With the sunny warm weather still with us today another spring time species made an appearance at Whiteways Quarry.The first Grizzled Skipper was seen flitting around in the sun together with the several Green Hairstreaks already there.It should not be long before a Dingy Skipper is out and should the temperature rise over 20C the first Small Blue.
A further visit to Whiteways Quarry this morning recorded four Green Hairstreaks.No other species seen at the moment.Then on to Walters Copse,Newtown,and a first sighting of a Green-veined White.Also several Speckled Wood,Peacock,Comma,and three Orange Tip,one of which was a female.
Today began with a wonderful sunny morning and an early visit to the Whiteways Quarry. where I came across a Green Hairstreak yesterday.This time the lone Green was happy to sun itself on the flowering plants at the base of the chalk down.
Not too far from me is a site renowned for several species of spring butterfly and today under partly cloudy skies I saw a first Green Hairstreak. It was not too active as no doubt it had very recently emerged and preferred to stay down in the grass due to the weather conditions.
In the last several days Holly Blue,Speckled Wood ,and the Small White have visited my garden.However a sure sign of spring happened today when a first Orange Tip appeared.A male busily flew around the garden looking for something it may fancy but apart from the bluebells there did not seem to be any flowers that took its interest.Definitely something for me to take note of for next year.
In the UK the Glanville Fritillary is only resident on the Isle of Wight.Therefore that makes it a very special butterfly to us here on the Island.Normally at this time the Glanville larvae are approaching full size after spending the winter months secure in a web deep in the long grass on the cliff top or the cliff slopes.The coastal cliffs along our south western shore are ideal habitat and the webs are on or very near to its foodplant, Ribwort Plantain
Now is the time for the larvae to disperse and find a safe place to pupate.The chrysalis stage lasts for about three weeks and the adult is on the wing during May and June.