Paul's Birding Diary

Sunday 28th July 2013 Silver-studded Blue, Silchester Common Insects again, as I take advantage of the weather, this time to bag a specialist of southern heathlands. I knew I had left it rather late in the flight season, but I thought I'd give it a go anyway. On arriving at Silchester Common, Hampshire, there was a light rain shower, but it was still warm. Thanks to Mark D.'s directions I soon found suitable habitat =, but not much on the wing. It's always useful having a second pair of eyes, and while distracted photographing a Mottled Grasshopper , Linda alerted me to a diminutive blue butterfly nearby. Although very worn-looking, close inspection left me in now doubt that this was a Silver-studded Blue. Another very near, and these were the only two we saw on the common. I must go earlier next year and see this butterfly in its true glory. A Bog Bush-cricket was another nice find. The only dragons were a Brown Hawker and a Common Darter . A few other butterflies...

Friday 26th July 2013 Keeled Skimmer A Gloucestershire Odonata mega KEELED SKIMMER , found recently at an undisclosed site in the forest, was still present yesterday evening, along with a host of other more common dragonflies, including Black-tailed Skimmer , Emperor , Broad-bodied Chaser , Four-spotted Chaser , Common Darter , Emerald Damselfly , Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly . Emperor Dragonfly Broad-bodied Chaser Four-spotted Chaser

Saturday 20th July 2013 Some photos from Saturday around Hawling and Charlton Abbots : Corn Bunting, Roel Gate Essex Skipper, Charlton Abbots Ringlet, Charlton Abbots

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th July 2013 High Brown Fritillary, Heddon's Mouth Oversley Wood at his time of year means butterflies, but especially Purple Emperor ; Heddon's Mouth likewise for High Brown Fritllary. Saturday was the start of a butterfly bonanza, starting with a visit to Overlsey Wood in Warwickshire with Mark. We managed a total of five Purple Emperors - with some very obliging allowing close study on the ground or on low vegetation. We also found 2-3 White-letter Hairstreaks fairly high-up on a Wild Cherry tree and a number of other species including five White Admirals , 30+ Silver-washed Fritillaries and a single Purple Hairstreak . Purple Emperor, Oversley Wood, licking the path Licking a Bracken frond Mmmm, tastes good Can't think of a caption ... I know: "What a beaut!" Spot the White-letter Hairstreak, high up on a Wild Cherry Sunday involved a day out in Devon, where I hoped to get my first butterfly lifer of th...