www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

We've been in a Goldilocks zone lately...just right.

After a shocking May last year, we can only hope that things stay mild and pleasant this time.

The first Small Coppers appeared at Staines Moor today, hopefully the vanguard of plenty more (though very modest in comparison with Dungeness of course )Closer to home (a couple of minutes away in fact) I had to be content with the Holly Blues...30+ seen today.

Dave

Lincolnshire May 3rd 2022

An unexpected break in the cloud, with a little sun, gave me the chance for a walk along the River Lowther yesterday. Plenty of Orange Tips about, 16 counted, but many more in fenced off fields. Only saw one egg on Cuckoo Flower. 10 very fresh GVWs and 4 Peacocks.

Sarah

Bank Holiday Monday was tough going! but we did get some sunshine in the afternoon.
2 locations visited in Kent (Bredhurst an Darland Banks). Highlights were - 2 Small Heath at Bredhurst, then in the afternoon, 2 fresh male Common Blues found at Darland Banks. No images are cropped. Cheers Paul.

Four new arrivals today, 4th May

All boys. Bred from eggs laid last May, chrysalises were kept in the fridge (in box) over the winter. The idea of the fridge is that unless kept cold, there is a tendency for home-bred butterflies to emerge too early. They came out of the fridge on 24th March.

The first individual has slightly non-standard wing tip colours. That might be because after taking out of the fridge and placed outside, the lid of their box came off and there was a minor flood. But they seemed to have survived a near-drowning (unless the aberrant colour is the result).

Click on an image to see in its full glory.

Jack

That Orange Tip is strangely attractive, Jack - certainly extremely unusual. I wonder how the others will turn out?

Cheers,

Dave

Took a walk out near Braemar today. Around a dozen green hairstreak dancing around when the sun appeared. Best photos attached.

Here's what I think I've seen during my lunch break today.

Common Marble (Celypha lacunana) adult and Silver-Y moth caterpillar.

More than happy to be corrected on either or both of these.

Jack Harrison wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 4:42 pmFour new arrivals today, 4th May

Nice work, Jack. The male in your images is unlike any Orange Tip I've ever seen.

Nice emergence of Marsh Fritillaries and Small Blues on the hill. Cotley Hill, Wiltshire

Went to the Chilterns today. Started at Barton Hills and then moved on to Sundon. Plenty of Dingy Skippers at both locations.

They seem to enjoy hanging around old bonfire sites. Small Heaths and Brown Argus are just starting at Barton Hills.

One Green Hairstreak at BH.

Orange Tips still on the wing, both male & female sighted.

Also a mystery moth... about 1cm wingspan... can you help ?

Hello Charles ,
Think your moth is Pyrausta Nigrata ,A relative of the Mint moth ,i see them from time to time .
Regards Allan.W.

Your moth is Pyrausta nigrata.

Regards

Toby

Lovely photos on the May page folks. Nice pristine Small Heath, Brown Argus, Common Blue and Marsh Fritillary to name just a few. Great Grizzled Skipper photos. The Marsh Fritillary on the hand photo looks like a little piece of jewellery Stevie.

Looking at the photos is like a trailer for a film - a trailer for a film that I will be starring in soon. I am stuck at work this week and my butterflies appear a fortnight behind everybody else.

I was particularly heartened to see the Marsh Fritillary as I was wondering if / when to make that long drive to Lincolnshire to see them this year. Anyone who has ever driven to Lincolnshire from the Nottingham direction will know that it is not an enjoyable experience. Nice for roundabout enthusiasts probably.

Today's lunchtime mixed bag

Whilst I was on a fruitless hunt for a Green Hairstreak I was happy to see and photograph these two, fresh Sooty Coppers(?) I think (but may well be wrong) that one is Male and the other female?

Spent the morning at ewyas Harold. I didn’t explore the whole site but had at least 6 pearl bordered fritillary in the section I explored. A new butterfly for me and I was helped by good info from David. Also one peacock and quite a few orange tip.

Spent the afternoon at cinderford linear park. No confirmed wood white for me, it was a bit cloudy but I did have a few smallish whites that didn’t stop. I’m guessing not WW though. I’ll be back in a few weeks.

Lots of green veined white and orange tip. Quite a few grizzled skipper A pair of peacocks and singles of speckled wood. Brimstone and Small tortoiseshell

Also large red damselfly. Wood warbler and firecrest

Allan.W. wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 7:38 pm Hello Charles ,
Think your moth is Pyrausta Nigrata ,A relative of the Mint moth ,i see them from time to time .
Regards Allan.W.

Toby Ludlow wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 7:42 pm Your moth is Pyrausta nigrata.

Regards

Toby

thanks Allan & Toby. it did look the same shape and size as a Mint moth, but without the red/orange features.

Nice fresh male Orange-tip this morning but not a lot else apart from a couple of Wall Browns, Grizzled and Dingy Skippers. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire