A Slow Start to the Spring Emergence.

With the first appearance of the Green Hairstreak at Whiteway's on the 23rd of this month,I would have expected to see other spring species following very soon afterwards at this site. However to date the Green Hairstreak is still a lone occupant. As the weather is now it seems improving, I am hopeful that everything will quickly catch  up.

With little new to see at  Whiteway's today I visited Bouldnor Forest and all was quiet with just four species on show. Brimstone male's were evident along with this female resting on a bramble in the sun. Several Speckled Wood were recorded  as well as a first Comma sighting of the year.

A First Spring Butterfly on the Wing.

Persistent visits to Whiteways at Freshwater Bay finally paid off today with a first spring butterfly sighting of the year. This single Green Hairstreak was observed  feeding on the usual flowering plants that are found at the site.

More Garden Visitors.

Although not as memorable as the species in my last post a good number of  butterflies have visited my garden this summer, attracted mainly by our flowering Buddleia. Apart from the more common garden butterflies there have been visits on several occasions by the Dark Green Fritillary and more recently Wall Brown. In addition  Painted Lady was first  seen in the garden back in May and also today when this individual spent some time nectaring 

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Everlasting Sweet Pea Brings In a Long-tailed Blue.

 In my back garden there is a well established Everlasting Sweet Pea  plant. It has now grown to a good size and flowers profusely. At this time of the year I always look out for the possibility of a visiting Long-tailed Blue as  I have just one record on  the 23rd August 2019 when a female was seen briefly close to the same plant. So it was with some excitement that I recorded one today flying vigorously around  and landing several times on the flowers.

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.

 

First Skipper Sighting of the Season.

It was a very sunny and bright start to the day but by the time I dropped into Whiteways NT carpark at  0945 this morning the dark clouds had gathered and rain was on the way. Not surprisingly the butterflies had gone to ground. However one was seen roosting on a leaf and it was my first skipper of the year. It is of course, a male Large Skipper  and a worthy sighting as most first records are in June.

 

 

Same Date and Same Place.

Perhaps the warmest day of the year so far and a Painted Lady was seen in my garden nectaring on our Wallflower 'Bowles Mauve'.Seems to be the first influx of this species this year with numerous sightings in the south of England in the last few days. The sighting in my garden was the same as 2021 when one was encountered on the same plant  on the same day.

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Butterflies on Mottistone Down

During a lunchtime walk along the slopes of Mottistone Down the most numerous butterfly was the Glanville Fritillary and a close second, the Common Blue. However the latter was the only 'Blue' to be seen today. Other butterfly species encountered were Wall Brown,Dingy Skipper,Small Heath,and Orange Tip. 

Glanvilles Grace the Landslip.

I saw my first Glanville Fritillary of the year last Sunday the 8th May when I disturbed it in a sheltered sunny spot on the Landslip. Unfortunately that sighting was all too brief as it flew on over a low gorse bush and despite my best efforts I was unable to relocate it. Then followed a spell of unsettled weather with rain,wind,and cloud, until today when the sun once again appeared. Almost immediately as I set foot on the slopes, Glanvilles were to be seen and at least ten were encountered in the small area of  Landslip I explored. Returning to Whiteway's NT carpark where I started my walk I came across several individuals along the cliff top and two in the carpark itself.

Another Visit to the Landslip.

A sunny day was a change from yesterday's overcast conditions and a walk along the clifftop and the Landslip was  very pleasant. Parking at Whiteway's NT,a quick look at the habitat at the back of the carpark discovered a pristine male Common Blue and two Wall Brown. The  Common Blue is a first of the year record. In addition the Brown Argus was still prominent, competing with the other resident species.

Descending the many wooden steps to the Landslip fewer species were seen than yesterday.Another male Common Blue was recorded along with a Wall Brown,Small Copper,Green Hairstreak,and Dingy Skipper.

 

Back to the Landslip.

The area of Landslip close to Compton Chine and just a stone's throw from Freahwater Bay, provided my first visit of the season to this unique habitat in the hope of seeing an early Glanville Fritillary.Unfortunately. just a few day's too early it seems as the only species recorded were Green Hairstreak,several Dingy and Grizzled Skipper,a Wall Brown,a Small Copper,and a first sighting this year of a Small Heath. Weather conditions were mild with little wind although mainly cloudy but bright and thrift is now startting to flower on the cliffs.

Returning to Whiteways NT carpark situated  overlooking Compton Chine and where I started my visit today,I came across a pristine Brown Argus.Another first of the season sighting.

More First of the Season Sightings.

Today's early morning visit was rewarded with three first of the year sightings at Whiteways NT carpark near to Freshwater Bay. Vying with the now dozen or so Green Hairstreak was a Small Copper and sighted now again were two Dingy Skipper. The third first record  was a handsome looking Wall Brown which settled briefly before being shooed away by a bevy of smaller butterflies. In addition to these were at least three Small Blue,one individual showing a rather bent forewing.