Most of them were too active for me to get any decent photos apart from a couple of small coppers.
May 2024
Re: May 2024
It was a lovely sunny
day in Grantown on Spey and there were a few butterflies on the wing including orange tip, speckled wood, comma, peacock, green veined white and small copper.
Most of them were too active for me to get any decent photos apart from a couple of small coppers.
Most of them were too active for me to get any decent photos apart from a couple of small coppers.
Re: May 2024
The spring brood of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary is well under way in west Cornwall. Yesterday morning’s light winds made photography much easier.
Re: May 2024
Adonis Blues were easy to see on Denbies Hillside this morning.
Also seen: Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Peacock and Brimstone.
Dave
Though the males do vary a bit in shade and marginal markings, this one had the most pronounced series of marginal black dots I have ever seen. As a particularly extreme variation it may qualify as ab. punctaAlso seen: Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Green Hairstreak, Small Copper, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Peacock and Brimstone.
Dave
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: May 2024
Site visit 19/05/2021 Langdon Hills - Johnson's Meadow
On a scorching day 131 butterflies were seen of which 105 were Small Heath, would you believe.
There were also many small moths in the Meadows, the day-flying moths Burnet Companion, Common Carpet, and Grass Rivulet:
Less Wall Brown along the bridleway than last week and they were reluctant to open their wings:
one of the males had a line rather than a dot on the underwing, which was a bit different: One of the highlights was finding a beautiful female Orange-tip nectaring on a mustard plant:
and then continuing with the main activity of the day:
There were also some tatty-looking female Green-veined White but there was a fresh-looking one that caught my attention:
And there were notably less male Orange-tip and Green-veined White searching for a mate, and when they did find one it was not always successful:
Red Admiral 1
Brimstone 3 females
Large White 2
Orange-tip 2 females and 3 males
Green-veined White 2 females and 4 males
Wall Brown 3 males
Speckled Wood 3
Small Heath 105
Holy Blue 3
and there was one Small Copper and a Painted Lady in nearby Langdon Hills - Dry Street Pastures along with more Small Heath, Burnet Companion, and Silver Y [30 across the 2 sites].
On a scorching day 131 butterflies were seen of which 105 were Small Heath, would you believe.
There were also many small moths in the Meadows, the day-flying moths Burnet Companion, Common Carpet, and Grass Rivulet:
Less Wall Brown along the bridleway than last week and they were reluctant to open their wings:
one of the males had a line rather than a dot on the underwing, which was a bit different: One of the highlights was finding a beautiful female Orange-tip nectaring on a mustard plant:
and then continuing with the main activity of the day:
There were also some tatty-looking female Green-veined White but there was a fresh-looking one that caught my attention:
And there were notably less male Orange-tip and Green-veined White searching for a mate, and when they did find one it was not always successful:
Red Admiral 1
Brimstone 3 females
Large White 2
Orange-tip 2 females and 3 males
Green-veined White 2 females and 4 males
Wall Brown 3 males
Speckled Wood 3
Small Heath 105
Holy Blue 3
and there was one Small Copper and a Painted Lady in nearby Langdon Hills - Dry Street Pastures along with more Small Heath, Burnet Companion, and Silver Y [30 across the 2 sites].
Last edited by David Lazarus on Wed May 22, 2024 10:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
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- Posts: 393
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:15 am
- Location: Mid Sussex
Re: May 2024
Bertl: You've certainly got some lovely butterflies up there.
David: Well done on tracking down your Essex grizzlie ! Also top stuff with your earlier collection of day-flying May moths.
I took another wander down to Wolstonbury yesterday. Common Carpet and Brimstone numbers slightly down on the previous week, Small Heath and Red Admiral definitely up. Still no Common or Adonis Blue, but there were around 10 Small Blue and a single Brown Argus. Also 4 or 5 Wall. Few more Dingies about, but I've yet to see a Grizzlie this year. I did see my first Small Copper of the year at work today though and there were quite a few Cinnabar too.
David: Well done on tracking down your Essex grizzlie ! Also top stuff with your earlier collection of day-flying May moths.
I took another wander down to Wolstonbury yesterday. Common Carpet and Brimstone numbers slightly down on the previous week, Small Heath and Red Admiral definitely up. Still no Common or Adonis Blue, but there were around 10 Small Blue and a single Brown Argus. Also 4 or 5 Wall. Few more Dingies about, but I've yet to see a Grizzlie this year. I did see my first Small Copper of the year at work today though and there were quite a few Cinnabar too.
Re: May 2024
Small Blues appear to be doing really well this year at Pitstone Local Wildlife Site (aka the old chalk quarry).
Dave
More to follow from this morning's visit in my PD in a little while. ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Dave
- Charles Nicol
- Posts: 1614
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: Cambridge
Re: May 2024
Only two Grizzled Skippers at Little Paxton today... but i did see my first Brown Argus of the year
Re: May 2024
Paid a visit across town to Hutchinson's & Chapel Banks, my first dedicated butterfly trip of the year. Overall butterfly numbers seemed lower than normal despite warm, sunny conditions for a second day.
