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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Aug 28

Tree Grayling were the most numerous, fresh & active species seen on my short visit to the Sierra de las Nieves NP this week. There were also good numbers of Spanish Chalk-hill Blue & Southern/Common Blue but most were past their best. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Aug 25

Still good numbers of butterflies in the Sierra de las Nieves NP yesterday with 21 species seen in a couple of hours exploring despite the time of year & recent heatwave. Pic of Southern Gatekeeper.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Aug 4

All set up for the day at Leeds CC’s Lotherton Hall. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 25

Silver-washed Fritillary. One of many along the sunny rides at Bishop Wood North Yorks today. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

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Reposted by Richard Tripp

Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire @bcyorkshire.bsky.social · Jul 19

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Reposted by Richard Tripp

Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire @bcyorkshire.bsky.social · Jul 19

It's the Big Butterfly Count and we are at Tropical World Leeds. The Privet Hawk is proving a real crowd pleaser along with a very full moth trap. Lots of interest from visitors.

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Reposted by Richard Tripp

Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire @bcyorkshire.bsky.social · Jul 11

Discover the beauty of butterflies this summer at Tropical World, Roundhay Park from 19th to 31st July and find out about their habitats. We’re taking part in the Big Butterfly Count 2025 (19 July to 10 August) Join BCY team with live insects 19-20th July tropicalworld.leeds.gov.uk/tropical-wor...

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 11

Last weeks highlight was seeing Zullich’s Blue high in the Sierra Nevada. At 2,600 to 2,700m, in the same habitat as Spanish Argus, flying rapidly at ankle height across exposed ground of schist stones & sparse vegetation made them difficult to see & follow. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

Zullich’s Blue (Agriades zullichi) on food plant.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 10

Striped Grayling. The last butterfly of my trip to Spain last week & a great way to finish. My stop at Nerja on the way to the airport looked like being unsuccessful but a trail into the Sierras de Trejeda, Almijara y Alhama NP first produced Sage Skipper then this Grayling.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 9

Back in Leeds & joined the Leeds CC transect walker on the Roundhay Park loop. Lots of butterflies to count but most exciting two fresh White-letter Hairstreak on Creeping Thistle by the folly. Here’s a phone pic. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

White-letter Hairstreak (Satyrium w-album)

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 8

Two stunning blues from the Sierra de Heutor NP this week. An exciting first for me was this fresh male Spanish Chalk-hill Blue. Its size & white/pale colour in flight were noticeable. Also a female Escher’s Blue. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

Spanish Chalk-hill Blue (Lysandra albicans)

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 6

Dark Green Fritillary. I used to see these in my local area just north of Leeds but sadly not for the last couple of years. This one at 2,200m in the Sierra Nevada.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 5

Great Banded Grayling at the Jardin Botanico, Hoya de Pedraza (1,900m)

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 4

Nevada Blue at 2,600m in the Sierra Nevada.
@europebutterfly.bsky.social

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 3

Walked up Pico Veleta this morning & was rewarded with stunning 360 views. I was joined by several hill-topping Small Tortoiseshell at 3,398m! Long-tailed Blue, Painted Lady & Small White at 3,300m at the upper ski lift.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 3

Hi-sorry, I’m not a regular enough visitor to say with any authority. It’s too hot for me let alone the 🦋! I’m seeing fresh 🦋 of what I was hoping to see but for e.g. the Spanish Argus I’ve seen look past their best. Staying above 2km now. Have a great trip & looking forward to seeing your pics!

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 2

Silver-studded & Idas Blue fly together in the Sierra Nevada making ID’s tricky. 2nd pic looks consistent with local form P.idas & no obvious fore-tibia spine. 3rd pic looks like P.argus with spine just visible. At Pradollano 2,100m. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jul 1

Spanish Brassy Ringlet & Purple-shot Copper on a perfect, still and clear morning at 2,600m in the Sierra Nevada at the Hoya de la Mora. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

Spanish Brassy Ringlet (Erebia hispania)

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jun 30

Desert Orange Tip. First day back in Spain and despite them being constantly on the move it was well worth the short detour to see these fantastic butterflies and in such good numbers. Granada province coast. @europebutterfly.bsky.social

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Reposted by Richard Tripp

Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire @bcyorkshire.bsky.social · Jun 24

Time to look back at an once in a century Spring with sunniest, warmest and one of the driest on record. The result was exceptional numbers of Peacocks, Brimstones but also the Whites, Speckled Wood and Dingy Skipper. In mid April some transects had counts of 100+ insects.. quite remarkable!

Speckled wood has seen the largest numerical increase in abundance of 3 fold

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jun 19

Rock Grayling were regular company along the tracks of the Sierras de Cazorla & Magina last week but this was the only Hermit seen.

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Reposted by Richard Tripp

Butterfly Conservation Yorkshire @bcyorkshire.bsky.social · Jun 19

In June 2024 during week 11 only 1 Small Tortoiseshell was recorded overall Yorkshire's sites. This year 150 have been recorded so far! Everywhere I go near nettles I'm seeing them! A strong recovery but everything depends on the weather and nettle quality. Too hot/dry could still spell disaster.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jun 16

Blue-spot & False Ilex Hairstreak both seen daily whilst exploring the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura & Magina last week.

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jun 15

Mother-of-pearl Blue. One of the highlights of the week, found on a spectacular karst limestone plateau at 1,600m in the Sierra de Carzola. @europebutterfly.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social

Mother-of-pearl Blue (Polyommatus nivescens)

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Richard Tripp @richardtripp.bsky.social · Jun 14

Four blues from the Sierra de Cazorla. Southern/Common Blue, Southern Brown Argus, Adonis Blue & (possibly) Mountain Argus.

Southern Blue / Common Blue (Polyommatus celina / Polyommatus icarus)

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