Orange tip. Photo: Mark Pike
Orange tip. Photo: Mark Pike
Mark tells us that despite a hurricane blowing on 15/04/19 at Motcombe he found a good number of Orange tip butterflies in Motcombe Meadows.
When this butterfly is on the wing, we can be sure the butterfly season has really started.
Posted on: 18 April, 2019
Peacock. Photo: Roger Peart
Roger found this well worn, aka tatty Peacock at Longham Lakes on 29/03/19
Obviously been in the wars, probably before hibernating for the winter. No chance of attracting a mate looking like that.
Posted on: 14 April, 2019
Brimstone. Photo: Roger Peart
Roger sent us this photo of a Brimstone which he spotted at Longham Lakes on 29/03/19.
Brimstones are one of our earliest appearing butterflies, often being seen as early as January if the temperatures rise a little above the norm.
Posted on: 14 April, 2019
Small Copper. Abb. Photo: Andy Martin
Small Copper ab. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy found this Small Copper aberration at Ulwell, on 11/04/19 (more…)
Posted on: 14 April, 2019
Holly Blue. Photo: Lynda Lambert
Lynda noticed a flash of pale blue in her Corfe Mullen garden on I/04/19 and knew it must be her first Holly Blue of the year.
Although it settled on the Mahonia, it kept flitting off next door but immediately returning to the bush for a photocall . It would be nice to think it had resulted from one of the Holly Blue caterpillars found on the ivy in her garden late last summer.
Posted on: 2 April, 2019
Peacocks. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona was very happy with this photo of two Peacock butterflies she saw at King Barrow on 29/03/19. The sun was shining through the the half opened wings of the top individual, and showed the eye through the wing. Usually the underside of a Peacock is very plain and dark.
A lovely Spring setting.
Posted on: 2 April, 2019
Small Coppers. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy visited Southbourne Undercliff on 26/3/19 and spotted his first Small Copper. When he returned on 29/03/19 he saw four individuals and took this photo of a mating pair. (more…)
Posted on: 2 April, 2019
Peacock, Photo: Ann Barlow
Ann found this pristine Peacock in her Corfe Mullen garden on 26/03/19.
This will be a hibernated individual, tempted out of hibernation during the warm sunshine we are experiencing this week.
Posted on: 27 March, 2019
Speckled Wood. Photo: George McCabe.
George was walking his dog at Southdown Ridge ,Weymouth when he spotted his first Speckled Wood this year on 24/03/19
On checking the sightings page on our website ,24th March seems to be the first day for recorded sightings of this species in Dorset. They were seen in various locations across the county.
Posted on: 27 March, 2019
Brimstone. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona sent us this photo of a male Brimstone which she took at Badbury Rings on 24/03/19.
She tells us:
I have been trying to get some photos of a Brimstone upperwing, which has resulted in a lot of photos of flowers without butterflies!
Perseverance paid off as Shona managed a good shot showing the often unseen orange spots on the upper hind-wings.
Posted on: 27 March, 2019
Small White. Photo: Ann Barlow
Ann sent us this photo of a Small White which she saw in her Corfe Mullen garden on 26/03/19.
She thought it seemed rather early but on checking the sightings page on our website it has been reported in various places over the past week and it is usually recorded from early March through to November.
Posted on: 27 March, 2019
Mullien Moth. Photo: Caroline Stringer
Caroline found this newly hatched Mullein moth in her garden at Oakford Fitzpaine on 18/03/19.
This is quite an early sighting as it is usually seen from late April -May in one generation. It comes to light and feeds at flowers.
Posted on: 27 March, 2019
Peacock. photo Howard Gillen
Harold spotted this beautiful Peacock on grape Hyacinths in his Sandford garden on 17/03/19.
Tempted out of hibernation due to warm temperatures and obviously not minding the gale force winds we experienced that week.
Posted on: 21 March, 2019
Large Tortoiseshell. Photo: Martin East
Peacock. Photo: Martin East
Martin travelled from Bristol on 27/02/19 to look for the Large Tortoiseshell reported as seen at Tout Quarry, Portland.
He says he was there for four hours and was about to leave having only seen this Peacock, when he saw some people looking into a gully. Lo and behold, there was his target species. Now that’s dedication!
Posted on: 10 March, 2019
Brimstone.Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona photographed this male Brimstone nectaring on a Camellia in her Broadstone garden on 23/02/19
One of the first species usually spotted early in the year, always a joy to see .
Posted on: 3 March, 2019
More photos: Gallery Archive
