Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Clive Hill
Clive saw this beautiful Small Tortoiseshell in Stourpaine on 07/09/2019 – a super photo showing the lovely colours of the butterfly against the stunning pink flower of a Buddleia.
Tag Archives: Small Tortoiseshell
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Dave Law
Dave sent in this photo showing what is an increasingly rare sight of 2 Small Tortoiseshell together on the same plant. Photo taken on 18/08/2019 in his garden near Duncliffe Wood after he returned from holiday. He added that there seemed to have been a mini explosion with at least 15 different Tortoiseshells feeding on various buddleia’s around the garden as well as Peacocks, Painted Lady and Whites. Like stepping back in time to his childhood.
Butterfly bonanza!
Meadow Browns mating. Photo: Becky Williamson
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Dom Greves has been looking at the statistics generated by the butterfly sightings sent in to this website, and has found generally good news. Continue reading
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Dave Law
On 14/07/19 in his garden near Shaftesbury Dave tells us:
This was one of two Small Tortoiseshells egg laying on the nettle patch in the garden . The nettles are cut back from mid June to encourage the fresh growth that the females require . Also Commas and Red Admirals using the same nettle bed.
Whilst suitable flowers for nectaring butterflies are of course really necessary, plants in the garden for the caterpillars of butterflies and moths are of paramount importance, but so often not included.
Buddleia butterflies coming out
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Dave Law
We have had some comments about the lack of butterflies this year, which isn’t true statistically, but we agree the species we see in our gardens have been lacking recently.
However, Dave Law sends us heartening news. Continue reading
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: George McCabe
Apologies for the size of this photo, but George explains:
Spotted this Small Tortoiseshell sunning itself on the road tarmac near Bincombe, Weymouth. It soon flew off into the ploughed field with crops just showing next to the road, and laid there quite happily; l had to take the picture from a distance as l could not get over the fence. The reason l have sent you this picture rather than the better one I’ve taken this yea,r is that it shows how much white is on the wings – never seen that – and how fresh it looks.
This is the first Small Tortoiseshell photo/record we’ve had sent in since February – anybody else seen one?
March butterflies take Dorset up to 15 species
Small Coppers. Photo: Andy Martin
Butterfly numbers still appear to be well up on last year. Continue reading
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Paul Davidson
If ever we needed a photo to remind us of Summer, today is that day. Freezing cold, and with a real threat of snow, Paul’s beautiful photo of a Small Tortoiseshell which he spotted in Frampton on 15/07/18, ticks all the boxes.
Small Tortoiseshell struggling in Dorset and England
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Shona Refoy
Shona Refoy from Broadstone, took this lovely picture on 07/09/18, and adds the shocking statement “I was delighted to see this butterfly, my first sighting [of this species] in Dorset this year!” Continue reading
Small Tortoiseshells suffering from the summer heat?
Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Brian Arnold.
Brian Arnold sent us in this great photo of a Small Tortoiseshell recently and said from his observations “They seemed to be quite scarce last year, but … they have virtually disappeared this year”. We asked our Records Officer, Bill Shreeves to comment. Continue reading