British gorganus Swallowtails

[Susie]

Thank you Neil. There are two allotments close to where I live, my father-in-law has a plot on each of them, I think I had better get some posters made up and stick them around there. There are flower rich meadows all along the banks of the Arun less than a mile to the south of me (but I wonder if that is too low? - does it need to be hilly?). I don't think I'm going to be looking for swallowtails on the Downs somehow, I need to find the ones that are here!

[Paul Wetton]

Thanks Neil
I may just take a trip down south for something else and keep my eyes open and fingers crossed.

[Neil Hulme]

Essential viewing on Springwatch this evening, and an article by Patrick Barkham here http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... first-time
BWs, Neil

[Susie]

And they'll be more after Springwatch on red button.

[nomad]

Hi, there is going to be a report tonight on Spring Watch about this scarce migrant.

[Neil Hulme]

Just returned from a Black Hairstreak safari in Oxfordshire to find that two more gorganus have been sighted in West Sussex, on 8th and 10th June. One on the Downs at Sompting and the other in an Upper Beeding garden. Both sites are close to where I saw my female in Steyning, which is itself close to the Chanctonbury Ring site. That's quite a cluster now forming, and anywhere in the lower Adur valley must be worth a look.
BWs, Neil

[Pete Eeles]

One seen at Four Marks near Alton, Hants on Thursday 12th.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

Another seen Saturday 14th in Torquay, Devon.

https://twitter.com/tom_m_brereton/stat ... 4259188737

Cheers,

- Pete

[Neil Hulme]

Yet another apparently seen at Birling Gap (East Sussex) on 11th June. Without doing a detailed count that must be about 20 seen along the South Coast over the last eight weeks.
BWs, Neil

[Pete Eeles]

Another seen on June 19th at West Bay, Bridport.

https://twitter.com/tom_m_brereton/stat ... 2716189696

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

Another Swallowtail seen today in mid Cornwall - 6 miles due south of St.Austell.

Cheers,

- Pete

[William]

I spoke to a National Trust Volunteer at Collard Hill today who was very sure she'd seen one at Lulworth Cove.

BWs

William

[markhows]

Two reported at St. Aldhelm's Head, Dorset over the last couple of days and one in Ventnor Isle of Wight


Mark

[Zoylander]

Went down to St Aldhelms Head yesterday from Somerset to look for these Continental Swallowtails. Took a while to locate them but they appeared to favour the area of the coast path between the coastguard watch point & the stone seat and the field between here and the coastguard cottages. We eventually saw three different individuals all told apart from their varying states of tattiness!! Word of advice to anyone going to look for them take the road to the coastguard cottages rather than the coast path from the car park, it's a much easier walk.

[Zoylander]

Just realised I posted a picture of the same Swallowtail, here's the other one I managed to photographed. The third one although photographed was obscured by grass, that had two tails but a piece out of the wing.
Roger

[cl-bucks]

St Adlems Head in Dorset seems a reliable place to head - 4 today

[Mark Tutton]

Was going to go to Fermyn today but took a detour to Dorset!
On getting my bearings from the car park I was greeted by a Raven hassling a Red Kite - two birds I never thought I would see in England as a kid

Raven and Red Kite

What wasn't apparent from the OS map was that there was a very steep valley between the car park and St Aldhelms head - 200 steps down and 200 steps up The bonus was the large number of fresh Small Tortoiseshells, DGF and lovely Lulworth Skipperswhich made the climb bearable..
On reaching the head itself I quickly had a view of a Swallowtail battling against the strong wind but it proved very elusive, disappearing for long periods.
However after about an hour I managed to see it settle in the grass out of the wind for a few photos

Gorganus at StAldlems

Still managed to get to Alice Holt before close of play for a purple fix
Kind regards
Mark

[Neil Hulme]

Great stuff Mark. And I believe it may have been 'badged'?
BWs, Neil

[Mark Tutton]

Hi Neil
it certainly was - with one of Paul's delightful limited edition pins complete with backing card - must have brought me luck

Gorganus with Paul Fosterjohns pin badge

Kind reagrds
Mark