Comma. Photo: Ann Barlow

A great photo of a Comma sent to us by Ann taken yesterday, 27/03/2020 at the edge of Upton Heath, near Corfe Mullen, where there was a nice sunny spot with several butterflies about.  She told us that there were at least 2 Commas and 2 Peacocks there and that this one had found a nice sunny branch which it kept returning to making it a bit easier to get a photo.

The Comma is the third most common species reported to Dorset BC so far this year with 60 records received, the first one being on 19/01/2020.  Brimstones currently head the list with 237 records received followed closely by Peacocks with 229.

Comma, Upton Heath
Posted on: 28 March, 2020

Peacock. Photo: George McCabe

George tells us that was in a field next to Upwey Station yesterday, 26/03/2020 when he saw two high flying butterflies. He watched them for a couple of minutes hoping they would land somewhere so he could see what they were but they didn’t.  However, as he turned to walk away a shadow appeared over his shoulder and these two Peacocks flew into the bush in front of him, taunting him to be be quick and take their photo as they had got other things on their mind and then they were off on their amorous way.

Peacock, Upwey
Posted on: 27 March, 2020

Small Copper abb. Photo: Andrew Martin

Andrew has sent us this photo he took on 24/03/2020 with the following comment:

Its always a pleasure to see the first Small Copper of the Season. Every year around mid March I check a favoured spot on Southbourne Undercliff  for the first glint of copper and this year was my earliest ever sighting and a bonus its abb caeruleopunctata. 

The Dorset BC records show that between 2014 and 2019 the earliest emergence date recorded for a Small Copper was 24/03/2019 and the latest emergence date when the first one was recorded was on 17/04/2018

Small Copper abb, Southbourne Undercliff
Posted on: 27 March, 2020

Large White. Photo: Derek Fowler

Brimstone. Photo: Derek Fowler

Derek has sent us these two super photos taken in Charminster on 24/03/2020 – he mentioned that he was rather surprised to see the Large White which is a butterfly we don’t normally see until April.

Large White and Brimstone, Charminster
Posted on: 25 March, 2020

Comma. Photo: George McCabe

Peacock. Photo: George McCabe

George spotted this Comma on Mayflower blossom in the hedge running along Icen Lane, Weymouth on 23/03/2020 – he tells us he was watching a Small White and a couple of Brimstone in flight when to his surprise he noticed this Comma sunning itself and he told us nothing was going to move it.

Then on 24/03/2020 he went out with one of his wife’s dogs up to Southdown Ridge, Littlemoor, Weymouth and found a hedge full of Mayflower blossom in a sun trap where he counted 8 Peacock butterflies, one of which seemed to him to be extra-large (he told us it was quite flighty so he could only get a quick photo of it).

Comma and Peacock, Weymouth
Posted on: 25 March, 2020

Comma. Photo: Brian Arnold

Brian sent us this photo taken in his Harman’s Cross Garden on 24/03/2020 with the following comment (a sentiment many of us will share):

Seems I will now be spending a lot of time in my garden looking at the wildlife there

Comma, Harman’s Cross
Posted on: 25 March, 2020

Peacock. Photo: Lynda Lambert

Comma. Photo: Lynda Lambert

Lynda has sent us these lovely photos of the first garden butterflies she has seen in her Corfe Mullen garden this year – on 20/03/2020 she saw a Comma early in the morning and later in the afternoon she saw a Peacock sunning itself.  Two photos to help lift the spirits in these difficult times.

Peacock and Comma, Corfe Mullen
Posted on: 25 March, 2020

Peacock. Photo: Roger Peart

Comma. Photo: Roger Peart

Roger sent us these two photos taken on 22/03/2020 in his Wimborne garden with the following comments:

The sun today brought out 4 species of butterfly to my garden (records sent separately). Three in quick succession from my kitchen window this morning: Comma, Brimstone, Small White. Then in the afternoon in the back garden another (maybe the same?) Comma and a Peacock.

The morning Comma (photo here) spent quite some time feeding on this bush and I was able to take  number of photos as it made its way over the flowers.

The Peacock is a bit tatty and has abrasion to its wings – could it have been hibernating in a confined space?

Peacock and Comma, Wimborne
Posted on: 23 March, 2020

Peacock. Photo: Brian Arnold

Brian has sent us his first photo this year of a butterfly in his garden at Harman’s Cross with the following comments:

This is the third species we have seen in the garden so far this year, the other two being Red Admiral and Comma. To match our total for 2019 we will have to see a further 24 species in the garden. Spring must be nearly upon us.

PS  This posting was sent out earlier today showing the name of the butterfly as a Red Admiral – entirely my error for which I apologise (John East)

Peacock, Harman’s Cross
Posted on: 22 March, 2020

Green-veined White. Photo: Dave Law

Dave has sent us this super photo with the following comments:

First walk of the year in the sunshine at Duncliffe Wood on 16/03/2020 and amazed to see a Green-veined White. My girlfriend Agnes saw it first so I can’t take all the credit if it’s a first for the year.

The dark veins on the yellow underside of the hindwings are actually a mottling of black scales that appear green against the yellow background. The first Green-veined White reported to the Dorset BC website last year was on 24/03/2019 so this is 8 days earlier.

Green-veined White, Duncliffe Wood
Posted on: 17 March, 2020