March 2021

[millerd]

Another glorious day near Heathrow with temperatures over 23 degrees for several hours this afternoon. However, I was out a bit earlier and found my first Orange Tip of the year. It settled, but a bit of a way off at the back of a substantial bramble patch, but here it is for the record.

Cheers,

Dave

[David M]

Aah! Great sighting, Dave. Spring truly IS here.

Hoping they'll be out routinely by Easter with another couple of warm, sunny days on their way.

[Maximus]

Nice sighting of the Orange-tip, Dave, Spring has arrived.

Two Holly Blues, a Speckled Wood, single Comma and numerous Brimstones in our garden today. No shots as we were busy and my camera was indoors but they weren't stopping anyway

[kentishman]

Large Tort seen in Bucks yesterday!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/239297882845682

[Stevieb]

My first Speckled Wood of the year ( my first in 2020 was on the 16th March ) Melksham, Wiltshire

31st March

31st March

31st March

[Maximus]

Male Orange-tip seen in our garden this morning

[David M]

Large Tort seen in Bucks yesterday!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/239297882845682

Great stuff! A bit further north and away from the coast from where they're usually recorded.

[David M]

Weds 31st - wonderful day here in south Wales; 16c with mainly clear blue skies. Lots of butterflies on the wing at Cwm Ivy on the north Gower coast:

Brimstone 16
Holly Blue 8
Comma 4
Peacock 4
Orange Tip 4
Speckled Wood 3
Small Tortoiseshell 1
Red Admiral 1

[Chris L]

Fantastic photos David and Stevie. I had not noticed before how the Brimstone has such a friendly little face.

8 different species too David ! Incredible.

- On 30 March I saw 78 butterflies (45 Peacock, 22 Small Tortoiseshell, 8 Brimstone, 3 Comma).

- On 31 March I saw 48 butterflies (29 Peacock, 15 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brimstone, 3 Comma).

I have only seen the 4 species so far in South Derbyshire. Well strictly speaking I have seen 5. Fleetingly I saw a male Orange Tip yesterday. It set off like a greyhound when I disturbed it in some undergrowth. I saw the distinctive orange tips from a distance. However, it wasn't close enough for me to record an actual sighting.

My records show that I have seen 162 butterflies so far in 2021 compared to 117 on this day in 2020.

[Chris L]

A few photos from the last few days of March. With the last photo I thought I would try something a bit different to my usual sought after 'sunny side up' butterfly photo and I quite like it.

[David M]

Like it, Otep....and you've seen more butterflies than me so far this year I would say.

[Chris L]

Like it, Otep....and you've seen more butterflies than me so far this year I would say.

Thank you David. Seeing more butterflies than you so far is a badge of honour. It won't last. I think that by the end of April you will probably have seen 1,000 more butterflies than I and probably 10 more species. I have done the equivalent of sprinting the first 100m in a marathon.

[David M]

..I think that by the end of April you will probably have seen 1,000 more butterflies than I and probably 10 more species.

I doubt I'll have seen so many more, Otep. Whilst my local area has an excellent range of species (about 35 within a 20 mile radius), it's rare to see daily numbers into three figures before the Meadow Browns and Ringlets arrive in June. In fact, I doubt I'll have seen 1,000 butterflies by the end of May, but it won't be for the want of trying!