For the foreseeable future the branch intends to publish an e-Newsletter every two months. For further information please go to the e-Newsletter page
Please note that any sightings mentioned in news items do not automatically go into our records database. Sightings should be submitted using one of the mechanisms listed on the Recording page.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. A surprise visitor to our (Lee on Solent) garden this morning - a stunning Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Too quick for the camera sadly but no doubt at all regarding id [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
Fort Purbrook, Portsdown Hill. Today I visited Fort Purbrook where the temperature reached 20 degrees. Totals: Brimstone 3M 1F, Speckled Wood 1 and Peacock 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Green Hairstreak at Freshwater. A first sighting of this Green Hairstreak today close to Freshwater Bay.A warm sunny day with a fresh breeze. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Stockbridge Down - Grizzled Skipper. My first visit to Stockbridge Down this year resulted in sightings of a Male Orange-tip, several Peacock and Brimstones (including an egg laying female) and an early Grizzled Skipper. (My 11th butterfly sp of 2026) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Grizzled Skipper Photo © Kevin Haggar | Ovipositing Brimstone Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Another newly-emerged Orange Tip sighted today. This one didn't get away as I had my camera to hand! This splendid male Orange Tip was one of several observed this morning in Zebon Copse, Church Crookham, along with a number of other expected early spring species, including Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, and Peacock, though no Holly Blues were sighted on this occasion. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Freshly emerged Orange Tip (M) Church Crookham Photo © Michael Jameson |
Update to recent post. On review of my Fishlake photos, it appears that one of my Small Whites appears to be a Green-veined White (See the attached image taken as it took off.) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Green-veined White? Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Another Orange-tip (and a Speckled Wood). A morning stroll around Fishlake Meadows proved surprisingly productive for butterflies, especially along the Barge Canal path, where an Orange-tip posed beautifully for photos, and 50m further up the path I chanced upon a Speckled Wood which did the same. (Also seen 2 Small White and a single Peacock.) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Male Orange-tip (Much more co-operative than Monday's Marwell example) Photo © Kevin Haggar | Fresh Speckled Wood Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Orange Tip and Holly Blue - unusually early emergence. To my surprise, 3 male Orange-tips were sighted during a morning traversal of our local woods in Church Crookham. Regrettably, I had no camera to hand, having not expected to see anything except the usual Brimstones and early Nymphalids emerging from hibernation. The same local perambulation also yielded the first male Holly Blue seen here this year. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
Orange Tip and Holly Blue - unusually early emergence. To my surprise, 3 male Orange-tips were sighted during a morning traversal of our local woods in Church Crookham. Regrettably, I had no camera to hand, having not expected to see anything except the usual Brimstones and early Nymphalids emerging from hibernation. The same local perambulation also yielded the first male Holly Blue seen here this year. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
Another day. another early butterfly at Marwell. A day trip to Marwell produced a surprise sighting of a male Orange-tip flying around the Wallaby Enclosure. I just managed to grab a photo as it flew by. This is my earliest ever sighting of one of my favourite butterflies and made my day. (The attached image is the best I could do. but does allow confirmation of id) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Male Orange-tip (fly by) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Small Tortoiseshells emerge from hibernation.. Today's sunshine heralded the appearance of 2 Small Tortoiseshell on a south facing bank between Enham Alamein and Woodhouse, they were joined by at least 5 very flighty Peacock and 2 Comma, but the only Brimstone seen was a brief visitor to my garden in the early afternoon. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Kevin Haggar | Comma Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Hummingbird Hawkmoth at Freshwater.. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth observed this afternoon in my Freshwater garden nectaring on the few flowers that are out at the moment. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
Large Tortoiseshell at Yarmouth.. A first visit of the season produced 7 Brimstone,along with Comma,Peacock,and a Red Admiral.However I hit the jackpot with this Large Tortoiseshell observed along a forest path.It unfortunately did not settle for more than a few seconds before speeding off and despite a search could not be relocated. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Bedhampton Sightings. Today I walked around Mill Lane, Bedhampton and around the nearby park. Here I saw my first Small Whites this year. Totals: Brimstone 2M, Small White 2. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Butterflies in Rownhams. Today has brought the butterflies out. I saw Brimstone, 4 Peacocks, 2 Commas and a unidentified white. Someone reported a Speckled Wood. [Posted by Sue Lambert]
