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.
Meon Shore, Cliffs, Solent Breezes & Chilling Coastal Area. A long but level walk of some 7kms (1100-1430) took in that varied habitat from shore line, fields and woodland edges returning to the Meon shore car park (20-22 deg C). Fourteen species recorded including Painted Lady but no early Clouded Yellow. The field parallel to the cliff path west of the Brownwich stream is once again planted with winter brassicae and flowers over which the whites reign supreme! Total: Gatekeeper (73); Meadow Brown (20); Small White (97); Large White (40); Speckled Wood (8); Small Heath (4); Common Blue (M)(11)(F)(2); Red Admiral (6); Small Copper (1); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Small Skipper (2); Peacock (2); Painted Lady (1); Comma (5); Holly Blue (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman |
Silver spotted Skippers on Stockbridge Down. A 2 hour stroll around Stockbridge Down this morning resulted in sightings of at least 5 Silver-spotted Skippers, all bar one being unwilling to stop for photos, on returning to the main car park a Hummingbird Hawkmoth provided a nice bonus. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Silver-spotted Skipper, top view Photo © Kevin Haggar | Silver-spotted Skipper, side view Photo © Kevin Haggar | Hummingbird Hawkmoth Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. A combined blackberry picking and butterfly wander realised 7lbs of the former and twelve species of the latter! From 1345-1550 with a humid 25 deg C there has clearly been a large emergence of Speckled Wood since my last record here (21 July, 13 species) for some very fresh insects were seen among the 19 counted. Most unusually, the females outnumbered the males and were resplendent in their clearly brighter and broader spots. (Also, by way of comparison, the female's abdomen is noticeably larger than that of the male). My first Small Heath of the year at this site was recorded in the flower strewn 'navy field' literally covered in fleabane, ragwort, St Johns wort, thistles and many grasses. This brings my sighting record at this site to 26 this year. I have yet to record Small Tortoiseshell here which is a disappointment. Total: Red Admiral (6); Comma (5); Speckled Wood (F)(10)(M)(9); Gatekeeper (15); Holly Blue (3); Large White (7); Common Blue (M)(8)(F)(1); Meadow Brown (7); Small Copper (1); Small Heath (1); Small White (7); Brown Argus (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Male (lower) and female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown (South) Gosport. With the gate open and notice showing accessibility for the rest of this week and into next, I walked the full extent of the open land from 1020-1300. Started out under full sun (21 deg C) but after 1100 the clouds came over. Apart from disturbing a Painted Lady from the bell heather no real surprises. The last butterfly encountered was a very fresh female Red Admiral which tolerated - seemingly welcomed - photography for when I eventually left her she immediately took off and circulated around me three times! Close encounter of a very beautiful creature for sure. The Grayling were mostly found around the heath to the west of the rifle range but the habitat is drying out fast. The further west I walked the more parched the ground and consequently the fewer sightings. Total: Small White (21); Large White (6); Gatekeeper (38); Small Heath (2); Meadow Brown (9); Common Blue (M)(5)(F)(1); Holly Blue (2); Small Copper (3); Grayling (10); Painted Lady (1); Small Skipper (1); Brown Argus (1); Red Admiral (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male on horseshoe vetch Photo © Francis Plowman | Friendly Red Admiral female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Skipper on bugle Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger moth in Eastleigh. Jersey Tiger moth seen in Eastleigh [Posted by Catherine plumb]
Knepp record count of Purple Emperors. Not strictly Branch news, but most encouraging to read that the Purple Emperor has had a record year on the sallows of Knepp in Sussex, where 283 were counted on 1 July, an all-time high. Other species have done equally well. https://www.birdguides.com/news/knepp-breaks-purple-emperor-record-in-super-butterfly-summer.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth seen on lavender at Great Fontley. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Browndown (North) Gosport. 1320-1530 (21 deg cloudy, sunny periods and rain!) thirteen species recorded (19 on 8th July). Numbers of Grayling have risen but they were mostly located on the main heath by the triangular pathway. Only one Small/Essex Skipper seen but it still had enough puff to thwart my attempts at a photograph! Total: Large White (F)(1); Meadow Brown (25); Red Admiral (5); Speckled Wood (M)(4)(F)(2); Gatekeeper (28); Small White (4); Brown Argus (2); Comma (1); Common Blue (M)(4); Small Copper (1); Grayling (16); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Green-veined White (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Speckled Wood female Photo © Francis Plowman | Gatekeeper female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. 1450-1700 (23 deg C, overcast and windy) thirteen species were recorded (18 on 10 July). Total: Holly Blue (1); Small White (11); Red Admiral (8); Comma (11); Large White (9); Gatekeeper (25); Common Blue (M)(6)(F)(3); Meadow Brown (5); Small Copper (2); Brown Argus (1); Ringlet (1); Speckled Wood (12); Green-veined White (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Var Fb female Common Blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Lying low, Ringlet Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger Moth spotted in Winchester. I spotted a Jersey Tiger Moth in Winchester today, resting on my car. [Posted by Deborah]
Seafield Park & Monks Hill Promenade Field, Hill Head. From 1110-1300 this seaside area was circulated (24 deg C full sunshine). The scrubby field adjacent to Monks Hill promenade (area of successful Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow sightings in previous years) had been cut to within an inch of its life and was devoid of interest. On the other hand, the inland enclosed park area was resplendent in colour, herbs and wild fruits and returned 13 butterfly species. Only two Small/Essex Skippers were seen alive while another lay in the grip of an Orb spider. Total: Meadow Brown (67); Gatekeeper (45); Large White (11); Small White (11); Red Admiral (2); Common Blue (F)(4)(M)(28); Small/Essex Skipper (2); Green-veined White (4); Speckled Wood (4); Holly Blue (1); Ringlet (1); Small Copper (1); Brown Argus (3). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Caught 50 species of moth overnight. Some of the highlights included Jersey Tiger 5, Gold Spot, Elephant Hawk-moth 4, Peach Blossom, Sitochroa palealis, Rosy Footman 14, Lychnis 3, Ruby Tiger 10, Least Carpet, Hypsopygia glaucinalis, Bright-line Brown-eye 14 etc and a very tame juvenile Robin helping its self to a Brimstone moth out of the moth trap. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Walls and Hairstreaks at Shipton Bellinger. A late morning/early afternoon visit to Shipton Bellinger in search of Wall and Brown Hairstreak proved very successful, with at least 10 Wall and 2 Brown Hairstreak seen, the Hairstreaks proving very obliging and giving lengthy low level views. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Brown Hairstreak (Male) Photo © Kevin Haggar | Wall Photo © Kevin Haggar | Brown Hairstreak (Female) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Old Winchester Hill, Nr Warnford. The top paths to, around and back from the hill fort to the car park offered a walk returning 17 species of butterfly. (Not sufficiently recovered to attempt the descent and ascent from the valley floor - deep respect to my octogenarian friend and regular contributor Roy who undertook the comprehensive hike last month!). From 1045-1300 (with a 15 minutes' shelter from rain) with the temperature around 23 degrees Celsius under grey clouds we were able to see Red Kite, hear Kestrels and were overflown by a Hurricane WW2 fighter! Back to butterflies; apart from the Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper numbers were low. The Chalk Hill Blue males were never settled. The highlight was the Painted Lady which was in excellent condition. Two examples of female Common Blue variety Fb were found, one the deeper violet and the one shown with a very pale coloration although it was relatively fresh. Total: Green-veined White (2); Ringlet (2); Meadow Brown (66); Gatekeeper (90); Speckled Wood (1); Small White (11); Marbled White (1); Common Blue (F)(4)(M)(5); Small / Essex Skipper (3); Painted Lady (1); Large White (6); Brown Argus (1); Small Heath (1); Red Admiral (4); Peacock (2); Comma (1); Chalk Hill Blue (F)(1)(M)(5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue female Var Fb but very pale all over blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) spotted near Lymington. This male Monarch butterfly landed on our garden buddleia this afternoon, much to my surprise. Given the summer influx from continental Europe of species including Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow along this coastline, and recent weather patterns, it's not out of the question it could be a genuine migrant. [Posted by Mike Bevan]
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| Monarch Photo © Mike Bevan | Monarch Photo © Mike Bevan | Photo © Mike Bevan |
Purple Emperor at West Wood. After spending many fruitless hours in Alice Holt forest looking for Purple Emperor eggs I decided to give West Wood a look - and I am glad I did. Shortly after exiting the car I came across a very surprising butterfly - a Wall. No photo unfortunately but I had a good clear view and apparently a very unusual occurrence for this site. They do have a habit of popping up in strange locations.
However after the initial excitement I started the laborious task of examining likely sallows for the 1mm diameter egg. After two hours of eye boggling examination I checked a nice broad leaved sallow in semi shade and came across what I thought was an egg. However whilst trying to locate my hand lens I lost it! In the process of trying to relocate it I found a L1 larva and then relocated the egg! After all that effort - like buses two came along at once. Shortly after I found another larva so all in all a very successful day. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| First Instar Photo © Mark Tutton | Ova Photo © Mark Tutton | Fuirst instar showing feeding damage Photo © Mark Tutton |
Vanessid census at Longstock buddleja garden. Buddlejas not at their best, but still enjoyed by 14 Peacock, 9 Red Admiral and 1 Painted Lady, along with 17 Large White and 5 Meadow Brown. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Gilkicker Point & adjacent Stokes Bay scrub, Gosport. From 1200-1345 we enjoyed a slow wander around Gilkicker Point and the eastern scrub and fields of Stokes Bay. The temperature rose from 24 to 26 deg C with a gentle SW breeze off The Solent sparkling gloriously in the sunshine. A total of 11 species were seen making a total of 14 species recorded today at two adjacent shoreline sites. Total: Gatekeeper (35); Small White (26); Meadow Brown (13); Small Copper (2); Large White (12); Common Blue (M)(11); Small/Essex Skipper (3); Red Admiral (2); Ringlet (2); Green-veined White (6); Brown Argus (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman |
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. A rather brown and parched scrubby field did not auger well on a brief circulation of 30 minutes from 1115 (24 deg C, sunny and warm). However, a dozen species were recorded although numbers were low and not surprisingly field butterflies are failing fast. Total: Holly Blue (1); Small White (5); Small Copper (3); Large White (1); Common Blue (M)(10(F)(1); Gatekeeper (9); Meadow Brown (6); Peacock (1); Ringlet (1); Small/Essex Skipper (1); Green-veined White (F)(1); Speckled Wood (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Speckled Wood male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Brown Hairstreak at Shipton Bellinger. Two Brown Hairstreak seen in the trees along the Hampshire/Wiltshire border with a couple of Wall Brown on the bare chalk nearby. Also a fresh Dingy Skipper in the grass meadow areas along with a couple of tired Dark-green Fritillary, several Common Blue and plenty of Gatekeeper and Brimstone. [Posted by Geoff Dymott]
Dingy Skippers on Stockbridge Down. An early afternoon visit to Stockbridge Down in search of Hairstreaks or Silver-spotted Skippers proved fruitless, but Chalk Hill Blue numbers are building nicely and I located 2 fresh Dingy Skippers in the area around the Hill Fort. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Dingy Skipper (Second Brood) Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill. Just over an hour from 1155 the blustery wander around the outer perimeter of the fort under grey clouds (21 deg C) realised sighting of a dozen species. Whether it was a late first or an early second emergence I cannot be certain but delighted to record my first Small Blue of the year, a female. A brief appearance of a large butterfly that landed just over the fence-line was first thought to be Painted Lady but on processing the photograph it was a Dark Green Fritillary which I think is my first record on this site. Total: Small White (4); Common Blue (F)(2)(M)(6); Speckled Wood (3); Ringlet (1); Meadow Brown (14); Gatekeeper (44); Large White (5); Green-veined White (3); Marbled White (3); Small Skipper (1); Small Blue (F)(1); Dark Green Fritillary (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Meadow Brown female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Jersey Tiger in Cosham. Jersey Tiger caught resting this morning on litter bin in darkest Cosham. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
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| Jersey Tiger Photo © Andrew Brookes |
