April 2015

[MarkIvan]

A dreary day here in Sussex was brightened up by a Holly Blue roosting on the ivy opposite my kitchen window this morning, and as the weather didn't improve, stayed there all day.

Later in some woods near me, vaguely in the area I saw a female last year, I found a Silver-washed Fritillary larva hiding under a partially eaten violet leaf. Very small, less than 1cm, but very distinctly marked.
Have been speculatively looking for these for the past few weeks, quite a surprise to actually find one.

[MrSp0ck]

Glanville Fritillary larvae have been marching around the paths and across bare ground today at Hutchinson's Bank, in several areas of the site. They are mostly fully grown, so should be pupating in the next few days.

Larva 25.4.15

Larva 27.4.15

Larva 27.4.15

[Willrow]

Ewyas Harold Common, Herefordshire Decided to venture over the border today in search of Pearl-bordered Fritillary and although the sun was shining it was rather nippy, probably noticed it more after being spoiled for most of the month with warm days. Almost to the day this time last year I spent my first visit to the common sheltering from hailstones under a Scots Pine and the ground was like a quagmire, I saw absolutely now't - now move on one year and the ground is parchment dry and I managed to see 8 or 9 Pearl-bordered Frits and managed a bonus Grizzled Skipper as well ...what a difference!

The usual 'hot-spot' was rather quiet, I only saw two P-b F's there, I was surprised at the shortage of Bugle this year too, it's a favoured plant of the species and I will check on my next visit to see if there is any improvement, it could still be a bit early, I'm pretty sure both numbers of P-b F and bugle will improve over the coming weeks...at least I certainly hope so I was rather surprised to not see a single other species during my four hours at Ewyas Harold, no whites, vanessids or even a Speckled Wood or Orange-tip ...but the temperature barely rose above 9 celsius with a cold edge to the wind.

A very enjoyable few hours in a place I rather like

Bill

'When in doubt - venture out'

[David M]

Thanks for the report, Bill.

I'm up in Abergavenny this coming weekend and had earmarked a trip to Ewyas Harold Common.

Like you, I'm always disappointed at how such an environment can be so relatively bereft of species (apart from the PBFs of course) at this time of year.

Still, weather permitting I'll soldier on....and at least I know my main quarry has emerged!

[Neil Hulme]

I spent an enjoyable day with James Arnott (B. rex), and later on with Garry Philpott, on the Downs at Storrington. I didn’t keep an accurate score today, but the main attractions were Green Hairstreak (c. 20), Dingy Skipper (c. 30) and Grizzled Skipper (c. 10). Recent grazing with Sussex cattle has brought the Chantry Hill area into excellent condition. A few more warm days and the place will be swarming with spring butterflies. The South Downs National Park Authority-led Nature Improvement Area work, performed here in partnership with local farmers and BC Sussex, has left a lasting legacy.

[Mike Robinson]

A Sunny but Windy day; and my mind was as much on Birds as Butterflies.

But I was lucky enough to spot my first Green Hairstreak Butterfly this year; locally on the Erith Marshes, part of the Crossness Nature Reserve:

And a couple of white Butterflies sharing the same Dandelion (which I thought was rather nice):

[Willrow]

Thanks for the report, Bill.

I'm up in Abergavenny this coming weekend and had earmarked a trip to Ewyas Harold Common.

Still, weather permitting I'll soldier on....and at least I know my main quarry has emerged!

Good luck on your visit David, there should be lots more out by the weekend...hope the weather is kind

Best Wishes,

Bill

'When in doubt - venture out'

[Willrow]

Castle Meadows & Linda Vista Gardens, Abergavenny. A very pleasant afternoon stroll with my better half produced the following species; Holly Blue, Small, Large & Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell - because I was not officially 'butterflying' I made no attempt to count how many of each, suffice to say numbers were generally healthy, only the latter species was observed in the singular.

This has been a grand April and lets all hope that May can compare favourably...May is my favourite month of the year and there are some exciting days ahead (I can just feel it in my water)...

Bill

'When in doubt - venture out'

[Neil Hulme]

I managed to find 11 freshly emerged male Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at Rewell Wood today, so it looks like their numbers are building just in time for the first Fritillaries for the Future http://www.sussex-butterflies.org.uk/Fr ... uture.html guided walk there this Saturday. The weather forecast isn't great, but they don't need much encourage to get them moving.

[Matsukaze]

The White-letter Hairstreak larva I posted a photo of towards the end of April pupated successfully, the adult emerged today and flew strongly into the distance.