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Simon Horsnall said:

Hello all, first post but I couldn't resist joining this debate.

To me the second is Small Skipper.  There is extensive orange on the antennae and the scent bar on the forewing appears "crooked".  Essex Skipper has a straight scent bar.  I'm reserving judgement on the first but Large Skipper is a distinct possibility.  

I hasten to add I am no expert but had the good fortune of getting very close to an Essex a few weeks ago and being able to study its features using a hand lens.  I couldn't believe my luck, it just sat on the side of the path.

 

Simon

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Thanks Simon. They're tricky little things to nail down, you did well to catch one for any length of time. As for this id then thanks for your input, I had a feeling second was likely to be small in the field. I must admit the first I don't remember in the field specifically, only from the photo, and that makes it difficult to pin down a definite id from that alone.

Oh no! Just when I thought I'd got it. Back to the drawing board.

Post edited 8:37 pm – July 11, 2010 by ChrisLuv

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So if I'm right then the first one is an Essex Skipper, and the second a Small Skipper. The difference being the black in the antennae clubs.

Can anyone confirm?