Stockbridge Down - and hope!. I spent a couple of hours at Stockbridge Down this afternoon and, while butterfly numbers are definitely supressed compared with previous years, I did come away with a sense of hope that our butterfly fauna will recover. My expectations were low since I thought I'd find singletons of almost everything, but came away very happy indeed!
Chalk Hill Blue, normally seen in their hundreds, were in their 10s; I probably saw 50 adults in total - although the females are only just starting to emerge, with a single pairing witnessed. Dark Green Fritillary are coming to the end of their flight season, with half a dozen females seen, including one ovipositing. Peacock seem to be doing extremely well, with at leat 50 seen, making the most of the Wild Marjoram. It was also nice to see a few Painted Lady.
Brimstone are now emerging and around 20 very fresh individuals were seen. Other sightngis included a few Marbled White that are still hanging on, both Small and Essex Skippers (although no Silver-spotted Skipper were seen, despite a thorough search), Comma, several Silver-washed Fritillary, and numerous Gatekeepers and Meadow Brown.
Common Blue, which seems to be having a pretty poor year, was also seen, including a mating pair. A few Brown Argus were also seen. And, until today, I had not yet seen a Small Copper this year, but one turned up just as I was leaving the site. It was almost as if this tiny jewel was personally telling me not to worry! [Posted by Pete Eeles]
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| Mating Chalk Hill Blue Photo © Pete Eeles | Painted Lady Photo © Pete Eeles | Small Copper Photo © Pete Eeles |
Browndown (North) Gosport. Browndown South is scheduled to open to the public on 31 Jul & 3/4 Aug. (The range office can be contacted on 01420 483405 to check availability). The northern area, although much land is still owned by the MOD, remains accessible and today my circumnavigation (0925-1300) realised sightings of 17 species. This is down 3 from 18 July so we have probably passed this Summer's peak. The recent and heavy rain has seemingly washed out the Purple Hairstreak from the top of the oaks, the White Admiral season was brief and over and Marbled White too, was not recorded today. The temperature rose throughout the walk from 18.5-21 deg C and by the time I reached the kaleidoscopic heath it was well populated by Grayling. Total: Meadow Brown (27); Gatekeeper (104); Ringlet (2); Red Admiral (5); Comma (5); Speckled Wood (M)(14)(F)(2); Small White (2); Small Skipper (2); Small/Essex Skipper (12); Essex Skipper (2); Peacock (2); Grayling (25); Brown Argus (4); Common Blue (M)(4); Small Heath (1); Small Copper (2); Green-veined White (M)(3); Brimstone (M)(2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Grayling male (left) tries his luck with a female! Photo © Francis Plowman | The solitary Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman | Ringlet Photo © Francis Plowman |
Havant Thicket & Southleigh Forest. Another warm day, 22ºC, a mix of hazy sun and bright overcast conditions. I spent 2 hours this afternoon walking through Havant Thicket and Southleigh Forest. In total I saw about 80 Meadow Browns (mostly worn specimens), 50 Gatekeepers, 5 Ringlets, 3 Marbled Whites, 5 Small Skippers, 1 Small White (ovipositing on Alliaria) and 9 freshly emerged Peacocks. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
White Admiral in Itchen Abbas. The second exotic visitor to our Itchen Abbas garden within the space of four days came in the form of a very faded and worn White Admiral resting on the lawn, seemingly on its last legs, which nevertheless summoned up the energy to fly up into next door's garden as I pointed a camera at it! Earlier I had recorded our first confirmed Small Skipper, making a total of 20 species in our first twelve months. Other butterflies recorded duringthe day were Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Comma, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. [Posted by Rupert Broadway]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Three hours from 11 a.m. realised sightings of 18 species. Whilst this seems a fairly decent return for the shabby summer that we are experiencing, numbers are really well down overall. The whites seem particularly hard hit this year. However, with the temperature at 22 deg C and very little cloud it was an enjoyable wander rounded off with a few blackberries and some feral Bramley cookers! So not a bad day. Total: Comma (15); Speckled Wood (20); Marbled White (1); Common Blue (M)(8); Gatekeeper (59); Meadow Brown (24); Small/Essex Skipper (27); Essex Skipper (3); Ringlet (2); Large White (4); Small White (3); Red Admiral (7); Green-veined White (M)(3); Small Copper (2); Purple Hairstreak (4); Brown Argus (1); Small Skipper (1); Peacock (1); Brimstone (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Red Admiral male Photo © Francis Plowman | Brimstone male Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. I had my moth trap on overnight in my garden at Leigh Park from 23rd July into the following morning. I caught 29 species but still no large numbers of any one species. The highlights were Pebble Prominent, Ruby Tiger 5, Elephant Hawk, Rosy Footman, Buff Ermine 3, Iron Prominent, Nut-tree Tussock 3, Buff Arches, Dusky Sallow, Lime-speck Pug, Brimstone Moth 2, Silver Y, Endotricha Flammealis 6, European Corn-borer 2. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Stockbridge Down. At Stockbridge Down this afternoon there was a mixture of warm sunshine and overcast spells, with the temperature reaching 23ºC. Butterfly numbers seem to be slowly perking up, but are still pretty awful for late July. I saw an estimated 150 Meadow Browns, 80 Gatekeepers, 12 Marbled Whites, 1 Small Heath, 6 fresh Peacocks, 2 Painted Lady, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 10 fresh Brimstones, 1 Small White, 1 Green-veined White, 2 Small Coppers, about 15-20 fresh Chalk Hill Blues and 3 Small Skippers. Also at least 100 Silver Y moths, and lots of Cinnabar larvae. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Hundred Acres, Wickham. An hour-long stroll along the rides of this FC woodland during this afternoon's intermittent sunshine yielded just three butterfly sightings: Red Admiral (1), Comma (1), and Speckled Wood (1). How bad can it get? [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Small Blue at Itchen Abbas. I was very surprised to find a pristine (2nd brood?) Small Blue nectaring on thyme in my Itchen Abbas garden as I don't know of any local colonies; the 18th species recorded since moving here a year ago. Essex Skipper, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Comma, Gatekeeper, Marbled White and Meadow Brown were also recorded during the day. [Posted by Rupert Broadway]
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| Small Blue at Itchen Abbas Photo © Rupert Broadway | Essex Skipper at Itchen Abbas Photo © Rupert Broadway | Comma at Itchen Abbas Photo © Rupert Broadway |
Portsdown Hill. Portsdown Hill is a riot of colour at the moment, the hillside carpeted with marjoram, hawkbit, knapweeds, vipers bugloss and hemp agrimony. There's definitely no shortage of nectar sources, and a wide range of larval hostplants are present, yet butterfly numbers remain astonishingly low. I spent an hour there this afternoon, exploring the hillside between Fort Widley and Paulgrove Chalkpits, in bright sunshine and a temperature of 21ºC, but saw only about 20 Meadow Browns, 25 Gatekeepers, 8 Marbled Whites, 1 Small White, 1 male Brimstone, 10 worn Small Skippers, 1 Peacock and 1 fresh male Chalk Hill Blue. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. I had my moth trap on overnight in my garden at Leigh Park from 19th July into the following morning. There was a good selection, I caught 31 species but no large numbers of any one species of moth. The highlights were Jersey Tiger 2, Silver Y 4, Slender Brindle 1, Dusky Sallow 1, Kent Black Arches 1, Iron Prominent 1, Leopard Moth 1, Nut-tree Tussock 2 etc. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Osborne House gardens. A Sunny morning with some clouds was a good day for the national count.
