May 2021

[Chris L]

To my surprise, the smallest window of opportunity opened today for some butterfly spotting and it coincided with my work lunch break. It wasn't raining and the sun appeared from behind the thick blanket of cloud. Only 19 butterflies seen but it was good to be back out there again. GVW (8), Orange Tip (4), Speckled Wood (4), Peacock (2) and Small White (1).

Prior to today, I was 45% down on the Speckled Wood that I had seen on this day in 2020. I was interested to note that the 4 Speckled Wood that I saw today were a rich, dark, chocolate colour and extremely pristine and crisp looking.

[millerd]

I was surprised as you, Otep, to be presented with a brief window of opportunity around half three this afternoon when it stopped raining and hazy sunshine emerged for about an hour. It was another example of the unexpected turning up: after a lovely sunny day yesterday at two of their comparative hotspots (Mill Hill - South Downs; Denbies - North Downs) where none appeared at all, I found a brand new Brown Argus today (my first of the year) down at Staines Moor just 15 minutes from home. Surprisingly, it was a female - usually the males are out first, preceding the females by several days. She was a bit sluggish, presumably because it wasn't really all that warm even with the bit of sunshine, but this did mean some decent photo opportunities.

Dave

[Stevieb]

Beautiful pristine female there Dave. Not seen one yet this year. I'm about two weeks behind my last years first sighting! (30th April)

[Kevin64]

Apologies because this is possibly bending the rules as it’s not about actual sightings - it's more about potential sightings and is meant as a stimulus for a friendly chat about butterfly spotting.

I’m in my 50s and have spent a relatively sheltered life as far as seeking butterflies is concerned. This year I find myself with time on my hands and a desire see some species that are new to me. I will attach my list of species that I’ve never seen and would love suggestions for where and when to go to knock a few off my list. It’s probably limited to day trips from my Northampton home, but an occasional overnight stay might not be out of the question. I do realise that some are less realistic than others by the way!

Your input wpuld be very gratefully received...

Chris

Hi Chris,

You could have a day trip to Thursley common about 2 hours for you. You get Grayling and Silver Studded Blues there, also great place in general for many insect species.

[David M]

...I found a brand new Brown Argus today (my first of the year) down at Staines Moor just 15 minutes from home. Surprisingly, it was a female - usually the males are out first, preceding the females by several days. She was a bit sluggish, presumably because it wasn't really all that warm even with the bit of sunshine, but this did mean some decent photo opportunities.

That is indeed a beautiful specimen, Dave. Lovely, bold orange lunules.

[Stevieb]

Making the most of the unexpected sunshine this afternoon I headed for the hill. Found my first Marsh Frit for this site. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

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[David M]

Lovely Marshies, Stevie. You've presented them very attractively, I must say.

Next sunny day round my way I'll expect them to be on the wing (however, that might be over a week away )

[Stevieb]

Lovely Marshies, Stevie. You've presented them very attractively, I must say.

Thank you David. Weather due to go down hill again here too

[Wolfson]

I took advantage of Wednesday’s dryish weather to visit the Chilterns where I had my first sightings of Duke of Burgundy, Small Heath and Dingy Skipper which was the most numerous of all the butterflies by some margin. Unfortunately, a visit to Pitstone for Small Blues was premature. Surprisingly, I met no one else?

[zigzag_wanderer]

Ventured no further than the neighbouring fields again today.

There were a couple of 5 minute sunny spells during which I saw two OTs (m and f) and at least 3 Small Coppers. Also my first Mother Shipton moth of the year.

[Chris L]

Looking at my nerdy butterfly spreadsheet, the last day that was properly conducive for a butterfly experience where I live in South Derbyshire was 26 April 2021. I write this to the sound of yet another absolutely ferocious downpour.

[Deborah]

A week without seeing a single butterfly. Yesterday was better: a couple of OrangeTips, 3 Holly Blues, a Small Heath, a Green veined White and a Speckled Wood.

[David M]

A week without seeing a single butterfly...

Not just us then eh, Deborah?

[David M]

Good range of species (14) seen at Cwm Ivy/Whiteford Burrows, NW Gower, on Friday 14th, although sheer numbers were again disappointing:

Green Veined White 6
Common Blue 6
Small Heath 4
Holly Blue 2
Large White 2
Red Admiral 2
Orange Tip 2
Small White 1
Peacock 1
Dingy Skipper 1
Brown Argus 1
Wall Brown 1
Small Blue 1
Small Copper 1

[millerd]

Before the rain descended for much of today, I managed to find eleven butterflies of eight species on my local patch near Heathrow, including my first Brown Argus here this year (a male to match the female I saw a couple of days ago at Staines Moor a mile or two to the south).

My goodness this year is hard work.

This Holly Blue was a nice accompaniment too.

A full report in my PD will follow in a day or too (quicker if it keeps raining... ).

Cheers,

Dave

[Stevieb]

A brief interlude between the clouds enabled the Wall Browns to come out to play. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

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[David M]

Yearning to take a few photos of Walls myself, Stevie. Sadly, the only breaks in the cloud round my way are occurring after 3pm.

They should hang on till the second week of June this year though, so plenty of time.

[Medard]

Return to  Lydlinch Common.
This morning didn't look very promising but my wife made the decision for me, by the time we arrived at Lydlinch Common the weather had improved , I immediately found a freshly emerged Grizzled Skipper and a few steps further two newly emerged Marsh Fritillary the purpose of our visit , oddly they were at exactly the same spot were I found them last year, they immediately vanished and did not reappear, a tiny micro moth, I hope someone can help with this one, and then a female orange tip, so the day turned out better than expected.

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus malvae

Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia

Micro moth

Orange-tip
Anthocharis cardamines

Orange-tip
Anthocharis cardamines

[Andy02]

Grabbing the sun at East Tilbury while it lasted this morning

[Matsukaze]

At Bentley Wood yesterday, I got a rather brief view of my first Pearl-bordered Fritillary since 2017. On yesterday's evidence, there are plenty of Brimstones still on the wing in Hampshire.

Jim - the moth is Epiblema scutulana/cirsiana, possibly the former.