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.

More Spring Butterflies on Show.

The National Trust viewpoint carpark at Freshwater has certainly come up trumps today with three new spring butterfly species on show. Immediately on arrival I came across a pristine Green Hairstreak and that was closely followed by this Small Copper. The Grizzled Skipper of two days ago was not to be seen,however the Small Blue pictured below was a surprise. This is the earliest date that I have seen the latter since 2012 when two were recorded on the 30th March at the same location.

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.

Butterflies Respond to the Warmer Weather.

Following a cloudy start to the day ,this afternoon was sunny  and  warmer with a brisk breeze. And the butterflies responded with another new spring species at Whiteway's. The single Green Hairstreak has now been joined by another of the same and that can be confirmed by the different underside markings,as seen below. The other  new arrival today was this Grizzled Skipper  shown in the following photo.

 

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.

Small Blue on the Wing at Freshwater.

The sighting of a Small Blue today at Whiteways is the earliest record here since the outstanding sighting of two males on the 30th March 2012. As seen in the photograph below, today's individual is rather tatty which  seems to indicate that it has been around for a while. Also on show were three  Green Hairstreak and two Grizzled Skipper.

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 

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.

  

Out and About At Last.

Following seven weeks of lockdown it was great to get out and enjoy nature.Today's first visit of the year to Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth was rewarded with a Glanville Fritillary nectaring on bird's-foot trefoil. Other species encountered along the forest rides were Wall Brown,Green Hairstreak,Grizzled Skipper,Small Heath,and Speckled Wood.All were recorded as my first of the season.

Spring is Well Under Way.

Following yesterdays sighting of a Green Hairstreak at Whiteways,I was hopeful that another new springtime butterfly may be on display today.It had again developed into a warm and sunny afternoon after a chilly start and it was not long before I came across a Grizzled Skipper enjoying the sun.It seems that with the promise of dry and bright weather for the next few days spring is now well under way.

Grizzled Skipper Takes a Bow.

Following a brief glimpse of a Grizzled Skipper at Afton Down yesterday in the late afternoon,I made an earlier visit to Whiteways this morning.My luck was in as it appeared straight away catching the rays in a sunny spot.Green Hairstreaks were again prominent and a Small Copper too.   

Green Hairstreaks Take The Stage.

A  favoured site for spring emergent butterflies produced its first residents this morning.Following several days of very cool and unsettled weather, today dawned bright,sunny and mild.The Whiteways Quarry site is now a National Trust car park and is situated at the base of Afton Down.It's south west aspect overlooking the sea is a good location for several spring butterfly species and soon Small Blue,Grizzled and Dingy Skipper,and Glanville Fritillary will be seen here.

Butterflies Out in the Hot & Sunny Weather

A walk in Bouldnor Forest near Yarmouth yesterday produced four first sightings of the year The hot and sunny weather continues and the butterflies certainly responded with plenty of butterflies on show.Apart from several species already seen this season, new sightings were White Admiral,Marbled White,Large Skipper,and Ringlet.

Other sightings included Silver-washed Fritillary,numerous Meadow Brown and Common Blue,and a Grizzled Skipper.

Cold Wind Slows Down the Butterflies.

Temperatures have plummeted in the last day or so but at Whiteways the butterflies have kept active.The unique position of the site has allowed the butterflies to make the most of the warm sunshine and  the effect of the cold northerly wind is kept to a minimum.The Grizzled Skipper was prominent with at least two seen,along with four Small Blue and six Green Hairstreak.