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| Comma Photo © Sue Lambert |
Brimstone bonanza (and a Small White) near Andover. Whilst walking back from Andover to Enham Alamein this morning, there seemed to be Brimstones everywhere, with an absolute minimum of 10 seen in a 2 mile walk. (30+ sightings of single insects, with at least 3 groups of 3 seen), with a bonus of my first Small White of the year.(Plus 3 Comma, 2 Peacock and a Beefly). [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Phone pic of today's Small White on Holly Photo © Kevin Haggar | Same individual on a nettle Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Monks Walk, Gosport. March got underway here with three species recorded today (1245-1410, 12.5-13 deg C, light cool breeze). The area is a veritable quagmire necessitating wellington boots and many areas are impassable as yet. It was a year ago today that my first butterfly of the year was recorded here (a Peacock) so despite the near biblical winter rains, the 2026 butterfly season is well established. Total: Comma (8); Red Admiral (1); Peacock (3). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman |
Spring arrivals in Southampton. Southampton Common, cloudless sky, 14 degrees C, 30-minute walk around midday revealed the following: Brimstone (F) 3, Brimstone (M) 4, Comma (M) 1 - the latter was very fresh & somewhat undersized. [Posted by Jon Holden-Dye]
Brimstone in Rownhams area. A Brimstone was flying around the estate. [Posted by Sue Lambert]
Small mercies at Great Fontley. Given the sublime weather, the appearance of just a solitary Peacock, nectaring on Prunus x blireana, at Great Fontley was a profound disappointment. The damson tree was flowering as never before, but only attracted a few bumblebees. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
First Sighting 2026. Today I saw my first sightings of 2026, two male Brimstones flying in Mill Lane, Bedhampton where the temperature reached 16 degrees.
Later, walking part of the cycle trail near Langstone Avenue, Langstone, I encountered another male Brimstone in flight. Nice to be able to record these sightings, hopefully the first of many following my poor health in October/November. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Monks Walk, Gosport. Encouraged by seeing 4 x Small White flying around on a short drive across Gosport and Alverstoke this morning, I spent just 30 minutes at Monks Walk (north & south areas) from 1340-1410 this afternoon. Temperature reached 17 deg C briefly and the sunshine attracted appearances from bees and butterflies! Total: Comma (7); Peacock (4). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma Monks Walk (South) Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock (North) Photo © Francis Plowman | Comma (North) Photo © Francis Plowman |
Multiple butterfliy sightings in Enham Alamein. Although yesterday's sunshine was unproductive, today's higher temperatures persuaded at least 4 butterflies to visit my neighbour's garden with at least 2 Brimstones, a Red Admiral and a Comma [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| One of two Brimstones after its earlier exertions. Photo © Kevin Haggar | Basking Comma Photo © Kevin Haggar | Nectaring Red Admiral Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Brimstones in Winchester. Two Brimstones in flight in our Winchester garden at midday. [Posted by Bob Whitmarsh]
First Brimstone in Winchester. I was surprised to see my first Brimstone of the year (but not quite the first in Hampshire) fluttering past a window I was idly looking out of. I rushed to find my camera and I was please to find the female was resting on some brickwork to absorb the sun's rays, which it continued to do so for approximately ten minutes before flying off. Very thoughtful of it. [Posted by James Pritchard]
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| Female Brimstone Photo © James Pritchard |
An unexpected surprise in Leigh Park. We had an unexpected surprise this morning. We found a Small White flying around in our front garden at Leigh Park. This was our earliest ever record for this species. [Posted by Barry and Margaret Collins]
First Brimstone in Emsworth. Along Lumley Road, Emsworth, just within the Hants border, I was pleased to see my first Brimstone of the year. [Posted by Jo Bray]
Male Brimstone. Eaglehead Copse Isle of Wight [Posted by Robin Edwards]
First butterflies of 2026. Seen on 4th February 1 Red Admiral and 1 Peacock on my reserve at North Baddesley. [Posted by kevin ross]
First local butterfly of 2026. The first sunny day for what seems an eternity tempted a Red Admiral onto my neighbour's winter flowering Heather in Enham Alamein this afternoon, let's hope it survives the next deluge. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Red Admiral enjoying a feeding opportunity. Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Spring has sprung at Great Fontley. Having departed Portsmouth in a hailstorm, it was all the more surprising to find a Red Admiral basking in sunshine 15 minutes later at Great Fontley. We inadvertently put it to flight before it obligingly settled on bare ground; it may have been nectaring on the Mahonia, although no butterflies have ever been witnessed nectaring on the shrub before. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
