Summer Butterflies Put on an Impressive Show.

Today was a cooler day than of late and more in the way of cloud which limited the activity of our summer butterflies. A lunchtime visit to Bouldnor Forest  was rewarded with a selection of  butterflies and in particular White Admiral . When the sun came out several were observed nectaring on the bamble flowers and they were joined by the odd Silver-washed Fritillary. Among the new  summer species on show in the forest rides were Ringlet,Small Skipper,and Gatekeeper.

White Admiral & Marbled White on the Wing.

Another very warm and sunny day and in Bouldnor Forest  at Yarmouth I  came across a first White Admiral of the year. Four sightings were made in all with one individual briefly seen nectaring on bramble flowers in the shade and later the other sightings in the sunshine. In addition  three Marbled White were recorded,all feeding on the bountiful  supply of  bramble flowers.

Summer Butterflies Now on the Wing.

 A morning visit to Bouldnor Forest was rewarded with the sighting of three summer butterflies. We are enjoying a few days of warm sunny weather and the butterflies obviously responded. I quickly came across a White Admiral as it energetically fluttered in and out of the small trees and bushes at the side of the track. In all at least four individuals were recorded. It was also a thrill to see a first Silver-washed Fritillary of the year .The male was seen thrree times as he speedily flew along the ride. The visit was concluded with a single Marbled White.

 

Silver-washed Fritillary on the Wing at Yarmouth.

It was a first sight today of another summer butterfly. A male Silver-washed Fritillary was observed at Bouldnor Forest, as he picked himself  a sunny position on an overhanging leaf. Another individual was seen later, this time a female, along with White Admiral, several Small Skippers and what seems to be an Essex Skipper (pictured below).

   

More Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

Despite cloudy conditions this afternoon, the warm weather encouraged the butterflies out and new species were to be seen in Bouldnor Forest. In particular, the  Dark Green Fritillary was prominent with at least six individuals. These were seen mainly around a stand of Giant Thistles  and also along a quiet woodland ride packed with flowering plants like clover. In addition  Marbled White and Ringlet are now on the wing and in the company of White Admiral and Large Skipper.

First Summer Butterfly on the Wing.

In Bouldnor Forest today two first of the season butterflies were recorded. I enjoyed a brief glimpse of a White Admiral as it rested on the upper branches of a small tree before disappearing into the woodland. This was followed by sight of a Gatekeeper. Other species included a courting pair of Common Blue and  mating Meadow Brown butterflies. The latter species is now building in numbers since my first sighting on the 12th June.

  

Summer Butterflies Now on the Wing.

Today at Bouldnor Forest,Yarmouth  the first of the summer butterflies could be seen energetically flying along the woodland rides.Two male Silver-washed Fritillaries and at least two White Admirals, along with a first Marbled White of the season.Unfortunately after an all too short time the weather clouded over and any chance of further observations were dashed.




  

Along Flowery Woodland Rides.

Yesterday in Bouldnor Forest there were times when the rides seemed to come alive with butterflies.Especially so when walking through a mass of wild flowers as summer butterflies flitted all around.Abundant was the Silver-washed Fritillary nectaring on bramble flower, so to White Admiral.In the long grass the Small Skipper is now numerous and Marbled White numbers are increasing rapidly.One or two Gatekeepers are also to be seen with legions of Meadow Brown and Ringlet.

In the forest are Dark-green Fritillary which seem to particularly common this year.Find a giant thistle and it will not be long before this butterfly stops by.

 

Summer Butterflies on the Wing.

A long overdue visit to Walters Copse at Newtown today was rewarded with a bevy of summer butterflies.At least six Silver-washed Fritillaries,all males,good numbers of Marbled White,two White Admirals,and a rather worn Painted Lady.The latter no doubt,one of many to reach our shores this week from the south.

Butterflies After Water in our Drought-like Weather.

In Bouldnor Forest there is a collection of scrape-like ponds which are a remnant of oil exploration.They have become home for several species of dragonfly and now a water source for butterflies in this prolonged dry spell.It is maybe not unusual to see butterflies at damp patches in order to access salts, but it is always good to see a species that is not easily seen on the ground.This Purple Hairstreak seems to be a regular visitor at this water source at present as one was seen at the same location a week ago.

The nearest oak trees are just a stones throw away,as can be noted in the photograph below.Other butterflies after moisture at the same time were a White Admiral and a Small White. 

A Good Season for the White Admiral.

This year seems to be a good time for the White Admiral.My visits to Bouldnor Forest during the last couple of weeks has seen a steady increase in their numbers and yesterday I encountered  several alighting on the tracks. This elegant butterfly of our woodland loves to glide in and out of the sunny glades nectaring on bramble flowers and resting on a shaded leaf.

Plenty of Summer Butterflies on Show.

Butterfly numbers have dramatically increased now that the summer butterflies are on the wing.Today in Bouldnor Forest Marbled White and Silver-washed Fritillaries were the two new species.The White Admiral is now even more evident in the forest rides as they enjoy the bounty of bramble flowers.

A Common Blue Outshines the First White Admirals.

Following a wet and windy morning the weather picked up this afternoon.This made a walk through Bouldnor Forest very pleasant and it was not long before I saw my first White Admiral of the year.In fact I counted a total of three  fresh individuals and all were very active in the sunshine.

It was not only these colourful summer butterflies that stood out as  there cannot be a butterfly arguably more stunning than a female Common Blue. 

Summer Butterflies Enjoy the Bumper Bramble Bounty.

There were a prolific number of butterflies at Walters Copse today.The most impressive were the Silver-washed Fritillaries and the White Admirals.These and many other species were busily feeding on the bramble flowers that seem to be abundant in the copse this year.Although male and female Silver-washed were on show I was not lucky enough to see the female Valezina. In the south of England it is estimated that up to 15% of the females are of this beautiful form.