May 2014

[Ian Pratt]

Two wall browns seen at Brading Down yesterday.
Ian

[Ian Pratt]

Three Glanville fritillaries seen in Bonchurch today. Ian

[David M]

They're not wasting time guaranteeing the next generation either by the looks of things.

[Mark Tutton]

Had a quick trip to Butser hill today and the Dukes are out in force probably 30+ with three females.
Also spotted an unfamiliar larvae if anyone could help with ID please?

[Padfield]

I think your cat is a drinker moth, Mark.

Guy

[Willrow]

Ewyas Harold Common, Herefordshire. My second successive Saturday visit just over the border into England for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and what a difference in the weather this Saturday compared to last, I was up to my boot ankles in cloying Herefordshire mud last Saturday and apart from getting rather wet, I was hailed upon ...forward one week and some nice sunshine and the merest breeze greeted me ...much better! This is my nearest colony and last week I was perhaps being overly optimistic, using the emergence of the Devon/Cornwall colonies as a guide, but we're not too far behind those fair counties usually, but the weather put my optimism into perspective

Today was another matter, arriving around 11.30 I hit the ground running and had located three P-bF within twenty minutes, surprisingly well away from my usual 'hot-spots', these males were highly active and looked freshly minted!!! Heading to my favoured spots I spent a leisurely couple of hours around the bugle and was rewarded with in excess of 30 individuals, a pleasing count, the best is yet to come (I hope!). One particular male was very pugnacious and highly territorially preventing most of the others from nectaring on his bugle patch, his pearl-border was in a sorry state considering he otherwise looked reasonably fresh.

Other species seen Speckled Wood, Orange-tip, Green-veined & Small White, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. Among the moths the Brown Silver-line are leaving the bracken in good numbers and several Common Carpet were also disturbed.

I'm constantly on the lookout for Wood White at this location, they have historically been recorded at Ewyas Harold Common, yet in all my many visits over the years I've not had a sniff of one, and I've not spoken to anyone else that has either up to now I must try to get more information on this.

My last minute decision to revisit the common was well rewarded, my new season mantra... "If in doubt...venture out"

Bill

[Ian Pratt]

Ewyas Harold Common, Herefordshire. My second successive Saturday visit just over the border into England for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and what a difference in the weather this Saturday compared to last,
Bill

Great photos especially undersides of the pearl bordered fritillaries.
Ian

[Willrow]

Thank you Ian we must form a mutual appreciation society cos' I really like your Glanville Fritillary & Wall images too

Regards,
Bill

[David M]

I'm constantly on the lookout for Wood White at this location, they have historically been recorded at Ewyas Harold Common, yet in all my many visits over the years I've not had a sniff of one, and I've not spoken to anyone else that has either up to now I must try to get more information on this.

Like you, Bill, I too have been constantly on the lookout for Wood Whites at this location, but I fear they no longer exist there.

They are mentioned on the information boards, but I have never seen them, along with Green Hairstreak which is also 'purportedly' on the species list.

I'm up in Abergavenny myself tomorrow, and I hope to pay a visit there myself on Bank Holiday Monday if the weather plays ball.

You can always count on PBF and Grizzled Skipper, but my own feelings are that Wood White and Green Hairstreak are absent from this site.

[legless2007]

May 3rd, BC Prestbury Hill Reserves

I went up to the Prestbury Hill Reserve to look for Dukes, no sign yet. Lots and lots of Green Hairstreaks and a good number of Dingy Skippers. The Cowslips are just amazing this year.

Highlight of the day was spending an hour watching this Brimstone lay her eggs. The egg photo isn't very good, but hey, I was so pleased to find it!

Jo

[Ian Pratt]

Last Thursday I met someone who lives in Cyprus and who is a butterfly enthusiast. He said the numbers of Painted Ladies there at the moment was absolutely amazing so perhaps we will have an influx? Let's hope so. Ian

[legless2007]

Last Thursday I met someone who lives in Cyprus and who is a butterfly enthusiast. He said the numbers of Painted Ladies there at the moment was absolutely amazing so perhaps we will have an influx? Let's hope so. Ian

I was in Turkey last week and there were a lot of Painted Ladies there too so here's hoping!

[David M]

In an hour and a half this morning at Crymlyn Burrows, Swansea, the following species were seen:

Orange Tip 40-60
Green Veined White 30-50
Small Copper 10
Brimstone 5
Peacock 4
Large White 3
Small White 3
Dingy Skipper 2
Small Blue 2
Small Heath 1
Speckled Wood 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1

My first Wall Brown of 2014 spotted in Danygraig Cemetery on my way back along with 4 Holly Blues.

[Hoggers]

High numbers of Small Coppers at Dungeness today

And Grizzled Skippers just starting to appear

Hoggers

[Willrow]

You can always count on PBF and Grizzled Skipper, but my own feelings are that Wood White and Green Hairstreak are absent from this site.

Quite probably David, my search yesterday for the latter on the extensive gorse proved negative once again, I cannot believe I've also missed Green Hairstreak on my many visits, yet it does indeed look highly suitable GH type habitat, so I'm at least going to give Butterfly Conservation the benefit of the doubt. Incidentally, I believe that 34 species have been recorded from Ewyas Harold Common, perhaps this sightings post might draw some Herefordshire recorder to put us right on the Wood White & Green Hairstreak matter.

Bill

"If in doubt...venture out"

[prettybutterfly]

Me and my family went to Sutton Heath near Woodbridge today looking for Small Coppers. We found quite a few. Here are some pictures I took, I hope you like them.

We also looked for Wall Browns at Bawdsey, but couldn't find any today.

Emma (Age 9)

[ayjay]

Pearl Bordered beginning to appear in the New Forest now, New Copse had at least half a dozen this morning.

[Ian Pratt]

Pearl Bordered beginning to appear in the New Forest now, New Copse had at least half a dozen this morning.

IMG_3386-c-r-f-.jpg

IMG_3407-c-r-f.jpg

Great photos -pity there are none on the Isle of Wight.
Ian

[Butterflysaurus rex]

I saw my first Common Blue of the year today

B'saurus

[Glostopcat]

Saturday May 3rd, visited Prestbury Hill in the afternoon and saw a small number of duke of burgundys all looking very fresh, about six to eight sighted. These were all seen at the bottom of the Bill Smylie field in the stoney, quarried areas close to the gate by the wood that divides the two fields. A good number of green hairstreaks, orangtips and brimstones were seen, as well as a smaller number of speckled woods, peacock, small white, dingy skipper, green veined whites and grass moths.