HASLAR SEA WALL CAR PARK SCRUB (HSWCPS) - HISTORY. Scratch yet another butterfly habitat off the Hampshire and Isle of Wight map. For ten years I have been quartering this unprepossessing scrubland registering some 26 butterfly species here including Wall, Grizzled Skipper and visitors like Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady. There was a small but viable colony of Small Heath and also both Small and Essex Skipper were prominent in high Summer. From time to time this scrub also turned-up beautiful patches of Bee Orchids along with reeds, teasles, field scabious, violets, countless daisy varieties - all now gone under the bulldozer for what you may ask? A temporary extension of the nearby car park to accommodate vehicles of contractors working at the nearby immigration removal centre! I am making enquiries as I write via the local MP and councillors. I understand that Hampshire County Council provided a "desktop ecological" report which I have asked to see. No public consultation was undertaken (not required for a car park I have been told) so no opportunity for local interest (and important facts) to be considered. It all smacks of indecent haste as the local council stand to make very big money from the Home Office over the next 10 years. If anyone knows of any further steps that may be taken to prevent such desecration and removal of natural habitat do please make contact with me via the webmaster. Not a good start for 2026 for sure. [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Ecological vandalism 23 Jan 26 Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow 1 Sep 25 HSWCPS Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath 1 Sep 25 HSWCPS Photo © Francis Plowman |
25-year butterfly transect trends. For those butterfly enthusiasts who are interested in the 25-year trends for all Hampshire & Isle of Wight butterfly species, I'm pleased to say that the latest plots (2001-2025) are now available to view on the Butterfly Conservation (Hampshire & Isle of Wight) website. By reading this news you're already accessing the website. To find the 25-year trends simply click on the "Transects" tab, then select "25 year trends". I've attached a selection of three screenshots below so that you can see what the plots look like. There's a page like this for each species. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Adonis Blue trend 2001-2025 Photo © Andy Barker | Brown Argus trend 2001-2025 Photo © Andy Barker | Chalk Hill Blue trend 2001-2025 Photo © Andy Barker |
Another December butterfly in Enham Alamein. Whilst tidying up after yesterday's rain, I was surprised to see a Peacock butterfly flying round our roof at 11:30 this morning. It landed on a south facing wall and remained long enough to have its picture taken, my last sighting of 2025?? [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Sunning Peacock Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Late butterflies in Chandlers Ford. Returning from a morning shopping trip in beautiful winter sunshine we were surprised to see a female Brimstone flying along the wooded edge of Hocombe Road, Chandlers Ford. As we arrived home we were greeted by a second butterfly. It was a Red Admiral flying around winter-flowering honeysuckle in our front garden, then basking on a window frame. The temperature was 12oC, and in sheltered areas it was pleasantly warm. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Red Admiral Photo © Andy Barker |
Red Admiral reappearance in Enham Alamein. This morning's sunshine triggered the reappearance of Sunday's Red Admiral in Enham Alamein, this time it hung around long enough to have its picture taken. (Hopefully it will find somewhere suitable to overwinter.) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Very late Red Admiral in Enham Alamein. Although early November records are not unusual, late November sightings are far from annual, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a Red Admiral basking in the sun on a neighbour's fence this morning, unfortunately by the time I got my camera it had disappeared into deep cover.
(I have seen Red Admirals locally in December, but the most recent examples were in 2014.) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
The season continues... in Bransbury Common. Birding Bransbury Common in dull sunshine, I was staggered to see a miserable-looking Clouded Yellow fly past at 0930hrs. It was warmer later that morning and still sunny, so a check of the garden revealed a fresh-looking Holly Blue. The latest by far I have recorded of either species. A Red Admiral next day wasn't such a surprise. [Posted by David Murdoch]
3rd Brood Holly Blue.. Saw a very fresh 3rd brood Holly Blue today at Millbrook, Southampton today. Very active in the warm Autumn sunshine. I think this could be my latest ever in the UK. [Posted by Mike Gibbons]
Red Admiral sighting. Red Admiral seen early afternoon flying through a Holybourne garden off London Rd. Visiting Lancs BC member [Posted by Steve Graham]
Great Fontley surprise. One Painted Lady found enjoying the last of the Bowles Mauve blooms in the brief sunshine at Great Fontley lunchtime today. Given the recent southerly winds, a late migrant?
