** January to April 2006
Archive **
Saturday
29th April 2006
Nick Bowles reports that two hours this afternoon
on Coombe Hill produced two Peacocks and three Brimstone
males.
Richard Soulsby did his Swyncombe Downs transect Saturday afternoon
in marginal weather conditions: “I was rewarded with my first Green Hairstreak of
the year. What's more, it was in a place where I've only occasionally seen them
before. Also seen were Orange Tips, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks,
Brimstone and Small White. Earlier, in my garden in Benson I had seen a Comma, and what was
probably a Large White, but the latter wouldn't get close enough for a positive
id.”
Mick & Wendy Campbell visited two sites today, 29th. In the morning they
went to the Moor Copse field meeting where they were able to add Small White and
Green-veined White to their species list for the year. In the afternoon
they decided to go to the Hartslock Reserve in the hope of finding Green Hairstreak and
possible Grizzled Skipper. They met up with Chris Raper, Reserve Manager, while they were there
who reported that he had seen a Green Hairstreak in a field adjoining
Hartslock on Wednesday 26th April. The weather improved considerably from
the morning’s cool and overcast conditions and the steep south-facing chalk
grassland slope soon warmed up in the sun, bringing out the following
butterflies: Brimstone (5, including 2 females ovipositing), Speckled
Wood, Green-veined White, Grizzled Skipper, Small Tortoiseshell, Dingy Skipper (3), Peacock (2) and finally a Green
Hairstreak sunbathing in the grass. They also saw a Pyrausta Purpuralis/
Ostrinalis and a possible Small Purple-barred, which wouldn’t stay still long
enough to be properly identified.
Pete Eeles visited Hartslock today, Saturday 29th, and
saw: Speckled
Wood 2, Green-veined
White 1 (a new species for him this year), Holly Blue 2 (both male)
and Orange-tip 3 (2 male, 1 female). He then moved on to Hosehill Lake and
saw Peacock 2, Orange-tip 3 (all male) and Small Tortoiseshell 1.
Dennis Dell sent the following news today, 29th: “An Orange Tip is
nothing special, of course, but, sitting there on Forget-Me-Nots, and the first
one in my garden this year, it cheered me up no end!”
Stuart Hodges has been out and about in the last
few days and reported the following on 29th April: “I saw a Comma
on Wednesday 26th at Finemere
and an Orange tip here at Claydon on
Thursday 27th.”
29/4 - Dave Maunder sent a quick note to say he saw his first Holly blue of Spring in St. Mary’s
churchyard, Aylesbury on 27th April.
On Thursday morning 27th, Dave Wilton
decided on a change of scenery and went back to the Grendon area again: “The
weather turned dismal as soon as I got there so I didn't see much along the
drains, but the sun came out briefly on my way back along the bridleway. The
one Grizzled Skipper that I found was actually seen along the bridleway
in the wood area, holding hands with my one and only Speckled Wood! Peacock x 1 and Orange-tip x 6
were also active there.”
Friday
28th April 2006
Pete Eeles visited Midgham lakes at lunchtime yesterday, 27th:
“It was very
cloudy, however I managed to find 7 Peacock, 2 Small
Tortoiseshell, 1 Speckled Wood and 1 male Orange-tip roosting
on the head of a Garlic Mustard plant, which always makes for a nice photo,
since the critters are so well-camouflaged!”
Wednesday
26th April 2006
The following report for 26th April was received from
David Redhead:
Whilst in the garden Wendy managed to overcome our lack of Holly Blues when
she saw three flying around the holly tree and the laurel bush. She also saw a
couple of Brimstones and singleton Large White, Peacock, Comma &
Orange Tip. Her final sighting was the first Speckled Wood of the
year for our garden. Meanwhile I had been elsewhere and managed a couple of
Peacocks near Bicester but my final port of call was to check the now 82 tagged
Brown Hairstreak eggs at the RSPB Reserve. I observed the first Brown
Hairstreak caterpillar hatching on Monday 24th, the second was found
hatched by Shelagh on Tuesday 25th and yesterday we found a third one hatched.
So 4% hatched - by this time last year 81% had hatched! However, as they
re-emerge from the leaf buds as third instar caterpillars in 10-12 days time we
should have some caterpillars to find at Friday 12th May evening Field
Meeting.”
26th April - Dave Maunder recorded his first Speckled
wood of the season at Fairford Leys today: “As well as a Speckled
Wood I also saw Comma, Peacock and a Brimstone. Last Saturday, 22nd, I saw 10 Peacocks, 10 Small
Tortoiseshells, 1 Comma, 8 Brimstones and 2 Small Whites also around
Fairford Leys. Still haven't seen an Orange tip yet though!”
Pete Eeles went for an early-morning walk today, 26th,
around Greenham Common: ”The walk produced my first Speckled Wood of the year and, when
I got home in Thatcham, I saw my first Small White of the year, together
with a Peacock.”
26/04/06 - Seen by Richard Soulsby today in the grounds where he
works near Wallingford were the following: Brimstones, Peacock, 2x Speckled
Woods, Small White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip and 2x Holly
Blues.
Mick & Wendy Campbell went for a walk in the Ibstone Common
area today, 26th, taking in Penley Wood. Only a few butterflies were seen as it was rather
cool and cloudy: Brimstone (1), Peacock (3), Comma (2) and
Red Admiral (1). There were many Bee Flies on the wing, including
one very small one with a dark wing border (probably
the Dark-edged Bee Fly, a photo of which can be seen on the BC Hants & IoW
Sightings Page on 17th April) and
also their first Pyrausta Aurata of the season.
Saturday
22nd April 2006
David Gantzel found that March was a very quiet month in his garden
in Hazlemere with no butterflies seen: “Things are improving!! On April 22nd a Small White in
the garden and the following were observed from public footpaths in Hazlemere: Comma
– one, Peacock – five, Small Tortoiseshell – three, Brimstone
– three.”
Latest news from Derek and Cathy Brown: “No Green
Hairstreaks at Decoy Heath today, 22nd,
however we did see a single Orange Tip male and later 7 males at Moor
Copse. Suddenly all the female Brimstones are out as well. We also
had a single Small White in our garden at Beenham
- stay put and they'll come to you!!”
22nd April - Ched and Sue George witnessed the first Grizzled Skipper of the season today in Radnage and also saw Comma, 4 Brimstone,
5 Small Tortoiseshell, 4 Peacock and an Orange-tip (male).
Saturday 22nd - Pete Eeles sent the following report: “Today I saw a total of 7 species
of butterfly – Spring has finally sprung! I visited Bowdown
Woods, seeing 1 Red Admiral, 2 Peacock, 2 Comma and
2 Brimstone (1 male, 1 female). All were feeding on Blackthorn blossom.
I later visited Midgham lakes, and saw 3
Small Tortoiseshell, 7 Peacock, 4 Comma, 9 Brimstone (7 male, 2 female),
3 Orange-Tip (all male) and 5 Holly Blue (all male).”
Nick Bowles was carrying out a transect at Grendon/Doddershall today and added Orange Tip and Green-veined White to his species list for this season, seen amidst good numbers of Peacock, Brimstone, Comma and just 3 Small Tortoiseshells.
Mick & Wendy Campbell saw their first Holly Blue
in their Bucks garden today, 22nd.
Jan Haseler saw a Green-veined
White this afternoon. 22nd, on the bank of the Thames
below Wargrave.
Dick Bodily was in Willen North today, 22nd, and saw Peacocks, male Orange Tip (near the
hide), Small Tortoiseshells and Brimstones. Later on in their
garden in Shenley Lodge he and his wife
Val saw their first Holly Blue of the season.
News from Dave Wilton on 22nd April
- a Green-veined White in his garden in Westcott today.
David & Wendy Redhead sent the following report today, 22nd: “Our first Green-veined White (pristine) of the season in our garden today, plus Orange Tip (male only), Small White (tatty), Brimstones (male and female), Peacocks, Commas and at last another Small Tortoiseshell. Still no Holly Blue or Speckled Wood. Later on, we saw a pair of Large Whites flying about. They spiralled up into the bullace tree, settled there momentarily and then eventually landed on the pyracantha where I managed to get a photo.” (See photo at top of page.)
Dave Wilton was out and about for several hours
on 21st April at locations along the A41: “Butterfly
sightings were still confined almost exclusively to the four main hibernators.
Most of these were Peacocks - 24 between four locations - and they seem
to be everywhere except in my garden at the moment! The only new species was a
freshly-emerged male Orange Tip which I found in BBOWT's River Ray
reserves south of Marsh Gibbon and it kindly posed for the camera.”
Friday
21st April 2006
Dave Maunder reports only one more butterfly seen recently - on Tuesday a Comma near
Fairford Leys.
Richard Soulsby’s next-door neighbour in Benson asked him to
identify a butterfly sitting on a daffodil in her garden yesterday afternoon
(20th April): “It turned out to be a female Orange Tip – my first
this year.” (See photo below).
18/04/0/6 - Dave Wilton added butterfly species
number 5 to his list for this year when a Small White passed
through his garden in Westcott.
Wednesday
19th April 2006
David Fuller had a Small White in his garden in Maidenhead on 17th/18th. He also reported 15 Brimstones at Maidenhead Thicket on 17th plus 3 Peacock and 2 Commas. David added: “I have seen the Alpine Swift from my garden - what a good bird!”
18/04/06 - David Redhead sent the following report of his Easter
holiday sightings:
“Easter Monday 17th April - Morning: In the morning I checked Brown Hairstreak eggs at RSPB Reserve and Whitecross Green Wood - still none hatched - by the 17th April last year 10% were hatched, so things definitely running late - the knock on effect of the coldest March for a decade and 1 degree C below the 30 year average. Afternoon - Wendy & I did the Swyncombe Down transect in marginal conditions and recorded 2 Comma, 2 Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and a Brimstone.
Tuesday 18th April – Morning: Learning of Orange Tip sightings by the Campbells and Jim Asher over the Easter weekend I decided to try and retaliate with a Holly Blue. Whilst staring intently at our Holly Tree in the sunshine a male Orange Tip flew in front of me! A Brimstone (male), Comma and Peacock were also seen. Our first garden Orange Tip last year was also the 17th - so perhaps the cold March has not had the same effect on them. Afternoon: Went to Shabbington Wood to do the transect but abandoned it halfway round when the sun was permanently obscured but 4 Peacock and a male Brimstone had already been ticked. Entertained myself by rediscovering some of the Brown Hairstreak eggs we found on News Years Day - managed 26 but again none hatched.”
Dave Ferguson recorded 5 butterfly species on Tuesday 18th
April: “Small
White, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell at Little
Marlow and a Holly Blue and Brimstone in our garden this
morning.”
Richard Soulsby sent the following report on Tuesday 18th: “Seen this lunchtime at work on my Howbery Park
transect (near Wallingford): 3 Speckled Woods,
2 Brimstones, 2 Commas, 1 Peacock - and a very bold Mink
which inspected me at close range for several minutes.”
Jackie Tuckey reported 2 more Brimstones on 18th April, seen
during her cycle ride from Worminghall to the Whitecross Green Wood area.
18/04/06 Paul Bowyer reported these sightings: “On Friday 14th April in
Longstreet, Bucks, I saw 2 male Brimstones and 1 female plus 2 Small
Tortoiseshells in a garden near the Northamptonshire border.”
On 17th April Pete Eeles had 2 Comma, 2 Peacock, 1 Small
Tortoiseshell and 1 Brimstone (male) in his garden in Thatcham.
Dave Wilton sent the following report on Monday
17th: “Today's outing, mostly in reasonably warm sunshine,
produced 57 butterflies but still only the four main hibernators. During a walk
along the Calvert drains (where I thought the
sheltered slopes would have produced some Orange-tips by now) and then back
along the bridleway past the wood brought me Brimstone (1), Small
Tortoiseshell (8), Peacock (9) and Comma (2). Sallow and
Coltsfoot were just about the only nectar sources and the Peacocks and
Tortoiseshells were making good use of the latter. I then had another wander
around Finemere Wood, where Brimstone (8),
Small Tortoiseshell (3), Peacock (17) and Comma (9) were seen before a shower
brought proceedings to a halt.”
Welcome to the website new reporter Martin Mitchell who saw a Holly
Blue in his parents’ garden in Shinfield, Berks on Sunday
16th April and also male and female Brimstones
plus a Red Admiral.
Sunday
16th April 2006
16th April - Dave Maunder reported the following
butterflies: “At Eythrope on the 14th - Peacocks (2), Commas (2), Brimstones
(3), and today (16th) in Aylesbury I saw: Peacocks (5), Comma (1), Small
Tortoiseshells (3) and Brimstones (2).”
Richard Soulsby sent the following news today: “Seen this morning, Sunday 16th,
in warm sunshine: Brimstones, Comma and Small White (my first
non-hibernator this year) in Benson Churchyard,
and Peacock in my garden in Benson.
But nothing this afternoon in chilly rain!”
Derek and Cathy Brown went out looking for
butterflies this weekend: “Well the weekend has been a bit
of a dead loss so far but Cathy and I did manage to see our 5 species for the
year all this morning (16th). We had Comma (1), and Peacock
(2) at Decoy Heath; and Brimstone
(4), Comma (3), Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Red Admiral (1)
at Moor Copse. Nothing new though.”
Dave Wilton reports: “I went to
Finemere again in this morning's
sunshine (16th April) and managed to see Brimstone (3), Small
Tortoiseshell (3), Peacock (5) and Comma (3), so I'm finally
making some progress this season.”
Sunday 16th - Mick & Wendy
Campbell saw their first Orange Tip
of the season near Thame this morning. Also on the wing were Small
Tortoiseshell, Peacock and 2 Brimstones (one male and one female).
Saturday
15th April 2006
Wendy & David Redhead sent the following report for Good Friday: “A dismal morning was used for checking Brown Hairstreak eggs for hatching - of 121 inspected not one had hatched - for the previous three years hatched eggs have always been found on or before the 14th April and last year we had 8 hatched out of 188 inspected. So a definite indication that the recent prolonged cold spell has put things back this year. In the afternoon the weather improved to such an extent that it was actually possible to do a transect. On the Shabbington Wood transect the Brimstones and Peacocks vied for supremacy with the Brimstones just shading it at 5-4 and a single Comma taking the count into double figures. However, including off transect sightings the Brimstones (all male) took a definite lead and the final total score: Brimstones 9, Peacock 6, Comma 2. On the way home a call into Brasenose Woods and the adjoining Slade Camp produced a different ratio: Comma 3, Peacock 3, Brimstone 2 (both male). The Wood Anemones were prolific and made a beautiful sight. Only three species but a total of 25 butterflies was pleasing. Back home in the garden Wendy's total count was only 7 but she did better for variety – Comma 2, Brimstone 2 (one male, one female), Peacock 1, Large White 1 & Small White 1.”
14/04/06 - Welcome to the website new contributor Jackie Tuckey: “I’ve just seen a male Brimstone
passing through my garden in Worminghall.”
Nick Bowles sent the following report on Friday
14th: “I saw both several Brimstones and a Peacock
on my Bucks transects this afternoon and then precisely the same species at
home in the garden here in Tring. Still not seen a Small Tortoiseshell in
Bucks.”
Dave Maunder recorded another Brimstone, this time at Fairford
Leys on the 12th April.
Monday
10th April 2006
Pete Eeles watched a very lonely Small Tortoiseshell flitting around his garden in
Thatcham today, 10th April.
Friday
7th April 2006
David Gantzel recorded a Red Admiral at Little Marlow gravel
pits on Thursday April 6th.
Thursday
6th April 2006
6th April - David Redhead sent the following news: “Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma & Brimstone all flying in the garden today but again Otmoor was devoid of butterflies although I did find a Drinker Moth caterpillar. My species list is now up to six. Keeping an eye on the Holly tree for a Holly Blue but no luck yet.”
Today, Thursday 6th, Paul Bowyer recorded butterflies in
three locations:
At Farnham Royal churchyard he recorded a Comma. At East Burnham Common
he saw 2 Commas and 1 Peacock and on the Slough Trading Estate 1 Comma.
On Wednesday 5th Wendy Redhead saw 3 Brimstone (all males), 2 Comma, I Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Peacock, 1 Small White and 1 Large White in her garden in Oxon. Meanwhile, David Redhead says he only managed the 3 Brimstone, 1 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and I Small White before going to Otmoor to check on the Brown Hairstreak eggs (none hatched) where nothing was seen on the wing.
Wendy and Mick Campbell went for a walk which
took in Waterperry Wood on 5th April. The temperature was about
14 degrees in the shelter of the wood where they recorded 12 Brimstone (all
male) and 2 Comma. On returning to the car, a Small Tortoiseshell was
seen basking in the sun next to a patch of stinging nettles. Then back at home
in their garden a Comma and a Peacock were competing for the sunniest
spot on the patio.
Cathy Brown reports seeing a Comma
on the 5th April at Coley Park and a Small Tortoiseshell on
the 4th in her garden in Beenham.
05/04/06 - Dennis Dell photographed this rather dark and greasy looking Comma in his garden today and wondered if anyone might like to comment on it.
Yesterday, 5th April, Paul Bowyer went to Cocksherd Wood next to Britwell
in Slough and
saw 1 Comma, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 male Brimstone
and 1 Small White.
Dave Maunder reports that his wife saw a Brimstone
in Aylesbury on Monday, 3rd April.
Monday
3rd April 2006
Welcome to the website, new contributors Val and
Dick Bodily who reported seeing a Comma at Willen
North on Sunday 2nd April.
On Saturday 1st April Paul Bowyer went to the allotments in Bassetsbury Lane High Wycombe where he saw his first butterflies of the year: “First was a Red Admiral, then 5 Small Tortoiseshells and then a Brimstone. Later I saw a Brimstone in my garden at Flackwell Heath.”
Sunday
2nd April 2006
On 2nd April Stuart Hodges sent in the
following early sighting: “On Friday 31st March
I saw a Painted Lady here at Steeple
Claydon just outside the garden in the paddock. It was a rather tired looking
specimen, so I presume it must have migrated here?”
David Fuller saw a Comma in his garden in
Maidenhead today, Sunday 2nd: “Also a Little Owl calling
and seen, they do breed about a quarter of a mile away but until last year I
had not experienced them in gardens.”
Saturday
1st April 2006
Wendy and Mick Campbell recorded their first
butterflies of the season today, 1st April: a Comma
and a male Brimstone in their garden.
Over the last few days David Fuller has seen a number of
Brimstones: “On
Thursday 30th March I watched 2 male Brimstones make their
way along the towpath at Maidenhead. I also had 2 male Brimstones in my
Maidenhead garden on Thursday, one Brimstone male on Friday and Saturday and
finally today 3 male Brimstones together at Odney Island, Cookham, so they seem
to be moving at last, at least two weeks later than my sightings last year. Let
us hope for more sun.”
Thursday
30th March 2006
29th March - In spite of the blustery
conditions on Tuesday morning, David Redhead reports a female Brimstone flying
about in their vegetable garden. Then today, 30th,
the Brimstone count was three - two in the garden and one down by the River
Thames at Iffley - all males.
Peter Eeles managed to get the day off work yesterday, Wednesday 29th,
and decided to go on a Märsh Fritillary larval web and Purple Hairstreak egg
hunt. “It was
also an excuse to take my dog out for a long walk! Starting at Seven Bärrows, I
drew a blank with Märsh Fritillary, which didn’t surprise me in the slightest,
given the low density of Märsh Fritillary at this site. But I was inspired by
some finds by the Dorset branch in their area (6 larval webs found at Lydlinch
Common). I then went to Snelsmore Common and
found 6 Purple Hairstreak eggs on one of the first oaks I came to, right
next to the car park. I didn’t find any others here, but took a detour to Bowdown Woods, near Greenham Common, and found
another 4 eggs on the same tree that I found Purple Hairstreak eggs for
the last 4 years. This particular tree is in a very sheltered spot, on the edge
of the wood, with eggs laid on the south side. If anyone wants to learn the
secrets of finding Purple Hairstreak eggs, then there’s an excellent video from
Peter Kirby on the UK Butterflies website at http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?vernacular_name=Purple
Hairstreak.”
Sunday
26th March 2006
Peter Hall saw a Brimstone
in his garden in Ballinger Common today, Sunday 26th.
26th March - David Redhead sent the following sightings in: “On Sunday 17th March Wendy saw a faded Red Admiral in our garden and on Thursday 23rd March I saw my first butterfly of the year. After 5 hours walking in the sunshine around the countryside to the north and east of Kidlington searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs, in a vain attempt to extend the western boundary of its range, I saw a Brimstone as I re-entered the suburbia of Kidlington just south of Gosford Bridge.”
Saturday
25th March 2006
Dave Maunder has seen his first spring butterflies: “On Thursday 23rd March
two Brimstones in Aylesbury Vale park; also today (Saturday) I saw my
first Comma and first Small Tortoiseshell on a warm and sunny
morning.”
After Derek Brown’s report yesterday he finally
saw his first butterflies of the year today, 25th March: a male Brimstone
in his garden at Beenham and a Peacock at Decoy Heath.
Friday
24th March 2006
Derek Brown reports as follows: “Cathy
had a Brimstone today, (23rd March), at Coley Park in Reading
- her first butterfly of the year. I'm still on a blank but hopeful for the
weekend!”
23/03/06 - Richard Soulsby saw a Red Admiral and 3 Brimstones
in the grounds at work (Howbery Park, nr. Wallingford) today, 23rd
March.
Tuesday
21st March 2006
20/03/06 – Paul Bowyer passed on news of the following sighting: “Christine Hoskins saw a Brimstone
and a Comma
in her back garden in Bourne End yesterday the 19th March.”
Sunday
19th March 2006
Richard Soulsby sent the following news today, Sunday 19th: “At last, my first butterfly of the
year. A Small Tortoiseshell spent most of this afternoon nectaring on a Viburnum
bush in my garden in Benson.” [See photo below.]
Sunday 19th, Pete Eeles came across 7 overwintering
Peacocks at his home in Thatcham today: “Whilst clearing out the garage I found 2
overwintering Peacocks - one was fairly tatty, but the other was in almost
pristine condition. Then later in the day we had a blocked kitchen sink, so I
went to get the plunger from the roof area of our garage and found another 5 hibernating
Peacocks, in addition to the 2 found earlier in the day!”
19/03/06 - Ched George reports that a Red Admiral showed up at the Bottom Wood,
Radnage, work party today: “It just warmed itself above the bonfire at
lunchtime.”
On Saturday 18th March Pete Eeles had his first sighting
of the year: “A
Red Admiral in my garden in Thatcham – flying in a most disorientated
manner. Hopefully the large numbers of Red Admiral sightings will lead to quite
a showing this year for this species.”
18/03/06 - Dave Wilton finished searching
Bernwood Meadows for Brown Hairstreak eggs this morning, adding another 82 to his total. “This
takes the overall total there to 380 eggs for this year, of which 255 are in
the western meadow and 125 in the eastern one.”
Wednesday
15th March 2006
12/03/06 - David Fuller sent the following news from Maidenhead: “A Peacock
seen in my garden on Thursday 9th March in sunny weather, but it did
not stay long and was very flighty.”
On Sunday 12th March, David Redhead reports that 5 UTB members were joined by
Ivan & Jaqui Wright of Shotover Wildlife to scour the blackthorn on
Shotover Plain for Brown Hairstreak eggs. A total of 7 eggs were
located, four of which were spotted by sharp-eyed May Webber, aged 12.
Friday
10th March 2006
David Readhead went to Waterperry Wood today 10th and, with the help of Gillian Oldfield & Dennis Dell, found 31 Brown Hairstreak eggs in about 20 minutes in the same location where he found just over 20 eggs a few winters ago. He also found another 7 eggs in Whitecross Green Wood with Becky Woodell.
Wednesday
22nd February 2006
21/02/06 – Ched George was at a bridge club in Lane
End village hall on Monday and a Small Tortoiseshell was flying around the tables
all evening.
Sunday
19th February 2006
19/02/06 - Dave Wilton sent this news: As searching for Brown Hairstreak eggs wasn't
proving sufficiently challenging for them, Species Champion Stuart Hodges and
Dave Wilton spent nearly three hours at Finemere Wood today
(Sunday) looking for those exceedingly elusive eggs laid by the female Bl@ck
Hairstreak. One egg which had been discovered there during January was
found to be still present and correct and they managed to locate another
example as well. Three empty egg shells from last year were also found. Other
items of entomological interest found on the blackthorn included five
Blue-bordered Carpet eggs, a half-grown Drinker Moth caterpillar (about
2cms in length), two 2-spot Ladybirds (black overall, with red spots)
and the usual collection of small 22-spot Ladybirds (yellow overall,
with black spots).
On 16th February Ali Latham reports a second sighting of a Small
Tortoiseshell in Belmont Rd, Reading, flying during a sunny break across
the back yards at midday.
Friday
17th February 2006
Ali Latham saw a Small
Tortoiseshell on
the wing in Belmont Road, Reading, on Wednesday 15th February: “Nice
surprise but hope it finds some flowers! I knew there was a good reason for me to
walk back from town and not be lazy and take a bus! Had some sunny spells today
even if the wind is a bit nippy when the clouds are out.”
Wendy Redhead recorded a Brimstone
in her garden on Saturday 11th February: She thinks one of the cats may have disturbed it out of
hibernation in the ivy growing on an outhouse.
Sunday
12th February 2006
12th February - David Redhead reports on the annual
Brown Hairstreak Egg Hunt held at the Otmoor RSPB Reserve today: “In spite of the rain 9 UTB Members
& 1 RSPB Volunteer joined me this morning at the RSPB Reserve. We searched
the immature hedge in the car park field and found 112 eggs, in January 2005 we
found 74 on the same hedge = a 50% increase. 2 more were found in the car park
itself - making 114 for our combined two hours effort. This is a new record for
the reserve as a whole as last winter just 105 were found and that included
searching the blackthorn along the bridleway, the hedge up to the hide and some
bushes on the newer part of the reserve towards Noke Wood.”
Please
contact David Redhead if you
would like to help monitor egg hatching and larval development from April to
June.
Jan Haseler sent this news on 11/02/06: “On
Thursday 9th February, in bright sunshine but at a temperature of 5C, with a
strong NW wind, I was extremely surprised to see a Red Admiral in a
sheltered part of Swallowfield Churchyard. The
snowdrops and yellow aconites are superb - it's well worth a visit at the
moment.
Tuesday
31st January 2006
Ched George has reported that a scrub-bashing session at a Radnage site on
29th January presumably disturbed a Brimstone
butterfly which fluttered around the cleared area.
Sunday
29th January 2006
Dave Maunder sent in the
following photo of his Red Admiral sighting
of 22nd January:
Sunday
22nd January 2006
Dave Maunder reports the first UTB butterfly sighting of the year: “A Red Admiral, slightly worn, sunning
itself on a wall in Hartwell cemetery today (22nd January) - tempted
out of hibernation, no doubt, by a few hours sun in a sheltered corner!”
Saturday
14th January 2006
12/01/06 - Dave Wilton
reports on his latest surveys: “I've been out looking for Brown
Hairstreak eggs again over the past few days. On 10th
January I discovered three eggs in SP 7016, just over a kilometre west
of my house, so I now fully expect to find adults in the garden within the next
year or two! Today I managed to fill in one of those irritating blank squares
south-east of Brill with the discovery of seven road-side eggs in SP 6612. The web-site
map has now been updated accordingly.
Wednesday
4th January 2006
David Redhead reports on the Brown Hairstreak egg hunt which took
place on Monday 2nd January: “The 15 BC Members who attended today's Brown
Hairstreak egg hunt in Bernwood Forest surpasssed themselves with a final count
of 345 Brown Hairstreak eggs. Two Purple Hairstreak eggs were also found plus a
girdle of Lackey moth eggs. Surprisingly no Blue-bordered Carpet moth
eggs were found and less surprisingly, no Black Hairstreak eggs. An early
instar Drinker moth larva made the lepidopteral species count for the
day 3.” Thanks to Sue Nicholls for the following photos: