Red Admiral. Photo: Penny Hawes
Penny was out on one of her favourite walks when she spotted this Red Admiral, the first butterfly she has seen this this year – it was sunning itself along the little woodland path to Sharford Bridge on Monday 20/01/2020. The sunny conditions a few days ago seem to have lured a number of these out of their shelter and hiding places to take advantage of the sunshine and we hope they were able to find somewhere warm to shelter overnight from the cold frosty conditions.
Posted on: 23 January, 2020
Comma. Photo: Malcolm Gould
The first photo of a Comma sent to the Gallery this year. Malcolm saw this one at the edge of Burtt’s Harley, a wood north of Gussage All Saints – the photo was taken at midday on 19/01/2020. Malcolm added that it is looking a bit faded and tatty but is sunning itself on ivy.
Posted on: 21 January, 2020
Red Admiral. Photo: Geoge McCabe
George has sent us this photo of the first butterfly he saw this year when he was out for a walk and not even looking for butterflies – spotted at the Coppice behind the Littlemoor water tower, Weymouth on 19/01/2020. George added that it seemed to enjoy the mud around the puddles!
Posted on: 21 January, 2020
Chalkhill Blue. Photo David Simmonds
Chalkhill Blue. Photo: David Simmonds
David sent us these photos of a Chalkhill Blue he found at Hambledon Hill on 2/08/19.
This is a species giving cause for concern in many areas of its known habitat, as it appears to be thriving on some of the sites but not on others where it used to be found in reasonable numbers.
Posted on: 9 January, 2020
Six-spot Burnet Moths. Photo: Cath Morrison
Cath and Rob were rather surprised I imagine when walking at Badbury Rings on 17/07/19 to see these Six-spot Burnet moths mating so quickly after emerging. No time to lose!
So often all you see are the transparent silvery cases left behind after the moth emerges sometime between late June-August. and then can be found nectaring on thistles and knapweeds.
Posted on: 9 January, 2020
Red Admiral in early January. Photo: Linda Stanley
Linda sent us this super photo of a Red Admiral she saw at Upton Country Park on 03/01/2020 – this one must have been very determined to make it to 2020 whilst still looking good and was probably just waiting for a bit of warmer weather to show itself. (more…)
Posted on: 4 January, 2020
Silver-washed Fritillary, Valesina form. Photo: Brian Arnold
Back in the summer on 22/07/19, Brian was watching a pair of the usual orange coloured Silver-washed Fritillaries doing a mating dance across the lawn at his Harman’s Cross home when he spotted this female Valesina form. (more…)
Posted on: 27 December, 2019
Common Blue. Photo: Penny Hawes
On a gloomy December day a welcome reminder of warm sunny days. A Common Blue seen by Penny Hawes at Critchel House garden on 22/06/19.
Posted on: 27 December, 2019
Red Admiral. Photo: Paul Godier
Paul has sent us this photo of a Red Admiral he saw in South Street, Dorchester on Wednesday, 18/12/2019. He told us that it was flying vigorously to and fro across the street, above the Xmas shoppers on Market Day presumably seeking a roost for the winter. Quite remarkable that he was able to spot the butterfly in the busy street and to get this photo – it is quite late in the year to see a Red Admiral and this may well be the last photo of one sent to the Dorset BC Gallery for this year.
Posted on: 21 December, 2019
Essex Skipper. Photo: Mel Bray
Mel found this Essex Skipper at Throop on 16/07/19 and commented that he doesn’t often manage to photograph them with such a clear view of the black tipped antennae which is the diagnostic feature of this diminutive butterfly.
Posted on: 11 December, 2019
Painted Lady. Photo: Martin Wood
A colourful reminder of the warm days of Summer, a Painted Lady seen by Martin at Longham Lakes on 7/07/19. Whilst we had fantastic numbers migrating into the UK this year, it did not turn out to be on a par with 2009 when millions were recorded.
Posted on: 11 December, 2019
Red Admiral. Photo: Roger Peart
The lovely warm sunshine yesterday, 03/12/2019 seems to have encouraged a late appearance of Red Admirals in Dorset. This photo sent to us by Roger Peart of one he saw in the afternoon on a house wall in Wimborne is the second photo taken yesterday of this species sent in for the Dorset BC Gallery. It is good to know that butterflies are still responding to occasional warmer sunny days in a cold spell and can only hope that they find somewhere suitable to return to overnight.
Posted on: 4 December, 2019
Red Admiral. Photo: John Kirwin
A welcome sunny morning after a cold night encouraged this somewhat damaged Red Admiral to visit John’s Harman’s Cross garden today, 03/12/2019. John tells us that this individual has visited his garden quite a lot recently to feed on the juices leaking from rotting apples. A pretty hardy butterfly – could this be our last reported Red Admiral sighting for the year?
Posted on: 3 December, 2019
Adonis Blue. Photo: Shona Refoy
Adonis Blue. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona has sent us this photo of a female Adonis Blue she came across at the foot of Hambledon Hill on 05/09/2019. Looking at the photo on a cold, frosty December morning, Shona’s comments below are a heart warming reminder of the pleasure butterflies give us.
I nearly trod on her as she was lying on her side on the path (first photo). Wondering if she was alive, I slid my hand under her, and she climbed aboard! I watched her as she opened and closed her wings, then swung my hand round so we had a good look at each other before she flew off up the hill. Seeing her on my hand shows how small she is (my hands aren’t huge)!
Posted on: 2 December, 2019
Mark sent us this photo of a male and female Silver-studded Blue sharing bramble flowers at Slop Bog on 29/06/19. (more…)
Posted on: 26 November, 2019
More photos: Gallery Archive