We saw a White Admiral on the Rhododendron Walk up from the beach. It settled twice on the path and flew up into the tree canopy. A good couple of minutes, sadly camera photos not good enough. [Posted by Jerry Comber]
White-letter Hairstreak in north Hants.. Over a dozen White-letter Hairstreaks seen on some very large Dutch elms surviving in a remote dell, with two more nectaring on bramble, on farmland west of Winslade, near Basingstoke. Single Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and low numbers of Meadow Browns on creeping thistle in the adjoining meadow. Temp. at 2pm was 29 C. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
North Baddesley. A very warm morning at Kevin Ross's private nature reserve in North Baddesley yielded 11 species, including the first Painted Lady of the year recorded at the site. Most numerous were Gatekeeper, Ringlet and Small Skipper with others comprising Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Marbled White and Meadow Brown. The sight of three well grown adders was a bonus. No Purple Emperor or White Admiral on this occasion, but they have been recorded recently at the reserve, which is well worth a visit if you get the opportunity. Thanks to Kevin for giving up his time to show us around. [Posted by Rupert Broadway]
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| Small Skipper at North Baddesley Photo © Rupert Broadway | Painted Lady at North Baddesley Photo © Rupert Broadway | Adder at North Baddesley Photo © Rupert Broadway |
Browndown (North) Gosport. The southern military training area remaining closed to the public it was once again to the northern zone with its more varied habitat that today produced sightings of twenty species. From 1225-1510 (23 deg C and very warm) the area was properly quartered. Grayling numbers are rising steadily and at last my first Summer Brown Argus put in a welcome appearance. I have definitely given up hope of finding Silver-studded Blue here; hopefully it has survived in the southern area but getting in is proving nigh impossible at present. The mating pair of Skippers I studied long and hard and looking closely at all the photographs, I believe them to be Small Skipper. They suddenly came out of the tall grasses singly the female landing on a tall grass with the male a second or two behind and within 5 seconds they were coupled - too fast to get the camera in focus! Purple Hairstreak are seen tumbling around the top of mature oaks with no chance of a photograph. No sighting of White Admiral and only one Marbled White found. The colourful heather sprawling across the heath is awesome with at least three varieties seen. Total: Small/Essex Skipper (50); Comma (6); Gatekeeper (78); Speckled Wood (10); Meadow Brown (28); Red Admiral (3); Small White (3); Large White (2); Large Skipper (2); Peacock (1); Brown Argus (2); Small Skipper (4); Grayling (14); Small Copper (2); Small Heath (2); Common Blue (M)(2)(F)(1); Essex Skipper (1); Purple Hairstreak (3); Marbled White (1); Ringlet (1); Green-veined White (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Alice Holt forest. The weather this spring and summer has decimated butterfly populations across Europe, so it was no surprise today, that despite blazing sunshine and a temperature of 25ºC, butterfly diversity and abundance were very low at Alice Holt forest.
Early in the afternoon I spent an hour or so in Straits Inclosure, and saw only 6 Silver-washed Fritillary - very disappointing for a site that normally produces dozens at this time of year. I also saw 3 fresh Red Admirals, 3 Commas, 5 Green-veined Whites, 1 female Brimstone, about 60 Meadow Browns, 15 Gatekeepers, 30 Ringlets, 2 Marbled Whites, 1 Speckled Wood, plus a few worn Large and Small Skippers.
