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Butterfly Sightings Archive - August to December 2007
Monday 31st December 2007 John Lerpiniere sent the following report on 23rd December: "I saw a Peacock at Castle Hill, Reading flying across the traffic on 26th November, a Brimstone at Broadmoor Bottom, Crowthorne, over heather on 29th November and a Peacock near Tidmarsh near Pangbourne making many circuits around a pheasant pen on 1st December." For some winter interest, Dennis Dell sent the photograph below on 3rd December: "It's a hibernating Purple Emperor larva in typical position at a junction of Sallow branches. Fantastic camouflage!"
Sunday 2nd December 2007 Nick Bowles reports on the
Conservation Work Party at Holtspur Bottom in November: "The reserve
continues to look very good. A small group planted Violet (for Dark Green Fritillary
larvae) around the scrub edge, after some tidying operations to remove dogwood regrowth,
and Kidney Vetch (for Small Blue larvae) near the scrape."
On 29th November Jan Haseler saw a Peacock in the hedge at the Riseley Village Sports Field. Saturday 24th November 2007 John Ward-Smith sent this news from Bracknell on 22nd November: "My wife reported a Peacock in the back garden at mid-day. It even settled on her and she said it was in good condition." David Redhead went to the National Members Day on 17th November: "Whilst chatting to Gillian Oldfield she told me she was surprised to see a Peacock flying in Combe on Friday afternoon - sunny but cold." Dave Wilton has been busy with the search for Brown Hairstreak eggs in the Bucks/Oxon border area over the past couple of weeks and has already managed to add three new kilometre squares to the butterfly's known range around Bicester. David Redhead has been equally successful around Oxford where eggs have been found in two more, taking our total number of kilometre squares past 240. The "re-egging" of squares within the known range is just as important and about 15% have been confirmed so far. Any help with this mammoth annual task would be gratefully appreciated - you can find the areas which need to be searched by checking the distribution map (see link at top of page). Organised egg searches are listed on the Events page." Sunday 11th November 2007 Dave Maunder sent the following news on 10th November: "On 4th November I saw 4 Red Admirals on Ivy near my garden in Aylesbury and my wife saw a Peacock at a local supermarket on the 9th November." Friday 9th November 2007 Becky Woodell sent this update on 5th November: "On Friday, 2nd November I saw one male Brimstone at Whitecross Green Wood. Saturday 3rd November 2007 Dave Maunder sent this news today: "After a week away in West Cornwall, the only butterflies seen in Aylesbury have been a handful of Red Admirals - 3 near my garden on 3rd, feeding on Ivy bloom, and a 4th at Fairford Leys. Incidentally, on my drive down to Cornwall on October 20th, I witnessed more return migration of Red Admirals - at least 13 as I drove over Bodmin Moor! I got a total of 9 species of butterfly during my week in Penwith - quite a few late Peacocks, also Red Admirals have had a good season down there. Painted Ladies were flying over Sennen beach every day!" Nick Bowles sent this report from just over the border in Tring: "There were two Red Admirals on the last few buddleia flowers in the garden today, 3rd November, and two more in the field behind my house, where the shelter of a fence makes for some very warm nettles. These two were both intermittently feeding on ivy and coming down to test the nettle leaves. One laid at least two eggs (see photo below). Then the sun disappeared so no other species added - I had hoped to find a Speckled Wood."
The following news came from Richard Soulsby today, 3rd November: "On a pleasantly warm and sunny walk along the Thames yesterday, 2nd November, (Tadpole Bridge to Bablock Hythe) I saw a Red Admiral and a Brimstone. I’ve seen plenty of Red Admirals around recently, but I haven’t seen a Brimstone for a while." Cathy Brown saw a Red Admiral and more surprisingly a very worn Painted Lady at Coley Park in Reading on the 2nd November. Thursday 1st November 2007 On 30th October Dennis Dell saw a Red Admiral, in very good condition, near a pile of rotting fruit on the edge of Sergeant's Wood, nr Princes Risborough.
In bright sunshine on the morning of Tuesday 30th October, Becky Woodell saw one Red Admiral near Whitecross Green (SP588150). On a circular walk from Shillingford in Oxfordshire on 30th October, Mick & Wendy Campbell saw a Red Admiral and a Peacock both basking in the sun in the Little Wittenham reserve. Saturday 27th October 2007 26/10 - Dick and Val Bodily reported that they had a Holly Blue in their garden in Shenley Lodge, Milton Keynes on Sunday 21st October. Dennis Dell sent the following yesterday: "On 24th October, in my garden near Aylesbury, a Red Admiral chose an unusual perch to catch what little sun there was: a droopy sunflower head." Thursday 25th October 2007 Wendy Redhead saw a Large White flying in the grounds of Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, on 23rd October. Sunday 21st October 2007 Martin & Dee Raper went to The Holies today, Sunday 21st October: "After the frosts we have just had, we were pleased to find two Meadow Browns still fluttering about in the sun today at The Holies in Berkshire." Dennis Dell sent these sightings for Saturday 20th October: "A sunny afternoon - along hedgerows in set-aside farmland just north of Stone: 2 Commas and 1 Red Admiral." Friday 19th October 2007 Mick & Wendy Campbell went for a circular walk which took them through the beautiful landscape of Swyncombe, Benson and Ewelme on Friday 19th October. Although it was warm and sunny the only two butterflies seen were a Red Admiral and a Small White. Wendy Redhead was visiting Littlemore Hospital, Oxford, on 17th October and saw a Red Admiral flying in the grounds there. Also, on Sunday 14th David saw 3 Red Admirals - 1 on buddleia, with about half a dozen flowerheads still in flower, at the city centre end of Botley Road in Oxford, 1 in their garden in Oxford and 1 flying across the Oxford Eastern-bypass. The latter was on David's way to Bernwood Forest which proved to be butterfly free at 17C with sunshine and ride-side devil's-bit scabious still in flower. 17th October - A few butterflies seen in Aylesbury recently by Dave Maunder were: Speckled Wood (1, on 17th); Red Admirals (2), and Comma (1). Sunday 14th October 2007 Dennis Dell continued his exploration of the Chilterns today, Sunday 14th October: "I was looking for potential Purple Emperor territories. At SP842027 [nr Great Hampden], at the south-facing edge of a strip of woodland I saw male Brimstone and a Peacock. I had not seen a Brimstone for ages." Dave Maunder was pleased to see a Painted Lady near his house in Aylesbury today, 14th October: "The Painted Lady was a slightly faded, late specimen. Also today I saw Red Admirals (2), Small Tortoiseshells (2); Comma (1); Large White (1) and Small White (1) - not a bad selection on a sunny day in Aylesbury!" David Gantzel reports a rather worn Speckled Wood at Little Kingshill Arboretum open day today, Sunday October 14th. Saturday 13th October 2007 Malcolm Brownsword reported that
he saw the following at Waterperry Gardens last Sunday 7th October, between 11.30am
and 12.45pm: "The temperature was about 18C, cloudy, but with a little sun.
1 Red Admiral, 1 Small Tortoiseshell - pristine (newly hatched) and 1 Brown Hairstreak f."
Malcolm and his wife watched the Hairstreak for about 20 minutes and on 2 or 3 occasions
it descended to a height of less than a metre enabling a positive identification. David Redhead said an hour spent at Shotover Meadows, Oxford on the afternoon of 11th October produced just two butterflies: a Small Copper with one wing slightly damaged but otherwise in quite good condition. The other was probably a Red Admiral but its flight along the hedge top with the low autumn sun behind made definite identification impossible. Dennis Dell recorded the following on 10th October in his Aylesbury garden: "This Red Admiral managed to find the last bloom on my Bejiing Buddleia today, 10th. It kept returning to this single flower, perhaps realising that soon there will be no more where this came from until next summer!"
Monday 8th October 2007 Tim Watts reports seeing a Small Copper at the Calvert Sailing Lake on 05/10/07. "It was resting on a boat near the clubhouse and looked in pristine condition. I thought this was a rather late record." David Redhead spent 2 hours in Whitecross Green Wood on the afternoon of 4th October for just a Green-veined White, 2 Commas and just 12 Brown Hairstreak eggs, although the best laying habitat was not examined. "Whilst I was there Wendy did marginally better for variety in our garden in Oxford with a Small White and Comma nectaring on Michaelmas Daisies and a Large White nectaring on Verbena Bonariensis. The Small White was "tatty", the Comma in "good condition" but the superb condition of the Large White won her praise, which is praise indeed coming from somebody who has given up growing cabbages in despair!" Thursday 4th October 2007 Dave Wilton sent the following report today, 4th October: "Having seen a Comma flying around my Westcott garden in this morning's sunshine, I checked a local bramble patch and found Red Admiral (2) and Comma (6) enjoying the improvement in the weather. Deciding that it was worth a trip out to see what else could be found, I went to Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm Meadows. There I found Brimstone (2), Holly Blue (2), Red Admiral (11), Comma (36), Speckled Wood (8) and Silver Y (1). Pride of place, though, went to a very late female Brown Hairstreak which was seen flying along the Lapland Meadows dividing hedge as soon as I emerged from the wood. I followed her for a short distance and she eventually landed on some bramble leaves to sun herself for a minute or two before moving on to some adjacent blackthorn to lay an egg for me! This afternoon I paid a short visit to the disused railway cutting west of Westcott Airfield but very few butterflies were to be seen there, only Green-veined White (1), Common Blue (3, two very tatty males and a worn female) and Comma (1). A cursory search of some blackthorn did produce a Brown Hairstreak egg, though."
Dave Ferguson went to Spade Oak Gravel Pit, Little Marlow (Bucks) on Wednesday afternoon, 3rd October: "I was amazed to see a fresh male Common Blue!" Wednesday 3rd October 2007 Chris Raper sent this news today, 3rd October: "I was up on Hartslock today and saw a rather weak-flying Brown Argus. Not sure if it is notable but it surprised me. Also saw Brimstone (male), Meadow Browns, Peacock, Comma." Thursday 27th September 2007 Dennis Dell reported the following yesterday, 26th September: "During a 'scrub bashing' working party organised by the Chilterns Conservation Board and the National Trust on Pitstone Hill today, I saw two Meadow Browns. Were these third generation? I thought this was a very late sighting, until I read Richard's Soulsby's report from Aston Rowant for 22nd September, when 'plenty' were seen." Sunday 23rd September 2007 In an attempt to beat the latest sighting date for Silver-spotted Skippers in the UTB area, Richard Soulsby visited Aston Rowant (Beacon Hill) on the 18th September and again on 22nd: "The numbers seen there recently are: 15 on the 13th (by Paul Huckle), 9 on the 14th (see my earlier report), 6 on the 18th, and 3 on the 22nd. The latest sighting date that I am aware of previously in the UTB area was 18th Sept 1988, so the record now stands at 22nd September (unless anyone else knows otherwise). Saturday’s 3 Silver-spotted Skippers comprised two females, still in quite good condition and actively egg-laying (I found a fresh egg laid by one of them) and a slightly more worn male. The other surprise yesterday (22nd) was a fairly worn male Chalkhill Blue – presumably the same one seen by Paul Huckle on 13th September, when he described it as pristine. Out of 8 Small Coppers seen yesterday, two were the attractive blue-spotted caeruleo-punctata form, one a bit worn (that I saw also on 14th and 18th) and one quite fresh. Also seen yesterday were: 1 Peacock, 2 Speckled Woods, 2 Small Whites, plenty of Meadow Browns, 2 Brimstones (M & F), 1 female Common Blue, 1 Brown Argus." Saturday 22nd September 2007 21st September - Chris Brown sent
his final report of the year for Silver-washed Fritillary in Crowsley Park Wood,
Berks: "With such lovely September weather I decided to get out
as often as possible and so kept a more frequent watch to try and pin down the last
seen date for Silver-washed Fritillary. On 5th September
it was warm and humid, 22°C in the shade and reaching 26°C in the sun. I was greeted
by a lone male feeding on the remaining thistles and patrolling the entire central
ride up and down, then stopping for a feed each cycle. Other butterflies were
Red Admiral (1), Peacock (1), Brimstone (1), Small White (1),
Speckled Wood (4) and Meadow Brown (4). On 7th September
this last male was still there and very active, flying the whole length of the central
ride, back into the woods and coming out at the top of the ride to repeat the loop
round and round. On 10th, 13th and 21st September I had no further sightings of
Silver-washed Fritillary, so assume it has now gone. Other butterflies seen on these
days were Red Admiral, Comma, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown,
Peacock, Holly Blue and Brimstone."
David Redhead sent the following update of Brown Hairstreak sightings for the season up to 21st September : "We had 115 adult Brown Hairstreak sightings as at the end of August, compared to 117 last year. Things have slowed down considerably since then and the current total is now only 131, so although the first half of the flight period was comparable with last year there has been a noticeable relative slump in the second half. The last definite male Brown Hairstreak sighting was 23rd August, earlier than previous years when they have been seen in the first week of September. The current last female sighting is last Sunday, 16th September, at Otmoor. In spite of the reduced second half sightings we actually have a minimally larger spread of adult sightings encompassing 29 one kilometre squares as opposed to 28 last year. Also with egg finds it seems that the Brown Hairstreak has been active in most, if not all, of its known range this summer (see latest distribution map). Tony Croft's garden egg finds (now up to 15!), although they do not add a new square, they do represent a 0.5km extension in known range. Adult Brown Hairstreaks could still be on the wing, so please continue to look for them during the first fortnight of October." Wednesday 19th September 2007 19th September - Dave Maunder has seen the following butterflies in Aylesbury over the last week: Painted Lady (1), Red Admiral (8), Peacock (2), Comma (2), Small Tortoiseshell (5), Large White (8), Small White (30+), Green-veined White (1), Speckled Wood (1).
