Seafield Park & Monks Hill Promenade, Hill Head. Under ever-darkening skies my wander around this area from 1215-1400 (15 deg C) realised sightings of five living species and, sadly, one spider-kill Speckled Wood (female). No Clouded Yellow in view today although it was good to be able to see and photograph a Red Admiral in the promenade field. Also three of the four Common Blue males were in very fresh condition so should still be seeing them here into October if the weather allows. Total: Common Blue (M)(4); Small White (M)(13)(F)(2); Small Copper (1); Red Admiral (F)(1); Large White (M)(1). [Posted by FRANCIS PLOWMAN]
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| Common Blue male Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN | Red Admiral female Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN | Small White male Photo © FRANCIS PLOWMAN |
New Forest sightings. This morning, Weds 28th, while photographing fungi at Bolderwood in the New Forest, I observed 4 Speckled Wood and a single Red Admiral. Back home at Havant in the late afternoon, I saw 4-5 Small Whites, difficult to be precise because they were flying back and forth from garden to garden. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Old Winchester Hill. Today at Old Winchester Hill, on the slope below the car park - 1 male Adonis Blue, 3 male and 1 female Common Blue, 1 fresh male Clouded Yellow, 6 worn Small Heath. Along the South Downs Way between the car park and the fort ramparts, I added 4 worn Speckled Wood, 1 Comma, 1 Small White. [Posted by Adrian Hoskins]
Magdalen Hill - Small Coppers, Clouded Yellows and Meadow Browns. Chanced a visit yesterday afternoon (14:45-16:30). It was probably going to be my last visit to the downs this season and was hoping to see some Small Coppers and maybe a Clouded Yellow or two. It was about 18C, fairly sunny but with a cool breeze.
I set off from the entrance opposite the small layby on the A31 and did a loop walking westwards along the bottom edge of the Original Reserve before taking the upper path eastwards to the Extension and following the "permissive path" through the Extension before dropping down and along to my starting point.
There were plenty of Small Coppers (15+) about in the Original Reserve, along with 3 Clouded Yellows on the wing, Meadow Browns (mainly females, 15+) and some Common Blues (5). The only butterfly I saw in the Extension was a Small Heath which flew into the area where the sheep are currently working.
There was far more cloud cover and the temperature was dropping as I walked back towards the footpath down to the exit and didn't see another butterfly until I disturbed a Common Blue just above the stile. While I was positioning to take a photo of the Common Blue a Clouded Yellow came through and settled! [Posted by Nic Burns]
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| Small Copper Photo © Nic Burns | Meadow Brown Photo © Nic Burns | Clouded Yellow Photo © Nic Burns |
Old Winchester Hill, Nr Warnford. It was truly an unexpected surprise to have encountered 11 species on our walk (1245-1430) today. The temperature at 15.5 degrees Celsius and cool northerly breeze led us to two better sheltered places where the sun's warmth has evidently prolonged the butterfly season. These locations were the southern slopes/ditch of the hill fort and the valley floor beneath the car park slope. Some butterflies were in very good condition while others were ragged - but they were still there! Total: Small Copper (5); Small White (2); Comma (1); Meadow Brown (11); Small Heath (11); Common Blue (M)(5)(F)(3); Silver-spotted Skipper (1); Speckled Wood (1); Adonis Blue (M)(2); Clouded Yellow (M)(1); Brown Argus (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Silver-spotted Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman |
Eastney Beach. The other day (Thursday) I was walking along Eastney beach at the Eastern end when I noticed two Clouded Yellows interacting with each other, obviously sparring males. Today Saturday 17th September at around midday in bright warm sunlight I counted upwards of at least (10) Clouded Yellows, including a female (helice) this number is the best count I've ever had at this site. I've seen females in the past laying eggs on the beach on the clover where they can find it. Today I think there may have been a mass emergence as most of the ones I saw were all pristine. The winds are coming from the north so any continental ones wouldn't be on the jet stream I wouldn't have thought. Sadly I haven't seen any Small Coppers here this year which is the first time, but there are still Common Blues still to be seen. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Male Clouded Yellow showing a side you dont see very often|! Photo © Ashley Whitlock | One of many males feeding Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Again one of many feeding Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Seafield Park & Monks Hill Promenade, Hill Head. This once stately-home parkland (and now enclosed public wild grounds) provided good habitat for six species and the nearby promenade scrubby-field contributed one more. Keeping out of the cool north wind was the objective today and the sheltered park and shore-side field was just the ticket. The three Clouded Yellow were all noted in the field behind the promenade. One at least did not object to close photography! From 1120-1300 with the temperature hovering around 16.5 deg C and occasionally under grey skies we recorded the following: Speckled Wood (M)(2)(F)(1); Common Blue (M)(4)(F)(1); Large White (6); Small Copper (1); Holly Blue (F)(1); Small White (7); Clouded Yellow (3). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Old Winchester Hill. One of my last trips to this site in 2022, in reasonable conditions, cool wind blowing from the north and all the butterflies were at the bottom of the fort slope hiding in the area where there is good shelter from the wind. When the sun shone it was rather pleasant, and the species likewise were in reasonable numbers. There were still Chalk Hill Blues and Silver-spotted Skippers flying around, but mostly Adonis Blues male and female and a decent scattering of Small Copper. Small Heaths seem to have disappeared. There were no Clouded Yellows, although I did see two on Eastney Beach yesterday having a dogfight, which was a delight to see. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Small Copper male Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Adonis Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Common Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Haslar Sea Wall Car Park Scrub - Gosport. My first visit to this nondescript patch of rough field beyond the car park since 30th July when only 3 species were recorded. Then the area was parched and virtually devoid of flora. Today the field was in bright flower with Sow-thistle, Hawkweed and Dandelion providing sustenance for the four species recorded. From 1145-1254 (17.5 deg C under bright clouds) Clouded Yellow was prominent with two females noted including my second f.helice variety of the Autumn. The butterfly rested and I was able to gain photographs of both sides and later make good comparison with a female Clouded Yellow. With the amount of flora available this easily accessible area might be worth a visit to see Colias crocea this year? Total: Small White (5); Clouded Yellow (M)(2)(F)(2); Large White (1); Common Blue (F)(1)(M)(1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Clouded Yellow f. helice Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow female Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Gilkicker and Stokes Bay, Gosport. Six species recorded on a walk from 1256-1420 taking in the area around Fort Gilkicker and accessible parts of Stokes Bay scrubland to the west. Temperature hovered around 18 degrees Celsius with a lively breeze. Total: Small White (22); Clouded Yellow (4); Large White (3); Speckled Wood (1); Green-veined White (F)(1); Red Admiral (1). The Spitfire from Daedalus cavorted overhead whilst a smart three-masted sailing vessel from Stockholm was anchored close inshore both adding further interest. [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Female Green-veined White Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow Photo © Francis Plowman |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Significant reduction of species from last visit (4th Sep) when 10 was recorded. Today (1430-1540, 18.5 deg C and cloudy) only 5 noted. Total: Speckled Wood (3); Common Blue (M)(2); Small Copper (1); Large White (2); Holly Blue (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Speckled Wood female Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper on Ragwort Photo © Francis Plowman | Large White male Photo © Francis Plowman |
Clouded Yellow in the New Forest. Clouded Yellow spotted in the New Forest along Coalmeer Lawn (SU263129) at approx. 2pm [Posted by Shaun Dowman]
Yew Hill, Winchester. From 1335-1445 we quartered the fields and hedgerows of Yew Hill enjoying the warm sunshine (22 deg C) and southerly breezes. Just six species noted with the main meadow showing clear evidence of the long hot summer, with very few flowers available and Autumn approaching. Total: Small Heath (2); Large White (2); Speckled Wood (2); Meadow Brown (8); Common Blue (F)(2)(M)(10); Small White (4). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Tatty Common Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman | Female Meadow Brown Photo © Francis Plowman | Male Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown (South) Gosport. Eight species recorded on a walk from 1315-1540 when the temperature stood at 20 degrees Celsius under cloudy skies and light breezes. Total: Large White (8); Small White (18); Clouded Yellow (1); Common Blue (M)(1); Small Heath (10); Meadow Brown (1); Small Copper (2); Holly Blue (5). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Small Heath Photo © Francis Plowman | Small Copper Photo © Francis Plowman | Holly Blue female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Portsdown Hill Field Trip. Another rearranged field trip and the last one of 2022, and we didn't find any of our target species, with the weather the way it's been over the last week or so it's hardly surprising. But the weather did behave itself with no rain, but was overcast most of the time. We did see some sun and the species seen were Chalk Hill Blue, Common Blue, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Large White and Small White, and the Meadow Brown, we also saw Kestrel, Buzzard, and Red Kite. I also saw a Feathered Thorn Moth in my front garden when I got home which was a nice surprise. It was nice to all get together at the end at the pub, and many thanks for some great moments this season everybody, and hope to see you all in 2023. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Small Copper on Hawkbit Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Meadow Brown Mating Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Common Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Lee on Solent Garden. We've been very lucky to have had 2 Hummingbird Hawk moths visit our garden in the last few weeks. They especially like the Verbena. Since the weather changed at the weekend and the rain came they have disappeared but I was delighted to see one today in between the (heavy) showers. It's already been here twice today so hope it's around for a while. Photo attached - I've probably taken hundreds in the last two weeks and it's no exaggeration to say this is the only one that at least has some of head/body in focus! Also, just to catch up, a photo of what I think is a 'helice' form of Clouded Yellow from Hook Links earlier in the week. I saw two Clouded Yellow there - one a bright yellow (almost orange) and the other I mistook for a Large White until closer inspection showed it to be a 2nd Clouded Yellow. The photo hardly does it justice as it still has a yellowish look about it - but in flight especially it looked almost white with dark wing edges. [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
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| Hummingbird Hawk moth - Lee on Solent Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Clouded Yellow - Hook Links, Warsash Photo © Mark Wagstaff |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. Three hours from 13:15 (23.5 deg C, bright clouds and breezy) realised sighting of ten species. Surprisingly many were in fresh condition eg Speckled Wood and Common Blue and with good numbers of Small Copper a species now well spread across the area. The butterfly meadow looked completely dead with tall dry grasses, desiccated flora and was constantly buzzed by large dragonflies. My first circulation showed not a sign of butterfly life other than Large White on nearby buddleia. A few minutes later whilst observing, the field became alive with Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper and Holly Blue! Indeed, right under my nose on the largest single stalk of grass a coupled pair of Brown Argus swung gently to and fro on the breeze. It was something akin to the 'Little and Large Show' as the male was remarkably small compared to the female. I guess I learned never to write-off what appears at first sight to be a dead habitat. So maybe there's hope yet for Meadow Brown and Small Heath neither of which were recorded today. Total: Large White (11); Green-veined White (2); Common Blue (M)(10)(F)(1); Small Copper (8); Brown Argus (5); Speckled Wood (M)(10)(F)(2); Small White (7); Comma (2); Holly Blue (7); Red Admiral (1). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Fresh female Speckled Wood Photo © Francis Plowman | Brown Argus, female at left Photo © Francis Plowman | Common Blue female Var Fb Photo © Francis Plowman |
Moth trap in my garden at Leigh Park. I had my moth trap on overnight in my garden at Leigh Park. I caught 26 species of moths, some of the highlights included 2 Tree-lichen Beauty, 29 L-album Wainscot, 19 Pale Mottled Willow, 7 White Point, 20 Vine's Rustic, 4 Small Wainscot, Flounced Rustic, Brindled Green, 2 Rush Veneer, Evergestis limbata, 6 Box-tree Moth etc. More unwelcome visitors included 6 Wasps and 14 Hornets. [Posted by Barry Collins]
Old Winchester Hill NNR. Today should have been the penultimate field trip, however I made a judgment based on the weather forecast and as usual it wasn't as bad as it was meant to be. I was in the area so I went there anyway just in case anybody turned up but there wasn't anybody so rather than waste the trip I took myself down to the bottom of the car park slope and in heavy leaden clouds, and lots of breeze at times I saw many species of butterfly including fresh Adonis Blues including females, fresh Small Copper, lots of Common Blues and the Chalk Hill Blue was just hanging on. The Silver-spotted Skipper was still in evidence as well, despite little or no warm sunshine, although it certainly wasn't cold. The sun did appear at about 12:00 and was out most of the time I was preparing to leave, and was certainly out all the way home. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Female Adonis Blue Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Silver Spotted Skipper on Scabious Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Brown Argus on Scabious Photo © Ashley Whitlock |
