Search Results for: Motcombe Meadows

View of a white butterfly resting on a green plant

Green-veined White. Photo: Mark Pike

View of a white butterfly with black wing tips perching on a green plant

Orange Tip. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark has sent us these two photos taken on his first visit to Motcombe Meadows yesterday morning, 24/04/2020 with the following comment:

Nothing mind-blowing seen but these super fresh Green-veined White and female Orange Tip do provide an interesting comparison. 

two Ringlets, omne with closed wings and one open winged. clearly showing the upper and under wing markings

Ringlets. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark sent us this photo which he took in Motcombe Meadows on 3/07/19 because as he says, it is a useful photo to show the upper and under- wing markings of the Ringlet butterfly.

This species can be seen on the wing from about the third week of June until early August.

orange ERssex Skipper showing diagnostic black ink tipped antennae

Essex Skipper. Photo: Mark Pike

Essex Skipper. Photo: Mark Pike

Essex Skipper and Fly. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark sent us these beautiful photos of Essex Skipper which he managed to locate in Motcombe Meadows on 3/07/19.

This species can be difficult to identify in the field unless you can see it settled and get a good look at the antennae. As you see, they look they have been dipped in ink.

If you look closely at the third photo you can see Mark has captured a tiny fly that alighted on the tip of one antennae.

An iridescent green moth resting on a twig

Forester moth. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark found six of these beautiful iridescent green moths when he visited Motcombe Meadows on 30/05/19

This moth can be found feeding at flowers such as Ragged Robin, Field and Devil’s bit Scabious, clovers  and Viper’s-Bugloss between May and July.  Occasionally an individual can be found in August.

view of a Brimstone nectaring on a dandelion

Brimstone. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark sent us this photo of a Brimstone from Motcombe Meadows  which he took on 14/04/18.

This is a species which over winters as an adult, and can be seen on the wing on warm winter’s days when it comes out of hibernation.

Most Brimstones that survive the winter will end their life cycle in Midsummer when new young Brimstones can be seen.

Motcombe Meadows

View across some grass to a small lake, with trees behind
Motcombe Meadows: the Scrape. Photo: Peter Cooper

Guide to this top Dorset butterfly site, including: location, description, species of interest and photo gallery.

View of a Peacock resting with open wings on leaf litter, unusually showing one hindwing smaller but fully formed

Peacock. Photo: Mark Pike

Mark found this Peacock at Motcombe Meadows on 14/04/18 and noticed that one hind-wing looked a bit unusual.Interestingly the wing appears to be complete in shape and pattern but a good bit smaller than the other. This butterfly is another species that can emerge from hibernation on warm late winter or early spring days, its normal flight period being June-August.

view of Small Tortoiseshell resting with open on wings on green leaves

Tortoiseshell. Photo: Mark Pike.

Mark found this beautiful Small Tortoiseshell at Motcombe Meadows on 14/04/18.

The sun had appeared at last and this butterfly would have emerged from hibernation to enjoy the warmth. The flight times for new adults would be May-Oct in 1-3 broods