Summer Butterflies Beginning to Appear.

The recent settled warm and sunny weather has spurred on the emergence of our summer butterflies. A very common but nevertheless welcome sight are the first Meadow Brown's.On the 4th June at Bouldnor there were a flurry of them with at least twenty plus recorded and today at the same location I came across at least two Large Skipper. Rather belatedly for me was also a first sight this season of the Dingy Skipper

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First Skipper Sighting of the Season.

It was a very sunny and bright start to the day but by the time I dropped into Whiteways NT carpark at  0945 this morning the dark clouds had gathered and rain was on the way. Not surprisingly the butterflies had gone to ground. However one was seen roosting on a leaf and it was my first skipper of the year. It is of course, a male Large Skipper  and a worthy sighting as most first records are in June.

 

 

Still Waiting for the Summer Butterflies.

I was hopeful of seeing more summer butterflies at Bouldnor Forest yesterday,but as the weather has been so changeable throughout June I was to be disappointed.Still, a first of the year Ringlet was recorded together with many Meadow Brown.The same Dark Green Fritillary was noted in the  flowery glade of a few days ago and it cannot be but a matter of days until the other summer butterflies are on the wing.

Late Summer Butterflies on the Landslip.

Today on the landslip beneath the coastal cliffs along the south west shore of the Isle of Wight there was a good selection of late summer butterflies.This unique area is well known for the Glanville Fritillary butterfly during May and June.A strong onshore wind blew today but in any sheltered spot,especially where yellow fleabane is flowering the butterflies congregated.Many seemed to be a excellent condition with Common Blue particularly striking.Surprisingly the Wall Brown proved to be the most numerous,as these coastal cliffs are a favourite for this species.Other butterflies on the wing were Peacock,Small Copper,Small Heath,and two flyby Clouded Yellow.

A Pair of Hairstreaks.

On my trips to the hills of Lefkada in late May and early June, I have always encountered two particular species of Hairstreak both nectaring together on roadside flowers and bramble flowers.Perhaps the most attractive of the two is the Blue-spot Hairstreak with its square shaped blue 'eye' at the base of the hind wing.In Greece and the surrounding areas it is a prolific butterfly whereas in the north of its range ie extending as far as northern France it is generally in decline.

The second species is the Ilex Hiarstreak,similar to its companion but without the blue spot.In contrast to the Blue-spot it can be widespread and common especially through south and central Europe.

  

Ilex HS with presumably the male on the left attempting to mate

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.

Something New,Something Blue.

With a report of a probable second brood of  Small Blue at a nearby established colony a few days ago,I was at last able to take a look for our smallest butterfly.The weather has been very changeable over recent days but thankfully today the strong wind had abated and we enjoyed some warm sunny periods.It was not long before I came across two mating pairs and although Small Blue colonies tend to be fairly small ,such as this particular one,hopefully a few more butterflies will emerge.

The flight period is from May to late June with an occasional second brood in late July and August.At this location however it is normal for this species to appear in April. 

Glanvilles All Over.

The Glanville Fritillary flight season is not all over as the title may suggest but they are all over our coastal cliffs.So it seemed today when I visited one of the Islands' several 'Chines.' This is the natural habitat for our Glanvilles, as these coastal cliffs stretch along the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight. It is here that erosion by the sea and wind  cause the sandstone to slip and create different levels of land as the cliffs slide towards the beach.On this landslip, pools and ponds form which in turn provide a home for dragonflies,such as the Keeled Skimmer.
The Glanville Fritillary will be on the wing throughout June.Some individuals are still emerging and can be seen in the company of many 'worn' adults.
   

Shepherds Chine near to the beach as the
 stream cuts through the sandstone cliffs.

Glanville habitat on the landslip

A Special Resident.

In the UK the Glanville Fritillary is only resident on the Isle of  Wight.Therefore that makes it a very special butterfly to us here on the Island.Normally at this time the Glanville larvae are approaching full size after spending the winter months secure in a web deep in the long grass on the cliff top or the cliff slopes.The coastal cliffs along our south western shore are ideal habitat and the webs are on or very near to its foodplant, Ribwort Plantain

Now is the time for the larvae to disperse and find a safe place to pupate.The chrysalis stage lasts for about three weeks and the adult is on the wing during May and June.