Wall Brown at Fort Gilkicker in 2014.. The very small colony of Wall Browns at Fort Gilkicker,Gosport,has just survived.In 2014 I saw my earliest ever 1st brood male Wall Brown on 18,21 & 24 April and another on 3,4,12 & 14 May.I saw a 2nd brood male there on 6,7 & 8 Aug,an egg-laying female on 8 Sept and a 3rd brood male on 5 Oct. [Posted by David Tinling]
Hampshire & IoW Moth Conference. The Hampshire & IoW Moth Conference this year will be held on Saturday 21 February 2015 at the Littleton Memorial Hall, The Hall Way, SO22 6QL. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome. Whether expert or beginner you will find much of interest. Details can be found on the events page. [Posted by Peter Eeles]
Red Admiral(442) in Gosport in 2014.. In 2014 on almost daily walks along and near the Gosport coast I recorded 442 Red Admirals:Jan 1,Feb 1,Mar 1 Apr 0,May 21,June 53,July 51,Aug 46,Sept 111,Oct 123,Nov 30,Dec 4,Total 442,compared with 472(2013),2383(2012),1012(2011),441(2010),518(2009),1145(2008),1011(2007),1016(2006). [Posted by David Tinling]
Volunteers for Butterfly House. Would anyone like to spend a few hours in a warm 'Exotic Butterfly House' during February? I have been asked if we can offer any volunteers to man the house - just to talk to visitors - at Staunton Country park, near Havant, PO9 5HB, during February. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm and they are busiest at weekends and Half Term (14th - 22nd). If you would like to help for a few hours at any time during the month please contact Jenny Mallett at jennifer@mallett2.orangehome.co.uk. [Posted by Jenny Mallett]
Small Tortoiseshell. A Small Tortoiseshell was seen flying along the newly cut hedge at the top of the extension at Magdalen Hill Down at lunchtime . [Posted by Colin Beyer]
Red Admiral. My wife Jackie saw a Red Admiral in St Pauls Road Portsmouth, flying up the street near to the University of Portsmouth Sports Centre. [Posted by Jackie Whitlock]
Egg Hunt. We made our traditional visit to Noar Hill on New Years Day to look for Brown Hairstreak Eggs and it was reasonably successful finding 24 in an hour or so - most in the reserve but a few outside. These included three doubles and one very popular sucker with four individuals on it. In all a pleasant way, if cold and damp, for Maddie, Sarah Flossie and I to blow the Christmas lethargy away and welcome in the new year.
Now I will be spending some time trying to find some away from the reserve. [Posted by Mark tutton]
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| A double Photo © Mark tutton | Sarah Maddie and Flossie searching Photo © Mark tutton |