My first record of an Orange Tip this year was on the 29th April which is quite late. However numbers have now increased and I now expect to see this species almost every day while out and about and in my garden too. The individual pictured below was encountered yesterday along with several others and all it seems were males.
Saturday, 10 May 2025
Saturday, 1 May 2021
More New Spring Sightings
The month of April was very dry with cold winds from the north and east and temperatures well below average for the time of year. However things are due to change as May begins with rain and wind in the forecast after the weekend. Hopefully warmer weather will soon be on the way. Today continued the April theme and when the sun shone it was very pleasant as I returned to the landslip. Descending the steps onto the landslip I at once saw a male Wall Brown on the cliff slope and that was quickly followed by two more. Unfortunately the sun then disappeared behind shower clouds and the only other species seen were a Dingy Skipper, Small Copper, and a Peacock.
Returning to the foot of Afton Down, it was pleasing to record the first Small Blue of the year with four individuals. Green Hairstreak were again present along with a very pristine male Common Blue.
Sunday, 18 April 2021
Another Spring Species.
Now that we are enjoying a period of settled sunny weather following the cold of early April, spring is now catching up with the new emerging butterfly species. Green Hairstreak numbers have today increased to three at the site I have visited during the last few days and now at least two Grizzled Skippers are present.
Wednesday, 14 April 2021
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.
Tuesday, 8 May 2018
Bonchurch Down Delivers a Bevy of Butterflies.
Monday, 17 April 2017
Busy Orange Tips.
Sunday, 12 March 2017
Warm Temperatures Bring On the Butterflies.
After lunch I made a short car ride along the coast and visited one of the numerous Chines that are found here to see the state of Glanville Fritillary caterpillar webs that dot the sides of the coastal cliffs.With the sunshine warming up these grassy knolls caterpillars were evident although at this time they are small,only 6mm or so in length.By late April they will have grown considerably and will begin to disperse from their communal webs to find place to pupate.
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Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Defyng the Inclement Weather.
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Glanville caterpillars huddle up against the wet and cold weather. |
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Something New,Something Blue.
Friday, 27 February 2015
More Very Special Little Gems.
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Will They Be Back in 2015?
Hopes were now high for a repeat performance at Walters Copse in 2013 but due to the very cold weather that lasted into March the spring was put on hold for a while.Finally, in April it warmed up and on the 19th a rather tatty male was seen in Walters.This male proved to be very accommodating and stayed on its territory for several days allowing all to get a good view.In fact it was not the only Large Tortoiseshell in the immediate area as others were also recorded in.the copse and in the surrounding meadows.
In contrast to the previous two years,the spring of 2014 did not produce any probable sightings at Walters Copse,so we can only hope that this year the Large Tortoiseshell will return to grace our Island woodlands.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Best Bits of 2014.
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Hummers.
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Still Around.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Back to Wheelers.
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