Chilling & Brownwich Coastal Area, Titchfield. Just four species this afternoon on a walk from 1415-1640 from the Chilling car park to Brownwich cliff tops and then west to Solent Breezes before following the inland path northwards then turning due east to the start. Temperature was 21.5 deg C with bright clouds but a strong southerly breeze so pretty difficult on the cliff top path. However, the target butterfly was Clouded Yellow and pleasingly seven - all males - were seen. The majority were found in the narrow field border planted with winter vegetables, brassica and wild flowers. The best places were where the coastal scrub provided a windshield and most of the Clouded Yellow settled here and seemed resigned to photography! But it wasn't a good day for all butterflies. I am not averse to rescuing newly caught butterflies from spiders' webs but the Small White was past help when I came across it. The spider looked worrying large and pretty aggressive too later discovering it to be a Wasp Spider possessed of a painful bite. So, today at least, discretion proved the better part of valour! Total: Large White (94); Small White (80); Clouded Yellow (7); Speckled Wood (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Clouded Yellow male Photo © Francis Plowman | Brownwich cliff top path field edge. White specks were Large & Small Whites Photo © Francis Plowman | Wasp Spider and the late Small White Photo © Francis Plowman |
Browndown South, Gosport. A very unpromising weather start to the afternoon turned-out very sunny and warm culminating in a walk tinged with yellow! A long trek from 1300-1645 took me from the western gate at Elmore to the easternmost area by the Stokes Bay gate and return via the northern meadow and borders. For the first hour or so only four 'usual suspects' were found and those in disappointing numbers. Seeking out a late Grayling or two I circulated the 25 metres' range and found my first Clouded Yellow, a male, sat on a very stony path. The next Clouded Yellow was zig-zagging across an expanse of scrub at the eastern end of Browndown feeding on small yellow dandelion-like flowers. This was Clouded Yellow f. helice - my first ever UK sighting and photograph. However, a 100mm fixed macro lens was not conducive to getting close enough to the butterfly which was agitated and settled barely for a second or two. Still, a very nice surprise. In the same area another Clouded Yellow flew over me and two more were counted on the main pathway to the western gate. Fortunately one of the two stopped and was easily identified as a female with her spots backlit by the late afternoon sunshine. Clearly the yellows are on the move! Total: Small White (10); Small Copper (3); Small Heath (18); Large White (12); Clouded Yellow (M)(3)(F)(2); Meadow Brown (F)(3)(M)(1); Speckled Wood (M)(1); Brown Argus (3); Common Blue (M)(4)(F)(1); Green-veined White (M)(3); Red Admiral (2); Holly Blue (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Clouded Yellow male Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow f. helice Photo © Francis Plowman | Clouded Yellow female Photo © Francis Plowman |
Fontley Moonshine. Surprise find at Great Fontley was a David Elm U. davidiana grown from seed collected in north east China, its bark peppered with dozens of frothy white excrescences reeking of ethanol, attracting numerous wasps, hornets, and Red Admirals. Elsewhere on the site, the highlight was an immaculate female Small Copper ovipositing, several sparring male Small Heath, and Whites, Large and Small. [Posted by Andrew Brookes]
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| Red Admiral getting high Photo © Andrew Brookes |
Old Winchester Hill. A private walkround today in the afternoon which turned out to be very rewarding. The sun came out in fits and starts however it was warm enough for our quarry the Adonis Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper which we saw a lot of. However there are cattle and sheep grazing on parts of the down where I like to do my counts so the numbers are woefully down on most years because of the electric fencing. There were enough butterflies and other things of interest to keep us satisfied. Orchids known as Autumn Ladies tresses were seen on the shorter turfed areas, and there were a lot of Swallows amassing in the coombe flying and catching the last of the flies before heading back to warmer climes. (12) species of butterfly were seen today which is quite a low number for a major chalk downland but the weather has a big part to play in this. [Posted by Ashley Whitlock]
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| Fresh Silver Spotted Skipper on thistle Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Male Adonis Blue quite common today Photo © Ashley Whitlock | Car Park slope in Black and White Photo © Ashley Whitlock |