Dorset Butterflies 10th August , Silver Spotted Skipper, Hairstreaks etc

With the promise of a rare sunny day we decided to head for Fontmell Down nature reserve in Dorset to try and find the Silver Spotted Skipper a new butterfly for us.

It took us just over an hour and a half to travel across the beautiful Somerset and Dorset countryside to reach the reserve and yes we had sun but there was also a strong breeze. As we walked into the reserve noting the grasses and wild flowers along the way we suddenly saw the hill area that we would be searching for the Skipper and wow what a steep hill. There were already a few people searching for the Skipper and as time passed others would join us. It was great to have so many eyes peeled for the butterfly and everyone was very friendly.

As the morning warmed up we saw Common Blue, Brown Argus, Chalk-hill Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, S. Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Heath, Silver Washed and Dark Green Fritillary, Brimstone and a Clouded Yellow.  

Suddenly a shout went out for a Skipper and we walked towards the shout. I had a quick glimpse before the butterfly took flight. I hoped this wasn't the only sighting we would have. About 10 minutes passed and Ann suddenly spotted a Skipper land, a lovely female that rested for a good 5 minutes. The shout went out and I think all present on the hill got a good look and photos of the beautiful Silver Spotted Skipper. Our 4th 'lifer' of the year.

With our target butterfly seen we decided to visit Alners Gorse reserve on the way home hoping to see a few more butterflies. Alners didn't disappoint and the wildflowers were stunning adding an array of colours to the grasses. A good few people here as well and all very helpful and friendly. 

As summer is coming to an end and in view of the very unseasonal rainy summer we are having,  many butterflies were quite ragged and faded. We did however see Brown Hairstreak, Purple Hairstreak, Small Skipper, Small Copper, Small & Large White, Speckled Wood,  and a Valenzia Silver Washed Fritillary to top up our days count to 22 species.

Not a bad day out all in all we even saw a lovely Brown Hare as we got close to home.

 

    Echium Vulgare - Viper's  Bugloss, love finding this wildflower 

               

                  Common Blue - female

               

    Striking colours on this female Common Blue

                

                   Artists pallet 

   Brimstone - male a lovely sulphur yellow

                

   Common Blue - male

               

                   Clouded Yellow - very flighty and the breeze didn't help!

               

                   Common Blue flat in the grass away from the breeze

   Chalk-hill Blue - female

               

                    Silver Spotted Skipper - our 4th 'lifer' of the year

   The silver spots showing that this one is a female                          

               

                

               

    Stunning skipper 

               

                  Silver Washed Fritillary on Scabious

   Ragged and worn but still a good flier

                

                

   One of the many great looking planes flying over the reserve

             

                Faded purple Hairstreak as always at the top of the tree! Alners Gorse reserve

 Still good numbers Silver washed Fritillaries at Alners Gorse if a little ragged and worn

                

 

               

                   Meadow Brown

   Small Tortoiseshell 

               

   Common Blue

                

                   Small Skipper

   Brown Hairstreak

               

               

                   Once again a tiny butterfly in the tree tops

                

                   Over the moon to see this elusive butterfly

   Silver Washed Fritillary- Valenzia form

              

  Despite its very worn appearance this butterfly was still able to fly well

               

                  Tiny Purple Hairstreak 

   Small Copper