Tuesday 18th September 2007 Dave Wilton sent this news today, 18th September: "After a couple of weeks with next to nothing appearing in the garden at Westcott apart from the odd White or Small Tortoiseshell in transit, it was rather odd that today's cool (16 C) but sunny conditions should bring about a considerable amount of activity, especially as we've very little left in the way of nectar! Some michaelmas daisies and the last remnants of the buddleia attracted Large White (1), Small White (2), Red Admiral (1), Painted Lady (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Speckled Wood (1) and Small Heath (1), as well as a Hummingbird Hawk-moth. Unlike last year when we had daily appearances in the garden for most of the summer, this year the Hummingbird Hawk-moth has been a relative rarity with only about half a dozen visits that we've noticed." David Redhead visited the RSPB Otmoor reserve on the afternoon of 15th September: "I located a female Brown Hairstreak just to the west of the most southerly hide and two pristine Small Tortoiseshells nectaring on the wild Michaelmas Daisies to the south of the most northerly hide. At home, in spite of the sunshine, ivy flowers, Michaelmas daisies and even some remaining buddleia flowers, my garden in Oxford is to all intents and purposes "dead". Hopes were raised at 5pm on Friday 14th when I looked out of the window and noticed something fluttering around the Michaelmas daisies which turned out to be a pristine Painted Lady. Eventually it settled on the gravel path in the vegetable garden and allowed me to get a reasonable photo. There were fleeting visits from a good condition Red Admiral and Comma on Saturday 15th, a tatty Peacock and a Small White - so perhaps things are looking up."
Monday 17th September 2007 Nick Bowles and Stuart Hodges walked a private site transect in N Aylesbury Vale on Saturday 15th: "Despite few butterflies overall, we saw a single Clouded Yellow heading very strongly south. Indeed if we hadn't both seen it we might have doubted our sighting as it went past so swiftly that it was gone almost before we spotted it." Jim Asher went to the M40 Compensation area and to Whitecross Green Wood on 15th September: "I had a nil return for Brown Hairstreak. Quite a number of Red Admiral and Comma on scabious in Bernwood - autumn in the air. In the course of walking the Aston Upthorpe transect this morning, 16th September, in sunny but marginally too breezy conditions, I saw three Clouded Yellows in Juniper Valley. They kept making wide sorties and returning to an extended patch of scabious in flower. Perhaps the winds from the SW had brought them up from the south coast? I also saw one somewhat worn Adonis Blue male. A variety of other species, but none were numerous."
Martin Mitchell sent the following report on 15th September: "I saw a single Grayling on 09/09/07 at Moor Green Lakes (a.k.a Eversley Gravel Pits) on the Berks/Hants border (SU805624). This is the first record on the reserve since 2003. Access to most of the reserve (and the adjacent fresh workings) is limited to the perimeter footpath so it's possible that a colony has been overlooked. Alternatively this may just be a vagrant from a separate colony - although I'm not aware of any in the immediate area." Friday 14th September 2007 Richard Soulsby sent this report today, 14th September: "Following a tip-off from Paul Huckle, I went to Aston Rowant North (Beacon Hill) this afternoon. Despite poor weather, I managed to find 9 Silver-spotted Skippers including 5 females and 2 males identified. Two of the females were in very fresh condition, but some of the others were pretty worn. Not quite as good as the 15 seen by Paul yesterday, but not bad considering the poorer weather. This is very late for Silver-spotted Skippers. The latest UTB record I can find is 18th Sept 1988 at Watlington Hill, next latest (apart from today) is 12/9/05 by Paul Huckle at Aston Rowant (N). Judging from the fresh state of some of the females today, they could hang on for some days yet, so the 18/9 record might be broken. Keep looking, everyone! Others seen were: 6 Speckled Woods, 7 Brown Argus, 70 Meadow Browns, 1 Small Heath, 9 Small Copper (1 caeruleo-punctata), 3 Small Whites, 1 Brimstone, 2 Common Blues. With 2 Large Whites in my garden in Benson on return, that makes 10 species – not bad for mid-September." Dave Wilton sent this news regarding a conservation meeting which took place in Bernwood Forest earlier this week: "On Wednesday afternoon, 12th September, Chief Executive Martin Warren, Director of Conservation Nigel Bourn and other Butterfly Conservation staff members met with members of the UTB Conservation & Recording Team (CART) in Bernwood Forest to discuss the management plan for the area. In the M40 Compensation Area a female Brown Hairstreak put in an appearance and kindly laid an egg for the benefit of the Chief Executive's camera! At the evening CART committee meeting, held in nearby Oakley, Nigel Bourn gave those present an overview of BC's latest initiative, the South-East Woodlands Project."
Tony Croft sent this unusual sighting
on 12th September: "I saw this Small Tortoiseshell in my garden
in Long Crendon today. I think it is quite an uncommon
aberration called "semiichnusoides". On my transect
at Rushbeds Wood this afternoon I recorded
8 Speckled Wood; 5 Small White; 1 Meadow Brown; 1 Peacock and
1 female Brown Hairstreak."
Wednesday 12th September 2007 Dave Wilton sent this news on 11th September: "There are still a few species to be found out there if luck is on your side, but numbers seem to be diminishing rapidly now, especially away from the Chilterns. I spent an hour and a half at Grangelands, Bucks on 7th September and was rewarded with over a hundred butterflies of 12 species, comprising Silver-spotted Skipper (1), Brimstone (6), Large White (1), Small White (1), Clouded Yellow (1), Small Copper (2), Brown Argus (2), Common Blue (3, including a mating pair), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Meadow Brown (91, including a mating pair), Gatekeeper (2) and Small Heath (11). Contrast that with a couple of hours at Finemere, Bucks today (11th September) when the wood and adjacent meadows produced less than half the number of butterflies, with only Brimstone (2), Large White (1), Small White (13), Green-veined White (2), Brown Argus (1), Common Blue (1), Red Admiral (1), Peacock (1), Comma (1), Speckled Wood (19) and Small Heath (3) being seen. Not a single Meadow Brown or Gatekeeper was recorded." Sunday 9th September 2007 Wendy Wilson sent the following report today, 9th September: "I suppose, to be scientific, one should report the negatives as well as the positives. I spent 3 hours in Langley Park, Bucks, today and only saw four common butterflies. The weather was warm, sunny and calm. I scoured the grasslands, heathland, scrubland, woodland rides, marshy bits, flowery bits, tree-tops, basking stones, horse dung, a lake and two ponds and all I saw were 1 Large White, 1 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White and a very faded Meadow Brown. This is typical of my days out 'square-bashing' since I got home from Cornwall on August 11. Where have all the butterflies gone? Very frustrating. Oh, for those heady days back in April - but I did pick a tub of lovely blackberries!" Dave Maunder sent this news on 8th September: "Last Sunday (2nd) I was lucky enough to see my only Clouded Yellow of this year flying over a flowery chalk-slope above Ellesborough Church, Bucks, also Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Meadow Browns (25+). During the last week here in Aylesbury I've seen:- Painted Lady (1), Red Admirals (2), Peacocks (2), Small Tortoiseshells (3), Large Whites (7), Small Whites (30+), Meadow Brown (1), Speckled Woods (2) and Holly Blue (1)." Thursday 6th September 2007 On the afternoon of the 4th September
Dave Ferguson paid a visit to Yoesden Bank and Aston Rowant: "The results at
Yoesden Bank were: Meadow Brown (65),
Small Heath (1), Marbled White (1), Common Blue (1),
Chalkhill Blue (2), Large White (1), Brimstone (1). The Marbled White
seemed quite fresh. A short stop at Aston Rowant (Linkey Down)
produced: Silver-spotted Skipper (1), Common Blue (1), Brown Argus (1),
Meadow Brown (6), Gatekeeper (1), Small Heath (2), Speckled Wood (1), Brimstone (2). David Redhead did the M40 Compensation
Area transect on 4th September and only recorded: 5 Speckled Wood and
3 Small White. However, he was compensated by seeing two Brown Hairstreaks
in the tree canopy alonside the reserve. The first a good condition female in a crab apple tree
and the second so high up in an ash tree he was unable to determine its sex. On the way
back through Bernwood Forest he drove very slowly examining the ride side devil's-bit
scabious as he went. Four judicious stops enabled him to increase his species tally to 11
as 4 Painted Ladies and singletons of Brimstone, Comma, Green-veined White, Large White,
Peacock and Red Admiral were all seen nectaring. A male and female Common Blue
were also seen. A quick call into Stanton Little Wood on
the way home did not produce any more more adult Brown Hairstreaks but he did find two
Brown Hairstreak eggs on the SE face of the woods.
Tony Croft did his transect at Rushbeds Wood on Tuesday 4th September: "There wasn't much about; 14 Speckled Wood, 4 Meadow Brown; 3 Small White, but nice to see one Clouded Yellow. By the way, the Brown Hairstreak egg count in my garden in Long Crendon is up to 14 now!" Monday 3rd September 2007 Dave Ferguson was walking by Little Marlow Gravel Pit yesterday, 2nd September: "I felt something crawling along the back of my neck. A few seconds later a Comma caterpillar appeared, marching purposefully along my sleeve. The intent way it kept moving suggested it was on its way to pupate. I placed it on a nettle where I hoped it would reorientate itself."
On 1st September Tony Croft reported that he's added to the Brown Hairstreak egg count in his Long Crendon (Bucks) garden blackthorn hedge: "In fact another four Brown Hairstreak eggs including this "doubler" have appeared in the last 72 hours making a total of nine for the garden now. We have an ash tree on the boundary of us and our neighbours in which I've seen Purple Hairstreaks both this year and last. Also we have bramble very close by and some in the hedges of the garden."
1/9 - Robin Dryden led a 'Butterflies and Blooms' walk for the Chilterns Conservation Board at a private estate near Ibstone, Bucks: "Not many butterflies - 8 Meadow Brown, 2 female Common Blue and 1 Small Heath. However, a super abundance of Chiltern Gentian and a great view of a flyover and calling Raven." On Wednesday 30th August Judith Barnard of Beds & Northants Branch went to Rushbeds Woods, Oxon: "1 Brown Hairstreak (I suspect there were more up in the tree tops), 20+ Speckled Wood, 2 mating Green-Veined Whites and 5 Meadow Browns."
Wendy & David Redhead went to Swyncombe Downs on 31st August to carry out the butterfly transect: "We saw a total of 7 Silver-spotted Skippers of which two were egg-laying and in about 20 minutes of searching we found 10 eggs. Other species seen were Meadow Brown 43, Brown Argus 5, Small Heath 5, Common Blue 4 (3m, 1f), Small Copper 3, Small White 3, Speckled Wood 3 and Green-veined White 2. Also 12 Common Carpet moths were recorded along with 1 Green Carpet." Friday 31st August 2007 Nigel Spencer sent the following report yesterday, 30th August: "Just joined BC and found your sightings page while viewing from the BC homepage. I went to Whitecross Green Wood on Saturday 25th August and saw between 4 and 6 Brown Hairstreaks including the one on the Rose Hips mentioned on your sightings page."
Chris Iles (West Country branch) sent this news on 30th August: "The sandy, heathy glades in the wood at Hurst Hill near Cumnor in Oxfordshire (SP4704) proved fairly productive on Sunday 25 August. A select range of species but an unusual one: 8 Small Coppers, 4 Speckled Woods and 2 Purple Hairstreaks. The gorse and patchy cover might make this a promising site for Green Hairstreak next spring. 29/8 - Tony Croft sent this follow-up to his 19th August report from Long Crendon in Bucks: "I'm pleased to report the finding of four further Brown Hairstreak eggs in my garden. These are in another hedge in a different part of the garden on small blackthorn bushes I planted last December. I created this gap in the hedge deliberately so that I could include some blackthorn. I searched these bushes without success as soon as I found the first egg so I'm certain they were laid during another visitation. These eggs were quite difficult to see because of the leaves so I'll wait until the leaves drop before searching further in order not to damage the bushes. I think the clear message is "Get Planting" this winter!" Mick Jones sent this news on 28th August: "On 25th August I saw one rather tatty Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on Marjoram at the edge of one of our clearings at Dancersend. On 27th August I saw another one on bramble at the edge of a ride in a completely different part of the reserve and then watched a definite female moving slowly around clumps of Marjoram and sunning on low Hazel in a clearing in the far northern part of the reserve. Also saw two Painted Ladies nearby. Sadly, I've not been able to observe any egg laying by the Silver-washed Fritillaries." Tuesday 28th August 2007 Chris Brown sent his latest update
today on his regular Silver-washed Fritillary surveys at Crowsley Park Wood, Berks:
"15/08/07: Cool weather and nearly continuous cloud with
occasional sunny patches. Other butterflies were about but with much reduced numbers.
