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.
Small Heath at Boarhunt. Avant le deluge this afternoon, our footfalls disturbed a pristine Small Heath, the only butterfly seen, in the larger silage meadow along the Wallington river at Priors Hold Farm, Boarhunt. Small numbers of the butterfly are found here every year [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Orange-tip in my Freshwater Garden. This female Orange-tip taking an interest in what looks like 'Amaranthus blitum', Purple Leaf Pigweed and egg laying on the same in my garden. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Happy 100th birthday Sir David !. Today is the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, President of Butterfly Conservation, so I thought I'd post a news item to mark the event and wish him all the very best on behalf of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Branch of Butterfly Conservation, for all that he's done to raise the profile of wildlife and conservation in the UK, and worldwide, over his incredible career.
Those of you who are newer members of Butterfly Conservation may not be aware that in 1999 Sir David officially opened Magdalen Hill Down 'Extension', which was the first of several extensions to this important nature reserve. I'm sure he'd be so pleased to see that 27 years on this site has become one of the most biodiverse nature reserves and butterfly sites in the whole of Hampshire. The two images below were taken at the 1999 opening. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Andy Barker and Sir David Attenborough at MHD Extension opening (1999) Photo © Andy Barker | Group chat, George Yorke (left), Sir David Attenborough and Andy Barker Photo © Andy Barker |
Monks Walk, Gosport. My first May circulation (1140-1310) realised seven species on a warm day, cloudy but with sunny intervals. No sign yet of Common Blue in areas that earlier in the year were under standing water so probably not going to see many this season at this site. Total: Small White (9); Green-veined White (M)(1)(F)(1); Orange-tip (M)(4)(F)(2); Holly Blue (M)(7)(F)(1); Peacock (3); Red Admiral (3); Speckled Wood (8). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Holly Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Holly Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Fort Purbrook, Portsdown Hill. Made a visit to Fort Purbrook, Portsdown Hill today where the temperature reached 15 degrees. Several fresh male Common Blues were on the wing. Totals: Small White 2, Common Blue 4M, Green Hairstreak 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Brown Argus at Freshwater. A Brown Argus seen today at the NT carpark at the foot of Afton Down,together with a Glanville Fritillary. On the landslip at Compton Chine several Glanvilles and a Small Heath plus 3 male Common Blue. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Painted Lady arrival, and Clouded Yellow?. Seen this afternoon at Cams Bay meadow, Fareham, female Painted Lady busily ovipositing on young thistles amid the grass. Minutes later, what can only have been a very pale Clouded Yellow of some kind appeared flying very rapidly over the ground, never settled for a second alas, so no photo. Light southerly winds and full sun. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
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| Painted Lady female, Cams Bay Photo © Andrew Brookes | Painted Lady ovipositing on thistle Photo © Andrew Brookes |
Painted Lady in Ringwood. Painted Lady seen in my garden in Ringwood [Posted by Robert Beale]
First sighting of Painted Lady. First sighting of the season of Painted Lady today on my reserve at North Baddesley. That makes total of 11 species seen here so far this year. [Posted by kevin ross]
Walk over Arreton Downs today. 2x Common Blues , 3 x Grizzled Skippers, 6x Orange-tips, 2x Peacocks, 1x Green-veined White, 1x Glanville Fritillary. [Posted by Mick sivell]
Paulsgrove Chalk Pits. Today, May Day I visited Paulsgrove Chalk pits where the temperature was 19 degrees. Several male Orange-tips, Small White and Holly Blues were on the wing. Totals: Small White 6, Brimstone 2M 1F, Orange-tip 4M, Holly Blue 3, Speckled Wood 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Painted Lady feeding on garden thyme, New Milton. What is going on? It's still April, and there's a painted lady on the thyme outside my front door!
It looks fresh (newly-emerged) and slightly smaller than usual. Have they started to breed here? How exceptional is this?
Photo will follow if I see it again.
I am the Vicar and wildlife recorder for our church grounds across the Sway Road in Tiptoe near New Milton. [Posted by Simon Hones]
Chalton Down, Old Idsworth. Today I paid a visit to Chalton Down where the temperature reaching 19 degrees had brought a total of 7 different species to appear on the East facing downland turf. Here I recorded my first Dingy Skippers and Grizzled Skippers this season. Totals: Large White 1, Small White 2, Brimstone 2M, Orange-tip 1M, Speckled Wood 1, Dingy Skipper 2, Grizzled Skipper 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Glanvilles on the Landslip. A beautiful day and on the landslip at Compton Chine this lunchtime four Glanville Fritillaries seen,together with Small Copper,Dingy Skipper,Grizzled Skipper,Common Blue,a Small Blue,and several Green Hairstreak. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Duke of Burgundy (Noar Hill) 26th April 2026. Duke of Burgundy (Noar Hill) 26th April 2026 [Posted by Robert Bryant]
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| Duke of Burgundy (Noar Hill) 26th April 2026 Photo © Robert Bryant |
Dukes on the wing at Noar Hill. Today, we cycled from Fleet to Sherborne (which Apple's predictive text insists on rendering as "Melbourne"!), and made our annual spring pilgrimage to the famous Noar Hill scrapes. As expected, given the warm and sunny conditions and gentle breezes, the Duke of Burgundy was showing in very good numbers at this famous Hampshire location. The species seemed noticeably more plentiful here this spring than in either 2024 or 2025. Also seen were Brimstones, Orange-tips, Holly Blue, Dingy Skipper, Small White and Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma, Peacock, and Red Admiral. Another visitor had observed Green Hairstreaks too, but we were unable to spot any on this occasion. A splendid day out, not to mention an excellent restorative lunch, too, at the Sherborne Arms! [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Duke of Burgundy - Noar Hill (1) Photo © Michael Jameson | Duke of Burgundy - Noar Hill (2) Photo © Michael Jameson | Duke of Burgundy - Noar Hill (3) Photo © Michael Jameson |
Monks Walk, Gosport. Nine species recorded on a walk from 1035-1210 under sunny skies but with a cool SE breeze off the harbour. Second successive year without a Spring sighting of Small Tortoiseshell. Total: Green-veined White (5); Peacock (5); Holly Blue (4); Brimstone (F)(1); Orange-tip (M)(3)(F)(2); Comma (2); Speckled Wood (5); Small White (6); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Orange-tip Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman |
Stockbridge Down. As the forecast for today was slightly less windy than in recent days, I decided to risk a morning trip to Stockbridge down and it paid off handsomely, In the sheltered spots I found 3 species new for me in 2026, Dingy Skipper (at least 3), Green Hairstreak (11+) and Duke of Burgundy (2), along with a possible flyover male Common Blue (although I couldn't relocate it to confirm the id.) Also seen: 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Peacock, 3 Orange-tip, 7 Small Copper, 10 Grizzled Skipper, 12 Holly Blues and many Brimstones, along with a Brimstone Moth (flying with a Brimstone butterfly!) and a single Cinnabar Moth [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Dingy Skipper Photo © Kevin Haggar | Green Hairstreak Photo © Kevin Haggar | Duke of Burgundy Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Common Blue at Freshwater Bay. A very handsome male Common Blue seen this morning close to Freshwater Bay,together with several Green Hairstreak,a Small Blue,and a Small Copper. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Wall Brown at Yarmouth. A sunny but windy day at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth and a brief sight of this Wall Brown along with 3 Holly Blue, Brimstone and Speckled Wood. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Paulsgrove Chalk Pits. Today I walked around Paulsgrove Chalk Pits looking for Spring butterflies. The temperature reached 15 degrees, and I was pleased to record my first Green Hairstreak this year. Totals: Large White 1, Small White 1, Brimstone 1M, Orange-tip 1M, Green Hairstreak 1, Holly Blue 1, Speckled Wood 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Small Blue at Freshwater Bay. A Small Blue observed this morning in bright sunshine at the National Trust Carpark, at the foot of Afton Down close to Freshwater Bay. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
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]
Portsdown Hill (East). Today the temperature was 15 degrees where I walked paths on the East end of Portsdown Hill directly below Fort Widley. Totals: Large White 1, Green-veined White 1, Brimstone 3M, Orange-tip 1M. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
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]
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