** Chalkhill Blue & Grayling are on the wing **
* First Brown Hairstreak has already been reported in Pembrokeshire! *

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Jan Haseler sent this news on 22nd July: "I saw 2 female Silver-washed Fritillaries today. They were nectaring on thistles in a field next to Fleet Copse at Finchampstead, Berks. I think Fleet Copse is ancient woodland, but there are no rights of way through it and there are a lot of Keep Out signs round the edge, so I have never been into the woodland."

Tony Croft sent the following reports: Last Tuesday 15th July I had five sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary on my transect at Rushbeds Wood. Then on yesterday's transect there, (22nd), I recorded 237 Meadow Brown; 137 Ringlet; 44 Gatekeeper; 31 Marbled White; 10 Small Skipper; 5 Large Skipper; 10 Large White; 7 Small White; 1 Green-veined White; 4 Speckled Wood; 3 Silver-washed Fritillary; 2 White Admiral; 1 Small Copper and 1 Peacock. At Whitecross Green Wood today I saw White Admiral, Purple Hairstreak, Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Large Skipper and Small Skipper. Also, in my garden in Long Crendon yesterday I'm almost certain that there was a Brown Hairstreak on the wing. Unfortunately it didn't land so that remains unconfirmed."

Mick & Wendy Campbell surveyed Homefield Wood on 22nd July: "Silver-washed Fritillary was out in good numbers and the colony appears to be thriving. There were two females and a male just inside the entrance to the wood and we counted another 10 down the sunniest section of the main ride, mostly males heading downwind in the direction of the entrance and one courting couple which flew past us just above the track. Another two females were found in the shadier section of the main ride, one perched on ferns and another in a tree. We then headed uphill and along the footpath running along the ridge we had our most exciting find of a pristine Valezina form of the female Silver-washed Fritillary (which flew up into the trees before I could get an in-focus photo of it!) and shortly after that a mating pair. Totals were 14 male, 8 female and 2 unconfirmed gender. Other species seen were: Ringlet, Comma, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small White, Green-veined White, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, Marbled White, Gatekeeper and in the meadow Small Skipper and a solitary Common Blue."

David Redhead sent the following report on 21st July: "An early morning dog walk today (21st) put Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Small Skipper and Marbled White on my list for the day and a Holly Blue was seen flying in the garden. Mid morning I inspected our garden (Littlemore, Oxon) buddleias and the total haul was 4 Red Admiral, 4 Meadow Brown, 3 Comma, 1 Large White, 1 Peacock, 1 Green-veined White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell. Whilst I might get excited now about a count like this on our buddleias I know they would make poor comparison with the records in my notebooks of 10 to 20 years ago.
I then popped round to the Westwood Country Hotel (permission required) which is located at the northern end of Bagley Woods, it is also at the high point of the woods. I spent some time in the grounds, walked out into the garden and there was a Silver-washed Fritillary on their rather unusual very dark flowered buddleia. I had about six separate sightings in their grounds but could only say with absolute certainty that there were three different individuals including at least one male and one female. I also spent some time looking up into the trees surrounding the grounds and was eventually rewarded with a Purple Emperor flying from one tree to another - although it was very high up and I was unable to locate it when it landed there was a touch of purple about it in flight so I am pretty certain it was a male.
Mid afternoon Wendy & I went to Watlington Hill - I'm afraid here it was more a case of what we did not see - NO CHALKHILL BLUES, NO SKIPPERS, NO MARBLED WHITE, NO BROWN ARGUS. Just 65 Meadow Brown, 25 Large White, 12 Small White, 7 Small Heath, 6 Gatekeeper, 3 Brimstone, 3 Ringlet, 1 Common Blue, 1 Comma, 1 Green-veined White, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Purple Emperor.
So, in spite of Watlington Hill, I still managed 19 species in the day which is a record for me in 2008. It makes 26 species on Sunday rather challenging though!"
Sunday 27th July is our "26 Butterfly species in a day?" event. Please come along if you can, or maybe try for 26 species on your own if you're unable to join the UTB event.

On 21st July Rob Hill went up to Little Linford Wood: !I was very pleased to see 4 White Admirals, my first ever at this site. Other butterflies were: Comma (6), Small White (12), Gatekeeper (4), Large Skipper (1), Small Skipper (2), Small Tortoiseshell, plus Large White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet (although numbers of the latter seemed well down since my last visit)."

Dave Wilton carried out a survey of Arncott Wood, Oxon (MoD, no public access) over lunchtime today, 21st July: "It produced 12 butterfly species: Large Skipper, Large White, Green-veined White, Purple Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Purple Emperor, Comma, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet. Additional species seen afterwards during a transect at Finemere Wood, Bucks included Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small White, White Admiral and Marbled Fritillary, while the adjacent Finemere Meadows added Brimstone and Small Heath. It may not seem all that exciting really, but in a year when I've struggled to see any butterflies at all in my garden at Westcott, Bucks it came as a very pleasant surprise to return home to find five different species active there late this afternoon. Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell were using the first of the buddleia blooms, a Large Skipper visited my patch of bird's-foot trefoil, while Large White and Meadow Brown passed through several times. With 20 resident species and one "exotic interloper" recorded during the day, maybe there's hope for this year yet!"

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Becky Woodell reported a third Small Tortoiseshell in her garden in Oakley, Bucks, on 21st July and a second Silver-washed Fritillary in Oakley Wood.

Richard Soulsby had a brief but very welcome visitation by a Small Tortoiseshell to his garden in Benson (Oxon) yesterday afternoon, 21st.

Ched George went for a stroll on Yoesden Bank on 21st July: "It produced 127+ Meadow Brown, 60+ Marbled White, 27+ Gatekeeper, 2 Ringlet, 2 Large White, 1 Small White, 1 Comma, 3 Small Skipper plus 41 Small/Essex, 1 Large Skipper, 1 male Brimstone, 1 Small Copper, 2 male Chalkhill Blues, 1 Dark Green Fritillary, 72 Six-spot Burnets, and 1 Yellow Shell."

John Ward-Smith sent this news on 21st July: "Today, 21st July, whilst out dragonfly recording in Swinley Forest, south of Bracknell, I saw two Grayling, near the Upper Star Post."

Dave Ferguson saw a Small Tortoiseshell on 19th July in Lady Grove (near St Leonards, Berks). "Also, on 20th July in Strawberry Wood, Black Park I saw 2 White Admirals."

Dennis Dell reported the following on 19th July: "To give my neck a rest from two weeks of peering up to the tree tops looking for the Purple Emperor, I went around the extensive rough grassy and scrub areas of Aylesbury Park Golf Course. In spite of the strong breeze, good numbers were seen, particularly the Satyrids. Small White [10], Gatekeeper [29], Small Tortoiseshell [6], Meadow Brown [111], Small Skipper [26], Marbled White [36], Large White [3], Comma [3], Ringlet [18], Essex Skipper [2], Peacock [4], Large Skipper [1]. It is possible that the ratio of Essex to Small Skipper was higher, but I could not get a good look at the antennae in most cases. Vast amounts of Knapweed and Thistle provide good nectar sources here."

