www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Glad you like the Orange-tip Neil, its one of those lucky photos that make me smile

Thanks B'rex

Cheers Neil, the Garlic Mustard in our garden is doing great this year, just found another three eggs




Our final reared Purple Hairstreak commenced pupation on 3rd of May,this is it pictured just before and during pupation on 1st and 4th of May.




We now have a total of seven Purple Hairstreak pupae, which includes the two which were not refridgerated and are therefore more advanced. They took about a month from hatching to pupation and moved through their instars quite quickly.



Our Brown Hairstreaks appear to have developed at a slower rate. On the Blackthorn plant which had originally contained five larvae we suddenly found a sixth, we assume that the larva had transferred himself from one plant to the other, which was lucky as he could have gone walkabout! We now have two BH pupae, two in the process of pupation, and three on a Blackthorn plant which are now between 43 and 50 days old. We also have two larvae at 28 days old on another plant, which were found at Noar Hill at a later date. We had been keeping tags on quite a number of BH eggs on suckering Blackthorn in another location outside the reserve, including two laid together. One day we went to check on their progress and to our dismay the whole lot had been cut down. This was long after the work party clearances so we don't know who carried this out! As we began sorting through the debris, to our utter amazement we found the twin eggs, which were somehow the only survivors. They are now on a potted Blackthorn in our lean-to

Great images, Maximus. Seems like more and more people are experimenting with rearing butterflies and some of the sequences have been a joy to peruse.

I look forward to seeing yours emerge.

With the weather set to be cloudy with sunny periods, we decided that this would provide ideal conditions to see the Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at Bentley Wood. Last year we went to Rewell Wood on 12th May to see them, on a walk led by Neil (Hulme) when the weather was cool and they had just emerged. Arriving at Bentley in blazing sunshine we knew it was going to be hard going to get some pics! As we entered the Eastern Clearing we were greeted by a very fresh Duke of Burgundy, a nice start, and then three or four PBF flying like dingbats! There were three people already there busy trying to get some photos, so we made our way through the clearing to the far side. It was just a question of perseverance to get a reasonable open wing shot, as there were plenty flying , nectaring or sunning themselves on the ground.


Later in the afternoon we noticed a female Brimstone settling on an Alder Buckthorn and a quick peek revealed that she was ovipositing


We also saw this beautiful Argent and Sable moth...


...and this Common Lizard which appears to have a deer tick attached to its side

Thanks David, you will see photos of our emerging Brown and Purple Hairstreaks, when it happens

Absolutely cracking shots there Mike Bentley has been good for Pearls this year although they're declining in Wiltshire so hopefully they'll be on an upward trend Won't be long until the Small Pearls will be at Bentley

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That is a reall great sequence of Brimstones Mike. Well done on getting such a smashing shot of that moth too. I can't tell you how long I have spent following one round the Eastern Clearing only to come home with a shot of only one wing or a blurred in flight photo

Smashing photo's of all the Butterflies Mike Goldie

Thanks Wurzel, Bentley is great and an upward trend of PBF's would be good, and Small PBF's are one of my favourites
,
Glad you like the Brimstone Pauline, I know what you mean about Argent and Sable moths, very lively but stunning

Thanks Goldie, I appreciate your kind words


The first of our Purple Hairstreaks hatched today, a beautiful female. She was very lively but eventually settled long enough for us to take these photos.

Beautiful shots Mike My favourite is the one on the glass - you can just make out the reflection

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Smashing Photo's Mike I'm really envious Goldie

That is my favourite too Wurzel - I love it!

Cheers Wurzel there's almost a double reflection on the window

Glad you like them Goldie

I'm glad you like that shot Pauline


Just a correction on yesterday's posting, what I originally thought was a female Purple Hairstreak was clearly a male when he opened his wings this morning The PH that emerged this morning was clearly a female as she opened her wings too

Lovely Purple Hairstreaks, Mike.

Best wishes,

Lee

Love the open wing shots on the PHS Mark Goldie

Beautiful PH photos Mike. Hard to pick a favourite but I love the one of the pair together, not something you are likely to see very often

Cheers,

Neil.

Beautiful shots Mike The way the tails show so well on the male is stunning

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Lee

Glad you like the PH shots Goldie

Cheers Neil, we were privileged to have the pair together

Thanks Wurzel, they were both stunning butterflies



We have just returned from a week spent on the Isle of Wight where we hoped to see some Glanville Fritillaries. During our first three days on the island gale force winds and cool temperatures meant that there were not many butterflies to be found. Fortunately for us the weather then improved and we finally found what we had come for..




These were fabulous butterflies and were all in beautiful condition. We counted twelve but believe that we probably saw more than this, but we didn't want to count the same individuals twice. We had a great afternoon wandering along Wheelers Bay and bumped into Peter Hunt (Marmari) and Andy Butler who were also checking out the Glanvilles.
We went back to our cottage very satisfied having found so many Glanvilles. However, the Isle of Wight had plenty more butterflies to offer...

Fantastic images Mike of a stunning butterfly - I missed out on this species last year and it looks like going the same way this year Oh well I can revel in your cracking shots

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, its a shame you're going to miss out on the Glanvilles I think they're possibly our most beautiful fritillary

Mike

Some lovely shots of the Glanville there Mike . Nothing doing at Wrecclesham I'm afraid.