Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Combined with fruitful blackberrying from 1435-1630 the following were noted: Holly Blue (5); Large White (2); Small White (1); Comma (3); Speckled Wood (3); Common Blue (4); (2)(F); Meadow Brown (1); Brown Argus (1); Small Copper (1). Now for blackberry jelly! [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue female var Fb Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female (normal form) Photo © Francis Plowman | Holly Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Hill, Promenade & Seafield Park, Hill Head. 1205-1300, 19 degrees, blustery conditions. Large White (4); Small White (18); Brown Argus (2); Common Blue (M)(5); Holly Blue (4); Small Heath (2); Small Copper (1). Still no Clouded Yellow! [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Small White Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown (South) Gosport. In vain searching for Clouded Yellow from 1040-1150: Meadow Brown (4); Small White (1); Small Copper (1); Small Heath (4); Large White (4). Rain stopped play! [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Meadow Brown female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. 0945-1025. Small Copper (2); Green-veined White (1); Small White (1); Large White (1); Brown Argus (1); Small Heath (1); Common Blue (M) (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Argus Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Adanac Park,Nursling. Clouded Yellows. Saw lots of Small Copper where Tracey and Dave mentioned. But also at least three quite worn Clouded Yellows are there now, as a bonus ! [Posted by Jason Claxton]
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| Photo © Jason Claxton | Photo © Jason Claxton |
Noar Hill NNR. Making a last visit to this site for the foreseeable future I thought I would see if the female Brown Hairstreak was still active. I started quite early at about 0930, and it was quite cool with lots of Common Blue and Small Heath on the wing. I got to the triangle and a female was sitting quite quietly on a Hazel bush about 20 feet above the ground. She sat there for a good hour, so I gave up and wandered around for some more inspiration. There wasn't much forthcoming, having had lunch in a well known hot spot and there still wasn't anything on the wing. I went back to retrace my steps and in the space of 10 minutes between 1245-1300 when the sun had come out for a prolonged period of time I saw and photographed (4) females in succession. One had been laying eggs, as her abdomen was quite pronounced, another was feeling several plants like Oxford Ragwort, tasting it with her forelegs, when she did get the right plant she just dragged her abdomen along the Blackthorn stem. There was two females on the same bush at one time.In all I had seen (7) females on the wing and they were all in remarkable condition, probably hatched within the last week of August. Such is their prolonged flight period. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Female Brown Hairstreak Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Dragging her abdoman along a Blackthorn stem Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Female Common Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Chalton Down. Today I visited Chalton Down where the temperature was 19 degrees. The last few Chalk Hill Blues, Meadow Browns and Gatekeeper were seen with several fresh Small Heaths, Whites and a Brown Argus. Totals: Large White 4, Small White 7, Brown Argus 1, Chalk Hill Blue 3M, Common Blue 11M 3F, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow Brown 3, Small Heath 10, Speckled Wood 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Brown Hairstreak on Ports Down. Richard Jones, Ports Down Countryside Officer, saw and photographed an immaculate female Brown Hairstreak on the lower southern slopes of Ports Down, immediately north of Queen Alexandra hospital today, adding to the small number reported from south-east Hants in recent years. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Two hours spent over lunchtime renewing my acquaintance with this area after holidays revealed 11 species; one might say 'all the usual suspects' but not one Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell or Peacock to be seen. They were not in abundance either in Germany so wonder whether the very hot summer has taken a toll here? However, today I recorded: Small White (4); Large White (3); Holly Blue (6); Meadow Brown (2); Comma (4); Small Copper (1); Common Blue (male)(3); Brown Argus (1); Small Heath (1); Speckled Wood (5); Green-veined White (3). There was a mix of well-worn and extremely fresh butterflies the latter's photographs appear. [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Comma Photo © Francis Plowman | Holly Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Small Copper record in North Baddesley. Today on a quick walk around my butterfly reserve at North Baddesley i saw record number of small copper all VERY fresh so i have a feeling there is more to appear. Saw 8 Small Copper,10 Speckled Wood,2 Comma,2 Holly Blue,2 Common Blue,5 Meadow Brown,7 Small White,1 Large White,1 Green-veined White,1 very small Painted Lady,1 silver y moth.4 grass snakes,58 slow worms,1 lizard,1 wasp spider.14 hornets,numerous moths. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
Small Coppers everywhere at Adanac Park!. Over the past week while out walking at lunchtimes from the Ordnance Survey, I have noticed more Small Coppers than usual. They have always been here but not in large numbers.
