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5tCKQFzlt3c897CLd3JO1HeThTiLZgek3DFW5k6M2IE7blzbTMLQA-uspfE9r5bZqJ-8sF-cX88nik-7MufZpZDmA9dqsVasqU_C7Oe9i6Q9r6F-QZkXK1fv3PZ_oueJsSfMSWYTo68/s1600/Marbled+White+finger.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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Time came to head to Daneway and after hearing about Jon and Kirsty's sightings on the previous day I was very excited. We arrived in good time and we shot up the bank to be greeted very quickly by the sight of my first ever Large Blue butterfly! I chased it up the bank before it finally settled and I got some pics. It must be said that photographing these butterflies is harder than it looks as they tend to settle deep in the grass and when they do pose in the open it can be difficult to find a specimen that isn't covered in red mites. With the exception of a lunchtime pitstop for a couple of pints of cider at the fantastic Daneway Inn at the bottom of the hill we spent most of the day there snapping away. The other thing to be mentioned is they hardly ever rest with their wings open and the only open winged shot I achieved has a stem of a plant going across it! I real shame but it's included here as it's the only one I got to show the upperwing pattern. Oh and they really are "large" too, I was surprised at just how big they were especially in comparison to the Small Blues that were also present.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hi5TbwJvygG-l6uiCJ4RU4TCF0Sup7L7LKpkAFA_SVUVKc0KR7XSfetLG2SMQrwbOsBjyed56r0jth1_D9VuYsCoSutIm5rq5T-RhoaebfvoAEfeAVqe1-T_kX8SB79kMgGvGf-FKtM/s1600/Large+Blue+1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hi5TbwJvygG-l6uiCJ4RU4TCF0Sup7L7LKpkAFA_SVUVKc0KR7XSfetLG2SMQrwbOsBjyed56r0jth1_D9VuYsCoSutIm5rq5T-RhoaebfvoAEfeAVqe1-T_kX8SB79kMgGvGf-FKtM/s1600/Large+Blue+1-2.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Blue, Daneway Banks, Glos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBRtFjyP0mFie0z-az2GUFWu298kaqBHMhENUJitq_qk-4sw2WpTKbGVk04smtPlizpOeVFDj7VB_3IVzarHE30LZdkC5ZPk1-9j-Vr3Or9bef9-DP-_mzrC-Trby3LkPXLIfJKvx74Q/s1600/Large+Blue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBRtFjyP0mFie0z-az2GUFWu298kaqBHMhENUJitq_qk-4sw2WpTKbGVk04smtPlizpOeVFDj7VB_3IVzarHE30LZdkC5ZPk1-9j-Vr3Or9bef9-DP-_mzrC-Trby3LkPXLIfJKvx74Q/s1600/Large+Blue+2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Blue, Daneway Banks, Glos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZzVcNsPSNO2hOxdgDU4KlYIcVZZfu86KnJHQsLpn1Epj4gbjMmhzV53Q_JYp3W-kfSKxqTXC6uGbGSHa1kimTgkMxv-CnO521TTAVo5-eA39Z4G6uEIOuF1mamqP5mHVbFAfas8qi_M/s1600/Large+Blue+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZzVcNsPSNO2hOxdgDU4KlYIcVZZfu86KnJHQsLpn1Epj4gbjMmhzV53Q_JYp3W-kfSKxqTXC6uGbGSHa1kimTgkMxv-CnO521TTAVo5-eA39Z4G6uEIOuF1mamqP5mHVbFAfas8qi_M/s1600/Large+Blue+3.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Blue (and obligatory thing in the way!), Daneway Banks, Glos</td></tr>
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Eventually the heat got to us and we left and headed back to Northants. Recently during the previous week I had found a small population of Six-belted Clearwings at the Grange Park site so we rounded off the day looking for them and luckily they weren't too hard to find.