essexbuzzard wrote: ↑Wed May 08, 2024 8:04 pmWhipsnade Downs produced a fabulous 40 or 50 Duke of Burgundy..

That is indeed a fabulous total, Mark.

Sorry I'm late to the party, Pete - just arrived back from Spain. Have thoroughly enjoyed reading your report, with a few familiar butterflies contained within. I've only ever seen one Dalmatian Ringlet, but it is indeed a very striking species. Inky Skipper I have not seen, and I fully understand y...

Saturday 20th April – Last chance… With a 19 day trip to Spain commencing tomorrow, this was the last day I had to see a few spring species at home. A visit to Dan-y-Graig cemetery didn’t generate much so I moved on to Crymlyn Burrows, where the first notable thing I saw was a male Small White hara...

Maximus wrote: ↑Mon May 06, 2024 5:30 pm...Glad you finally found some good weather, David, hope that your trip to Spain was fruitful...

Thanks, Mike. This second week has been a cracker.

Looking forward to your further instalments from France.

Great range of spring butterflies, Dave. It's almost like you've been on a different planet so far this year!

I see things are brightening up round your way, Goldie.

Love that first Wall Brown image. It's caught the light perfectly!

Some great butterflies (and flowers) lately, Trevor. I can't blame the PBFs for being reluctant to emerge this year. Hopefully when the flight season is in full swing things will be warmer.

Thursday 18th April pm – Numbers remaining poor… After leaving Nicholaston, I headed to Cwm Ivy to see if butterfly numbers had improved. Sadly, they hadn’t, with no species exceeding 6 in total. Of the half dozen Holly Blues though, one was a very welcome female: 18.HBlue(1).JPG Red Admirals, surp...

...One of the most glorious sights in the world, we are so lucky to have these on our doorstep. We all complain about the weather, myself included! But that’s why they are here, for bluebells thrive in our cool, damp climate... Indeed, Mark. Whilst it can be depressing from a weather perspective in...

That's pretty impressive for 'a break in the clouds', Guy. Hopefully things will improve for you very soon.

Interesting Brimstone images, Goldie, and that Orange Tip is divine.

Hope you get a few more days like that with some warm sunshine (especially the day of the wedding).

Great to see those Wall Browns, Rob.

Thursday 18th April – Copper mining… I don’t normally visit Nicholaston Burrows at this time of year, but given that it’s a reliable spot for Small Coppers I thought I’d give it a once over to see if I could find my first of the year. 18.NichBurrws(1).JPG Pleasingly, I ended up seeing three, two of...

Lovely to see those GHs on the hawthorn blossom, Paul. Looks like they are resident there, even if their numbers are comparatively small.

Neil Hulme wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 10:13 amAt last ... wall-to-wall sunshine, and no wind!

At last indeed, Neil! Amazing that it should take so long to arrive.

Great to see that PBF.

Chris L wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 3:12 pm..And for most on the forum the numbers and species varieties will probably be considered crap

Not at all, Chris. That's a very respectable tally.

...I guess that South Wales has the same cool weather, David? Been awful, Mike, although I've been in Spain for over a week now (where it has been largely cool and cloudy too). Finally though, things have picked up, although given I'm in Almeria that's perhaps not surprising. Nice work with the Duk...

Nice to see you've caught up with Commas, Goldie. Hopefully things will warm up a little so you can see a few more butterflies.

It'd be nice if it stayed sunny during the wedding too.

Good to see the sun was shining somewhere, David. You’ve definitely had the best of it on that side of the country again this spring! Good to see the Holly Blues, I wonder how they will do this year? They have yet to get started over this way, but had an excellent 2023, so I’m hopeful. Been pretty ...

Lovely Orange Tips, Neil. Herb robert is something they seemingly can't resist and once you find a patch it's just a question of waiting until one passes by.