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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 9h

Ivy has got to be one of the best plants you can have in your garden. It's just great for biodiversity, it's early October, well into autumn and mine is covered in insects of all shapes and sizes. Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In this warm sunny weather I'm still seeing butterflies regularly in the garden, including this lovely Painted Lady. Which is great in late September. Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Out at Southbourne today, and on the transect there was an total count of 153 Clouded Yellows. There were more outside the transect walk. It's the most we've had in a single count since we started recording in 2022. Simply amazing. Also 3rd brood Small Copper, Whites and C'mon Blue. Sbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Week 24 and it was back out on the butterfly transect today. Just like the rest of Southern England there's Clouded Yellows everywhere, what a year we're having, with 10 helice spotted. Larva and eggs found as well. Only a few Whites and 2 Painted Lady seen for other species. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

I like many people have seen plenty of butterflies and quite a lot of different species in the garden this year. But amazingly no Common Blue. That was until today, only had to wait until September ! Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Week 21 and I was out on the Southbourne🦋transect today. Highlights 2 CY f.helice seen amongst other 'Cloudies'. Painted Lady and Whites about. Great to see Birds foot trefoil and more Sea Daisy's out in flower. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I've had quite a few Hornets in the garden this summer, coming in to hunt for insects and drink from the pond. Finally today one sat still for long enough to get a decent photo ! 🐝📸 Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I was in Basingstoke for a few days last week and when I heard that Queen of Spain Fritillaries had been seen close by I just had to go and find them. Thankfully 4 were seen. The first time I've ever seen this extremely rare migrant in the British Isles. Fantastic 🦋 Monk Sherborne Hampshire

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I was down at Southbourne today and it was nice to meet up with fellow Transect walkers who were manning a stall for Dorset Butterfly Conservation. These Clouded Yellows and Painted Lady were seen on S7. It's great to see that so many reported around the county. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Great to see that my potted cabbages and stinging nettles in the garden have been "found". Both have Red Admiral and Large & Small White caterpillars on them. It's something anybody can do very easily to increase butterfly numbers in their area in the hot and dry weather Alderholt Dorset.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Sand Martins nesting on the Undercliff of the Southbourne Butterfly Transect. Southbourne Dorset.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Week 17 and out on the Southbourne Butterfly Transect today. Numbers low due to dry ground and lack of nectar, most butterflies seen on upper cliff. Highlights 7 Painted Ladies. A few SW and Gatekeeper. Also good to see some Sand Martins still nesting on the undercliff. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

I was up in Oxfordshire last weekend. There was plenty of insect activity, the highlights, a beautiful Brown Argus and this Jersey Tiger Moth. Then yesterday evening at home a "thirsty" Purple Hairstreak was in the garden drinking moisture of my pot plants after I'd given them a water. Marvelous.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

I've seen them in the garden this hot summer quite a few times and I was finally quick enough with the camera to get a bit of video of it. The beautiful Hummingbird hawk-moth. The resemblance to hummingbirds a wonderful example of convergent evolution. Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Slightly cooler conditions yesterday (not by much!) so a planned trip to Brownsea Island went ahead. The highlight of a great day out of course, was the Red Squirrels. Fantastic 🐿️

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Week 13 and it was a scorching 🥵 morning out on the Southbourne Butterfly Transect. Plenty of Whites about (including this Large White). A couple of fast moving Painted Lady and a equally quick Clouded Yellow and that was about it. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

A lot of Green-veined White Butterflies have emerged on my local patch in the last 48 hours. There was hardly any last Friday now there all over the place. Plus a few White Admiral in the wooded areas. Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Lots of different species of butterfly on the wing on my local patch now including plenty of Ringlet and Large Skipper. Alderholt Dorset.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I spent a day at the Knepp estate yesterday primarily to see the White Storks. I wasn't disappointed, plenty about and breeding successfully. What a great job they have done rewilding the area, a fantastic place to visit. Knepp Sussex

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Success and now into the "big bad world" The Blackbirds have fledged.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Not much on the Southbourne Butterfly Transect this lunchtime, due to a brisk cooling wind coming in from the sea. Only butterflies seen were a few Small Heath low down, other highlights, two unidentified larva burrowing into Birds foot trefoil and deceased Privet Hawk Moth ! Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

"I think we're going to need a bigger nest . . ."