More Painted Ladies at Freshwater.. An established and substantial Lavender bush in my front garden is a magnet for insects at this time.Among the many visitors to it today was this Painted Lady that spent some time on the flowers. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Caught 38 species of moth overnight. The highlights was a superb Light Crimson Underwing a new species for the garden, other goodies included a Elephant Hawk-moth, Dingy Footman 4, Plain Prominent, Pebble Prominent, Double Kidney, Rosy Footman, Dusky Sallow, Buff Ermine 4 etc. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. The walk of 3 hours 10 minutes ended at 12:45 with the temperature standing at 29.5C. Most of the area was covered and eighteen species were recorded, my highest 2025 count here. All the usual suspects were prominent with no real surprises but this might be the zenith of the Summer as numbers of field butterflies appear to be dropping-off now. Total: Small White (37); Large White (19); Speckled Wood (18); Red Admiral (8); Green-veined White (8)(1F); Ringlet (9); Common Blue (M)(19); Meadow Brown (23); Small / Essex Skipper (20); Small Skipper (3); Gatekeeper (68); Marbled White (2); Small Copper (2); Brown Argus (4); Comma (9); Brimstone (M)(4)(F)(1); Purple Hairstreak (2); Holly Blue (M)(2)(F)(1); Peacock (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Brimstone male Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Garden Butterflies in Chandlers Ford. 3 Peacocks, Red Admiral, Green-veined White, Holly Blue, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Large White, Small White, 2 Commas in garden today Chandlers Ford [Posted by Derek Lister]
Painted Lady at Freshwater.. As my buddleia bush is now in full flower a first Painted Lady seen today in my garden. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Browndown North, Gosport. Twelve days after my last unsuccessful search for Grayling, today they were found. From 1200-1445 a full circulation of the area woodland and heath going south from Apple Dumpling Bridge recorded nineteen species. No White Admiral seen although a fellow walker had recorded just one. Six Purple Hairstreak were seen with five being on one mature oak but all were flitting around lower branches fortunately. The temperature rose to around 23 degrees Celsius with a pleasant breeze to make for a pleasurable walk. Total: Gatekeeper (52); Large White (16); Small / Essex Skipper (9); Small White (26); Speckled Wood (10); Meadow Brown (11); Comma (9); Green-veined White (3); Ringlet (3); Essex Skipper (4); Small Skipper (1); Marbled White (F)(1); Brown Argus (1); Red Admiral (2); Common Blue (M)(2); Small Heath (1); Small Copper (1); Grayling (8); Purple Hairstreak (6); Peacock (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Purple Hairstreak face-off Photo © Francis Plowman |
Portsdown Hill surprise. Silver-studded Blue reported on the hill by Countryside Officer Richard Jones. Given that the butterfly rarely flies further than 20 metres from its point of emergence, it is difficult to imagine how a specimen could fly 10km from its nearest known habitat at Browndown, Gosport.
NB Portsdown once hosted the now-extinct ssp. cretaceus...
Also noted on the hill were Brown Hairstreak and White-letter Hairstreak. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
more from Rownhams. 2 Commas seen on buddleia and 7 Meadow Browns, three Speckled Woods, Green-veined White, Small White, Brimstone and two Commas seen on a walk round Cromarty Road area [Posted by Sue Lambert]
Butterflies in Rownhams. Lots of species on the buddlia near my house in Rownhams, sorry no photos as the camera is broken. Species seen Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White,, Red Admiral, Peacock and Painted Lady - the first this year. [Posted by Siue Lambert]
Test Valley, Longstock. Red Admirals aplenty along the Test Valley Way below The Bunny, enjoying what's left of the bramble blossom, along with numerous whites, mostly Green-veined Whites. Moving on to one of the beats, Red Admirals again, with several Peacocks, and a Comma ovipositing on the regenerating nettles; still plentiful whites, two Brimstones, and a few Meadow Browns, but the highlight had to be the otter swimming downstream. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Chalton Down, Old Idsworth. On 4th July following the first reported sightings of the Chalk Hill Blue in Hampshire the previous day, my father and I visited Chalton Down. Arriving in the late afternoon around 15.45 the temperature was 23 degrees. Many butterflies were seen feeding including a Dark Green Fritillary, while several fresh Common Blues were recorded. Shortly after walking among grasses a male Chalk Hill Blue was seen followed shortly after by another which chased a Small White. Personally this had been my earliest recorded sighting of this species since my records from 2006.
Totals: Large White 7, Small White 13, Chalk Hill Blue 2M, Common Blue 8M 3F, Gatekeeper 12, Marbled White 18, Meadow Brown 29, Ringlet 6, Comma 3, Dark Green Fritillary 3 and Small Skipper 11. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
How Lakes, King's Somborne. White-letter Hairstreak (2) seen on LUTECE elm, but the most striking feature was the number of Peacocks and whites, mostly Green-veined Whites, along the margins of the lakes where bounded by banks of Hemp Agrimony and Garlic Mustard. With the grasslands mown frequently to appease the trout anglers, there were very few browns abroad.
