Fairmile Tryptich

Those Dukes, their courtiers and courtesans

Tired old dukes and painted ladies

A hot summer's afternoon spent on Butser Hill found some tired old dukes still battling their territories, with fresh painted ladies in from the continent to brighten the spirits.

A supporting cast of hairstreaks, skippers, blues, heaths, woods and whites; and a handful of day-flying moths completed the interest.

Springhead Hill, West Sussex

A few photos from a day spent at Springhead Hill, counting Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) and common twayblade (Neottia ovata).

Duke of Burgundy

green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)

burnet companion (Euclidia glyphica)

early purple orchid (Orchis mascula)

common twayblade

dingy skipper (Erynnis tages)