No Silver-washed Fritillary seen. David Redhead reports on Sunday's (26th August) field trip to BBOWT's Asham Meads reserve: "For the second field meeting in a row, the rare and elusive Brown Hairstreak proved to be the most abundant butterfly recorded. In total five were seen. Four were roosting on the blackthorn hedge leading west from the car park but by the time we left site they had moved on. The fifth was flying around in the most southerly oak in the copse between the two meadows. Other butterflies seen were Meadow Brown 4, Purple Hairstreak 3, Common Blue 2 (both male), Red Admiral 2 Speckled Wood 2 and Green-veined White 1." Ched George visited Yoesdon Bank on 24th August: "On the bank I had: Meadow Brown 97, Brown Argus 2, Silver-spotted Skipper 3, Small/Essex Skipper 2, Painted Lady 13, Chalkhill Blue males 14, females 5, Brimstone 6, Large White 1, Small Copper 1, Gatekeeper 4, Common Blue males 5. In the woodland clearing: Meadow Brown 8, Gatekeeper 1, Peacock 1, Holly Blue 1, Brimstone 5, Common Blue female 1. At 5.50pm on the way off the bank, I saw a male Adonis Blue and then a female (both fresh) and during a photo session a second less fresh female appeared." Monday 27th August 2007 26th August - Dave Maunder and his family spent a day at Coombe Hill and saw the following butterflies near the monument: Painted Ladies (2); Red Admiral (1); Peacocks (2); Brimstones (3); Small Whites (4); Meadow Browns (25+); Hedge Browns (5); Speckled Woods (2); Chalkhill Blues (15+); Common Blues (4); Brown Argus (2) and Small Copper (1). The following reports came from
Dennis Dell on 25th August: "On 24th August
I did my transects in Finemere Wood and Meadows in lovely weather.
I had seen only Small Whites [9], and Speckled Woods [8] and that,
I thought, was it! Making matters even worse, the rides and the meadows had been mown
[a necessary activity at this time of the year, of course], so there were few nectar plants
around. Depressed, and nearing the end of the Meadow transect, a Clouded Yellow
suddenly passed across my path: my day had been rescued! On 25th August
I did Chequers Knap to Beacon Hill looking for more northerly habitats for the Silver Spotted Skipper.
Good looking habitat, but I did not see any. Not a bad day, otherwise, though: Brown Argus [1],
Meadow Brown [28], Chalkhill Blue [including a mating pair, see photo] [12],
Small Heath [3], Peacock [1], Small Tortoiseshell [2], Small Copper [1],
Common Blue [1], Large White [3], Brimstone [2].
David Redhead sent this Brown Hairstreak
update on 25th August: "Following the trail of some 300 eggs found last
winter on MoD land at Arncott and in the grounds of
Bullingdon Prison proved successful at the
Upper Thames Field Meeting on Friday 24th August. Although it was
initially overcast it did not take the group too long to find their first adult
Brown Hairstreak of the day roosting in an ash tree on the MoD land. When the sun
came out a female was seen basking on some pathside bramble leaves when she flew onto the
bare soil of the path which she proceeded to investigate with her proboscis - presumably
gathering minerals and/or moisture. Although this is recognised behaviour for other species,
this is the first time the author has observed this behaviour for this species in several
years of Brown Hairstreak watching. A few yards further along a very tatty hairstreak was
again seen basking on the pathside vegetation when it again flew onto the path and appeared
to copy the female. Only then, with a good look at the undersides of its wings, were we
finally able to decide it was a male Brown Hairstreak - possibly one of the tattiest
Brown Hairstreaks to ever receive close up inspection. When we arrived in the prison grounds
two good condition females were seen down on the blackthorn. One of them partially
disappearing behind the blackthorn leaves where we suspect she may have laid an egg.
Altogether 14 eggs were found at various locations - so egg laying is well underway.
Another thirteen species of butterfly were seen but all in such low numbers - I think the July
monsoons and recent arctic August must have taken their toll on most species - that
Brown Hairstreak with 5 sightings took pole position. Also seen were Gatekeeper 3,
Purple Hairstreak 3, Common Blue 2 (both male), Meadow Brown 2,
Speckled Wood 2, Brimstone 1, Brown Argus 1, Green-veined White 1,
Painted Lady 1, Red Admiral 1, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoisehell 1 and Small White 1.
Thanks go to Gary Beckett (MoD) and Stuart Jenkins (Bullingdon Prison) for permission to
carry out these surveys.
Friday 24th August 2007 Despite the lack of sun and a stiff northerly breeze, on Wednesday 22nd August Dave Wilton went searching for Brown Hairstreak: While negotiating some bends in the road between Oakley and Worminghall he noticed something brown flying along the nearside hedgerow. Assuming it to be a Vapourer moth because of its "cork-screw" flight pattern, he stopped the car and, surprisingly, managed to keep it in sight until it landed on some blackthorn. It was indeed a male Vapourer moth (the females are wingless). Moving on, two Brown Hairstreaks were found, both of them in sheltered locations near Waterperry, Oxon. One was a female who, while being watched, obligingly laid an egg on blackthorn beside the M40 to the north of the village. The other, of indeterminate sex, was seen nectaring on a thistle, again close to the motorway but to the west of the village. Eggs were also found at the latter spot as well as to the south of Oakley and near Dorton, Bucks. In far better weather Dave went looking for the butterfly again during the afternoon of Thursday 23rd August. Two were found near Wendlebury, Oxon, a female basking on elm in a low hedge and the other (sex unconfirmed) flying around the lower branches of a large oak tree. Another two were seen adjacent to MoD land near Piddington, one a female on brambles and the other a male on a thistle. The sunshine brought out several other species as well, including Brimstone, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady (6 seen), Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell (22 seen), Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper.
24th August - Mick & Wendy Campbell had a reasonably good show of butterflies in their garden in Bucks: 9 Small Tortoiseshells, 5 Red Admirals, several Large Whites, 2 Small Whites and 2 Peacocks all on the buddleia and 'Everlasting Wallflowers' (Bowles Mauve). A Holly Blue flying around the ivy, a female Gatekeeper (still in reasonably good condition) and a Painted Lady both on the Hemp Agrimony. Also a Pyrausta (probably P. aurata) moth on the marjoram.
David Redhead reported on the field meeting at UTB's Holtspur Reserve on 12th August: "The weather was indifferent and we abandoned a transfer onto the Bank when it started to rain at about 12.30. Butterflies seen were: numerous Meadow Brown, Common Blue 8 (all male), Gatekeeper 4, Comma 2, Brown Argus 1, Small Copper 1, Speckled Wood 1. We didn't have an absolutely definite sighting of Small Blue but I'm pretty sure we had one in flight just south of the seat but it did a very neat disappearing trick! Moths seen were: Common Carpet 1 and Treble-bar 2. Also one Roesel's Bush-cricket. Jill Saunders and Gerald Salisbury identified a Musk Thistle growing in the chalk scrape and Woolly Thistles growing to the left of the gate into the top field (according to Roy Maycock's checklist of the plants of Buckinghamshire, Musk Thistle is 'Uncommon; open calcareous grassland' and Woolly Thistle is 'Rare; calcareous grassland, especially in the north of the county')."