Back at the (Great Fontley) ranch, the resident vanessids were joined by two Painted Lady feasting alongside many Large White, Small White and Green-veined White on the front garden Buddleja, Verbena bonariensis and Bowles' Mauve wallflower. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Purple Emperor. I was lucky enough to see a Purple Emperor cruising regally over my back garden at 8.25 pm this evening, the first for a few years.Thought it was a bat at first until the penny dropped! [Posted by Andy Bolton]
Chalkhill Blues out on West High Down.. Aside the track leading to West High Down at Totland today were several Chalkhill Blues. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Moth Trap in my garden at Leigh Park. On the 1st July I sent you some moth records I caught in my garden. Could you please add another species I caught that day to the list it was a Plumed Fan-foot. Thank you [Posted by Barry Collins]
Alice Holt Emperors. Over the past week I have made several visits to Alice Holt forest to observe Purple Emperors. It seems they are having a very good season with numerous encounters and nice low down views of males taking ‘salts’ and more dubious substances! One count of twenty three males and a single female in Straits Inclosure is my best count for over ten years, and Ashley and I watched almost continuous activity at Abbots Wood for a period of thirty minutes, including four in a vista and a ‘follow me’ chase of a female leading a male off to make more Emperors. Sadly I lost ‘Flossie the Emperor dog’ back in March but have acquired a new pup ‘Beau’ who is in training and he encountered a nice male on his very first excursion into the woods. I have also noted two Valezina Silver-washed Fritillarys which have proved difficult to photograph, but I did manage a snap of one low down in vegetation before she disappeared back into the shadows. It would seem the ‘butterfly emergency’ does not apply to all species? [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Valezina Photo © Mark Tutton | Salts! Photo © Mark Tutton | Beau with his first Emperorr Photo © Mark Tutton |
Martin Down NNR. Coincidental with the hottest day of the year in the south was a planned visit to Martin Down. It would later prove a demanding hike! From 1000-1220 the temperature rose from a respectable 24 deg C to an uncomfortable 30 deg C on our return to the car park from the bottom of the down. Fortunately we had plenty of ice-cold water and the distraction of a whole host of butterflies. In fact 21 species came to book my highest count of the year so far including first year sighting of Dark Green Fritillary and Chalk Hill Blue. Missing was Small Tortoiseshell and clearly too late for Small Blue and Marsh Fritillary. Listed in order of sighting: Total: Large White (24); Gatekeeper (5); Peacock (7); Small White (37); Green-veined White (4); Meadow Brown (80); Ringlet (28); Small / Essex Skipper (45); Brimstone (M)(10)(F)(2); Holly Blue (M)(1); Marbled White (88); Holly Blue (M)(1); Essex Skipper (2); Small Heath (8); Small Skipper (1); Small Copper (2); Dark Green Fritillary (48); Common Blue (M)(3); Painted Lady (2); Chalk Hill Blue (M)(22); Brown Argus (1); Comma (2); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Large White female Photo © Francis Plowman | Dark Green Fritillary Photo © Francis Plowman | Chalk Hill Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
West Walk, Wickham. The day started well with a White Admiral seen soon after arrival, though another didn't appear for nearly an hour; honeysuckle was in remarkably good condition; no wilting. In the few glades, Silver-washed Fritillary (4), all male, were noted, along with a few dozen Meadow Browns and Ringlets. Speckled Woods were scarce and in poor condition. Vanessids comprised Red Admiral (1), Peacock (3), Comma (4); something larger and darker was seen atop a Sweet Chestnut amid masses of flower. A few Large Whites and Small Whites completed the tally. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Old Winchester Hill. Today the temperature reached 28 degrees during a visit to Old Winchester Hill in company with my father Roy Symonds. Walking from 11am to 3.15pm, from along the ridge to the hill fort, circling it then walking the stepped path, then descending the slope to the woods. Here the path to the bottom of the car park slope was followed and finally its ascent.
Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers appeared to be flying everywhere. Several fresh Comma, Peacocks, Red Admirals and Painted Ladys were seen on bramble bloom in the scrubby areas, while a few newly emerged Gatekeepers was also recorded. Several Brimstones added more colour, while mostly around the hill fort on the Northern side, Dark Green Fritillarys were active some only stopping very briefly to feed. On the turf between the woods and bottom of the car park slope, a single male Common Blue was recorded.
Totals: Brimstone 13M 11F, Large White 24, Green-veined White 2, Small White 66, Common Blue 1M, Small Copper 2, Gatekeeper 4, Marbled White 98, Meadow Brown 182, Ringlet 44, Small Heath 11, Comma 5, Dark Green Fritillary 22, Painted Lady 3, Peacock 8, Red Admiral 6, Small Skipper 84. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Moth Trap in my garden at Leigh Park. Had 50 species of moth in my trap this morning. Some of the highlights included a Scarce Silver-lines. 6 Elephant Hawk-moth, 10 L-album Wainscot, Lunar-spotted Pinion, 4 Kent Black Arches, 2 male Festoon, Clancy's Rustic, 2 Black Arches, Canary-shouldered Thorn, 2 July Highflyer, and a European Corn-borer etc. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Chalton Down, Old Idsworth. On 30th June, the spell of hot weather continued when my father and I visited Chalton Down. Here the temperature reached 27.5 degrees during an hour and a half walk. Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Skippers were the most abundant species. Fresh Ringlets and Gatekeepers were seen in the scrubby areas. A total of 3 Dark Green Fritillarys were seen including one which made a rare stop to feed on a Knapweed. A surprise was a pair of mating Small Skippers which decided to land on the page of my notebook!
Totals: Brimstone 2M 1F, Large White 15, Small White 22, Common Blue 1M 1F, Gatekeeper 11, Marbled White 36, Meadow Brown 37, Ringlet 19, Dark Green Fritillary 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 1M, Small Skipper 26. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Browndown South, Gosport. The gate to the MOD training area was open and, according to the notice, Browndown (South) remains open to the public up to and including Friday 4th July but closed over the weekend. Seventeen species recorded on a walk from 1045-1330 when the temperature reached 25 deg C abated somewhat by a refreshing south-easterly breeze off The Solent. Grayling was not seen which surprised somewhat after the fine temperatures of the week. They surely can't be far away now! However, the day belonged to Purple Hairstreak; at least 34 seen in various conditions, the vast majority on the low oaks although also seen on other more established trees along the main path. The insects were largely keeping out of the sun which was also out of the wind; most were feeding while others toyed with each other as a female laid her egg. Little triangles of grey were everywhere and I have never seen so many of this species previously. It is always good to see Painted Lady and one was seen feeding on blackberry blossom. Total: Small White (63); Large White (19); Meadow Brown (8); Gatekeeper (28)' Common Blue (M)(2); Small / Essex Skipper (39); Ringlet (2); Marbled White (10); Small Heath (9); Small Copper (7); Small Skipper (1); Painted Lady (1); Comma (1); Essex Skipper (1); Purple Hairstreak (34); Red Admiral (1); Peacock (4); Speckled Wood (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Purple Hairstreak Photo © Francis Plowman | Female egg-laying Photo © Francis Plowman | Pairing or squabbling? Photo © Francis Plowman |
Grayling at Browndown South. An early tour of Browndown South this morning yielded 6 purple hairstreak (at least two were females) and three grayling, the latter in front of the old rifle range. My first visit, the ease of photographing purple hairstreak is a revelation. In addition, there were several small copper, a couple of peacock and multiple whites. [Posted by Geoff Dymott]
Broxhead Common. After visiting two sites in Alice Holt Forest, where my father and I had successfully seen several Purple Emperors, the target colour was blue as a visit was made to Broxhead Common to search for Silver-studded Blues. Here the temperature reached 27.5 degrees. After several weeks of no rain the small pond was reduced to just a quarter of its full size. On the muddy edges 3 Small Whites were taking moisture. Total of two Marbled Whites were seen flying near to the pond. In a few scattered areas male and female Silver Studded Blues were seen, the females quite fresh. Totals: Small White 4, Gatekeeper 1, Silver-studded Blue 5M 4F, Marbled White 2, Small Skipper 1. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Abbotts Wood Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. After visiting Straits Inclosure, my father and I visited Abbotts Wood Inclosure where the temperature reached 27 degrees. Here over 40 Silver-washed Fritillarys were seen. A fresh male second generation Holly Blue was seen imbibing from the path and later laded on nettles. One small Oak tree supported a total of 10 Purple Hairstreaks, while Meadow Browns were more abundant than Ringlets. A female Silver-washed Fritillary landed on the track to take minerals and was ambushed by a male who chased her for over 10 minutes into the undergrowth, where a second male also tried to join the chase too. A single male Purple Emperor was seen at 13.33, 13.34 and 13.35. Two males were seen chasing each other at 14.21 followed by a sighting of a single remaining male at 14.23.
Totals: Brimstone 1M, Large White 6, Small White 17, Holly Blue 1M, Meadow Brown 27, Ringlet 18, Comma 2, Peacock 1, Purple Emperor 2, Red Admiral 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 43, White Admiral 3, Large Skipper 6, Small Skipper 3. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Straits Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. On 29th June while visiting my father, I paid a visit to Straits Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. Here a total of 11 species were seen for the first time personally in 2025, viz, Purple Hairstreak, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Ringlet, Comma, Peacock, Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral, Large Skipper and Small Skipper. Arriving at 10.25am the weather was cloudy temperature was 21until leaving at 13.00 the temperature reached 26 degrees. Ringlets were abundant with 168 recorded in company with Meadow Browns. Fresh male Gatekeepers were found, while 7 White Admirals were flying among the bramble blooms.
As the temperature began to increase Purple Emperors began to appear with two males chasing each other at 10.58, followed by a sighting of a male at 10.59, while three appeared in the air at once at 11.02. A male landed on the track at 11.05 and remained on the ground for a few minutes for photo opportunities, witnessed in company with Hazel Pratt. A male flew past me at low height at 11.24 then later landed on the ground at 11.29. Near the site of the former first deer tower, a further Purple Emperor flew around Sallows and Oaks at 11.56, later flying low past me at 11.58. At one point another male Purple Emperor chased the other male in the same area at 12.01, reappearing on its own at 12.04. At the far end of the main track another male was flying around the Oaks at 12.15. Returning down the main track I was rewarded with further ground sightings of the Purple Emperor at 12.37 where the male was tempted onto my father’s finger and then again at 12.41.
Totals: Brimstone 1M, Large White 8, Green-veined White 6, Small White 20, Purple Hairstreak 19, Gatekeeper 11, Marbled White 1, Meadow Brown 37, Ringlet 168, Comma 5, Peacock 3, Purple Emperor 7, Silver-washed Fritillary 23, White Admiral 7, Large Skipper 13, Small Skipper 26. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Browndown (North) Gosport. Since the 'old red flag was flying high' over Browndown South, it was a return to the northern sector a week after my last circulation there. Any disappointment of not covering the former site was quickly dispelled with early sightings of White-letter Hairstreak atop the few remaining elms (adjacent to main entrance) and then some fascinating close encounters with White Admiral! From 1030-1315 (21-24 deg C) under blustery skies and occasional gloom the perambulation realised 19 sightings, my best for 2025. Purple Hairstreak was also noted and that in tall and established oaks but clearly the upper branches were windswept and those insects seen were almost within reach - but not as accessible as those at Browndown South! Total: Small Skipper / Essex Skipper (53); Small Skipper (2); Marbled White (8); Gatekeeper (14); Large White (11); White-letter Hairstreak (2); Small White (19); Meadow Brown (11); Ringlet (4); Red Admiral (1); Speckled Wood (9)(1F); Comma (9); White Admiral (5); Green-veined White (F)(2); Large Skipper (3); Small Copper (1); Peacock (5); Purple Hairstreak (3); Essex Skipper (1); Common Blue (M)(1)(F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| White Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Purple Hairstreak (glimpse of!) Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman |
Sightings at Woolmer Forest. I cycled round the perimeter track to a spot between Holywater and Passfeld.I saw 2 SilverWashed Fritillaries which weren't inclined to settle an issue I've been having with butterflies throughout this year.Glimpsed a White Admiral over the ranges fence.Though I managed to photograph a Marbled White resting while the sun was obscured.Also noted Ringlet, Large Skipper, male Brimstone and Red Admiral. [Posted by Jim Smith]
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