www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

A short vist to Arnside Knott today produced:

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary - 10+

Small Heath - 10+

Dingy Skipper - 3

Large Skipper - 1

Common Blue -1

Brimstone -2 (1 male and 1 female)

Speckled Wood - 2

Silver-studded Blue seen today at Fairmile Common, near Cobham in Surrey. Just the one, and very unusually for a first sighting, it was a female. The males are normally out a few days ahead, but none were in evidence. If there had been any, the female would have brought them scurrying along in no time.

Meadow Browns are out at Box Hill, but no DGF yet.

Dave

I paid a disappointing visit to Botley Wood, my local site, today. In an hour and three quarters all I managed was 1 very aged Speckled Wood despite the conditions being hot, sunny and humid mid afternoon.

A couple each of Mother Shipton and Speckled Yellow plus a Silver Y saved the day

Either this is the 'June lull', or we should all be very worried

A Peacock glimpsed today, still flying enthusiastically - this is getting pretty late in the year for them.

Another (different individual) Painted lady yesterday in the front garden, and Silver-y aplenty at Martin Down yesterday.

on a dull day also seen
Plenty of Small Blue and Adonis, small Heath, a single large skipper,a few Fritillary flying, Brimstone, Red admiral. must have been an emergence of cinnebar too as they seemed everywhere also. still not seen small copper or common blue.

Chris

My all day visit to Somerset yesterday was one of frustration, although the weather was very kind with blue skies and little breeze I failed to find Glanville Fritillary at Sand Point, near Weston-super-Mare, the hot-spot area of 2011 now resembles the savanna, the grasses that were grazed so successfully on the lower reaches are now up to mid-waist, I spoke to a local who told me that the cattle hadn't grazed the slopes for ages, the weather last year allied to our bovine friends actions turned the paths (beloved of dog walkers) into something resembling the Somme...hence complaints to the National Trust and the stockman. Whether this has had any serious effect on the Glanville Fritillary is unknown/debatable, but I advise any prospective traveler to be aware of the situation. I spent three and a half hours searching without success, another UK Butterflyer Graham Gammidge (great to meet you ) had travelled down from Nottinghamshire especially, I wonder if he fared better than I did, I left late morning for Exmoor, while he continued.

Did see my first Large Skipper of the year and also four Painted Lady (mini invasion!). Others seen were Large White, Wall, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Copper and quite a few Common Blue.

I traveled on to Bincombe, Exmoor for an afternoon seeking Heath Fritillary and let me reiterate here the immortal words on the National Trust website about this location...'extreme butterflying' and this just about sums the site up, its very tough going. The gorse has grown pretty strongly since my 2011 visit and now presents a serious obstacle to searching big areas of the combe, I concentrated my search to the upper areas, my efforts produced no more than 8 to 10 insects, and getting anything like a good photograph was to prove frustrating to say the least, I make no apologies for the quality of the images produced here. Other species seen were Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Heath.

So another three species are added to my year list but I was very disappointed to miss out on Glanville Fritillary.

Bill

Not my sighting (my sister's). Not even a butterfly. She shares my warped sense of humour (blame our dad for that).
Jack

Willrow wrote:My all day visit to Somerset yesterday was one of frustration, although the weather was very kind with blue skies and little breeze I failed to find Glanville Fritillary at Sand Point, near Weston-super-Mare, the hot-spot area of 2011 now resembles the savanna, the grasses that were grazed so successfully on the lower reaches are now up to mid-waist, I spoke to a local who told me that the cattle hadn't grazed the slopes for ages, the weather last year allied to our bovine friends actions turned the paths (beloved of dog walkers) into something resembling the Somme...hence complaints to the National Trust and the stockman. Whether this has had any serious effect on the Glanville Fritillary is unknown/debatable, but I advise any prospective traveler to be aware of the situation.

I'm finding it hard to accept that this species has suddenly disappeared from Sand Point, Bill.

When I went last year there were serious numbers of them and the grasses were long even back then!!

In any case, Glanvilles thrive on cliff overhangs where ribwort plantain grows unrestrained. I fail to see how absence of cattle interferes with that.

I was minded to go there myself next week (on the way to Collard Hill). Far from putting me off, your report has actually made me even more determined to take a look as I'm pretty sure they can't have been wiped out within a single off-season.

Glad you got to see the Heaths at Bin Combe. I empathise totally regarding the terrain. It really is quite challenging. When I passed by there 2 years ago I slipped and cut my hand on gorse such was the precipitous nature of the slopes.

adrian riley wrote:Glanville Fritillary
Hi, Gang
A friend of mine tells me that Glanville Fritillary is now on the wing at Start Point, Somerset.
Adrian Riley http://www.bugalert.net

Posted here a few days ago: I assume this means Sand Point (Start Point is in South Devon).

Dave

millerd wrote:

adrian riley wrote:Glanville Fritillary
Hi, Gang
A friend of mine tells me that Glanville Fritillary is now on the wing at Start Point, Somerset.
Adrian Riley http://www.bugalert.net

Posted here a few days ago: I assume this means Sand Point (Start Point is in South Devon).

Dave

Yes, there's only one location in the south west of Britain for Glanvilles so surely that post refers to Sand Point.

If the weather's half decent next week I'm going to take a look.

Late in the day today I called up to High and Over in the fog!! Not expecting much at all so I was very pleased to find a beautiful female Common Blue which opened her wings as soon as I saw her. A few Adonis were also seen as well as the tiny and scarce Thyme Plume moth.

