Hampshire and Isle of Wight Butterfly and Moth Society
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Butterfly and Moth Society
Holly Blue on poop!. My first Holly Blue of the year at Testwood Lakes today. There were also a few Orange-tips, but they were far too flighty for photos, and Brimstones and Peacocks. [Posted by Karen Urquhart]
Large Tortoiseshells on Isle of Wight. Was delighted to see Large Tortoiseshells at both Bouldnor Copse and Parkhurst Forest on 17 March together with numerous Peacocks, Commas and Brimstones with Sheila Anne Williams, Sally Quajar and Graham Sherrat. [Posted by Claire Hartt-Palmer]
Early Holly Blue near Hartley Mauditt today?. Among many Brimstone recorded near Hartley Mauditt today eg Brimstone rejection ? [Posted by Chris Piper]
Home Wood. Although the air temperature was only 9C, in my 30-minute wander this morning in Home Wood, Eastleigh, the sunshine was warm enough to entice out one male Brimstone, one Red Admiral and one Peacock. There were also several bumblebees attracted to the bright yellow flowers of broom. [Posted by Kevin Freeborn]
Inaugural AGM and Members' Morning. The society's inaugural meeting will be held on Sunday 26th April 2026, 10am - 1pm at Littleton Memorial Hall, The Hall Way, Littleton, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 6QL. Details are below and we look forward to seeing you there! [Posted by Pete Eeles]
Butterfly Recorders' Meeting. The 2026 butterfly recorders' meeting with be held online on 26th March. Details at https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/uk-butterfly-recorders-meeting. [Posted by Pete Eeles]
My first comma sighting of the year. A sun-filled walk around Fleming Park this lunchtime gave me my first Comma sighting of the year. There were five male Brimstone too. [Posted by Kevin Freeborn]
Basing Woods. A 5km wander around Basing Woods, north Basingstoke this lunchtime in warm early spring sunshine (at last) yielded 65 male Brimstone, 10 Peacock, one Red Admiral, one Small Tortoiseshell and a group of six Comma battling over territory. Two Orange Underwing moths flitted around the tops of birches. Other highlights were a soaring male Goshawk and plenty of Common Toad spawn. [Posted by Mike Wall]
24 hours on.... On today's lunchtime walk, male Brimstones were out in very good numbers in Fleming Park, Eastleigh. Just 24 hours after seeing my first butterflies of the year yesterday, I counted 15 Brimstone (all males) and two Red Admirals today. [Posted by Kevin Freeborn]
Hampage Wood. A very pleasant couple of hours spent at Hampage Wood this morning in the company of three Brimstone, including a mating pair, and a couple of Red Admiral. Some good birds around as well including Raven, Marsh Tit and good views of displaying Goshawk, all to the backdrop of drumming woodpeckers. [Posted by Rupert & Sharron Broadway]
Eastleigh butterflies. My 2026 butterfly season is now underway, having seen a Red Admiral and a male Brimstone on my lunchtime walk around Fleming Park, Eastleigh. [Posted by Kevin Freeborn]
Brimstone at Magdalen Hill Down. Today's work party at the old allotments section of Magdalen Hill Down was enlivened by a male Brimstone that popped out at lunchtime, flew around just long enough for all the group to see it and then disappeared. The butterfly season is officially declared open! [Posted by Sharron and Rupert Broadway]