[Jos Stratford]

Though many seem to be reporting UK butterflies down, I was wondering what the current situation would be. With a sunny weekend coming up, any preditions for likely species on the Dorset coast, say Durlston and Corfe. Good time for Lulworth Skipper?

[B Bray]

Originally Posted by Jos Stratford

Though many seem to be reporting UK butterflies down, I was wondering what the current situation would be. With a sunny weekend coming up, any preditions for likely species on the Dorset coast, say Durlston and Corfe. Good time for Lulworth Skipper?

Jos,

We had Lulworth Skippers at Durlston last week, some of my pictures are in the July month at http://www.freewebs.com/notjustbirding/

.... but for a day by day account of butterflies and all wildlife at Durlston Country Park, go to this link:

http://www.durlston.co.uk/

Brian

[Jos Stratford]

Many thanks Brian, a useful link indeed, plus very nice photographs on your site.

[Jhanlon]

main highlight at Durlston at the moment is the large tortoiseshell present 3 or 4 days now. I'm just praying it's still there when I call in for Lulworths on my way to Cornwall later this week. Were the Lulworths easy? They sound it but I missed them last yr on nearby Ballard Down.

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by Jhanlon

main highlight at Durlston at the moment is the large tortoiseshell present 3 or 4 days now.

Depending on where you are coming from, of course For a East Europe based guy, the Marbled Whites and likes of Adonis Blue knock the spots from the Large Tortoiseshell.

[B Bray]

Originally Posted by Jhanlon

main highlight at Durlston at the moment is the large tortoiseshell present 3 or 4 days now. I'm just praying it's still there when I call in for Lulworths on my way to Cornwall later this week. Were the Lulworths easy? They sound it but I missed them last yr on nearby Ballard Down.

The Lulworths were really easy last week, if you walk down the tarmac road towards the Lighthouse, as the road drops downhill you pass a mock up of a quarry with what I think is called a windlass. Our Lulworths were each side of the road between here and the bridge at the bottom of the hill. The alternative is to walk west along the coast path and where the path emerges in to open fields (rather than being fenced on the landward side) start looking.

Hope this helps.

Brian

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by B Bray

The Lulworths were really easy last week, if you walk down the tarmac road towards the Lighthouse, as the road drops downhill you pass a mock up of a quarry with what I think is called a windlass. Our Lulworths were each side of the road between here and the bridge at the bottom of the hill. The alternative is to walk west along the coast path and where the path emerges in to open fields (rather than being fenced on the landward side) start looking.

Many thanks

[cwpbirder]

Lulworths were easy last year at least in the gully, and on the slopes between the visitor centre and the bridge to the west side. Very mobile though.

[draycotebirding]

Originally Posted by cwpbirder

Lulworths were easy last year at least in the gully, and on the slopes between the visitor centre and the bridge to the west side. Very mobile though.

Came back from Swanage last weekend, if you are going for Lulworth Skippers surely it's only right to see them in nearby Lulworth Cove? Plenty there last week.

John

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by draycotebirding

Came back from Swanage last weekend, if you are going for Lulworth Skippers surely it's only right to see them in nearby Lulworth Cove? Plenty there last week.

John

That's a good idea, sure would have a ring about it - not familiar with this locality, are they anywhere on the (?) coast path?

[draycotebirding]

Originally Posted by Jos Stratford

That's a good idea, sure would have a ring about it - not familiar with this locality, are they anywhere on the (?) coast path?

Hi Jos

There is a car park just before the cove and was very busy with tourists when I visited, just continue to the coast and then start looking to the right in the grassy areas above the beach.
Also Marbled White for you and Adonis Blue if you are lucky.

Regards
John