Summer Butterflies Put on an Impressive Show.

Today was a cooler day than of late and more in the way of cloud which limited the activity of our summer butterflies. A lunchtime visit to Bouldnor Forest  was rewarded with a selection of  butterflies and in particular White Admiral . When the sun came out several were observed nectaring on the bamble flowers and they were joined by the odd Silver-washed Fritillary. Among the new  summer species on show in the forest rides were Ringlet,Small Skipper,and Gatekeeper.

Butterflies Out in Force.

Today in Bouldnor Forest the butterflies were numerous in the bright but sometimes cloudy weather. Now that the Yellow Fleabane is in flower it is a magnet for summer butterflies. Among the species enjoying  the flowers were three Painted Lady, all in prime condition and  therefore perhaps local emergents. In addition  Silver-washed Fritillary now seem to be more evident although some showing signs of wear and tear. At least four males were recorded either nectaring on Thistle or Hemp-agrimony. In the more open forest areas I came across a couple of Wall Brown.

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.

 

Silver-washed Fritillary on the Wing at Yarmouth.

It was a first sight today of another summer butterfly. A male Silver-washed Fritillary was observed at Bouldnor Forest, as he picked himself  a sunny position on an overhanging leaf. Another individual was seen later, this time a female, along with White Admiral, several Small Skippers and what seems to be an Essex Skipper (pictured below).

   

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.

Good Season for Silver-washed.

It seems to be an excellent season for the Silver-washed Fritillary. Good numbers are to be seen in our woodlands and if lucky the odd female Valezina form could turn up.It is estimated that one in seven females have this attractive appearance.

  

Summer Butterflies Enjoy the Bumper Bramble Bounty.

There were a prolific number of butterflies at Walters Copse today.The most impressive were the Silver-washed Fritillaries and the White Admirals.These and many other species were busily feeding on the bramble flowers that seem to be abundant in the copse this year.Although male and female Silver-washed were on show I was not lucky enough to see the female Valezina. In the south of England it is estimated that up to 15% of the females are of this beautiful form.

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.

First Silver-washed Fritillary.

A wander along the wooded rides of Firestone Copse,at Wootton today resulted in my first high summer butterfly.A male Silver-washed Fritillary glided past me and landed at a nearby mud-hole where he proceeded to take the waters.Unfortunately there was no sign as yet, of that other majestic woodland butterfly the White Admiral.

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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Back to Bouldnor.

Following the brief sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary at Bouldnor Forest yesterday, I decided to have another attempt to get a better look at this butterfly today.Things did not look good as shortly after I arrived it started to rain.This has been the way of the weather recently with  regular thunderstorms.Eventually the rain stopped and blue sky appeared.It was not to last long, but just long enough for the sun to shine and tempt out some butterflies.Several Silver-washed Fritillaries made for the bamble flowers as did a White Admiral which is a first sighting of the year.