Silver-washed Fritillary.

A male Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) in Hill House Wood on Bookham Common today.

The male feeding on a Bramble, its favourite nectar supply, is distinguished by the four bold sex bands along the veins of the forewing. A single brood flies from mid-June to early September. Peak numbers usually appear towards the end of July. Males patrol large areas and are far more conspicuous, swooping, gliding and twisting in the sunlight in pursuit of the females who tend to flutter at low level in more shady areas.

For more information on how this female suffered damage to its antenna and loss of its abdomen please go to the post on my Early Birder blog....FAB.

Synchronised Feeding.

Two young Mallard practising their feeding method together......marks 8.5.   FAB

Black-tailed Skimmer.

Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum) a fast, low flying and highly active species seen perching on open bare ground or muddy banks, stones, dead trees and roads. Both the female (yellow) and the male were located in an open grassy glade resting from their frantic flying escapades.

I may be off line for a while but I will catch up with any readers in the not too distant future.....FAB.