Following a cloudy start to the day ,this afternoon was sunny and warmer with a brisk breeze. And the butterflies responded with another new spring species at Whiteway's. The single Green Hairstreak has now been joined by another of the same and that can be confirmed by the different underside markings,as seen below. The other new arrival today was this Grizzled Skipper shown in the following photo.
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.
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.
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
