Green Hairstreak. Photo: Brian Arnold

Lulworth Skipper. Photo: Brian Arnold

Today (7/5/25) my wife Lerida and I walked from Corfe Castle along the base of Challow Hill, Rollington Hill and Brenscombe Hill. We then returned along the top of the hills. A lovely walk in the warmth and sunshine. The base of the hills from Corfe to Ailwood Down is my favourite butterfly walk in the Purbeck Hills area, it rarely disappoints.

We saw an amazing number of butterflies and recorded over 100, consisting of 16 species. In total we recorded Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Heath, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Brimstone, Peacock, Orange Tip, Green Hairstreak and Marsh Fritillary.

The Marsh Fritillary was not a species I expected to find as this is not a known site for them. However I also saw one within a short distance on 29th May 2023. The 2023 sighting was thought to maybe be a release, so perhaps they have established at this location? I simply don’t know.

Brian’s sighting of both the Large and the Lulworth Skipper were the first reported to our website this year.