Brown Hairstreak. Photo: Richard Belding
This very artistic shot from Richard was taken at our Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve 20/07/2017.
Posted on: 26 July, 2017
Brown Hairstreak and crab spider. Photo: Richard Belding
It takes a moment to spot it, but at the bottom of the picture, there is a white crab spider lurking in the bramble flower, which might have gone after the butterfly. Richard, however, assures us the butterfly got away. Alners Gorse 20/07/17
Posted on: 26 July, 2017
Grayling upper wings. Photo: Chris Becker.
This is a very unusual shot from Chris on 16/07/2017, who describes how he got it: “I`d like to share a photo I took today at Wareham Forest of a freshly emerged male Grayling. As he was unable to fly away I was able to take advantage and took some pictures when to my delight he opened his wings and left them open for me to grab a couple of unusual shots (This is the first time I have been able to get a good view of the wings upperside of a Grayling !!)”
Posted on: 26 July, 2017
Common Blue. Photo: Gordon Cryer
On 16/07/2017 Gordon says: “I thought you might like this photo of a Common Blue, but on an unusual background of Portland Sea-lavender, last week. What an attractive plant, a treat to see it. The Lulworth Skippers were plentiful too, also Chalkhill Blues were doing pretty well.”
Posted on: 26 July, 2017
Small Blue. Photo: Brian Arnold
Small Blue: Photo: Brian Arnold
Posted on: 25 July, 2017
Small Copper. Photo: Keith Howland
This superb little butterfly was photographed by Keith in his garden at Pimperne on 16/07/2017.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Dark Green Fritillary. Photo: Roger Peart.
Dark Green Fritillary. Photo: Roger Peart
Two wonderfully colourful shots from Roger, taken on Fontmell Down in North Dorset on 08/07/2017
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Red Admiral. Photo: Jeremy Oakes
Some butterflies look like they are posing for their photo! An example, too, of the wonders of modern technology – who would have thought twenty years ago that you’d be carrying round a mobile telephone, let alone taking such good photos with it.
Jeremy caught this shot on 15/07/2017 on Corfe Common, and it reached us not many minutes later. Pity it can’t automatically put itself up on the website too – we’re a bit behind due to working on the 2016 Butterfly Report, but that’s gone to the printers and will be with members in early August, so we’re working hard to catch up.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Grayling. Photo: Penny Hawes
A wonderfully colourful shot from Penny, taken on 13/07/2017 at Sandford Heath, near Wareham.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Brown Hairstreak. Photo: Andrew Reekie
This specimen must have been very fresh, but still has a bit taken out of its wing, probably by a bird. Andrew caught this shot on 14/07/2017, which is the first day this species was reported to us this year. Last year it didn’t appear until 20 July. Taken at our Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Brown Hairstreak. Photo: Adrian Read
A very useful shot, as it shows some of the upperwing as well as the underwing. Taken by Adrian out our Alners Gorse Butterfly Reserve on 14/07/2017.
The Brown Hairstreak is very rare in Dorset, and only seen at Alners Gorse or in that area of north Dorset. if you see it anwhere outside the Reserve, please let us know via our Sightings Page, and a photo would be helpful to confirm the sighting.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Dingy Skipper second brood. Photo: Mark Pike.
Taken at Badbury Rings, this shot by Mark is probably a second brood Dingy Skipper, given it’s very good condition.
Jeremy Thomas, in his book “The Butterflies of Britain and Ireland” remarks: “The main emergence occurs throught May, reaching a peak in the first week of June. It is over by the end of the month, except perhaps for a few faded stragglers that last for a week or two into July. There may then be a small second brood in August”.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Chalkhill Blue. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark saw this lovely speicimen at Badbury Rings on 13/07/207, which he notes is the earliest he has seen this species there.
We have concerns about the future of the Chalkhill Blue in Dorset; it flourishes on Portland, but is declining elsewhere: a drop of 40% over the last five years is recorded on out Butterfly Distribution Atlas page.
Posted on: 23 July, 2017
Silver Y moth. Photo: George McCabe
Geroge thinks this looks like it’s got a scary face! Seen on the Weymouth Relief Road cutting on 12/07/2017.
This is a useful identification shot: when you see a Silver Y ‘at rest’ it is very often rapidly beating its wings, so all you see is a blur.
Posted on: 18 July, 2017
Cinnabar moth caterpillars. Photo: George McCabe
The yellow and black rugby-shirt stripes very clearly show these as the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth, George describes where he too the photo: “Near the cycle path just of the Weymouth relief road near the water overflow ponds near the roundabouts”. Taken on 12/07/2017.
Posted on: 18 July, 2017
More photos: Gallery Archive