Monday 20th August 2007 Tony Croft sent the following report from Long Crendon in Bucks on 19th August: "Whilst perusing my garden blackthorn this morning I found a Brown Hairstreak egg. It's in a mixed hedge in which I planted some blackthorn about five years ago to fill a gap so I think that's quite a result!"
Friday 17th August 2007 Mick Jones sent his recent findings at the Dancersend Reserve: "6th August - 2 Silver-washed Fritillaries, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell (1st this year at the reserve!!), Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Dark Green Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath. 10th August and again on 12th August - One Silver-washed Fritillary flying along main ride, one Dark Green Fritillary on marjoram on Anthill." Mike Wilkins reports that the Field Meeting to Aston Rowant turned out to be a good day in spite of the unpromising weather forecast: "Although it was windy we had sunny periods and avoided the showers. Beacon Hill produced good numbers of Chalkhill Blues (9+) and Brown Argus (8) but only four Common Blues (my counts). The fresh wind and cloudy periods kept the butterflies down but I counted 24+ Silver-spotted Skippers in 2.5 hours. Meadow Browns were abundant. Others were Small Skipper (1), Brimstone (1), Large White (1), Small White (1), Small Copper (1), Painted Lady (2) and Gatekeeper (6) making a total of 12 species. Common Carpets were widespread and a few Six-spot Burnets seen. Bald Hill in the afternoon allowed us to add two new species: Holly Blue and Red Admiral, making a visit total of 14. Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue and Brown Argus were also here." David Arch reports seeing a male Brimstone on Friday 10th August at Emberton Country Park, Bucks. On 15/8/07 Tim Watts reports seeing a fresh Painted Lady on Quainton Hill, Bucks. David Redhead sent the following report on 15th August: "Whilst replenishing the bird feeders early this morning (15th August) Wendy disturbed a Red Underwing moth from the front porch of our house on the edge of Oxford. Following a short but heavy shower I set out on the usual early morning dog walk across the rough grassland above our house and, in spite of the dog's best efforts, failed to flush out a single Meadow Brown or Gatekeeper. However, to my delight, I did come across a single roosting Small Copper. A decade ago this species was regularly recorded here in low numbers but then seemed to disappear. It made a reappearance last year and this was the first sighting of 2007. The dog did manage to flush out a faded Green Carpet moth and a wander through the nettle patch also put up 8 Mother of Pearl." Tuesday 14th August 2007 Darin Stanley sent this news on 13th August: "I visited Yoesden Bank, Bucks on Saturday 11th August (a lovely sunny day) - still no Adonis Blue! 1 Silver-spotted Skipper (more were seen by others prior to my attendance), numerous Chalkhill Blues and a few Common Blues, 3 Small Coppers, 2 Painted Ladies. Then at Salden disused railway, Bucks - 3 Wood Whites, some lizards and a Grass Snake." Sunday 12th August 2007 Linda Fitch, Katie Corbishley and Clive Burrows from Herts made a lunctime trip to Whitecross Green Wood today (Sunday 12th) for approximately two hours: "We observed 4 Brown Hairstreaks down low. Three were males and one fresh female (photo below)."
Derek Brown tried Greenham Common on Saturday morning, 11th August: "I saw only a single Grayling and that was a bit worn. At Lardon Chase I saw 3 Adonis Blue (1 female 2 males) and 3 male Chalkhill Blues." Chris Brown sent the following
update of his Crowsley Wood Silver-washed Fritillary surveys for the last 3
weeks: "On 24/07/07: 4 Silver-washed Fritillary in total
with 3 of them finally venturing up and down the central ride. They were stopping
more frequently to feed on Bramble rather than just flitting about as in previous
weeks. Temperatures in the sun were at 26°C which might have helped. There
seems to be an explosion of Peacock (15) here this year.
Thursday 9th August 2007 Jon Mercer (Wilts) managed another walk at Linkey Down 12-1pm today 9th August: "It was sunny and breezy and I recorded 10 Silver-spotted Skippers, 40+ Chalkhill Blues, 2 Brown Argus, also 5 Essex/Small Skippers and a Small Copper." Dennis Dell went to Ivinghoe Beacon, Steps Hill and Incombe Hole, today, 9th August: "I saw Gatekeeper [52], Holly Blue [1], Small Skipper [37], Meadow Brown [94], Marbled White [17], Small Heath [3], Chalkhill Blue [52], Large Skipper [1], Large White [2], Peacock [4], Small White [8], Painted Lady [2], Common Blue [4], Brown Argus [3], Small Copper [2], Dark Green Fritillary [2], Brimstone [1]. The Dark Green Fritillaries were very worn, but were still flying rapidly, patrolling the very bottom of Incombe Hole and not going up the slope at all. Far fewer Chalkhill Blues than at the same time last year here." Mick & Wendy Campbell visited two sites today, 9th August. First they followed up on a report from Charlie Kew of Silver-washed Fritillary in Fence Wood, Hermitage. It was warm but the cloud was building, however 11 butterfly species were seen: Silver-washed Fritillary (3 - 1 was a very tatty male), Speckled Wood (9), Meadow Brown (5), Gatekeeper (3), Small Copper (1), Peacock (2), Essex Skipper (1), Painted Lady (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1), White Admiral (1) and Brimstone (1). The second visit was a short walk across Greenham Common where the following were additions to the species count for the day: Common Blue (16m, 3f), Small Skipper (1), Dingy Skipper (1 - 2nd brood), Large White (2) and Grayling (3). Moths seen here were Lesser/Treble-bar sp. (9 - 2 of which were checked closely and found to be the Lesser Treble-bar), Six-spot Burnet (1) and Cinnabar caterpillars. David Redhead sent the following Brown Hairstreak update on 8th August: "Sightings of 62 Brown Hairstreak individuals have now been received. This figure is comparable to the last two years when by the same date 57 had been seen in 2006 and 61 in 2005. This year nearly all the sightings have been either in ash trees or nectaring on wild angelica. The two superb photos taken by Sally & David Irven in Bernwood Forest on Saturday 4th August, show a male and female nectaring on wild angelica. Also the first possible evidence of a female in egg-laying mode has been received but definite evidence of the first eggs of 2007 is still awaited."
