A Day on Portland – Sunday the 7th August 2005

by Bernard Franklin

The Portland day consisted of two walks, the first around the DWT reserve at Kingsbarrow Quarry and the second an afternoon walk around the East Weirs. Both walks were well attended. This included a group from Linconshire, who were down to visit Dorset for a few days. In total, there were about thirty of us on the first walk and twenty on the second.

Although the conditions were good the Kingsbarrow walk was a bit disappointing for the numbers of butterflies seen. Though there were other distractions like the numbers of Grey and Great Green Bush Crickets. With a fairly large group we were lucky not to lose anyone in the quarries.

The Kingsbarrow species count was as follows:

Small skipper
Lulworth skipper,
Clouded Yellow
Large White
Small White
Small Copper
Brown Argus
Common Blue
Chalk Hill Blue
Adonis Blue
Holly Blue
Red Admiral,
Painted Lady
Peacock
Wall,
Marbled White
Grayling
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown,
Ringlet
Small Heath

In the afternoon we took the path through the old churchyard at Church Ope with its spectacular views across Weymouth Bay. Within the churchyard we saw mainly Large and Small Whites. There was also a Migrant Hawker dragonfly patrolling the area.

When we reached the East weirs we saw many Clouded Yellow flying out in the open and around the rocks. The total count was about 25. Also there were many Chalk Hill Blues flying around, we must have seen well over two hundred. There were only a few Grayling and Lulworth Skippers to be seen. It may be that the Grayling were over early this year on Portland.

The species seen on the afternoon walk were:

Lulworth skipper
Clouded Yellow
Brimstone
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Common Blue
Chalkhill Blue
Holly Blue
Red Admiral
Painted Lady
Peacock
Speckled Wood
Marbled White
Grayling
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown

In addition several Oak Eggar Moths were zipping about.
A good time was had by all!