Those who had read Mike Foleys Natural History blog will recognise this stunning butterfly straight away and it was after reading it I decided to pay the area a visit on my way back from Nuneaton. The area is an old airfield that is in the process of being restored back to heathland by the Butterfly Conservation. Though very similar in appearance the Silver-studded Blue can be distinguished from the Common Blue by the thicker black margins to the wings. Their name comes from the silver studs that can be seen in some of the spots on the underside of their wings, some having more studs than others. On my hour long visit at least 40 Silver-studded were on the wing in a relatively small area, mostly males.
ABOVE SILVER-STUDDED BLUE BELOW A WORN EXAMPLE
ABOVE AND BELOW ON ITS MAIN NECTAR SOURCE HEATHER
BELOW A SILVER STUD CAN JUST BE MADE OUT ON THE FIFTH SPOT OF ITS HINDWING
Several other species of butterfly could also be seen in the area including Ringlet and Small Heath. Both in were in small numbers and difficult to photograph as they spent most of the time flying low across the ground.
ABOVE SMALL HEATH BELOW RINGLET
1 comment:
Derek, really excellent photos! I'm glad you found them and the sun was out with many flying. It must have been well worth making the diversion and satisfying to see them, I would think. Mike.
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