Brimstone. Photo: Warren Port
The recent sunshine seems to have brought out the butterflies including this Brimstone – photo sent in by Warren telling us:
Yesterday, 25/02/2026 I saw 10 male Brimstones in Shaftesbury – 5 of them were at Breach Common and 5 at Enmore Green. I also saw one last week at Tesco Petrol station. This photo was taken at Breach Common.
Winter Moth. Photo: Warren Port.
Warren sent us this sighting of a Winter moth on 26/12/25 which he spotted in Sturminster Newton, resting on a wall.
An interesting fact is that females cannot fly, and are often carried in flight by the male during copulation.
Red Admiral. Photo: Warren Port
Ruby Tiger Caterpillar. Photo: Warren Port
On 8th November Warren tells us:
Today I photographed a Red admiral and a Ruby tiger moth caterpillar enjoying the sunshine on Park Walk, Shaftesbury. I moved the caterpillar off the path to safety.
Comma. Photo: Warren Port
Comma. Photo: Warren Port
Warren sent in these two photos telling us:
Today, 08/09/2025 at Castle Hill, Shaftesbury there were several Commas, many Large Whites, a Small White, a Peacock and several Speckled Woods. I took these photos of two of the Commas.
Brown Argus. Photo: Warren Port
Brown Argus. Photo: Warren Port
Warren sent in these photos telling us:
I’ve just seen my first ever Shaftesbury Brown Argus today, 14/08/2025 at Castle Hill, Shaftesbury.
Holly Blue. Photo: Warren Port
Warren saw this beautiful female Holly Blue while at Breach Common on 5/08/25
The broad dark edges to the forewings tell us it is a female.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Photo: Warren Port
Warren was pleased to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth on blackberries at Breach Common, Shaftesbury on 5/08/25
Its good to see them at rest as its the only way to see the colour and pattern of their wings.
Silver-washed Fritillary. Photo: Warren Port
Silver-washed Fritillary. Photo: Warren Port
Two photos from Warren sent in telling us:
I saw two Silver-washed Fritillaries today, 24/07/2024 at Puddletown Forest. I hadn’t seen them there before so that was a nice surprise.
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Warren Port
Warren sent in this photo saying:
I managed to photograph this Small Tortoiseshell at Castle Hill, Shaftesbury today, 21/07/2025. I have recorded it as a part of the Big Butterfly Count. It looks very fresh.
Common Blue (male). Photo: Warren Port
Common Blue (Female). Photo: Warren Port
Two photos from Warren sent in telling us:
Today, 16/07/2025 I saw the first Common Blue butterflies I have seen in Shaftesbury for two years. I saw the stunning male first and then found the female at Breach Common.