May 2025

[David M]

Given the conditions during March and April, it looks like May could have a bag of surprises in store...

[Ian Pratt]

Given the conditions during March and April, it looks like May could have a bag of surprises in store...

Let's hope so! Glanville fritillaries seen on the Isle of Wight very early.

[millerd]

I went out early today on my local patch to try and enjoy some relatively cool conditions before things became too hot for man and insect after lunch.

The first Holly Blue I saw was of similar mind...

A few Small Coppers were already up and about (and I hadn't seen this one before)...

...and likewise a few Small Heaths.

There haven't been many Brown Argus here this year yet, but a brand new female nectaring on the foodplant earned them my forgiveness.

I came across a surprise Green Hairstreak in a spot where I'd never seen one before, but it promptly disappeared. However, redemption came when I discovered another in the precise same location as one had appeared in 2024, doing the same thing - battling Holly Blues.

This became species number 17 for my local patch this year.

Altogether, I found 13 species this morning, with Holly Blues and Orange Tips the only ones in double figures - by 1100 it was already very warm.

Dave

[bugboy]

Bit of flirting going on this morning at Chiddingfold. Like Dave, I left before things got silly hot.

[David Lazarus]

Unlike Dave & Paul, I spent 8 hours in the sweltering heat of Tropical North Essex. As has happened on the previous days, my plans were thwarted, this time by military maneuvers at Middlewick Ranges, that prevented me from completing a full survey, and worst still training prevented me from entering Friday Wood. So, undeterred I walked to Abberton Reservoir and back in 25C heat, and recorded 115 butterfly sightings which some people would say was pretty good. But, for me, it was so different to the sites in South Essex. It did not feel like 100+ as the density of butterflies was very low - it felt very quiet and disappointing bearing in mind this was over 8 hours and 19 miles of walking. EWT Abberton Reservoir is a reserve for birds, but for me, it is a sanitised version of a 'wild' habitat - looks very nice, plenty of trees [they have planted 80,000 apparently], and the shrub layer is great. But there is no groundcover to speak of. The herbaceous layer is virtually non-existent and because of this so are the butterflies, unfortunately.

I walked passed miles of hawthorn without a flicker, let alone a flutter of a Green Hairstreak - and now I have given up. I will now rely on luck.

Very small highlights really - 4 Holly Blue [ first time I have seen more than 1 in a day]. This one pretended it was a Common Blue and I only got a record shot, but it was the first photo of a [rare] Holly Blue in 2025:

Holly Blue male
Roman River SSSI 01.05.2025

Half-a-dozen Small Copper, which is the best so far - and an amorous couple, plus I saw a female ovipositing [not the same one obviously]:

Small Copper male & female
Middlewick Ranges 01.05.2025

And, as in the sites of South Essex, Small Heath numbers are increasing, with plenty of butterfly activity.

Small Heath
Abberton Reservoir 01.05.2025

Peacock were in good numbers at the reservoir, and Orange-tip once again were noticeable wherever I walked. At the end of a long day, I finally experienced some moments:

Orange-tip female ovipositing
Abberton Reservoir 01.05.2025

Green-veined White male x 2 on Cuckoo Flower
Abberton Reservoir 01.05.2025

And this was quite a fortunate shot:

Green-veined White male x 2
Abberton Reservoir 01.05.2025

and by the time I got back to Roman River SSSI it was after 5 and I walked up Cherry Tree Lane unaccompanied by butterflies, so straight into the pub to re-hydrate.

[Chris L]

I had a nice day out in the Wyre Forest with lots of Pearls today.

[Wolfson]

I have seen 5 Painted Lady in the last few days in west Cornwall. I understand that high numbers have recently been seen in Madrid area. A lot of ifs, but maybe PLs UK will be more numerous this year.

[bugboy]

I have seen 5 Painted Lady in the last few days in west Cornwall. I understand that high numbers have recently been seen in Madrid area. A lot of ifs, but maybe PLs UK will be more numerous this year.

There's been a few reports from southern/central Europe recently concerning good numbers so things look good for a painted Lady year!

[Bertl]

An orange tip butterfly in between showers today.

Cheers

Bert.

[Stevieb]

Dukes now out on Battlesbury Hill along with Marsh Fritillaries. Battlesbury Hill, Wiltshire

Dingy Skipper (1)
Grizzled Skipper (7)
Brimstone (3)
Large White (1)
Green Hairstreak (12)
Small Copper (1)
Duke of Burgundy (2)
Red Admiral (1)
Peacock (2)
Marsh Fritillary (2)
Small Heath (10)

2nd May

2nd May

2nd May

2nd May

2nd May