Large Tortoiseshell on Show.

A first visit of the season today to Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth produced this magnificent Large Tortoiseshell.Observed flitting along a forest track,not hanging around unfortunately and quickly disappearing into the trees.Other butterflies on display were several Brimstone and Commas.Also  Peacock and a Red Admiral.

Note; Sightings of this species have been numerous on the Isle of Wight over the last month leading to the expectation that the Large Tortoiseshell has now become a resident species in the UK.

A First Butterfly of the Year

With continous bouts of rain now stopped for a while and the temperatures rising,it feels as though spring is on its way.This morning in the flower border outside my back door the sight of this handsome Peacock butterfly was a welcome visitor.

Black Arches.

Now and again I see an attractive moth,normally in my garden. This fine Black Arches moth was observed today on my white garage door. It looks to me to be a female and this species is commonly found in Southern England. It is usually associated with oak woodlands and is seen in July and August.

Painted Ladies Return.

The well established and substantial Lavender Bush in my front garden is a magnet for bees and also several species of butterfly at this time of the year. Today a Painted Lady spent several hours it seems on the flowers in the company of a variety of insects.

Painted Ladies Back on the Buddleia.

Now that the Buddleia Bush in my garden is in full flower there is always a good chance that one of the first to feed on the nectar will be a Painted Lady. Sure enough  the first individual appeared today along with Peacock,Red Admiral,Comma,Brimstone,and Whites.

Chalk-hill Blues Out on West High Down.

Aside the track that leads to West High Down today were a good selection of butterflies.In particular were the first Chalk-hill Blues of the year busily flitting around at low level across the short turf. There was a good display of colourful downland flowers to entice the butterflies and among the other  species  encountered were Small and Large Skipper,Marbled White,Small Copper, Small Heath,Common Blue, and a possible Dark Green Fritillary. 

From West High Down to Tennyson Down & Freshwater Bay

White Admiral's Out in Numbers.

The White Admiral was  the prominent butterfly today in Bouldnor Forest. The Silver-washed Fritillary  was only observed on a couple occasions with two males seen in strong flight although this one did stop briefly to nectar on the bramble flowers. The other species now being seen in growing numbers  is  the Marbled White. 

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.

 

Early Appearance of the Small Skipper.

Following several days of almost autumnal conditions the sun was out today and despite a stiff breeze it was back to pleasant early summer weather. A walk  in Bouldnor Forest at Yarmouth only produced some 'brown' butterflies but eventually I came across three Small Skippers. This is the earliest date for this species I have recorded. 

A Bevy of Large Skippers.

Although the day started cloudy the sun  was shining by noon and it seemed a good opportunity to take a walk along Afton Down in search of Adonis Blue butterflies. However on reaching Freshwater Bay I soon noticed that cloud was still lingering on the Down. Parking at the National Trust carpark at the foot of Afton Down I decided to see what butterflies were out at the rear of the site. Most notable were the number of Large Skippers nectaring on the bramble flower. Other species seen included Small Blue and Common Blue.

Orange Tip's Now a Common Sight.

My first record of an Orange Tip this year was on the 29th April which is quite late. However numbers have now increased and I now expect to see  this species almost every day while out and about and in my garden too. The individual pictured below was encountered yesterday along with several others and all it seems were males.

Glanville's Now on the Coastal Cliffs.

There was a bevy of butterflies today at the National Trust Viewpoint carpark  overlooking Freshwater Bay. A first of the year sighting of a male Common Blue was immediately followed by a Glanville Fritillary. Also in evidence were three Dingy Skipper, a Brown Argus.Green Hairstreak,a Small Copper.together with Small Blue and a male Orange Tip.

Walking along the clifftop and then descending the steps onto the landslip produced  a few  Small Heath,two Small Copper, three Common Blue,a Painted Lady, and at least twelve more Glanville Fritillary. 

Green-veined White Out in Numbers.

The lack of sunshine  severely restricted the butterfly sightings at Bouldnor Forest ,Yarmouth today. When the sun did make a brief appearance it was good to see a trio of Green-veined White all nectaring together on a drift of dandelion flowers.