Advance Notice
Date for your diary. The Branch AGM will
be held in Littleton Village Hall on October 25th.
2008 A Purple Emperor Year?
Ashley Whitlock has written a review of this year's
Purple Emperor season which can be read here...
Monday 18th August
Matthew Oates writes: "Given the paucity of
records of our hitherto taken for granted Small Tortoiseshell on the
branch website I wonder how many people have seen more than 10 ST in
southern England this year? My own tally for S England is currently 20
(S Eng = south of Birmingham to The Wash). Of these 5 were in Norfolk. I
have yet to see one in my beloved Hampshire..... My previous poorest mid
Aug tally was ca 230-250 in the rotten summer of 1988."
Sunday 17th August
Paul Brock reports the following from Normandy Marshes:
"Having seen 10 Wall in a small part of Pennington/Keyhaven Marshes on
10th August, decided to check further along the coast at Normandy
Marshes on the afternoon of 17th. In mainly cloudy weather saw
relatively few butterflies, but good to see several species: 2 Wall, 4
Speckled Wood, 5 Meadow Brown, 1 Small Heath, 1 Small Copper, 2 Common
Blue, 2 Small White, 1 Green-Veined White, 1 Red Admiral."
Ashley Whitlock writes: "Noar Hill today again was
very breezy which doesnt aid the butterfly counts and viewing the Brown
Hairstreak territory trees. However (2) Brown Hairstreak were seen with
the naked eye, flying in and around the Ash tree's. Also seen were as
follows: Speckled Wood (5) Gatekeeper (30) Meadow Brown (60) Small Heath
(5) Silver-Washed Fritillary (1) probably my last for 2008. Red Admiral
(1) Comma (1) Brimstone (3) Large White (1) Small White (3) Common Blue
(38) very common in and around the chalk pits.Holly Blue (1) Brown Argus
(3) Small Skipper (2)
Old Winchester Hill, had to hold onto my hat at this site, however the
specie count wasnt too bad, as follows: Gatekeeper (30) Meadow Brown
(500+) Small Heath (7) Peacock (3) Comma (1) Brimstone (3) Large White
(1) Small White (5) Small Copper (1) Common Blue (31) Chalkhill Blue
(500) very common with many now looking very tatty. Adonis Blue (1) just
hatched out, and had very distinct brown spots on its forewings, and did
not want to fly. Brown Argus (7) quite common in the meadow right at the
bottom of the car-park slope, no foodplant is around there though. Small
Skipper (7) one of these was a newly hatched specimen! Silver-Spotted
Skipper (7) very windy conditions did not help in the counts of this
specie. Many Six- Spotted Burnet Moths, one Common Carpet, and some
Silver-Y Moths,
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 |
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| Red Admiral |
Brown Argus |
Adonis Blue |
Saturday 16th August
Andrew Brookes writes: "Excellent summer brood of
Common Blues emerging at Horsea Island, over 20 counted in one small
area , together with 2 fresh Small Heath and 30 Meadow Browns. 6 very
jaded Gatekeepers and 3 G V Whites completed the tally."
Ian Pratt reports: "Plenty of second brood adonis
blues on Bonchurch Down today - at least 30 plus 4 chalkhill blues and 1
common blue. 3 meadow browns as well."
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 |
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| Adonis Blue |
Adonis Blue |
Chalkhill Blue |
Friday 15th August
Mike Wildish reports from Over Wallop ( SU285385) (84)
Holly Blue - 2 Small White - 5 Large White - 2 Green-veined White - 3
Meadow Brown - 20 Gatekeeper - 3 Speckled Wood - 8.
Paul Brock reports from a sunny Stockbridge Down,
primary aim to obtain better Silver-spotted Skipper photographs. After
saying hello to Mike Duffy who had just finished a recording stint, he
observed that butterflies were much more spread out over the site than
on his 11th August visit - concentrating on lower meadows, he saw 8
Silver-Spotted Skippers, unusually easy to photograph, either uppersides
or undersides (possibly because a few females may have just emerged),
100+ Chalkhill Blue, 15 Common Blue, 2 Brown Argus, 5 Small Copper, 10
Brimstone, 10 Large White, 2 Small White, 1 Green-Veined White, 1 Small
Skipper, 1 Essex Skipper, 7 Silver-washed Fritillary (very worn), 2 Dark
Green Fritillary (worn), 2 Comma, 22 Peacock, 2 Small Heath, 6
Gatekeeper and numerous Meadow Brown. Also checked out Broughton Down,
but rather late in the afternoon, hence maybe why no Silver-Spotted
Skippers seen - only saw 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Red Admiral, 7 Common Blue,
2 Chalkhill Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 4 Small Heath, 3 Small White, 1
Green-veined White, 4 Large White and several Meadow Brown.
 |
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| Silver-spotted Skipper - female |
Silver-spotted Skipper - male |
Matthew Oates writes: "Excellent visit to Shipton
Bellinger Roughs (the MOD-owned scrub land W of Shipton Bellinger) v
Brown Hairstreak. I saw ca 25 individuals in 4 hrs, of which 5 were
definitely female and the majority were worn males. I would have seen
more had it not clouded up too much. I saw about 20 on sheltered ash
trees amongst the scrub - the better the shelter from the west, the more
BH were present. The best ash had at least 4 males and 1 female, and
seldom a minute past without at least 1 being seen. Lots of squabbling
males, and great to see 2 males pursue a crow - iris-style. None at
nectar and none remotely within camera range. 1 male looked fresh, as
did the girls. Nb my best tally here was ca 36 on 5:9:2004. Also, over
40 Brimstone on basil along the edge of an abandoned field. Searched the
short turf areas for SSS without success. Ghastly August, but at least
I've had 1 good day."
Thursday 14th August
Tim Norriss writes: "I have attached a picture of
the mines of the Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner Cameraria ohridella
that has had a huge increase in the county this year. The photo shows a
typical leaf with two mines each with an empty pupal case protruding
from the upper surface of the mine from which the moth has emerged. It
was taken just outside Andover but all the trees I see are infested with
the mines and many trees now look completely brown because of them. Many
leaves have fifty mines per leaf and so I am sure some trees must have
tens of thousands of mines. A picture of the adult can be seen on Mike
Wall's Hantsmoth website at
http://www.hantsmoths.org.uk/ by typing ohridella into the
Search box in the top left corner. The moth itself is tiny, only about
3-4mm long and I have caught several in my trap in the last three weeks.
Recently I had to go to our office in Slough and I parked my car below a
badly affected Horse Chestnut tree. When I came to leave at lunch-time
it was covered in about a dozen of the adult moths. Interestingly there
was still one clinging to the windscreen as I drove all through the
town, and when I got to my destination twenty miles later having driven
along the M25 at 70mph I noticed there was still one on the outside of
the car! They clearly have remarkable powers of suction - and dispersal.
I have seen them several times inside underground trains in central
London."
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Cameraria ohridella -
leafmines and pupal cases |
Lynn Fomison Reserves Officer Hampshire & Isle of Wight
Branch writes "whilst working at Magdalen Hill Down on Monday Patrick
Fleet saw 10 Small Blues. We are particularly pleased about this as we
have been putting great efforts into creating suitable habitat for a
number of years."
On Sunday 3rd August Lynn Fomison saw two Painted Ladies
nectaring on buddleias at the National collection at Longstock Park
Nursery nr Stockbridge Hampshire. I have put these on BC map of national
sightings 244 seen nationally so far. Have you added your sightings?
Lynn wonders.
Ashley Whitlock reports from Fort Widley "A quick look
up at my local patch after work with some fine weather which is in very
short supply this summer. Species seen were Speckled Wood (2) Gatekeeper
(10) Meadow Brown (65) Red Admiral (2) Peacock (2) Brimstone (1) Large
White (1) Small White (31) Green -Veined White (12) Small Copper (1)
Common Blue (13) Holly Blue (2). Strangely there were no Chalkhill Blues
noted and no second generation Small Blues either. A
Magpie Moth was seen on some Bramble along with many six-Spotted Burnet
Moths. And certainly no Wall Browns."
Tuesday 12th August
Mike Wildish reports from Netherton Bottom S (SU385555)
(84) Small Skipper - 2 Essex Skipper - 2 Large White - 3 Small White -
11 Green-veined White - 2 Brimstone - 1 Common Blue - 4 Meadow Brown -
10 Gatekeeper - 19 Small Copper - 1 Silver-washed Frit - 1, and from
Netherton Bottom N (SU378565) (84) Small Skipper - 1 Essex Skipper - 8
Small White - 6 Large White - 3 Green-veined White - 9 Meadow Brown - 24
Gatekeeper - 6 Speckled Wood - 1 Marbled White - 1 Red Admiral - 3
Peacock - 1 Silver-washed Frit - 1, and finally from Faccombe Wood
(SU385565) (84) Large White - 6 Green-veined White - 1 Brimstone - 8
Meadow Brown - 10 Gatekeeper - 5 Speckled Wood - 1 Comma - 2
Silver-washed Frit - 8. "With Mervyn Grist. We correctly worked
out that on a breezy, showery day, this valley would attract the
insects. Also seen here were 1 Southern Hawker, and,
incredibly for this location, a golden-ringed!!! At least 40 house
martins had also worked out the insect potential of this valley."