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMoXpFTBLzNrbpRn5szR9sUIY0DdvdLln-p88nAAKZo99i4yNuWag9p9dibuYkZ51tWY2cmONxeYtcf04USqMujNUb-NvtvKcX7Q5yZK1BVyxcuYR_q3FELzCtbMyrMTn63VlJ6kUMU/s1600/Six-belted+Clearwing+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpMoXpFTBLzNrbpRn5szR9sUIY0DdvdLln-p88nAAKZo99i4yNuWag9p9dibuYkZ51tWY2cmONxeYtcf04USqMujNUb-NvtvKcX7Q5yZK1BVyxcuYR_q3FELzCtbMyrMTn63VlJ6kUMU/s1600/Six-belted+Clearwing+2.jpg" height="640" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six-belted Clearwing, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2QAQQv0-xeCKeyllLrBnpAugEtP6hIN6Qnriy7MiniX31vb33_pq8YGgujUKuKZWVome5ED5a0Ff2HgFjWhMhgDpGGQsIdWwvO4Rq4ivYFlS1xvwmxaH2ChQLDEp7s09c3_xA6f_Z5w/s1600/Six-belted+Clearwing+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2QAQQv0-xeCKeyllLrBnpAugEtP6hIN6Qnriy7MiniX31vb33_pq8YGgujUKuKZWVome5ED5a0Ff2HgFjWhMhgDpGGQsIdWwvO4Rq4ivYFlS1xvwmxaH2ChQLDEp7s09c3_xA6f_Z5w/s1600/Six-belted+Clearwing+3.jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six-belted Clearwing, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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It's now time to turn our attention to the woodland species as Purple Emperor, White Letter and Purple Hairstreaks, Silver Washed and Dark Green Fritillaries are all emerging. It's going to be a very busy few weeks!<br />
<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-91974143702987867142014-06-14T21:31:00.001+01:002014-06-14T21:49:05.318+01:00A Heath Fritillary, a Ringlet and a Marbled White - 14th June 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the fun of the Black Hairstreaks at Glapthorn during the week we couldn't wait for the weekend to get here as the weather forecast was looking good and we'd decided to head to Essex to see one of the rarest of the British butterflies the Heath Fritillary. Waking up in the morning and opening the curtains however showed a different story as the prolonged spells of sunshine had changed to dense cloud with drizzle. I checked the two weather apps I use on the phone and they both promised sunny spells by mid morning so Jon, Kirsty and me made the journey down. I had been sent detailed instructions by a friend of mine of Facebook so we knew we could easily find the location but I have to admit I was getting a bit worried about the weather especially as we drove through a heavy belt of rain just before leaving the M25. I rechecked my phone and now both apps were saying we weren't going to get any sun until at least mid afternoon and this was 5 hours away! We were still hopeful though as this was apparently the best place in this area to see this cracking little butterfly so we parked along a local road and walked into Little Haven nature reserve and headed straight towards the large clearing. Quite amazingly we had arrived during a break in the drizzle and we somehow managed to see a very nice looking Heath Fritillary straight away as it stretched out it's wings in an effort to soak up as much sunlight as it could through the thick cloud. It's wings closed as we approached showing us the incredible underside pattern.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfE0mo4n2N03RHEZHheedvTiyeo2fv9Qf-3hYjhHKTWGBM33PjlcfuMNCiJQZMbPcxQezENodQ2XrBfCB_-bEw6N3iXh5-kD5P4ekzf1Tmxlfl2m_uNBz-7jk46RGely_1AygRZDoKKI/s1600/Heath+Frit+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfE0mo4n2N03RHEZHheedvTiyeo2fv9Qf-3hYjhHKTWGBM33PjlcfuMNCiJQZMbPcxQezENodQ2XrBfCB_-bEw6N3iXh5-kD5P4ekzf1Tmxlfl2m_uNBz-7jk46RGely_1AygRZDoKKI/s1600/Heath+Frit+4.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heath Fritillary, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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While we took pics the wind got up and disturbed it from it's perch but luckily for us it didn't go far and it found a resting place on a nearby leaf. We took a couple more pics and went off to explore the area. Jon had found a great looking Ringlet which also sat motionless while we took our pics. Sometimes inclement weather really helps the photographer (so long of course if you can find the