Clouded Yellow at Southbourne

[selbypaul]

Hi everyone
I've seen on the Forum that one of the most reliable sites for Clouded Yellow is on the undercliffs at Southbourne. I'm down that way in mid September, and was wondering if anyone could help me out with the specifics of the best place to look.

Looking at the OS Map for the area, I'm guessing that it would be start at the eastern edge of Southbourne and walk east. The question is how far!

Any tips would be gratefully received.
Paul

PS Steven Cheshire's website suggests that there may be a year round breeding colony at this site. But with last years severe winter weather, I wonder if they survived. Has anyone seen any at Southbourne earlier in the year to give evidence that they might have survived?

[selbypaul]

Hi everyone
I'm hoping to visit Southbourne (and surrounding area) this Thursday, on the way to a wedding in Devon at the weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Clouded Yellow. Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

In particular, if people think the Southbourne colony no longer exists and I'll be on a wild goose chase, I'd be eternally grateful for the prompt!!!
Cheers
Paul

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Paul from what I could gather last year colonies of CY do not stay from year to year. I did look at Southbourne but it's difficult to get onto the undercliff in most parts. I'd ask for info on where they've been seen recently as they tend to stick to an area once they've arrived.
Not much help I know but others may pass on information as to where they've been seen in areas close by over the last couple of weeks.

Good luck.

[David M]

I don't think this is a butterfly you can plan day trips around. Clouded Yellows are highly mobile and 9 years out of 10, very easily missed due to their scarcity.

On the positive side, they're large and absolutely unmistakeable.

I wonder too if the gales of the last few days may have had an adverse effect on them (though given that it's the last rites of a hurricane that emanated in the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps it's made it MORE likely to have carried Monarchs this way).

[millerd]

...though given that it's the last rites of a hurricane that emanated in the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps it's made it MORE likely to have carried Monarchs this way.

Just north of the Caribbean rather than the Gulf, but the long haul up the east coast of the US may have indeed sucked up a few, and possibly some migrating birds as well. It has certainly been suggested that good years for Monarchs coincide with hurricanes that have headed across the Atlantic in this way, ending up as a good old-fashioned blow when they get here. Most Monarch sightings are at this time of year, the most active part of the hurricane season and their southward migration period.

Dave

[David M]

...though given that it's the last rites of a hurricane that emanated in the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps it's made it MORE likely to have carried Monarchs this way.

Just north of the Caribbean rather than the Gulf, but the long haul up the east coast of the US may have indeed sucked up a few, and possibly some migrating birds as well. It has certainly been suggested that good years for Monarchs coincide with hurricanes that have headed across the Atlantic in this way, ending up as a good old-fashioned blow when they get here. Most Monarch sightings are at this time of year, the most active part of the hurricane season and their southward migration period.

Dave

Hopefully the weather will calm down soon so we can all get out and have a look for them.

I would expect the southern coast of Wales to be one of the prime areas for them to make landfall.

[selbypaul]

Thanks for the advice. I fear I'm destined not to see one.

[Paul Wetton]

Paul

Don't give up. I thought the same last year when I filmed all 58 mainland British species. I had to wait until the end of September if I remember correctly for my first Clouded Yellow at Mill Hill.
After that we found three more at Hope Gap down the road.
This was after 2 trips per weekend on around 3 or 4 weekends looking for them. From Nottingham to the south coast.

[selbypaul]

Wow Paul, that is some dedication

[Paul Wetton]

I needed Clouded Yellow for number 58 last year and it was cheaper to drive there and back twice per weekend rather than get a B&B.
It was pretty tiring but well worth it in the end.

[ChrisC]

approximately 7 years ago, back in west london i had one fly through the garden on Oct 2. so it's not too late for the migrants

Chris

[essexbuzzard]

PM Neil Hulme in Sussex. That man is a genius. Several yellows have been seen in Sussex recently,and rare good weather is forecast. Alternatively,check BC Sussex Branch sightings page. Nothing is guarenteed,but it may be your best chance.
Good luck,Mark.

[selbypaul]

With the weather so glorious, I took the gamble and paid the visit to southbourne undercliffs in the hope the Clouded Yellow colony had survived. In doing my research is found a flikr picture of a larvae taken there in march this year. Unbelievably, I found one as soon as I arrived. It was very active so only got a blurry picture, but well worth the visit. Currently sitting on the sea front in the sunshine as I post this message via my mobile. Bliss!

[Paul Wetton]

Good for you Paul

Pleased to hear you got to see one.