Clouded
Yellow butterflies are having an exceptionally good year, with over
1,000 counted so far in Dorset . Good years occur roughly one year in
ten so it is likely that this will be my last. It was a pleasure
therefore to see one in the old cricket field on Thursday. As far as I
remember this was the nearest to the village that I have seen one. Usually
they have been recorded near the new cricket field at Ashton, together
with Common Blues and the brilliantly coloured Adonis Blue.
The
Clouded Yellows at Ashton occur in a limited area, and I have wondered
if it is a permanent breeding colony rather than passing immigrants.
The only known permanent colony of Clouded Yellows in the country is in
Bournemouth which is warm enough for them to overwinter. There is a
limited supply of one of its food plants, Birds Foot Trefoil, but I have
yet to find any of its bright white, turning to pink/orange, eggs.
No photo, it flew off too fast. Pictures may be seen on the Dorset butterfly Conservation Website, www.dorsetbutterflies.com.
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