May 2023

[David M]

Grizzled Skipper day at Hutchinsons Bank, the first real numbers of the year with 5...

Love these images, Sp0ck.

[millerd]

Good to see the Grizzlies from both Hutchinson's Bank and from Mill Hill.

I've seen none for definite yet at Denbies, and saw none today up at Aston Rowant. (Not so good... ) However, I did get an unusual view of two Green Hairstreaks not scrapping with one another (though they both look as if they may have had the odd barney or two in the past).

I also saw my first local patch Small Copper of 2023 - and it was a splendid one sporting a few blue badges (though not the full set).

Full accounts of these outings in my PD eventually.

Dave

[David M]

Friday 12th, Merthyr Mawr Dunes, nr. Porthcawl:

Orange Tip 5
Grizzled Skipper 4
Dingy Skipper 3
Brimstone 3
Brown Argus 3
Small Copper 1
Common Blue 1
Speckled Wood 1

[David M]

Saturday 13th, Dan-y-graig cemetery, Swansea:

Small Copper 4
Green Veined White 3
Speckled Wood 2
Small White 2
Common Blue 1
Peacock 1
Large White 1

[Bertl]

Visited cambus o may on deeside today. Still no PBF on the wing, I assume the cold spring up here in the North has delayed everything?

A few peacock butterfly and speckled wood butterfly on the wing.

Bert.

[Allan.W.]

Superb AB;Schmidtii .Small Copper ,found by Geoff Sutton ,a lovely image on LEE EVANS (The birder ,not the comedian ! )Twitter page on 17th May (for anyone interested ).
Allan.W.

[millerd]

Adonis Blues were flying down at Denbies today, and in reasonable numbers which may help relieve some of the concerns about the species there.

There were several pairings seen as well.

Good numbers of Common Blues and Brown Argus mingled with the Adonis...

...and on the fringes at least one Holly Blue was busy laying on dogwood.

Dave

[MrSp0ck]

Adonis Blues were flying down at Denbies today, and in reasonable numbers which may help relieve some of the concerns about the species there.

Seems to have been hatchings today, Adonis and Marsh Frits amongst them. Its great there are Adonis on Denbies in reasonable numbers.

[MrSp0ck]

Marsh Frits have started to emerge at Hutchinsons Bank today, we have been monitoring caterpillars since February.

[Ian Pratt]

It seems a very poor year for Glanville fritillaries on the Isle of Wight with substantially fewer larval webs seen. However, 8 very fresh adults seen at Bonchurch yesterday.

[Ian Pratt]

Here are the photos.

[MrSp0ck]

It seems a very poor year for Glanville fritillaries on the Isle of Wight with substantially fewer larval webs seen. However, 8 very fresh adults seen at Bonchurch yesterday.

Yes reports we had last autumn on larval webs from IOW were very poor, so its great to see some survived the drought of last summer. Our Glannies at Hutch are due to hatch any day now, they seem to have done better than IOW in last summers heat as our plantain remained in very good condition through all of it.

Numbers of females on IOW could be critical, as i have found that normally 75% are males in Glanvilles, so low numbers mainly males may be another factor.

[Bertl]

At last PBF have appeared at Cambus o may on deeside. Around half a dozen on the wing late today.

[millerd]

More Fritillaries: half a dozen or so Marshies seen at Cotley Hill today in brighter than expected weather...

...plus (amongst other things) a fresh female Wall.

No blues of any description spotted (unless you count the frequent Brown Argus), not even a Holly Blue.

Dave

[MrSp0ck]

a Fresh Marsh Fritillary today at Hutchinsons Bank, making 4 in the last 2 days. These from an unmonitored undiscovered larval web. Too far from the monitored larval web to be from that one.

and an Orange Conch Moth

[Ian Pratt]

A good number of species at Mottistone Down this afternoon but very small numbers of butterflies generally.
Grizzled and dingy skippers, orange tips mating, common blues mating,small copper, Glanville fritillary, large white, brown argus, holly blue, possible small blue and small heath.
It is concerning that there appear to be fewer butterflies around even on prime sites like this!

[Ian Pratt]

I am a little befuddled distinguishing female common blues and brown argus butterflies. Richard Lewington says there is no hint of blue on either surface of the brown argus but the above photo shows some blue. I am confused!

[MrSp0ck]

The other day was photographing Brown Argus, there are blue scales around the body on the underside, others said female common blue, but it was a brown argus.

and the id chart from this site

Brown Argus Left Common Blue Right

[millerd]

Fresh Brown Argus often display a bluish/greenish sheen on the upperside of the wings close to the body and on the body itself. However, there are no blue scales, as there are on even the brownest Common Blue female. I find at the start of each season it takes a while to refamiliarise oneself with each species as it appears, but as the summer progresses it becomes possible to distinguish the two species even at a distance from behaviour and nuances of flight. You have to see a lot of butterflies, mind, and that may prove tricky this year unfortunately.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

a Fresh Marsh Fritillary today at Hutchinsons Bank, making 4 in the last 2 days...

That's a real nice one, Sp0ck.