Tag Archives: Ballard Down

A brown and dark gold butterfly resting on some green vegetation

Lulworth Skipper. Photo: Shona Refoy

A brownish butterfly resting on a yellow flower

Lulworth Skipper. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

On 08/05/2026 on Ballard Down, I saw at least 15 Lulworth Skippers, one of which was quite worn (so not newly emerged). This female was the first that I saw among the long grass and the nectaring male is showing off his long proboscis.

An orange butterfly with black and yellow markings on some brown vegetation

Large Tortoiseshell. Photo: Shona Refoy

An orange and dark brown/black butterfly with yellow markings on white blossom flowers

Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

I went for a walk on Ballard Down earlier today, 05/03/2026 and was delighted to see this Large Tortoiseshell basking, before she flew to a nearby tree to nectar.  In the same tree was my first Small Tortoiseshell of the year and many Peacocks.

A mainly dark blue butterfly with some orange markings and a white fringe to the wings

Adonis Blue ab.venilia. Photo: Jed Corbett

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

Adonis Blue ab.venilia. Photo: Jed Corbett

Two photos from Jed sent in telling us:

On 04/09/2025 I saw half a dozen male and female Adonis Blues in the lower field at Ballard (lay-by) nectaring on knapweed. Holding on for dear life in fairly strong winds, this striking beautiful aberration stood out. 

A bright blue butterfly with black veins crossing the white fringe to the wings

Adonis Blue. Photo: Nick Galer

A brown and blue butterfly with black, white and orange markings on a purple flower

Adonis Blue. Photo: Nick Galer

Two photos from Nick sent in telling us:

Saw probably 15 plus Adonis Blues on Ballard Down today, 06/08/2025 although the vegetation was sparse and parched. Also saw Brown Argus. Wall Brown, Common Blues and Chalkhill Blue.

Two Marbled Whites - top one (pale brown and cream coloured) is a female and the lower one (off white and black) a male

Marbled Whites. Photo: Lorraine Munns

Lorraine sent in this photo taken at Ballard Down on 28/06/2025 telling us:

I was quite pleased to get this photo on my phone. The Marbled Whites were too distracted to notice me creeping up on them.

Editor’s Note: the top one (pale brown and cream coloured) is a female and the lower one (off white and black) a male