 Male. Taken at Daneway Banks, Gloucs, on July 8th 2021. (1/640th sec at f13. © David Hastings)  Male underside. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 18th 2018. (1/640th sec at f13. © David Hastings)  Female. Taken at Bernwood Forest, Bucks, on July 5th 2021. (1/640th sec at f11. © David Hastings)  Mating pair. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on July 8th 2019. (1/200th sec at f13. © David Hastings) Description Family: Hesperiidae Wing span: 30 - 36mm Slightly larger than Small and Essex Skippers, this species also has more extensive wing markings. It has black antennae, which have hooked tips. It occurs throughout England and Wales, and appears to be slowly spreading northwards. It is found in sheltered areas of grassland, where grasses grow tall. Typical sites include meadows, hedgerows, roadside verges, woodland rides and woodland clearings. The main flight period is late May to August. The larva is the over-wintering stage. The main larval foodplant is Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), but other grasses are also used. Bramble and Thistle are favourite nectar sources. Male Large Skippers alternate between perching, patrolling, basking and feeding. Patrolling behaviour is normally exhibited in the late morning, with perching behaviour the norm in the early morning and afternoon. When perching, males will defend their territory vigorously, and see off any butterfly that intrudes. Typical perches are sunlit leaves at a height of around three feet from the ground. Least Concern Sightings | 25-Jul-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (2) | | 17-Jul-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (9) | | 17-Jul-2023 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (10) | | 07-Jul-2023 | : | Parsonage Moor, Oxon | (1) | | 06-Jul-2023 | : | Ashdown, Oxon | (7) | | 29-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 26-Jun-2023 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (25) | | 26-Jun-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (14) | | 26-Jun-2023 | : | Bernwood Meadows, Bucks | (3) | | 24-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 23-Jun-2023 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (5) | | 22-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 22-Jun-2023 | : | Steart Marshes, Somerset | (7) | | 21-Jun-2023 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (13) | | 21-Jun-2023 | : | Wimbleball Lake, Somerset | (1) | | 20-Jun-2023 | : | Haddon Hill, Somerset | (7) | | 19-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 18-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 17-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Jun-2023 | : | Whelford Pools, Glos | (1) | | 16-Jun-2023 | : | Daneway Banks, Gloucs | (2) | | 15-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (2) | | 15-Jun-2023 | : | Stonesfield Common, Oxon | (2) | | 14-Jun-2023 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 12-Jun-2023 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (3) | | 12-Jun-2023 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 11-Jun-2023 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (3) | | 07-Jun-2023 | : | Pewsey Downs NNR, Wilts | (2) | | 04-Jun-2023 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (3) |
| | 02-Aug-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 26-Jul-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 19-Jul-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 16-Jul-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (2) | | 11-Jul-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 10-Jul-2022 | : | Hatford, Oxon | (2) | | 10-Jul-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 09-Jul-2022 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 04-Jul-2022 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (11) | | 04-Jul-2022 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 03-Jul-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 01-Jul-2022 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (20+) | | 01-Jul-2022 | : | Bernwood Forest, Bucks | (20+) | | 29-Jun-2022 | : | The Coombes, Wilts | (2) | | 25-Jun-2022 | : | Gait Barrows NNR, Lancashire | (1) | | 23-Jun-2022 | : | Latterbarrow, Cumbria | (5) | | 22-Jun-2022 | : | Ravenglass, Cumbria | (3) | | 21-Jun-2022 | : | Wasdale, Cumbria | (2) | | 20-Jun-2022 | : | Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria | (4) | | 17-Jun-2022 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | (7) |
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