Cloudy Weather Restricts Butterfly Sightings.

Weather conditions today were not ideal with what can be described as cloudy but bright.There was just the odd short sunny period to encourage the butterflies and consequently numbers were low.However the White Admiral made several appearances feeding on bramble flowers.I hoped to register a first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year but none were forthcoming.Species to see today in Bouldnor Forest included Meadow Brown,Large Skipper, a Painted Lady,and a seemingly recently emerged Comma.

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. 

Summer Butterflies Appear Now in our Local Woodlands.

The heatwave continues and at Bouldnor Forest today I recorded four Painted Lady butterflies all seen feeding on bramble flowers.Also the first Meadow Brown of the year together with  a Large Skipper.

Summer Butterflies Out and About.

It wasn't long before I came across my first of the year White Admiral today in Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth. The butterfly slowly fluttered along the path stopping to take in minerals before disappearing into the shadows of the surrounding trees. However during my visit I encountered four White Admiral three on which were on the bridleway. Another first was a male Silver-washed Fritillary,busily nectaring on bramble flower despite being greatly annoyed by several Meadow Brown.

 

Butterflies in Hiding at Bouldnor.

Despite a bright and sunny afternoon the only butterflies to be seen in Bouldnor Forest today were several Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. However the one exception was this Large Skipper that landed on a leaf right in front of me and seemed very happy to let me take its picture.

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 Summer Butterfly on the Wing.

In Bouldnor Forest today two first of the season butterflies were recorded. I enjoyed a brief glimpse of a White Admiral as it rested on the upper branches of a small tree before disappearing into the woodland. This was followed by sight of a Gatekeeper. Other species included a courting pair of Common Blue and  mating Meadow Brown butterflies. The latter species is now building in numbers since my first sighting on the 12th June.

  

October on Meganisi.

An opportunity to visit the Greek Island of Meganisi again this year could not be resisted, so last week I was able to stroll around the lanes close to the village of Spartochori in search of any late summer butterflies.Of course most species have finished their season but a few were to be found.Apart from the late summer regulars of Painted Lady,Clouded Yellow,Red Admiral,and Meadow Brown,the large flowering rosemary plants in the garden of our holiday villa were attracting Lang's Short-tailed Blue and Common Blue. Perhaps the highlight was the sight of several Sage Skipper's nectaring on the many flowering wild thyme dotted along the roadside.

On Mottistone Down.

Today's visit to Mottistone Down in search of downland butterflies was somewhat marred by a very brisk wind.Still,the sun was shining and at this time of the year temperatures are pleasant.Luckily there are sunny sheltered spots where butterflies seem to congregate and a good number of Chalk-hill Blue,Common Blue,Brown Argus,Gatekeeper,Meadow Brown,and Wall Brown were seen.Inevitably several Painted Lady were also in evidence. However, in order to see one particular butterfly species I had to search the part of the Down known as the Common. This is the exposed open area of the Down consisiting of bracken and heather.Here the Grayling prefers to stay and is normally found on any bare patches of ground of chalk or old heather. 

Mottistone Down looks out over the Isle of Wights' south-west coast.The Down is a Site of Scientific Interest covering 78 acres and most of the area is owned by the National Trust.It is biologically important due to its chalk and neutral grasslands.

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.