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I was out walking along a forest near my house and for the first time ever, I saw 2 Holly Blue. One male and female. I could have had a great shot if I had brought my camera. It was on a lowish down leaf! Definate male and I only saw one more female flying around.

Two sightings at opposite ends of Mountstewart so far for this butterfly. Have not seen anymore anywhere else though. Whens the best time of day to find them? I want a decent pic and I think I can get one if I have the right time.

Weathers unpredictable. Rain then hottish sun, then rain again. When sun bursts out, the fly and disappear again. Noticed a small butterfly darting about and it was a holly blue. I have never seen any (except Red Admirals) in summer, other butterflies here before.

If I do get a pic, I will post it.

Went out today and saw one Holly Blue. Too high fir a pic, but I did see a female GV White and then a male came along. Never seen their foodplants around and never really seen them around this area much. Nice sight seeing them feeding on Herb Robert. I got two videos that are going on my website as soon as I can get them on. Here is a pic anyway:



Someone confirm this is a GV white please.

Definitely a green-veined white, Dave!

Guy

Thought so. And that large white you ID'd was a large white. I remember the size and seeing this, I knew the differece. Thanks.

On lookout again and saw a large white. tried to get a pic, no doing. Instead I got this:



a female blue damselfly. I got a 4-5 shots of male speckled wood, but only one turned out, rest blurred.

On lookput agfain for GV White and Large White, Spelked Wood and Holly Blue in area also some more damselfly shots too. Well, I wil keep you updated on whats in my area.

My first ever in this location was, today, a Orange-Tip. Why? There is no foodplant for orange-tip I can see anywhere in facinity. Only one male.

I was out looking for some GV White and waited by the plant they usually visit and a strange thing happened. First, the GV White (Male) appeared. It flew away soon after and then a Male small white landed on same flower and after it flew off, a male Large White came and landed on flower.

Only managed on short video of GV White and the Large White did not stay long enough to get shot.

Soptted a Red Admiral, loads of peacock caterpillars at different stages, many second instar and few fully grown.

Saw my first Bee Hawk Moth and Red Admiral, not far from my house and a light coloured tortrix moth of some sort. Set out a trap to see if any moths come tonight. Also saw a blue bellied fan wasp (I think). Keep you posted. With 19c weather today, they are all comming out. Most are feeding on the wild radish flowers.

Saw first Painted Lady and cinnibar moth emerged today:



Also saw many grasshoppers, a few GV white, male and female Large Whites, many flies and bees and not few other tiny moths, not much else.

One more, a meadow brown (first of year for me) taken in a field that was just cut. I almost stood on it, it blended in well with brownish dry grass:



I have not noticed lower small spot on forewing underside before, whats this, a sub-species?

Found around 1000 caterpillars, might be of either Peacock, small tortoiseshell or Red Admiral. They where feeding from nettles and thistles.

In another area, saw around 5-6 small tortoiseshell. In another area far from this, I saw around 10+ Meadow Brown, Garden Carpet Moth, 20+ Small Tortoiseshell and loads of Small Whites and loads of Red Admiral.

Few peacock to. Will go back again when weathers meant to be good.

Seems that small tortoiseshell and Peacock populations in my area on on the rise with Red Admiral.

OK, not confirmed but if it is, it will be important. My dad just came back from a walk out and thought he seen a "Red-Tipped Clearwing" near the willow trees nor far from my house. He noticed the red tips on wings and the tuft at end of abdomen. When he tried to get a pic, it dropped to the ground and he thought no more of it as he thought it to be a wasp or something till he read my book "Butterflies and Moths of Northern Ireland" and almost knew what it was.

As soon as there is a good day, I will go there and try and confirm what he has seen, and if it is, it will be the second place in Northern Ireland to have them, as only one place in Armagh was the only other confirmed place to have them.

If it is one and I do get a pic, I will inform N.I. Butterfly conservation. Pitty its supposed to be bad tomorrow! I want to see for myself. My dads only a novice at identification, but he takes pics near everyday as he is a farmer and sees butterflies and moths when in the fields on tractor and around places. Carries his camera near everywhere, although most of his shots blur as he does not know how to use it properly yet.