Lynn Fomison received news ( & a photograph) of an
exciting find at Yew Hill on 12th August from David Thelwell) David had
reported that when he was doing his transect at Yew Hill he came across
this beast. " I thought it was a hornet, when I first saw it at a
distance. It's a very large hoverfly, that I've not seen before." He
then added in a later email.. It's the size of a Hornet, which they
mimic and lay their eggs in the Hornet's nest! It's the largest British
hoverfly and a relative newcomer to the country. Scientific name
Volucella zonaria"
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| Volucella zonaria |
Monday 11th August
Paul Brock reports from Stockbridge Down, where he saw
(in brief hazy sun) 2 Silver-Spotted Skippers, 80+ Chalkhill Blue (at
least 25% females), 8 Common Blue, 2 Small Copper, 2 Brimstone, 8 Large
White, 2 Small White, 2 Green-Veined White, 1 Small Skipper, 2
Silver-washed Fritillary (both very worn, one a female f. valezina), 2
Comma, 7 Red Admiral, 2 Ringlet, 9 Peacock, numerous Gatekeeper
and Meadow Brown.
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| Silver-spotted Skipper |
Common Blue - female |
Sunday 10th August
Colin Baker writes: "Thurs 7th August- Having
visited Litchett Plain(SU 801566) looking for Grayling butterflies for
some weeks now I was delighted to find the first 3 individuals had at
last emerged. Sadly this number has not increased and I only saw 2 on
view today-10th August Moths seen included Wood
Carpet 1; Lesser Treble-bar 1. Sunday 10 August-Today on a very
windy and showery day at Noar Hill it was indeed the weather that
dictated numbers of butterflies to be seen. During the consolation sunny
intervals reasonable numbers of Common Blue were on the wing with some
females showing good variations in colour. After a great time searching
the quarry that everyone was looking for, I finally bumped into Adrian
Hoskins and Steve Meredith for the second time just as the latter saw a
Brown Hairstreak male nectaring on Hemp-agrimony. What good timing, as
we all enjoyed the photographic opportunity. I would estimate numbers
seen as :-Common Blue 20;Meadow Brown 20;Gatekeeper 15; Red Admiral 1;
Brown Hairstreak (Male) 1; Comma 1; Speckled Wood 1; Silver-washed
Fritillaries 4; Brimstone 2; Small Copper 1;Small Skipper 4; & various
whites.
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 |
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| Common Blue - female |
Brown Hairstreak |
Red Admiral |
Richard Symonds writes: "This morning I visited
Noar HIll (SU656065) for two hours in total, arriving at 10am. There was
a strong wind and overcast skies but when the clouds moved the sunny
spells were warm. Just before I left the reserve between 11:45 and 12:00
there were two heavy showers. Many Meadow Browns were present but I
managed to see a good selection of species despite the weather
conditions. I saw two Small Heaths of the second brood which were being
chased by Common Blues, a single Small Copper landed on a thistle and
looked a little faded and I saw my first Brown Argus of the year
followed later by another specimen. The the corner of the far pit four
Red Admirals were feeding on hemp agrimony, all being in perfect bright
condition. I met Ashley Whitlock who showed me several tall Ash trees
in an area where the rare second brood Duke of Burgundy Fritillary was
spotted last year (including by myself). It was here that we saw albeit
from a distance two Brown Hairstreaks flying around the top of one of
the Ash trees. With binoculars the small tail on the wings were visible.
My count: Large White (4), Small White (2), Green Veined White (2),
Meadow Brown (60), Gatekeeper (11), Small Heath (2), Speckled Wood (1),
Red Admiral (4), Peacock (1), Common Blue (2F 13M), Brown Argus (2),
Brown Hairstreak (2), Small Copper (1), Small Skipper (1F 1M) and Six
Spot Burnet moth (3).
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 |
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| Small Skipper |
Brown Argus |
Common Blue - female |
Gary Palmer on Barton common 10.8.08, sadly at some
point in the last week the local New Milton town council supposedly but
doubtfully, in conjunction with the Hampshire heathlands projects,
metered out its totally untimely blanket mowing of this site. decimating
all nectaring flora and as a result a total collapse in the butterfly
population. So my count for the whole site was 6 gatekeeper,1meadow
brown, 1 small heath and 1 speckled wood. but I think the biggest loss
as a result of this untimely scalping on an annual basis is the loss of
the grayling colony, as this year i have to date not found one and if
any do finally hatch they have nothing to nector on. i have contacted
Hampshire heathlands projects over this issue and expect some sort of
reasonable explanation for the councils so called "management" of this
site."
Friday 8th August
Mike Wildish reports from South Tidworth (SU237475) (84)
Common Blue - 1 Holly Blue - 1 Meadow Brown - 75 Gatekeeper - 10 Small
White - 1 Large White - 1 Green-veined White - 2.
Andy Barker writes: "As the weather brightened up
mid afternoon I took the opportunity to do the Sparsholt ‘shelter belt’
butterfly transect. Amongst my tally I saw 2 Small Blues, so I thought I
should let people know that the second brood for this species is on the
wing. A decent number of Peacocks were seen (34), but not as good as the
48 recorded last week. They were mostly nectaring on teasel, knapweed
and burdock. Plenty of Meadow Browns (141), but Gatekeepers are tailing
off (38). Brimstones have been good over the last couple of weeks, with
18 seen today. No Painted Ladies or Small Tortoiseshells, but 6 Commas
and 2 beautifully fresh Red Admirals. Odds and ends of various other
species."
Mark Swann reports from Testwood lakes. "8 common
blues found a small copper, singles of red admiral, peacock, 4 commas, 3
green veined whites a few meadow browns hanging on, 10 +gatekeepers. Got
home to find another purple hairstreak in the garden this time enjoying
something on a silver birch also an oak bush cricket."
Mike Duffy writes: "An early afternoon visit to
Stockbridge Down, had me see 1 Silver Spotted Skipper, 1 Small Skipper,
12 + Small Heath, numbers of Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers, 80 +
Chalkhill Blue, 3 + Small White, 1 + Green Veined White,
1 Silver Y, 3 + Common Carpets, 1 Lesser Treble-bar
and 3 speci of Pyrausta moths."
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| Silver-spotted Skipper |
Thursday 7th August
Mark Swann reports from St catherines hill Winchester "A
single fresh male silver spot skipper seen on monday 4th aug.
Today at least 8 seen , 6 peacocks, 7 red admirals, 4 commas, purple
hairstreak, 20 + common blues, 10+ brown argus, 1 small heath, lots of
small and large whites , 8 speckled woods, meadow browns and gatekeepers
but worringly only single figure counts of chalkhill blues 8 and 9 for
the two days. weather was good on both trips ? best spot was the
replanted hockley road which was looking great."
Wednesday 6th August
Richard Symonds writes: "This morning I visited
Chalton Down (SU736156) where the temperature was 21 degrees. As usual
many Chalkhill Blues and Meadow Browns were flying and I noted five
separate mating pairs of Chalkhill Blues including one female who had an
absence of some black spots on her underside. While watching closely a
female Chalkhill Blue she flew a short distance off the ground then
landed perfectly on my hand! I was able to get a photo. I saw a single
worn male Small Skipper and a perfect second brood Small Heath. Count:
Green Veined White (2), Chalkhill Blue (100+), Common Blue (3F 10M),
Meadow Brown (100+), Gatekeeper (4), Small Heath (1), Small Skipper (1M)
and Six Spot Burnet (3)."
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 |
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| Chalkhill Blue - female |
Chalkhill Blue pair |
Small Heath |
Tony Baines writes: "A strange but delightful
day of late sightings to report from Odiham. Firstly, a rather tatty
female Silver-Washed Fritillary on the buddelia near the garden which
was followed later in the day by a very active and fresh looking male.
Also a male Purple Hairstreak alighted on a plum tree where others had
been spotted about three weeks ago. Then, to cap it all, a female Purple
Emperor appeared at eye level in front of me above the Basingstoke Canal
towpath. She circled around a nearby sallow bush nearly, but not quite,
landing before disappearing from view around the back of it. She looked
to be in relatively good condition given that it's so late in the
season.
Monday 4th August
Mike Wildish reports from Stockbridge Down E tetrad
(SU385345) (34) Small Copper - 1 Common Blue - 1 Chalkhill Blue - 260
Meadow Brown - 150 Gatekeeper - 8 Ringlet - 1 Large White - 10 Small
White - 7 Green-veined White - 1 Brimstone - 5 Red Admiral - 2 Comma - 1
Peacock - 15 Silver-washed Frit - 4, and from Stockbridge Down W tetrad
(SU375350) (34) Essex Skipper - 2 Small Copper - 1 Chalkhill Blue - 70
Meadow Brown - 37 Gatekeeper - 13 Marbled White - 1 Large White - 6
Small White - 4 Brimstone - 1 Peacock - 6. "With Mervyn Grist.
Rather breezy and coming showery in the exposed parts.
Also Round-headed Rampion and Lesser Centaury in
flower, and a pair of Turtle Doves that appeared to be nestbuilding!"
Sunday 3rd August
Paul Brock reports the following from Pennington/Keyhaven
Marshes: "In permanently cloudy, windy weather (I was, of course, hoping
the sun would make an appearance), a possible fast-flying Painted Lady
(cannot be 100% certain) led me to a small, sheltered nectar rich
area where I saw Wall (5, including 2 females) beyond the barbed wire
fence. Whereas I did obtain photographs when one visited flowers over
the edge of the fence, it was tantalising to see them, wings wide open,
on the ground. Rather surprising behaviour in poor weather, even the
Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns kept a low profile."