Sezar Hikmet revisited Aston Rowant Bald Hill on 19th July: "I saw 10-12 fresh Dark Green Fritillaries. Very windy conditions made photography difficult."

Friday 18th July 2008

Sezar Hikmet visited Aston Rowant (Bald Hill) today, 18th July: "I saw Dark Green Fritillary (1) and a large number of Marbled Whites and Meadow Browns, also Small Skipper (1). Aston Rowant at north side of M40, still had very few butterflies."

Wendy Wilson sent the following report on 17th July: "Below are two photos taken on Wednesday 16th July, of a Peacock emerging from its pupa and opening its wings for the first time. Between taking the two photos the camera's "battery empty" sign came up. It is possible, but a bit tricky, to change the battery with a butterfly sitting on one's finger! On Tuesday 15th July, I went to Black Park near Iver and was delighted to see my first 2 White Admirals of the year, on a ride to the north of the park. I also saw 1 Small White, 4 Large White, 4 Comma, 1 Red Admiral, 15 Meadow Brown, 18 Gatekeeper, 2 Speckled Wood, 3 Ringlet, 3 Small Skipper, 5 Large Skipper. I was not lucky enough to get a definite sighting of a Purple Emperor, but a ranger I spoke to said there have been several sightings at both ends of the park and that he even had one in his garden behind the office. If anyone is visiting Black Park with children or grandchildren during July and August, follow the sign for "Visitor Information" near the cafe. You will find an interactive butterfly display about butterflies in the park set up by Education Officer (Sue Fleet) and yours truly. The exhibit includes photos, quizzes, puzzles, information, etc. UTB gets a plug of course!"

Malcolm Brownsword saw the following on his transect at Homefield Wood on 16th July: "2 Small Skippers, 1 Large Skipper, 6 Large Whites, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Commas (see below), 7 Silver-washed Fritillaries (plus 3 not on transect), 3 Marbled Whites, 3 Gatekeepers, 24 Meadow Browns and 35 Ringlets. Surprisingly, there were no Dark Green Fritillaries."

Comma Photo © Malcolm Brownsword

Tuesday 15th July 2008

Dave Ferguson sent the following on 14th July: "Finemere this afternoon: Purple Emperor flying around a sallow 100m from the entrance. Marbled Fritillary on bramble leaf 200m from entrance. 2 White Admirals one of which landed on my sleeve! There seemed to be hundreds of Ringlets."

Jack Peeters (Aylesbury) reported the following on 14th July: "Two Small Tortoiseshells have graced my garden-centre bought "butterfly scabious" on most days in the last week. I was sceptical when I bought it but it's really living up to it's name!"

David Redhead's early morning dog walk on 14th July produced 3 butterfly species by 8am: "They were all in Rivermead Nature Park, Oxford with four Ringlets flying over an area of grassland, a Comma sunning itself on the brambles and a Speckled Wood flying in the ash trees. A little later the grassland and scrub above my house in Littlemore produced 41 Ringlets, 8 Marbled Whites, 8 Gatekeepers, 8 Meadow Browns, 5 Small Skippers and 1 Large White. Back home by 08:45am to find a Red Admiral, Large White and Meadow Brown all taking an interest in the garden buddleia. So 9 species and 80 butterflies all before breakfast! Also, yesterday morning (13th) whilst in Oxford, I saw two Holly Blues and during my Bernwood transect in the afternoon I found this mating pair of Large Skippers."

Large Skippers pr. Photo © David Redhead

Rob Hill sent this report yesterday: "Here are some more butterfly updates from North Bucks. On July 13th I went to College Wood, Nash, where I was rather disappointed by butterfly numbers. There were Large White (11), Meadow Brown (10), Ringlet (22), Speckled Wood (11), Large Skipper (1), Comma (1) and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Later that afternoon a brief visit to Little Linford Wood was a little more productive. There were Small Tortoiseshell (5), Ringlet (59), Meadow Brown (12), Large White (8), Speckled Wood (6) and Gatekeeper (1). There was also a Fritillary species which I saw just once, very briefly, and I’m afraid must remain unidentified."

Welcome to the website new contributors David and Pippa Lloyd who reported the following on 13th July: "There was a Red Admiral this afternoon (13th July) at about 1500 on the track leading round Black Swan Lake at Dinton Pastures, Hurst (Berks) adjacent to brambles in flower."

On 13th July Dennis Dell had a Small Tortoiseshell on the buddleia in his garden in Aylesbury - the second in his garden for the 2nd generation Small Tortoiseshells.

Becky Woodell did her Oakley Wood transect on 13th July: "I was 'buzzed' by the biggest, brightest orange Silver-washed Fritillary I have ever seen. It nearly struck my arm as it went past, settled on the grass for about half a second and flew on."

Sunday 13th July 2008

Mike Wilkins sent this report for his garden in Abingdon, Oxon: "I am pleased to report that the Small Tortoiseshell has survived in south Oxfordshire. Two spent today (13th) nectaring on marjoram in my garden. They were the first to be recorded in it this year. One buddleia has now come into flower but has so far been ignored by all the few butterflies (Gatekeeper, Green-veined Whites and Small Whites)."

Dave Ferguson went to Waterperry Wood this morning, 13th July: "3 or, possibly, 5 male Silver-washed Fritillaries, 3 White Admirals, 2 Purple Hairstreaks. No Purple Emperors in spite of scouring the tree-tops."

Jim Asher sent the following news today, 13th July: "I saw three Small Tortoiseshells in one place today near Abingdon Mill (why does that seem more exciting than the 33 Silver-washed Fritillaries I saw at Pamber Forest in Hants in the morning?), thus adding markedly to the recent Oxon score."

Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Jim Asher

Maureen Cross visited Lardon Chase today, Sunday 13th July: "I saw about 20+ Chalkhill Blues, one very fresh Small Blue and a fresh Small Copper so both were probably second brood. Other butterflies seen were Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, Ringlets, Marbled Whites, Small Whites and Large Whites."

Dave Wilton sent this update to his sightings report of 5th July: "Thanks to the endeavours of Jim Asher, who managed to get a picture of the undersides of one of the 'Finemere Fritillaries' yesterday (12th), it turns out that the two "Dark Green Fritillaries" which have graced the main ride at Finemere Wood for the past ten days are actually Marbled Fritillaries. This species is widespread in central and southern Europe but is not found in the UK. The upper surfaces do look very similar to the Dark Green Fritillary but the undersides are completely different. For the second year running it would seem that some misguided individual has been secretly releasing exotic butterflies at Finemere."

Dave Maunder sent the following on 12th July: "A few more butterflies seen this week in Aylesbury were:- White-letter Hairstreak (1), near Coldharbour way; Small Tortoiseshell (2); Comma (3); Marbled Whites (9); Meadow Browns (15+); Ringlets (100+); Hedge Browns (6); Large Skippers (2); Small Skippers (20+); Essex Skippers (10); Large Whites (3); Small Whites (4); Green-veined Whites (3). These were all seen on the 10th, most in the usual field near my home."

Becky Woodell and Tony Croft were doing some clearing in Whitecross Green Wood on 11th July in preparation for the ride mowing on Monday: "At about 4pm we were rained off by substantial rain and some thunder. Just as the first few drops fell a Purple Emperor flew out of the trees on one side of the central clearing, flew across it and the adjacent clearing near the bench and disappeared from view." Then today, 12th July, Becky had a fresh Small Tortoiseshell nectaring on her garden buddleia in Oakley, Bucks.

On 11th July David & Wendy Redhead chanced going to Bernwood to do the Shabbington Wood transect: "Wendy had the sense to carry her waterproof, I did not. We started at Oakley Wood car park and by the time we reached Hell Coppice old car park our butterfly count was Ringlet 208, Marbled White 14, Meadow Brown 12, Large Skipper 11, Small Skipper 6, Gatekeeper 5, Comma 3, Speckled Wood 2, Large White 1, Silver-washed Fritillary 1 (male), Purple Emperor 1 (male). The Ringlet record for this transect is 311 (in 2006) and as we were then only halfway if the heavens had not opened we would probably have broken this record!"

Dave Ferguson's morning visit to Wendover Woods on July 10th produced the following: "A male Silver-washed Fritillary, 3 Red Admirals, Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. The buddleia bush was in flower but there was nothing on it - it was overcast at the time. I am told a Purple Emperor was seen nearby a few days ago. There is a clump of pale flowered buddleias near the Boddington Hill entrance at SP880075 which are just coming into flower and should be worth a look. 2 of the Red Admirals were on it."

Wednesday 9th July 2008

Stuart Hodges carried out his transect of a private wood in Bucks on 8th July: "I saw 5 Silver-washed Fritillary at various locations in the wood. They all appeared to be male and I did get good views of both upper and under sides. Also I spent 30 minutes looking for Purple Emperor and from underneath a large oak I saw six brief sessions of flight - two individuals chasing high up, on the sheltered side of the tree. I also had a closer view of a third one flying in another section of the wood. Also one White Admiral."

9th July - STOP PRESS! "A disgruntled and growing queue of customers was to be seen at the Littlemore Mental Hospital shop on Tuesday 8th July as the shop assistant neglected her duties and pursued a suspected Small Tortoiseshell around the grounds. I am delighted to be able to report that, when cornered, it did indeed turn out to be a pristine Small Tortoiseshell and normal service was resumed shortly afterwards. A very important observation being, as far as I am aware, only the fifth report in Oxfordshire of the current brood. What makes it even more important is that it was less than a mile away from our garden (in Littlemore) where the last record dates back to 2006." David Redhead.

David Chandler, BC Herts & Middlesex Branch sent the following on 8th July: "I don't know if reporting a Small Tortoiseshell sighting is significant these days, the species being far more scarce than I can remember for many a year. Anyway, for the record, I saw a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on Saturday July 5th at Campbell Park in Central Milton Keynes (Bucks)."

Eleanor Slade (Oxford University WildCRU) has just reported that the HSBC Bank volunteers working on the Earthwatch project in Wytham Woods nr Oxford (permit required) recorded a Dark Green Fritillary on Friday 4th July. Below is the excellent photograph taken by Paul Crone of Worthing, one of the HSBC volunteers. This is the second woodland site this season where a Dark Green Fritillary has rather unusually been seen (see the recent reports below for Finemere Wood by Dave Ferguson and Dave Wilton). Perhaps also a caution to other observers that one cannot automatically assume that a large fritillary flying in woodland is a Silver-washed Fritillary.

Dark Green Fritillary Photo © Paul Crone

8th July - David Redhead says he managed to do some catching up last week with sightings of 6 species recently reported to the UTB website: "Monday 30th June - visited Brasenose Woods nr Oxford and saw three White Admirals in a recently coppiced area and just when I was about to give up two Purple Hairstreaks spiralled up from an oak tree. Thursday 3rd July - the last section of the Swyncombe Down transect produced three pristine Dark Green Fritillaries. Friday 4th July - the M40 Compensation Area transect produced my first Gatekeepers of the year and afterwards, in the eastern extremities of Berwnood Forest I came across three pristine Silver-washed Fritillaries. Finally, on Saturday 5th, I was fortunate enough to join Dennis Dell's UTB Field Meeting which added the Purple Emperor to my 2008 list. Two of the sightings were the best and longest I have ever had in the UK of a Purple Emperor in flight (see below for further details of the meeting). The most common butterfly during the week was the Ringlet and I have to agree with Tony Speight (see June 16th below) that its numbers are once again up this year. 159 at Swyncombe Down was an all time record for this transect walked since 2002. Yesterday (Monday 7th) the 65 counted on the grassland/scrub area above my house was also an all time record in 20 years of recording there. I am not sure this continuing increase in Ringlet numbers is something to be all that pleased about. I think it may well reflect the increased coarser vegetation growth, caused by nitrogen deposition and warmer and damper summers, providing the damp and shaded micro-habitat they like. I have heard that the Ringlet to Meadow Brown ratio can be used as a management tool for woodland nature reserves - when it gets too high you know you need to be doing some ride edge clearance and getting more light back in."

Welcome to the website new contributor Rob Hill who sent the following report on 7th July: "I was told about the UTB website by a birder friend of mine, Tim Watts, but this is the first time I’ve sent in my field sightings, so I’ll introduce myself (briefly, I promise!). I live in Milton Keynes, and although I’m a very keen birder, I’m interested in pretty much all kinds of wildlife. I’ve got a half-decent basic knowledge of butterflies, but I’m certainly no expert. I’m learning all the time though! On Friday 4th July, I walked around Leckhampstead Woods, which is in the very north of Buckinghamshire, but still in the UTB recording area, as I understand it. It’s a predominantly broad-leaved woodland, with several small conifer plantations, and large areas of mixed scrub. I managed to see the following species: Meadow Brown (5), Comma (1), Ringlet (40), Small Skipper (3), Red Admiral (1), Speckled Wood (4), Gatekeeper (1) and Marbled White (1). I do a lot of local birding in the north Bucks area, so I can e-mail sightings from various sites in the north."

Dennis Dell sent this addition to his report for his 4th July visit to Finemere Wood: "The following observations were made in Finemere Meadows, up the western edge of Finemere Wood, and from the top of Finemere Wood across and into the entrance of Greatsea Wood. In other words, the sightings were mainly in open grassland areas. Marbled White [16], Meadow Brown [76], Ringlet [70], Large Skipper [8], Small Tortoiseshell [6], Large White [2], Small White [4], White Admiral [2], Speckled Wood [2]. As many Meadow Browns as Ringlets were seen here. I believe we agree that Ringlets, on the whole, prefer slightly damp grassy areas which may also be somewhat shaded, particularly, grassy areas within woods. Finemere Meadows is a very large open area, mainly dry. Noteworthy were the six Small Tortoiseshells, which would seem to be a lot these days!"

Ringlets pairing Photo © Dennis Dell

On Thursday 3rd July Alun & Chrissie visited Aston Clinton Ragpits (SP888109): "Fortunately, the site was largely sheltered from the wind and the showers on Thursday. When the sun was shining and the heart of the site was warm, numerous crickets and grasshoppers were singing, voles went about their business and at last, a good number of bees, flies and wasps were evident. Along with all of these, we counted over 40 Ringlets, a dozen or so Meadow Browns (before we stopped counting either). 17 Marbled Whites, 6 Large Skipper and 4 Speckled Wood were also identified. There were several more skippers that were either small or large (or even Essex) but flew past too quickly."

Sunday 6th July 2008

Purple Emperor field meeting 5th and 6th July - report by Dennis Dell: "The weather forecast probably put off many would-be participants, since there were only 4 of us on the Saturday. In the event, the weather was not bad: sunny, about 19 degrees, but rather breezy. Very quickly, at 10.20, we made a sighting of Purple Emperor in the Oakley Wood car park, but we had to wait a long time for the next success. This came while we were walking along the ride leading from Piccadilly through Yorks Wood to Hell Coppice: at 12.20 we were treated to an elegant flight display in and around small Oaks at the edge of the ride for about 5 minutes, followed by another sighting at a different spot along this ride, 30 minutes later. This is obviously a good ride, because last year there were seven sightings along here. David Redhead took a different route back to the Oakley Wood car park and, when we met him there at about 1.45, he had seen three between 13.18 and 13.25. So, a total of 6 sightings was considered respectable. Other species seen: Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Large and Small Skipper, Ringlet, White Admiral, Small and Large White, Marbled White, Purple Hairstreak, Speckled Wood, Silver-washed Fritillary, Comma and Gatekeeper. Sunday was a complete washout!"

Adam Bassett had a Purple Hairstreak in his garden in Marlow Bottom on July 4th. "It flew up from the lawn area and spent about 40 minutes sunning itself on a maple tree before flying off. This is the second garden record in 5 years, but there are no doubt more about as there are several oak trees in the vicinity."

Jim Asher had a rare treat on 5th July while doing the transect at Aston Upthorpe: "A Small Tortoiseshell looking fairly fresh, but in no mood to hang around. Apart from better numbers of Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Marbled White, I did see my first Gatekeepers of the year."

Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Jim Asher

David Dennis sent the following report today, 6th July: "I saw two Purple Emperors at Finemere on 1st July. Remarkably this one (male - see photo below) was hanging onto grass stems, six inches off the ground in the middle of the path (just emerged??). I nearly trod on it!! It let me clear the grass around it for a photo and even walked onto my finger and started to drink sweat. I re-arranged it onto a thistle flower where it posed for over 30 minutes showing upper and undersides while I wasted much of a 2 gig memory card!! Had to tell someone - it was the most breathtaking experience!"

Dave Maunder reported these butterfly sightings in a field very near to his home in Aylesbury on Friday 4th July: "Marbled Whites (12+); Meadow Browns (40+); Ringlets (200+); Hedge Browns (2 - my first of year); Small Tortoiseshell (1); Comma (1); Essex Skippers (4 - also my first of year); Large Skippers (5); Small Skippers (20+); Large Whites (2) and Small Whites (5). All these were found in a field left fallow and full of long grass and flowers for a few years, so it just shows how our commoner species can survive on the edge of town if left undisturbed for a while!"

Following the intriguing sightings of 4th July by Dave Ferguson and Dennis Dell, Dave Wilton spent a couple of hours in Finemere Wood, Bucks on Saturday morning, 5th July: "The two male Dark Green Fritillaries (later identified by Jim Asher as Marbled Fritillaries - see report above by Dave Wilton dated 13th July) were still patrolling the main ride, chasing anything of a similar colour to themselves (Commas and Skippers!). They weren't inclined to land for long and even when they did they kept moving, so the photo below was the best I could manage in the time available. I found a female at the turning circle in Finemere at the end of July last year so these may be her off-spring. Other species recorded today were Large Skipper (21), Small Skipper (3), Large White (3), Small White (1), Green-veined White (1), Purple Hairstreak (1), White Admiral (4), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (3), Marbled White (5), Speckled Wood (16), Meadow Brown (63), Ringlet (138) and Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moth (7, one in the process of becoming a spider's meal - see below). Unfortunately there was no sign of Purple Emperor along the main ride or amongst the sallows in the lower parts of the wood. Either the Meadow Brown is having a poor year here or the Ringlet an excellent year - the totals for these two species at this time in July would normally be reversed."

Lloyd Garvey sent this news on 5th July: "I saw my first Purple Hairstreak of the year yesterday (4th July) at Bowdown Woods, Berks, (the bomb site) and my first Gatekeeper at Inkpen Common (BBOWT site in Berks) today, 5/07/08."

Friday 4th July 2008

This report came from Dave Ferguson today, 4th July: "Today at Finemere Wood I saw a Purple Emperor flying round near the top of a sallow on the west side of the main ride. Also seen were: White Admiral (3), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Comma (3), Gatekeeper (1), Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Green-veined White (1), Small White (2), Large White (3), Large Skippers, Small Skippers. Then, having met the Emperor of Emperors, Dennis Dell, we saw 2 Dark Green Fritillaries, (later identified by Jim Asher as Marbled Fritillaries - see report above by Dave Wilton dated 13th July) a first for the site for both of us."

Robin Carr sent the following report today, 4th July: "Just to let you know I saw 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries in my transect at Dancersend last Tuesday 1st July. I also saw 2 in Wendover Woods today (4th July) not far from the usual buddleia spot."

Dennis Dell spent some time watching for Purple Emperor in Finemere today, 4th July: "At the north-western edge ash canopy territory in Finemere today, 13 separate flights of Purple Emperor, each not longer than 5 seconds: total time on the wing 41 seconds during 40 minutes of observing, i.e. I saw Iris for 1.7% of the time I was watching."

Further to Grahame Hawker's update (see 2nd July below), on 4th July Dave Wilton visited Broadmoor Bottom, Berks: "I managed to see four Silver-studded Blues, comprising three males and a single female who was intent upon egg-laying. Other species active at the site comprised Small Skipper, Large White, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Ringlet."

Mick & Wendy Campbell visited Penley Wood in the Chilterns today, 4th July: "Our target species were Silver-washed Fritillary and Purple Emperor, having found both in this wood in previous years. We usually only see one Silver-washed Fritillary patrolling the main ride and today was no exception. The patches of bramble are some distance apart making it very difficult to find one settled. Our search for Purple Emperor was more speculative today as we normally see them in this wood middle/late July around the Sallows, so they've probably all been females. Today we were trying to find male territories but the wood has very few public footpaths and most of the high points where the male Purple Emperors might congregate are inaccessible. So none seen today and we will have to revisit in a week or two. Other species seen were Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Comma, Purple Hairstreak, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper and Small Tortoiseshell."

Welcome to the website new contributor Tony Palmer, who sent this fascinating report on 1st July: "30th June 2008 - I think I have seen the first flights of the Purple Emperor this year from my garden in Burghfield Common (Reading, Berks). They are flying in groups above the canopy of a large oak tree close to my garden. As I cannot get a real close up look at them I am basing my assumption on the size of them and their peculiar pattern of flight. These butterflies have inhabited this particular tree for the last five years which was when I first saw them."

Thursday 3rd July 2008

Dave Ferguson saw his first Gatekeeper of the year yesterday (2nd July) by the Grand Union Canal at Broughton, Bucks.

Robin Dryden sent the following on 3rd July: "I managed a brief stop at the southern section of Aston Rowant NNR on my way back from Birmingham yesterday evening, 2nd July. I was successful in finding one of my target Dark Green Fritillary, although views were distant as it landed the other side of the fence and had gone by the time I walked round. Other species seen were Large Skipper – 1, Small Skipper – 2, Small Heath – 1 Ringlet – 1 and Marbled White and Meadow Brown in large numbers (30+ and 50+)."

Sezar Hikmet visited Aston Rowant (Bald Hill) on Wednesday morning, 2nd July: "Lots of Marbled White, Meadow Brown also a few Small Heath."

Grahame Hawker sent this update on 2nd July: "I saw about 30 Silver-studded Blue at Silchester Common in Hampshire on 19th June and two males on the BBOWT part of Broadmoor Bottom the same day. These two are the only Upper Thames examples that I have heard about. None sighted at Decoy Heath or Wildmoor."

Malcolm Brownsword carried out transects at BBOWT sites in west Berkshire and Hartslock recently: "At the site in west Berkshire on 28th June (20C Windy): 1 Large Skipper, 24 Marbled White, 3 Common Blue, 4 Ringlet, 1 Small Heath, 2 Meadow Brown. Only Satyridae at Hartslock on 1st July in 25C temperatures: 54 Marbled White, 11 Meadow Brown, 27 Ringlet, 2 Small Heath. At the Hartslock Extension: 24 Marbled White, 8 Meadow Brown, 16 Ringlet, 3 Small Heath, 1 Small Skipper."

Large Skipper Photo © Malcolm Brownsword

Dennis Dell visited Waterperry Wood on July 1st: "Like Wendy and Mick Campbell on June 30th, I saw three male and one female Purple Emperors all along the main north-south ride. The males were exhibiting typical low level skimming behaviour, occasionally landing on the ride briefly. They were well spread out along a 400 m section of this ride. The female landed briefly in a large Sallow, and then disappeared into the Oaks."

Chris Bottrell, a very active volunteer at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon, found their first Small Tortoiseshell of the season on 29th June.

Small Tortoiseshell Photo © Chris Bottrell

Tuesday 1st July 2008

This came from Dave Wilton today, 1st July: "Now that the Bläck Hairstreak season has almost ended it was time for me to start catching up with other species today. A trip to Ivinghoe, Bucks this morning produced eleven Dark Green Fritillaries, the majority being seen along the lower western slopes of Steps Hill. Other species present included Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Marbled White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Small Heath, although apart from the Meadow Brown and Ringlet they were all in far lower numbers than one would expect for early July. This afternoon a quick sortie to the usual Purple Emperor viewing spot on the public footpath along the south-east face of Little Wood, Oxon found two males in residence on the large ash, although none was seen at the other spot in nearby Piddington Wood. The two woods also produced Large White, Green-veined White and White Admiral to give me 15 species for the day."

Dark Green Fritillary Photo © Dave Wilton

Martin Raper sent this update today: "We found 3 male Silver-washed Fritillaries in Moor Copse today, 1st July - nectaring on bramble."

Mick Jones sent this report on 30th June: "I was surveying at Dancersend for Duke of Burgundy larval damage on Saturday 28th (7 clumps of primroses covering all three areas where they were seen this year). I also saw lots of Ringlets, modest numbers of Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods and Marbled Whites, a few Large Skippers and Brimstones, a Red Admiral and one Dark Green Fritillary - the first for the reserve this year."

Mick & Wendy Campbell have been searching for Purple Emperors for the past few days: "On 29th June we went to Piddington Wood where we found a Bläck Hairstreak (rather worn) and then moved on to check the large oak and ash trees on the footpath running along the top edge of Little Wood where we were very pleased to spot our first Purple Emperor of the season flying and perching in the ash. The next day (30th) we spent the afternoon in Waterperry Wood where 4 Purple Emperors (3m and 1f) were active along the main ride. One male came down low to the track enabling us to see the purple sheen. Finally, today (1st July) we went to Bernwood where we saw 2 Purple Emperors near Piccadilly Circus. Plenty of other summer butterflies were along this main ride, including White Admiral, Ringlet, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Large & Small Skippers, Small Tortoiseshell (only one), Common Blue (2, one very worn), Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Comma, Small White and our first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year. Our last visit was to Moorend Common, Bucks where we observed one male Purple Emperor flying at the top of an oak tree, a territory used in previous years at this site."

Tom Stevenson reported his first Gatekeeper of the year. "I saw 2 during my farmland bird survey at Preston Crowmarsh, Benson on 28th June."

Martin Albertini sent this news on 30th June: "Dark Green Fritillary, about a dozen, recorded at Bacombe Hill SP8507 & SP8607 on 24th June. Also Marbled White (approx 6), Common Blue (approx 4), Meadow Brown (many), Ringlet (many), Speckled Wood (few), Large Skipper (approx 6), Gatekeeper (1), Small Heath (approx 4)."

Jim Asher spent 70 minutes at Hitchcopse Pit (Oxon) and adjacent areas on the afternoon of 29th June. He recorded 71 Marbled White, 36 Ringlet, 32 Meadow Brown, 6 Large Skipper, 11 Small Skipper, 21 Small Heath, 1 Small Copper and 2 Speckled Wood, but saw no Vanessids!

Friday 27th June 2008

Dave Ferguson sent this update today: "I saw my first White Admiral of the year in Strawberry Wood, Black Park this afternoon (27th June)."

Chris Brown sent this report on 26th June: "With perfect weather for the past fortnight I was expecting to see Silver-washed Fritillary sooner at Crowsley Park Wood, Berks, but it would seem that the bramble and thistles are only just flowering at this site. With temperatures reaching 24°C in the sun I thought today was going to be a blank again until I caught sight of an orange flash 30 feet up in the trees. It did patrol down to the ground level at intervals but was only resting high in the canopy and so binoculars were the only way to identify it was a male Silver-washed Fritillary. Also 2 Comma, 2 Speckled Wood, 27 Meadow Brown and 4 Ringlet."
[The Silver-washed Fritillary Report for 2006-7 is now posted in the Species Champion section -
click here to read the report.]

Maureen cross sent the following news on 26th June: "While out walking near Sulhamstead, SW of Reading, on Tuesday 24th June I nearly trod on a very fresh Purple Hairstreak in the grass under an oak tree. My first of the season."

On 26th June David Redhead reported seeing a pristine Comma in his garden in Littlemore, Oxon. "I then did my M40 transect in the afternoon for 50 Meadow Brown, 45 Marbled White, 21 Ringlet, 10 Large Skipper, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 Large White. I also found 2 Bläck Hairstreaks on privet flowers, but no luck with White-letter Hairstreaks. The only moth I saw was a Cinnabar and not a single Narrow-bordered 5-Spot Burnet - a total lack of hatched cocoons as well, but I did find one unhatched with a Six-spot Burnet caterpillar nearby. Looking at some summary historic data the Narrow-bordered 5-Spot numbers seem to cycle and some years in the past it has not been recorded at all. Back at home in the grassland I found my my first Small Skipper of the year amongst the Marbled Whites, Ringlets and Meadow Browns. I think 9 butterfly species in a day may be a record for me this June!"

Dave Wilton visited several sites on 26th June: "At Piddington Wood I found a single Bläck Hairstreak on blackthorn above the footpath. In a private wood nearby one White Admiral and a couple of Marbled Whites on the outside were the only things of interest. The final site was Lapland Farm. My main reason for going was to try and find Burnets and Foresters (successful on both counts but very few seen). My Meadow Brown tally reached 281 before I gave up counting, while Marbled Whites reached 39. Others were Common Blue (1, second brood?), Speckled Wood (1), Ringlet (1) and Small Heath (1). No Skippers seen."

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Dave Wilton spent two and a half hours in Finemere Wood on Wednesday afternoon, 25th June: "I was greeted by a single Bläck Hairstreak on arrival and saw another four further inside the wood, one of which posed for the attached long-range photo (see below). It was in remarkably good condition considering the perils it has had to endure. The other picture is of a "friend" I've been seeing along the main ride at Finemere for simply ages now. Could this be the UK's oldest Peacock?! It must be almost a year old! Large Skippers, Speckled Woods, Meadow Browns and Ringlets were found in reasonable numbers and I saw two White Admirals. A Comma was using the new bench at the turning circle as a perch and a fresh Holly Blue also put in an appearance."

Latest news from Tony Speight: "I thought that you would like to know that on my transect walk at Sands Bank LNR (High Wycombe) on 24th June there were 129 Marbled White, 30 Meadow Brown a Brimstone and 62 Ringlets - this is well over double normal numbers of Ringlets! Is anyone else getting such high numbers? Also seen on the site were 2 Common Blues, 2 Large Skippers and 3 Speckled Wood (and quite a few Common Lizards)."

Gerry Kendall sent this news on 23rd June: "Today Penny and I went to Finemere Wood. We had three certain sightings of Bläck Hairstreak (at least two individuals) with half a dozen more "very probables" in flight. In the wood itself, we had our first Small Skipper, Marbled White and Ringlet of the year. Still, ten species in late June isn't tremendously good."

Alun & Chrissie sent the following report on 23rd June: "One rather late report from last weekend and one from this:
Saturday 14th June - Decoy Heath, nr Aldermarston (SU613663). We only had an hour or so to spare while our youngest was touring the local university on an open day but in that time we did manage 7 Common Blue (2 females in the blue variant patterns) and 1 unidentified blue, suspected Silver-studded but couldn't close fast enough to identify it. Also 2 Meadow Brown, 3 Small Heath and the usual Burnett Companion, spotted burnetts and Yellow Shell moths. The highlight was undoubtably the shallow pond where we counted numerous species of damsel and dragonfly and watched a female emperor dragonfly and a female skimmer laying eggs. Definite ids on emperor, black darter, four spot chaser, common hawker and black tailed skimmer. Also blue tailed and small red damsel flies identified. We were also able to get very close to a male roe deer in the very long grass between the car park and the heathland area.
Sunday 22nd June - Aston Ragpits (SP888109). Hoping to catch up with some of the earlier Marbled Whites (our records show mid July as peak at this site) we moved in around noon and stayed for about two hours. The wind was still blustery but the site has the advantage of being very sheltered. No Marbled Whites to report but we did find a single bee orchid amongst the many twayblade, fragrant, common spotted and pyramid orchids. Other than Ringlets, butterflies were scarce. Ringlets 13, Large Skipper 3, Speckled Wood 3, Brimstone 3, Meadow Brown 1. Male broad-bodied chaser seen but vanished off quite quickly.

Jan Haseler reported seeing a White Admiral at The Coombes, Arborfield (Berks) on Sunday afternoon, 22nd June.

Jim Asher sent this update on 22nd June: "Denise and I went out this afternoon despite the gales (well, force 6 at least) to Bladon Heath (Oxon). There was little in flight until we were half way up the meadow, where we were seeing Ringlets, lots of Large Skippers and a few Meadow Browns. A Large Skipper flying around bramble flowers disturbed a Bläck Hairstreak which landed briefly on another flower, where we could see it properly - rather worn, I'm afraid."

Dennis Dell reported the following on 21st June: "Brimstone [male] and Small Tortoiseshell in my garden (Aylesbury) on 20th June. First I've seen of the new generations."

Friday 20th June 2008

David & Wendy Redhead were walking their dog in the grassland and scrub above their house in Littlemore, Oxon, at 8.15am this morning, 20th June: "Our combined count was 1 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet and 3 Marbled White plus several Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet moths and one grass snake. The orchids are currently putting on a good show - a count by Wendy and myself the other day totalled 68 with 33 Bee, 27 Common-spotted and 8 Pyramidal."

Becky Woodell sent this sightings report for 17th June: "Bernwood Forest, Oakley Wood, mostly sunny, 20C, 1145 start: Not many butterflies but my first Ringlet, just one and not on the transect, and one Cinnabar, very fresh. Otherwise Large White 1; Large Skipper 3, Meadow Brown 3 and 17 Speckled Woods. On to Whitecross Green Wood where the sun became much more elusive. 19C 1330 start. Common Blue 1, Meadow Brown 12, Large Skipper 2, Speckled Wood 8 plus a number of sightings of Bläck Hairstreak.

On 18th June Malcolm Brownsword sent these recent sightings:
16th June in West Hagbourne: Scarlet Tiger Moth.
17th June (am) - BBOWT transect at Homefield Wood: 2 Dingy Skippers, 2 Common Blues, 5 Speckled Woods and 19 Meadow Browns.
17th June (pm) - BBOWT transect at Hartslock: 1 Large Skipper, 12 Marbled Whites - my first of the year, 1 Meadow Brown, 1 Ringlet - my first of the year and 3 Small Heaths.
BBOWT transect for Hartslock extension: 1 Common Blue, 1 Marbled White, 3 Meadow Browns and 2 Small Heaths.

Dave Wilton paid another visit to the disused railway line west of Westcott Airfield, Bucks on Tuesday, 17th June: "It produced some nice surprises, the first was a pristine Marbled White, the second was my first White-letter Hairstreak of the year and the third was the discovery of a hitherto unknown small Bläck Hairstreak colony on the edge of Hill Furlong Wood. This means that all five hairstreaks can be found in the area. Other butterflies seen during today's visit comprised Dingy Skipper (2, both on their last legs), Large Skipper (17), Common Blue (6, a poor showing from what should be a strong colony), Speckled Wood (8), Meadow Brown (67) and Small Heath (10)."

David Redhead sent this report on 16th June: "This afternoon I was intent on Bläck Hairstreak when we entered the small meadow at Slade Camp but Wendy had a more open mind and spotted a pristine Ringlet down in the grass. I presume it had just emerged and pumped its wings and had still to take its first flight. We finally managed 8 Bläck Hairstreaks, all in the core area, plus a suspect in the peripheral areas. Total butterfly count at end of day 50, a record for June (except for one day in Pembrokeshire), from 6 species but just over half were Speckled Woods with Bläck Hairstreak in second place."

Tim Watts sent this news on 14th June: "I saw 2-3 Bläck Hairstreak today at 11a.m on blackthorn and flying around a small oak on the Calvert BBOWT reserve in Bucks (permit required)."

Monday 16th June 2008

Tony Speight sent this update today, 16th June: "I thought that you might like to know that Ringlets are now on the wing. I saw 4 on Sands Bank (High Wycombe) this morning as well as 2 Large Skipper, 5 Common Blue (numbers have been quite disappointing so far this year), about 10 Marbled White (I hope they pick up, there are usually hundreds within days of seeing the first one) and about 20 Meadow Brown, which once again is quite low for the site but hopefully the weather will improve and with it the butterflies. Below is a photo of one of the Ringlets I saw. It was being a right pain and really didn't want its picture taken but I managed to get this photo in the end."

Ringlet Photo © Tony Speight

Jon Mercer sent this news on 15th June: "I found one Bläck Hairstreak in an hour's walk at Asham Meads yesterday (14th) late morning in sunshine, also 4 Large Skipper, 4 Common Blue and a Brown Argus."

Bläck Hairstreak Photo © Jon Mercer

Helen Hyre saw 20 Speckled Wood at Ascott House, Wing on 10th June.

David Redhead had another successful search for Bläck Hairstreaks on Tuesday 10th June: "Slade Camp (next to Brasenose Woods) produced four sightings - all rather unusually in oak trees and three away from the colony core area where the most extensive blackthorn scrub is to to be found. Also some last knockings of other species - a faded Comma, a tatty Peacock and a pair of both faded and tatty Holly Blues showing signs of wanting to mate - if you blow the photo below up you can just make them out huddled together on top of a leaf. The singleton fresh Large Skipper and Meadow Brown seen eluded my camera along with the Bläck Hairstreaks. Surely the barrel is about to be replenished but it does feel a bit 2007ish here today. With 9 days still to go to the official start of summer we can but hope!"

Cliff Robinson sent the following report on 12th June: "Yesterday, 11th June, a Clouded Yellow flittered across my back garden (Gerrards Cross, Bucks), and having spoken to Wendy Wilson, she thought that the sighting might be of interest! I have seen and photographed many Clouded Yellows abroad and occasionally in the UK, and many years ago saw one or two at Chalfont Park, but this was the first (and probably only!) time I've seen one in the garden - possibly because my lawn hasn't been cut for three weeks!"

Dennis Dell went to Finemere Wood on 11th June: "It was 19 degrees and 100% sunshine in the open, stiff breeze, but calm inside the wood. I saw 3 Bläck Hairstreaks, but could not linger at the hotspots because I was carrying out transects in the meadow [BBOWT] and in the wood [BC]. I saw my first Meadow Browns [6]. Others seen: Large Skipper [3], Green-veined White [2], Red Admiral [3], Peacock [1], Speckled Wood [16], Common Blue [2] and Small Heath [1]."

Wednesday afternoon, 11th June - Tony Croft saw four Bläck Hairstreak at Whitecross Green Wood.

On Monday 9th June Shelagh Harlow saw a Red Admiral from the window of her office in Cowley, Oxon.

Wednesday 11th June 2008

Rien De Keyser has been to Grangelands a few more times recently: "Even on very sunny days (I got sunburned!), it looks like a deathly place, where hardly any butterflies are flying around. On the 4th June, I only saw 6 Small Heaths, 1 Grizzled Skipper, 1f Brimstone, 2 Brown Argus and 6m2f Common Blue. 7th June I found 6m4f Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus, 1m1f Brimstone, 9 Small Heaths and one freshly eclosed Comma. This afternoon (10/06), I saw my first 1 Red Admiral (except for one winter individual), 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Green Hairstreak, 2 Brimstones, 10 Small Heaths and 9m2f Common Blue. Common Blue used to occur in hundreds on this site, but seems to be suffering from an enormous decline. Is this a general trend? Hope not!"

Adrian Cadman reported as follows today: "I spent a couple of hours at both Finemere Wood and Lapland Farm drove on Sunday June 8th but didn't bump into any Bläck Hairstreaks at either site. On my way home from Aylesbury this afternoon, June 10th, I nipped down to Finemere Wood and had 2 definite sightings of Bläck Hairstreak at 16:55 and 17:15. Both insects settled briefly on blackthorn giving good and excellent views respectively, in hot and sunny conditions."

Tony Croft carried out his transect at Rushbeds Wood today, 10th June: "I saw one Bläck Hairstreak. It was on blackthorn in the tramway meadow."

Stuart Hodges, Bläck Hairstreak Champion, reported the following on 9th June: "After checking 9 sites over the last 8 days the Bläck Hairstreak has been seen today, 9th June, 1 at a site in Bucks, seen by Dave Wilton and 1 at Slade Camp, (Brasenose wood) seen by David Redhead, so the flight period is under way."

Martin Kincaid visited Blue Lagoon Local Nature Reserve in Bletchley (Bucks) on Monday morning, 9th June: "I was hoping to find a late Green Hairstreak. No luck on that front but I did manage to see one Small Heath. This species appears to be hanging on here - and to think I used to take them for granted. Also seen: Common Blue - 15 (4M,11F) Small Blue - 7 (including 2 mating pairs), Speckled Wood - 4, Red Admiral - 1, Large Skipper - 1, Small White - 1, Large White - 1. Also Burnet Companion and Mother Shipton moths."

Malcolm Brownsword went to Aston Clinton Rag Pits yesterday morning (Monday 9th June): "I saw 1 Dingy Skipper, 6 Brimstones 4 Common Blues. Considering the temp was about 23C (11.30 - 13.00 hrs), with 90% sun, I guess this was rather disappointing!"

Alun & Chrissie sent the following on 9th June: "On Sunday 8th June, one of the warmest summer days yet, we joined the group at Holtspur Bottom having wandered Holtspur Bank for about an hour previously. Speckled Wood (approx 15) and Common Blue (approx 25) were most evident. We saw our first Brown Argus of 2008 and first Meadow Brown. Burnet Companion and Yellow Shell were the commonest moths of note. The highlight of the day, for us, was the chance to see a Small Elephant Hawk-moth trapped by Paul on the previous evening. Thanks to them all for their pleasant company and especially to Paul for letting us get the photos before release. We also paid a visit to Aston Clinton Ragpits where there were orchids out but not in the numbers or variety that we hoped. Butterflies were hard to come by with just a couple of male Common Blue, a single Dingy Skipper, single Brown Argus and a handful of Brimstones."

Maureen Cross sent this report on 8th June: "I took a walk today through an estate near Streatley, Oxon. No Adonis Blue seen until I got back to Lardon Chase. What I did see on the estate was my first Marbled White of the year and two Brown Argus one of which laid an egg on a rock rose. I also saw a large group of hares in one of the fields."

On the 8th June Thomas Merckx saw his first Meadow Brown and Small Tortoiseshell of the year near Cornwell (Chipping Norton, Oxon).

Malcolm Brownsword visited two sites on 7th June:
"Hartslock (BBOWT transect, including extension): Dingy Skipper 5, Common Blue 11, Small Heath 5, Large Skipper 2, Meadow Brown 1. Notable was the fact that almost 60% of these were in the recent extension to the reserve.
Aston Upthorpe Downs: Dingy Skipper 1, Small Blue 3, Common Blue 20, Brimstone 1, Small Heath 2, Cinnabar Moth 6".

Small Blue Photo © Malcolm Brownsword

Friday 6th June 2008

On 5th June Malcolm Brownsword saw the following at a site in west Berks (20C, cloudy): Brown Argus  2 (M+F), Dingy Skipper 3, Small Heath 6, Forester Moth 10 and Fox Moth 1.

Sezar Hikmet went to Aston Rowant on 5th June and 6th June: On the 5th he found 5 Brown Argus and on 6th June they were still there, this time with a worn male Common Blue.

Common Blue m. Photo © Sezar Hikmet

Dave Wilton's visit to the Greatmoor area of Bucks this afternoon produced the following: "108 Common Blues, the first decent total I've had for a butterfly species anywhere so far this year. Other butterflies found were Grizzled Skipper (6), Dingy Skipper (13), Large Skipper (1), Green-veined White (2), Green Hairstreak (2), Small Copper (1), Brown Argus (2), Speckled Wood (5) & Small Heath (9). On the debit side, this was my fourth recent visit to the area, the final stronghold of Wall Brown in our three counties. None of the visits produced any sign at all of the species."

Mick & Wendy Campbell found a few things flying at BBOWT's Calvert Jubilee site (permit only) on 2nd June, despite the overcast conditions: "Common Blue (3m, 1f), singletons of Small White, Grizzled Skipper, Small Heath and Silver-ground Carpet moth, 4-Spotted Chasers (3 - 2 were immature females) and many Blue-tailed Damselflies. Then on 4th June at BBOWT's Asham Meads reserve, after heavy rain the day before, we found that moth species outnumbered butterfly species by 2:1. Butterflies seen were Common Blue (9m, 1f), Peacock (3), Large White (2) and Speckled Wood (1). Moths included Silver-Y (1), Yellow Shell (2), Grass Rivulet (1), Forester (1), Small Yellow Underwing (2), Straw Dot (1), Plum Tortrix (1) and a Yellow-tail caterpillar."

Tuesday 3rd June 2008

Maureen Cross, Adonis Blue Species Champion, led the Lardon Chase Field Meeting on 31st May: "The weather was kind and the flowers beautiful for 15 participants on Lardon Chase last Saturday. 9 butterfly species were seen including the target species of Adonis Blue and Small Blue but the star of the show was a solitary Meadow Brown - was it a first of the year? Butterflies seen: Holly Blue 1, Common Blue 22, Adonis Blue 12, Small Blue 5, Grizzled Skipper 2, Large White 1, Small White 1, Brimstone 1, Meadow Brown 1. Moths seen: Heart & Dart 1, Burnet Companion 4, Yellow Shell 5, Common Carpet 1, Mother Shipton 2, and two grass moths Thisanotia chrysonuchella 16, Crambus lathoniellus 1. Plant of interest : Early Gentian (Gentianella Anglica)."

Alun & Chrissie sent the following report today: "Saturday 31st May was one of those days when it often looks cloudy but ground temperatures are really warm. On Yoesdon Bank it was enough to bring out some butterflies including 2 male Adonis Blue (picture below). Also counted in a walk from Radnage Church and back were 1 Small White, 3 Large White, 7 Small Heath, 6 Dingy Skippers, 5 Common Blue, 2 Speckled Wood. Once again, Burnet Companion was the commonest moth noted with Yellow Shell also putting in a few appearances. Everywhere we stopped, there were garden chafers in huge numbers, particularly at Aston Ragpits where we estimated several thousand were swarming, flying or beetling about (the noise of their whirring flight was noticeable at all times while walking, there). Sadly, the Ragpits yielded just 2 Brimstone, 3 Large White, 3 Dingy Skipper, 1 Small White and what appeared to be a rather deteriorated Grizzled Skipper which flew off before we could get a good identification. That would have been a Ragpits first for the species since we have been visiting it."

Adonis Blue m. Photo © Alun & Chrissie March

Sunday 1st June 2008

Jim Asher did the Aston Upthorpe transect on 31st May: "The temperature was about 18C, but little sun and few butterflies in flight. I did see a couple of Dingy Skippers, including one that decided to roost in a hawthorn about 5 feet up - see photo below - not its usual behaviour. Also a couple of Grizzled Skippers, several fresh Common Blue males, and a few Small Heaths."

Dingy Skipper Photo © Jim Asher

[Records for January to May 2008 have been archived.]