Blog

25 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

On this rare day of sun and heat I went for a return to Alners Gorse. Due to road works it took a lot longer than expected but arrived at the reserve to clear skys.

Frustratingly lots seen but many failed to settle to allow me to take a pic, new ones for this year where Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admral, Large White, Marbled White and White-letter Hairstreak.

Also seen Brimstone, Meadow Brown, Large and Small Skipper.

So that makes 37 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Marbled White, Small White, Large White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Silver-washed Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, White Admiral, Comma.

19 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Another depressing day looking for butterflies.

Did a circuit of Dorset, first stop Alners Gorse which was very poor, nothing new here, the locals expect it will all kick off next week.

Then to Higher Hyde Heath where I managed to find a few Silver-studded Blue.

So that makes 32 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Silver-studded Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

11 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

This last two days I have taken advantage of the good weather and managed to get another 6 species of Butterfly to add to this years list.

Visiting Green down in Somerset and Bindon Hill in Dorset, Large Blue, Painted Lady and Meadow Brown at Green Down, most butterflies here looking a bit beaten up! At Bindon Hill all Skippers, Large, Lulworth and Small Skippers.

So that makes 31 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Large Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

07 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

A rather depressing day with visits to Holden Butterfly walk with NO butterflies and Aish Tor with a Small pearl- bordered Fritillay save the day!

To me the Butterfly walk looks just overgrown and uncared for?

So that makes 25 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Small PB Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

03 June 2024

Chasing Butterflies

Had a mixed bag today, starting off at Meeth Quarry, walked around for about hour and half and not a thing seen, so off to Lydford Gorge to see if I could find a Heath Frit and again no Butterflies except a Speckled Wood.

So back to Meeth on my way home and after another hour a single Wood White to add to a Speckled Wood, Holy Blue and a GVW. A bit deppressing!

So that makes 24 species so far- Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Small White, Wood White, Duke of Burgandy, Pearl B Frit, Glanville Frit, Marsh Frit, Speckled Wood, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue, Small Heath, Wall Brown, Brown Argos, Small Copper, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma.

© Simon Thurgood 2024
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