This Painted Lady was seen in the car park at Hightown Fire Station, Southampton today It did not stray far from this spot between 4.45 and 6.15. First one for a couple of years for me

David M wrote:

millerd wrote:

adrian riley wrote:Glanville Fritillary
Hi, Gang
A friend of mine tells me that Glanville Fritillary is now on the wing at Start Point, Somerset.
Adrian Riley http://www.bugalert.net

Posted here a few days ago: I assume this means Sand Point (Start Point is in South Devon).

Dave

Yes, there's only one location in the south west of Britain for Glanvilles so surely that post refers to Sand Point.

If the weather's half decent next week I'm going to take a look.

Hi, Gang
Yes, I did mean Sand Point. Sorry about that.
Adrian

Not sure if anyone is aware of it but on Dorset Birds (http://dorsetbirds.blogspot.co.uk/) there is a report of a Black-veined White on Portland on 8th June.

Today I saw my first common blue of the year in Shropshire.

Still a few Chequered Skips at Glasdrum, although most are a bit tatty now. This was the best I saw:
Many really fresh SPBFs:


The Northern Brown Argus is just out in Bishop Middleham Quarry. I saw about a dozen, all very fresh. Sadly, no artaxerxes.
Also at BMQ:

Many CBs
3x Large Skip
2x Wall
1x Dingy Skip
8x Small Heath

Tony M.

Out on the local patch of Marbury Country Park, Cheshire and timed it perfect to see one Painted Lady going about its business. A patch lifer for me .
Also fresh out were 5+ Meadow Browns and a single Common Blue.
Just wondered is this the most Northerly record so far?

David M wrote:

Willrow wrote:My all day visit to Somerset yesterday was one of frustration, although the weather was very kind with blue skies and little breeze I failed to find Glanville Fritillary at Sand Point, near Weston-super-Mare, the hot-spot area of 2011 now resembles the savanna, the grasses that were grazed so successfully on the lower reaches are now up to mid-waist, I spoke to a local who told me that the cattle hadn't grazed the slopes for ages, the weather last year allied to our bovine friends actions turned the paths (beloved of dog walkers) into something resembling the Somme...hence complaints to the National Trust and the stockman. Whether this has had any serious effect on the Glanville Fritillary is unknown/debatable, but I advise any prospective traveler to be aware of the situation.

I'm finding it hard to accept that this species has suddenly disappeared from Sand Point, Bill.

When I went last year there were serious numbers of them and the grasses were long even back then!!

In any case, Glanvilles thrive on cliff overhangs where ribwort plantain grows unrestrained. I fail to see how absence of cattle interferes with that.

I was minded to go there myself next week (on the way to Collard Hill). Far from putting me off, your report has actually made me even more determined to take a look as I'm pretty sure they can't have been wiped out within a single off-season.

Glad you got to see the Heaths at Bin Combe. I empathise totally regarding the terrain. It really is quite challenging. When I passed by there 2 years ago I slipped and cut my hand on gorse such was the precipitous nature of the slopes.

Hiya David,

I'm not for one moment suggesting that Glanville Fritillary have been wiped out in a single 'off-season' that sounds rather dramatic. The grazing made the lower reaches of Sand Point more easily scrutinized for the butterfly, the 'overhangs' you mention are almost inaccessible - unless you take your life in your hands Myself and Graham Gammidge (another UK Butterflies member) checked the overhangs as matter of course during our co-incidental meeting and search, we both remarked how dangerous this terrain is, so the absence of cattle naturally interferes with the grasses being kept in check, at present they are really rank and make seeking our target species difficult, to put it mildly, you will no doubt see for yourself, if you visit. To add to the problem, much of the 'overhang' referred too is out of sight, now that hawthorn and herbage is in full summer dress. In 2011 it was relatively comfortable to walk and scan most of the lower reaches, that is no longer the case owing to the lushness of the grasses and associated herbage (it does look wonderful though ).

As stated on Bug Alert - Glanville Fritillary have been reported from Sand Point recently, Adrian Riley also mentions it earlier on this thread, but refers to it as Start Point in error...(he's far too busy ) but, to my knowledge, this is all we currently have to go on. Incidentally, the upper and furthest areas of the point have short sward (by arrangement with Rabbits ) and perhaps the original sighting took place in one of these more easily scanned areas, I did see the species in these areas in 2011, but not a thing seen this year anywhere, sadly

Be optimistic David and go to Sand Point with purpose, bag a few G F's and let us all know, then I'll head on back and perhaps get to see it too. I'm pleased to see that my report has spurred you on...real UK Butterflyers are never put off by pessimistic posters and I hope I don't come into this category...I tell it as I see it Best of luck on your visit.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I was heading back up the M5 today back to the midlands after a family break in North Devon. Approaching the junction for Weston-super-Mare, the thought crossed my mind to turn off for Sand Point but with my wife, daughter and grandson in a fully loaded car I didn't dare mention it

I am sorry for your lack of luck there but at least I don't feel so bad now at zooming past

Cheers,

Neil F.

A late report I'm afraid as I've hardly been near my PC for two weeks.

Went for a visit to Longstone Edge in Derbyshire on 9th June. It's my favourite site in the Peak District for butterflies.

My main aim was to try and see Green Hairstreak, but wasn't sure if I'd be too late. Sure enough, they were plentiful and in good condition. Must have seen at least 5 near the main path down into the valley behind Longstone Edge, and I wasn't even looking hard. Also saw at least 3 Dingy Skipper and a possible Brown Argus. Further along the walk there was a Brimstone, flying fast on a mission as usual.

But highlight of the walk were two Wall. They are getting so rare now in the Peak District, and I hadn't realised that this was a site they still bred at. So I was very pleased to see them