Small Tortoiseshell

[jellyang]

I am pleased to say that The Small Tortoiseshell is alive and kicking (or should that be nectaring) in my small corner of Norfolk.

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I counted at least a dozen on the corner of this field. Now I have to keep my fingers crossed that the Farmer does not decide to crop his field verges.

Still it was a lovely vision to see so many.

Angie

[jellyang]

Today I counted 26

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Reminds of a few years ago when you would have a butterfly on every single flower on your Buddleia.
Anyone else remembers that?


Angie

[Pete Eeles]

Great shots Angie - I haven't seen anything like that for a while now

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

Great shots. I should really check where I see most tortoiseshells, in a field not far from my house. I counted 7 last check in there. Glad the numbers in some areas are alright.

Next year might be a little better for them, well I am hoping anyway.

[Pete Woodruff]

I have a feeling I may be repeating myself here (in a previous post) however, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock are known to be 'down' this year in my neck of the woods (North Lanc's). I'd personally claim the former to be actually 'missing' though on Saturday I did see c.26 Peacocks in two areas on the fringe of the Forest of Bowland.

Pete Woodruff.

[jellyang]

Pete,
I think I have your share of Peacocks in Norfolk. There has been more on my Buddleia than any other butterfly. Numbers seem to be the best for at least 2- 3 years.
As per my pics you can see Small Torts are looking good too.

However Red Admirals are still very low , so I am hoping for a warm Sunny September to reverse that.

Angie

[Gruditch]

Two small Torts in two days, not bad for Hampshire, and although the Common Blue does not seem to of had a vintage year, they are spreading, as I've found them one two new sites in the last week.

Gruditch

[Will]

Here in SW Wales I have recorded the Small Tortoiseshell in every month from February to September, except for July. This may have have had quite a lot to do with the fact I was away for most of the month! Numbers have been lower than 2007 by some margin. Lets hope for better weather in 2009.

[Denise]

I have only seen two all year, and none in my garden. I'm ( that would be pea green) with envy.

Denise

[Will]

Today on a roadside pig field, overgrown with buddleiah, in Burry Port, there were around two dozen each of Small Tortoiseshell, Large White and Red Admiral. Also 8 Peacock and the odd Green-veined and Small Whites and a single Speckled Wood. Sorry Denise!!

[mccormick]

I have seen all these butterflies today inclueding Hollyblues, to many to count except small tort six at bell end.
i am davs dad, the one who photo the comma over hear in N/Ireland, my son keeps me right

[Gruditch]

Hello Dave's Dad

Gruditch

[smithy]

The sun came out today in somerset and so did the Small tortoiseshells.A visit to a local fishing lake in Bridgwater in hot bright conditions resulted in 16 of these beauties congregating on one small white buddelia. Until today i had only seen 2 all year so far in somerset. The lady who runs the lake is very keen to attract as much wildlife to her lakeside garden as possible and has this year transformed the site with loads of flower and shrub beds. She has apparently been getting tortoiseshells in smaller numbers for a few months and apparently in recent days is visited by almost the same numbers of humming bird hawk moths in the early evening! I will be going back to photo, tomorrow hopefully.

My first post sorry its long and wafflely.

[KeynvorLogosenn]

Why does everyone here seem to be able to come across small torts?
I haven't come across one all season!
How can I attract them to my garden, or does anyone know of any hot spots?
Cheers
Mouse

[Shirley Roulston]

They like somewhere warm to bask, perhaps if you have a couple of tins trays and place them round the garden. Shirley

[thepostieles]

hi ALL JUST BACK FROM HOLS IN SKEGNESS.WHILE WE BEEN WALKING ABOUT SAW 30 OR MORE ON BUDDLIAS BY THE FRONT ALSO COUPLE OF RED ADMIRALS AND PEACOCKS.LOT OF SMALL AND LARGE WHITES ABOUT TOO

[eccles]

I saw literally hundreds yesterday at Puxton Moor in Somerset (entry added to the 'sites' topic). There has been maintenance of the rhines by the look of it, and mud lined both sides of this particular one. Grass was stifled allowing thistle to take over and flower which attracted the butterflies. I went home with muddy shoes, muddy jeans and a big smile on my face.

[eccles]

Just processed loads of pics from yesterday's small tort bonanza at Puxton (13th September)
Hope you like this one.

[Shirley Roulston]

Found one in the garden to-day nestling amongst the flowers.

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Shirley

[KeynvorLogosenn]

And today, I found one as well!
mouse