The Comma pupates

Comma, Polygonia c-album

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This morning I headed to Steyning Downland early as the sky was blue. There was no activity until much later by which time a large group of butterfly enthusiasts had gathered. We all clustered round a rather sad looking female. Later another was seen by Paul. On the way out I looked for my Comma caterpillar and instead found a pupa.

Comma, Polygonia c-album

Comma pupa, Polygonia c-album

Steyning Downland

The prunus on top of the hill where I found my
first Brown Hairstreak in 2009

Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus

Dragonfly - id needed

Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina on teasel

Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta

Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria under cloud cover

and in sunlight

Brown Hairstreak,  female, Thecla betulae

Brown Hairstreak,  female, Thecla betulae

Brown Hairstreak resting in prunus

The female would come down to prunus near the ground, lay eggs, then return to rest in the canopy for some time before returning to the low prunus again. It uses Bullace or Blackthorn.

Brown Hairstreak resting in prunus