First Hawkmoth of 2025. This fine Poplar Hawk was the first hawkmoth of 2025 to be found in our moth trap here in Church Crookham. No doubt others have seen these already this year, and perhaps other early hawk species too, but it was a nice find nonetheless. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Poplar Hawk Moth Photo © Michael Jameson |
Monks Walk, Frater Fields & Woods, Gosport. My last UK butterfly wander for some four weeks realised sighting of 10 species. With the temperature up to 22 deg C and in full sun, from 12:35-14:45 I circulated both northern and southern sectors. In one small enclosed field (northern area) not one of the target species (Common Blue) was seen but I was compensated by my first Painted Lady of the season and a very unusual butterfly here, Grizzled Skipper. The Painted Lady was very fidgety and gave me a torrid time; indeed, my macro lens seemingly wasn't the right one today as most of the butterflies left on my approach! Must try harder. Total: Comma (1); Holly Blue (3); Green Hairstreak (1); Painted Lady (1); Grizzled Skipper (1); Speckled Wood (14); Small White (3); Common Blue (F)(1)(M)(1); Orange-tip (M)(2); Red Admiral (2). [Posted by Francis Plowman]
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| Holly Blue Photo © Francis Plowman | Painted Lady Photo © Francis Plowman | Grizzled Skipper Photo © Francis Plowman |
More Marsh Fritillary at Martin Down. I made a further visit to Martin Down, in expectation of somewhat warmer and less windy conditions today, but still found the area affected by periodic gusts of wind, and butterflies were once again largely confined to areas sheltered from the wind. Even so, Marsh Fritillary was found in considerable numbers, and far more numerous than in either of the two preceding years, an encouraging sign given 2024's extremely poor butterfly numbers overall. These images were all taken in the area of the WWII rifle ranges, which being largely sheltered, contained the greatest concentration of butterflies, with several females also observed egg-laying. Other species found included Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, and Common Blue. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Marsh Fritillary - Martin Down Photo © Michael Jameson | Marsh Fritillary (2) Photo © Michael Jameson | Marsh Fritillary (3) Photo © Michael Jameson |
Browndown (North) Gosport. Ninety minutes' circulation around the southern sector realised sightings of seven species. From 1410 with the temperature around 18 deg C with a fairly hefty breeze at times it was noticeable how little flora was available. Some vetch seen but most flora was the amazing blossom on Hawthorn. Total: Small White (1); Speckled Wood (7); Large White (1); Brimstone (M)(1); Common Blue (M)(5); Small Copper (3); Orange-tip (M)(2). [Posted by Francis PLOWMAN]
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| Fresh Common Blue male Photo © Francis PLOWMAN | Diminutive Small Copper Photo © Francis PLOWMAN | Male Common Blue underwing Photo © Francis PLOWMAN |
Martin Down. A trip to my favourite Hampshire site this morning. The highlight was undoubtedly the early Marsh Fritillary - I found 20+ of these all looking fresh in the last rifle range away from Sillens Lane. Otherwise the usual suspects with plenty of Dingy Skippers, Grizzled Skippers, Green Hairstreaks and Small Heaths - the latter probably into three figures. If there was a disappointment it was the lack of Blues - I only saw 2 Common Blues (although to be fair it was early in the day). The Down itself looks parched and the wild flowers, orchids etc in desperate need of some rain! [Posted by Mark Wagstaff]
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| Dingy Skipper - Martin Down Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Marsh Fritillary - Martin Down Photo © Mark Wagstaff | Green Hairstreak - Martin Down Photo © Mark Wagstaff |
Pearl Bordered Fritillaries - Brockenhurst Inclosures. My first visit of 2025 to the inclosures around Brockenhurst took place during searing heat around a week ago. Pearl-bordered Fritillary were on the wing, but not in great numbers, and those seen flew rapidly up and down the forest rides, and never paused to take nectar, making photography all but impossible. Returning again today, however, many more PBFs were found, with the New Copse (south of the main railway line), Pignal, and Ranmor Inclosures all proving to be particularly rewarding, and I succeeded in getting a good selection of detailed images, of which a few appear below. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Pearl Bordered Fritillary - New Copse Inclosure Photo © Michael Jameson | Pearl Bordered Fritillary (US) - Ranmor Inclosure Photo © Michael Jameson | Pearl Bordered Fritillary - Pignal Inclosure Photo © Michael Jameson |
Marsh Fritillaries at Martin Down. Despite today's sudden unseasonable weather conditions, I visited Martin Down in the hope of finding Marsh Fritillary recently emerged and in good photographic condition. To say that trying to find them in the teeth of a howling gale and with unexpectedly low temperatures dictated by the very cold winds was difficult would be an understatement! But, after an hour's searching, I did eventually locate them within the old WWII buttressed areas which were once used as firing ranges, where the butterflies were found sheltering in the long grasses, and only very occasionally taking flight, and who could blame them for that! Nevertheless, a couple of decent images were obtained, and I imagine that anybody visiting this site on a similar quest during the next two weeks or so, and given fine weather, will have no difficulty in finding this species in reasonable numbers this year. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Marsh Fritillary at Martin Down Photo © Michael Jameson | Marsh Fritillary at Martin Down (US) Photo © Michael Jameson |
More Compton Bay Glanvilles. Two more fresh and pristine Glanville Fritillary from my photo-haul on Saturday 3rd May. All were found to be in superb condition, and newly emerged, with no scales missing and ideal photographic subjects. These two were noted on the steep chalk footpath which leads down from the Freshwater Golf Course to the Military Road. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Glanville Fritillary - Compton Bay Photo © Michael Jameson | Glanville Fritillary - Compton Bay Photo © Michael Jameson |
Small Blue - Compton Bay IOW. My annual Glanville Fritillary pilgrimage also brought opportunities to get close up and personal with several other less glamorous but equally fascinating species, including the Small Blue. These were found widely across the area, from the golf course slopes where there is sufficient hedgerow coverage, down to the grassy slopes adjacent to the cliff edge. Fast moving and feisty, these little butterflies are always a delight to see! [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Small Blue (M) head on view Photo © Michael Jameson | Small Blue (M) Photo © Michael Jameson | Small Blue (M) under side Photo © Michael Jameson |
Glanville Fritillaries at Compton Down, IOW. With the weather still set fair, I determined to make my annual pilgrimage to the IOW today in the hope of once again locating and photographing Glanville Fritillarys around Compton Down, close to the south-western extremity of the island. After a pleasant walk from the ferry at Yarmouth, my first sighting occurred on the Freshwater Golf Course, and after crossing over the Military Road and descending towards Compton Bay itself, the Glanvilles were present in greater numbers than I had ever seen them there in previous years. All were remarkably fresh and photogenic specimens, with quite a number clearly very newly emerged. Once again, a memorable excursion in search of one of our region's most iconic species. [Posted by Michael Jameson]
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| Glanville Fritillary - Compton Chine Photo © Michael Jameson | Glanville Fritillary (U/S) Photo © Michael Jameson | Mating pair - female to left of picture Photo © Michael Jameson |