Gary Holderness has just sent in these photos telling us that along with fellow volunteers he has been monitoring the Southbourne butterfly transect this winter specifically looking to see if they could find any Clouded Yellow larvae. Continue reading
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Gary has just sent in this photo telling us:
After a tip off from fellow transect walker who saw it yesterday, I went to Southbourne today, 03/12/2025 hoping to see probably my last Clouded Yellow on the wing for this year.
As luck would have it around lunchtime when the sun was out and it had warmed up a bit it appeared. Briefly nectaring and sunning itself before more cloud rolled in, it then disappeared into the undergrowth. A British December Clouded Yellow – a first for me.
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Clouded Yellow Caterpillar and Egg. Photo: Gary Holderness
Two photos from Gary sent in telling us:
We eventually had a few hours of sunny weather at Southbourne Undercliff today, 13/11/2025 and butterflies were still on the wing – 7 Clouded Yellows plus a Peacock and a Small White seen with fellow transect walkers Andy, Mike and Sue. Also, evidence of Clouded Yellow eggs and caterpillars. Not bad “butterflying” for the middle of November.
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Clouded Yellow Egg. Photo: Gary Holderness
Two photos from Gary sent in telling us:
It’s November but there’s still some butterflies on the wing. I was down at Southbourne Undercliff today, 02/11/2025 and I counted 3 Clouded Yellows and a Large White plus evidence of Egg laying by Clouded Yellows. All in a stiff westerly breeze and with air temperatures of only 12 centigrade.
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Clouded Yellow Caterpillars. Photo: Gary Holderness
Two photos from Gary sent in telling us:
I had a great day in the sun down at Southbourne yesterday, 09/10/2025. Among the highlights for me were 20 plus Clouded Yellows on the Undercliff and seeing this pair mating. Also great to find some Clouded Yellow caterpillars on Bird’s-foot trefoil.
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Clouded Yellow Egg. Photo Gary Holderness
Two Clouded Yellow photos from Gary sent in telling us:
I spent the day at Southbourne Undercliff today, 30/09/2025 and had a great day. Along a mile long section, I counted 20 Clouded Yellows and in that total there were two f.helice.
The highlight however was seeing a few of the females egg laying and getting some photos of it was a top highlight. One of the females was completely exhausted after all the effort and just sat there with her wings open in the sun. What a day, fantastic!
Peacock. Photo: Gary Holderness
Gary sent in this photo telling us:
The first day of meteorological Autumn today, 01/09/2025 and in-between the heavy showers it was great to see this beautiful Peacock butterfly on the Verbena in my Ferndown garden.
Clouded Yellow Butterfly Egg. Photo: Gary Holderness
Clouded Yellow Butterfly Egg. Photo: Gary Holderness
Two photos from Gary sent in telling us:
I was out on the Southbourne Butterfly Transect today, 08/08/2025 with fellow transect walkers and after close inspection I found two Clouded Yellow eggs which were laid on Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil. Presumably there have been more eggs laid in other areas on the transect, fingers crossed.
Clouded Yellow. Photo: Gary Holderness
Gary sent in this photo telling us:
I was down on Southbourne under cliff this morning, 05/08/2025 too early for a transect walk but nevertheless there were still butterflies to be seen. Including 3 Clouded Yellows, fingers crossed they have a good season this year.
Clouded Yellow f.helice. Photo: Gary Holderness
Gary sent in this photo of a Clouded Yellow telling us:
I was down at Southbourne undercliff yesterday, 20/09/2024 where the highlights among the many butterflies flying were at least 2 f.helice Clouded Yellows and the Long-tailed Blues.