May 2021

[Charles Nicol]

Plenty of skippers and that around in the Bedforshire Chilterns.

yesterday i saw this Green Hairstreak at Barton Hills:

today i went to Sharpenhoe Clappers & saw this Dingy Skipper before the weather closed in:

[Deborah]

Finally a warm day, some sun and no wind. 2 Swallowtails in my garden. One beautifully fresh, the other looking like it had had a close encounter with a bird. A Small Copper(?) - confirmation or ID appreciated. A Red Admiral, a couple of Brimstones, Holly Blue, Orange Tips and Small Whites and the First Humming Bird Hawk Moth. Spring has arrived at last!

[David M]

Hi Deborah, your Copper is a female Sooty Copper.

[Deborah]

Thanks David I’m glad I was hesitant. And even happier to have seen her! Hopefully the weather is set fair so with luck there’ll be more.

[Stevieb]

The usual suspects on the hill today including another addition to my 'in cop' collection Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

29th May

29th May

29th May

29th May

29th May

[Bertl]

Was out at Linn of Dee near Braemar today and seen my first ever green hairstreak. This was as close as I got before it flew off. Another species added to my list.

[Chris L]

Congratulations Bert. I saw my first of the species about a month ago.

I saw my first ever Wall on Thursday at Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

[Bertl]

Well done Otep. Looks in prime condition. I have still to add it to my firsts.

[zigzag_wanderer]

Top stuff to both of you for snaffling a lifer each yesterday.

I walked to Wolstonbury Hill, primarily in search of Green Hairstreak, Adonis and Small Blue. No luck on any of those (knowingly at least) but I did see quite a lot of other species. Approximate numbers: 35 Common Blue, 20 Small Heath, 10 Small Copper, 10 Dingy Skipper, 8 Holly Blue, 5 Orange Tip, 5 Speckled Wood, 5 Small White, 4 Brimstone, 3 Wall Brown, 3 Painted Lady, 3 GVW, 1 each of Large White, Peacock and Red Admiral.

Also a Comma was enjoying the late afternoon sun on our geraniums when I got back. I haven't seen one for what seems like ages before this.

Saw a pair of buzzards passing food to each other in mid air - based on the prey size I'm guessing it was a squirrel.

[PhilBJohnson]

In Lincolnshire, May 2020 was said to have been one of the driest and warmest on record.
On May 27th 2020, I had recorded 5th instar Orange-tip larva pictures, just before pupation.

Near Lincoln, in the last few days (or last week), with daytime, sunny temperatures, more than 15ºC, it has been an important period for ovipositing female Orange-tip butterflies,
"a good chance to do their thing"

Orange-tip egg and first instar, May 29th 2021. iPhone 8, near Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

[lee3764]

My 1st Heath Fritillaries of 2021 (29th May, 2021) in East Cornwall at their only known location that they still exist in our county. Saw about 40+ Heath Fritillary butterflies all in pristine condition together with Russ Hemmings, Phil Harris, Robert & Michael Slaughter & Richard Vulliamy. I believe that these are the 1st sightings in the UK of this species for 2021? Great day out after a dreadful May weatherwise!

[Testudo Man]

With the month of May soon ending(the wettest May ive know!!)...it was great to finally see some warm sunny weather.
Yesterday afternoon, i took a trip out to Darland Banks, Gillingham, Kent. I had "dropped in" at this location on Friday after work, just to see what had emerged, so it was worth a session the following day. Species seen in small numbers were male an female Adonis Blues/Common Blues, an some nice little clusters of Small Blues. Several Brimstone, a Large White, 3 Green Hairstreaks, but no Small Coppers as of yet?! No signs of any Brown Argus here either! Normally at this time, there would have been greater numbers of butterflies, but we all know this season is slow!

The "stand out" butterfly of the day for me, was a superb female Common Blue (blue type) she was pristine, an a real beauty (both brown an blue/brown females were seen) but this female was a bit special. It seems the blue type female is common these days!

Several highlights, no images have been cropped, 2 camera setups used. Cheers Paul.

[David M]

I saw my first ever Wall on Thursday at Much Wenlock, Shropshire.

Great stuff, Otep, and a nice image of her too!

That's quite far inland for Wall Brown, though you ARE much further north so perhaps not so surprising.

[Bertl]

Some more PBF on the wing today. All photos taken at Cambus o may on Deeside.

[MrSp0ck]

We had a Small Copper ab at Hutchinson Bank today.

[millerd]

I couldn't resist posting this intensely-coloured fresh female Marsh Fritillary seen today at Cotley Hill in Wiltshire (in the company of Bugboy and many other assorted butterflies).

A full report will no doubt appear in my PD in the fullness of time...

Cheers,

Dave

[bugboy]

I see Marsh Fritillary are now on the species list at Hutchinsons bank.

[Neil Freeman]

My 1st Heath Fritillaries of 2021 (29th May, 2021) in East Cornwall at their only known location that they still exist in our county. Saw about 40+ Heath Fritillary butterflies all in pristine condition together with Russ Hemmings, Phil Harris, Robert & Michael Slaughter & Richard Vulliamy. I believe that these are the 1st sightings in the UK of this species for 2021? Great day out after a dreadful May weatherwise!

A lovely photo Lee

I was in two minds as to whether to call in there on my way back from the Lizard the other Saturday (22nd) but thought that I would probably be a week or two too early so didn't in the end. Looks like I was right.

had a great time on the Lizard despite it being rather windy. More details in my PD at viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5424&start=3560

Cheers,

Neil.

[Neil Freeman]

I see Marsh Fritillary are now on the species list at Hutchinsons bank.

Yet another unofficial release I assume. That place is turning into some kind of butterfly zoo.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Stevieb]

A productive couple of hours with some very obliging Glanville Fritillaries. White Sheet Hill, Wiltshire

31st May

31st May

31st May

31st May

31st May

31st May