Today I set out with David, with camera in hand, to see just how many there are. If you go to the end of Adanac Drive where it stops at a gate. You will find a footpath that goes all the way through to Nursling Street at the other end. If you walk along this path staying mostly at the Ordnance Survey end, you will see many clumps of Common Fleabane on both sides of the path. These seem irresistible to Small Coppers! There is also Ragwort, Thistle and lots of Sorrel along here. Perfect habitat for these lovely little butterflies. I have been chasing butterflies with a camera for years and I have never seen this many in one place before. We got there just gone 10am and stayed until 11.30am. All together we saw at least 15, probably more, Small Coppers. It was by far the most common butterfly we saw!
There were also about 4 Brown Argus, 3 Common Blue, 1 male, 6 Small Whites and a Speckled Wood.
I have included 6 pictures of the Small Coppers because I find the difference in the markings very interesting! (…and I take too many photos!) Certainly helps to see just how many different butterflies we did photograph! Well worth a quick walk along here before it gets ruined by development! [Posted by Tracy Piper]
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| Small Copper showing some veining Photo © Tracy Piper | No veining and narrow front border Photo © Tracy Piper | Small spots and no veining Photo © Tracy Piper |
Small Coppers everywhere at Adanac Park!. ...some more photos [Posted by Tracy Piper]
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| On Ragwort for a change Photo © Tracy Piper | This one has heavy, blocked in spots Photo © Tracy Piper | Small Copper underside Photo © Tracy Piper |
Benefits of Ivy in Farlington. The benefits of letting some ivy flower are now very evident in my garden. In just a small area I counted over thirty Holly Blue eggs - mostly hatched - and then had a good hunt for the supremely camouflaged, and very tiny, caterpillars which made me go boss eyed! Some of the florets had as many a six eggs so the females had been very busy despite me only seeing the odd one. [Posted by Mark Tutton]
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| Holly Blue larvae Photo © Mark Tutton | Empty egg case Photo © Mark Tutton | Side view Photo © Mark Tutton |
Potential I.D for Roger Clark's escaped/released butterfly on 22/08/18. I'd look at a picture of a female Hypolimnas bolina , Eggfly butterfly ,Roger.
Not sure what other similar species are out there, H.bolina is from Asia!
Obviously an escape or release. [Posted by Jason Claxton]
Old Winchester Hill. Made my usual mistake and got to Old Winchester Hill very early this morning. It was cold! No sign of any insect life until about 0900 when the place literally came alive. I only visited the car park slope and then just the bottom section - where the path turns left to run alongside a sheltered meadow. There were at least 20+ fresh looking Adonis Blues in this area - they looked amazing when perched at the top of long grasses trying to warm up in the early morning sun. Silver-spotted Skippers were much more difficult to find - I could only locate 3 - which is probably due to my poor field skills rather than them not being there. I never thought I would see the day when I passed a perfectly posed Adonis Blue to pursue a small brown butterfly! In addition to Adonis Blues and Skippers I also saw a single Painted Lady, lots of Chalk Hill Blues (most were faded but a handful still in relatively good condition), Common Blues, Small Heath and faded Meadow Browns. Might be my last butterfly trip of 2018 - if so - those amazing Adonis Blues will keep me going until next year. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
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| Chalkhill Blue - Old Winchester Hill Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Adonis Blue - Old Winchester Hill Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Silver Spotted Skipper - Old Winchester Hill Photo © Mark Wagstaff |
Yew Tree Heath Field Trip. Driving along the M27 this morning in a deluge of rain and things were looking rather grim.However parking up in the New Forest it was a different story the clouds parted and the sun shone and it looked like it was going to be good day. We started off on the Heathland on the Shatterford side towards Denny Lodge, and here we encountered our first Grayling. We saw in all (8) Graylings on both sides of the B3056 road, making the colonies here very well spread out, I suspect three weeks ago we would have been falling over them. Other species seen of note were Small Heath (10) Silver-studded Blue (1) a male in very good condition, must been a very late one or a second emergence? Common Blue (5) Small Copper (2) Silver-'y'moths. Other worthy of note Common Lizards, lovely Marsh Gentians, Kestrels and Woodlarks, and the best of all running to catch a glimpse of '60008 Union of South Africa' on a steam hauled express going through Beaulieu Station...magic! [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Grayling expertly camouflaged! Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Silver Y Moth another expert in camouflage Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Yew Tree Heath Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Jersey Tiger in my Leigh Park garden. This afternoon I found a Jersey Tiger (f.lutescens) nectaring on Hemp-agrimony in my garden. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Large unidentified butterflies in Emsworth. I saw a couple of large black butterflies while walking in Emsworth on Sunday.