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| Wall |
Gary Palmer writes: "On another Sunday afternoon
visit to the inclosed pond in the little wooton inclosure. In
between the showers I worked my way around the pond through the brambles
and bracken into the small flower rich meadow,
As I went disturbing plenty of grass moth species as well as several
brown china moth,6 common carpet, 3 straw dot and a lot of pyrausta
aurata, one of which I found egg laying on the flower heads of
the abundant water mint. Butterflies present were
several meadow brown, 30+ gatekeeper and 1 large white.
After nearly stepping on a lethargic grass snake with a large digesting
bulge in its stomach (more than likley a frog), i made a hasty retreat
in the rain."
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 |
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| Common Carpet |
Brown China-mark |
Pyraustra aurata |
Richard Symonds writes: "This afternoon I visited
Chalton Down (SU736156). The weather was overcast but very humid with
the odd shower of drizzle. Meadow Browns and Chalkhill Blues were flying
although only short distances, however the conditions enabled me to get
some good underside views and record some aberrations of Chalkhill
Blues: Male underside with most of black spots absent form of ab.
obsoleta. Male underside upper margin of hindwing showing slight merging
aberration. Male underside forewing lack of black spots in segments,
hindwing showing extended orange lunules. Male upperside showing
striking aberration of underside margin spots on border. Count: Meadow
Brown (50+), Chalkhill Blue (50+), Common Blue (2) and Gatekeeper (6)."
 |
 |
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| Chalkhill Blue ab obsoleta |
Chalkhill Blue aberration |
Chalkhill Blue aberration |
Saturday 2nd August
Ashley Whitlock writes: "Despite the cloudy
weather and very mild conditions I decided to do my transect walk over
Portsdown Hill, and I was lucky at times the sun did come out all be it
very occasionally. Species registered are as follows: Speckled Wood (23)
very common on most parts of the downland, where small pockets of woody
scrub occur, Marbled White (1) my final one of the year probably,
Gatekeeper (39) Meadow Brown (143) Red Admiral (1) Peacock (2) Brimstone
(3) Large White (2) Small White (24) Green-Veined White (18) Common Blue
(13) Chalkhill Blue (12) not as common as I thought it would be. Holly
Blue (3) Small Skipper (2) Several Six-Spotted
Burnet Moths and Silver-Y, plus many micro and macro moths."
Gary Palmer writes: "On a mid afternoon walk
around barton common 2.8.08. first checking out the buddlia bushes
behind the car park i found 1 peacock, 1 comma, 1 red admiral, 3 large
white and 1 small white. after a hour or so break with the rain i
resumed my walk on the common to find 2 speckled wood, good numbers of
meadow brown, abundant gate keeper, 3 small heath,3 marbled white, 1
painted lady, 7 male common blue, 3 small copper, 2 essex skipper, 1
small skipper and 2 silver y moth. As
yet ive encountered no grayling on this site this year, im hoping this
small coastal heathland site has not lost its colony.
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|
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| Peacock |
Marbled White |
Painted Lady |
Thursday 31st July
I went to Noar Hill this morning with intention of
doing some Orchid hunting, as I thought the weather was not suitable for
butterflies. However as I walked around the top part of the reserve,
there sitting on top of some Hemp-agrimony was a Brown Hairstreak
nectaring, it moved before I could the camera on it, other butterflies
seen , 1 Peacock, 1 Large White, 2 + Green Veined Whites, 3 Small White,
1 Marbled White, numbers of Meadow Browns, a few Ringlets, 20 +
Gatekeepers, 5 + Small Skipper, 2 Common Blue, 5 Speckled Wood and a
Brimstone.
Andrew Bolton reports from Wheathold Road, Set-aside
land (SU562606) (87) One each of Common Blue, Brown Argus, Marbled
White, Silver-washed Fritillary, Comma, Peacock, Large White, Small
White. Also Gatekeeper 17, Meadow Brown 8, Small Skipper 8. "Common Blue
& Brown Argus still just hanging on at this modest patch of set aside,
formerly strong colonies here just two years ago."
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| Brown Argus |
Wednesday 30th July
Dan Hoare reports "An unexpected sighting on the Oxenbourne Down transect today was a pristine Dingy Skipper, the first of the 2nd brood I've seen this year. 2007 was the best on record for 2nd brood Dingy Skipper in Hampshire, with the first ones seen on 29th July, so this one was 'on schedule'. Other sightings included about 80 Chalkhill Blues, 4 Silver-washed Fritillary, 1 Dark Green Fritillary and a Comma landing on my head. Although Peacocks and the odd Red Admiral are appearing now, I've not seen a Small Tortoiseshell on transect so far (2004 figures gave a transect count of 70 for mid July!). I also saw a Purple Emperor in the woods at QE Country Park on 15th July, and rangers have had others reported here this year.
Alan Thornbury reports from Noar Hill (SU744319) today
“I saw my first Brown Hairstreak
of the season – a male nectaring on hemp agrimony at the far end of the
reserve around 1pm. Unfortunately only a long range photo record was
obtained as it took off over the trees soon after I had scrambled up the
bank for a closer look. It will be interesting to see how the management
work at Noar Hill impacts Brown Hairstreak sightings this year, bearing
in mind the triangle has been substantially cleared of much of the
maturing blackthorn.”
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| Brown Hairstreak |
Geoff Jones writes: "John Wise and I visited Old
Winchester Hill where we were, at times, seemingly surrounded by
Chalkhill Blues -yet to reach peak numbers. We also found at least 5
mating pairs. Other species seen included Small Skipper; Essex Skipper -
2 confirmed; Brimstone; Red Admiral; Peacock; Common Blue; Dark Green
Fritillary 2; Marbled White; Ringlet 2; Small and Large Whites; Holly
Blue; Comma; Gatekeeper; Meadow Brown; Small Heath 3 This year I
have noticed many butterflies afflicted by mites; one Small Skipper, for
example, had 3 on its thorax. We kept our eyes open for Silver-spotted
Skippers both on OWH and at Beacon Hill but none seen. We did find a
female Silver-washed Fritillary and Green-veined White at the latter
site. Noar Hill beckons for Brown Hairstreak and 2nd brood Dingy
Skipper!
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|
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| Common Blue (female) |
Chalkhill Blue (female) |
Chalkhill Blue (mating pair) |
Rupert Broadway writes: "My Winchester garden was
distinguished yesterday by a brief visit by a Silver-washed Fritillary
to a buddleia bush - the 28th new species to visit in 14 years of
recording. Other visitors seen during the day were Small and Large
White, Brimstone, Common Blue (fresh male and female), Peacock, Meadow
Brown and Gatekeeper."
Andrew Bolton reports from Field margin, Ham lane,
Baughurst. (SU569604) (87) Small Copper 1, Marbled White 1, Large
Skipper 1, Gatekeeper 4. "My first Small Copper since mid-May!"
Monday 28th July
John Mon reports from Warren Hill, Perham Ranges (SU260480) (34, 31) seeing Small Skipper 3, Essex Skipper 2, Silver Spotted Skipper 2, Brimstone 5, Large White 1, Small White 3, Dark Green Fritillary 2, Chalk Hill Blue 1, Ringlet 1, Marbled White 2, Meadow Brown 50, Hedge Brown 2, Small Heath 7. "Surprised not to see any Common Blues; the Silver Spotted Skippers were unsurprisingly very fresh looking. Visit cut short by thunderstorm."
Mervyn Grist reports from Shipton Bellinger - west (SU215453) (84/34) seeing Small Skipper 2,Essex Skipper 1, Brimstone 31, Large White 7, Small White 8, Green-veined White 8, Common Blue 1,Peacock 1,Comma 2, Dark Green Fritillary 1,Speckled Wood 6,Marbled White 10,Gatekeeper 33,Meadow Brown 166,Small Heath 4,Ringlet 3. "A range of common species was seen in varied terrain during a survey with M.Wildish close to the Wiltshire border. This was on the Shipton Bellinger part of Salisbury Plain that is in Hampshire. The large scale second emergence of Brimstones is very welcome especially as expected species such as Chalkhill Blue and Brown Argus were not seen. Grassland areas were heavily rabbit grazed so their eggs and very young larvae may have been eaten inadvertently".
Andrew Brookes reports "An impromptu survey on Sunday afternoon by Andrew Brookes at Longstock Garden Nursery confirmed the decline of our Vanessid populations. Just 3 Peacocks and 3 Red Admirals were recorded on the dozens of Buddleja davidii cultivars and hybrids on show. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was also seen.
Ian Pratt writes: "I believe bird watchers have a
competition each year on 1 January to see the most species in a day.
Last Saturday 26 July 2008 Paul Millward and I visited 3 sites on the
IOW: Shalcombe Down, Walters Copse and the fields opposite my house in
Branstone. We saw 24 species in about 4 hours! Large, small,
green-veined and marbled white; dingy, small and Essex skipper; silver
-washed and dark green fritillary; red and white admiral; small
tortoiseshell and peacock; comma; common,holly,small and chalkhill blue;
brown argus;gatekeeper, meadow brown and ringlet; speckled wood and
brimstone. How can any other county do in half a day?"
Sunday 27th July
Ashley Whitlock reports "A last visit to woodland areas in and around my patch to look at areas I will be concentrating on in the 2009 season. Creech Wood a very flat woodland very similar to Straits Inclosure, but more open as there is huge swath of woodalnd open to wayleaves for electricity pylons, which gives chance for huge amounts of Sallow to grow. There is a lot of woodland in and around the Fareham / Wickham area in the Meon Valley which is very good for the Purple Emperor, and this is the specie will be concentrating on in this area next year. Species seen in a very rare warm day were as follows: Speckled Wood (6) Marbled White(20), seems to be doing better surviving in wooded areas than on Downland! Gatekeeper (50) Meadow Brown (100) Ringlet (1) Silver-Washed Fritillary(12) White Admiral (1) just hanging on! Red Admiral (1) Peacock (2) Comma (3) several females laying eggs. Brimstone (3) Large White (3) Green -Veined White (6) Purple Hairstreak (10) several of these were dancing just above my head on a low branch on an oak tree, lovely to see. Small Copper (1)Holly Blue (1) Common Blue (1) Small Skipper (20) Large Skipper (2) Essex Skipper (1) and many six-spotted burnet moths. 20 species is the best count so far this year. I also visited a private woodland in the area of West Walk and also the counts were good, these being Marbled White (5) Gatekeeper (50) Meadow Brown (70) Ringlet (6) Silver-Washed Fritillary (12) still in good numbers White Admiral (1) Peacock (7) Comma (1) Brimstone (17) Large White (4) Green -Veined White (5) Purple Hairstreak (1) Small Skipper (12) Large Skipper (5). Charlton Down: Ablaze with wildflowers and the Chalkhill Blue (100+) Marbled White (5) Gatekeeper(5) Meadow Brown (100) Red Admiral (1) Peacock (3) Comma (5) several laying eggs of the hutchinsoni variant Brimstone (8) Large White (7) Small White (5) Common Blue (11) Small Skipper (2) Large Skipper (1)".
|
|
|
| Brimstone |
Chalkhill Blue |
Chalkhill Blue (mating pair) |
Gary Palmer reports "On a short late afternoon visit to the inclosed pond in the Littlewooton Inclosure I found, 4 speckled wood, still good numbers of meadow browns, strong numbers of gatekeeper, 1 peacock, 2 large white, 3 small white, 1 green veined white, 2 male brimstone, 5 small skipper, 8 large skipper and 1common blue male".
|
|
|
| Common Blue |
Brimstone |
Small White |
Saturday 26th July
Martin Hampton reports from Chalton (SU731160) (85) seeing 1 Hummingbird Hawkmoth, "feeding from hanging baskets at the Red Lion pub".
Ian Pratt reports "I believe bird watchers have a competition each year on 1 January to see the most species in a day. Paul Millward and I visited 3 sites on the IOW: Shalcombe Down, Walters Copse and the fields opposite my house in Branstone. We saw 24 species in about 4 hours! Large, small, green-veined and marbled white; dingy, small and Essex skipper; silver -washed and dark green fritillary; red and white admiral; small tortoiseshell and peacock; comma; common,holly,small and chalkhill blue; brown argus;gatekeeper, meadow brown and ringlet; speckled wood and brimstone. How can any other county do in half a day?"
Paul Brock reports the following from Pennington/Keyhaven Marshes: "small area examined for Wall in another effort to photograph them - 6 seen, this time frequently returning to the paths, occasionally feeding on various flowers. Otherwise, same butterflies present as reported on 24 July, except for 1 Small Copper". Paul also visited Perrywood Ivy Inclosure [SU318028] again and found "2 Silver-Washed Fritillary female form valezina on the same bramble bush, one rather ripped. Otherwise species same as 25 July, except 1 Brimstone".
|
|
|
| Wall |
Wall |
Gatekeeper (mating pair) |
Mike Duffy reports "A 2 hour+ morning walk around Stockbridge Down with Mark Litjens, had us see, 1 Silver Spotted Skipper (a record shot attached), my first Painted Lady of the year, 1 Red Admiral, 1 Peacock, several fresh looking Brimstones, some Large Whites, Small Whites, 1 + Green Veined White, 2 + Small Copper, 2 + Small Heath, reduced numbers of Marbled White, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Gatekeepers, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, and increasing numbers of Chalkhill Blues as the morning went on.We also saw 1 female Southern Hawker, 1 Forester moth, 1 Snout and a Rush Veneer.
|
|
| Painted Lady |
Silver-spotted Skipper |
Friday 25th July
Andy Barker reports "Although Buddleias appear largely devoid of butterflies at present, it's worth having a look after dark to see if any moths are attracted. I checked my white Buddleia on Weds (23rd) and Thurs (24th) around 9.45-10.00pm, and on each occasion I found an Old Lady moth nectaring".
 |
| Old Lady |
Andy continues "There was plenty to see at Magdalen Hill Down (original) when I did the butterfly transect this afternoon. I thought people planning to visit over the next week would be interested to learn what was about. The full list seen today was: Small Skipper (8), Essex Skipper (3), Brimstone (15), Large White (3), Small White (7), Green-veined White (11), Brown Argus (6), Common Blue (7), Chalkhill Blue (243), Holly Blue (2), Peacock (8), Speckled Wood (1), Marbled White (7), Gatekeeper (51), Meadow Brown (193), Ringlet (3), 6-Spot Burnet moth (158) and Silver-Y moth (1). For anyone that wants to see Chalkhill Blues and 6-Spot Burnet moths, Magdalen Hill Down is definitely the place".
Paul Brock visited two further New Forest sites for the first time and reports from New Copse Inclosure [SU331031]: '17 Silver-Washed Fritillary, 1 Peacock, 1 Small White, 2 Purple Hairstreak, several Small Skipper, 3 Large Skipper, 9 Speckled Wood, 1 Marbled White, 2 Ringlet, numerous Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. From Perrywood Ivy Inclosure [SU318028]: 10 Silver-Washed Fritillary [great to see another female form valezina, rather lighter than one seen at Pignal earlier this month], 1 Green-Veined White, 1 Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 8 Speckled Wood, 1 Ringlet, several Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, numerous Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.
 |
| Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina |
Mike Wildish reports from Grateley (SU 270 410)(84) seeing Large White - 31, Small White - 17, Green-veined White - 3, Gatekeeper - 16, Meadow Brown - 13, Ringlet - 1, Speckled Wood - 1, Red Admiral - 1, Comma - 3
Thursday 24th July
Sue Clark reports "Having spent a very hot morning at a local site and seeing next to nothing on the glorious Buddleias that were scenting the area I came home to find a Dark Green Fritillary on one of our Buddleias. A first for the garden in 18 years of recording. We have only ever seen 2 or 3 elsewhere in Froyle over the years.
 |
| Dark Green Fritillary |
Paul Brock reports the following from Pennington/Keyhaven
Marshes, a few only along / near the 'Ancient Highway', others near the
Lagoons: 4 Wall, all rather lively and reluctant to quickly return to
the pathways once disturbed, 1 Comma, 1 Peacock, 4 Red Admiral, 1
Silver-Washed Fritillary, 1 Brimstone, a few Large White, Small White
and Green-Veined White, 15 Common Blue, 1 Speckled Wood also numerous
Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown. Several Small Skipper and Essex Skipper also
present . Common Blue photo attached. The Walls were elusive, only
succeeded on video....
 |
| Common Blue female |
Wednesday 23rd July
Mike Wildish reports from Rooksbury Mill (SU355445) (84)
Small White - 6 Large White - 4 Green-veined White - 1 Meadow Brown - 6
Gatekeeper - 1 Speckled Wood - 7 Red Admiral - 1 Comma - 1 Holly Blue -
1
Paul Brock sent the following New Forest records:
Brockishill Inclosure: 1 Comma, 5 Peacock, 15 Silver-Washed Fritillary,
2 Brimstone, 3 Large White, 2 Small White, 2 Green-Veined White, 1
Purple Hairstreak, 3 Ringlet, also several Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown,
Small and Large Skipper. From Pondhead Inclosure: 1 Comma, 9
Silver-Washed Fritillary, 2 Brimstone, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 1
Green-Veined White, 4 Purple Hairstreak on three oak trees (one female
came down to low vegetation), 4 Speckled Wood, 3 Ringlet, 2 Essex
Skipper, also several Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper.
 |
| Peacock with Cinnabar larvae |
Lynn Fomison writes: "Whilst walking up the
bridlepath to Yew Hill today saw a Small Tortoiseshell. At the reserve
CHBs, GKs MBs MWs SSs are all flying. Look out too for the occasional
Dark Green Fritillary."
Mark Swann reports from testwood lakes "it has taken me
a week to refind the brown argus but 2 very photogenic ones seen this
afternoon about 3pm . also a female purple hairstreak found in my front
garden on mexican honeysuckle a first for the garden."
Pete Eeles writes: "I visited Stockbridge Down
today and, despite the cloud, managed to see at least 200+ Chalkhill
Blue - they were absolutely everywhere! The females are also in good
numbers - at least 10% of this number were female. In addition, the
usual suspects included 30+ Gatekeeper, 2 Large White, 8 Small White, 3
Small Copper and 1 very worn Dark Green Fritillary. No Silver-spotted
Skipper were seen. I haven't seen White-letter Hairstreak at Stockbridge
Down for 2 weeks now, so suspect that the flight season at Stockbridge
is over".
Richard Symonds writes: "This morning I visited
Straits Inclosure at Alice Holt Forest (SU800402) for an hour and twenty
minutes. Arriving at 10:40 the weather was warm but with the sun
obscured by cloud. During the morning the sun broke through and the
temperature increased. At first little was flying until the sun appeared
when the first Silver Washed Fritillary's emerged. No sign of any Purple
Emperors, although a single White Admiral which was still in good
condition landed on the path briefly. Count: Large White (10), Small
White (6), Green Veined White (5), Ringlet (32), Meadow Brown (9),
Gatekeeper (3), Peacock (2), Red Admiral (1), White Admiral (1) and
Silver Washed Fritillary (7F 12M). At midday I arrived at Goose Green
Inclosure (SU805416) with the sun blazing. I headed straight to the
Emperor Observation Post where my father and I set up camp. Very soon a
male Purple Emperor flew out briefly from the sweet chestnut tree but
then no further activity occurred until 12:45 when the Emperor flew
around the tree before resting on an outer leaf midway up the tree where
it sat with wings flat until 12:59 where it then found a resting place
out of sight. At 13:06 it flew over Binstead Road and returned. A futher
appearance was at 13:13 and at 13:15 it boldly chased two birds which
had flown over its kingdom. At 13:17 and 13:21 it made flights again
over the electricity lines to Binstead Road and back then flew around
the top of the Sweet Chestnut tree at 13:28. Shortly afterwards it flew
parallel with the electricity lines before returning to the tree. A
further two flights over Binstead Road occurred at 13:34. Up until this
moment I thought there was just a single male left at this site, however
at 13:46 I was treated to a display of two males chasing each other in
an upward spiral before going their separate ways. As I was leaving the
site I saw a male for the last time fly around the smaller tree at
13:52. In the early period where there was no Emperor activity I saw my
first Essex Skipper of the year a male which rested for sometime on
grass. Count was: Small White (5), Ringlet (7), Meadow Brown (5),
Gatekeeper (3), Red Admiral (2), Silver Washed Fritillary (3F 2M),
Purple Emperor (2M), Purple Hairstreak (3), Small Skipper (2F 4M) and
Essex Skipper (1F 1M). On the way home I visited Broxhead Common
(SU803373) where some Silver Studded Blues were still flying, most males
were in a very battered condition while females seemed to be in much
better condition and outnumbered males. I spent a frustrating 30 minutes
chasing a single female which would not stop in the right position for
me to get a photo of her underside which had a slight aberration.
Patience paid off in the end when I got my photo!
|
Silver-studded Blue |
Essex Skipper
|
Essex Skipper
|
Tuesday 22nd July
Graham Dennis visited Pamber Forest and writes: "I found the first ‘valesina’
of the year today, it was in cop with a very tatty male Silver-washed.
On my walk round I also came across a Brown Argus, lovely and fresh in
mint condition, this is the first record for this site since four were
seen in 2006. There are plenty of Holly Blue out now and Peacock have
just emerged as well. A Brimstone pupa looked like it was near to
hatching (see photo) A couple of interesting moths were Beautiful Yellow
Underwing and an Old Lady."
 |
| Brimstone pupa |
Mark Swann reports from cheamway / testwood recs "a walk
through 2 parks to my dads at 7pm produced 123 + purple hairstreaks in
30 minutes. a really warm still night had the purple hairstreaks going
crazy with every oak tree seen having at least 5 on. all were battling
each other on the tops of the oaks with a peak count of 25 in a single
chase. i have not seen numbers like this before in central totton."
Mike Toms reports from Old Winchester Hill (SU642213)
(34) Marbled White 10+ Small Heath 2 Large White 5+ Gatekeeper 20+ Large
Skipper 3 Meadow brown 6 Small White 1 Chalkhill Blue 100+ males (1
female) Brimstone 3 (1 male, 2 females) Small Skipper 2 Essex Skipper 1
Small/Essex Skipper 20+ Dark Green Fritillary 2
Pyrustra purpuralis 6-spot burnet "Checked the Silver-spotted
Skipper but no sign yet - being too optimistic!", and from Noar Hill
(SU7432) (34, 8)9 Gatekeeper - present Large White - present Marbled
White - present Small White - present Meadow Brown - present Large
Skipper - present Ringlet 1 Brimstone 1 Red Admiral 1 Small Skipper 1
Small/Essex Skipper - present Silver-washed Fritillary 2
6-spot burnet (including mating pair),
and finally from Paulsgrove Quarry (SU634066)
( 89) Chalkhill Blue 7 Small Blue 6 Marbled White 4 Large White 3+
Meadow brown 2+ Gatekeeper 5+ Small/Essex Skipper 3+ Small Copper 1
Small Heath 2 Small White 1 6-spot Burnet.
Paul Brock reports from Hawkhill Inclosure -
Fritillaries still showing well, with 8 Dark Green Fritillary and 8
Silver-Washed Fritillary. Also seen: 1 Peacock, 1 Speckled Wood, 5 Large
White, 3 Small White, 2 Green-Veined White, 2 Brimstone, 2 Small
Skipper, also numerous Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Large Skipper and 1
Silver-Studded Blue, also present on the heath outside and beyond.
Hatchet Moor 12 Grayling, 12 mainly worn Silver-Studded Blue,
several Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper and Large White, also 1
Dark-Green Fritillary.
Monday 21st July
Mike Duffy writes: "A 2 hour visit to Stockbridge
Down this morning had me see, 3 fresh looking Comma, 6 Red Admirals, 8 +
Brimstones, 5 + Large White, 10 + each Small White and Green Veined
White, still numbers of Marbled Whites, Meadow Brown, Ringlets, 2 +
Small Heath, 1 Small Copper, 2 Common Blue, 30 + Chalkhill Blues in the
area that I covered, a few Dark Green Fritillary, 2 + Silver Wash
Fritillary including a valezina form, 1 Large Skipper, 15+ Small
Skipper, 1 Essex Skipper and many Gatekeepers."
Mike Wildish reports from Quarley (SU275425) (84)
Gatekeeper - 2 Meadow Brown - 1 Ringlet - 2 Speckled Wood - 1 Small
White - 17 Large White - 2 Green-veined White - 2 Comma - 1 Red Admiral
- 1, and fro Racedown (SU270440) (90) Gatekeeper - 13 Meadow Brown - 4
Speckled Wood - 2 Small White - 3. "My usual collection of average
sightings in average places while rounding up the last orders for the
bird atlas for the breeding season."
Geoff Jones writes" Bill Spurrell, John Wise and I
visited two areas yesterday. We began our walk at Farley Mount CP (Pitt
Down) where, despite the somewhat overcast conditions and strong breeze
we managed sightings of Dark Green Fritillary some of which were in
surprisingly good condition, particularly a female John spotted in the
vegetation. Other species seen included: Painted Lady; Marbled White -
20+; Meadow Brown; Gatekeeper; Comma; Ringlet; Small and Large Whites;
Red Admiral; Speckled Wood; Small and Large Skipper; Brimstone - numbers
difficult to calculate; plus spectacular views of some wonderful
Hampshire countryside. Where else could one see so many butterflies
species; we are extremely fortunate to have such wonderful sites 'on our
doorstep'. At around mid-afternoon, we made our way across country
to Stockbridge Down hoping to locate the 'often talked about' elms and a
glimpse of a White-letter Hairstreak; stopping off en-route to
photograph a beautiful field of poppies. Despite two 'phone calls to
knowledgeable acquaintances. we could only assume we were in the wrong
area for the W-L H! We were pleased to see our first Chalkhill Blues
(all males) of the year and further sightings of most of the
species plus Holly Blue; seen earlier in the day at Pitt Down. We did
see and photograph Small Copper also a strange 'confrontation' where a
Silver-washed Fritillary appeared to be 'attacking' a Red Admiral whilst
the latter was nectaring on Buddleia in the car park (please forgive
poor quality of the photograph).
 |
| Red Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary |
Paul Brock reports from Stockbridge Down, where he saw
80+ Chalkhill Blue (only two females yet, but numbers building up), 1
Common Blue, 10 Small Copper, 25+ Brimstone, several Large, Small and
Green-Veined White, 7 Small Skipper, 60+ Marbled White, 10 Dark Green
Fritillary, 8 Silver-washed Fritillary, 9 Comma, 6 Red Admiral, 3
Ringlet, 4 Small Heath, numerous Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.
|
Brimstone |
Chalkhill Blue male
|
Chalkhill Blue female
|
Paul Guymer writes: "12.30pm-13.20pm On my
lunchtime stroll across the down, Magdalen Hill Down Extension SU511295
meadow brown 53, ringlet 16, gatekeeper 16, small skipper 7,
green-veined white 13, large white 2, small white 4, brimstone 6,
marbled white 2, speckled wood 1, holly blue 1 Magdalen Hill Down
Original reserve brimstone 15, gatekeeper 16, chalkhill blue 29, red
admiral 1, meadow brown 24, small white 4, large white 3, green-veined
white 2, small skipper 4, marbled white 2, peacock 1
Ashley Whitlock reports from Oxenbourne Down Visited
one of my favourite sites, but somehow its being overtaken by Oxford
Ragwart, which is literally everywhere! The specie count wasnt bad
though (17) species I think its the best so far this year. Marbled White
(12) fading very fast Gatekeeper (20) Meadow Brown (70) Small Heath (2)
Ringlet (15) fading even faster, although I did find a very fresh one,
probably a female straight out its box. Dark Green Firillary (2) A very
poor season Red Admiral (2) Comma (3) Large White (10) Small White (7)
Green - Veined White (7) Small Copper (1) Common Blue (1) a fresh
specimen Chalkhill Blue (10) one being a female Small Skipper (75) many
on the motorway meadow Large Skipper (45) Essex Skipper (5)
Silver-'Y' Moths and Six Spotted Burnet Moths
bringing up the rear.# I then went on to Alice Holt Forest and
the sad news is the Emperors reign is almost over, this warm weather has
come a fortnight too late! I saw one Emperor on territory at ALHF(1) and
it was a long time coming over an hour in the afternoon, other
territories were empty and then I saw one at Goose Green Inclosure, but
he was just inspecting the area, as he only did a quick couple of
circuits and then buzzed off. Other species seen whilst waiting were
Speckled Wood (1) Marbled White (1) Gatekeeper (10) Meadow Brown (12)
Ringlet (5) Silver-Washed Fritillary (12) Comma (1) Large White (2)
Small White (5) Green Veined White (6) Purple Hairstreak (3) Holly Blue
(1)
|
Marbled White & Six-spot Burnet Moth |
Small Skipper
|
Chalkhill Blue hatching
|
Sunday 20th July
Ashley Whitlock writes: "Today I visited one of my
local woods Whiteley Pastures which is situated by the now huge expanse
of concrete known as Whiteley Village.In fact this is the only wood I
know where you can walk down a ride and within a few seconds buy a
Pizza, or get your nails manicured! The area of woodland is unsurpassed
for many Flora and Fauna, and now has been designated a NNR and there
has been a lot of coppicing, and 'Sallow' bashing, although this is
unavoidable, the woodland looks a lot better for it and the oak tree
lines on the main ride can now been seen in all there glory, making it
much easier to see Emperors flying. There is still and awful lot of
Sallow in the woods so it should not hamper the Emperors status within
the woods. Unfortuanetly I was too late to see the White-Letter
Hairstreak on a very mature Wych Elm which has survived the ravages of
Dutch Elm Disease. The species I did see were as follows Speckled Wood
(3) Gatekeeper (25) Meadow Brown (70) Ringlet (60) Silver-Washed
Fritillary (20) White Admiral (1) now very hard to find! A Purple
Emperor which must have been on the main ride as it flew up as a cyclist
came along, and disappeared into a tall Oak stand. Small Tortoiseshell
(1) what a treat to see these again! Peacock (2) Brimstone (1) Large
White (2) Green-Veined White (6) Purple Hairstreak (10) Small Skipper
(15) Large Skipper (1) Essex Skipper (2). I then ventured over to
Tapnage/ Botley Wood area, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount
of Sallow growing along the wayleaves area of the huge Electricity
Pylons. Some of this was very mature Sallow, and this is the area many
of the Emperor sightings come from over the years. Also seen were
Speckled Wood (1) Gatekeeper (15) Meadow Brown (50) Ringlet (50)
Silver-Washed Fritillary (15) Peacock (3) Brimstone (3) Large White (2)
Small White (5) Small Skipper (25) Large Skipper (3)."
|
Small Tortoiseshell |
Peacock
|
Paul Brock visited two New Forest sites for the first
time (in mixed, sometimes cloudy weather) and reports from Busketts Lawn
Inclosure: '8 Silver-Washed Fritillary, 1 Green-Veined White, 1 Large
White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 1 Speckled Wood, several Small Skipper,
Large Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown and Ringlet. From a small
area of Churchplace Inclosure: 4 Comma, 15 Silver-Washed Fritillary, 2
Brimstone, 3 Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 3 Speckled Wood, several
Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown and Ringlet.'
Gary Palmer 20.7.08, on a brief visit to the little
wooton inclosure (sz 228 988) and in to the only part now actually
inclosed sadly just a small area around a pond, encountered the
following, large white 1, green veined white 4, meadow brown 7,
gatekeeper good numbers, speckled wood 1, large skipper 13, small
skipper several, silver-washed frit 3 (2m 3f) and 1 beautiful fresh
peacock.
Saturday 19th July
Richard Sergeant reports from Old Goose Green Car Park,
Blacknest (41) Purple Emperor (2) Silver Washed Fritillary (3) Large
White (2) Small White (1) Speckled Wood (1) Ringlet (1) Meadow Brown
(many). "1 worn male Purple Emperor and 1 pristine female high in
Oak tree at 1300hrs." And also from Bentley Station (SU792432) (41, 38)
Small Skipper (1) Essex Skipper (1) Large White (many) Small White (1)
Holly Blue (2) White Admiral (1) Red Admiral (2) Comma (1) Silver-washed
Fritillary (5) Speckled Wood (1) Marbled White (1) Gatekeeper (3) Meadow
Brown (many) Ringlet (many).
Paul Brock visited three sites for the first time (in
mixed, often cloudy weather) and reports from Testwood Lakes: " 14
Comma, 1 Peacock, 16 Red Admiral, 5 Green-Veined White, 1 Small White, 6
Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak, 2 Small Skipper, 1 Large Skipper, 1
Marbled White, 1 Speckled Wood, also numerous Gatekeeper and Meadow
Brown and one female Stag Beetle. From Copythorne Common: 1 Comma, 1
Peacock, 2 Silver-Washed Fritillary, 1 Large White, 1 Purple Hairstreak,
1 Small Copper, 2 Small Skipper, 5 Large Skipper, also several
Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. A half hour trip to part of the Brockishill
Inclosure, New Forest produced an encouraging: 3 Comma, 8 Silver-Washed
Fritillary, 1 Brimstone, 4 Large White, 4 Ringlet, also several
Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small and Large Skipper. Well worth exploring
the site further in better weather".
|
Large White |
Small Copper
|
Comma
|
Gary Palmer on Barton common (sz 249 932) 19.7.08.
breezy but sunny. found as follows, brimstone (male) 1, large white 4, g
v white 1 ( female), small skipper and essex skipper both in good
numbers, marbled white 7, gatekeeper and meadow brown both in strong
numbers, small heath 1, small copper 3, common blue (male) 3, while down
in the bunny (sz 253 926) i found, large white 1, small copper 4, common
blue (male) 1, gatekeeper 3, meadow brown 2, a fresh red admiral
straight in off the sea and 2 six spot burnet.
|
Meadow Brown |
Small Copper
|
Red Admiral
|
Thursday 17th July
Mike Wildish reports from Linkenholt (SU365585) (81)
Meadow Brown - 100 Gatekeeper - 4 Ringlet - 10 Marbled White - 2
Speckled Wood - 1 Small Skipper - 1 Large Skipper - 1 Small White - 1
Wednesday 16th July
Andrew Brookes surveyed the Boarhunt Woods near Wickham
this morning, finding 11 species, including an immaculate Peacock.
Commonest species, as in keeping with previous years, was the
Silver-washed Fritillary (37, mostly female); others: White Admiral (3),
Red Admiral (1) , Comma (1), Large White (12), G-v White (10), Purple
Hairstreak (20), M. Brown (30), Gatekeeper (25), Sp. Wood (5), [NB
Ringlets finished already].
Ashley Whitlock writes: "Over the last week or so
I have to get away from the Purple Empire for a couple of days and visit
other sites . Oxenbourne Down Very disappointing
numbers of some species especially the Marbled White (16)and Dark-Green
Fritillary(1) other species seen were Gatekeeper (1) Meadow Brown (50)
Ringlet (75) always the top dog at this site, due to the lush grasses
seen in the valley floor were they breed. Silver-Washed Fritillary, not
a rarity at this site as its surrounded by woodland, Brimstone (1) Small
White (2) Small Skipper (25) Large Skipper (1) Essex Skipper (5). Most
of the skippers were found in an isolated meadow which adjoins the
Motorway the A3. Old Winchester Hill Better numbers
of Marbled White (55) Gatekeeper (10) Meadow Brown (25) Small Heath (6)
Ringlet (7) Dark Green Fritillary (6) still a low number compared with
previous years. Red Admiral (1) Large White (1) Small White (1)
Chalkhill Blue (1) Small Skipper (20) Large Skipper (2) Essex Skipper
(3) I also visited the New Forest and had a look at the 'Purple
Emperor' site near Ashurst, and after I visited Hawkshill
Inclosure, of which I saw the following species Marbled White
(26) Grayling (1) Bell and Ling Heather in this part of the wood is
sparse so any record of Grayling is quite something. Gatekeeper (8)
Meadow Brown (31) Dark Green Fritillary (12) really does well at this
site in the coppiced areas. Silver-Washed Fritillary (3) Small Copper
(1) this is the first Small Copper Ive ever seen in a Pine plantation.
Small Skipper (27) Large Skipper (33). Hatchet Moor
Grayling (1) Gatekeeper (1) Meadow Brown (17) Small Heath (4) Dark-Green
Fritillary (10) Silver-Washed Fritillary, going to prove this mobile
insect can survive in so many different habitats. Large White (1) Small
White (2) Silver-Studded Blue (100+) it was still hard work to find this
total Small Skipper (2) Large Skipper (5)
|
Marbled White |
Essex Skipper
|
Dark Green Fritillary
|
Richard Symonds writes: "Today I visited Straits
Inclosure at Alice Holt Forest (SU800402) arriving at 10:20 and leaving
at 12:40. Despite the warm conditions there were a lot less numbers than
on Sunday. The main track has been levelled during Monday and Tuesday to
allow Forestry Research vehicles to access the area more easily. This
has however removed the patches of turf in the middle of the track which
the Purple Emperors could be found feeding on excrement. In addition the
flowery area at the inclosure entrance has also been levelled and
cleared of vegetation where skippers could usually be seen nectaring on
birdsfoot trefoil. It just seems a shame that this work was carried out
at this time of the year. On this levelled area I did see my first
second generation Holly Blue, a male which already had a small piece of
wing missing but otherwise fresh (see photo). I did not see the Purple
Emperor but saw several Purple Hairstreaks including one which flew
across the track at a low level enough for me to see the grey underside
and iridescent purple on the upper wings. My count was: Large White (8),
Small White (10), Ringlet (51), Meadow Brown (17), Gatekeeper (2),
Speckled Wood (1), White Admiral (1), Silver Washed Fritillary (5F 17M),
Red Admiral (3), Comma (2) and Holly Blue (2M). After lunch I visited
Goose Green Inclosure (SU805415). Arriving at the main Emperor
observation post, I saw two male Purple Emperors chasing each other
around the top of the Sweet Chestnut tree (at 12:50). Activity continued
with a different pair of males with three in the air at one point with
most chases being no higher than the tree tops. One Emperor sat on an
isolated branch of the smaller tree closet to the observation post in a
position where all of its upper wings could be seen. It sat there for
around five minutes and with the aid of the 800X zoom on my camcorder
was able to get some good views albeit with poor resolution. Later
activity stopped, one of my last sights being an Emperor chasing off a
straying Large White! My count was: Small White (5), Large White (4),
Green Veined White (1M), Ringlet (18), Meadow Brown (14), Gatekeeper
(6), Marbled White (4), Speckled Wood (1), Silver Washed Fritillary (4F
4M), Purple Emperor (4M), Large Skipper (3M) and Small Skipper (3F 4M).
Finally I made a brief visit to Broxhead Common (SU802373). The number
of female Silver Studded Blues outnumbered the males based on the
limited number that I saw. The females consisted of either worn and torn
or fresh examples. Both males that I saw we still fresh, perhaps late
emergences. Silver Studded Blue (5F 2M).
|
Silver-studded Blue |
Gatekeeperr
|
Holly Blue
|
Alan Thornbury reports seeing 6 second brood Small Blue
today at the foot of the Paulsgrove quarry face (SU633065) on Portsdown
Hill, including a mating pair (photo). Perhaps even more surprising is
that emergence may have begun some days ago, with one fading male among
those seen.
 |
| Small Blue |
Pete Eeles reports from Stockbridge Down, where he saw
50+ Chalkhill Blue (although the only female was one half of a mating
pair!), 5 Brimstone, 10 Small Copper, 2 Large White, 5 Small Skipper,
25+ Marbled White, 6 Dark Green Fritillary, 50+ Gatekeeper, 1
Silver-washed Fritillary, 50+ Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath and 2 Small
White. He says " The Chalkhill Blue are starting to be seen in good
numbers, although still some time before they peak, given the lack of
females around. It was also good to see the Small Copper emergence - at
last! The Gatekeepers are also emerging strongly".
|
Small Copper |
Gatekeeper
|
Chalkhill Blue
|
Mervyn Grist reports from Combe Wood (SU354595) (43)
Small Skipper 6 Essex Skipper 2 Red Admiral 2 Purple Emperor 1 Peacock 1
Comma 6 Silver washed Fritillary 11 Marbled White 12 Gatekeeper 8 Meadow
Brown 25 Ringlet 30 "This site is in Vice County 12 although now
just across the Berks border. A male Purple Emperor flew up from the
track and circled around Mike Wldlish and myself until it decided we
were not of interest and flew away. One was seen near here last year. An
hour later we found two more across the Wilts border in Buttermere Wood.
Quite a rewarding day - making up for fruitless searches for PEs in the
Faccombe area in early July.
Mark Swann reports from Totton parks. Purple
hairstreaks appear to be having an ok year in totton. checked out my
local parks today 30+ seen on at least 20 different trees with a couple
on the ground.behind my house are 2 parks connected by a greenway (
testwood & cheamway recs ) all are bursting with life for such an urban
area and shows how important green spaces are in towns final count 30 +
purple hairstreaks, 5 commas, 2red admirals, 8 ( yes 8 ) holly blues, 4
speckled woods, 3 large whites, 9 small whites, 6 gatekeepers and a few
meadow browns. old calmore rec is also a very good spot for purple
hairstreaks in totton."
Paul Brock sends a quick note to report on 16
July: 2 fresh male 2nd generation Common Blues at Hinton and Roydon
Wood, New Forest. Also found a very worn male Silver-Studded Blue at
Roydon.
Tuesday 15th July
Mike Wildish reports from Fox Farm (SU290430) (84)
Meadow Brown - 16, Ringlet - , Gatekeeper - 2, Marbled White - 3, Essex
Skipper - 3, and from Georgia Farm (SU295410) (84) Meadow Brown - 6
Ringlet - 3 Gatekeeper - 3 Green-veined White - 3, and finally from
Amport House (SU295440) (43) Meadow Brown - 2 Silver-washed Frit - 2.
Richard Symonds writes: "Today I visited Old
Winchester Hill (SU640203) in the morning for 1 hour and 40 minutes. The
weather was overcast but very warm and humid. Many Ringlets, Meadow
Browns, Marbled Whites and Small Skippers were flying while at the far
side of the hill fort I saw a pair of Dark Green Fritillary's. Totals:
Large White (6M), Small White (5M), Ringlet (40), Meadow Brown (34),
Marbled White (44), Small Heath (8), Gatekeeper (2F 8M), Red Admiral
(5), Comma (4), Dark Green Fritillary (1F 1M), Small Skipper (11F 12M)
and Six Spot Burnet moth (8).
 |
|
| Marbled White |
Comma |
Mark Swann reports from Testwood lakes "A nice surprise
today at the north end of testwood lakes a fresh brown argus not seen
one here before. Also seen 15 + commas, 17+ red admirals,3 marbled
whites a big increase in large and small whites at least 15 of each. 3
purple hairstreaks. 5 small skippers, small copper. meadow browns 100+ "
Paul Brock sent the following records from Pignal
Inclosure, New Forest ‘Having spotted Purple Hairstreaks in oaks near
the entrance, I continued to an area good for Silver-Washed
Fritillaries. A man ahead of me was stopping looking up at oaks, an
obvious butterfly spotter! He appeared to be doing well, as when I
reached oaks he stopped at, three Purple Hairstreaks flitted around.
Then I saw Silver-Washed Fritillaries where he had stopped at bramble
bushes. Nothing else for it, when he turned off at a track I do not
normally take, I followed and there was the Silver-Washed form valesina
I have longed to see since moving to Brockenhurst this spring! The man
is a genius, he walked back along the path and I asked him what
butterflies he had seen, only to quickly realise he was a tourist and
couldn’t speak a word of English! In summary, in half an hour from
5.00pm recorded the following: 12 Silver-Washed Fritillary (including 1
x female form valesina and 1 x playful male), 1 White Admiral, 10 Purple
Hairstreak, 2 Large White, 1 Ringlet, numerous Small & Large
Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown.
 |
 |
| Silver-washed Fritillary form
valezina |
Richard Symonds writes: "With temperatures
increasing during the course of the afternoon I made a visit to Chalton
Down (SU736156) for half an hour arriving at 18:20. A few Meadow Browns
and Small Heaths were still flying as were Commas, one of which was
found on its favourite silver birch leaf, the same spot I had
photographed it last week! What made the visit worthwhile was seeing my
first Chalkhill Blues of the year, three males which were still very
active flying over a wide area."
Mervyn Grist reports from Pilot Hill Transect (34)
Newly emerged species "The first Chalk Hill Blue males (3)were around
today on this 800 ft high site which is a bit colder than most of
Hampshire. It was also nice to welcome 4 Dark Green Fritillaries -
double the number seen last year."
Monday 14th July
Andrew Brookes reports: "Joy Gibbs saw a Painted
Lady in Cosham, Portsmouth, this afternoon."
Mark Swann reports from Testwood lakes "On another warm
windy cloudy day went looking for purple hairstreaks found 5 males all
looking worn but all showing off for me, crippling views as they came
down from the oaks to the bramble and young hazel trees only feet away.
Also seen 3 small coppers, 4 marbled whites, 9 commas, small and large
skippers, small and large whites ( singles ), 10 + gatekeepers and a
third hand report of a painted lady. meadow browns and
burnet moths 50 + of each."
Paul Brock send this report: "More records from
the New Forest: 14 July 2008 Hawkhill Inclosure - 8 Dark Green
Fritillary (mostly rather worn), 4 Marbled White, 1 Brimstone, 1 Small
White, 1 Large White, 1 Green-Veined White, numerous Small & Large
Skipper, Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown. In part of Beaulieu Heath just
before Hawkhill car park, 30+ Silver-Studded Blue [also at other sites,
including Beaulieu Heath disused airfield [SU357004] c. 40, with 2
Grayling and several Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, 2 Dark
Green Fritillary
and Small Heath also present].
|
Grayling |
Dark Green Fritillary
|
Marbled White
|
Dave Law reports from Martin Down / Kitts Grave (34/41)
Dark Green Frit 50+, Marbled White 50+,meadow Brown 50+, Small Skippers
50+, At Kitts S.W Frit 20+ incl. Valesina female ,Purple Hairstreak 3
,Small Heath 10 , Gatekeeper 5 .
Geoff Jones writes: "I took a brief morning stroll
around a breezy Browndown South in the hope of seeing a Clouded Yellow
but no sightings. During my walk I saw several Small Skippers; a Small
Copper; Small White; a Painted Lady feeding on Ragwort; the usual Meadow
Browns and numerous Gatekeepers. Grayling numbers are building up - some
15 or so in a small area. In the afternoon, Bill Spurrell and I
went to Botley Wood where we observed the usual Meadow Browns; Ringlets;
Gatekeepers and numerous Small Skippers. Bill identified a Large
Skipper. He particularly wanted to find Purple Hairstreak so we visited
an oak where I had previously observed the species often below treetop
height. There were several PHs flying around and often landing around 8
feet from the ground. We discovered one or two individuals that had
recently emerged, complete with tails; one of which 'stayed put' for a
few minutes allowing is to photograph it despite the strong breeze!
Along our route we also had sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary but no
White Admirals in the immediate area.
|
Purple Hairstreak |
Painted Lady
|
Gatekeeper
|
Robert Bryant reports from Abbotstone Down
Silver-washed Fritillary 6 "Early afternoon, cloudy, warm. Scores
of marbled whites, meadow browns, ringlets plus a dozen or so small
skippers. A mating pair of silver-washed fritillaries flying along in
tandem."
Ian Julian writes: "Monday 14th of July, about 10
of us, visited Bentley Station Meadow, where we saw 13 species of
butterfly, including 11 Purple Hairstreaks. Possibly 14 species, as a
large butterfly was seen twice flying at the top of a tall tree. Onto
Goose Green for lunch, where 3 White Admirals were flying around
constantly from about 12.30 for the next hour or so, just near the
lay-by. Cliff Oakley believes there may have been up to 7. I have
15,000 photos in my catalogue, but this is one of the most unusual; 3
Purple Emperors in flight! Not 100% sharp, it has focused on a twig, but
90 % will do me. A couple of courting Silver-washed Fritillaries,
heavily cropped. Also, can someone identify this large moth?
|
Unknown moth |
Purple Emperors
|
Silver-washed Fritillaries
|
Sunday 13th July
Gary Palmer reports "On a mid day walk around Barton Common
produced 15 marbled white, 50+ gatekeeper, 30+ meadow brown, 3 small heath, 1
common blue (male), 1 large white, 1 red admiral, 11 small skipper, 4 essex
skipper, all under cloudy conditions,breezy with occasional sun.".
|
| Essex Skipper (female) |
Mike Duffy reports "I went to Stockbridge Down fairly early in
the morning and almost the first butterfly I saw, was a mint fresh Chalkhill
Blue, toatal seen 14+, 1 fresh Small Copper, 1 very tatty Common Blue, many
Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Marbled Whites, 8 + Gatekeepers, 6 + Small Heath, 1
Comma, several Dark Green Fritillary on the open Down, 3 + Silver-washed
Fritillary, nearer the bottom carpark, 1 White-letter Hairstreak, in the tallest
Elm, 1 Large Skipper, 12+ Small Skipper, 1+ Essex Skipper, 1 + Large White, 2 +
Small White, 8 + Green Veined White,
also seen my first Yellow
- tail of the year, also my first migrant moth a pale looking Silver Y
and still 6 + Forester moths and my meeting Colin Baker for the
first time.
|
|
|
| Chalkhill Blue |
Silver-Y |
Yellow-tail |
Lynn Fomisom writes: "Bit late writing this! On Friday a
Hummingbird hawkmoth visited valerian just outside the kitchen window -
the second visit this week - the first being on Tuesday."
Ashley Whitlock writes from Straits Inclosure:
"Weather: Sunny intervals, very warm, nil wind Temperature:
65f-70f It was a pleasure walking
into the Straits Inclosure probably for the last time this year, and the
weather being what it should be, high fair weather cloud, and very warm
sunshine. However with everyday this summer so far it did not last, it
did cloud over with the usual blanket of cloud, and this really sends
the temperature down a few degrees. The Silver-Washed
Fritillaries were still very evident, and mostly still in very good
condition. The White Admiral now is fading fast and was very hard to
spot, with the ones being seen looking very sorry for themselves. What
the weather does and the Bramble, has a lot to answer for!
The Purple Hairstreak was also seen in reasonable numbers, which are
very evident as I was looking up at the tall oaks for most of the time
of being there. His imperial majesty turned up at quite a
late time, at 10:50 today, flying over a ride near the Forestry
Commissions green truck in the dip on the main ride. This is the main
are the males are normally seen, and he did a quick circuit over the
ride, and then disappeared over the crown of a tall oak.
There isn’t a lot of male activity in the woods now the mating has
probably all been done, so they do not come down to extract mineral
salts from gravel paths so much, and with the weather being what is has
been, I don’t so suppose they have been that keen anyhow.
The next Emperor was seen at 11:05 near the entrance of the wood, it was
a female, and she looked magnificent, as we saw her weaving in and out
of the large Sallow bushes, alighting at times, and we could see her on
a branch, and then she would flitter in and out, in typical fashion,
selecting ‘plump; sallow leaves to lay an egg. She disappeared for a
time and I wondered if she had disappeared on the shady side, and then
she would re-appear again, settle down on a branch, and then flitter
off, her enormous wings, carrying her away like a Vulcan bomber, with
her large white patches catching the sunlight, the rusty brown wings
looking in pristine condition." Ashley also visited Goose Green of
which he writes: "Weather: Sunny Intervals, very cloudy at times,
nil wind Temperature: 65-70f Arrived
at Goose Green 13:30 very cloudy conditions, but very little wind, (1)
male Emperor was seen on a Sweet Chestnut tree, when the sun shone it
was very warm in deed, and then this is when the activity started. One
male was seen on his beech sprig, and broken wing, was then seen
cruising in and around the Sweet Chestnut Tree... He settled down turned
to the south-east, with wings outstretched. He stopped here for good
lengths of time. The cloud was soon over the area again a complete
blanket, but one Emperor was seen again the Sweet Chestnut Tree, at
14:05 not doing a lot. Two males seemed to be on random patrols at the
moment, one came very close to the other, but there wasn’t any chasing
…yet! Then all hell let loose, two males were seen chasing, they
spiralled around each other, and around over the wayleaves area, over
the road and back again, a very long chase indeed. The speed of these
little insects is a wonder to behold. Then (3) males were seen one idly
just patrolling around his oak stand and (2) off on a familiar chase,
these seemed to be lasting well over a minute now. They were very high
up, and did not look like butterflies now, then one was seen breaking
away these intense chases must be very exhausting, and I reckon now they
are just doing it for pleasure, the sheer hell of it! At 14:26 one of
the most intense chases I have ever seen took place, there was (4)
chasing, then (2) sets of (2) males seem to split up; the sky seemed to
be full of Emperors, like a flying display. When (3) males took flight,
the leading male was chased for a 20 second odd period, and then he
would drop back and then another one was chased, by two side by side,
and then he would drop back, and they would swap around, this is how I
do know that they were just enjoying flying around at great speed. At
14:45 one male was seen in the car-park vista, now making (5) in the
area. The males were again all seen separately as the sun came back
again, and then more intense chasing at break neck speed. When they
reach a certain height they seem to speed up and the leader is flying
from side to side, obviously trying to shake off his pursuer and the
chaser is keeping a very straight flight.
|
Red Admiral |
Silver-washed Fritillary courtship
|
White Admiral
|
Richard Symonds writes: "On Sunday I visited
Straits Inclosure, Alice Holt Forest (SU800402), arriving at 08:35 and
leaving at 12:15. A lot of the undergrowth was still very wet with
dew but Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Silver Washed Fritillary's
we already flying. After some time walking the main track there was no
signs of any Purple Emperor activity and no White Admirals. I saw
several Purple Hairstreaks flying around a few oaks and located an oak
with damaged bark which was oozing sap which would be good bait for an
Emperor. A walk along a side path leading to "Camilla Corner" produced
many Ringlets. Walking back the first White Admiral flew along the path
followed by another on the main path which took quick short flights at
ground level. Finally at around midday several of us saw a single female
Purple Emperor flying around the tops of the taller sallows. Totals:
Large White (2F 4M), Small White (2M), Meadow Brown (34), Gatekeeper (1M
2F), Ringlet (68), Silver Washed Fritillary (12F 45M), Red Admiral (2),
White Admiral (2), Purple Emperor (1F), Purple Hairstreak (9), Small
Skipper (3M), Large Skipper (1M) and Brimstone Moth (1).
After lunch I visited Goose Green Inclosure (SU805415) with Ashley
Whitlock for two hours where I spent most time watching displays by
Purple Emperors, hence the low counts of other species. The weather had
become overcast but still warm and with no females about male Emperors
were chasing and playing in the air in pairs mostly but sometimes three
were flying at once. The displays were very acrobatic including a kind
of ascending spiral pattern. At one point a pair had reached a very high
height and with the naked eye appeared as two specks in the sky. On one
occasion four males were in flight simultaneously including one male
which had a large part of the hind wing missing. Totals: Meadow Brown
(3), Ringlet (9), Marbled White (1M 1F), Comma (1), Red Admiral (2),
White Admiral (2), Purple Emperor (4M), Silver Washed Fritillary (3F
4M), Purple Hairstreak (2), and Small Skipper (2F 4M).
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