John Ward-Smith sent this report today: "Yesterday, 8th August, I recorded Purple Hairstreak in our garden. A worn individual settled briefly on the lawn and then rested for a short period on ivy growing on the garden fence. By the time I got my camera it had disappeared. Living in the middle of Bracknell, this was the first live specimen I had recorded here in forty years. We have a large mature oak in the garden and others are scattered in the locality, but I am not sure where the nearest colony of Purple Hairstreak is to be found. Many years ago I had found a dead specimen in the garden. Talking of dead specimens, one I saw last year at Felix Farm Trout Fishery, Binfield, was in the jaws of a Black-tailed Skimmer (see photo)!"
On Wednesday, 8th August Andy King visited the disused railway line near Salden/Newton Longville: "Many Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers, quite a lot of Brimstones, a fair number of Green-veined Whites, Small Whites, Large Whites and of Peacocks (mainly attending the teazles), some Common Blues, Small Skippers, 2 or 3 Large Skippers, a couple of Small Coppers, one Small Heath, a couple of Speckled Woods, 2 Ringlets just about hanging on; but best was watching a Wood White laying eggs: I would think she laid perhaps 5 or 6 eggs in the 3/4 hour that I was watching her - completely pernickety - despite slowly flying around and back and forth she put them all on the same plant, which she visited about three times, in between feeding off various flowers. When the sun went behind a cloud she would stop and settle immediately. When laying an egg she quite often dithered around, once she landed on a leaf and took off again around 7 times before laying an egg, on another occasion about 8 times. A family of Whitethroats are living there at the moment, too." The following report was received from Dave Ferguson on 8th August: "This afternoon on Steps Hill I saw my second second-generation Dingy Skipper. Also present was a pristine female Large Skipper. Is this a very late first generation or a second generation? I see that second generation Dukes are out in Hants. Is anybody looking here?"
Tuesday 7th August 2007 Richard Soulsby led the field trip to Watlington Hill on Sunday 5th August and sent the following report: "The event was well attended with 15 people enjoying the calm, warm, sunny weather. A slow circuit of the hill quickly yielded the target species Silver-spotted Skipper, with a total of 22 being seen. The second target, Chalkhill Blues, were in smaller numbers, with about 6 – 8 being seen. Other species were: Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Brimstone, Peacock, Gatekeeper, Small Heath (only 4), Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small/Essex Skippers, Small Copper, one faded Dark Green Fritillary, Red Admiral and assorted Whites. Eight of us moved on after lunch to Linkey Down, the central part of the Aston Rowant NNR. This site had perfect chalk grassland conditions, better than Watlington Hill, with a mass of flowers and slightly longer grass. Most of the morning’s species were seen again, with Silver-spotted Skipper and Chalkhill Blue being more abundant than on Watlington Hill. In addition, Marbled Whites were seen, and positive identifications made of Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large White and Green-veined White. It was noticeable at both sites that there were very few Common Blues, and most of those were female, a fact remarked on by Maureen Cross for other similar sites. If some of the unidentified whites were Small, the species count for the day was 19. A photo of some of the field trip party at Linkey Down is below."
On Monday, 6th August Richard says his Swyncombe Down transect yielded the following: "Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Brown Argus, Small White, 9 Silver-spotted Skippers, Common Blues (only 3), Small Copper, 4 Chalkhill Blues, 1 faded Dark Green Fritillary, Small Heath (only 1), 2 Small Blues, Red Admiral, Marbled White and Small Skipper. The Small Blues, Small Heaths, Common Blues and Small Skippers were very low in numbers compared with previous years. An intensive Silver-spotted Skipper transect yielded a respectable 58 and 11 Chalkhill Blue. The number of Silver-spotted Skipper is similar to numbers at peak in previous years, suggesting that, after a late start, the Silver-spotted Skipper have built up very rapidly and are now at or near peak, without the reduced numbers due to the poor weather that have hit many other species." Malcolm Brownsword saw the following on transect at Hartslock yesterday, 6th August: Meadow Brown (68), Gatekeeper (16), Ringlet (2), Small Heath (5), Chalkhill Blue - only 4, Brown Argus 2, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large white and Green-veined White, 1 each. Charlie Kew visited Fence Wood, Hermitage, twice in July: he saw a total of 13 Silver-Washed Fritillaries in different locations - 16/07 8 seen and 27/07 5 seen. Monday 6th August 2007 Dave Ferguson sent this news today, 6th August: "The highlights of this morning's visit to Yoesden Bank were my first ever second-brood Dingy Skipper and my first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year. The lowlight was the complete absence of Common Blues. The numbers were: Silver-spotted Skipper (1), Small Skipper (1), Essex Skipper (1), Dingy Skipper (1), Chalkhill Blue (99), Holly Blue (1), Meadow Brown (98), Gatekeeper (5), Marbled White (4), Small Heath (3), Small White (1), 6-spot Burnet (4), Yellow Shell (4), Shaded Broad-bar (3)."
Ashley Stow and his girlfriend visited Pinkhill Reserve at Farmoor Reservoir, Oxfordshire, on 5th August: "We went to see the Marsh Sandpiper and we were walking back across the causeway towards the sailing club when a large butterfly caught our attention. We walked over towards it as it rested on the causeway kerb and realised it was a female Purple Emperor. A few other birders had joined us by this time and were very excited at what we had found. It soon flitted its way across the causeway towards the sailing club and finally down the grass bank and off towards the water treatment plant where we lost sight of it. After seeing a male Purple Emperor at Warburg Nature Reserve, Bix, on 14th July I'm aware that they are quite scarce and thought that I should let somebody know of this sighting."
Darin Stanley & Jo walsh sent the following reports: ""On 4th August at Aston Rowant: 6+ Silver-spotted Skipper along the slope by the motorway. Whitecross Green Wood: 1 female Brown Hairstreak. Alas a small solid white spider hidden in the white flowers, while the Hairstreak was nectaring, caught it. I tried to save the butterfly but think the spider pumped enough juices into it to kill it off. Yoesden Bank, Bucks: Numerous Chalkhill Blues and Common Blues. 2nd brood Dingy Skippers were seen by others, 4 thereabouts, but I didn't see these. On 5th August we went to Salden disused railway and saw 2 Wood Whites. Also 1 large orange Fritillary in the same area. It didn't stop for me to get a good look at it, but guess it was either Dark Green or Silver-washed Fritillary." Pete Eeles visited Greenham Common on Friday 3rd August and recorded: a single 2nd brood Small Blue, 8 Grayling, 14 Meadow Brown, 5 Peacock, 2 Small Skipper, 3 Small White, and 12 Common Blue. Saturday 4th August 2007 Derek Brown finally got back on the butterfly trail today: "In the garden in Beenham we managed 10 species today 4th August - Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Peacock, Red Admiral, Holly Blue, and new for the year a single Brown Argus and a single Painted Lady. At Decoy Heath I added several Common Blues and 2 Small Coppers. And visiting foreign fields at Pamber forest in Hampshire I added Gatekeeper, Large and Small Skipper, Silver washed Fritillary, Ringlet, Small Heath, and Brimstone. Not too bad - 19 species for the day." Dave Wilton sent the following
reports: "On Tuesday 31st July the
good weather meant that I was able to complete another butterfly transect at
Finemere Wood, Bucks. I had hoped to see
Silver-washed Fritillary there but was unsuccessful on this occasion. However, I
did see two (yes, two!) other Fritillary species in the wood. The first was a
large female Dark Green Fritillary charging around the turning circle when
not feeding from knapweed. This is the first time I've recorded Dark Green Fritillary
in the wood and means that the number of butterfly species seen there over the past
four years now rises to 34, a very respectable total when one considers that only 45
species are to be found in our three counties. The second Fritillary was discovered
on-transect in the wood's central cleared area. Unfortunately it must have found its
way there with some human help although it still served to brighten my day! From close
study of my photographs it appears to be a very battered specimen of
Provençal Fritillary (Mellicta dejone), which differs very slightly from our own
very similar Heath Fritillary in having orange palps and a very minor difference to the
underwing pattern. In the wild it is found in northern Italy, southern France and the Iberian
peninsular. The rest of the tally seen at Finemere was unremarkable. Peacocks were in
great abundance (62 recorded), favouring the teasels which are now coming into flower,
but the other species seen comprised only Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Large Skipper,
Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell,
Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet. There was no sign of
either Common Blue or Comma.