butterflies in the first place) as they can sit quite still as you snap away, and if they are disturbed they don't tend to fly far before resting up again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MZpYO-Q6xF1aZmxf9mHqm_9VD0F7GFsQLScScWBjDfamD32x0ZOCZEC3Zs3a9WTq0OfvIjBoSDu94-jiMSFN6XSCvr8eYQobO-Ot3O45eXn9Utm-FNxB9ZvRgUnG9eRyFW-FxoLt-Ss/s1600/Ringlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MZpYO-Q6xF1aZmxf9mHqm_9VD0F7GFsQLScScWBjDfamD32x0ZOCZEC3Zs3a9WTq0OfvIjBoSDu94-jiMSFN6XSCvr8eYQobO-Ot3O45eXn9Utm-FNxB9ZvRgUnG9eRyFW-FxoLt-Ss/s1600/Ringlet.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5Uh49SR4HwrqUMsMUi1OIYRtUq6lDuk6YXjSsRu8eYQd5ThyphenhyphennUXxpFdSrCp_CiH7G3FdLbGgWJpQEihztMJWKs93zxx_lQ_XhfGqmnAQjTGcyEPGVZWHT5K7hvJVU2AZrDpYrJoztzM/s1600/Ringlet+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5Uh49SR4HwrqUMsMUi1OIYRtUq6lDuk6YXjSsRu8eYQd5ThyphenhyphennUXxpFdSrCp_CiH7G3FdLbGgWJpQEihztMJWKs93zxx_lQ_XhfGqmnAQjTGcyEPGVZWHT5K7hvJVU2AZrDpYrJoztzM/s1600/Ringlet+1.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringlet, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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Despite a very thorough search though we simply couldn't find any more Heaths, we looked in all the suitable habitat and even went round round twice but we drew a blank. We did however find some very impressive Wood Ant mounds and despite me getting a nasty nip off one it was fascinating to watch them and they busily marched back and forth with bits if twigs, leaves and insects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_QHEPMH6vWc2CBS4F-qZ8wP9sGdS_VuXk3Kh6OtJx739CXif_CuQuHwDILI-x7u5XgV4Gyy-M_efVrMdY5rYzrcsKHs6Hq8f2xHQmrX7DparXmeJKq3-giVdHEKodNL7Rb_NvO7Bh4A/s1600/Wood+Ants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_QHEPMH6vWc2CBS4F-qZ8wP9sGdS_VuXk3Kh6OtJx739CXif_CuQuHwDILI-x7u5XgV4Gyy-M_efVrMdY5rYzrcsKHs6Hq8f2xHQmrX7DparXmeJKq3-giVdHEKodNL7Rb_NvO7Bh4A/s1600/Wood+Ants.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Ants, Little Haven, Esex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We had to wait in the wood for a shower to pass and then decided to return to see if the lone Heath Fritillary was still there and surprisingly it was. It was becoming apparent that this was going to be the only one we would probably see today so we took a few more pics and left the site leaving it on it's leaf. It's funny how you can get attached to such things but I couldn't help feel a little gratitude to it. It was realised that if it wasn't for this single little butterfly our trip would probably have been in vain! The sun did try to poke through momentarily and it opened it's wings and then it slowly closed them again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDchO25i-Xm-TxLixbCkJpk-cMPbYMWFKH7icgk9fwngaAPF26xzUNiF0qeNUyrNof9zzXFlnreFxmO22h7spQ8BIBbryOHwAFkU-6Z6lRxetoMq9hablGwYSUipy-LEbV6KKlHH56hk/s1600/Heath+Frit+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDchO25i-Xm-TxLixbCkJpk-cMPbYMWFKH7icgk9fwngaAPF26xzUNiF0qeNUyrNof9zzXFlnreFxmO22h7spQ8BIBbryOHwAFkU-6Z6lRxetoMq9hablGwYSUipy-LEbV6KKlHH56hk/s1600/Heath+Frit+rain.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heath Fritillary after the rain, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JmysQEOd_IPTNmfbpFnOaVmPo-dUUmkWbGX9V_5vFVPw2H62NWcTeAReSZurmLXiz0BtAk2zsVJEQnmJJhB9db7Ryu2cFQw02-MyHPzKLG9iCfMVUR0ilBbGe0NP2-F4gafn18L_NkE/s1600/Heath+Frit+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JmysQEOd_IPTNmfbpFnOaVmPo-dUUmkWbGX9V_5vFVPw2H62NWcTeAReSZurmLXiz0BtAk2zsVJEQnmJJhB9db7Ryu2cFQw02-MyHPzKLG9iCfMVUR0ilBbGe0NP2-F4gafn18L_NkE/s1600/Heath+Frit+3.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heath Fritillary, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvH7UoQDJZ-iars756bhuJkElgwFLqMdtRwZdR7xio3pqWUILn_O8vKGVYk23fhPLafyK1Q88uj2Aoj2mpT3apvHlF4kWks2Bowm3t7ENZ4gL0ctsDHjVXlO6UMEDcF5cKdyOalGOL_o/s1600/Heath+Fritillary+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvH7UoQDJZ-iars756bhuJkElgwFLqMdtRwZdR7xio3pqWUILn_O8vKGVYk23fhPLafyK1Q88uj2Aoj2mpT3apvHlF4kWks2Bowm3t7ENZ4gL0ctsDHjVXlO6UMEDcF5cKdyOalGOL_o/s1600/Heath+Fritillary+2.jpg" height="434" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heath Fritillary, Little Haven, Essex</td></tr>
