Fermyn Woods

After several warm sunny days, we had high expectations of lots of butterflies, including the Purple Emperor , on our visit to Fermyn Woods on Sunday. In contrast, it was cool, breezy with occasional drizzle so not ideal for butterflies! Ken managed to photograph an Emperor on the ground near the entrance but the rest of us contented ourselves with good views of a Purple Hairstreak (first image focus-stacked), lots of Large Skippers, Ringlets and Plant Bugs and Spiders (Nursery Spider guarding young in the web tent). A couple of Buzzards gave a great display under grey skies.

Sharpenhoe Butterflies

 Despite the strong winds, most of the RPS Nature Group on an outing to Sharpenhoe yesterday managed to photograph two of the target species - the Chalkhill Blues (all males so probably early in the season) and Dark Green Fritillaries (getting a bit worn and mainly females so late in their season). However, the favourite was a Brimstone male emerging from its cocoon. Also shown Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Small White and Holly Blue.

Butterflies at Buxton Heath

The lighting for photographs at Buxton Heath on Sunday was very contrasty with very bright sunlight. Silver-studded Blues were present in abundance  - an unusual trio appeared on a twig of heather. We also recorded Red Admiral, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Brimstone