False Apollo

[David M]

Wow. That tree looks like a real magnet, Mike. I wish I had one myself (though I suspect it'd take 30 years for it to get to the height of yours).

[False Apollo]

Hi David,
Yes the tree came with the house as did the big yellow buddleia (a real selling point). The strawberry tree is at it's best for butterflies from early to around mid-morning, then they all seem to disappear. Of course they could have moved around the other side as the sun would have moved, but they are not that obvious flying around. I have had Red Admirals well into double figures on it some years, but only for a limited time before the fruit appears.

Regards
Mike

[False Apollo]

As far as I'm concerned the butterfly season proper started for me today. I started in the back garden and waited, it was a case of Brimstone after Brimstone, then Comma, then continuous sightings of Peacocks, and Small Tortoiseshells. Star butterfly for me was a Small White which dallied around the flower bed but did not stay too long. My missus took the family to Dorchester while I went to Martin Down, she had a male Orange Tip, I didn't, but the whole area from Christchurch to Martin Down was awash with Brimstones. At Martin the Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells were very active along the hedgerows.
I believe Matthew Oates had a Green Hairstreak today in Gloucestershire so it is starting to happen.
I have had earlier sightings this year, but now the temperature has risen a bit, it's getting exciting.
Earlier this week I had a male Brimstone which flew in the conservatory, before I let it out, I managed to get a lucky photo of it with it's wings open.
Both my hibernating Peacocks (a male and a female) have been let out the garage and flew off successfully, and there was the bonus of a Small Tortoiseshell which was also in the garage hibernating which I also let out, see photo.

[bugboy]

Fantastic Brimstone, I thought it was a pinned one for a split second!

[False Apollo]

Hi Bugboy,
Thanks re-Brimstone pic. I was lucky to get the pic before I let it out. It flew off non the worse for it's spell in the conservatory!

[Wurzel]

That Brimstone is a blinder of a shot Mike Hopefully the Orange-tips will make their way Wiltshire-wards

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Mike, that's the best open wing Brimstone shot I've ever seen! How did you 'capture' it? Was the butterfly beating its wings?

[False Apollo]

Yes it was, as you can see from the slight movement on the right forewing and hind wing, it was on the conservatory door at the time, just lucky with the timing.

[False Apollo]

I visited Hengistbury Head on Tuesday 21/4/15, mainly looking for migrant birds which were around in reasonable numbers, with 6 Redstart and 12 Wheatear showing off in the sunshine. On the way back I noticed a small butterfly fluttering around my feet which soon settled, it was a Green Hairstreak. This species is pretty scarce here and is probably overlooked so I was very pleased to see one.
I then decided to visit Noarhill in the afternoon, it did not take long to see my first Duke, they were certainly into double figures and were showing in almost every suitable area, they were revelling in the fine weather, one even attacking a Peacock that got too close. I hope the weather can hold out while more emerge as these seemed to be mainly territorial males.

Regards
Mike

[False Apollo]

Good old Bentley Woods never fails to deliver, well I say that, I went yesterday and saw nothing! Today was a different story however, In the East Clearing I saw at least 6 Pearl-bordered Fritillaries, including females. They were only active when the sun came out and led me a merry dance. Excellent management has opened up further areas, and the most popular areas were sheltered from the wind and sunny. Also saw Orange Tips, Brimstone and Large White. I am hoping for Marsh Fritillary tomorrow if the sun stays out!

Regards
Mike

[Wurzel]

Great shot Mike Philzoid and I must have just missed you as we were there today too, got 6 Pearls and a Painted Lady but no Large White Have there been any reports of Marshies yet, my site is usually an early one but nowt from there yet...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pauline]

Some lovely shots recently Mike, especially the Duke - must just have missed you at NH.

[False Apollo]

Nice to hear from you Wurzel and Pauline. I was told that Marsh Fritillaries were out at Cotley Hill, Wilts yesterday, I thought this might be a little early until I was shown the photos, and yes, they are out here.

I visited Cotley Hill today, I have never visited here before, and wow what a site! Marsh Fritillary larvae were absolutely everywhere. The path down to the road was littered with them, it really was a matter of minding where you walk in case you trod on one. Could be a phenomenal year here, even if some of these don't make it.
So I was quite relieved when at last I saw an adult in a warm sunny spot where I believe one was seen yesterday. It did not hang about long due to the sun being out at this point, it was cloud, sun, cloud most of the day. I was pleased as this was my main target species. It is very interesting that adult butterflies and different instar larvae were seen, there must also be some in pupation somewhere too.

