millerd

[millerd]

Cheers, Wurzel - yes, she was a fine-looking Holly Blue! However, I've seen precious few of the species so far this season in comparison with recent years so I hope this is just one of their downswings (not that I can recall when the last one was - there have always been good numbers as far as I can remember...).

With the sunshine continuing and things even warming up a little, I decided on Thursday 3rd April to head off further afield to see if any of the other spring species were around. I headed up to Incombe Hole on the Chilterns, a great spot for spring chalk downland species, but the first thing I noticed was that the trees up here were well behind those locally and the slopes had hardly any flowers beyond a sprinkling of violets and a few budding cowslips. However, it was warm and sheltered at the bottom of the "hole" and a few Peacocks were up and about.

I might have guessed that there would in the end be little more to see, as I didn't come across another soul in the couple of hours I was there (in marked contrast to my last visit in spring 2024). I had hoped to at least see a Green Hairstreak, but in the end (aside from the Peacocks) the sum total for the morning was a couple of Commas, a series of Brimstones and a single Orange Tip.

I returned home, and soon found a greater variety and numbers of butterflies there.

Dave

[Wurzel]

It's been a little like that over this way Dave The weather seems conducive and has been for a while but there's an awful lot of walking done for very few butterflies. Still it is early doors still and things normally kick around May round here as we don't benefit from the Heat Bubble

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

Cheers, Wurzel - I think the chilly nights may well have made a difference to what's been appearing and when. It must make a difference to the rate of development of early stages tucked down on the ground if the temperature is oscillating between freezing and 20 degrees or more. I wonder if it will affect the patterns of any species when they do emerge?

I spent and hour or so during the afternoon of 3rd April on my local patch. Eight species were flying:

Peacock 10
Comma 7
Red Admiral 3
Speckled Wood 3
Orange Tip 2
Large White 2
Small White 1
Brimstone 1

The area I have dubbed Comma Corner lived up to its name this afternoon.

They do have to share with other butterflies too...

Large Whites are always in this spot as well, but spend most of the time high up and roost in the trees.

Speckled Woods are beginning to get going now, and often like to bask towards the end of the afternoon after charging up and down the paths during the day.

I spotted an Orange Tip having a pre-roost snack on a willow flower...

...and finally, late afternoon is when the Red Admirals appear. All these three are familiar insects, and you'd almost think they look at me in the same way after multiple encounters over the last few weeks.

They certainly can get quite tame.

Dave

[millerd]

On Friday 4th April, I headed the other way for my first visit of the year to Denbies Hillside. It was clearly another brilliantly sunny day a few miles to either side, but a narrow plume of thick high cloud from the Gatwick direction remained in place throughout the morning. This kept the temperature and solar radiation down quite a bit, and there were few butterflies around. I had hoped to find a few Green Hairstreaks, but drew a blank there, but a wander along the bottom of the slope to the "rabbit lawn" at the western end was slightly more productive - I counted three Grizzled Skippers, and managed a few shots of one of them.

I found several Peacocks (there can't be many places without them at the moment) and a couple of Commas, but that was pretty well it on the butterfly front.

These Pasque flowers did catch my eye though.

Once again, I found more when I returned home (but then the sun had been out here!).

Dave

[millerd]

Back home again for the afternoon of 4th April. This was (perhaps not surprisingly) a reprise of the previous afternoon, with Commas generally taking centre stage.

With good numbers of Peacocks as well, this one stood out in particular - hardly a mark on it.

Amongst the various Whites, I spotted one trying to camouflage itself in a sea of blossom.

Overall, 30-ish butterflies, with 8 species represented.

Dave

[millerd]

On Saturday 5th April, the sun shone again, but it was cooler and fresher than the previous day. I stayed entirely local and in my wanderings managed to count over 100 butterflies for the second time this year, with 10 species on the wing:

Peacock 31
Small/Green-veined White 27 (probably around a 2 to 1 ratio)
Brimstone 12
Comma 11
Large White 9
Orange Tip 9
Speckled Wood 3
Red Admiral 2
Holly Blue 1

I was particularly pleased to find a Holly Blue - there are very few appearing this year, which is most uncharacteristic for the site.

Nothing else really stood out - just the numbers and variety enjoying the glorious weather.

For once, it wasn't a Red Admiral that decided to come down and perch on my hand.

It's turning into quite a memorable spring...

Dave

[bugboy]

On Saturday 5th April,

I was particularly pleased to find a Holly Blue - there are very few appearing this year, which is most uncharacteristic for the site
Dave

If I remember correctly your local third brood last year was also rather poor, maybe the parasitoid cycle is at its peak on your patch?

