Brown Argus. Photo: Andy Martin
Small Copper. Photo: Andy Martin
Two photos from Andy sent in with the following comments:
On Saturday, 04/05/2024 I visited one of my favourite local sites at Ulwell near Swanage hoping to see my first Small Copper of the year. It was not long before one appeared with a second after a short while. I was further rewarded with my first sighting of a freshly emerged Brown Argus with a beautiful bluish sheen. Maybe Spring has arrived at last.
Meadow Browns. Photo: Marion Martin
Marion sent in this photo of two Meadow Browns she spotted yesterday, 30/06/2023 whilst she was exploring her local patch at Verity Park, Canford Heath.
Red-tipped Clearwing. Photo: Andrew Martin
Red-tipped Clearwing. Photo: Andrew Martin
Andy was rather surprised to find this Red-tipped clearwing moth on the rear window of his car parked at his home in Poole on 22/06/23.
Lures are often used to attract males, otherwise not an easily found moth.
One generation, late May -early August, with a peak emergence in mid June.
Small Copper. Photo: Andy Martin
Small Copper. Photo: Andy Martin
Two photos from Andy sent in with the following comments:
A walk along Southbourne seafront today, 07/04/2023 produced my first Small Copper sightings of the year. A total of 6 were seen and some appeared to have been on the wing a few days.
Editor’s Note: Yesterday, 07/04/2023 seems to have been a good day for sightings and photos of Small Coppers – this is just the first of three separate postings with photos of them and two more will follow shortly.
Clouded Yellow f. helice. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy sent in this photo taken 04/11/2022 telling us:
After the recent bad weather I took advantage of a sunny day to walk along Southbourne Undercliff and saw 4 Clouded Yellow on the wing including a close view of this lovely helice form.
Around 10% of female Clouded Yellows are of this pale variety, f. helice, their colour ranging from a soft yellow-lemon to white.
Brown Argus. Photo: Andrew Martin
Andrew sent in this photo of a pristine Brown Argus which he told us was just one of several he saw on the wing at Ulwell on 19/08/2022.
Lime Hawkmoth Caterpillar. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy saw this Lime Hawkmoth caterpillar in his Poole garden on 21/07/22 and a couple of days later he noticed another, sporting green livery as he put it. The previous post shows a photo of a green stage of this impressive caterpillar which George McCabe sent in.
Adonis Blue. Andy Martin
What is likely to be the first Adonis Blue reported to Dorset BC this year was seen today in Ulwell. Continue reading
Brown Argus. Photo: Andy Martin
Small Heath. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy has just sent in these two photos telling us:
Just had my first sightings of Brown Argus and Small Heath at Ulwell this afternoon. 26/04/2022. The settled April weather is certainly having a positive effect on butterfly emergence locally.
Editor’s Note: The first sighting of a Small Heath reported to Dorset BC in 2021 was on the same day that this one was seen, namely 26th April so this could be the first one of these reported to Dorset BC this year. However the first sighting of a Brown Argus reported to Dorset BC this year was a few days ago on 23rd April 2022 at Ulwell Water Works – last year the first one reported to Dorset BC was on 26th April, the same day that this one was seen.
Large Tortoiseshell. Photo: Andy Martin
Large Tortoiseshell. Photo: Andy Martin
Andy has just sent in these two photos he took today,17/04/2022 telling us:
A lovely Easter Sunday surprise as this morning I came across a Large Tortoiseshell at Ulwell. First seen perched high in a tree but then descended to give excellent views – what a treat. Sighting reported via app and to Dorset BC website.