Bedenham, Defence Munitions Gosport. The last survey of this wilderness for 2025 produced few surprises. In broken sunshine and a keen SW breeze, butterflies were scarce: just eight species comprising Large White (6), Small White (3), Green-veined White (2), Speckled Wood (1), Meadow Brown (4), Small Heath (2), Holly Blue (1) and Small Copper (3). Biggest surprise was encountering a clump of ragwort 1.8m high.
Much of the site covered again by regenerative sallow, bramble and blackthorn, with the cost of clearance and removal estimated at £250k. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. A slow wander 1330-1600 under cloudy skies with strong SW breeze (21.5 deg C) with some heavy thunder rolling around, allowed eleven species to be recorded. A surprising number of Common Blue (all males) were particularly apparent in the enclosed 'navy' field where fleabane and ragwort remain in bloom. (The recent rains should help prolong the flora here well into September, well, I hope so!) Here too I recorded the Small Copper variety caeruleo-punctata (or blue-spotted) among the seven noted. (Also into this field strolled a very large deer with impressive antlers but it turned-tail on sighting me; the resulting photograph managing only to obtain a hind leg.....and some you lose!) Total: Small White (16); Common Blue (M)(17); Small Copper (7); Brown Argus (1); Green-veined White (7); Large White (6); Meadow Brown (1); Holly Blue (2); Comma (6); Red Admiral (3); Speckled Wood (5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Red Admiral Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper (blue spot variety) Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown North. A (wet) walk around Browndown North this morning (red flag flying South). Very quiet for wildlife in general (probably recovering from the shock of seeing some rain!) but just for the record found two Grayling in excellent condition on the open part of the heath. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
Hummingbird hawk moth. 1 at Sinah Warren hotel, Hayling Island. On hanging baskets to right of reception. Preferring Petunia [Posted by Michael Sharp]
Meon Shore, Cliffs, Solent Breezes & Chilling Coastal Area. Thirteen species were recorded on a walk from 1110-1440 (22 deg C with SE breeze). Common Blue and the brassicae excepted, numbers recorded were low. Target specie was Clouded Yellow and one of each sex was seen on the cliffs just west of the Brownwich stream as it enters the sea and in and around the winter greens/wild flowers' field. Here too most of the Small and Large White butterflies were prominent. Finding the much anticipated Southern Small White will provide some excitement/disappointments as illustrated by the two examples of female Small White shown below. The right-hand butterfly showing the more typical faint black/grey markings and the other (a really diminutive butterfly found on the Brownwich shore) that evidences stronger coloration with slightly squared wing spots; but this is not Southern Small White - although it had me studying it hard! Total: Common Blue (M)(11)(F)(4) (incl mating pair); Small White (159); Small Heath (1); Large White (45)(incl mating pair); Speckled Wood (3); Red Admiral (2); Comma (2); Clouded Yellow (F)(1)(M)(1); Brown Argus (3); Meadow Brown (1); Peacock (4); Small Copper (1); Holly Blue (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Female Clouded Yellow Photo © Francis Plowman | Comparison of female Small White Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue male top Photo © Francis Plowman |
Possible Southern Small White. Following the discovery of Southern Small White laying eggs in Sussex I thought I would check the perennial Candytuft growing in my garden. I planted this a couple of years ago in anticipation of this butterfly arriving in the UK as it has been spreading rapidly across Europe. Sure enough I found a couple of creamy white bottle shaped eggs. Small White has been known to lay on this plant, and although the eggs are similar the caterpillars of the two species are a bit more distinctive - time will tell. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Creamy White egg on Candytuft Photo © Mark Tutton |
Browndown North, Gosport. From 1330-1550 (23 deg C, sunny periods) the woods, fields and heath of this MOD-owned but freely accessible parcel of land was circulated. Having not found one Grayling on the southern military training area the day before, I was pleasantly surprised to find thirteen on and around the heather-strewn heath including one female laying eggs. Total: Small White (20); Speckled Wood (6)(incl 1F); Comma (2); Common Blue (M)(5)(F)(2); Small Copper (5); Brown Argus (3); Peacock (1); Meadow Brown (12); Small Heath (13); Grayling (13); Holly Blue (2); Large White (3); Gatekeeper (F)(1); Green-veined White (M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Grayling female egg-laying Photo © Francis Plowman | The solitary/last(?) Gatekeeper, female Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman |
Gosport Wild Grounds - Alverstoke. Bordering Browndown North and the Alver Valley Country Park is the enclosed Gosport Wild Grounds where a nominal fee gains access to 600/700 year woodland and riverside meadows. Ponds with hides are provided for birdwatchers. This was my first visit for a number of seasons and nine species were recorded. From 1040-1240 the temperature was 21-22 deg C and sunny although much of the walk was in dappled shade with the occasional scent of woodsmoke from the nearby 17th century village experience. Total: Small White (17); Large White (1); Speckled Wood (16); Meadow Brown (29)(incl mating pair); Common Blue (M)(7)(F)(1); Small Copper (5); Brown Argus (2); Red Admiral (1); Comma (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Male Speckled Wood on the 'welcome' sign Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Comma Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown (South) Gosport. A decent survey of the MOD training area this afternoon (1320-1600, 22 deg C, sunny with southerly breeze) counted ten species. No immigrant butterflies to report but plenty of colour especially among the Common Blue community which is well into its second Summer generation with some quite stunning shades seen of the female Variety Fb. Mating pairs of Meadow Brown and Common Blue noted. Also of record was a complete absence now of Grayling that appear to have run their course for 2025.
Total: Small Heath (31); Meadow Brown (16); Peacock (1); Small White (43); Large White (14); Common Blue (M)(18)(F)(4); Small Copper (5); Brown Argus (3); Red Admiral (2); Holly Blue (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue female, towards Var Fb Photo © Francis Plowman | Windswept Var Fb Photo © Francis Plowman | A further and tattier Var Fb Photo © Francis Plowman |
Hawk-moth in Freshwater.. This Hawk-moth was spotted in a neighbour's garden recently. Looks like a Convolvulus Hawk-moth perhaps. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt |
Seafield Park & Promenade Field, Hill Head. A late afternoon circulation of Seafield Park and the adjacent shore-side promenade field realised sighting of just eight species. (19.5 deg C, overcast and NW breeze). Mostly noted were butterflies that were roosting for the night allowing closer observation and (hopefully) steadier photography! That said, two mating pair couples (Meadow Brown) were most uncooperative and disappeared on the NW breeze. No sighting of Clouded Yellow but the promenade field is slowly producing more flora; it just needs a good drop of rain! Total: Small Heath (9); Common Blue (M)(3)(F)(4); Brown Argus (1); Meadow Brown (19); Small White (F)(4); Red Admiral (1); Large White (1); Small Copper (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. From 1500-1650 a truncated wander (25 deg C and very humid under clouds) realised more species (12) than I expected to find with second generation emergence of Peacock, Small Copper and Common Blue very evident. Total: Speckled Wood (4); Comma (1); Small White (19); Holly Blue (7); Small Copper (5); Gatekeeper (F)(1); Common Blue (M)(4)(F)(2); Brown Argus (1); Green-veined White (2); Meadow Brown (3); Peacock (6); Large White (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female at left Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman |
Brown Hairstreak on Stockbridge Down. A late morning/early afternoon stroll round Stockbridge Down proved unproductive for migrant birds (with the exception of a single Redstart) but very productive for butterflies, with many fresh Small Coppers along with several Small Heath, Common Blue, Chalk Hill Blue and Meadow Brown, but the star of the show was a female Brown Hairstreak basking low down in the scrub midway between the hillfort and the small car park. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Brown Hairstreak (Female) Photo © Kevin Haggar | Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Portsdown Hill (west), Paulsgrove. A dozen species found on a 3 hours' hike along the top paths of the hill from opposite Fort Widley to generally opposite the Fort Southwick area from 13:15 (21 degrees Celsius and cloudy with breeze from north-east). Meadow Brown reigned supreme with over 250 counted including no less than five coupled pairs. With northerly airs these last few days affecting cross channel migration no Clouded Yellow nor Painted Lady seen today neither any sight of Long-tailed Blue. Total: Small White (37); Holly Blue (3); Meadow Brown (267); Large White (19); Comma (1); Red Admiral (1); Peacock (1); Green-veined White (6). Common Blue (M)(3)(F)(2); Chalk Hill Blue (F)(31)(M)(23); Speckled Wood (3); Small Heath (10). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small White female Photo © Francis Plowman | Meadow Brown female at left Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock Photo © Francis Plowman |
Alver Valley Country Park. Gosport. My first walk around this wide and diverse-habitat area for a few years realised 15 species including further sightings of Brown Hairstreak. Having seen my first of the year recently nearer Browndown North and my friend David yesterday having found more along the main tarmac road that generally bisects the area, I opted to complete a full perambulation. From 1100-1500 (with 30 minute lunch at the ideally placed cafe) the temperature rose from 25-29 deg C making it a warm wander for sure. (The going is mostly on the flat with strategically placed benches along the main pathways). The morning sightings of Brown Hairstreak were high mostly in-flight but the photograph was obtained when finding the butterfly feasting on blackberries tucked away in a fence-line hedge during the afternoon. First Peacock sighting for August was also very welcome. Nature has largely been left to its own devices at this site and an earlier visit for Brown Hairstreak next year may well prove rewarding. Total: Large White (11); Red Admiral (4); Small White (30); Green-veined White (2); Comma (3); Speckled Wood (18); Brown Hairstreak (6); Meadow Brown (39); Small Heath (12); Small Copper (2); Holly Blue (2); Gatekeeper (2); Peacock (1); Brown Argus (1); Common Blue (M)(2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Large White female Photo © Francis Plowman | Peacock in silhouette feeding on fleabane Photo © Francis Plowman | Rather tatty Brown Hairstreak Photo © Francis Plowman |
Unusual butterflies on Stockbridge Down. A 2 hour walk around Stockbridge Down earlier today resulted in sightings of all of the expected butterflies including Adonis Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper, but it was two unusually marked individual butterflies that caught my attention. A Small Copper with some white areas and what appeared to be an aberrant Dingy Skipper (pictures attached) [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Adonis Blue Photo © Kevin Haggar | Dingy Skipper? Photo © Kevin Haggar | Small Copper Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Browndown (North) Gosport. Today (13:25-15:40, 25.5 deg C sunny/breezy) I reversed my usual wander and later included about another 500 metres of field and woodland edge of the Alver Valley Country Park ie to the north-west of the River Alver. That turned out a good plan as it brought my first sighting of the season of Brown Hairstreak which I had never previously noted here. Earlier on the heath, Grayling numbers are the highest that I have ever recorded making it, in my view, now a more viable habitat than the ranges to the south. Once again the red flag was flying there today and the extensive and ongoing military training these past three years must necessarily interfere with ground-keeping nature. (Having said that, 2025 was a great year for Purple Hairstreak on this site). Total: Small White (16); Large White (4); Comma (3); Speckled Wood (8); Red Admiral (2); Small Copper (1); Common Blue (M)(4)(F)(2); Brown Argus (2); Meadow Brown (19); Small Heath (3); Grayling (23); Gatekeeper (5); Holly Blue (2); Brown Hairstreak (1); Green-veined White (F)(2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Grayling Photo © Francis Plowman | Meadow Brown (female at left) Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Hairstreak Photo © Francis Plowman |
Gilkicker Point & adjacent Stokes Bay scrub, Gosport. Hoping to find more incoming Clouded Yellow at this broad and wild littoral I was to be very disappointed. Only three species appeared on a 75 minute walk from 11:25 (27 deg C in full sun) and Clouded Yellow was not one of the three! Total: Small White (15); Meadow Brown (3); Common Blue (M)(5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Kestrel devours insect life, possibly Small White! Photo © Francis Plowman |
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. Five species found as the Summer relentless drought leaches the scrub and flora of colour. Just half-hour from 10:50 (27 deg C full sun) with a pleasant sea breeze accentuating the grinding roar of hovercraft scooting over The Solent. Total: Small Heath (4); Small White (2); Common Blue (M)(4); Gatekeeper (1); Meadow Brown (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Seafield Park & Promenade Field, Hill Head. With the good weather continuing and Clouded Yellow being recorded up-county, it was to Hill Head and the coastal areas where in previous years the elusive yellows have been recorded. From 1145-1330 (26.5 deg C and very hot with just a light breeze from the north) an even dozen species were seen including the Clouded Yellow; sometimes you win! However, it was a very lucky break to see the first as it was a small in-flight butterfly seemingly all white which I almost wrote-off as another Small White. Closer inspection showed the unmistakeable underside '8' and coloration of the variety f. helice - another bonus! This butterfly was deep within Seafield Park yet when we crossed the minor beach road into the field at Salterns, the same f. helice was feeding here. (Identification was made through the photographs that showed a neat clip to both rear wings). While photographing it a male Clouded Yellow flew along the field edge without stopping. Very little flower has yet come through the scrubby field parallel to the promenade but within the next 2-3 weeks I reckon it will be covered in flora and attractive to incoming Colias crocea. Total: Large White (6); Small White (25); Meadow Brown (41); Common Blue (M)(13); Small Copper (8); Small Heath (31); Gatekeeper (3); Brown Argus (5); Clouded Yellow (M)(1)(F)(1); Holly Blue (2); Comma (1); Speckled Wood (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Clouded Yellow f. helice Seafield Park Photo © Francis Plowman | In flight at Seafield Park Photo © Francis Plowman | Same butterfly in Salterns field Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Thirteen species recorded on a circulation from 1320-1600 (24 deg C, sunny and warm). Usual species for this time of the year with good numbers of Holly Blue in view including a coupled pair high in an oak tree. Total: Small White (23); Comma (5); Small Copper (4); Holly Blue (M)(5)(F)(3); Small Heath (2); Common Blue (M)(9); Meadow Brown (16); Speckled Wood (19)(incl 2F); Green-veined White (4); Large White (3); Red Admiral (6); Brown Argus (1); Gatekeeper (). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Comma enjoying blackberries! Photo © Francis Plowman | Distant Holly Blue mating pair Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman |
Ranvilles Lane and Newlands Farm, Stubbington. A few butterflies were encountered on a primarily birding circuit of my local patch. Quite a few Small Heath were present in the recently cut field to the south of the bypass, the short grass being to their liking. This is a species which I’ve not seen here in previous years. A Small Copper was here as well whilst a smart Painted Lady was to the north of the bypass. Over at Newlands Farm a small field to the north of Tanners Lane in which chicory is being grown contained several Brown Argus and Common Blue. A dozen or so were in the small corner of this that I checked so there were probably many more in the whole field.
