First LT I've heard of in 2024 (unspecified location in Kent)

https://twitter.com/WellManneredXS/stat ... jhYgA&s=19

If you see any in the Bristol area, you will know why - just seen this tweet from yesterday... https://twitter.com/search?q=large%20tortoiseshell&src=typed_query&f=live ("I reared 18 large Tortoiseshell butterflies this year from caterpillars.. stunning. deep orange..been spotted in Bri...

well, sorry to be a wet blanket, but I was given a fairly convincing little lecture last year on the unreliability of many Large Tortoiseshell sightings, so now I only get excited when I see a photo... especially as i am ready to travel a good distance to see my first LT. In fact my own personal rul...

@Aliceparfitt has tweeted a sighting with photo 25/3 at Houghton Forest, West Sussex, SU994114. https://twitter.com/Aliceparfitt/status ... 5151025152

yes, my immediate reaction was to jump in the car - but on reflection I decided it might be advisable to wait until a member of the public posts a photo...

@KneppWilding tweeted 18th Feb 2023: "males are now starting to emerge to set up their territories". It's a very big place, with only a relatively small area accessible to the public - they didn't mention whether they can be seen in the public areas.

Meanwhile, Pete, is it about time to open up the 2023 thread? I saw maybe the first 2023 sightings from France on Twitter today:
https://twitter.com/AAFuster/status/1621065548036730881

Does anyone know of any verified sightings around Portland in the SUMMER of 2022? The only sighting I know of was reported on the Dorset BC website July 18th - but no photo. Afterwards someone suggested to me that erroneous LT sightings are not uncommon.

Reported on BC Dorset website: 2 seen Church Ope Cove 18th July

surprised it hasn't popped up on here yet - so Heads Up... Matthew Oates found male and female on consecutive days at Knepp this week, plus larval damage on Wych Elm
https://twitter.com/MatthewOates76/stat ... 3577411586

Another DGF from Preston Hill, Lullingstone 27.6.22 - M or F anyone? thank you

thank you very much!

I guess this is a female (Preston Hill, near Lullingstone, Kent 27.6.22). Not very orange, and with some quite pale edge markings. Could anyone confirm (or deny) please? thank you!

thank you very much! (life tick #49) but it makes me wonder - where the male and female are quite different - do you need both for the tick? in which case I'll have to hand one back for the time being - I have one miserable beaten-up end-of-season female high brown frit.

Hi, could anyone kindly verify whether this is a male and female Lulworth Skipper. Taken 12.6.22 between Lulworth and Durdle Door. Thank You!