More Summer Butterflies, and Early Too.

 Another sunny and warm day at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth and a visit around midday produced a high count of at least 12 Painted Lady.Most were seen feeding on low stands of bramble flowers.An earliest ever sighting for me was a White Admiral in flight.It seems that the first individuals are elusive and this one soon disappeared into the woodland.I was very pleased to have another early record,in fact the earliest ever for this species,a Marbled White.After a short pursuit I was able to take this photograph pictured below.Other butterflies observed were good numbers of Meadow Brown,a Glanville Fritillary,feeding on Birdsfoot trefoil,and a Large Skipper. 

Chalk-hill Blues Out on West High Down.

Aside the track that leads to West High Down today were a good selection of butterflies.In particular were the first Chalk-hill Blues of the year busily flitting around at low level across the short turf. There was a good display of colourful downland flowers to entice the butterflies and among the other  species  encountered were Small and Large Skipper,Marbled White,Small Copper, Small Heath,Common Blue, and a possible Dark Green Fritillary. 

From West High Down to Tennyson Down & Freshwater Bay

White Admiral's Out in Numbers.

The White Admiral was  the prominent butterfly today in Bouldnor Forest. The Silver-washed Fritillary  was only observed on a couple occasions with two males seen in strong flight although this one did stop briefly to nectar on the bramble flowers. The other species now being seen in growing numbers  is  the Marbled White. 

Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

Today's visit to Bouldnor Forest near Yarmouth was rewarded with sight of a male Silver-washed Fritillary and a White Admiral. Both individuals were flying around very vigorously and quickly disappeared into the woodland. Another first of the season sighting was a tally of five Marbled White. All of them were also very active.

Stock photo

Stock photo

White Admiral & Marbled White on the Wing.

Another very warm and sunny day and in Bouldnor Forest  at Yarmouth I  came across a first White Admiral of the year. Four sightings were made in all with one individual briefly seen nectaring on bramble flowers in the shade and later the other sightings in the sunshine. In addition  three Marbled White were recorded,all feeding on the bountiful  supply of  bramble flowers.

Summer Butterflies Now on the Wing.

 A morning visit to Bouldnor Forest was rewarded with the sighting of three summer butterflies. We are enjoying a few days of warm sunny weather and the butterflies obviously responded. I quickly came across a White Admiral as it energetically fluttered in and out of the small trees and bushes at the side of the track. In all at least four individuals were recorded. It was also a thrill to see a first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year .The male was seen thrree times as he speedily flew along the ride. The visit was concluded with a single Marbled White.

 

More Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

Despite cloudy conditions this afternoon, the warm weather encouraged the butterflies out and new species were to be seen in Bouldnor Forest. In particular, the  Dark Green Fritillary was prominent with at least six individuals. These were seen mainly around a stand of Giant Thistles  and also along a quiet woodland ride packed with flowering plants like clover. In addition  Marbled White and Ringlet are now on the wing and in the company of White Admiral and Large Skipper.

The Butterfly Bush Attracts the Visitors.

Although not my favourite garden shrub,Buddleia is a must for attracting butterflies and other insects.The plant in our garden has now been in full bloom for a week and the fragrant and nectar rich flowers have so far tempted a variety of butterfly species.Today it played host to a rather belated first sight of the year in the form of a Small Tortoiseshell. It would regularly rest from feeding to sun itself on the garden fence and then return for more.

Other butterflies seen on the buddleia flowers this week have included Peacock,Red Admiral,Comma,Large and Small White,Large Skipper,Meadow Brown,Marbled White,and a Dark Green Fritillary.The latter was the first ever sighting in the garden.

Summer Butterflies Now on the Wing.

Today at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth  the first of the summer butterflies could be seen energetically flying along the woodland rides.Two male Silver-washed Fritillaries and at least two White Admirals, along with a first Marbled White of the season.Unfortunately after an all too short time the weather clouded over and any chance of further observations were dashed.




  

Along Flowery Woodland Rides.

Yesterday in Bouldnor Forest there were times when the rides seemed to come alive with butterflies.Especially so when walking through a mass of wild flowers as summer butterflies flitted all around.Abundant was the Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on bramble flower, so to White Admiral.In the long grass the Small Skipper is now numerous and Marbled White numbers are increasing rapidly.One or two Gatekeepers are also to be seen with legions of Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

In the forest are Dark-green Fritillary which seem to particularly common this year.Find a giant thistle and it will not be long before this butterfly stops by.

 

Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

A long overdue visit to Walters Copse at Newtown today was rewarded with a bevy of summer butterflies.At least six Silver-washed Fritillaries,all males,good numbers of Marbled White,two White Admirals,and a rather worn Painted Lady.The latter no doubt,one of many to reach our shores this week from the south.

Plenty of Summer Butterflies on Show.

Butterfly numbers have dramatically increased now that the summer butterflies are on the wing.Today in Bouldnor Forest Marbled White and Silver-washed Fritillaries were the two new species.The White Admiral is now even more evident in the forest rides as they enjoy the bounty of bramble flowers.

All Change.

After a prolonged spell of hot  and sunny weather, yesterday began fresher,windy,and cloudy.These conditions lasted all day so the prospect of seeing any butterflies in my local wood seemed to be limited.Thankfully the temperature was  up at around 20C so activity was moderate despite the lack of sunshine.Marbled White numbers have increased dramatically since last week as too Meadow Brown and Ringlet.I was very pleased to see several White Admiral and also a first sight this season of Small Skipper.

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