Beautiful Butterflies 2019

Looks like you caught a good one Alan. Just emerged by the look of it.

Just saw this on BBC website, apologies if already noted, but worth re publish.

There is also an App for smartphones etc.

www.bigbutterflycount.org/

www.bbc.co.uk/.../uk-49041006

Brilliant photos folks, and superb detail.

A couple from a recent visit to Middleton Lakes.

Red Admiral sunning itself

And a small white feeding on knapweed.

I hear there are millions of Painted Lady butterflies heading your way. Yes, heatwave is a bit much. It didn't go below 25°C last night so couldn't cool the house down & it's over 40 in the shade today. We've got most of the shutters closed & a fan on (just moves the hot air around).

I just heard that Bordeaux had reached its'ever highest temperature. Phew. My external electronic thermometer says 38 C but I'm sure that's an exaggeration. Like you, Hazel, I've got all the windows, doors, blinds and curtains closed but it's still 30 C inside at the back of the house and about 27 C in the cooler north side away from the sun.
I'm looking forward to the Painted Lady invasion, I remember the one in 2009 (I think it was) but that was much earlier in May. They covered my Spirea which was in bloom at the time.

Certainly is a bit much, am in front of a fan as I type ... do hope we get lots of Painted Ladies here to take advantage of my bee/butterfly planting this year!

Common Blue male

Small Skipper?

And another.

I don't think the orange is bright enough for Small Skipper, Paul. The underside doesn't look right either. It could be an even smaller Lulworth Skipper, have a look at the odd lines on the edge of the top front wing & compare to the photos here www.lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl . Any other photos showing more of the topside? Interesting anyway!

EDIT : Just shows what I know, Lulworth is as far North as it gets, so must be Small Skipper, past it's first flush of youth!

Hazel C said:

past it's first flush of youth!

Been there....!!   :-)