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As the rain started to pour down again we decided to cut our loses and head back to Northants to check up on the local Bee Orchids and try and get pics of the Marbled Whites that had recently emerged. The Bee Orchids are still looking great and I can never get tired of seeing them, they do have quite comical faces on the flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarM8K71-Y1-GcqC45dHEVOTSNFqPZTgZra-datvVzOxuWpGiP9L5qKWdkkiGcDk-dlrcClzPWtrYTfYFgL6P-rDjYJC28RZ5WmAZ7O7h6i9Rse6ogMlPB3f4y3_9ZgB3d3Lvp-3L1q-I/s1600/Bee+Orchids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarM8K71-Y1-GcqC45dHEVOTSNFqPZTgZra-datvVzOxuWpGiP9L5qKWdkkiGcDk-dlrcClzPWtrYTfYFgL6P-rDjYJC28RZ5WmAZ7O7h6i9Rse6ogMlPB3f4y3_9ZgB3d3Lvp-3L1q-I/s1600/Bee+Orchids.jpg" height="640" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchids, Northants</td></tr>
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We then left the bank at the Grange Park site and was pleased to see so many Marbled Whites on the wing. There were at least 10-15 flying around but getting pics were as always with this species a nightmare as they were very hard to approach but despite this we persevered. Lots of Meadow Browns were also seen and groups of Large Skippers could be seen whirling around together. The Burnet Moths are even more noticeable now as they gradually emerge and cocoons are everywhere so it looks like there's going to be lots at their peak. A couple of Little Ringed Plovers have bred on site which I now feel comfortable enough to mention on here as today I saw their nearly fully grown chick flying around with one of it's parents, and lots of Common Blues are also still present although they are now looking a bit tatty. Eventually after we did one more final walk along the bank we saw a Marbled White trying to sun itself in the overcast conditions and we all managed to get some shots. I do love these little crackers and years ago when I used to birdwatch Twywell Hills and Dales I used to see these at the right times of year and it was the main species that got me into reading about butterflies in the first place and learning their fascinating stories. No matter how many I see I still can't help but feel a little thrill of excitement whenever I see one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBoeKjkySjK80xyzQogoq6RM6hRNAjK51igBHjFPY_L_dFFkCN5APsIHrVZyJySzJ1LtPVne9RjM1km8fqCJRu8FAaw1hsrEO4bTs7TmenSUneBbSNdmpiJW94G_m6LKFABC6HllcGNY/s1600/Marbled+White+Grange+Park+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBoeKjkySjK80xyzQogoq6RM6hRNAjK51igBHjFPY_L_dFFkCN5APsIHrVZyJySzJ1LtPVne9RjM1km8fqCJRu8FAaw1hsrEO4bTs7TmenSUneBbSNdmpiJW94G_m6LKFABC6HllcGNY/s1600/Marbled+White+Grange+Park+2.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Grange Park, Northants</td></tr>
