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.

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.

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.

Stock Photo

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Glanvilles on the Landslip.

Back on the Isle of Wight  the Glanville Fritillaries are now gracing the slopes of the Sea Cliff Landslip at Freshwater and all along the south west coast of the Island.  Not many to be seen today and I wonder if emergence has been delayed due to earlier weather conditions. The habitat photos below show typical Glanville terrian on the Landslip.

Male 

Female

A First Spring Butterfly on the Wing.

Persistent visits to Whiteways at Freshwater Bay finally paid off today with a first spring butterfly sighting of the year. This single Green Hairstreak was observed  feeding on the usual flowering plants that are found at the site.

Back to the Landslip.

The area of Landslip close to Compton Chine and just a stone's throw from Freahwater Bay, provided my first visit of the season to this unique habitat in the hope of seeing an early Glanville Fritillary.Unfortunately. just a few day's too early it seems as the only species recorded were Green Hairstreak,several Dingy and Grizzled Skipper,a Wall Brown,a Small Copper,and a first sighting this year of a Small Heath. Weather conditions were mild with little wind although mainly cloudy but bright and thrift is now startting to flower on the cliffs.

Returning to Whiteways NT carpark situated  overlooking Compton Chine and where I started my visit today,I came across a pristine Brown Argus.Another first of the season sighting.

More First of the Season Sightings.

Today's early morning visit was rewarded with three first of the year sightings at Whiteways NT carpark near to Freshwater Bay. Vying with the now dozen or so Green Hairstreak was a Small Copper and sighted now again were two Dingy Skipper. The third first record  was a handsome looking Wall Brown which settled briefly before being shooed away by a bevy of smaller butterflies. In addition to these were at least three Small Blue,one individual showing a rather bent forewing.

 

First Green Hairstreak & Grizzled Skipper at Freshwater.

A well known site for first of the season sightings is Whiteways Quarry,now a National Trust carpark at the foot of Afton Down close to Freshwater Bay. As explained many times in this blog the grassy area at the back of the carpark has a interesting number of species especially in the spring.

 Today's visit produced a first Green Hairstreak of the year. It was seen on the flowering Spanish Bluebells,just like the individual in the photograph below. Unfortunately I only sighted it on two brief occasions and it failed to return again ,probably due to the cloudy conditions. Also present were possibly two Grizzled Skippers. Another first for this season 

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

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.

First Spring Skipper.

Once most of the lingering sea mist and fog had dispersed today I made a visit to Whiteways Quarry overlooking Freshwater Bay which is an excellent location for spring butterflies.

I was not disappointed, as my reward was a handsome Grizzled Skipper.Hopeful he will be the first of many here and closely followed by the other species that frequent this sunny spot.

A Walk on Freshwater Cliffs

Last  Friday,the 25th was the second meeting in 2012 of the Isle of Wight Group of the Hants&IOW Butterfly Conservation Branch.For the second time too this year we were blessed with glorious weather for our meeting on the Freshwater Cliffs.The eroding cliff tops just to the south of Freshwater Bay are of sandstone and backed by chalk downland.

Attendance on the day was a record 25 with a contingent of our friends from Hampshire.We soon saw Small Blue,Common Blue,Small Heath and other downland species,in particular several Glanville Fritillary which  fly on the cliff top.The walk ended at the excellent butterfly site of Afton Down Chalkpit where we noticed a brand new sign erected by the owners of this beautiful section of Island coast,the National Trust.