However species numbers started to hot up as I walked around with a special bonus on the way back.
Green Hairstreak numbers seem to have gone through the roof, they really are doing well, a lovely sight of flickering beauty around the bushes and over the hill. I also saw Small Heath, Orange Tip, 3 Small Tortoiseshells, Green-veined Whites, Grizzled Skippers, Dingy Skippers, and 3 or 4 Peacocks. One of these Peacocks landed in front of me, and it did not look right, the hindwing blue eyes were wildly exaggerated by the surrounding cream circles, it did stand out from all the others I saw. I managed a few photos before it flew off up the hill.

[False Apollo]

Saw my first Purple Hairstreak tonight at the top of the highest oak adjacent to my garden. It was very active to at least 19.40 flying by itself around the uppermost branches. I have seen my first Purple Hairstreaks in this tree most years, but the other oaks nearby are ignored, even though they are large but not as tall as this one. It seems a bit like a master tree as I am likely to see them here most warm summer evenings. They do seem to go over earlier than most other nearby sites though.

I popped into my local Silver-studded Blue site at St Catherines Hill, Dorset at lunchtime and saw 10 - 15 (no camera). This is fantastic due to the fact that another nearby colony was destroyed by a terrible heath fire earlier this year, and will take years to recover. I am leading a guided walk soon, so at least others will be able to see them on the visit.

Regards
Mike

[False Apollo]

I made the journey into deepest West Sussex today to try to find the Beeding Long tailed Blues. Considering the lovely weather, myself and a few other enthusiasts could not see any. It was great to meet UK Butterflies Katrina there, putting a face to the name is always good . Apparently people had been looking all day with no success. Indeed, the security man behind the fence seemed quite suspicious as we eyed each other through binoculars. However I did see 2 Red Admirals, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Large White and a Speckled Wood. Others also saw a Comma and Small Copper. The star of the show was a helice Clouded Yellow which flew north along the B283 towards Upper Beeding. I have not seen many Clouded Yellows actually moving at this time of year, they normally seem to stay put in Dorset. I left on my way back to Dorset quite pleased and keen to have another go. I have yet to see a Long tailed Blue in the UK so I am avidly hoping there may be some seen from Brighton westwards.

Regards
Mike

[False Apollo]

From Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th July I made my pilgrimage to Fermyn Wood for Purple Emperors. The weather forecast did not look promising but Fermyn is always good, so I was optimistic. On Thursday I saw around 5 with 3 down as the weather improved. On Friday the count overall was in double figures 20+ at least. The highlight for me was 4 down together at once, (a little shrimp paste helped) . I also had a male land on my boot. Just as I thought Saturday couldn't get any better, it did, a male laded on my rucksack, then there were 2 and then one landed on my coat lapel. Ionly managed to get photos by twisting the viewing screen on my camera 180 degrees and hoping for the best, we were eyeball to eyeball as he flashed electric purple! I also saw my first female sailing over the tall sallows. Other butterflies were fresh Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admirals, with a sprinkling of fresh Small Tortoiseshells, Commas and Red Admirals. Numbers of His Imperial seem to be building by the day.

[False Apollo]

Visited Southbourne Undercliff near Bournemouth in my lunch break today. Fantastic day with warm sunny weather on the undercliff. Managed to see 3 Clouded Yellows, 4 Small Whites and the star butterfly a pristine male Common Blue. This is (I believe) the latest I have seen the species in the UK, but it is certainly the first time I have seen a third brood male. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me at the time (a lesson to be learnt here). It posed it front of me with it's wings open, the blue shimmering in the sunshine. It was very active.
When I got back to my office in Bournemouth I saw a Red Admiral. All in all an excellent hour.

Regards
Mike Gibbons

[Wurzel]

Good to know that they're there - that seems like a reliable site for Cloudies but how will the colder weather affect them?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Visited Southbourne Undercliff near Bournemouth in my lunch break today. Fantastic day with warm sunny weather on the undercliff. Managed to see 3 Clouded Yellows, 4 Small Whites and the star butterfly a pristine male Common Blue. This is (I believe) the latest I have seen the species in the UK, but it is certainly the first time I have seen a third brood male. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me at the time (a lesson to be learnt here). It posed it front of me with it's wings open, the blue shimmering in the sunshine. It was very active.
When I got back to my office in Bournemouth I saw a Red Admiral. All in all an excellent hour.

Sounds idyllic, Mike. I guess that spot is one of the mildest in the UK during the winter so it's no surprise to see unseasonal butterflies, I suppose.

[False Apollo]

The weather at Southbourne was sunny at times on Saturday 5th November, but no Clouded Yellows were seen by me. However I Did see one Small White and a Red Admiral. As you say David, the climate is mild here and even a northerly wind does not stop butterflies flying. Any other wind direction is another matter though!
I think some Clouded Yellows may yet be seen if the sun comes out during November.
Did see a Red Admiral in the garden on 6th November during the morning, cruising around outside our conservatory. Certainly getting colder though, but that won't put me off looking for Clouded Yellows if it's sunny!

Regards
Mike