Totals: Large White 30, Small White 40, Small Copper 1, Brown Argus 6, Common Blue 6, Red Admiral 2, Painted Lady 1, Speckled Wood 2, Gatekeeper 15, Meadow Brown 10, Small Heath 10. [Posted by Mark Rolfe]
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| Common Blue Photo © Mark Rolfe | Brown Argus Photo © Mark Rolfe | Painted Lady Photo © Mark Rolfe |
Stockbridge Down. Additional shots from the trip to Stockbridge Down. [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman | Silver-washed Fritillary Photo © Francis Plowman | Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman |
Stockbridge Down. A very satisfying count of 19 species resulted from a 3 hours 40 minutes wander around this expansive area. Beginning at 0950 the temperature rose from 19 deg C to 22 deg C although under mostly grey and increasingly cloudy skies. Three 'first' sightings of the season was a bonus as the main intent was to see Silver-spotted Skipper. Total: Meadow Brown (370); Small Heath (73); Small White (50); Chalk Hill Blue (165)(incl 27 F); Green-veined White (10)(incl 2F); Brimstone (4)(incl 2 F); Large White (17); Painted Lady (1); Common Blue (18)(incl 2F); Silver-spotted Skipper (5); Brown Argus (7); Small Copper (7); Gatekeeper (3); Silver-washed Fritillary (1); Comma (2); Red Admiral (2); Holly Blue (1); Speckled Wood (2); Adonis Blue (5)(M). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Silver-spotted Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman | Adonis Blue (male) Photo © Francis Plowman | Chalk Hill Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Purple butterflies at West Wood. A trip to West Wood to check on the Purple Emperor caterpillars turned up a very late Purple Hairstreak. One caterpillar was missing in action but a new one was found on a leaf with absolutely no feeding damage. The others exhibited classic feeding patterns. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Typical feeding pattern Photo © Mark Tutton | No feeding damage Photo © Mark Tutton | Unseasonal Purple Hairstreak Photo © Mark Tutton |
Nice Moths at Sinah, Hayling Island. On 5th August a hummingbird hawkmoth was busy feeding from Alstroemeria by the Sinah Warren hotel reception and about 100m along Ferry Lane a Jersey tiger moth was active and showing well. [Posted by John Goodspeed]
Browndown (North) Gosport. Mostly rain-threatening grey clouds attended my walk (1045-1300, 20 deg C) although it remained dry with the sun emerging as I returned to the car! Just nine species risked the gloom with Gatekeeper and Grayling bucking the low trend of numbers. Swan family of six amid countless ducks at Apple Dumpling Bridge and a young fox, far too tame, was watching closely as the waterfowl were being (well) fed. Total: Small White (5); Large White (2); Speckled Wood (1); Meadow Brown (F)(5)(M)(1); Gatekeeper (25); Small Heath (1); Grayling (16); Common Blue (M)(1); Small Copper (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Grayling - the art of camouflage! Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Meadow Brown Photo © Francis Plowman | Grayling on bell heather Photo © Francis Plowman |
Clouded Yellow at Axmansford. Clouded Yellow seen on field margin at Axmansford on Friday. [Posted by Andy Bolton]
North Baddesley Sighting of Clouded Yellow. Seen today on my reserve at North Baddesley a Clouded Yellow, it did not stop for photo. Very good to see it as I never saw one last year. [Posted by kevin ross]