Butterflies On Bonchurch Down

Bonchurch Down owned by the National Trust rises steeply over the village of Bonchurch and gives spectacular southward views out into the English Channel.At this time of year several species of downland butterfly appear on this Down.Most notably is the Adonis Blue not, it must be said common in the UK.

Today on its third outing of the year the Isle of Wight Group of the Hants&IOW Branch of Butterfly Conservation enjoyed a walk over the Down to see its many springtime species.We soon came upon numerous male Adonis,more easily noticed than the females due to the males bright blue colour.Despite a stiff breeze they were out in good numbers and we all took advantage of many photo opportunities.Mating pairs and emerging butterflies were seen.

Other species to be savoured were Brown Argus,Common Blue,Small Heath,Small Copper,Wall Brown,and a couple of Large Skippers,as well Dingy Skippers.All in all a very successful trip on a sunny afternoon.

More Lefkada Butterflies

On the outskirts of Nidri, on the island of Lefkada several streams and ditches flow from the mountains into the sea.As this island is part of the Ionian Islands rainfall is high in comparison with the Greek Islands of the Aegean that can be very dry especially during the summer.

So it seemed a good place to search for odonata and happily it did not disappoint.However butterflies too were around ,in the small fields(or wasteground as we would call it) feeding on the numerous wild flowers and grasses.

Whites and  the lovely bright yellow Cleopatra seemed to be particularly common here although the sight of a Balkan Marbled White was a treat.It has some differences compared to the ordinary Marbled White.

Fluttering about in the grasses are small blue butterflies and an attractive example is perhaps a Southern Blue.Polymmatus celina,a cryptic species of the Common Blue. However it is not in the known range of this particular species and  it can only be an unusual type of Common Blue. 

Turning to the brown butterflies,another id problem a lot of the time,on a sunny wall or rock the Wall Brown can be seen.An underestimated species as its colouring and patterning are rich.This one was no exception.

Road to Paliokatouna

The beautiful Greek Island of Lefkada  is one of our favourite destinations.We last visited it two years ago at the same time of year staying just above the hillside village of Paliokatouna with spectacular views over the coastal town of Nidri,and beyond to the Geni peninsula and the offshore islands.The mountains of the Greek mainland are clearly visible in the distance.

This year we made our base on the fringes of Nidri , where yachting is the main interest due to the safe mooring waters and sailing conditions.

As my butterfly trips were so successful around Paliokatouna last time I made a point of taking the road out of Nidri towards the village some three kilometres away.The quiet road gently rises up into the hills and dusty tracks lead off at regular intervals into olive groves and wooded areas.It wasn't long before I came across several species of butterfly,the most outstanding being the Swallowtail.A fast flier I generally only see it in passing but today I was fortunate enough to see it nectaring on scabious at the roadside.A notoriously difficult butterfly to photograph due to it's constant fluttering when feeding.

Scarce Swallowtail

 As it turned out perhaps the best way to see butterflies on this very hot day was to find any wet spot along a track as they are in constant need of the moisture and salts.I was again lucky in this regard as on the same wooded track as two years ago I found again a Nettle Tree Butterfly, and amongst a recently watered flowerbed a Woodland Grayling.

One species of butterfly that in some years is abundant but others not so is the Black-veined White.I did not see more than one or two time but was happy to see one feeding on thistles at the side of the road to Paliokatouna.

A Local Group Visit To Wheelers Bay

The first 2013 meeting of the Isle of Wight Butterfly Conservation Group took place today under cloudy skies.A walk along Wheelers Bay at Ventnor with the intention of seeing some spring butterflies was thwarted by the conditions and only the odd white butterfly put in an appearance.In fact my list for the walk amounted to one Green-veined White.

After lunch the sun did appear very briefly and it was rewarded with a sighting of two Small Heath(my first of the season for this species) on nearby Bonchurch Down.This was followed by a male Orange Tip which seem to be around in good numbers this year.

A Walk in Walters Copse.

The summer like weather of a few days ago has gone and today it was much cooler with a strong wind.Still the sun was shining,and with the bluebells and the early purple orchids now on show in Walters Copse it made a pleasant walk

It wasn't long before I came upon several white butterflies,two Large White nectaring on the bluebells and three Green-veined White.Two male Orange Tip busily flew up and down the rides and in the more sun dappled areas I counted at least six Speckled Wood.

