Clouded Yellow Out in Numbers.

The fleabane is very prolific in Bouldnor Forest and it is certainly attracting the butterflies.In particular the Clouded Yellow that were very noticable today. Among the many individuals were at least three helice form together with several Painted Lady and Wall Brown. No doubt due to the hot,dry summer we have enjoyed here and in Europe as a whole, it has resulted in an influx of Clouded Yellow to our shores. The arrival of Painted Lady and Queen of Spain Fritillary are also a product of the fine weather and even a Mallow Skipper was recorded just ten miles away in Newport a few days ago.

.

Bouldnor Forest Comes Up Trumps.

Another sunny summers day and a morning visit to Bouldnor Forest. In some places flowering fleabane line the woodland tracks and is always a favourite for butterflies. Therefore it was not a surprise to encounter several Clouded Yellow nectaring on these flowers. A particular treat was to see this helice form which is restricted to females.Appartently up to 15% of females hatch as this form.

On retracing my steps in the forest I was very pleased to see this Queen of Spain Fritillary on the track.It regularly landed in the same location albeit for a short period before flying off to alight farther along the track.

Cloudy Weather Restricts Butterfly Sightings.

Weather conditions today were not ideal with what can be described as cloudy but bright.There was just the odd short sunny period to encourage the butterflies and consequently numbers were low.However the White Admiral made several appearances feeding on bramble flowers.I hoped to register a first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year but none were forthcoming.Species to see today in Bouldnor Forest included Meadow Brown,Large Skipper, a Painted Lady,and a seemingly recently emerged Comma.

White Admirals on the Wing.

Up to ten White Admirals were present today in Bouldnor Forest mainly seen feeding on bramble flowers.Meadow Brown were also out in good numbers but unlike a few days ago Painted Lady numbers amounted to only three.Other butterfly species recorded  today, 3 Large Skipper,a handsome male Common Blue together with this female.

 

More Summer Butterflies, and Early Too.

 Another sunny and warm day at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth and a visit around midday produced a high count of at least 12 Painted Lady.Most were seen feeding on low stands of bramble flowers.An earliest ever sighting for me was a White Admiral in flight.It seems that the first individuals are elusive and this one soon disappeared into the woodland.I was very pleased to have another early record,in fact the earliest ever for this species,a Marbled White.After a short pursuit I was able to take this photograph pictured below.Other butterflies observed were good numbers of Meadow Brown,a Glanville Fritillary,feeding on Birdsfoot trefoil,and a Large Skipper. 

Summer Butterflies Appear Now in our Local Woodlands.

The heatwave continues and at Bouldnor Forest today I recorded four Painted Lady butterflies all seen feeding on bramble flowers.Also the first Meadow Brown of the year together with  a Large Skipper.

Butterflies on the Wing in the Spring Sunshine.

 Today was  sunny but still windy and a walk in Bouldnor Forest  at Yarmouth was rewarded with sightings of several species of spring butterflies.Perhaps the best was this Wall Brown although it  soon flew off on the stiff breeze.Three Holly Blue were encountered,all males and several male and female Brimstone together with Speckled Wood.

Spring Butterflies Out and About .

 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.

Stock Photo

 

Large Tortoiseshell on Show.

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.

White Admiral's Out in Numbers.

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. 

Summer Butterflies Out and About.

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.

 

Early Appearance of the Small Skipper.

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. 

Green-veined White Out in Numbers.

The lack of sunshine  severely restricted the butterfly sightings at Bouldnor Forest ,Yarmouth today. When the sun did make a brief appearance it was good to see a trio of Green-veined White all nectaring together on a drift of dandelion flowers.

On the Up.

A return visit to Bouldnor Forest this morning  was rewarded with the sight of six White Admiral.Several were seen nectaring on bramble flowers and one individual was observed spending some time on a bridleway extracting salts. 

Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

Today's visit to Bouldnor Forest near Yarmouth was rewarded with sight of a male Silver-washed Fritillary and a White Admiral. Both individuals were flying around very vigorously and quickly disappeared into the woodland. Another first of the season sighting was a tally of five Marbled White. All of them were also very active.

Stock photo

Stock photo

Butterflies in Hiding at Bouldnor.

Despite a bright and sunny afternoon the only butterflies to be seen in Bouldnor Forest today were several Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. However the one exception was this Large Skipper that landed on a leaf right in front of me and seemed very happy to let me take its picture.