Mike Gibbons

Seen at Southbourne Undercliff, Bournemouth.

One of 27 Clouded Yellows heading west this afternoon, including 2 helice and 2 in off the sea and landing on the slopes.

A beautiful male Eros Blue from the Austrian Alps. A favourite of mine.

Another new Fritillary butterfly for me this year on my Scandinavian trip was this Frejya's Fritillary (Boloria freija). These fritillaries were few and far between especially on cloudy days. A stunning underside as well.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly at Silverlake in Dorset.

Frigga's Fritillary in northern Sweden. Seen in a boggy area of Abisko National Park.

A Pale Arctic Clouded Yellow from my recent trip to Northern Sweden. Resting on a cloudy day, they normally rarely stop flying when it is sunny.

Male Silver-washed Fritillary on bramble blossom. This was earlier in the season and it cannot have been out long.

A male Brown Hairstreak nectaring on Wild Parsnip at Shipton Bellinger, Hants.

An interesting female Gatekeeper aberration. Possibly caused by temperature variation as a chrysalis. A striking butterfly.

Great to see Wall Brown butterflies in number at Shipton Bellinger. This area is a stronghold for a butterfly that has become local in many areas. Seems to be doing well in parts of the south coast but there is a welcome improvement at inland areas as well.

Female Brown Hairstreak with open wings and male nectaring at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire. Always a big climax to the summer butterfly season

A female White-faced Darter dragonfly seen in Northern Sweden in a boggy area. The only dragonfly I saw on the trip.

On 19th and 20th June I was at Alice Holt Forest in Hampshire searching in the heat for Purple Emperor. One male was seen down on the track on 19th, then 4 males were seen down on 20th, including 2 together later in the day. It did mean however getting close to dog mess for some photos!

A White-letter Hairstreak came down on bramble from elms at our local Christchurch recreation ground. Do not always get to see this secretive species this close, usually up high.

I saw up to 50 Black Hairstreak were seen in Ditchling Common, Sussex on Monday. They were very active until I left at 18.00. Some had recently emerged but there were a fair few that were faded or bits of wing missing. A stunning butterfly.

A Common Tern showing beautifully at Titchfield Haven. Wonderful view from the hide.

Visited Titchfield Haven this afternoon to see the Hudsonian Godwit. It spent a lot of time feeding and some time asleep. It then returned to feed closer to the hide before I left at 17.00. Managed to get this photo showing some key features in the plumage, especially the underwing.

Incredibly found a Glanville Fritillary at Southbourne Undercliff, Bournemouth,Dorset. Could well have flown in from the Isle of Wight in these warm, still conditions.Sunning itself on path to beach.My first coastal mainland record since the Hampshire coast colonies at Hordle Cliff and Hurst Spit.

Must be a reasonable chance this single Glanville Fritillary has drifted over in near perfect conditions. It favoured the tarmac track to sun itself. First seen at 11.15, then disappeared, lots of people using path to beach. Returned to same area on path at 11.40 when I got photos. Not seen again.

Male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in the New Forest today showing exceptionally well. Likely to have a nest nearby. Feeding low down in a small tree close to the track.

A very difficult butterfly to photograph because it never seems to stop flying, the Greenish Black-tip is ever active in the warm sunshine of Fuerteventura, on the Canaries. I managed this shot in the late part of the day when it was cooler. A beautiful delicate yellow. A first for me. #butterflies

Pairing of Small Whites at the local Christchurch Recreation Ground today. My earliest ever pairing I think. Seem to be having a good early season from local observations today.

Male Firecrest singing and displaying in the garden today. Very aggressive towards a Goldcrest which strayed in. Hoping a pair will nest again like last year.

Great to see a Long eared Owl yesterday after waiting many years since the last one. A long wait for it to open those big orange eyes. The location has been witheld on request.

A trip to Bordon, North Hampshire was rewarded by seeing the male Black-throated Thrush which was frequenting some local gardens. Special permission was obtained to see this first for the county.

Saw 3 Short-eared Owls flying around Wyke Down, Dorset this afternoon. First sunny day for a while, so pretty good views.

The Lesser Scaup at Longham Lakes, Dorset. It was not always easy to see because it spent a lot of time diving under water to feed.

Wishing all my followers on Bluesky a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2025. A male Purple Emperor to brighten up the winter.

The late October Isabelline Shrike in Gillingham, north Dorset. An attractive shrike which was difficult to observe at first but later ventured closer to observers.