Friday 18 October 2013

More Long-tailed Blues on the Isle of Wight.

Following the sighting at Wheelers Bay on Tuesday last,another Long-tailed Blue was seen yesterday at the very same location.This individual was a pristine male and as its larval food plant is very close by and in  abundance it must be probable that these recent sightings are of locally emerged butterflies.
The following photographs of yesterdays male Long-tailed Blue are courtesy of Andy Butler.



Tuesday 15 October 2013

Long-tailed Blue at Wheelers Bay.

It was a beautiful day at Wheelers Bay,Bonchurch,and I was treated to the sight of this male Long-tailed Blue feeding on the red valerian.Although the species has been spotted on the Isle of Wight in past years it is not a common sight by any means.Hopefully it may be a sign that the Long-tailed Blue could become a breeding species here as it has this year on the mainland.



Tuesday 8 October 2013

Still Clouded Yellows To See.

There are still Clouded Yellow butterflies to see at Wheelers Bay,Bonchurch as the sunny and mild weather has persisted.Among these butterflies are also several helice,which are females and sport much paler upper side wings than the normal rich yellow.In fact the underside too can be almost white but in the case of the helice pictured below these undersides are more inclined towards the usual colour.