Norfolk Butterflies and Moths (9 Viewers)

[davebuggin]

Several silver washed at holt cp saturday,very flighty though.

 

[HarassedDad]

New brood commas emerging now, Holt CP had a broad-bordered bee hawk today apparently, as well as double-figure silver-washed. Still no reports of hairstreaks but they must be flying. I'd expect chalkhills by now as well - if this was a normal year.

 

[Dawn Balmer]

Any good spots for the Silver-washed at Holt CP? Or just on the trails?

Thanks
Dawn

 

[HarassedDad]

The area from the kids play park to behind the buddlia at the back of the car park was good last year - but I've not been myself yet this year.

 

[Kayn]

New brood commas emerging now, Holt CP had a broad-bordered bee hawk today apparently, as well as double-figure silver-washed. Still no reports of hairstreaks but they must be flying. I'd expect chalkhills by now as well - if this was a normal year.

Purple Hairstreak on the wing 04/07

 

[Dawn Balmer]

Thanks - will be up in two weeks time so will have a look - weather permitting!

 

[Tideliner]

Good numbers of White Admarals and SW Fritillaries out now at Swanton Novers.

 

[RobLucking]

The area from the kids play park to behind the buddlia at the back of the car park was good last year - but I've not been myself yet this year.

I had a single silver-washed fritillary by the entrance to Holt Station this afternoon. Also white admiral there. Also had a s-w fritillary in the car park at Holt CP but couldn't stay long as as I didn't have change for the ticket machine and the parking attendant was on the prowl!

 

[Tideliner]

I saw 2 purple hairstreaks at Swanton Novers on the 9th and a single the next day. First gatekeepers just apearing 16 SWF and 20 + white admirals on Friday. Quite a few commas and the new brood of small torts.

 

[93Birder]

I was surprised to see large numbers of Dark Green Frits still on the wing at Holkham. Some still in really good nick! Large numbers of Sw frit and white ad now out in Holt.

A Lunar Hornet Moth was a pleasant surprise a way from the poplars too.

 

[James Emerson]

We're only midway through the Dark Green Fritillary season, they are often still numerous at the start of August.

Lunar Hornet Moths are associated with willow (Hornet Moth with poplar), which may explain your sighting being away from the poplars.

Regards,
James

I was surprised to see large numbers of Dark Green Frits still on the wing at Holkham. Some still in really good nick! Large numbers of Sw frit and white ad now out in Holt.

A Lunar Hornet Moth was a pleasant surprise a way from the poplars too.

 

[breydon]

Lots of Small Skipper and Meadow Brown butterflies on the Breydon north wall today. Its good to see that the thistles and other wild plants have been allowed to grow on the banks and not had a strimmer taken to them

 

[93Birder]

Nice surprise in the form of White Letter Hairstreak at uni today. My first record on campus and not sure many have been recorded! Large numbers of Purple Hairstreak also out

 

[HarassedDad]

Blimey
Queen of Spain photographed at Fritton Lake Country Park last weekend
I've just had a report of someone claiming Purple Emperor at Swanington Upgate on the 22nd
and chalkhills are now flying at warham camp.

 

[James Emerson]

Wow, a shame that we've got bad weather for the next few days. Is there any reason to doubt that the Queen of Spain is a genuine migrant?

Blimey
Queen of Spain photographed at Fritton Lake Country Park last weekend
I've just had a report of someone claiming Purple Emperor at Swanington Upgate on the 22nd
and chalkhills are now flying at warham camp.

 

[breydon]

I caught one in my garden in Gorleston-on-sea back in the first part of the 80s. I reported it in the AES bulletin at the time Peter Cribb said it could have been a migrant or may have been a captive bred release. A very special butterfly to see

 

[HarassedDad]

Given the history of migrations into England, I'd say there's no doubt it's genuine. If someone was releasing them I'd expect it to be somewhere more public, and it's near the coast.
Just to muddy the water on the Emperor though, I've now had an email reporting "an exotic purple butterfly" in Eaton that "definitely wasn't an Emperor" . (Might have been a Camberwell possibly?)
That email hot on the heels of two reporting Silver-washed in Norwich (one near the station, the other in Magdelen street) both seen thursday. Also a Valezina SWF photographed thursday at Holt CP

As you say, shame about the weather.

 

[a_j_steele]

A nice purple hairstreak where seen with plenty of commas this evening at Gipsy lane, tichwell

 

[James Emerson]

More information (and a link to the photo) on the Queen of Spain Fritillary on the Suffolk Butterflies website (yes it was in the overlap zone, no bickering please B ) http://www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk/sightings.html

 

[breydon]

Given the history of migrations into England, I'd say there's no doubt it's genuine. If someone was releasing them I'd expect it to be somewhere more public, and it's near the coast.
Just to muddy the water on the Emperor though, I've now had an email reporting "an exotic purple butterfly" in Eaton that "definitely wasn't an Emperor" . (Might have been a Camberwell possibly?)
That email hot on the heels of two reporting Silver-washed in Norwich (one near the station, the other in Magdelen street) both seen thursday. Also a Valezina SWF photographed thursday at Holt CP

As you say, shame about the weather.

How about a Purple Emperor Aberration ? rare I know