25-year transect trend graphs. I have incorporated all the latest (2023) transect data for Hampshire and Isle of Wight sites to create a full set of 25-year transect trend graphs for all butterfly species. I've shown one example below, for Brimstone. You'll notice that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight average trend shows a strong correlation with the England national index, and that 2023 was a good year for this species. You'll also notice how well Brimstone is doing on Butterfly Conservation's Magdalen Hill Down (MHD) nature reserve. To see the full document with similar graphs for other species go to the "Transects" tab of the BC Hampshire & Isle of Wight website, then click on the "25 Year trends" sub-tab. [Posted by Andy Barker]
 |
| 25-year transect trend - Brimstone Photo © Andy Barker |
Purple Emperor larva - Whiteley Pastures. After many hours searching I finally found a Purple Emperor larva using the ‘dangly leaf’ method.
Before hibernating the larva secures its seat leaf with silk threads preventing the leaf from falling. This causes it to flutter and twirl in the breeze and indicates that a larva might be nearby. The larva is only about 5mm long but was aligned by a bud some 500mm away and waiting for spring - perhaps now I have broken my duck I might be able to find some more [Posted by Mark Tutton]
 |
| Dreaming of spring Photo © Mark Tutton |
Brimstone between Longparish and Hurstbourne Priors. Very surprised to see a male Brimstone flying along the roadside between Longparish and Hurstbourne Priors at 1pm today. No photos as I was driving, By far the latest I've ever seen one flying in Hampshire! [Posted by Kevin Haggar]
Brown Hairstreak ova in Stubbs Copse. While looking, unsuccessfully, for Purple Emperor larvae in Stubbs Copse on the Hants/Sussex border, I checked a nice south facing Blackthorn hedge for Brown Hairstreak ova and sure enough turned up half a dozen pretty quickly. A new site, I think, and further evidence that either this elusive species is becoming more widespread in Hampshire or that its presence has gone undetected? [Posted by Mark Tutton]
 |  |  |
| Photo © Mark Tutton | Photo © Mark Tutton | Photo © Mark Tutton |
Jersey Tiger near Andover. Thought I’d share this picture of what I believe to be a Jersey Tiger moth. Picture was taken beginning of September in one of my gardens that I maintain near Andover. [Posted by Chris Kitching]
 |
| Photo © Chris Kitching |
Landscape Project Planning. A wonderful afternoon at Magdalen Hill Down discussing landscape projects with Andy Barker and the BC team that comprised Fiona Scully, Dan Hoare and our new South East Area Conservation Manager, Steven Lofting. Lots of discussion of how we can turn around the fortunes of the Duke of Burgundy, in particular, while working with various partners in the branch area. [Posted by Pete Eeles]
 |  |
| Dan, Andy, Steven and Fiona Photo © Pete Eeles | Fiona and friend! Photo © Pete Eeles |
First of the season. First Brown Hairstreak ovum of the season photographed today at Great Fontley; a grand total of three females were seen in September. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
 |
| Brown Hairstreak ovum Photo © Andrew Brookes |
Holly Blues in Woolston. I popped down to Woolston this morning via Freemantle Common and Peartree Green LNR.
On the way I saw a couple of Speckled Wood and 7 Red Admirals. But the big surprise was spotted a couple of Holly Blues on Woodley Road, Woolston. One was definitely female, the other I think was male but only saw it briefly in flight and close winged. [Posted by Nic Burns]
 |  |
| Holly Blue female Photo © Nic Burns | Holly Blue (possibly male) Photo © Nic Burns |
Thankyou. Just a brief note to say many thanks to Andrew for identifying the blue flowering perennial in our garden that attracts so many insects. It is still going strong! Unlike the Hampshire bird sightings Web site there no option to reply to anyone who inputs directly, hence this quick message which I hope is OK to post [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
Red Admirals at Hillier Gardens. With all the wet weather we've had recently, we decided to make the most of today's winter sunshine, and went for a lunchtime walk at Hillier Gardens, Braishfield. It was only 10oC, but in sheltered areas in full sun we counted nine Red Admirals. There are still some flowers on the spiky Colletia paradoxa in the Winter Garden, and these always prove a popular nectar source. We saw four Red Admirals on this plant, and when they weren't taking nectar they sat and basked on the flowerheads of an adjacent ornamental grass. Another plant popular with bees and butterflies at this time of year is Mahonia, although we only found one Red Admiral on this today. [Posted by Andy Barker]
 |  |  |
| Red Admiral on Colletia paradoxa Photo © Andy Barker | Red Admiral basking Photo © Andy Barker | Red Admiral on Mahonia sp. Photo © Andy Barker |
Hummingbird nectar source. The plant the Hummingbird Hawkmoth was nectaring on at Lee on Solent (7 Nov.) is Salvia patens, 'Mexican Sage', probably the variety 'Blue Angel', a half-hardy perennial. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
New Forest Butterfly Transect Group 2023 Season Highlights. 2023 was a record year in terms of overall numbers recorded. 68948 exceeded the 67567 recorded in 2019, although the density was higher in 2019 as less transects were walked. This represents a 40% increase over 2022. Much of the increase is down to a very warm dry June which resulted in large numbers of summer browns. It also meant that less common summer species such as White Admiral had a spectacular year. We also recorded our first Purple Emperors since 2002. Record numbers of Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper made up nearly 50% of the total and both Small/Essex and Large Skippers had record years. Brimstone, Peacock did well in spite of a cool spring. and Brown Argus and Small Copper also thrived after a poor 2022 and Red Admiral were the most common butterfly from September onwards. On the down side Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue and Grayling had poor years partly due to a cool wet late summer. Most surprising was that Ringlet were 36% down on average and we barely recorded 50% of the 2022 total.
If you would like to help us record butterflies in and around the New Forest please see our page under Area Groups. [Posted by Bob taylor]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Just five Red Admiral this afternoon (1310-1450, 14 degrees Celsius, windy and cloudy). Two were found basking when the sunshine broke through and three still happily sucking their way through the apples! [Posted by FRANCIS PLOWMAN]
 |  |
| Red Admiral male Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN | Got some way to go yet with this apple! Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN |
Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Lee on Solent. I got my wish - a Hummingbird Hawkmoth in November in our Lee on Solent garden. Also a Red Admiral to keep it company. Not the best photos but I couldn't get focus quickly enough nor stop all movement with my at hand (cheap!) camera. Whatever the blue flowering shrub is - it certainly attracts insects and bees in particular now that the verbena seem to have gone. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
 |  |
| Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Lee on Solent Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Hummingbird Hawkmoth - Lee on Solent Photo © Mark Wagstaff |
AGM/Members' Day Part 2. Mike Wall, county moth recorder, provided some incredible insights into our changing moth fauna. Mike was followed by Max Anderson, BC's South West Landscape Officer, who gave two presentations on the importance of night-time pollinators, and the use of UV light to search out immature stages of the Lycaenidae (Coppers, Hairstreaks and Blues). Many great questions and interactions made for a top-notch members' day! And my thanks to all who helped with the organisation of the event and, of course, to all of our members who are helping the branch go from strength to strength. [Posted by Pete Eeles]
 |  |
| Mike Wall Photo © Pete Eeles | Max Anderson Photo © Pete Eeles |
AGM/Members' Day Part 1. We had a well-attended AGM and Members' Day yesterday, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the incredible achievements of the branch over the last 12 months, with an 11% increase in membership! My thanks to all of the excellent speakers. Kate Barrett provided compelling rationale to volunteer for BC and highlighted the current vacancies we're looking to fill. This was followed by a presentation by Mike Slater, Chair of the Warwickshire branch, who shared many insights that are documented in his ground-breaking book, Butterfly Conservation - the Warwickshire Approach. [Posted by Pete Eeles]
 |  |
| Kate Barrett, Rupert Broadway and Andy Barker Photo © Pete Eeles | Mike Slater Photo © Pete Eeles |
Do not go gentle... In the brief midday sunshine, Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (2), and a female Brimstone at Great Fontley. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Three species still found on a short walk (1235-1350) in blustery conditions and with mostly sunny periods (14.5 deg C). Red Admiral predominates and most were discovered feeding on a feral apple tree full of decomposing fruit with at least six butterflies making the most of the energy. A lonely Small White stopped for a second or two. One of each sex of Speckled Wood also recorded with the male in good condition and busy chasing falling leaves! The female very worn out. On the shoreline a pair of Swans, Little Egret and returning Brent Geese. Total: Red Admiral (10); Speckled Wood (M)(1)(F)(1); Small White (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
 |  |  |
| Female Red Admiral on wild apple Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman |