Old Winchester Hill. 200+ Meadow Brown, 48 Dark Green Fritillary, 2 Silver-washed Fritillary, 60 Marbled White, 1 Painted Lady, 2 Brimstone, 6 Comma, 6 Red Admiral, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Large Skipper, 4 Small Skipper, and 2 Peacock. Other species seen but not counted were Large White and Small White, etc. There were also 2 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard and 3 Ravens. [Posted by Barry and Margaret Collins]
Southleigh Forest. My first male Purple Emperor was patrolling the vicinity of an assembly oak from 12:45 today. Also present at least 3 Silver-washed Fritillary, as well as Large Skipper, Ringlet , Purple Hairstreak, Marbled White and Meadow Brown. [Posted by Peter Gammage]
Whiteley Pastures. Not a good day for photos sadly but if anyone is considering visiting this lovely site then I can report the following between 0900-1030 this morning:
White Admiral x2, double figures for Silver-washed Fritillary (not settling at all in the heat), Purple Hairstreak x2 low down (but annoyingly on the underside of the oak leaves!). Otherwise all the usuals with lots of Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Small Skipper plus bonus (very fresh) Red Admiral. Insect wise there were Golden Ringed dragonflies and Broad Bodied Chasers plus Beautiful Demoiselles and a couple of very large Hornets. A very worthwhile trip and likely to improve in this glorious weather [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
Silver-washed Friillary and White Admirals at Yarmouth.. Four White Admiral seen today in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth.Three of which were observed taking minerals on the bridleway. Also a male Silver-washed Fritillary busily nectaring on bramble flower while being aggravated by several Meadow Brown. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
Portsdown Hill. Summer butterfly numbers are slowly starting to build at Portsdown Hill, where I spent 2 hours this afternoon, mostly on the upper slopes between Cliffdown Gardens and Portsdown Technology Park. Conditions were hot, sunny and calm, 24C. The most abundant species by far was Marbled White - I counted 79, almost all freshly emerged males. Meadow Browns are still in quite low numbers, with only 13 seen. Other species included 3 Speckled Woods, 1 fresh male Dark Green Fritillary, 3 Red Admirals, 2 female Brimstones, 1 Small White, and 2 Common Blues. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
North Baddesley Sightings. Today on my reserve at North Baddesley first of the season White Admiral and Marbled White. [Posted by kevin ross]
WLH aloft. Same perch as yesterday at Great Fontley, but later in the day (4.20pm), one male White-letter Hairstreak enjoying the sunshine and absence of wind. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
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| Male WLH atop Japanese elm Photo © Andrew Brookes |
Aberrant Meadow Brown, Harmony Woods, Andover. A walk around Harmony Woods, an area of reclaimed farmland on the outskirts of Andover, gave me my first Small Skippers (5) and Marbled Whites (15) of 2025, but the butterfly of the day was this aberrant Meadow Brown, fortunately it hung around long enough for me to take a few pictures. [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
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| Aberrant Meadow Brown showing pale hindwings Photo © Kevin Haggar | Showing underside of hindwing Photo © Kevin Haggar | Second view of upper side Photo © Kevin Haggar |
Statement to branch members from Head Office. The future of the Hampshire Branch
On June 9th staff and volunteers in Hampshire came together to discuss the current situation with the Branch and the way ahead for our work in Hampshire. We met for an hour then headed to Magdalen Hill Down for a picnic lunch and walk led by Fiona Scully, who has now been confirmed in a permanent role as Reserves Officer.
We talked through the significant amount of work still happening in the county; we have (at least!) 297 volunteers in the county who carry out a wide range of activities, including recording and monitoring, compiling the Branch E-Newsletter and updating the Branch website as well as key leadership roles such as Transect Co-Ordinator, WCBS Champion, Walks Leaders and County Recorders. And, of course, practical work on our reserves continues, led by Fiona and supported by a vital team of practical conservation volunteers, livestock lookers and recorders.
We are truly grateful to all volunteers who have contributed to our work in the county and to those who continue to do so. At a difficult time for charities across the UK and a worrying time for nature, your support is more important than ever and every act of kindness makes a difference.
Looking ahead, we are very aware of the challenges that all our Branches in the UK have been facing in recruiting to committee roles. Across the voluntary sector, participation in volunteering has declined 45% over the last 10 years and the appetite for volunteering in a committee role has halved. Therefore, in discussion with Andy Barker (Transect Co-Ordinator, former Branch Chair and Trustee) we have agreed to proceed in Hampshire without a Branch Committee. Instead, volunteers will continue to lead activities as they currently do and staff will set up new locally targeted volunteer groups as needed, such as survey groups or for habitat management work off-reserves. This will allow us to focus our time where we can make the most difference on the ground, helping butterflies, moths and the environment in Hampshire.
Kate Barrett, BC Head of Volunteering
Email: kbarrett@butterfly-conservation.org [Posted by Jon Holden-Dye]
WLH debut at Great Fontley. A pair of White-letter Hairstreaks seen sparring above an ACCOLADE (Japanese elm hybrid) at 3pm this afternoon in full sun and moderate southerly breeze. Other sightings comprised about 20 Meadow Browns plus 2 Marbled Whites on the grasses. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Castle Shore Park, Portchester. Afternoon stroll across this former concrete works capped with chalk rubble, produced Marbled White (10), Meadow Brown (3), Small White (2), Common Blue (1), Holly Blue (1), Brimstone larvae (4). The soil is poor, giving rise to a variety of leguminous species and Ox Eye daisies, currently a riot of colour. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Small Skippers at Yarmouth.. A sunny but breezy afternoon in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth today and apart from several Meadow Brown there were three Small Skipper. The earliest date I have recorded this species. [Posted by Peter Hunt]
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| Photo © Peter Hunt | Photo © Peter Hunt |
WLH out at IBM Lake. My first White-letter Hairstreak of the year was in the top of the usual elms to west of entrance roundabout to IBM Lake/Lakeside, Cosham. Looking back at my notes for the site, not the earliest ever for me, which was a day earlier - 3rd June 2011. A single Marbled White, few Meadow Browns and a Red Admirals too. [Posted by Tim Doran]