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<br />David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-10288982003873263782014-06-12T19:25:00.001+01:002014-06-14T19:08:24.616+01:00Black Hairstreak at Glapthorn Cow Pastures - 12th June 2014It is now the start on the annual pilgrimages towards the woods in east Northants and it's amazing how quickly a year comes round! It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the Black Hairsteaks from last year but indeed it has and the race to see them has started again. The last few days has seen a few new emergence's with an extra special sighting for me of Marbled Whites at my local patch Grange Park, special because they wasn't know to live here until the 11th of June when I found 3 whirling up and down the bank in the evening which luckily posed for pics as the sun went down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYnmUzM5PNl7ykGPPM7lXh8RkoV7IriMN7a1MTbA-dqDHR9cCSZZPrS2R08xJi5f60n8NXcz4ut05wOBFhm2zuupKcbDCVbovb4b4rEY4q9x7NGznYDLRVtMFYWJYuegvk5V8pesQ7Ok/s1600/Marbled+White+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYnmUzM5PNl7ykGPPM7lXh8RkoV7IriMN7a1MTbA-dqDHR9cCSZZPrS2R08xJi5f60n8NXcz4ut05wOBFhm2zuupKcbDCVbovb4b4rEY4q9x7NGznYDLRVtMFYWJYuegvk5V8pesQ7Ok/s1600/Marbled+White+2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzS2ZdLTo1hq0z0rmUQT66ztYZV-2Xf-BEr90rDUTThqXrJoq8T41sVopJpCngqJkUQYssydfzLPnQd3RqcrsTeziedxFsHFJEU_JDHQrKyRwgWNEX41kxaPi1tFDUT__oBheDDVx8To/s1600/Mrabled+White+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzS2ZdLTo1hq0z0rmUQT66ztYZV-2Xf-BEr90rDUTThqXrJoq8T41sVopJpCngqJkUQYssydfzLPnQd3RqcrsTeziedxFsHFJEU_JDHQrKyRwgWNEX41kxaPi1tFDUT__oBheDDVx8To/s1600/Mrabled+White+3.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marbled White, Grange Park, Northampton</td></tr>
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Today though I had a rather unexpected early finish at work and as it for once coincided with some sun I headed over to Glapthorn Cow Pastures to try and see some of the recently emerged Black Hairstreaks. I arrived on site and was quietly relieved to see only a few cars along the lane (it can get packed in here at times) and I entered the reserve. It was actually very hot as soon as I entered as the thick vegetation stopped any of the gently breeze that had cooled things down outside the wood and I could already feel myself sweating before I reached the magic ride! The ride in question is of course the ride with the infamous Dewberry bushes which are seperated from the thick Blackthorn by a thin strip of recently mown grass meaning there's access all around them. This is the place for photography as the Hairstreaks descend from their busy lives flitting in and out the canopy to nectar on the flowers. Previous years attempts at getting decent pics has shown me that it isn't always very easy as sometimes they don't come down for ages - or even at all! So today I was especially pleased when I walked towards the Dewberry aa the first insect I saw was a pristine Black Hairstreak slowly twirling round on it's flower. The Hairstreaks are usually quite confiding when seen, sometimes allowing for prolonged and close up photography and the Black Hairstreaks are no exception. Even when they fly up you can find they land on an even closer flower to the one it was on and as they slowly turn around on the flower they're feeding on it can simply be a matter of waiting until the butterfly composes the shot for you. It was also nice to meet Northants butterflyer Andy Wyles here too. He was standing almost exactly by the same bush I met him at last year and it was great to accompany him along a few of the rides learning about the Black Hairstreaks habitat and the efforts being made to help them. Here is a few of the day's pics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5_a34WHqI3CiwGnHp2QK35Kr3YRl5V1VLuTnS0ulI3V6ya2VEE8fweQrKfCyVS_BnaIhRf9M9wAyHTHaHzKyZ6PZjnI2aKclOCpoL1qry3_RdtDA85F8DX75joG0Cd9SKe6UPRzXk88/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5_a34WHqI3CiwGnHp2QK35Kr3YRl5V1VLuTnS0ulI3V6ya2VEE8fweQrKfCyVS_BnaIhRf9M9wAyHTHaHzKyZ6PZjnI2aKclOCpoL1qry3_RdtDA85F8DX75joG0Cd9SKe6UPRzXk88/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+1.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_9BrINlO_eYFPEgtacjut4rudaJQqNAYCc-Dwlcv0rfVFlaYS-D4RBFuPs3kxOwyScPcS33CBdXRXt2054eU0AA1u1b0pWKxPZ3uasvaLBsiWdkdhAS2dieaNPu10OPAQd7sZCmjfCg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_9BrINlO_eYFPEgtacjut4rudaJQqNAYCc-Dwlcv0rfVFlaYS-D4RBFuPs3kxOwyScPcS33CBdXRXt2054eU0AA1u1b0pWKxPZ3uasvaLBsiWdkdhAS2dieaNPu10OPAQd7sZCmjfCg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+2.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pasture, Northants.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy8Ryrn-O37H7RclGYUWi4NT7RSQoDxDc6j3HjznWEg9x5fWl3GQPFrawxYXVl1oiT8arI4ieYrGVRTdh1R8X6sQYLuoBPCkT9eoEq-re5tPhauTSEelVdnyKO8QIn-NJNqTL7NY3E9k/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmy8Ryrn-O37H7RclGYUWi4NT7RSQoDxDc6j3HjznWEg9x5fWl3GQPFrawxYXVl1oiT8arI4ieYrGVRTdh1R8X6sQYLuoBPCkT9eoEq-re5tPhauTSEelVdnyKO8QIn-NJNqTL7NY3E9k/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+3.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pasture, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnPl6d96gZr8cVcpMGAx4_Y-6uFLxbwh_XMrdlj3SQsQ9KleR1IF0UxfAC0XIyYK1uZPTEy9iDwfbV3JMQGED28YHF82ZNczU5KQ_BJGN5wGdt60QpwQNAbvXE5BVM_UVGl7UjdZsn_o/s1600/Black+Hairtreak+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnPl6d96gZr8cVcpMGAx4_Y-6uFLxbwh_XMrdlj3SQsQ9KleR1IF0UxfAC0XIyYK1uZPTEy9iDwfbV3JMQGED28YHF82ZNczU5KQ_BJGN5wGdt60QpwQNAbvXE5BVM_UVGl7UjdZsn_o/s1600/Black+Hairtreak+4.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx70APHSQpL5vvn3Ccr_vJOe5ZFB2hLch67eoVH7NFRjQZido8ZHsMbraatqafZY1kwRwDzEdGaD-KQefGiItx7AUqE7pzQWrE45ww0H0ZkaqkOReFtni94t1qjoLB7yHDbjVTh0fDtNw/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx70APHSQpL5vvn3Ccr_vJOe5ZFB2hLch67eoVH7NFRjQZido8ZHsMbraatqafZY1kwRwDzEdGaD-KQefGiItx7AUqE7pzQWrE45ww0H0ZkaqkOReFtni94t1qjoLB7yHDbjVTh0fDtNw/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+5.jpg" height="430" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3_BUGDTDuzxbXo5Tf0zBVQU1Te23we5Ph9UXc4gSWrzc0EFwXH47CJMsuvvU3GJ-ShQRSrM_mxKAGAelfDIqd-hvEgyRbdW-U4c-d1WVikz0rXhOA19qY2ViFAjEz9Tx1hke3v5FKCg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3_BUGDTDuzxbXo5Tf0zBVQU1Te23we5Ph9UXc4gSWrzc0EFwXH47CJMsuvvU3GJ-ShQRSrM_mxKAGAelfDIqd-hvEgyRbdW-U4c-d1WVikz0rXhOA19qY2ViFAjEz9Tx1hke3v5FKCg/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+6.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glapthorn Cow Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuxpSpjPNcl9c_mbztlv48oAo4brPLBawjJdDeJ3xlHcTyw8OHyOSIpEefO6YYBGxIUTfckilNI8q5vCRSQRMcaw2t3QLD2POI6V_HBkunEGpdiJIPLa8gEX9h9kBTBF8kfuqBbvVU18/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuxpSpjPNcl9c_mbztlv48oAo4brPLBawjJdDeJ3xlHcTyw8OHyOSIpEefO6YYBGxIUTfckilNI8q5vCRSQRMcaw2t3QLD2POI6V_HBkunEGpdiJIPLa8gEX9h9kBTBF8kfuqBbvVU18/s1600/Black+Hairstreak+7.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hairstreak, Glapthorn Cow, Pastures, Northants</td></tr>
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The Black Hairstreaks also of course herald the coming of the ultimate Northants butterfly prize! The Purple Emperors will be out soon and with it the other reason for the pilgrimage to these fantastic woods. Which of course means in the next few weeks I'll be back to see them!David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455653397729185490.post-72765552883033722482014-06-08T19:48:00.001+01:002014-06-10T21:36:01.384+01:00Wood Whites, Common Blues, a Bee Orchid Extravaganza and a Clouded