'.....you know not whence it comes or whither it goes'. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
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| Painted Lady, Great Fontley Photo © Andrew Brookes |
Late Holly Blue (and Comma). A morning walk around Enham Alamein resulted in sightings of 2 butterflies, a Comma flew across the path in front of me before disappearing deep into a laurel hedge, but much less expected was a pristine female Holly Blue. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, but managed a (very poor) photo with my phone through my binoculars. There are still butterflies out there, so keep looking. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Female Holly Blue (Honest!) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Brown Hairstreak eggs at Fort Purbrook. As in other parts of the country Brown Hairstreak is spreading far and wide in Hampshire. Until a few years ago the nearest to me was twenty miles away. A cursory check of a few blackthorn suckers on this morning's dog walk quickly turned up a couple of eggs in another new area near Fort Purbrook [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Photo © Mark Tutton | Photo © Mark Tutton |
Three Clouded Yellow butterflies. Three Clouded Yellows seen on dandelions on my field this morning in the weak sunshine. A marvellous sighting. [Posted by Ralph Stephenson]
Seafield Park & Promenade Field, Hill Head. The welcome sunshine provided an opportunity to record six species at Seafield Park and the adjacent promenade scrubby field today. From 1245-1410 with the temperature around 16 deg C I was surprised at just how much flora remains in the park. Yet until a Clouded Yellow turned-up here I recorded just Red Admiral and Speckled Wood within its confines. Two further Clouded Yellow were noted in the promenade field and the fourth was found hunkered-down on the beach itself. Some consistent sunshine would clearly extend the season. Total: Red Admiral (2)(1F); Speckled Wood (1)(M); Clouded Yellow (4)(1)(F); Large White (1); Small White (5); Common Blue (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Small White male Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. An inauspicious return to Hampshire and searching for its butterflies after 4 weeks in sunny Cyprus (26 species). A glimpse of sun brought me out of the gloom of the last few days and a quick walk around Monks Walk (1110-1240, 14 deg C) which provided sighting of just three species. A distant basking Comma provided the only target for photography. Total: Speckled Wood (2); Comma (1); Small White (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| High on a branch a Comma Photo © Francis Plowman |
Surprise Wall on Portsdown. A walk along Portsdown Hill to check some areas for Long-tailed Blue turned up a pleasing twelve late season species but none of my target. However I did find a very fresh Wall (third brood?) which is arguably rarer than a Long-tailed Blue in this neck of the woods! A couple of Brown Hairstreak eggs, way away from where I have seen any before would seem to indicate that this once rare Hants butterfly is now fairly widespread in the area. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
Hillier Gardens - Colletia paradoxa. The very spiky Colletia paradoxa in the 'Winter Garden' at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Braishfield, is in full flower at present and always proves highly attractive to butterflies. When we visited at noon today in lovely warm sunshine we saw two Red Admirals and a Comma feasting on the nectar. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Red Admiral on Colletia paradoxa Photo © Andy Barker | Comma on Colletia paradoxa Photo © Andy Barker | Comma (close-up) Photo © Andy Barker |
Hillier Gardens - Painted Lady. In the 'Winter Garden' of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Braishfield, there is a lovely specimen of the late flowering shrub or small tree, Heptacodium miconioides. It's looking at its best at present, and is a magnet for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. In today's warm sunshine we saw a single Painted Lady, a few Red Admirals and a Hummingbird hawk-moth. They were all taking nectar from it, plus a Speckled Wood at rest nearby. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Red Admiral on H. miconioides Photo © Andy Barker | Painted Lady on H. miconioides Photo © Andy Barker | Speckled Wood Photo © Andy Barker |
Buddleia butterflies. 3 Red Admirals, Small White, Green-veined White and 2 Humming-bird Hawk moths on my Buddleia which still has a few flowers [Posted by Sue Lambert]
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