Glanville's Now on the Coastal Cliffs.

There was a bevy of butterflies today at the National Trust Viewpoint carpark  overlooking Freshwater Bay. A first of the year sighting of a male Common Blue was immediately followed by a Glanville Fritillary. Also in evidence were three Dingy Skipper, a Brown Argus.Green Hairstreak,a Small Copper.together with Small Blue and a male Orange Tip.

Walking along the clifftop and then descending the steps onto the landslip produced  a few  Small Heath,two Small Copper, three Common Blue,a Painted Lady, and at least twelve more Glanville Fritillary. 

More Small Blue in the Wing.

Butterfly numbers are on the increase at the National Trust CP Afton where today several Green Hairstreak were seen along with at least three Small Blue and a first of the season Dingy Skipper.

Butterflies Brave the Blustery Winds.

Despite a strong and gusty wind today some butterflies were on show at the National Trust Viewpoint CP near to Freshwater Bay. The Grizzled Skipper that was seen a week ago put in a brief appearance while the count of Green Hairstreak has grown to at least four individuals.

More Spring Butterflies on Show.

The National Trust viewpoint carpark at Freshwater has certainly come up trumps today with three new spring butterfly species on show. Immediately on arrival I came across a pristine Green Hairstreak and that was closely followed by this Small Copper. The Grizzled Skipper of two days ago was not to be seen,however the Small Blue pictured below was a surprise. This is the earliest date that I have seen the latter since 2012 when two were recorded on the 30th March at the same location.

Grizzled Skipper at Afton Down Chalkpit.

The National Trust viewpoint carpark at the foot of Afton Down close to Freshwater Bay has always been a prime location for spring butterflies. Yesterday the first species was seen just after noon when I observed a Grizzled Skipper nectaring on a dandelion flower. Unfortunately I was unable to relocate it as it sped off after I disturbed it.

Stock Photo.

Glanvilles on the Landslip.

Following a couple of visits to the landslip near to Compton Chine  over the last two weeks that drew a blank,today in warm,sunny,and breezy weather the Glanvilles were out in small numbers. Also to show  were Common Blue,Dingy Skipper,and Small Heath. The  National Trust carpark at the foot of Afton Down produced two more Glanville Fritillaries in addition to several Small Blue and two further Common Blue.

 

A Painted Lady Visits My Garden.

Very pleased to see a Painted Lady this afternoon in my garden at Freshwater. It was feverishly nectaring on some Camassia flowers and then on a Cosmos flower.Both plants were still in their pots awaiting planting out. The date is one of the earliest that I have recorded this species and perhaps it will be one of those bumper years for the Painted Lady here in the UK.

Update on this post.Today the 15th May I observed a Painted Lady at the Afton Down carpark near to    Freshwater Bay at 10am. The individual was energetically feeding on the flowers before flying on.

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The Small Blues at Freshwater.

Spring butterfly species at Whiteways carpark located just up the road from Freshwater Bay have been limited so far this year. Apart from several Green Hairstreak the only other species I saw today was a male Common Blue which was very active and elusive. However,thanks to help from A.N.Other I saw a first Small Blue of the season and once you see one others soon appear.In fact at least four Small Blue were recorded,all flying about at high speed.

Green Hairstreaks Out in Numbers.

 The first Green Hairstreak of the year was seen on the 14th April at the National Trust carpark at the foot of Afton Down close to Freshwater Bay. Another visit to the site today counted at least six Green Hairstreaks,all feverishly flying about. However no other species were recorded here as yet.

Very Active Green Hairstreaks.

With the first Green Hairstreak recorded at the National Trust Carpark at  the foot of  Afton Down on the 14th,the weather turned for the worse with cool temperatures and a very brisk wind. However today the wind abated and that allowed for a very pleasant and warmer spring day with plenty of sunshine. The butterflies responded and at least two Green Hairstreak were seen at the carpark.

  

A First Green Hairstreak of the Year.

Several visits have been made to the National Trust Car Park at the foot of Afton Down over the last few days. Today around noon  the first Green Hairstreak was observed flying energetically  over a large spread of Bluebells and  briefly landing on the flowers.It then flew off and could not be located again. However I am sure that it will soon be joined by other individuals.

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A First Sight of the Spring Emergents.

The warm weather of early April gave way to a very cold north to north-east wind  resulting in low temperatures for the last week  or so and consequently hardly any butterfly activity. However with  some sunshine and lighter winds today I was pleased to see two spring emergent species in the West Wight. A first Green Hairstreak of the season and likewise a Small Copper. Both enjoying the warm sunshine in the sheltered spot they had chosen.

Back on the Landslip & Back to Nature.

The month of May is of course the time for the Glanville Fritillary here on the Isle of Wight.Now that restrictions have been relaxed, a short car ride to  Afton Down Chalkpit and a walk down to the National Trust clifftop at Compton Chine provided access to the landslip.Descending the  impressive wooden steps onto the landslip I was treated to a view along the coast towards Compton Bay.

Today the Glanville Fritillary was in evidence on the clifftop and below, although due to the brisk onshore wind they were very active and jittery.Nevertheless,find a sheltered spot  and many butterflies could be approached as they rested in the sunshine or nectared on the flowering thrift. Among the other species on show were Common Blue,Dingy Skipper,Small Heath,Small Blue and Brown Argus.

Viewpoint Blues.

Parking my car at the National Trust viewpoint car park at the foot of Afton Down a couple of days ago, I was pleased to see that a selection of butterflies are still on show at this small,sheltered,southerly facing site. Three of our summer 'blues' were present,most strikingly a splendid male Adonis, together with several Chalk-hill Blues and a Common Blue.All three species regularly rose to spar with each other as they encroached on another's patch. 

Butterflies Back on the Landslip.

Despite the cool wind that has blown for a few days now the butterflies on our landslip have found those sheltered places where they can enjoy the sun and nectar on the abundance of spring flowers.Today the list of sightings at Compton Chine included at least ten Glanville Fritillaries with a mating pair,three male Common Blue, four Green Hairstreaks,a Dingy Skipper, a Small Copper,and two Small Heath.

Back at Afton Down Chalk pit which overlooks the chine there were several Small Blue.