March 2019

[bugboy]

and one now seen at Seven Oaks in Kent
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

[David M]

and one now seen at Seven Oaks in Kent
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

Nothing on that link when I try it, BB!

[bugboy]

and one now seen at Seven Oaks in Kent
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... ater&ifg=1

Nothing on that link when I try it, BB!

Strange, still works for me on both my laptop and phone . Here's some screen grabs of the pictures anyway

[Deborah]

No photos, but today kick-started my butterfly season. In my garden: a Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Speckled Wood, male Brimstone, and a Large Cabbage White. Wonderful!

[David M]

Here's some screen grabs of the pictures anyway

Many thanks for that, BB. Wonderful to see.

Could this species be on the brink of becoming resident again?

[Padfield]

I've had my eyes peeled for large tortoiseshells, but none apparent on my Suffolk walks yet ...

In the garden, commas appear immediately the sun shines, even on otherwise dull days. I've been photographing as many as possible to see if any of the late February individuals are still around but it turns out they are different butterflies every day. The same sunspots are occupied by the same individuals throughout the same day, with fight-offs between the same pairs, but then all change for the next day. This is one of today's commas:



A female brimstone paused in the garden too today, attracting quite a lot of flies, which frequently sat on her to sun themselves:



She didn't seem to care.

Guy

[bugboy]

Here's some screen grabs of the pictures anyway

Many thanks for that, BB. Wonderful to see.

Could this species be on the brink of becoming resident again?

and now ones turned up at Holm Pit Lincolnshire
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2392978 ... 2/?fref=nf

[David M]

...and now ones turned up at Holm Pit Lincolnshire
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2392978 ... 2/?fref=nf

Given the easterly location, might that one be of the Yellow-Legged variety?

[David M]

Productive day on the Gower, with 4 Orange Tips (3 of them being females) the highlight.

Other species were Brimstone & Peacock 20-25 each, Comma 2, Red Admiral 2 and a Small White.

[petesmith]

...and now ones turned up at Holm Pit Lincolnshire
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2392978 ... 2/?fref=nf

Given the easterly location, might that one be of the Yellow-Legged variety?

My thoughts as well David! But having seen the photo now, I can confirm it is a Large Tortoiseshell.

[David M]

Thanks for clearing that up, Pete. I'm intrigued to know (not that it's possible) how that one got there,

[Allan.W.]

Large Tort ; Seen again today at Dungeness ,early afternoon I believe ,seen by at least one UKB member.
Allan.W.

[David M]

The following butterflies were seen on 30 March at Cwm Ivy/Whiteford Burrows on the NW Gower coast between 11.45am and 2pm:

Brimstone 10-15
Peacock 10-15
Orange Tip 6
Red Admiral 5
Holly Blue 2
Green Veined White 1
Comma 1

[Johnfosteruk]

3 Speckled Wood's, 2 Holly Blues and 2 Brimstones seen on 26th March at Forder Valley LNR outside Plymouth. The Brimstones were motoring, no chance of a photograph!

[David M]

Nice close up of the mint fresh Holly Blue, John. Looks as though he experienced some trauma in getting out of the pupal case with that fold in the wing.

[Johnfosteruk]

Thanks David, he looked like flying was a struggle as well poor thing.

[David M]

Hazy sunshine in the early afternoon tempted me out to the woodland clearings behind the Gower Inn at Parkmill today.

The following were seen in an 80 minute time period:

Peacock 8 (they are having a stunning spring this year)
Comma 3
Brimstone 2
Orange Tip 1
Green Veined White 1

The bluebells are emerging too (amazing to be saying this in March). This wing-damaged Brimstone was making the most of it:

Whereas this nice looking Comma had his work cut out defending his territory from two Peacocks:

[Johnfosteruk]

I took myself out to a local woodland in Plymouth as well today. 3 Peacocks were seen.