Tag Archives: Alners gorse

A bright blue butterfly with a white fringe to the wings and some black markings

Adonis Blue. Photo: Nick Galer

An orange butterfly with black, white, blue and yellow markings

Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Nick Galer

Nick sent in these two photos telling us:

I had two trips out on 07/08/2026 –  early in the morning I returned to Hambledon Hill to catch the Adonis Blues and then later in the afternoon called in at Alner’s Gorse.  The Clouded Yellows and Painted Ladies outnumbered every other species but I was pleased to catch this Small Tortoiseshell.

A brown and part orange butterfly on a yellow flower

Brown Hairstreak (female). Photo: Shona Refoy

A brown butterfly on some green vegetation

Brown Hairstreak (male). Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

During a visit to Alner’s Gorse on 06/08/2026, I watched this female Brown Hairstreak (first photo) nectaring on Common Fleabane for nearly an hour. Most of the time she had her wings closed, but she did occasionally open them briefly.

The second photo is from a previous visit on 27/07/2026 – this male Brown Hairstreak landed and sat with his wings open very briefly, before moving onto nearby knapweed. He was still in exactly the same place over three hours later even though it was in deep shade by then!

A male Common Blue with open wings on a yellow and orange flower.

Common Blue. Photo: Kevin Walters

26/07/2026 A male Common Blue feeding on a flower head.

A rather worn female Common Blue perching on a stem with open wings. The hint of blue around the body separates it from Brown Argus.

Common Blue. Photo: Kevin Walters

26/07/2026 A rather worn female Common Blue resting on stems. The hint of blue near the body separates it from Brown Argus.

A yellow butterfly with some black, white and brown markings on a yellow flower

Clouded Yellow. Photo: Mike Kirby

A brown butterfly with orange markings and a white fringe to the wings on a yellow flower

Brown Argus. Photo: Mike Kirby

Two photos from Mike sent in telling us:

I had a great trip to Alner’s Gorse last Sunday, 19/07/2026). Lots of Clouded Yellows, especially enjoying the Fleabane – and they were prepared to pose too! Also very pleasing to see good numbers of Small Coppers and this Brown Argus.  The Brown Hairstreaks are eluding me at the moment (I only saw one male) but with 19 species seen, I’m not complaining!

Two yellow butterflies with black markings on green vegetation

Clouded Yellows. Photo: Nick Galer

Nick sent in this photo telling us:

I went to Alner’s Gorse yesterday, 20/07/2026 to enjoy the Clouded Yellows. This pair were flying/tumbling mid-air – I just pointed the camera and kept my finger down. Pure luck I got this shot!!!!!

A brown and orange butterfly with some black and white markings on a pink flower

Brown Hairstreak. Photo: Mike Brooke

A white and yellow butterfly with black markings on a yellow flower

Clouded Yellow f.helice Photo: Mike Brooke

Mike sent in these two photos telling us:

I visited Alner’s Gorse for the first time on 16th July 2026 and after a slow start had three firsts – Brown Hairstreak (M&F), White-letter Hairstreak and a Clouded Yellow f. helice. Also two seconds –  Purple Hairstreak and Ringlet. 17 species in total. Many thanks to Mike, Nick and Paul whom I met and willingly shared their knowledge of the site.

A yellow butterfly with some brown, black and white markings on a purple flower

Clouded Yellow. Photo: Mark Pike

A pale yellow butterfly with some black, brown and white markings on a yellow flower

Clouded Yellow f. helice. Photo: Mark Pike

Two photos from Mark taken yesterday, 16/07/2026 and sent in saying:

As previous visitors to Alner’s Gorse have mentioned, it is awash with butterflies at the moment including a good number of Clouded Yellows. These photos show the normal Clouded Yellow and also the f.helice for comparison.