[millerd]

That's exactly right, Paul - the third brood of Hollies last autumn was almost nonexistent and the summer brood distinctly below par too. Hopefully it is just cyclical and they will pick up again soon. (I did see a couple of new ones today, so you never know! )

Sunday 6th April was cooler again, but still sunny - though butterfly numbers were down a bit on Saturday too. I split the day in two, spending the morning out on the open grassland near the River Colne watching Green-veined Whites in particular. The verges under the brambles and nettles that line the river bank contain various plants that attract this species, and several females were laying (though it was often hard to distinguish on what exactly.)

However, I eventually found an egg.

To complicate matters, there was a female Small White down among them as well.

To complete the set, I found a few Large Whites too.

At one point, I disturbed a couple of butterflies nectaring on dandelions and they flew up together to be joined in a melee by a third. I fired off a shot from a way away in hope rather than anything else, but though the result is rather blurry it is just possible to discern that the trio consisted of males of (left to right) Small, Large and Green-veined.

A second walk later on produced a different range of butterflies.

While watching a spat between the last two butterflies above, I noticed they had disturbed a trio of Holly Blues that were probably preparing to bed down for the night.

It's strange how this species, like its blue butterfly cousins, sometimes elects to roost communally despite a very different habitat.

However, this was not the best bit of the day. Also sunning itself in the late afternoon sunshine was a brand new female Speckled Wood.

A stunning butterfly to finish on.

Dave

[millerd]

On the chilly (but sunny again) Monday morning of 7th April, I decided to make my first visit of the year to Aston Rowant (N). I was hoping for Green Hairstreaks again and despite the chill, they didn't disappoint. I found them as usual along the hedge that bounds the far edge of the main slope, catching the best of the morning sun and generally sheltered. They were also along the top path as well, and some were down on the grass too, presumably as it was the warmest spot.

Asde from the Hairstreaks, I didn't see a great deal else, though there were a couple of Grizzled Skippers along the old trackway at the bottom of the slope.

As always, there still seemed to be time to catch up with my local patch - where there was greater variety, but nothing exceptional (though I did count 5 Holly Blues today).

Nine species seen altogether.

Dave

[millerd]

Tuesday 8th April looked to be a repeat of the previous days weatherwise. My youngest offspring had an urge to wander round College Lake near Pitstone (and not far from Incombe Hole either).

It was distinctly chilly despite the sunshine, and during a leisurely circumnavigation the only butterflies we saw were Peacocks - including this one.

When we returned home it was distinctly warmer, and I headed out round my local patch once again. I counted around 60 butterflies, with 10 species making an appearance:

Peacock 18
GVW 10
Speckled Wood 6
Large White 5
Comma 5
Small White 4
Orange Tip 4
Red Admiral 3
Brimstone 1
Small Tortoiseshell 1

The last of these appeared close to the river in a different spot to my only other sightings this year, but a location where in years past they were fairly frequently seen. It was sitting on the path, but took off as I approached and shot off with the wind behind it towards the river bank and out of sight.

Large Whites continue to do well this spring. I am used to seeing just the odd one in the spring, but this year their numbers may have been enhanced by the inward migration of high numbers in late summer /early autumn last year.

GVW are also having a pretty good spring so far.

This one shared a sheltered spot with a Speckled Wood.

The latter species are also slowly increasing in numbers...

...and I tried to capture one of the males' tight-knit aerial battles.

I have still to see a female Orange Tip, despite finding males in various spots every day now.

However, they must be around, if this egg is anything to go by...

I had initially wondered if this were a GVW egg, as it was pale and not orange, but apparently they start that way and darken. (When I checked a couple of days later, it had disappeared altogether.)

That left the various larger butterflies. Here are two more Peacocks in amazingly good nick...

...and a Red Admiral that has been steadily losing bits of wing every time I see it.

Finally, the Commas. Some of these have also weathered the winter well.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Just caching up on your PD Dave Difficult to know where to begin but that three males in row shot is interesting Great to see the Grizzlies and the Greenstreaks - they're just starting to kick off over this way although the Greenstreaks seem to be having a very sedate arrival to the season Some lovely whites as well - especially that dusky Green-veined But a Peacock on the hand

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

Cheers, Wurzel - that Peacock was quite a surprise. I'm used to Red Admirals doing it, but for a Peacock to mistake me for a bramble bush is a novelty! And mentioning catching up... The weather this year has meant there has been an opportunity to see butterflies every day since 20th March (excepting 23rd and 27th of that month). Keeping a diary of all that activity, including increasing numbers of days out elsewhere, is a tad tricky.

On Wednesday 9th April it was a bit cooler (15 degrees max.) but I could spend more time walking around my local patch. Only 9 species today though, with Brimstones absent - no doubt because of the lower temperatures. However, I spotted the same Small Tortoiseshell that I'd seen the day before in exactly the same spot and with the same result. I did get a slightly better look at it as it bounded away - it was a very worn individual.

The other eight species all made good contributions. The GVW continue to outnumber the Small Whites, and there are a couple of areas where they fly up from the grass in multiples.

Small Whites are more elusive and certainly trickier to approach.

I usually find this is true of Large Whites as well, but this year they appear more amenable for some reason.

Speckled Woods appear to be having a good spring so far...

...as do Commas - though they are starting to look a little faded now.

I think the Peacocks have now reached their peak - and have also started to disperse away from the wooded areas where they hibernated into more open country where their preferred sunlit nettles grow. One or two still patrol the paths.

However, patrolling duty is generally undertaken by the increasingly worn Red Admirals that can also sometimes be seen taking a break and looking down from up in the trees.

As they wear, they can be individually identified by the various chunks they have managed to lose from their wings.

Last on the list were the Orange Tips - all males again: the females are very difficult to find this year though they must be out there somewhere.

Dave

[millerd]

On Thursday 10th April, the cloud dissipated for once earlier than the forecast had suggested, and I arrived down at Denbies Hillside ln sunshine.I had seen Grizzlies and Green Hairstreaks the previous week, and today they were joined by my first Dingy Skippers of the year. In the bright sun they proved far trickier to approach than the other species, however.

The Grizzlies were better...

...and the Hairstreaks best (and most numerous) of the three,

two brown blurs that are Green!

Also seen: Brimstones, Peacocks, Orange Tips, GVW and a single Holly Blue.

Dave

[millerd]

As always, back at home later the same day I saw a different selection. These included Small and GV Whites sharing a dandelion...

...some fresh Specklies...

...a Comma or two

...a trio of ragged Red Admirals

...and another Peacock that was anything but: it could have been August...

Dave

[millerd]

On Friday 11th April, I went down to Noar Hill, a spot I hadn't been to for a few years. I wandered along the familiar maze of paths in and out of the former chalk pits, and the temperature gradually rose - but there weren't many butterflies about. After a few Peacocks, Brimstones, GVW and the odd Orange Tip, I spotted something small and brown - a Dingy Skipper. I saw the same butterfly three times as I passed the same spot, and eventually managed to get a photo.

By 1100 it was really pretty warm, and while making my way back to the start I walked along a narrower bit of path that was just a bit more sheltered. Here at last was a Duke of Burgundy.

I had followed this path at least twice earlier on, but had seen nothing. However, within a minute of two I realised that there was another Duke as well, as the pair encountered each other several times. The second one was a much smarter individual.

I only found the two Dukes, and was a bit disappointed not to see that much else - Green Hairstreaks in particular.

Dave

[millerd]

With some sunshine remaining toward the end of the day, a short local walk produced a few late afternoon butterflies.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Is the 11th April early for Dukes even at Noar Hill Dave? Feels like it - but then things are going a little made this year - I just wish the numbers were slightly higher I'll reply to your PM later once I get back from work...

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

I think the earliest I've ever seen a Duke at Noar Hill was 10th April, Wurzel, so this was close - and one of the two I saw wasn't new.

The following day (Saturday 12th) promised to be another very warm and sunny one, so with Dukes definitely in mind I headed up to Incombe Hole again. Unlike my previous visit, there were a few other folk on a similar quest, including a few familiar faces (Hello again, Monica!), but thankfully not too many.

The most striking aspect of the day was the number of Green Hairstreaks. It seemed as if every hawthorn was hosting at least two, and they were darting around constantly as you walked gently past. They are a butterfly that shows little fear, and many were settling at eye level and returning to the same spots even if you were right next to them. Almost all were fresh, and they were an absolute delight to watch.

There were also good numbers of both Grizzled and Dingy Skippers, with the former being in the majority - but the latter being a bit fresher.

After enjoying all those splendid spring butterflies, bang on cue at 1100 the first Dukes appeared. I think there were four or five at most, all in a relatively small area, and it was a while before everyone caught up with their whereabouts.

Also seen, but somehow rather overlooked, were Brimstones, Peacocks, Orange Tips, GVW and a Comma or two.

A splendid morning on an excellent chalk downland site.

Dave

[Wurzel]

Cracking collection of spring butterflies Dave, especially the Dukes - that looks like a really interesting site I've seen reports of Common Blues, Brown Argus and Small Blue from Wilts so hopefully the decent weather will ensure they're flying at Sidbury

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[millerd]

Incombe Hole is an excellent spot, Wurzel, and in fact a walk from there to Ivinghoe Beacon can be full of butterflies during May, with sometimes hundreds of all of the spring quartet featured here (plus the less glamorous species too).

After the morning in near-summer heat, I only managed a short local stroll later on with the familiar nymphalids.

Dave