2 Green-veined White
2 Small/GV White
17 Brimstone
3 Speckled Wood
7 Small Heath
male Common Blue
14 Small Blue
5 Holly Blue
3 Green Hairstreak
Comma
3 Glanville Fritillary
Grizzled Skipper
7 Dingy Skipper
2 Duke of Burgundy.
Also Mother Shipton & several Burnet Companions, Common Carpets & Mint Moths.
2 Green-veined White
2 Small/GV White
17 Brimstone
3 Speckled Wood
7 Small Heath
male Common Blue
14 Small Blue
5 Holly Blue
3 Green Hairstreak
Comma
3 Glanville Fritillary
Grizzled Skipper
7 Dingy Skipper
2 Duke of Burgundy.
Also Mother Shipton & several Burnet Companions, Common Carpets & Mint Moths.
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: May 2024
The first Common Blue seen in Chelmsford for 2024:
And, perhaps more importantly, the first recorded sighting of a Wall Brown in Chelmsford possibly for quite some time - hopefully the start of Wall Brown being seen more often inland within Essex:
And, a stunning fresh Small Copper in Lingwood Common topped off a great day:
And, perhaps more importantly, the first recorded sighting of a Wall Brown in Chelmsford possibly for quite some time - hopefully the start of Wall Brown being seen more often inland within Essex:
And, a stunning fresh Small Copper in Lingwood Common topped off a great day:
Last edited by David Lazarus on Wed May 22, 2024 10:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex
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- Posts: 498
- Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:21 pm
- Location: Kent
Re: May 2024
Last Sunday was spent at a local Kent site, arrived at 3.00pm (3+ hours out in the field). Target species were - Adonis/Small/Common Blues, also Brown Argus.
All were seen, but not many numbers!! Adonis - 3 males/1 female...Common Blues - 5 males/1 female...Small Blues - 5+ seen...Brown Argus - 2 mating pairs, 5+ others seen. Other species of note were - Dingy Skippers - 5+, Grizzlies - 5+. Speckled Wood - 3. Small Heath - 5+.
Some highlight pics, cheers Paul. Only image cropped, the 1st "shimmering" Adonis, all other images not cropped.
The unmistakable shimmer of a male Adonis. Small Blue. 2 mating pairs of Brown Argus. Male Adonis.
All were seen, but not many numbers!! Adonis - 3 males/1 female...Common Blues - 5 males/1 female...Small Blues - 5+ seen...Brown Argus - 2 mating pairs, 5+ others seen. Other species of note were - Dingy Skippers - 5+, Grizzlies - 5+. Speckled Wood - 3. Small Heath - 5+.
Some highlight pics, cheers Paul. Only image cropped, the 1st "shimmering" Adonis, all other images not cropped.
The unmistakable shimmer of a male Adonis. Small Blue. 2 mating pairs of Brown Argus. Male Adonis.
Re: May 2024
Had no internet for a while now ,so heres a few highlights . At Dungeness huge numbers of Small Copper on the wing ,and they seem to be continuessly emerging ,on a two hour circular circuit we counted 315 ,heres a worn Radiata.
their hard to find,my best count has only been 3.....in about an hour and a half .
Things are gladly in hand for next season and hopefully some restoration is now on the cards. Allan.W.
At the last local Grizzle site ,they,re still hanging on ....just ! of the twelve different individuals i,ve photographed ,all (bar one) have been Abberanttheir hard to find,my best count has only been 3.....in about an hour and a half .
Things are gladly in hand for next season and hopefully some restoration is now on the cards. Allan.W.
- Jack Harrison
- Posts: 4640
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:55 pm
- Location: Nairn, Highland
- Contact:
Re: May 2024
Splendid PBF photos BertI that make me feel quite nostalgic.
In the 1980s when I lived in Banchory, I would find PBFs to the west of Potarch Bridge on the Dee. But a search about seven years ago drew a blank. I believe that further up the valley above Braemar is more reliable these days but can't confirm.
Small PBFs were always found more widely.
Jack
In the 1980s when I lived in Banchory, I would find PBFs to the west of Potarch Bridge on the Dee. But a search about seven years ago drew a blank. I believe that further up the valley above Braemar is more reliable these days but can't confirm.
Small PBFs were always found more widely.
Jack
Re: May 2024
Thanks for your comments Jack.
There is a great spot to see them in the Cambus o may woodland.
I have been going there to see them for the past few years at this time in May.
I revisit early June to the same spot where the SPBF are on the wing.
Bert.
There is a great spot to see them in the Cambus o may woodland.
I have been going there to see them for the past few years at this time in May.
I revisit early June to the same spot where the SPBF are on the wing.
Bert.
- Jack Harrison
- Posts: 4640
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:55 pm
- Location: Nairn, Highland
- Contact:
Re: May 2024
Thanks BertI.
But I doubt I could manage Cambus o May due to my limited mobility these days. But it's nice to know that PBFs are still in Deeside.
A spot for PBF I was told about iss Morrone Birkwood just to the west of Braemar.
Let me know if when you plan a visit again to Logie Steading. I was there today and even in the murky weather, the gardens looked stunning.
You obviously know the spot. Walking to the gardens and back from the main parking is on my range limits.
I am ever hopeful that Holly Blue might turn up there. Habitat is good.
Jack
But I doubt I could manage Cambus o May due to my limited mobility these days. But it's nice to know that PBFs are still in Deeside.
A spot for PBF I was told about iss Morrone Birkwood just to the west of Braemar.
Let me know if when you plan a visit again to Logie Steading. I was there today and even in the murky weather, the gardens looked stunning.
You obviously know the spot. Walking to the gardens and back from the main parking is on my range limits.
I am ever hopeful that Holly Blue might turn up there. Habitat is good.
Jack
Re: May 2024
Thanks David !................they,re still hanging on ......just ! Allan.W.
- David Lazarus
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2023 5:06 pm
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Re: May 2024
The first Brown Argus of the year has emerged in Chelmsford - looks like a female that has already had a few scrapes:
And it was in the company of a couple of male Small Copper who gave me a fantastic aerial display in-between nectaring on the Meadow Buttercups Ranunculuc acris:
This one was particularly small:
It definitely feels like the transition from overwintering species, Spring species, and those with Spring broods to the Summer species and migrants here in Chelmsford. Gone are the numerous Peacock we had this Spring, and the numbers of Green-veined White has diminished. I do not expect to see many more Orange-tip now which is a shame. However.......I did find an important example of a female Orange-tip nectaring on the early bramble flowers:
For those of you who have read my earlier posts regarding my sightings of female Orange-tip here in Meadgate you may know what I am on about. Her importance lies in the fact that she is the first and only female Orange-tip I have found within a 2 kilometre radius of Meadgate Fields Open Space this Spring with a black apical tip and discoidal spots. After finding only 5 female Orange-tip ab. decolorata within the site and one in Baddow Meads without finding a single example of the species, I have finally found one.
Not sure what that means, but I was excited anyway.
What I am also seeing is a new emergence of fresh Speckled Wood. For some reason, I came across a couple of males on three occasions spread out within Meadgate Fields Open Space - maybe they just like an occasional aerial fight - all fresh and looking very handsome [for now]:
And lastly, another sighting of one of my favourite moths, the superb Latticed Heath:
There was another very creamy female Small White in the wildflower meadow here in my gardens, and there was a beautiful female Holly Blue which entertained me with wings wide open but out of reach of my mobile as if she knew something.
Meadgate, Chelmsford totals for a couple of unexpected hours of sunshine this afternoon:
1 Red Admiral
1 Small White female
1 Green-veined White male
1 Orange-tip female
6 Speckled Wood all male
1 Small Heath
6 Holly Blue 1 female
1 Brown Argus female
2 Small Copper male
1 Latticed Heath and a single Silver Y in the Box hedging I was clipping.... oops sorry
lucky escape ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
And it was in the company of a couple of male Small Copper who gave me a fantastic aerial display in-between nectaring on the Meadow Buttercups Ranunculuc acris:
This one was particularly small:
It definitely feels like the transition from overwintering species, Spring species, and those with Spring broods to the Summer species and migrants here in Chelmsford. Gone are the numerous Peacock we had this Spring, and the numbers of Green-veined White has diminished. I do not expect to see many more Orange-tip now which is a shame. However.......I did find an important example of a female Orange-tip nectaring on the early bramble flowers:
For those of you who have read my earlier posts regarding my sightings of female Orange-tip here in Meadgate you may know what I am on about. Her importance lies in the fact that she is the first and only female Orange-tip I have found within a 2 kilometre radius of Meadgate Fields Open Space this Spring with a black apical tip and discoidal spots. After finding only 5 female Orange-tip ab. decolorata within the site and one in Baddow Meads without finding a single example of the species, I have finally found one.
Not sure what that means, but I was excited anyway.
What I am also seeing is a new emergence of fresh Speckled Wood. For some reason, I came across a couple of males on three occasions spread out within Meadgate Fields Open Space - maybe they just like an occasional aerial fight - all fresh and looking very handsome [for now]:
And lastly, another sighting of one of my favourite moths, the superb Latticed Heath:
There was another very creamy female Small White in the wildflower meadow here in my gardens, and there was a beautiful female Holly Blue which entertained me with wings wide open but out of reach of my mobile as if she knew something.
Meadgate, Chelmsford totals for a couple of unexpected hours of sunshine this afternoon:
1 Red Admiral
1 Small White female
1 Green-veined White male
1 Orange-tip female
6 Speckled Wood all male
1 Small Heath
6 Holly Blue 1 female
1 Brown Argus female
2 Small Copper male
1 Latticed Heath and a single Silver Y in the Box hedging I was clipping.... oops sorry
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
David Lazarus
Chelmsford, Essex
Chelmsford, Essex