Friday 3rd August 2007 Mick & Wendy Campbell visited several locations today, 3rd August, and recorded 21 butterfly species. They started the day looking for Brown Hairstreak and managed to find two males in an Ash tree near the M40 bridge at Waterperry. In some Elm trees nearby they also found an egg-laying White-letter Hairstreak which was still in remarkably good condition and two Brown Argus in the corner of the adjoining field. A Purple Hairstreak was found in another Ash tree further along the road. The next three locations produced no further Hairstreaks so they decided to visit Salden disused railway to see if they could find any second generation Wood Whites and were very pleased to see 5. Other species here were: Speckled Wood, Comma, Peacock, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue (4 - 2 male & 2 female), Small Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet (1 - pristine), Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Small Copper and Essex Skipper. A Red Admiral and Holly Blue were also seen during the day. The following news was received via Martin Harvey today, 3rd August: Matt Dodds saw 5 Silver-Washed Fritillary on 3rd August in Lenborough Wood, north Bucks. Jon Mercer (Wilts branch) visited Aston Rowant after the sun came out, 4-5pm on 2nd August: "3 Silver-spotted Skippers on the southern slopes of the southern reserve (South of M40). Also seen, mainly in the longer grass areas - several worn Dark Green Fritillaries, 2 Essex Skippers, Marbled Whites, Meadow Browns, Peacocks." 02/08/07 - David Redhead reports 41 Brown Hairstreaks
have now been sighted: "Two-thirds of these came from an expedition by
Herts & Middlesex Branch consisting of Andrew Middleton, Tony Clancy and Tristan Bantock.
They visited three known hotspots on the morning of the 31st July
and saw 27 male Brown Hairstreaks and the first female to be recorded. The main
activity is in ash trees but 7 nectaring males have also been seen with wild angelica
being the favourite. So this weekend should be a good one for observing Brown Hairstreaks
in ash trees with also the opportunity to photograph a nectaring male. The first records
are awaited for the following hotspot areas : Span Green, southern Otmoor and Arncott.
Often the peak of activity seems to be in the morning leaving the afternoon free for seeing
Silver-spotted Skippers, also now out on the wing!" Wednesday 1st August 2007 Richard Soulsby did the Swyncombe Downs transect today, 1st August, in very pleasant weather (for a change): "The main transect yielded a good number of species (20), but many of them in very low numbers. These included: Small, Essex, (probable) Large and 5 Silver-spotted Skippers, Small, Green-veined and Large Whites, Brimstones, 1 Small Blue, 2 Common Blue and 2 Chalkhill Blues, 1 Brown Argus, 1 Small Copper, 3 Dark Green Fritillary (worn), 1 Red Admiral, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Gatekeepers, Marbled Whites, and 1 Small Heath. I followed this with a more intensive zigzag transect for only Silver-spotted Skipper and Chalkhill Blue and on this I had respectable totals of 21 and 13 respectively. With a couple of Peacocks and a Holly Blue in my garden on return, my total number of species for the day was 22." Ian Stevenson was inspired by a UTB contributor to attempt to count the highest number of butterfly species he could in a day: "I'm pleased to say I counted 25 different species today, 1st August, the highlights being a Purple Hairstreak and Adonis Blue at Lardon Chase, several Silver-washed Fritillaries at Homefield Wood and many Silver-spotted Skippers at Swyncombe Downs." Malcolm Brownsword visited Aston Upthorpe Downs and Juniper Valley on Tuesday afternoon, 31st July: "On the first 'real' summer day for 8 weeks, at the gate leading into Juniper Valley, we saw a Dark Green Fritillary and a hundred metres further on, a Silver-spotted Skipper. Also seen: Chalkhill Blue (about 30 in 2 hours), Small Copper (1), Marbled White (10), Gatekeeper (50+), Meadow Brown (50+), Small Skipper (10+), Peacock (1), Red Admiral (10) and Brown Argus (1)."
David Redhead went to Bernwood Meadows
late morning on 30th July: "I examined the ash trees north of the small
car park. There was a lot of activity in the first one including two Brown Hairstreak
and at least half a dozen Purple Hairstreak. One of the Brown Hairstreaks was
definitely a male and I am pretty sure the other was as well. Surprisingly the other
half dozen or so ash trees in this locality showed a much lower level of activity, in
spite of most of them being more sheltered from the breeze, with just a single Purple Hairstreak
being seen in two of them. I then went for a wander through the forest and a small ash tree
on the main ride had two Purple Hairstreak flying in it and the neighbouring oak about half
a dozen. But the real prize was to be found on the wild angelica at the first intersection down
from the main Oakley Wood car park. The flowerheads were covered in nectaring insects which
included a pristine male Brown Hairstreak. I then went to Stanton Little Wood
but had no joy regarding Hairstreaks but a Speckled Wood resting in unsuitable habitat
caught my eye (see photo). Other butterflies seen during the day included uncountable numbers
of Meadow Brown; numerous Gatekeeper; several Marbled White, Peacock and
Green-veined White; a few Essex Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Common Blue, Red Admiral
and Ringlet; and a single Large Skipper.
Late afternoon on 28th July Jim Asher was exploring an under-recorded area in SU49 around Milton: "I came across this white Red Admiral. When I first saw it, I thought I was seeing a White Admiral, except that the flight was wrong. Once it settled, it was clear what it was. The photo is an accurate reflection of its appearance, almost completely lacking the red pigment." |
