Red Admiral. Photo: Paul Godier

Paul sent us this photo commenting as follows:

Nectar sources are dwindling, but today (17/11/23) I saw four Red Admirals feeding on Hebe in Boscombe

Red Admiral, Boscombe
Posted on: 22 November, 2023

Holly Blue. Photo: Chris Burch

Chris sent in this photo of a late flying Holly Blue telling us:

This Holly Blue was seen at 13:06 yesterday, 18/11/2023 flying past me at the bottom of Bowleaze Coveway in Weymouth.  It landed in the car park of the Harvester restaurant which allowed me to snap it with my phone.   

Holly Blue, Weymouth
Posted on: 19 November, 2023

December Moth. Photo: Paul Harris

Paul was pleased to find his first December Moth of the season in his Weymouth trap on 13/11/23, commenting that it’s his all time favourite moth. This male looks suitably dressed for cold weather.

In the South they fly between late October-early January coming to light, sometimes in good numbers.

December Moth, Weymouth
Posted on: 18 November, 2023

Red Admiral. Photo: Mark Hardaker

Mark sent in this photo telling us:

In the short break between storms on 15/11/2023 the warm sunshine brought out three Red Admirals in my Verwood garden. At one point they were all feeding on the same flowering bush but I missed being able to photograph them together.

Red Admiral, Verwood
Posted on: 18 November, 2023

What an incredible Autumn it has been for sightings of Red Admirals in Dorset and this one seen by Martin Warren in Corfe Castle on 15/11/2023 must be one of the most unexpected. (more…)

Red Admiral Larvae, Corfe Castle
Posted on: 16 November, 2023

Jersey Tiger. Photo: Elaine Beesley

A first sighting ever for Elaine when she spotted this Jersey Tiger moth in her  porch in Parkstone on 28/07/23. A very striking moth which is always causes great excitement when first seen.

Jersey Tiger, Parkstone
Posted on: 14 November, 2023

Red Admiral. Photo: Donald Simcock

Red Admiral. Photo: Donald Simcock

Two photos from Donald sent in tellings us:

We went to Kingston Lacy today, 11/11/2023 to see some trees changing colour and saw four Red Admirals. Two were in the kitchen garden feeding on the flowers and two in the house grounds. I managed to get a few photos of one feeding on a Salvia and the second one of those shows how long their proboscis is.

Red Admiral, Kingston Lacy
Posted on: 12 November, 2023

Peacock. Photo: Lynda Lambert

Lynda sent in this photo telling us:

I found this fairly pristine Peacock near Scotland Farm, on Hartland Moor yesterday, 11/11/2023.  It was the only butterfly I saw and to get a photo I had to follow it on to the heath from the board walk where it was resting and where I accidentally disturbed it!

Peacock, Hartland Moor
Posted on: 12 November, 2023

Knot Grass Moth caterpillar. Photo: Maurice Budden

Maurice found this Knot Grass caterpillar in his Bridport garden on 7/11/23.

In recent decades this species has significantly declined in abundance.

In the South we often have two generations June-September and September-October, so hopefully this little fella will soon pupate for the winter on the ground in leaf litter.

Knot Grass Caterpillar. Bridport
Posted on: 10 November, 2023

Speckled Wood. Photo: Brian Arnold

Red Admiral. Photo: Brian Arnold

Two photos from Brian sent in telling us:

I have not seen any butterflies in our garden at Harman’s Cross for the past 2 weeks, possibly due to the dreadful weather. Today, 07/11/2023 is sunny and a bit warmer, so I went out in the garden to take a look and saw a Red Admiral and a Speckled Wood. The weather is due to be wet and windy again from tomorrow so maybe these will be our last garden sightings of 2023?

Speckled Wood and Red Admiral, Harman’s Cross
Posted on: 7 November, 2023