Afterwards, I checked Abbotts Wood Inclosure, where I managed to count 8 Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 Red Admirals, 1 Comma, 35 Meadow Browns, 20 Ringlets, 2 Large Skippers and half a dozen or so Small/Essex Skippers. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Micheldever Wood Field Trip. The promise of good weather today but it was cloudy again for most of the walk around this beautiful woodland, and when the sun wasn’t shining there was very little to see. Fortunately, the sun did shine for some lengthy periods of time, and we had good views of the magnificent Silver-washed Fritillary, witnessing their mating rituals as they sped down the wide ride and a pair in cop, being harassed by another male who was quite persistent. We also saw a few White Admirals flying in around the bramble. The usual suspects were observed like Meadow Brown, Marbled White, Gatekeeper and Ringlets, but our main quarry the Purple Emperor was all but finished by the swamping they must have had over the past few days, as the species sit right on top of the oak canopy and are very vulnerable to the deluge we have had. Lucky for us at 1130 there was some movement in a very splendid looking Sallow tree close to the summit, and there she was in all her glory, probably just finished some egg-laying but she was observed just flitting in and out of the sallow leaves and then she decided to make haste over to a large Beech tree, here she was seen flying in and around the tree for a minute or so but then unfortunately we lost her. It was good to observe her as she went about her business, but all too quick. Another Purple Emperor season finishes feeling like it’s hardly begun……
In the afternoon some of us decided to visit Abbotstone Down which is very close to Micheldever Wood to see if we could see the Dark-green Fritillary but somehow this species is proving to be just as elusive. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Mating Silver Washed Fritillaries Photo © Ashley Whitlock | The only way is... Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Hutchinsoni Comma Abbotstone Down Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Stockbridge Down. A warm sunny afternoon at Stockbridge Down, but butterfly numbers were still very low, and several of the expected species were entirely absent. However, a mini-heatwave is forecast for later in the week, and hopefully that will stimulate a mass emergence. Today, all I saw were about 150 Meadow Browns, 30 fresh male Gatekeepers, only 3 Small Heaths, 30 very worn Marbled Whites, 3 ragged Dark Green Fritillary males, 1 female Silver-washed Fritillary, 20 faded Small/Essex Skippers, 1 Small White, 1 fresh female Brimstone, 2 Small Coppers (in cop), 1 fresh Brown Argus and a solitary male Chalk Hill Blue. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Fort Widley, Portsdown Hill. My wife and I circulated around Fort Widley's field and pathways from 1120-1200 in warm sunshine (20.5 deg C). Glorious flora everywhere but not a blue butterfly in sight! In fact only 10/11 species recorded. Total: Meadow Brown (31); Ringlet (3); Comma (1); Small White (4); Gatekeeper (25); Small/Essex Skipper (17); Large White (1); Marbled White (7); Brimstone(M)(1); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman | Pyramidal orchid (?) Photo © Francis Plowman | Meadow Brown female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Portsdown Hill, Paulsgrove. Leaving Fort Widley behind we crossed the road and walked the top of Portsdown Hill westwards to a point opposite the military establishment. Reaching the roundabout section the top path was completely overgrown and inaccessible without a machete! So it was into the top of the hill following the chalk trails. This took from noon to 2.30pm with the temperature rising to 23.5 deg C and mostly blessed by warm sunshine and gentle SW breeze. The aim was to find Chalk Hill Blue and in that we were successful but with very limited numbers. The fields are awash with flora including many orchids still and it was a sheer pleasure to experience it. A fresh male Brimstone landed nearby on a daisy; as I approached I could see a spider about to strike and instinctively picked up the butterfly and placed it on my hand where it was very content to remain! After a photograph I returned it to some wild Marjoram where it remained for a while before flying off. I don't like spiders!
