Better luck this morning on the track leading to West High Down.Three Chalk-hill Blue butterflies were seen on the short grass slopes off the track. Given a while and numbers will increase rapidly. Other species encountered today on these slopes were Painted Lady,Marbled White,Small Copper,Common Blue,and what looks like a egg laying Brown Argus.
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.
A quick visit to the Compton landslip this morning was rewarded with several Glanville Fritillary,three male Common Blue ,and a first of the year Small Heath. All within a few feet of the bottom of the cliff steps.Returning to the National Trust veiwpoint carpark and another first of the year,this Brown Argus together with a slightly 'nibbled' Glanville.
A perfect day on the landslip at Compton Chine this lunchtime and the butterflies responded with the first sight of the Glanville Fritillary together with many other springtime species.A count of at least four Glanvilles plus Small Copper,Small Blue,Dingy and Grizzled Skipper,a male Common Blue,and several Green Hairstreak.
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| From Compton Chine looking south |
A visit today to the National Trust viewpoint carpark close to Freshwater Bay saw a first Common Blue of the year.A very handsome male.Also on show this Small Copper,again a first of the season and several Green Hairstreak and a Small Blue.
Although the day started cloudy the sun was shining by noon and it seemed a good opportunity to take a walk along Afton Down in search of Adonis Blue butterflies. However on reaching Freshwater Bay I soon noticed that cloud was still lingering on the Down. Parking at the National Trust carpark at the foot of Afton Down I decided to see what butterflies were out at the rear of the site. Most notable were the number of Large Skippers nectaring on the bramble flower. Other species seen included Small Blue and Common Blue.
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.
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.
During a lunchtime walk along the slopes of Mottistone Down the most numerous butterfly was the Glanville Fritillary and a close second, the Common Blue. However the latter was the only 'Blue' to be seen today. Other butterfly species encountered were Wall Brown,Dingy Skipper,Small Heath,and Orange Tip.
A sunny day was a change from yesterday's overcast conditions and a walk along the clifftop and the Landslip was very pleasant. Parking at Whiteway's NT,a quick look at the habitat at the back of the carpark discovered a pristine male Common Blue and two Wall Brown. The Common Blue is a first of the year record. In addition the Brown Argus was still prominent, competing with the other resident species.
Descending the many wooden steps to the Landslip fewer species were seen than yesterday.Another male Common Blue was recorded along with a Wall Brown,Small Copper,Green Hairstreak,and Dingy Skipper.
In Bouldnor Forest today two first of the season butterflies were recorded. I enjoyed a brief glimpse of a White Admiral as it rested on the upper branches of a small tree before disappearing into the woodland. This was followed by sight of a Gatekeeper. Other species included a courting pair of Common Blue and mating Meadow Brown butterflies. The latter species is now building in numbers since my first sighting on the 12th June.