It was beside a Brook. They were more interested in elderberries than in me.
Can you tell me what type they are and where they might have come from please?
Many thanks
Roger [Posted by Roger Clark]
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| Photo © Roger Clark | Photo © Roger Clark | Photo © Roger Clark |
Old Winchester Hill. Today I visited Old Winchester Hill arriving at 11:30am. The weather was sunny reaching 23 degrees. I spent 2 hours walking to the hill fort and returning through the woods and along the valley to the bottom of the car park slope. I saw a total of 13 species including my target the Adonis Blue. A total of 8 fresh males and 3 females were flying in various areas along the valley and at the bottom of the car park slope, but none were seen on the slope itself. I managed to see just a single Silver-spotted Skipper which was recorded on the far West facing slope of the hill fort. Elsewhere Meadow Browns, Small Heaths and Common Blues were the most frequently seen species, with a mating pair of the latter noted. Single Brown Argus, Chalk Hill Blue, Small Copper and a faded Small Skipper were recorded.
Totals: Large White 2, Small White 1, Adonis Blue 8M 3F, Brown Argus 1, Chalk Hill Blue 1M, Common Blue 33M 9F, Small Copper 1, Gatekeeper 8, Meadow Brown 38, Small Heath 22, Speckled Wood 2, Silver-spotted Skipper 1, Small Skipper 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Moth trap Leigh Park. I had my moth trap on overnight in my garden and caught 45 species. The most numerous of these were Vine's Rustic 48, Square-spot Rustic 30, Heart and Dart 20, Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 18, Small Rufous 16, Other goodies included Silver Y 6, White Point 1, Gold Spot 1, Cypress Pug 3, Garden Tiger 2, Six-striped Rustic 6, L-album Wainscot 1, Swallow Prominent 1, Maiden's Blush 1, Tawny Speckled Pug 1, Lesser Treble-bar 1, European Corn-borer 3. There were also some predators caught in the moth trap 9 Wasps, Shield Bugs 3 and a Harlequin Ladybird. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Eastney Beach. Now we are in the last few months of the butterfly season I am visiting a site I mentioned 'few' times in the last years blog. Eastney Beach this year like most other sites has suffered with the lack of rain and has had a few run ins with beach comers with burning of the vegetation and the butterfly mound has been scorched and is now bare earth in places. However now we have had some rain the grasses are coming back. There were a few Common Blues to be seen and lots of Whites, and my favourite the Clouded Yellow which was possibly a local, as they do breed on the beach. The Small Copper may not appear as its food plant has been obliterated. The Council have cut a lot of the grassy banks where its foodplants were growing, but I'm in a positive mood and are hoping it will put in an appearance in September or October like last year. Watch this space. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Clouded Yellow Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Common Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Noar Hill. Following two previous visits and encouraged by recent reports of sightings of the Brown Hairstreak, I paid a visit today to Noar Hill. The temperature reached 23 degrees with sunny spells with some cloud. Arriving around 10am I covered most of the main paths with Common Blues, Whites, Meadow Browns and Small Heaths being the most common species. I also recorded two Brown Argus and a single battered Silver-washed Fritillary, but no Brown Hairstreaks despite looking in suitable places. After a few hours, I met two friends who were also on the "Hairstreak Hunt". Searching once more, we finally spotted a female at 1pm towards Charity Farm in the same area as Alan Thornbury's sightings which was feeding on hemp agrimony blooms. A little further along in the same area at 1.30pm a male Brown Hairstreak descended from a tree top and alighted briefly on a blackthorn bush.
Totals: Large White 8, Small White 10, Brown Argus 2, Brown Hairstreak 2, Common Blue 18M 5F, Holly Blue 2, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 9, Small Heath 10, Speckled Wood 3, Silver-washed Fritillary 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
first ever Grayling, North Baddesley. First Grayling ever seen on my butterfly reserve in North Baddesley today. Also Meadow Brown,Common Blue,Holly Blue,Small Tortoiseshell,Comma,Red Admiral, Brown Argus,Speckled Wood,Small White,Large White,Green-veined White,Silver Y moth. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
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| Photo © Kevin Ross |
Portsdown Hill and Fort Widley. Visited the East end of Portsdown Hill (SU657063) today where the temperature was 20 degrees. Several Whites were flying with a few battered Meadow Browns and Common Blues. Totals: Large White 6, Small White 11, Common Blue 6M 1F, Meadow Brown 5, Speckled Wood 1.
Across the road at Fort Widley (SU657066) very little was flying, Large White 1, Small White 8, Common Blue 1M. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Perham Ranges Field Trip. The weather today probably accounted for a small turnout today, however despite this we had a very good field trip over the Perham Ranges. This is an Army range, and as such has been untouched, and most of the meadows have many ant hills, suggesting they have never been ploughed, also many miles of Blackthorn Thickets and good Oak and Beech stands.There is also some good downland with some very short turf, however because of the weather we never saw the Silver-spotted Skipper or the Brown Hairstreak, if the weather had been good I suggest we would have seen both of these species. The treat today was to see three not one or two but three Wall Brown butterflies. They were in a meadow and were quite obliging for a photograph or two. I think they may well be making a small comeback dare I say it! These were the first 'inland' Wall Browns I had seen for at least 20 years! Other treats were excellent counts of Brown Argus arguably my species of 2018 also great numbers of Small Heath; some sites are struggling but they are in excellent numbers here. Id like to thank John for his leadership skills today and the other field trippers who I'd never been with before which made for an interesting day. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Wall Brown Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Wall Brown Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brown Argus Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Ovipositing Brown Hairstreak At Noar Hill. I had not so far had much cooperation this season from Brown Hairstreaks, during my visits to find them, so it was a welcome change to see 3 females at Noar Hill around midday today. All were in the same area, close to the 'stone circle' on the Charity Farm side of the reserve, flitting amongst light scrub (which included young blackthorn), perching, basking, briefly diving off into nearly bushes and in at least one case, ovipositing. A return to the area less than an hour later found that 'all was quiet' on the hairstreak front. Two of the individuals had some wing lacerations/damage but one seemed to be close to immaculate. One of the photos below shows a 'freshly laid' egg. [Posted by Alan Thornbury]
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| Brown Hairstreak (Ovum) Photo © Alan Thornbury | Brown Hairstreak (Female) Photo © Alan Thornbury | Brown Hairstreak (Female) Photo © Alan Thornbury |
Noar Hill NNR. A look around in almost perfect conditions at Noar Hill today but there was very little on offer in the Brown Hairstreak species. They haven't done very well here this season, so finding any would be a treat. I managed to see three, two males and one female. The biggest surprise was to see two Silver-washed Fritillary, still on the wing looking very battered but still feeding on the Hemp Agrimony. The best counts today by far were the Common Blue, very common they were everywhere, closely followed by the Small Heath, Holly Blue some excellent counts today two or three flying together which is quite rare, and then the Brown Argus. Used to see the Clouded Yellow on this site but I haven't seen one now for a few years. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Female Brown Hairstreak Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Female Common Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Small Heath Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Moth Trap Wickham. I was out last night with a couple of friends who helped with a Moth trap on a private site close to Wickham. The site is a vast wooded area with good meadows and I left it on over night and came back this morning to have a look. Unfortunately it must have been close to a Hornets nest, as there was well over thirty odd Hornets caught in the trap. This must have obviously put a lot of the moths off from visiting the trap. However we did have a few interesting specimens, highlights were , August Thorn, Copper Underwing, Smokey Wainscot, Small Angle Shades, Sharp Angled Peacock. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| August Thorn Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Copper Underwing Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Sharp angled Peacock Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Old Winchester Hill. Today I visited Old Winchester Hill in the early afternoon. The weather was not ideal with cloud and a strong Westerly wind, the temperature reaching 18 degrees. I walked over to the hill fort and then along the top path missing the lower slopes and car park slope which was in the direct blast of the wind. No Adonis Blues or Silver Spotted Skippers were seen in the conditions, but still nine species were recorded. Totals: Large White 1, Small White 13, Chalk Hill Blue 3M, Common Blue 11M 3F, Gatekeeper 3, Meadow Brown 19, Small Heath 5, Speckled Wood 1, Comma 1. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Chalton Down. This afternoon I visited Chalton Down on my way home from Noar Hill, where the temperature was 23 degrees. On the downs, numbers of Chalk Hill Blues were decreasing not helped by the low rabbit population here in recent years. Other species found in good numbers were Large White 1, Small Whites, Meadow Browns and Common Blues. Totals: Small White 14, Chalk Hill Blue 46M 5F, Common Blue 15M 5F, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow Brown 18, Small Heath 4. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Noar Hill. Visited Noar Hill this morning, where the temperature was 23 degrees to look once more for Brown Hairstreaks. Still none were to be seen. After about half an hour heavy cloud appeared so I returned to my car for 45 minutes, until the sun reappeared. A few second brood Small Blues were seen along with fresh Common Blues and two Silver-washed Frillarys. One was quite fresh looking, the other very ragged and faded. Totals: Large White 12, Small White 16, Common Blue 29M 3F, Small Blue 3, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 24, Small Heath 7, Speckled Wood 8, Silver-washed Fritillary 2. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Wall Brown in Emsworth. I was walking around Nore Barn in Emsworth when I came across a Wall Brown butterfly; it is the first time I have seen this species. [Posted by Brian Lawrence]
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| Wall brown butterfly Photo © Brian Lawrence |
Old Winchester Hill NNR (Car-park slope). I was out at the crack of dawn today with the sun just peering over the top of the downs as this was the only sun I was going to see as by 0930 a front had come in and it was completely cloudy. However despite this I had some good records today, Silver-spotted Skipper (30) Clouded Yellow (1) first of the year... Adonis Blue (12) all males, most have just emerged, the Chalk Hill Blue was countless many engaged in mating on the short turf area, hundreds.. well probably thousands. This year has been one of the best for the Brown Argus, it has done extremely well. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Clouded Yellow Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Adonis Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Silver-Spotted Skipper Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Old Winchester Hill NNR. The weather was back into the old routine today fine and sunny one minute then clouded over with a stiff breeze at times. The counts of many of the species was probably hampered by this especially the sun loving Silver-spotted Skipper. Today I only looked at the fort slope facing south-west and here I just managed to clock up double figures (10). The Adonis Blue was on the wing but I think these have only just emerged, with a count of (7). Excellent counts of Brown Argus, and Small Heath, with great numbers of Common Blue. Many of the Chalk Hill Blues are now looking a bit worn. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Freshly emerged male Adonis Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Silver-Spotted Skipper Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brown Argus Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Martin Down.. After all the hot days I visited Martin Down today (1045-1430) in bright but very breezy cool conditions making photography tricky to say the least! I noted the following species, Adonis Blue (2nd brood) 6, Clouded Yellow 1, Common Blue 34, Chalk Hill Blue 12, Brown Argus 8, Small White 18, Large White 14, Small Tortoishell 1, Small Heath 30, Meadow Brown 9, Gatekeeper 6, numerous Silver Y moths and the tiny Lime-speck Pug. [Posted by Mark Pike]
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| Adonis Blue Photo © Mark Pike | Clouded Yellow Photo © Mark Pike | Lime-speck Pug Photo © Mark Pike |
Adonis Blue Take Wing On St Catherine's Hill. The summer brood of Adonis Blue are on the wing at St Catherine's Hill, near Winchester. I saw 5 males (including two very fresh ones) on the lower levels of the south-facing slope, during a visit this afternoon. The Adonis were still greatly outnumbered by Chalk Hill Blues. No Silver-spotted Skippers were seen during my visit, noting the sighting two weeks ago. [Posted by Alan Thornbury]
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| Adonis Blue (male) Photo © Alan Thornbury | Adonis Blue (male) Photo © Alan Thornbury |
Noar Hill. Today I visited a hot and sunny Noar Hill where the temperature reached 26 degrees. I was hoping to spot a Brown Hairstreak, but none was seen. Several Whites, along with Browns and Common Blues were seen as well as a few worn Silver-washed Fritillarys and single Small Blue and Gatekeeper. Totals: Large White 13, Small White 10, Common Blue 13M 2F, Small Blue 1, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow Brown 17, Small Heath 8, Speckled Wood 9, Silver-washed Fritillary 5. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
In our garden at Leigh Park. A Painted Lady was nectaring on one of our budliea bushes in our garden at Leigh Park this morning and a Humming-bird Hawk-moth made a brief visit during the afternoon. [Posted by Barry and Margaret]
Beacon Hill impromptu Field Trip. Today was to get some idea of how the Silver-spotted Skipper was faring at Beacon Hill. Unfortunately in that task I was sadly let down by this species. Either the species isn't out yet, or they still haven't got a foot hold here again. There are some good areas of short turf where they certainly could breed, and large scrapes, where the top soil has been taken off to reveal the chalk underneath. One of my Field Trippers did espy one but unfortunately it was so fast and furious flying through the area. I shall be re-visiting the site again next week and look at a totally new area facing south-east where the sward looks really short. However despite this today I managed to count the highest of the Brown Argus, which were everywhere, Common Blue really lived up to its name as well and the Small Heath was very common. It was good to see the Dark-green Fritillary still hanging on as well. The best was the two Robber Flies mating. I first saw them on some cattle dung but they moved onto a bush just right for a quick picture, but what fascinating creatures!
Thank you for everybody that turned up very short but enjoyable as it was still too hot walk around for too long.. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Small Heath very common today Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Best count of Brown Argus Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Mating Robber Flies Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Shipton Bellinger. Paid my first ever visit today from 0945-1330 and noted the following species, Brown Hairstreak 8, Speckled Wood 12, Holly Blue 16, Painted Lady 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Large White 5, Meadow Brown 14, Common Blue 10, Brown Argus 2, Gatekeeper 8. It was far and away the most Holly Blues I have seen in one area! [Posted by Mark Pike]
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| Brown Hairstreak (female) Photo © Mark Pike | Brown Hairstreak (males) Photo © Mark Pike | Holly Blue (egglaying) Photo © Mark Pike |
Old Winchester Hill. We had a walk around Old Winchester Hill today from 1030 to 1400 and recorded 14 species the highlights were as follows. Chalk Hill Blue 1000+, Silver-spotted Skipper 50+, Brown Argus 4, Brimstone 1m, Gatekeeper 1, Red Admiral 5, Painted Lady 1, Clouded Yellow 4, Humming-bird Hawk-moth 4 and 3 Red Kites foraging over a field nearby.
On arriving back home we found a male Roesel's Bush Cricket resting on our kitchen window. [Posted by Barry and Margaret Collins]
Tiger in our garden in Sway. A fine Jersey Tiger moth in our garden in Sway. [Posted by Tony Blakeley]
Silver-spotted Skippers at St.Catherine's Hill. Linda and I took a trip to St. Catherine's Hill on Sunday, and had our best ever tally of Silver-spotted Skippers, with 21 seen on the lower and mid slopes. On a typical year we usually see c.5 on a visit, so to see so many is particularly encouraging, for what is the only known breeding colony for this species in central Hampshire. Other highlights included 66 Chalk Hill Blues, 36 Common Blue, 14 Brown Argus and 2 Adonis Blues, and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. [Posted by Andy Barker]
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| Silver-spotted skipper (in landscape) Photo © Andy Barker | Silver-spotted skipper (close-up) Photo © Andy Barker |
Oxenbourne Down. I visited from about 11.30 to 2.30 during the heat of a hot day. The commonest butterfly was Chalk Hill Blue, which were everywhere, both male and female, several hundred. I counted 16 Silver-spotted Skippers, initially a little difficult to spot, they were sitting still on small branches and then suddenly flying off at high speed. A few were feeding on flowers and gave very good views. Otherwise about 50 Common Blue, 20 Small Heaths, 20 Gatekeeper, 20 plus Meadow Browns, some Brown Argus, 2 Silver Y moths and Large Whites. [Posted by Gerard Fordham]
Ackender/Bushy Lease Wood (Alton) August 2018. On another very hot day, I spent the afternoon in Ackender Wood, Alton.
