Steve Harley

My wife and I had another great day in western Scotland, this time at the beautiful Ariundle NNR near Strontian. We saw 8 Chequered Skippers and added Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary to our year list. We are both retired chemists, so the Strontian signpost photo was essential.

@Birduder344 @IreneBoston2 @ScotWildlife They look fresh at the moment. The flight period is usually about 3-4 weeks according to the literature. So I guess they will be out until the 3rd or 4th week of June. Good luck if you try for them.

@SteveHarley17 @IreneBoston2 @ScotWildlife I’m hoping to see these. Any idea how much longer they will be out for? Thanks.

I saw my first ever Chequered Skipper at Shian Wood, Argyll @ScotWildlife reserve today. Then, on the walk back to our chalet in Benderloch, I saw another 14 alongside the roadside! A truly memorable day.

We went over the Isle of Wight for the weekend. The weather was cold and windy, but despite that we saw some good butterflies, plus 2 Red Squirrels. The highlight was seeing some "proper" Glanvilles, after accidentally seeing one of dubious origin in Wiltshire the previous week.

My wife and I had our best butterfly morning of the year on Saturday at White Sheet Hill near Mere in Wiltshire. Marsh Fritillary and Adonis Blue were highlights, and there were lots of Grizzled Skippers. An afternoon visit to the nearby Stourhead NT capped off a good day.

Teneral female Scarce Chaser near the River Blackwater, Ash, Surrey, this afternoon (2-May-26) @BDSdragonflies

I spent the morning in Chiddingfold Forest watching Wood Whites and listening to Nightingales - it was idyllic!

@RareBirdAlertUK The headline and photo are about the Large Tortoiseshell, but the article itself is about the Small Tortoiseshell. It makes no sense.

I had a trip planned to Lymington today. I was lucky that it coincided with the appearance of the Killdeer at Ripley. Here's some video of it having a stretch.

@markjleitch Great shot Mark. It was good to catch up with you this morning.

Red flanked Bluetail in Kent showing very well this morning.

I had some beginner's luck with the phone-scope attachment I received as a Christmas present. This Kingfisher was very nervous and watchful as a Red Kite flew over my Surrey local patch.

I have been out with my thermal imager in north Hampshire over the last few days. I tracked down Woodcock and Jack Snipe both sitting tight for a spot the bird competition.

Here is a video of a Water Rail I took from the hide at Lepe Country Park last week @hantsbirdnews

After belatedly popping down to see the Grackle in Holbury on Thursday, I visited Lepe Country Park for the first time. A local birder helpfully suggested that I try the hide, where two Water Rails were showing well.

I found this handsome drake Ring-necked Duck at Water's Edge, Mytchett, this afternoon @SurreyBirdNews

on Friday (8-Aug-25) I visited Fifty Acre Piece near Padworth for the first time. This is a Berkshire stronghold for Black Darters, which are declining in the south-east.

I had a short holiday in Cornwall this week. Luckily I arrived the same day as this superb adult summer plumage Laughing Gull. Penzance 28-Jul-25. @CBWPS1

I found the first Southern Migrant Hawker for Buckler's Forest, Crowthorne yesterday (25-Jul-25). A Banded Demoiselle was also a first for the site according to iRecord. The site Odonata list now stands at 30 species. Short video attached, many pics at: facebook.com/groups/1092912…

I went to the famous Canvey Ditch for the first time today. After a slow start I was delighted to eventually see all three main target species - Southern Emerald and Scarce Emerald Damselflies and Southern Migrant Hawker.

I was very chuffed to see this Small Red Damselfly at my pond in Lightwater, Surrey, this morning. It was a first for my garden @_JoelAshton