Web4160

[web4160]

Visited Walton Common in North Somerset earlier today and met the warden who told me they are hoping to increase the grazing to try to control the grass which was much longer than in previous years. Most common butterflies were:

Marbled White 20+

Meadow Brown 20+

Ringlet 10+

Speckled Wood 5

Also seen were a single Small Tortoiseshell and a single Small Heath

[web4160]

Spent a couple of hours at Arnside Knott today. Both the Graylings and the larger Fritillaries are now out in large numbers with the Fritillaries very reluctant to land in temperatures of 24 degrees.

There were 100+ Grayling and at least that many Fritillaries with the majority seemingly Dark Green with only one or two High Browns clearly identified.

Other butterflies seen included:

Speckled Wood - 2

Small Tortoiseshell - 2

Northern Brown Argus - 3

Meadow Brown 50+

Ringlet - 10

Small Heath - 5

Small Skipper - 5

Large Skipper - 1

Common Blue - 4 (including one female)

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary -2 (both very worn)

[web4160]

Visited Bernwood Forest in Oxfordshire earlier today.

The highlight was a brief sighting of a Purple Emperor which flew out of one tree and disappeared into the trees on the other side of the track. White Admirals were more common with 5 individuals being seen one of which settled sufficiently to enable me to photograph it. Other butterflies present were:

Silver Washed Fritillary - 5
Gatekeeper – 4
Meadow Brown – 20+
Ringlet – 20+
Meadow Brown – 20+
Small Skipper – 15
Large Skipper – 2
Comma – 1
Green Veined White – 10+
Large White – 2
Small White – 5
Red Admiral - 1

[web4160]

Spent the morning looking for Chalkhill Blues at Rodborough Common in Gloucestershire. At least 50+ seen together with Meadow Brown, various Whites, Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell. Highlight later in the day was a brief view of a Clouded Yellow in a National Trust garden near Gloucester.

[web4160]

Spent the day in the garden watching the Small Tortoiseshells on the Marjoram and Scabias. At one point there were 15 different butterflies in the garden which is an all time record. This may not seem a lot but we live 700 feet above sea level on the western edge of the Pennines. Other butterflies seen were 2 Peacocks, 3 Small White, 2 GV White, a Large White, a Comma which was there all day and surprisingly a Small Copper.

Whilst the Tortoiseshells and the Comma preferred the Marjoram and Scabias, the Whites spent most of the time on the Lavender.

[ChrisC]

that's a great pic.

Chris

[web4160]

Thanks Chris,

We have an area in the garden about 2 metres by 3 metres which we have planted with a range of wild flowers. This year it has been very popular with both butterflies and bees.

David

[web4160]

The good weekend weather meant a couple of days making use of our National Trust membership. On Saturday we visited Chirk Castle in Wales and when the sun came out at lunch time so did the butterflies. In total we saw 30+ Small Tortoiseshells, 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Comma, 2 Red Admiral, and one each of Small White and Peacock.

Today we visited East Riddlesdon Hall near Keighley. Similar cast of butterflies except for no whites but with the addition of a single painted lady.

[David M]

Good effort to see a Peacock in October.

They all went into hibernation over a fortnight ago here in S. Wales.

[web4160]

Yes it was a surprise to see a Peacock just across the Welsh border! I guess I was equally surprised by the Painted Lady this afternoon. It can't be long before they all head south!

[Neil Freeman]

I was surprised to see a couple of Peacocks myself this afternoon, both looking worse for wear mind.

Looks like you made the most of the weekend with a couple of good days out, great stuff

Cheers,

Neil F.

[web4160]

First butterfly of the year! A speckled wood flying round the side of our house in Portishead, North Somerset.Temerature was 10 degrees.

[web4160]

Quick visit to Walton Common this morning. Several Brimstones seen, also two Peacocks and my first Green Hairstreak of the year!

[web4160]

For the first time this year there were butterflies out in force in the local hedgerows. On a short walk we saw 5 Brimstones, 5 Peacocks 3 Speckled Woods 2 Orange Tips and one each of Small Tortoiseshell and Green Veined White.

[web4160]

Returned to Walton Common today, similar cast of butterflies although Green Haistreak numbers have multiplied with 20+ seen. Other species included Orange Tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Speckled Wood and Green Veined White.

[web4160]

Such are the vagaries of looking for butterflies. On a trip to Taunton we called in at the reserve at Thornbear Quarrylands seeing a total of 5 butterflies, 2 Brimstone, 2 Peacock and a single Orange Tip. On returning to Portishead we went for a walk of about 1/4 mile next to the disused railway line to the town. On this walk we saw 30+ butterflies made up of 20 or so Speckled Wood, 5 Peacock, 2 Holly Blue, a Small Tortoiseshell, a Comma and assorted whites

[web4160]

Visited Gait Barrows in the Morecambe Bay area of Lancashire to look for Duke of Burgundy. 4 different indiviuals were seen over the course of about an hour. Other butterflies included 20+ Speckled Wood, 5 Brimstone, 2 Peacock, a Green Haistreak and a Green Veined White

[maverick]

Well done on your duke , ive only been to Gait burows once this year mainly to find out where and whats it like there
I will be back soon
well done again

[David M]

Great to see Dukes so far north.

Is this the highest latitude where they can be seen?

[Wurzel]

I agree with David - good to see a Northern Duke I'm impressed by the number of Specklies as well as they seem to be quite sparse in my neck of the woods at the moment.

Have a goodun

Wurzel