A total of 6 Silver-washed Fritillaries were on the wing, most showing significant wear. As evidence of the early end to the season, there were no Ringlets or Skippers and very few (3) Meadow Browns. Colour was provided by 3 Holly Blues. One Southern Hawker was patrolling a ride, while a loose group of six were in a sheltered corner of a field.
Highlight was two female Sabre Wasps. With long antennae and a very long oviposter these give an initial dragonfly-like jizz. They were exploring conifer logs in a wood pile in Bushy Lease wood. [Posted by Steve Mansfield]
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| Silver Washed Fritillary, Ackender Wood, Alton Photo © Steve Mansfield | Sabre Wasp, Bushy Lease Wood, Alton Photo © Steve Mansfield |
Broughton Down NNR. This is a site I've only just visited for the first time in nearly 40 years I've always threatened to go there , but as I've got a field Trip here in just a week I thought I would do some forward planning in such glorious weather. The site I was very impressed with and has large areas of very short turf, which is ideal for the lovely Silver-spotted Skipper which were 'buzzing' all over the site. I counted a 'conservative' estimate of (65) but I know there were hundreds here today, they were flying at some parts in threes and fours! Other good counts came from Common Blue (100)+ Dark Green Fritillary (2) Small Heath (30) Adonis Blue (1) Brown Argus (20). (15) species of butterfly and moth were observed on the downland. I must go there in the spring....! [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Silver-Spotted Skipper male Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brown Argus male and female (rejection ) Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Broughton Down NNR Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Keyhaven - No Wall Browns. I don't often put negative news on here but on this occasion it might be helpful. Encouraged by single sightings of Wall butterflies at Shipton Bellinger and Titchfield Haven recently I decided to try what I thought might be their last stronghold in SE Hampshire at Keyhaven. I also visited Dorset just a short distance down the coast a week ago and had no trouble finding Wall there. I made a circuit of the Ancient Highway and the sea wall and just in case I got there a little too early walked back on myself so effectively did most of the circuit twice! And sadly with no luck. It must be 3-4 years since I was here and I could almost guarantee second generation Wall on the Ancient Highway in particular but in what must be perfect conditions, not a sign today. In fact there were very few butterflies about - I only saw both Whites, Small Heath, Meadow Browns and a few faded Gatekeepers (that raised the pulse as one in particular settled on the gravel path!). It would be a huge shame if they have gone from this patch - I suppose I might have been a little late (in this unusual season) so fingers crossed if anyone else decides to try (or perhaps with the 3rd generation if there is one). Disappointing regarding the Wall - beautiful place to be on a lovely sunny day though. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
latest sightings inc wasp spider in North Baddesley. Latest sightings on my own butterfly reserve at North Baddesley.first wasp spider seen anywhere this year.Meadow Brown 42, Ringlet 3,Common Blue 15,Holly Blue 11,Gatekeeper 29,Small White 42,Large White 5,Green-veined White 2,Small Tortoiseshell 1,Red Admiral 1,Purple Hairstreak 5,Brown Argus 1,Peacock 3,Painted Lady 1,Silver-washed Fritillary 5,Comma 5,Speckled Wood 7,Silver Y Moth 15. [Posted by Kevin Ross]
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| Photo © Kevin Ross |
Monster year for Common Blue at Pitt Down. I recorded 89 Common Blue on the Pitt Down transect today, compared to 35 for the whole of 2017 - they were everywhere. Also a Silver-washed Fritillary female Valezina, but not a single Gatekeeper - they seem to be disappearing fast. [Posted by Rupert Broadway]
Portsdown. My fourth loop around Top Field this week produced a minimum Count of 147 Common Blue, previous highest count was 80 on Friday. Single Chalk Hill Blue male(single female seen Friday).Meadow Brown in much decreased numbers today but still many silver Y disturbed from the flower rich grassland. [Posted by Peter Gammage]
Alton - dwarf Common Blues and Clouded Yellow. A walk around the south of Alton on 3 August started on a small patch of chalk download flowers in my Alton garden, where my wife spotted a very small butterfly. It was the size of a Small Blue - however closer inspection revealed it to be a tiny Common Blue. We then found a second, and a male Common Blue was also present.
