Comma

Sometimes blips do just present themselves. At lunchtime on a clear, cool day I spent some time stalking herons on the river Kent in Kendal and being unsuccessful at getting close enough for a respectable photo. On the way back to the office, there's a small patch of ivy on a wall and this was humming with insects, including a red admiral and a comma butterfly.

The comma was in very good condition, the red admiral was more tatty, so the blip is of the comma. This is an instantly recognisable butterfly with its scalloped wings, and brown and black markings. The name is for the comma-like mark on the underwing (see link) which can be more difficult to see. These are relatively recent arrivals in Cumbria, they are spreading north in England and arrived with us about ten years ago. This is quite a late one, particularly given its excellent condition. It could also be one of the last I'll see this year. It's also worth noting that ivy is so important for a whole host of insects at this late time in the year.

The red admiral is shown here.