Total: Gatekeeper (79); Meadow Brown (65); Small White (4); Peacock (5); Large White (6); Marbled White (42); Small/Essex Skipper (14); Common Blue (M)(1)(F)(1); Chalk Hill Blue (M)(3)(F)(2); Ringlet (1); Brimstone (M)(2)(F)(1); Speckled Wood (F)(1); Holly Blue (1); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Chalk Hill Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | One 'rescued' Brimstone male Photo © Francis Plowman | Speckled Wood female with parasite on its head Photo © Francis Plowman |
Southleigh Forest. Based on the unbroken sunshine I thought I would take another lunchtime visit to this site to see if emperors were still on the wing. Initially if was quiet with no activity around the assembly oak but I did see Purple Hairstreak (2). In the rides my first male and female Silver-washed Fritillary (4) , Peacock (1) and the odd Ringlet with the Meadow Brown. I was just about to leave when at 12:55 a slightly tattered male Purple Emperor entered the arena and quickly settled atop an adjacent oak. It wasn't very active in the ten or so minutes before I left, so perhaps had been sat up there the whole time. [Posted by Peter Gammage]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Two hours from 2pm interrupted by rain and temperature around 20 deg C under cloudy skies. Heavy rain the previous night has taken a toll but still 13 species to note with some fresh emergences. Total: Small/Essex Skipper (20); Red Admiral (5); Meadow Brown (15); Small White (2); Gatekeeper (36); Small Skipper (3); Large White (3); Essex Skipper (2); Comma (8); Ringlet (6); Common Blue (M)(1)(F)(1); Small Copper (1); Purple Hairstreak (2); Speckled Wood (7). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Gatekeeper female & Small Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Micheldever Wood. A Sunday morning walk around Micheldever Wood in variable amounts of sunshine in search of Purple Emperor proved fruitless. White Admiral was another notable absentee, but there were plenty of other species on the wing including Large Skipper, Small Skipper, a single Purple Hairstreak, Large White, Green-veined White, Brimstone, Comma, Red Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood, but the most notable observation of the day was a pair of Hawfinch on top of a dead tree. [Posted by Rupert and Sharron Broadway]
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| Comma at Micheldever Wood Photo © Rupert and Sharron Broadway | Silver-washed Fritillary at Micheldever Wood Photo © Rupert and Sharron Broadway |
Horsea Island. Small Heath have returned to Horsea, some 10 years after their main habitat was left resembling a ploughed field by a small herd of Clydesdales. More sympathetic management (currently grazing by 12 Herdwick sheep), has restored the floral diversity, chiefly bird's foot trefoil, clover, and agrimony. Also seen were Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Small / Essex Skipper, and several whites unrecognizable in flight. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Elson Wood, White Admiral. First visit to Elson Wood, part of the Defence Munitions Gosport complex, in over 10 years, in search of the White Admiral colony. The wood is extraordinary, very old, untouched by the MOD for over a century, no deer, ancient oaks supporting massive tresses of honeysuckle, the abandoned rides almost overrun by bramble and marsh thistle. Purple Hairstreak aplenty, along with browns, skippers, and a solitary Comma, but no sign of the White Admiral until we turned for home: one pristine specimen basking on an ivy leaf only inches away at eye level. No photos alas, as cameras not permitted.
Moving on to the Bedenham area to the north, White-letter Hairstreak (3) found on the margins of the Dutch elm copse, along with numerous Meadow Browns, fresh Gatekeepers, Marbled Whites, some very bright second-brood Speckled Woods, plus a few Small / Essex Skippers. Just one Green-veined White representing the Pieridae as this low-lying London Clay site is strangely bereft of cruciferae. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. From 1015 for an hour I quartered the small scrubby field seawards from the car park. The temperature rose from 17.5C to 19C and was pleasantly warm with a westerly breeze across the field. Distracted somewhat by a marvellous pair of Spitfires, I eventually recorded 12 species including my first blues of the Summer! Total: Small White (1); Large White (2); Small/Essex Skipper (38); Small Heath (2); Gatekeeper (1); Meadow Brown (24); Small Skipper (6); Marbled White (5); Essex Skipper (3); Common Blue (F)(1)(M)(1); Small Copper (1); Ringlet (2); Comma (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue Variety Fb Photo © Francis Plowman | Marbled White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Gilkicker Point, Gosport. Just a few hundred metres west from the Haslar car park, through the golf course towards the sea and Fort Gilkicker uncovered and under conversion. From 1120-1235, 19-20 deg C sunny with westerly breeze. Total: Small White (7); Speckled Wood (1); Meadow Brown (6); Small/Essex Skipper (10); Gatekeeper (14); Small Copper (2); Small Skipper (1); Large White (1); Common Blue (M)(2); Marbled White (2); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Gatekeeper Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. My final wander was around my local patch (1250-1600, 21 deg C mostly warm sunshine). Total: Green-veined White (M)(1); Speckled Wood (4); Gatekeeper (38); Large White (8); Meadow Brown (23); Small/Essex Skipper (49); Ringlet (5); Red Admiral (5); Small White (7); Comma (10); Purple Hairstreak (2); Marbled White (4); Essex Skipper (3); Peacock (1); Common Blue (M)(1); Small Skipper (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman | Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Large White female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Alice Holt. A walk round the rides of Alice Holt, in pleasant weather for once, revealed reasonable numbers of the woodland species but still well below what I would normally be expecting at this time of the year. Several pairs of Silver-washed Fritillary were conducting their courtship flights along the paths and a few White Admiral were nectaring on Bramble. Pleasingly there were a dozen very fresh Red Admiral which have been fairly scarce so far this year.
