www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

With only a few days to go until it commences, what are your butterfly hopes for the season ahead? For me, I still need to see the species listed below. Any help in seeing those would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to see a rarity too, a Large Tortoiseshell or a Queen of Spain for example.

- Glanville Fritillary
- Silver Spotted Skipper
- Grayling
- White Letter Hairstreak
- Large Heath
- Lulworth Skipper
- Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary
- Northern Brown Argus
- Scotch Argus
- Clouded Yellow
- High Brown Fritillary
- Heath Fritillary
- Mountain Ringlet

Chris L wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:24 pm With only a few days to go until it commences, what are your butterfly hopes for the season ahead? For me, I still need to see the species listed below. Any help in seeing those would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to see a rarity too, a Large Tortoiseshell or a Queen of Spain for example.

Hi Chris!

I see from your other posts that you are in South Derbyshire, so I'll base my guesses on that...

Glanville Fritillary. The only "true" site is still the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight, but there are a number of places on the mainland where it has been introduced and can be regularly seen: Hutchinsons Bank in Surrey is the most well-known, but there are some in Wiltshire (Wurzel can supply more info).
Silver-spotted Skipper. The nearest site for you is Aston Rowant on the Chilterns, just off the M40.
White-letter Hairstreak. These can turn up anywhere there is elm, and I suspect there may be a local spot in your area somewhere.
Lulworth Skipper. The Dorset coast between Swanage and Portland, including Lulworth itself of course. I've seen them at Durlston Country Park, Corfe Castle, Lulworth and in the quarries on the Isle of Portland.
Large Heath. Probably the nearest site for you is at Crowle Moor in Lincolnshire, or possibly Whixall Moss in Shropshire.
Heath Fritillary. To borrow a phrase, for this one the only way is Essex... There are several sites in the Rayleigh/Southend area, but Hockley Woods is perhaps the most reliable.
Clouded Yellow. Anywhere, though most often seen on coasts and downland in the south (and in 2023, South Wales). If your quest includes Long-tailed Blues, a trip to find them on the south coast will probably turn up a Cloudie too. We are due a good year...
Mountain Ringlet. The Lake District populations are your closest option.
The remaining species (Grayling, High Brown Fritillary, Scotch Argus, Northern Brown Argus, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary) can all be found at Arnside Knott in Cumbria - though you'd be very lucky indeed to see them all on the same day! You might reasonably manage SPBF, HBF and NBA at the same time, and possibly Grayling, HBF and Scotch Argus together later in the year. One of those trips might be combined with seeing Mountain Ringlets, and there are sites for Large Heath nearby too. I've also seen a WLH at Arnside, but that was a complete one-off! It's a terrific site - I managed 22 species in two days on one occasion.
Other possibilities: There are SPBF up on the North York Moors, and they can be found at the Large Heath site at Fen Bog. There are probably other reachable Grayling sites for you, but I'm not very well versed on what's available in your part of the world. The best Scotch Argus experience in England is actually at Smardale Gill in Cumbria, and right at the very start of their season you might see a NBA too (plus bonus Red Squirrels).
Rarities: I mentioned Long-tailed Blues - these appear to have established themselves as regular migrants to the UK and now turn up on the south coast (particularly Kent and Sussex) in most years. Sightings are well-publicised. Queen of Spain Fritillaries appear much less often, but one or two seem to be seen (usually in Kent) perhaps every other year.

I very much doubt that this a comprehensive list, and no doubt others will add to it (and comment on my suggestions!)

All the best for the coming season,

Dave

Thank you ever so much Dave. You have clearly invested a considerable amount of time in to your response - and much knowledge too.

I am a bit embarrassed about a few on my list. 1) White Letter Hairstreak do live quite nearby but I have yet to see one. 2) I have been to sites where Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary are but not seen one. 3) I always go to Prees Heath each year for Silver Studded Blue and always intend to head out to Whixall for Large Heath - but never do.

There is somebody who might help me with the Cumbria Crew

Danube Clouded Yellow is a top target for me this year.

In the UK, I'd like to catch up with Scotch Argus again. Been a few years...

I think that thats an excellent (and pretty comprehensive list !) David . If i could add my "two pennyworth " re; Heath Fritillary ,we musn,t forget the excellent Blean complex in Kent ,particularly East and West Blean woods and also Clowes and Thornden (not too sure about Church wood these days ) I would suggest looking on the Kent butterflies facebook a bit nearer their flight period.
If you,re near the coast ie;Dover area ,Samphire Ho ! is an excellent spot (in Clouded Yellow years )for that butterfly ,and also has Adonis and Small Blue +Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper ,and Lydden / Temple Ewell Downs ,about 4 mile in land also has Silver -Spots.
Allan.W. ps; Long -tailed Blue has also been recorded at Samphire Ho ! and in the St. Margarets area (as David suggested ) does turn up Q of S frit, from time to time.
Good hunting !

Hi Chris,

Dave has covered just about everything in his comprehensive reply but I will just add;

A few years back I saw Mountain Ringlet, SPBF, NBA and Large Heath on one day whilst we were staying up in Arnside for a few days in June, around the 11th if remember right. We did a round trip, first heading up to Irton Fell for Mountain Ringlet, then heading back and calling in at Latterbarrow where we saw NBA and SPBF. Meathop Moss was our next stop for Large Heath and is just the other side of the A590. Foulshaw Moss is also close and also has Large Heath. We also saw NBA and SPBF at a few sites around the Arnside/Silverdale area, most notably at the Knott itself and at Gait Barrows.
This was too early for HBF and Scotch Argus although a visit in July should be good for HBF along with DGF and NBA. I have visited at the end of July and into early August and seen late HBF and DGF along with Scotch Argus and late NBA.
Obviously, timings can vary in different years but Scotch Argus seem to be remarkably consistent with the first weekend of August being optimal for both males and females in good condition.

millerd wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:03 pm Heath Fritillary. To borrow a phrase, for this one the only way is Essex... There are several sites in the Rayleigh/Southend area, but Hockley Woods is perhaps the most reliable.

I have seen Heath Fritillary a few times but never in Essex. My sightings have all been in the West Country when we have been down that way for family breaks or holidays. A few times I have seen them when stopping off at Haddon Hill on our way down to the Heddon Valley (HBF and DGF) and some years back I had five Fritillaries in one day, Heath Fritillary at Bin Coombe in the morning and then HBF, DGF, a couple of late SPBF and an early SWF in the Heddon Valley later in the afternoon.
I have also seen Heath Fritillary at Greenscombe Wood in Cornwall whilst on the way to or from the Lizard where I have seen, depending on time of year, SPBF, DGF, Marsh Fritillary, Grayling and Clouded Yellow.

Writing this has reminded me that I need to revisit some of these places as in some cases it has been a few years now.

Cheers,

Neil.

Chris L wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:18 pm
There is somebody who might help me with the Cumbria Crew

I will happily help you find the Cumbrian species Chris.
Sarah

SarahM wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 9:01 am

Chris L wrote: ↑Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:18 pm
There is somebody who might help me with the Cumbria Crew

I will happily help you find the Cumbrian species Chris.
Sarah

Thank you Sarah. I shall get in my car immediately. I will be with you at 4pm and we can go out and see the species I need.