Butterflies 2018 (1 Viewer)

Thought that I would continue with the yearly insect updates and move on to the butterflies. 2018 was not as good as it could have been as I spent rather a lot of time venturing around other parts of the country. The upshot was that although my life list grew a little my Northants exploits were a little curtailed. I didn't manage to achieve any of the goals that I set myself at the end of last year's season but having said that still managed to match last year's species total.

Much of the season was influenced as usual by the weather with the "Beast from the east" delaying the start of things a tad and the heatwave seemingly having an affect on the activities of the later species. My highlights of the year was the sighting of a Black Hairstreak at Harry's Park Wood which was a first away from Glapthorn and also the discovery of White-lettered Hairstreaks in a hedgerow near the same wood.

Next year I'd like to catch up with county Dark Green Frits and also to see the reintroduced Chequered Skippers, only time will tell if I can achieve any of this but I'm already looking forward to the challenge!

This year's list will follow the established pattern with species mentioned in order of appearance and with details of first date and location of that sighting.

1/ Red Admiral. Weldon, 28/1

2/ Brimstone. Priors Hall, 25/3

3/ Peacock. Priors Hall, 25/3

4/ Comma. Corby, 5/4

5/ Small Tortoiseshell. Corby, 5/4.

The next little batch...

6/ Orange-tip. Weldon, 19/4

7/ Small White. Deene Lake, 22/4

8/ Green-veined White, Priors Hall, 22/4.

9/ Speckled Wood. Priors Hall, Priors Hall, 22/4.

10/ Holly Blue. Weldon, 9/5.

A third instalment...

11/ Grizzled Skipper. South Wood, 11/5

12/ Dingy Skipper, Priors Hall, 13/5

13/ Green Hairstreak. Priors Hall, 13/5

14/ Common Blue. South Wood, 18/5

15/ Large White. Oundle, 19/5

A few more to enjoy.

16/ Small Heath. Priors Hall, 20/5

17/ Brown Argus. Gretton, 26/5

18/ Black Hairstreak. Glapthorn, 6/6

19/ Large Skipper. Priors Hall, 10/6

20/ Meadow Brown, Priors Hall, 10/6

Section five.

21/ Wood White. Yardley, 16/6

22/ Essex Skipper. Brookfield Plantation, 17/6

23/ Painted Lady. Brookfield Plantation, 17/6

24/ Ringlet. Willowbrook Industrial Estate, 17/6.

25/ Marbled White. Willowbrook Industrial Estate, 17/6.

Soon be over...

26/ Purple Emperor. Harry's Park, 25/6

27/ White Admiral. Harry's Park, 25/6

28/ Silver-washed Fritillary. Harry's Park, 25/6

29/ Small Skipper. Weldon, 25/6

30/ Gatekeeper. Harringworth Lodge, 2/7.

The last little county bit.

31/ Purple Hairstreak. Harry's Park, 9/7

32/ White-lettered Hairstreak. Near Harry's Park, 22/7.

33/ Small Copper. Weldon, 26/7

34/ Clouded Yellow. Weldon, 10/10 (Picture taken in Spain)

Just sneaking in five highlights from elsewhere in the country, Adonis Blue, Duke of Burgundy and Marsh, Pearl-bordered and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries.