#grizzled skipper

[michaelnordeman]

Grizzled skipper/smultronvisslare. Värmland, Sweden (May 15, 2021).

[dansnaturepictures]

A view including a gorgeous cowslip covered field it was excellent to see the landscape carpeted with their uplifting yellow catching the sun's rays and the wind's soft caress to sparkle gold and a stunning Dingy Skipper butterfly at Magdalen Hill Down 18/04/2026.

On a thrilling spring afternoon my first Whitethroat of the year, Yellowhammer, Linnets, Goldfinch, Skylark heard, Slow worm, Common Lizard, my first ever Lesser Bloody-nosed beetle, milkwort, garlic mustard, germander speedwell, broomrape and ground ivy were other highlights. Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell were also great to tick off for the year alongside Dingy Skipper in a satisfying butterfly fix, my year list is into the teens on thirteen now and I saw ten of them today with Orange-tip, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral and lots of Holly Blues which I've had a strong start to the butterfly year for seeing a lot enjoyed again today the highest amount of butterflies I've seen in a day so far this year.

[twiligt]

Pyrgus Malvae

[rinibayphoto]

[michaelnordeman]

Grizzled skipper/smultronvisslare. Värmland, Sweden (May 15, 2022).

[michaelnordeman]

Too much work and far too little time for nature at the moment but here we have a few quick snapshots from the garden. Värmland, Sweden (May 15, 2022). 

[dansnaturepictures]

19th May 2024: My first Grizzled Skipper of the year, foxgloves, thistle, Red-headed Cardinal beetle and wild strawberry at Bentley Wood and beautiful cistus at home today.

At Bentley Wood my first Tree Pipit of the year and Garden Warbler heard, my first Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, Painted Lady and Small Heath of the year, my first Silver Y and Speckled Yellow moths of the year, my first yellow pimpernel and silverweed cinquefoil of the year, my first ever Downy Emerald dragonfly which was amazing to see, Green Tiger beetle and froghopper were some of many highlights on an insect, flower and bird fest today.

[dansnaturepictures]

07/05/2023-Martin Down 

Pictures taken today here in this photoset are of: 1. My first Small Copper of the year, a crimson treat to see a few of them. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9. Beautiful views at this picturesque and biodiverse site which was draped in cowslips, surrounded by a patchwork of yellow and green fields and generally brimming bright emerald and other colours. 3. A beautiful early purple orchid of a white variety, which we were thankful one of a few great people we got chatting to signposted to us as it’s quite a rare variation. Among a wealth of these sensational and eye catching flowers of the regular but pretty purple the first of which I’d seen at this site was an exquisite speckled and creamy coloured one half way between purple and the white one which will surely be one of my flowers of the year it was so beautiful. 7. A stunning Dingy Skipper which I was so pleased to see, a warm spring butterfly which I love seeing this my first of the year. 8. A wonderful Cuckoo, one of two seen hearing this bird so well today. This a big moment for me as over the decade we’ve been going to Martin Down I’ve been fortunate to hear them here amazingly a lot here but I’d not seen one within this reserve before today. It had been a goal for so long and felt like breaking new ground which I found sweet and satisfying today. What a run I’m on for encountering Cuckoos this year already which I feel lucky to have. 10. A charming Corn Bunting one of the key birds of Martin Down, it was a delight to hear their tuneful song and see them belting this out today another top bird seen today that I’ve had a great few weeks for. 

It felt so good today to also see other targets my first Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak of the year delicate and prepossessing little butterflies seeing these four species for the first time this year putting my butterfly year in a great place on a fine day. Orange Tip, Peacock and Holly Blue were other highlights with many Brimstones including a kaleidoscope of three males chasing a female I believe the most I’d seen at once before which was amazing. Top and immersive views of key for the site Yellowhammer, elegant Skylark and Grey Partridge, brick red backed Kestrel and majestic Buzzard and views of Swallow, Whitethroat and Goldfinch including one next to a Stonechat were other highlights with excitingly Quail possibly heard. Bloody nosed-beetle and a range of flies including crane fly and snipe fly were great to see here too. My first kidney vetch of the year one I like seeing, ground ivy and many speedwell including nicely together, greater stitchwort, lovely milkwort, cow parsley, viburnum, herb-Robert and possible common rock-rose were other floral highlights. It was good to see a Buzzard that always seems to be on a telegraph pole on journeys here on the way.