Apart from witnessing a pair of mating Green-veined White the highlight was following a female Orange Tip as she fluttered along landing at regular intervals either to catch the sun or investigate potential egg-laying spots.

More First of the Year Butterflies

With the cold weather now hopefully over emergent butterflies are appearing at their usual sites.At the Afton Down Chalkpit,well known for several species I was today fortunate to encounter a Green Hairstreak as well as a Grizzled Skipper.We can look forward to other species here soon,such as Wall Brown,Small Blue,and Dingy Skipper.

Some First Time Sightings of the Year

The end of April has finished with some perfect spring weather.This week has continued sunny and mild and as a result new butterfly sightings are on the up.A visit to Walters Copse at Newtown started with no sightings until the afternoon when a male Orange Tip appeared, busily flitting around for flowering plants.Any flowers were then contested with a Green-veined White.

A wander around the copse also found a couple of Peacocks as well as my first sight of two Speckled Wood which were sparring for a sunny woodland spot.All the while the occassional male Brimstone would pass by hoping to come across the much paler looking female.

Courting Tortoiseshells.

With the report of two Painted Ladies at Wheelers Bay this week I went to the Bay in the hope of a sighting.The weather has now become springlike, but no doubt due to a very cold March butterflies are still not commonly seen.Walking along the bay I only came across one Peacock in the sunshine.Eventually returning, I was very pleased to see a Painted Lady in flight along the base of the cliff,spurred on by a very brisk breeze.Just a few steps farther and two Small Tortoiseshell butterflies were courting in the brambles.

Not a lot to be seen today but with an improvement in the weather likely, things will no doubt get better.

Another Look At Our Large Tortoisehell

The male Large Tortoisehell at Walters Copse seems not to be going anywhere which is great news for butterfly watchers.An early visit to the copse yesterday and it appeared briefly in the usual spot.A couple of hours later just after midday it returned and stayed for some time sunning itself along with several Commas and a couple of Peacocks.

There has been a report of a second Large Toiseshell seen in the copse, and making my way back through the wood I saw 'another' one at the  location of the second Large Tortoiseshell sighting.A close view and the attached photograph confirmed,unfotunately,that this time it was our original male.

The Stunning Peacock

With all the excitement of a rare butterfly on the Island in the last few days I have  neglected to show what I consider to be most colourful butterfly on the wing at this time.

The Peacock is undoubtedly one of the most handsome of butterflies and I am glad to say not uncommon here. It can be seen in woodland,as shown in these photographs taken at Walters Copse, or in gardens as I was fortunate enough to witness in my own back garden this weekend.

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The Isle of Wight Large Tortoiseshell

Just when I feared that  the euphoria of  the 2012 sighting at Walters Copse,Newtown of the Large Tortoiseshell was a 'flash in the pan,'today proved me wrong as after several visits to the copse I came across what I had  hoped for.

The spring weather had today arrived for the first time since the middle of January when at Wheelers Bay  three Painted Ladies were seen.The prolonged sunny spells had brought out several Brimstone butterflies together with Commas and Peacocks and after some time wandering around I came across a Large Tortoiseshell enjoying a sunny spot.It certainly showed signs of a long winters hibernation but it still looked wonderful to me.I was able to get close views of this iconic butterfly and can say that I consider it to be a local overwintering specimen.Let us hope for more sightings in the next few days.

A Fistful of Commas

This time last year we were enjoying a period of rather dry weather with very mild temperatures.As a result butterfly emergences began earlier than usual.However this spring temperatures have remained low throughout March and it seems that everything is struggling to get started.Today I made another visit to Walters Copse at Newtown in the hope of catching a glimpse of  a rare butterfly,at least in the UK,the Large Tortoiseshell.In 2012 we were lucky enough to see this gem of a butterfly at the copse.

Although todays weather was sunny and warm I saw no sign of it but instead came upon six Comma butterflies that had come out of hibernation.It is not surprising to see these as they must be one of our commonest sights at this time

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Duelling Commas

After what proved to be the coldest March for over fifty years April has begun with plenty of sunshine for us on the Isle of Wight.However the east wind has persisted  preventing temperatures from getting up to anything like the seasonal average.Despite this,a walk through Walters Copse at Newtown today proved to be a pleasant outing with many sheltered woodland rides away from the cool breeze.It was not until mid-afternoon however that I came upon my first butterfly sighting since January.

Enjoying a warm spot in the wood were two commas,both sunning themselves and contesting the best postion. Hopefully the weather will now improve and kick start  butterfly activity

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