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Another rainy and cold day for June. But the Blackbird chicks continue to do well and perhaps are only a few days away from fledging ? What a difference from a week ago.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Two days later and eyes are opening on some of the Blackbird chicks. 🐦👍🤞

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

After three days of wind, rain and below temperatures for June, the "Garden Blackbird" chicks are still going strong, nice and dry due the the conservatory roof! Growing at a fast rate. Fingers crossed it continues.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A week later and the Blackbird eggs have hatched. Being fed and brooded well by the male and female. So far so good .🐦🤞

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

I've got to "take my hat off" to the local Blackbird in my garden. How she's managed in this hot weather to still brood her eggs which she laid on my Virginia Creeper under my conservatory roof entrance I'll never know . 🌞🥵🐦

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

A beautiful day on the Southbourne transect this morning. Common Blue on the wing with caterpillars found on the top cliff. Holly Blue, Small Heath and Small White also seen although overall numbers are on the low side. The Beach Daisy and Thrift today was simply stunning. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

I haven't been up to Compton Down in May to see Glanville Fritillary for 3 years now (how time flies) I wasn't disappointed, there were plenty about with many pairs mating. Compton Down Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

A cloudy rainy morning in the New Forest today looking for birds more than butterflies. Then nature surprises you, and you find a cold drowsy Pearl-bordered Fritillary hiding in the grass. Certainly brightens up your day . Pignal Inclosure New Forest.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Out on the Southbourne transect this morning before the cloud rolled in. Only two butterflies seen , one Small White and this tatty looking Clouded Yellow. Presumably one that's overwintered as a caterpillar ? Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

"Bathtime" for fledged Starlings in the garden today. Where's the soap ! ? 🧼

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

As it's a cool day I was out on my local patch this morning looking for larvae rather than butterflies. I counted 9 individual Orange-tip caterpillars on the Cuckoo flowers I found which was great to see.🐛 Alderholt Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I found time to get down to Christchurch again this week, great for all round birdwatching but of course the White tailed eagle remains the star of the show 🦅 Christchurch Harbour

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

I also found time to go to Christchurch Harbour not far from Southbourne to see the White-tailed Eagle pair there. Wildlife watching doesn't get much better than that. A great day.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

It's week 4 on the Southbourne Butterfly Transect and in the brisk wind and bright sunshine there was plenty to see on the Undercliff. The highlights: 3 CY ,2 Sm Cop, 2 Grn Hairstreak and a Silver Y moth. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I had a great time birdwatching in Dorset today with two "Top Birds" -the highlights. A White tailed eagle seen roadside between Wimborne and Cranborne plus the Red-spotted Bluethroat at Wareham. What a day !

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Reposted by garyh-56.bsky.social

Southbourne Seafront Transect @helice25.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

👏 Hurray the cycle is complete. Adult Clouded Yellow x3 on our Southbourne transect today. All stages monitored overwinter to demonstrate successful overwintering. Thanks to all who helped 👍 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

It was 3rd time lucky over the last couple of weeks as I finally saw my first ever Large Tortoiseshell at Hengistbury Head this morning after years of always missing out. Blooming Marvellous! 🦋 Hengistbury Head Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I was out at Southbourne Undercliff this lunchtime with Andy M, for our first week 1 transect walk of the season. In reasonably warm, calm conditions we saw Small Whites, Peacock and this lovely Small Copper. Plus a Common Lizard (according to A.I.) sunbathing without its tail !

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

In Andalusia I also saw some familiar looking Butterflies. Green Hairstreak, Brimstone and Wall. The site of a little Green Hairstreak chasing off Spanish Festoons from his patch (and winning) was a highlight of the trip. Mijas Spain

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Two classic Iberian butterflies seen last week. The Western Dappled White and Spanish Festoon. The Festoon my favourite Spanish butterfly. Mijas Spain.

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

More pictures of some "top" birds whilst travelling through the mountains last week. The impressive Griffon Vulture and White Stork, magnificent birds. Serrania de Ronda Spain

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

The "Southern Cousin" of our Orange Tip. The Provence Orange Tip was in big numbers on the hills and mountain slopes in Spain last week. Mijas Spain

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

They are also incredible acrobats ! Choughs El Tajo Gorge Ronda Spain

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

I spent last week in southern Spain and managed to take time out to do a bit of wildlife watching. Starting with these Choughs in Ronda. A first for me as I've never seen one before. Ronda Spain

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A great way to start the month of March down at the Undercliff today. Met up with Andy M and saw my first Peacock of the year 4 in total. Male Kestrel displaying well, plus another Clouded Yellow caterpillar found. Southbourne Dorset

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Spring is not far away.🌾 I found the first lot of frog spawn in my garden pond this morning, last day of February. 🐸

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garyh-56.bsky.social @garyh-56.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

I met up with fellow transect walker Andy M at Southbourne today to see if we could find any Clouded Yellow caterpillars. We found one, its great to see this individual is still surviving well into mid February. Fingers crossed there are more in the areas of the cliff which are inaccessible 🤞🐛

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