July 2020

[Bertl]

Back to Fallin Bing late afternoon while sun out in between the clouds. Lots more tortoiseshell and common blue on the wing as well as the usual meadow browns.

[Jack Harrison]

8 July Moray Coast (Hopeman between Burghead and Lossiemouth)  NJ161701

Meadow Browns - having a good year.
Speckled Wood - just one
GV White four or five new brood
Large White - one
Red Admiral - one
Tortoiseshell - one
Common Blue - two
Small Blue - three (just hanging on but in reality finished this year)

Jack

[Deborah]

Should perhaps post this in overseas given that I’m in Brittany. However, a first ever sighting (about a kilometer from home) of a Large Chequered Skipper. Which has almost made up for the almost certain now disappearance of the Purple Emperor colony near my garden! Can anyone give me any info why the pictures I’ve seen of it show a yellow background around the black rings on the undersides? I took photos of three different ones and none are a strong yellow. Are the ones I’ve found all faded? Also spotted - very fleetingly at great speed, first Clouded Yellow of the year.

[Jack Harrison]

Northern Brown Argus Grantown-on-Spey 9 July.

Firstly, thanks to "K" on this group for pointing me to the right area.

It seems to be a strong colony but maybe best not to advertise too much. The tarmac road is disused, car park nearby and the butterflies were coming right up to the edge of the road. Also there, decent numbers of Small Heaths, a few (late) Small PB Frits,  Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, GV Whites.

If anyone wants a precise location, send me a PM.

Jack

[David M]

Lovely to see those white forewing spots, Jack. Just about the last UK butterfly on my list (salmacis just doesn't compare).

[Bertl]

Jack, great photos. Still very sought after on my list. Not sure how to send you a PM.

Here is my email albertlindie@btinternet.com if you are willing to share site.

My best, Bert

[PatMoore]

I don't post on this forum very often, but today (9th July) having visited Kithurst Meadow on the South Downs in somewhat poor conditions I was rather pleased to see around 5 newly emerged Chalkhill Blue and thought I would share a couple of pictures. Regards, Patrick.

[Stevieb]

Patchy sun and clouds this morning but still some nice stuff about. Bewley Common.

Marbled White 10th July

♂ Gatekeeper 10th July

♀ Gatekeeper 10th July

Essex Skipper 10th July

Essex Skipper 10th July

Small Copper 10th July

Red Admiral 10th July

Comma (form hutchinsonii) 10th July

Peacock 10th July

Roosting ♀ Small White 10th July

[David M]

I don't post on this forum very often, but today (9th July) having visited Kithurst Meadow on the South Downs in somewhat poor conditions I was rather pleased to see around 5 newly emerged Chalkhill Blue and thought I would share a couple of pictures.

Thanks for posting these, Pat. Absolutely beautiful butterfly when fresh. We should have a good 4 weeks of them hopefully.

[Ian Pratt]

I managed a photo of a purple hairstreak yesterday in woodland together with one of my favourites,a fresh peacock.

[MikeOxon]

After a very long period of self-isolation, I decided it was time to 'break cover' and so I drove out to Bernwood. On arrival, the car-park was very full and I began to have second thoughts but there was a space and, knowing it's a big place, decided to take a walk. A few people were on the track - mainly dog walkers - but social distancing was not difficult. At, first it seemed rather quiet, in terms of butterflies, but a large clump of Ragwort, quite near the car-park was hosting a good selection of Gatekeepers, Ringlets, and Meadow Browns.

Bernwood, Oxon - 10 July 2020
Olympus E-M1-ii with 100-400 lens - 1/1250@f/10 ISO800

A little further along the track, a Silver washed Fritillary was nectaring on brambles. i had to wait some time for a good view of the underside, which i think is the most beautiful aspect of this species.

Bernwood, Oxon - 10 July 2020
Olympus E-M1-ii with 100-400 lens - 1/800@f/8 ISO800

Bernwood, Oxon - 10 July 2020
Olympus E-M1-ii with 100-400 lens - 1/1000@f/8 ISO800

Apart from these, Small Skippers, Marbled Whites and Small Whites were abundant but few Vanessids apart from a couple of Commas. Near the central crossroads, I spotted a couple of Purple Hairstreaks, spiralling around each other. high in an Oak Tree.

It was good to be 'in the field' again although it seemed quite tiring after a long period of inactivity.

Mike

[Stevieb]

Went to check out the hairstreaks at Green Lane Wood this morning. Just over two weeks since seeing white-letter Hairstreak there, time seems to have taken it's toll.

White-letter Hairstreak 23rd June

White-letter Hairstreak 11th July

White-letter Hairstreak 11th July

Purple Hairstreak 11th July

Purple Hairstreak 11th July

Purple Hairstreak 11th July

[Ian Pratt]

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Photos to follow.

[petesmith]

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Photos to follow.

Great to hear Ian! Arreton Down used to be one of my favourite Chalkhill Blue sites when I used to visit the Isle of Wight regularly back in the 1980's, along with Brading, St.Boniface and Brook Downs. They used to fly in huge clouds back then, hillsides absolutely alive with them. Adonis used to fly on Arreton back then as well. Are they still present?

[Ian Pratt]

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Photos to follow.

Great to hear Ian! Arreton Down used to be one of my favourite Chalkhill Blue sites when I used to visit the Isle of Wight regularly back in the 1980's, along with Brading, St.Boniface and Brook Downs. They used to fly in huge clouds back then, hillsides absolutely alive with them. Adonis used to fly on Arreton back then as well. Are they still present?

Yes Adonis are there but not in such great numbers. Photos from this afternoon attached.

[millerd]

My first Grayling sightings of 2020 at Dawneys Hill near Pirbright in Surrey. I saw at least three, alongside a very few remaining Silver-studded Blues.

Dave

[aeshna5]

Had my first Grayling yesterday too, at Chobham Common along with 10 Silver-studded Blues.

Weather sub-optimal with plenty of cloud at times & a fresh breeze.

Didn't see a single Meadow Brown but also recorded:

2 Gatekeeper
3 Small Heath
11 Ringlet
2 Holly Blue
3 Green-veined White
Small white
8 Large Skipper
13 Small skipper

Also Common Heath, 3 Keeled Skimmer, Brown Hawker, 2 Black-tailed skimmer, 5 Emperor, Mottled Grasshopper, 3 Bee Wolf & sand wasps.

Birding was quiet with 4 Red Kite, Hobby, Kestrel & Stonechat the best. Also 1 Common Lizard.

[Chris L]

Also Common Heath, 3 Keeled Skimmer, Brown Hawker, 2 Black-tailed skimmer, 5 Emperor, Mottled Grasshopper, 3 Bee Wolf & sand wasps.

I had never heard of a Bee Wolf before. I have just been reading about those as a consequence. Some of these insects have great names. I have spent the last 48 hours amused by the name Robber Fly having learnt about those on here.

[David M]

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience.

Sounds positively amazing, Ian. I'll never forget visiting Aston Rowant in 2013 when they were around in the thousands. Standing near the top of the hill, all you could see was a pale blue shimmering effect as these butterflies gently fluttered a few inches above the ground. Looks like 2020 may be another of those years. Let's hope so.

[Ian Pratt]

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience.

Sounds positively amazing, Ian. I'll never forget visiting Aston Rowant in 2013 when they were around in the thousands. Standing near the top of the hill, all you could see was a pale blue shimmering effect as these butterflies gently fluttered a few inches above the ground. Looks like 2020 may be another of those years. Let's hope so.

I will try to get some video of it for the record today or tomorrow!