Adonis returns

Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus, male

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This morning there were signs of good weather so I headed to Mill Hill to do my butterfly transect. The Adonis Blue made his appearance for the first time this year. I also saw a Green Hairstreak, Peacocks, Small Whites and Small Coppers mating, Dingy Skippers all over the bottom of the hill, a male Brimstone, Small Heaths. A flight of four Peacocks few past me as I ate my sandwhich, I assume these were three males pursuing a female. The Dingy Skippers were busy chasing any butterfly that flew near their territory, including Peacocks many times their size. The brown female brown adder was basking in her usual place by the bonfire site at the south end of the hill.

Adder, Vipera berus

Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus, male

Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus, male

Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus, male

Adonis Blue, Lysandra bellargus, male

Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages

Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages

Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages

Hawthorn, flowers Crataegus monogyna

Mill Hill

Mill Hill

Pill Woodlouse, Armadillidium vulgare

Scorpion fly, Panorpa communis

Small Coppers, Lycaena phlaeas, courting

Small Coppers, Lycaena phlaeas, mating

Small Coppers, Lycaena phlaeas, mating

Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus

Small Whites, Pieris rapae, mating

Small Whites, Pieris rapae, mating