Yellow! - 8th of June 2014I'll be the first to admit that I don't update this blog as much as I should but in my defence I do tend to spend more time trying to see things than I do writing about them.So when less than 24 hours after the last update I find myself writing a new post today must have been good. Today had been earmarked to help naturalist friends of mine Paul and Carys Brewster to see Wood White butterflies so it started at Sywell Wood just north of Northampton. I arrived just before them so I quickly checked the area out and within minutes of entering the wood I was onto a Wood White flitting around in the undergrowth. A very showy Speckled Wood posed nicely for a photo too.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7nP7pZA4MX76IW09w8OZGeTM9uW3Wv_WW3pXqf8hPQaECVQYXR1K1E6J29Xjh209OVuMEs2F10YC-kV3iR9d7ay9uwzuAxXOVXWC7bIg1ViqujV641VCzGRompahe2m5TsN7RhMKTU0/s1600/Speckled+Wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7nP7pZA4MX76IW09w8OZGeTM9uW3Wv_WW3pXqf8hPQaECVQYXR1K1E6J29Xjh209OVuMEs2F10YC-kV3iR9d7ay9uwzuAxXOVXWC7bIg1ViqujV641VCzGRompahe2m5TsN7RhMKTU0/s1600/Speckled+Wood.jpg" height="448" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood, Sywell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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Shortly after they arrived and we explored the main ride running through the wood. Wood Whites were everywhere! Apparently the numbers of Wood Whites this year have been the best for 20 years and it was very much in evidence today as a look in either direction showed loads flitting around the side of the ride. I let Paul get the bulk of the shots as he'd traveled so far to see them but I couldn't resist one as it came down to the ground.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VthTsQIfkVbeaBSdMQMVCH07x-fGDQh0AmgopCxZQKD-yQ8IINDQ4bKJ2yyWbBUmX7li1CEf4cqonKtTbPo4AhvvZkXCj7llll0BH696PxlERkYEM2KAqWnZHjn6EvhxVWlp4pBTEi4/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VthTsQIfkVbeaBSdMQMVCH07x-fGDQh0AmgopCxZQKD-yQ8IINDQ4bKJ2yyWbBUmX7li1CEf4cqonKtTbPo4AhvvZkXCj7llll0BH696PxlERkYEM2KAqWnZHjn6EvhxVWlp4pBTEi4/s1600/Wood+White.jpg" height="412" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood White, Sywell Wood, Northants</td></tr>
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One of the great things about macro photography is the way it makes you try and notice everything in the undergrowth and it was while searching for bugs I noticed this little critter. I approached it with the camera and it clamped itself down onto the leaf like a Limpet! Paul text me later to say he'd identified it as a Green Tortoise Beetle and I can see why it's called as such. I eventually got it on my hand and it's legs and antennae popped out just like a Tortoise coming out of it's shell but when it's on the leaf it's amazingly camoflauged.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2X3aP4gshEM7CvgHGs1Zecw8dk6kXcwXwL4h7VIVgkZIQZv0aFfGD9o3fGc5NoJaTfLRQz0NcrTLoVsArouF-MbQjv91BiWh0JVDYkn4-tfV5-5s4jxLCS9cJADfiICvrHhIk_Z_eXU/s1600/Green+Tortoise+Beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2X3aP4gshEM7CvgHGs1Zecw8dk6kXcwXwL4h7VIVgkZIQZv0aFfGD9o3fGc5NoJaTfLRQz0NcrTLoVsArouF-MbQjv91BiWh0JVDYkn4-tfV5-5s4jxLCS9cJADfiICvrHhIk_Z_eXU/s1600/Green+Tortoise+Beetle.jpg" height="422" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Tortoise Beetle, Sywell Wood, Northants.</td></tr>
