First Chalk-hill Blue on West High Down.

At this time in July we can expect the first Chalk-hill Blue on West High Down.High Down is owned by the National Trust, extending eastwards from the Needles  to Freshwater Bay and includes Tennyson Down.The emergence of the Chalk-hill seems to be later here than on other Isle of Wight downland and I saw just one male today, whereas in different locations numbers are rapidly increasing.Along with this blue there were several Dark Green Fritillaries nectaring on giant thistles.They too are a common downland butterfly here and have no doubt been on the wing for some time.

Tennyson Down left,Afton Down & Compton Bay distant

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. 

On Mottistone Down.

Today's visit to Mottistone Down in search of downland butterflies was somewhat marred by a very brisk wind.Still,the sun was shining and at this time of the year temperatures are pleasant.Luckily there are sunny sheltered spots where butterflies seem to congregate and a good number of Chalk-hill Blue,Common Blue,Brown Argus,Gatekeeper,Meadow Brown,and Wall Brown were seen.Inevitably several Painted Lady were also in evidence. However, in order to see one particular butterfly species I had to search the part of the Down known as the Common. This is the exposed open area of the Down consisiting of bracken and heather.Here the Grayling prefers to stay and is normally found on any bare patches of ground of chalk or old heather. 

Mottistone Down looks out over the Isle of Wights' south-west coast.The Down is a Site of Scientific Interest covering 78 acres and most of the area is owned by the National Trust.It is biologically important due to its chalk and neutral grasslands.

Adonis Blue & More on Mottistone Down.

Mottistone Down is one of several National Trust areas on the Isle of Wight's south west coast that supports a range of chalkland butterflies.The scenic walk from the village of Mottistone gives panoramic views south along the Islands coastline and north to Freshwater Bay  and Tennyson Down.As I made my way up to the top of the Down today I passed the Long Stone a well known  ancient monument.Sightings on the Down were few due to the brisk wind although in any sheltered spots butterfly numbers were good with Adonis Blue,Chalk-hill Blue,and that master of camouflage,the Grayling on show.There were also several Wall Brown to be seen too.

High Summer Butterflies.

The scrub around the woodland ponds in Bouldnor Forest is now covered in drifts of Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica. These yellow flowers are a magnet for butterflies and a stroll through this impressive and colourful floral display discovered several summer species.In addition to the common 'browns' there were a great number of Common Blue,together with a Painted Lady and a Clouded Yellow.Unfortunately the latter was quickly shooed away by the Blues.

Some of the ponds here are almost dry and it seems that they are attracting Wall Brown butterflies, as a few were observed landing on the parched earth maybe for salts.The scrub too was of interest to female Wall Browns,perhaps as a place to lay their eggs.
Among the crowd of blues near to an almost dried-up pond was a male Chalk-hill Blue.It too attracted to the pool for the salts or just a wanderer perhaps.

Back on the Bridleway to West High Down.

Another hot and sultry day and a return visit to the bridleway that leads up onto West High Down.Thankfully living very near to the coast a sea breeze relieved some of the heat and below the Down it became quite brisk at times.

I had better luck today in my quest to see the first Chalk-hill Blues of the year.However they had already been reported from Brook Down situated just to the south.It seems that those on Brook Down are always on the wing in advance of the Blues of West High Down.

Bridleway to West High Down.

From a small car park at the foot of the Down a bridleway leads up to West High Down where views of the spectacular Island coastline can be enjoyed to the south.To the north there is a panorama across to the village of Totland and beyond to the mainland.
It is on this path that I normally see my first Chalk-hill Blue of the summer, sheltered in the lee of the Down.However it seems that I am just too early as no Chalk-hills were seen here today. My visit did produce a first of the year sighting though.A Dark Green  Fritillary had  descended from its usual place on top of the Down to enjoy the many chalk loving flowers.

Last of the Summer Blues Now on the Wing.

There were plenty of Chalk-hill Blues on the bridleway leading to West High Down today.Not surprisingly all are males but it will not be long before both males and females are on our chalk downland in their hundreds.Apart from the Adonis Blue perhaps, this must be one of our most colourful blues.

Dark Green Fritillaries On Speed.

With the season generally over two weeks early this year I made a first visit to West High Down in the hope of seeing a Chalk-hill Blue.I have not yet recorded this blue earlier than in the month of July and I was optimistic of a June sighting.Alas no Chalk-hill Blue today and with an unsettled and rainy forecast for the rest of the week I think that it will be July again for this last remaining blue of the season. 

Nevertheless another butterfly of our downland is on the wing now,the Dark Green Fritillary. These large fritillaries spent most of their time flying at high speed across our downs,only briefly stopping it seems, for a quick top up on the Giant Thistle flowers that are scattered about.In fact at the moment there seems to be very few Giant Thistle flowers in bloom so getting any sort of view of this butterfly is limited.

Wight Downland Blues.

Three of our four Isle of Wight downland blues were on show today.On West  High Down reasonable numbers of Chalkhill Blue roamed over the chalk hills together with some Common Blues that kept to the more sheltered spots.Nearby at  Brook Down this year's second generation of Adonis Blue are now on the wing.