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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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.

New Summer Sightings.

Three first of the year sightings were made yesterday.On West High Down the Dark Green Fritillaries are on the wing and flying at great speed,not taking time it seems to stop and settle.Two other  sightings were that of a male Small Skipper on the Down and  a fresh Gatekeeper in Walters Copse.Other butterflies now becoming numerous are Marbled White and Meadow Brown.

Sunshine At Last.

Two target species today were the White Admiral and the Marbled White.The former had already been seen in Bouldnor Forest a few days ago although I was yet to find my first Marbled White of the year.At last the sun was out today following a period of wet and windy weather.However, the wind has not abated and perhaps it had an effect on the butterflies as both species were flighty.Despite seeing several White Admirals none took the opportunity to feed on the abundant bamble flowers in the forest.The two Marbled Whites I encountered were just as jittery and I was lucky to catch any at rest.

Happily the Silver-washed Fritillaries were more accommodating and I managed to get good views of these handsome woodland butterflies.This included my first female of this summer seen basking in a sunny glade

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