Purple Emperor numbers appear to have been affected by the recent high winds and I could only rustle up five in four hours, three males and two females. One of the females was looking pretty weather beaten as she glided around a sallow looking for a suitable leaf to lay an egg on, but the other had found a sap run on an Oak where she was getting decidedly merry on the mildly alcoholic liquid. She was thirty or forty feet up so unfortunately the photos are not very sharp. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| At the bar Photo © Mark Tutton | About to fall off Photo © Mark Tutton |
Charlton Down. A Day where you thought summer might have started, beginning at last and then the clouds started to roll in and by the time I had got back to the car, it was quite cloudy. My mission was to see the Dark Green Fritillary, but this year they are very few and far between, and I only managed just four. Usually at this site they are flying in very good numbers, and you normally see at least one or two in any given vista you may be looking at. The Marbled White dominated the downland; however, these were probably not in such big numbers as usual at this site. There are some big buddleia bushes in bloom on top of the downland, but these were very empty despite the number of butterflies flying about, but this is where I first noted the male Dark Green Fritillaries, and a solitary female which looked amazingly fresh. Moths of note were several Silver ‘Y’s and 6 Spotted Burnet Moths. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Female Dark Green Fritillary Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Green-Veined White Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Large White Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Great Fontley and Nelson Reservoir, Ports Down. Small White busy ovipositing on Bowles Mauve and Nasturtium at Great Fontley, while a Red Admiral spent hours laying on the regenerating nettles following the summer mow.
At Nelson, one fresh female Brimstone seen resting, possibly nectaring, on flower of Old Man's Beard C. vitalba. One White-letter Hairstreak glimpsed above the elms; Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns aplenty on the grassland, but no blues of any sort. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
North Baddesley sightings.. Seen today on the path from my reserve Purple Emperor x 1 White Admiral x 2,very fresh Silver-washed Fritillary amongst many other summer species. [Posted by kevin ross]
Browndown (North) Gosport. Eighteen species recorded here today (1100-1315, 19.5-21.5 deg C, cloudy skies with sunny periods). The public are still excluded from Browndown South with the rifle range in constant use. Clearly some species have weathered the last week better than others. Grayling numbers are increasing as Marbled White diminish. Not a blue of any description, sadly. Total: Essex Skipper (6); Ringlet (8); Meadow Brown (25); Small/Essex Skipper (38); Small White (3); Speckled Wood (6); Brimstone (F)(1); Large White (4); Red Admiral (1); Comma (5); Gatekeeper (23); Small Skipper (6); Grayling (5); Green-veined White (M)(1)(F)(1); Small Copper (2); Marbled White (4); Small Heath (3); Large Skipper (1); White Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman | Ringlet and friends Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Havant Thicket. Today at Havant Thicket the temperature was 18 degrees. Here I walked the main track. Totals: Small White 2, Meadow Brown 9, Speckled Wood 3. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
West Walk Field Trip nr. Wickham. West Walk Field Trip Thursday 4th July 2024
A re-arranged field trip as the weather for the actual scheduled day was going to be more like November than July. The only thing that spoilt today was the wind it was quite gusty at times which made observations extremely difficult. It was a new site to a lot of field trippers and the first butterflies we saw were one of target species a Silver-washed Fritillary, which are not in great numbers anywhere at the moment. White Admirals were seen flitting through the bramble patches and teasing us with a picture from afar. There were Ringlets and Meadow Browns but not great numbers, but the Comma seems to be in good numbers. Just before lunch 11:30 we were down a very small ride with plenty of sallow overhanging the ride when a male Purple Emperor was seen feeding off some very old Horse manure, unfortunately he didn’t like being disturbed and soon got up into a loftier perch where he looked down on us in all his regal splendour.
He was a pristine specimen and I think this site is quite late, so these have only just started here. He stayed with us about twenty odd feet above our heads moving several times, I think he would have come back down however our presence probably put him off. But it was a treat to see him, nevertheless. We also witnessed a male being blown down the ride by the gusty wind, for a few seconds, it certainly wasn’t good Emperor watching weather.! In the afternoon a short walk around the site the species count didn’t go up any, but it was a lovely field trip and I thank all those who managed to change their plans at such short notice. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Head on veiw of a Purple Hairstreak with crumpled wings Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Purple Emperor just waiting... Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Purple Emperor reflections on caprea sallow Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Broxhead Common. From Alice Holt Forest the temperature increased to 19 degrees but with a strong breeze as I visited Broxhead Common. Here disappointingly only a few Silver-studded Blues were seen, however on the pond several male Broad Bodied Chaser dragonflies gave spectacular aerial displays.
Totals: Silver-studded Blue 4M 2F, Small Tortoiseshell 1. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Abbotts Wood Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. After a visit to Straits Inclosure, I visited Abboots Wood Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest arriving aroundc12 40pm. The weather was sunny but during the visit cloud cover and wind increased. There were lower numbers of butterflies than at Straits, with Meadow Browns and Ringlets still abundant, with a mating pair of Ringlets noted. A Comma was seen taking minerals from a dried dog feases. Once more all Silver-washed Fritillarys recorded were fresh males. Only a few Purple Hairstreaks were seen perhaps due to the wind. A total of 5 sightings were made of the Purple Emperor. At 13.01 a male flew from an Oak joined by a second male, which in turn disturbed a third male with all three briefly in air together. At 13.16 two males were seen flying around sallow at the point where a path leads from the right-hand side of the main track. Here in company with Mark Tutton further individual sightings of a male around a prominent Oak were made at 13.20, 13.34 and 14.06.
Totals: Small White 5, Purple Hairstreak 3, Meadow Brown 23, Ringlet 28, Comma 3, Purple Emperor 5, Red Admiral 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 16, White Admiral 7, Large Skipper 1. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Straits Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. Today in company with my father Roy Symonds, I visited Straits Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest. Arriving around 10.15am the temperature was 17 degrees with just a gentle breeze in the sunshine. Along the main track many Meadow Browns and Ringlets were in flight with a handful of Large Skippers and Small Skippers. Fresh Silver-washed Fritillarys were seen all males, while likewise the the White Admirals recorded all appeared to have emerged in the past week. Zipping around the Oaks and sometimes crossing between trees overhead, were several Purple Hairstreaks. My target species of course was the Purple Emperor. Halfway along the main track before the open vista on the right hand side a male was seen flying around an Oak at 10.34 before returning at 10.37 and setting on an outer branch which was visible from the path. Further along the path alongside the open vista on the right side of the path, another male flew from sallow around an Oak before flying at tree height parallel to the path at 10.57. At the demolished deer tower at 11.52 a further male was seen flying around the tops of sallow. Finally two males were seen chasing each other, one of which flew off while we returned down the main track, witnessed the weekly transect recorder.