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Other butterflies very much in evidence were the Common Blues. They do add a welcome splash of colour as they go whirling passed and a pair in cop was to good a photographic opportunity to miss.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvqOAilXVWjxuccW6Pw8dMw3Qs1gDTj9uadsOnlDKYECV6TKFVUJD8kRG3tOofhkSTlfOzHfA4TXBGPPIUSM0aUIINilHRDWP2AOzPcJf5AZKPfIxDYVZnhFqXmAlWYqtBSikjJp7ToM/s1600/Common+Blues+Sywell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvqOAilXVWjxuccW6Pw8dMw3Qs1gDTj9uadsOnlDKYECV6TKFVUJD8kRG3tOofhkSTlfOzHfA4TXBGPPIUSM0aUIINilHRDWP2AOzPcJf5AZKPfIxDYVZnhFqXmAlWYqtBSikjJp7ToM/s1600/Common+Blues+Sywell.jpg" height="438" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blues, Sywell Wood, Northants.</td></tr>
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After we'd got the pics we'd wanted we left and went to a nearby location I know of that's good for Brown Argus butterflies. Unfortunately we didn't see any ones we could get pics of but luckily Paul did see one shoot passed in flight. A huge surprise though came as we walked across the area and Paul suddenly exclaimed "there's a Bee Orchid!", we looked around and couldn't believe our eyes! A quick count found a total of 34 Bee Orchid spikes right infront of us and completely out in the open. We took a number of pics and I have to admit we simply marvelled at the spectacle. I couldn't believe what I was seeing considering I had driven all the way to Twywell Hills a Dales yesterday to see just one!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zW3EWvb9JP_Bx35NTd_g5wi-4r198bb_aiq_iZVxPQ3kXSfMBgDbsWjVfVxaFI5BkTnn7WmDhTbuq9goHg7kYilMddzMzVMqGq_cvPYVmpdJxm_mNXZR_RE38uTLm8joRWL1M62F8FE/s1600/Bee+Orchid+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zW3EWvb9JP_Bx35NTd_g5wi-4r198bb_aiq_iZVxPQ3kXSfMBgDbsWjVfVxaFI5BkTnn7WmDhTbuq9goHg7kYilMddzMzVMqGq_cvPYVmpdJxm_mNXZR_RE38uTLm8joRWL1M62F8FE/s1600/Bee+Orchid+1.jpg" height="640" width="432"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Orchid, Twywell Hills and Dales</td></tr>
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Unfortunately Paul and Carys had to leave to head back home but I quickly rang a few people and returned with Ian Pretty who lives locally to me. We had a bit more of an exploration of the area and managed to find another load about 50yds from the original ones making the total tally a whopping 46 Bee Orchids! Here's a few pics of the spectacle.<br>
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After admiring the Bee Orchids me and Ian went to explore the bank at the Grange Park site. Quite amazingly Ian picked up a yellow butterfly which we eventually stumbled upon again as we left. A pristine male Clouded Yellow was whizzing up and down the bank!! I did have a dream all winter that last years batch would survive the winter but after a chat with the county recorder Doug Goddard on the phone the realization hit me that this probably wasn't a survivor but more likely a new migratory one, the fact that it was June and we had seen 3 Silver Y's migratory moths today and a Painted Lady had been reported elsewhere in the county earlier in the week only enforced this. It also was behaving as Clouded Yellows often do and simply wouldn't stop for a pic. Never mind it was a great sighting for us and I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing one, there is always something special about seeing a butterfly that you know has been through quite a journey to get where it is, and me and Ian were lucky enough to see it! We capped the day off nicely with a pint of cider in the local pub. <div><br></div><div>As a footnote a few days later on the 10th of June I did another more thorough count of the Orchids as another friend of mine (Stuart Mundy) wanted to see them. We found a couple of other groups of Bee Orchids at the site further east to the main group bringing the total count of Orchids found to a huge 68!! </div>David Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03502132501284276575noreply@blogger.com0