www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi all

as usual weather has not been that good down here in the south-west but in sheltered locations when the sun does appear Walton Common has delivered.

See below for my first Dingy Skippers (8), Brown Argus (2) of the year and some Grizzled Skippers (double figures). I also lost count of the number of Green Hairstreaks plus a solitary Early-purple Orchid without any spots on its leaves ???? Anyone know anything about these?

For the first time I am now shooting in RAW (note not in the raw or in a thong) and while I'm having some success my wife - using a new sony Alpha 230 - is struggling. The images appear great on the camera but don't upload well - any suggestions.

Mike

Enjoyed our first ever visit to Bentley Woods today...complete cloud cover and a cool breeze didn't dampen our spirits and we were thrilled to photograph several Pearl-bordered Frits at point blank range. Plus there was the rather amusing sight of a Common Lizard running up someone's trouser leg

Brilliant site, we'll be back in a few weeks for SPBF, fingers crossed. That's species number sixteen for our Big Year, 18 if you include Purple Hairstreak larva and Brown Hairstreak eggs...just a few more to go!!

Some interesting reports and good piccies on this thread.

Anyway Off topic – Mallards

First time I saw Mandarin Ducks and Egyptian Geese in trees I certainly thought it a weird sight, although it is apparently routine behaviour. But I had never before seen Mallards on a roof (a second male was out of frame to the left).

Jack

The first immigrant painted ladies came bounding through my part of Switzerland today. They're usually with me a week or so before they reach you, depending on the weather, but anyway, THEY'RE ON THE WAY!



Guy

PS - I notice people have already been seeing a few painted ladies in the UK. Unless they somehow managed to survive the winter they were well ahead of the main wave, which normally sweeps through Switzerland in about mid-May.

Hi Guy,

What sort of quantity are you seeing, I imagine not as spectacular as last year?

Cheers

Lee

Just the vanguard yesterday - two or three bouncing through a clover field on an overcast day. Past experience shows I can now expect them daily, though the forecast is also for rain daily for the whole of the week so I might not be out. I'm not expecting the numbers we saw last year, no!!

Guy

Had my first Small Heath sighting today at Quarry Hangers, Chaldon, Surrey, but it had probably been out for a few days previously. Also seen were 17 Dingy Skipper, 5 Grizzled Skipper, 5 Green Hairstreak, 1 Peacock, 1 Green Veined White and a Male Orange Tip. Lots of Orange Tip eggs found on Garlic Mustard, usually more than one per plant. I can also confirm that Large Whites are very scarce here as well. I have only seen one male so far.
Cheers,

Vince

Well, the weather in UK is better than over here in Finland....not seen a butterfly yet, but seen my first ever musk-rat, a curlew (there are a lot calling by the lake in the evening) and this cheeky chappie - he uses the telegraph wires as his highways to get around. Weather promises to be warmer in the next few days...
N

Seen today at Thurlbear Quarrylands, Somerset, were 1 Duke of Burgundy, 2 Common Blue, plus numerous Dingy and Grizzled Skippers.

Jon

Seen today; a row of dratted tiny holes in my best trackies. Those poxy clothes moths are back.

Seen today at Oxwich,Gower in Glamorgan- 1 Brown Argus, 30+ Small Blue (including a spider victim), 30+ Small Copper, 20+ Common Blue, and numerous Dingy Skipper and Orange Tip.

got in the garden about 4pm today, just in time to see my first garden Brown Argus, also had 3 speckled woods, a peacock, Holly blue and a couple of whites passed through. just a shame the temperature drops at night for the moths, just one ringed carpet in 2 hours last night.

Chris

Seen yesterday at Bonchurch Down and Wheelers Bay Ventnor Isle of Wight: Glanville fritillary, adonis blue, wall brown, common blue, and brown argus. Thanks Neil for recommending the Lumix FZ38- great camera for butterflies.

A trip to Draycott Sleights, Somerset, today revealed- 4+ Small Heath, 3 Common Blue, numerous Dingy Skipper and Several Grizzled Skipper.

Went off to Powerstock common today with my family and as I knew this was a good place to see butterflies so I suggested to go.

I saw..... (My first EVER! ) dingy skippers about 5 of them(but no grizzled skippers ) I saw numerous common blues, 3x small heaths, 4x speckled woods, lots of small and large whites and also lots of orange tips.

Does anyone know what else I could find there?

Thanks for any help,

Felix

Hi, Gang

News from Norfolk

Five Grizzled Skipper at Foulden Common yesterday. None seen at Narborough.

Happy hunting

Adrian

By this time last year we were on Page 7: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3116&start=120

Let's hope the weather in the 2nd half of the month let's us do some catching up!!

Chris

p.s. Great photos on here during the last couple of weeks - thanks all.....

walpolec wrote:By this time last year we were on Page 7

Yes, but we didn't have personal diaries in place then - only little-used blogs!

Cheers,

- Pete

Pete Eeles wrote: Yes, but we didn't have personal diaries in place then - only little-used blogs!

Cheers,

- Pete

Good point! And I'm really enjoying reading them.

My initial post wasn't meant as any kind of criticism, it was completely a vent of frustration at the rubbish weather that's been preventing more of us from getting out there....

Cheers

Chris

Yeah - I know (and agree!).

Cheers,

- Pete