As mentioned, I haven't been in the Fields as much as usual this summer but the few times I've visited I haven't seen our usual Burnet moths (nor the Burnet caterpillars at the time when another site in Perivale had many). It's been a poor year for Burnets in the Fields. This weekend, although late for them now, I would have expected 1-2 old faded ones but there were none.

There were more than usual Common Blues - I've never seen so many in the Fields as yesterday - and the first record for the Fields of a Brown Argus, confirmed by Butterfly Conservation. (All photos below taken in the Fields this weekend)

Male Common Blue	Female Common Blue
Male Brown Argus, the first record for Totteridge Fields

Gatekeepers have largely replaced the Meadow Browns of a few weeks ago, though some Browns remain, and some Essex Skippers are hanging on. The ubiquitous whites and several Small Coppers were in evidence, together with Speckled Woods and a Holly Blue.

Among the day-flying moths, in addition to the vast number of crambids (grass moths), there were several Shaded Broadbands, 2 Yellow Shells and a Silver Y.

Male Gatekeeper	Female Gatekeeper	Small Copper
Meadow Brown (f)	Essex Skipper	small Large White
Speckled Wood	Holly Blue	Silver Y moth

It was good to see a large number of native 7-spot ladybirds, - they haven't been totally eliminated by the voracious Harlequin, - although several Harlequin were also in evidence. Many hoverflies and bees also, a hornet, a horsefly and other mini beasts such as soldier beetles, grasshoppers and froghoppers.

7 spot ladybird	Harlequin Ladybird	Harlequin Ladybird
Hoverfly	Tachinid Fly	Red-tailed Bumble Bee
Froghoppers

I was surprised to find a dead Shrew on the path in almost the same spot near the pond as you had found one a year or two earlier.

Regarding birds (never many in middle of day), the first time I've seen Ring-necked Parakeets actually in the trees in the Fields rather than just flying over (although they took flight as I raised a camera). Also other miscellaneous warblers such as the one below (not the usual Chiffchaff -- his alarm call was more like "suet, suet!")

Some new wild flowers that I haven't seen in the Fields before have self-sown around the new grasscrete, e.g. Scarlet Pimpernel below and 2 others

I told you about the picnickers whose picnic basket was for collecting blackberries. I also noticed (and photographed) your new tree trunk bee-hive.

Liz