Dropping by a the National Trust Viewpoint at the foot of Afton Down this morning discovered two Green Hairstreak,one resting on a leaf and the other on a Bluebell flower.Both were awaiting the sun as the encroaching seamist had obscured the sunshine.
Returning to the location later and with the sun now shining both Green Hairstreaks were more in evidence and nectaring on what looks like Wild Celery flowers.
A mid morning walk along the rides at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth today saw several Brimstone and a first sighting of the season of a male Orange Tip plus my first two Speckled Wood.The Orange Tip was certainly in a hurry.on the lookout no doubt for females.
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| Stock Photo |
At this time of year the National Trust viewpoint close to Freshwater Bay seems to regularly produce the first Green Hairstreak of the season.Today this individual pictured below did not disappoint as it flew energetically in the sunshine.
A sign of things to come was a Hummingbird Hawkmoth nectaring on a tree germander (Teucrium fruticans) in my garden this afternoon.Just a few plants are flowering at this time.
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A first visit of the season today to Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth produced this magnificent Large Tortoiseshell.Observed flitting along a forest track,not hanging around unfortunately and quickly disappearing into the trees.Other butterflies on display were several Brimstone and Commas.Also Peacock and a Red Admiral.
Note; Sightings of this species have been numerous on the Isle of Wight over the last month leading to the expectation that the Large Tortoiseshell has now become a resident species in the UK.
With continous bouts of rain now stopped for a while and the temperatures rising,it feels as though spring is on its way.This morning in the flower border outside my back door the sight of this handsome Peacock butterfly was a welcome visitor.
Now and again I see an attractive moth,normally in my garden. This fine Black Arches moth was observed today on my white garage door. It looks to me to be a female and this species is commonly found in Southern England. It is usually associated with oak woodlands and is seen in July and August.
The well established and substantial Lavender Bush in my front garden is a magnet for bees and also several species of butterfly at this time of the year. Today a Painted Lady spent several hours it seems on the flowers in the company of a variety of insects.
Now that the Buddleia Bush in my garden is in full flower there is always a good chance that one of the first to feed on the nectar will be a Painted Lady. Sure enough the first individual appeared today along with Peacock,Red Admiral,Comma,Brimstone,and Whites.
Aside the track that leads to West High Down today were a good selection of butterflies.In particular were the first Chalk-hill Blues of the year busily flitting around at low level across the short turf. There was a good display of colourful downland flowers to entice the butterflies and among the other species encountered were Small and Large Skipper,Marbled White,Small Copper, Small Heath,Common Blue, and a possible Dark Green Fritillary.
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| From West High Down to Tennyson Down & Freshwater Bay |
The White Admiral was the prominent butterfly today in Bouldnor Forest. The Silver-washed Fritillary was only observed on a couple occasions with two males seen in strong flight although this one did stop briefly to nectar on the bramble flowers. The other species now being seen in growing numbers is the Marbled White.
It wasn't long before I came across my first of the year White Admiral today in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth. The butterfly slowly fluttered along the path stopping to take in minerals before disappearing into the shadows of the surrounding trees. However during my visit I encountered four White Admiral three on which were on the bridleway. Another first was a male Silver-washed Fritillary,busily nectaring on bramble flower despite being greatly annoyed by several Meadow Brown.
Following several days of almost autumnal conditions the sun was out today and despite a stiff breeze it was back to pleasant early summer weather. A walk in Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth only produced some 'brown' butterflies but eventually I came across three Small Skippers. This is the earliest date for this species I have recorded.