Along the Caker Stream in Omega Park industrial estate in Alton, we found another particularly small butterfly - this time a Green-veined White. The same site held 6 male and 3 female Common Blues, and a single Meadow Brown. Very few Meadow Browns were seen all day - clearly they have finished early this year. Also present here were 3 Common Darter and 3 Ruddy Darter.
A Clouded Yellow was in an adjacent weedy field (SU728392).
Also surprisingly lacking were butterflies on Buddleia, of which there is plenty. A single Small Tortoiseshell was the only one of note, bar whites. [Posted by Steve Mansfield]
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| Very small Common Blue female, Alton 3 August 2018 Photo © Steve Mansfield | Common Blue pair. Alton 3 August 2018 Photo © Steve Mansfield |
Paulsgrove Chalk Pits. After visiting the East end of Portsdown Hill and with the temperature increasing to 24 degrees, I visited Paulsgrove Chalk Pit (SU6306) to search for the second brood Small Blues. I managed to see only 3, although numbers of Common Blues were good. Totals: Large White 1, Small White 14, Common Blue 18M 3F, Small Blue 3, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow Brown 19. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
Portsdown Hill and Fort Widley. Today I visited the East end of Portsdown Hill (SU657063) and Fort Widley (SU657066). The temperature was 21 degrees. On the track along the ridge above Queen Alexandra Hospital many Small Whites were seen with Meadow Browns and a few Speckled Woods. A single Small Blue and a male Chalk Hill Blue were seen, but a surprise was an active Clouded Yellow fly past. Totals: Small White 19, Clouded Yellow 1, Chalk Hill Blue 1m, Common Blue 4M, Small Blue 1, Meadow Brown 10, Speckled Wood 4.
At Fort Widley (SU657066) the grass was high with just 5 of the more common species recorded. Totals: Small White 10, Common Blue 6M 1F, Gatekeeper 2, Meadow Brown 6, Speckled Wood 3. [Posted by Roy Symonds]
North Browndown Heathland. I decided to look at the site which has been in the news lately with the spate of heathland fires, and they have done an enormous amount of damage, but fortunately my quarry was still in evidence in some parts of the heathland where it has recovered from heathland fires a few years ago. I saw at least (17) Graylings mainly males, and in one area they weren't hard to find...they were very hard to photograph. Waiting until you had got into position, and then they were off, fortunately they didn't fly too far away, and once they got used to your presence then they became quite tame. On heathland there isn't a lot of invertebrates to see especially with the heat and the dryness of the undergrowth and lack of flowering plants. I saw (8) butterfly species and (1) moth the lovely Jersey Tiger Moth. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Fantastic camouflage..... Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Jersey Tiger Moth Photo © Ashley Whitlock | North Browndown heathland fire areas Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Oxenbourne Down. Today I visited Oxenbourne Down (SU716183) where the temperature was 22 degrees. Many hundreds of Chalk Hill Blues were flying, all males, although I did note one female. Numbers of Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers were decreasing and I was pleased to see my first Silver Spotted Skippers this year, a total of 5 recorded. Totals: Brimstone 2M 1F, Small White 11, Chalk Hill Blue 100+M 1F, Common Blue 3m, Small Copper 1, Gatekeeper 13, Meadow Brown 20, Silver Washed Fritillary 1, Small Heath 7, Small Skipper 1, Silver-spotted Skipper 5. [Posted by Roy Symonds]