Tag Archives: Refoy

A red, black and brown butterfly with some white markings on a brick wall

Red Admiral. Photo: Shona Refoy

The first photo for the Gallery of a butterfly seen in 2025 – sent in by Shona telling us:

I saw my first butterfly of the year today, 16/01/2025 during an unexpected spell of sunshine this morning.  A Red Admiral basking on a first floor windowsill in Upton Country Park Walled Garden – luckily it flew down to a low wall so that I could take some better photos.

Two brown and orange butterflies on a plant seed head

Small Coppers. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

I went to Southbourne on Saturday, 21/09/2024 hoping to see some Clouded Yellows and a Long-tailed Blue or two. There were no Clouded Yellows to be seen, and I only saw one Long-tailed Blue in flight.  It was, however, a wonderful day for Small Coppers – I saw at least 13 including these two – I was delighted to see them, my first ever mating pair of Small Coppers.  My thanks to Steve for spotting them.

A white butterfly with some black markings on a pink flower

Large White. Photo: Shona Refoy

Shona sent in this photo telling us:

I went for a walk from Worth Matravers today, 13/09/2024 and one of the first butterflies I saw in the village was this male Large White. He looked quite stunning in the sunshine, with deep shade behind him.

A brown butterfly with white markings on some green and brown vegetation

Silver-spotted Skipper. Photo: Shona Refoy

A brown butterfly with white markings nectaring on a yellow flower

Silver-spotted Skipper. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

During a visit to Fontmell Down on 28/08/2024, I was lucky enough to see this female Silver-spotted Skipper ovipositing (top photo).  The second photo shows the same butterfly nectaring – I followed and photographed her for 18 minutes before I lost her.

A silvery blue butterfly with black, white and orange markings on a green leaf

Common Blue. Photo: Shona Refoy

Shona sent in this photo telling us:

This very blue female Common Blue was in my Broadstone garden on 01/08/2024. She was ovipositing on Bird’s-foot Trefoil before resting on a nearby leaf.

Two butterflies, one greyish and blue and the other brownish grey. Both with black, white and orange markings on a green leaf.

Silver-studded Blues, Photo: Shona Refoy

A brown and orange butterfly with some white and black markings on a purple flowers

Small Heath. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

Walking around Higher Hyde Heath this afternoon, 21/07/2024 I was pleasantly surprised to see 215 Silver-studded Blues including two mating pairs and some quite fresh-looking butterflies. This Small Heath also caught my eye sitting on heather but I didn’t see as many Graylings as I would have hoped – hopefully there are more to come.

A golden brown butterfly together with a dark brown slug on a yellow flower

Large Skipper and Slug. Photo: Shona Refoy

An orange butterfly with black and yellow markings on a yellow flower

Marsh Fritillary. Photo: Shona Refoy

Two photos from Shona sent in telling us:

I went to Badbury Rings early this morning, 07/06/2024) to see some butterflies before it clouded over yet again.  I hadn’t seen a Large Skipper sharing a Dandelion with a slug before but both seemed quite happy!  Another first for me at Badbury Rings was this Marsh Fritillary – it was not as surprising as the one I saw on Ballard Down though, as Marsh Fritillaries have recently been seen on the Bishops Court transect on the nearby Kingston Lacy estate.

A brownish orange butterfly with white fringe to the wings

Glanville Fritillary. Photo: Shona Refoy

A blue butterfly with a white fringe to the wings and some black markings

Common Blue. Photo: Shona Refoy

Shona sent in these two photos telling us:

I had another surprising sighting today, 21.05.2024, this time on Ballard Down.  Approaching the coastal end of the hill, I saw a male Common Blue sparring with another butterfly.  They both settled during a cloudy spell, revealing the second butterfly to be a Glanville Fritillary!  I wonder if he had flown over from the Isle of Wight?