We’ve had two photos sent in recently showing Marsh Fritillaries in Purbeck. One was on Godlingston Heath (grid ref SZ 016810), whilst the other was on Ballard Down (SZ 033811) where the butterfly was described as Continue reading
Marbled Whites. Photo: Donald Simcock
Common Blue. Photo: Donald Simcock
Two photos from Donald – the Marbled Whites were seen at Compton Down on 23/06/2022 and the Common Blue on Purbeck on 15/09/2022.
Small Copper. Photo: Donald Simcock
Wall. Photo: Donald Simcock
Two more photos, a Small Copper and a Wall both sent in by Donald and both taken on Purbeck on 16/09/2022 as he walked along the coastal paths looking for migrant birds and butterflies.
Painted Lady. Photo: Donald Simcock
Common Blues. Photo: Donald Simcock
Two photos from Donald sent in with the following comments:
A few days ago we camped in Purbeck and walked along the coastal paths for a couple of days mainly in the hope of spotting migrant birds but we also saw lots of butterflies. We came across a wet flush of grass and loads of flowering Fleabane which attracted Clouded Yellows, Blues and Whites. Along sheltered walls we also saw Wall and Small Copper.
These two photos were taken on 15/09/2022
Common Blue. Photo: Donald Simcock
Donald sent us this photo of a newly emerged Common Blue he saw when he was volunteering with a working party near an old quarry on Purbeck on 01/06/2021.
Common Blue. Photo: Donald Simcock
Common Blue. Photo: Donald Simcock
Donald has sent us these two photos of an emerging Common Blue with the following commentary:
Yesterday, 01/06/2021 I was out volunteering in Purbeck working next to an old filled in stone quarry and decided to have a walk to see what I could see.
The nutrient poor soils have very short grass and plenty of birds-foot trefoil in flower. On my first walk I saw 3 Common Blues and on my second walk saw a Dingy Skipper and one Common Blue.
As I was walking back, I caught a glimpse of blue on a birds-foot trefoil flower and then took a closer look. My first thought was the poor thing is on its last legs – a Common Blue with badly damaged wings.
I have never seen anything like this before and couldn’t reference any memories but then it suddenly clicked that this must be a newly emerged Common Blue in the process of inflating its wings. What a sight and what a story.
Speckled Wood. Photo: Penny Hawes
Penny tells us: “Lovely walk in the Purbeck sunshine yesterday. This is the first Speckled Wood I’ve spotted this year, on Stoborough Heath, 27/3/17.”