Totals: Small White 5, Purple Hairstreak 19, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 40, Ringlet 112, Comma 2, Purple Emperor 5, Red Admiral 2, Silver-washed Fritillary 15, White Admiral 10, Large Skipper 6, Small Skipper 11. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Old WInchester Hill DGF. Writing this on a typical summer 2024 day (relentless rain, 16C, 9th July). Scrolling through the sightings I noticed that we yet to have a record of DGF this year. So, I can add Dark Green Fritillary (3M) seen on Old Winchester Hill, last Thursday (3rd July), whilst with friends on the South Downs Walk. Sadly was travelling light, so no photos. [Posted by Jon Holden-Dye]
Emperor emergence at Alice Holt. After finding two pupa by UV torchlight on 17th June I have been checking them most days to monitor their progress. Over the past four years I have found ten or so , and to date all have been predated so I wasn’t very hopeful. Sure enough one disappeared in the night after five days just leaving the cremaster. I suspect the culprit is a mammal, probably Dormouse, Yellow-necked mouse or even a foliage gleaning bat like the Barbestrelle?
However the other survived and fifteen days after finding it, was darkening significantly. Yesterday I arrived early and checked through binoculars (it was 25’ up) and the wing spots were clearly showing so emergence was imminent. However nothing happened until I was about to leave at 5:30 and sure enough she had emerged and was hanging off the pupal case pumping up her wings. Once the wings were inflated I left her at 6:30pm and wished her well. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Pupa with wing spots Photo © Mark Tutton | About to burst free Photo © Mark Tutton | On leaf under pupal case Photo © Mark Tutton |
Havant Thicket. After midday, my father Roy Symonds and I visited Havant Thicket. The weather was cloudy until long sunny spells increased the temperature to 17 degrees. Walking the main track numbers if butterflies were generally low with Meadow Browns and Ringlets dominating. A single White Admiral was at rest on a fern until disturbed, while pairs of fresh Large Skippers and Small Skippers were also recorded. At almost the end of the main track the cloud started to appear once more apparently signalling butterflies to take cover as suddenly we saw a Purple Emperor, presumably a male fly unmistakably out from an Oak tree and as it flew over a further tree to our surprise another make took flight and was chased off by the first male. The appearance of the pair was brief which gave no chance to get a photo. This occurred at 13.49. I have included photos of the Oak tree concerned fir future reference.
Totals: Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 26, Ringlet 26, Purple Emperor 2, White Admiral 1, Large Skipper 2, Small Skipper 2. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Chalton Down, Old Idsworth. Today I visited Chalton Down, Old Idsworth in company with my father Roy Symonds with whom I was visiting from Cornwall. Arriving in the morning the weather was cloudy then hazy sunshine appearing causing the temperature from 15 to 17 degrees. Many Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites were on the wing, the latter species almost in twice the numbers from my visit to the site at the same time last year, perhaps due to late emergence. Several fresh Ringlets and Gatekeepers were seen in the scrubby areas as well as a few Small Heaths and Small Skippers.
Totals: Gatekeeper 10, Marbled White 96, Meadow Brown 84, Ringlet 27, Small Heath 4, Comma 1, Small Skipper 3. [Posted by Richard Symonds]
Disconnected jottings. Seven White-letter Hairstreaks seen at Defence Munitions Gosport last week during search for Coleophora vibicella. WLH numbers at Great Fontley still low, with just single figures seen nectaring on lime. One pristine Small Tortoiseshell on buddleja in a Longstock garden yesterday. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. A very gloomy start to July, wandering from 1200-1420 (19.5 deg. C) under grey skies and with a cool breeze. What with a weather-delayed Summer and today's gloom just ten species were recorded. However, most were extremely new butterflies and except for the fidgety Ringlet most were sedentary and accepted a close approach. The Small/Essex Skipper count is combined although the majority actually photographed turned-out to be Essex Skipper. Hoping for better things as July opens up. Total: Comma (1); Speckled Wood (2); Red Admiral (5); Meadow Brown (26); Marbled White (12); Small/Essex Skipper (42); Ringlet (5); Gatekeeper (4); Green-veined White (F)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Female Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Marbled White Photo © Francis Plowman | Gatekeeper Photo © Francis Plowman |