April 2022

[bugboy]

I first saw the name Map butterfly a few weeks ago in passing Deborah and didn't look at any pictures. Thank you for introducing me to it with your photo. What a fascinating looking butterfly it is. Very striking. I did a bit of reading and saw this:

'The Map was unofficially introduced to the UK in 1912 when the butterfly became established in the Forest of Dean in Monmouthshire and Symond's Yat in Herefordshire. An entomologist at the time, A.B. Farn, was so opposed to the introduction of a foreign species that, in 1914, he collected and destroyed every butterfly he could find. However, the ultimate demise of the colonies is believed to be the result of additional (and unknown) factors'

That's not the only time people have tried to introduce them: 1920's, 1942, 1960's, 1970's, 1990's and approx ten years ago all saw unsuccessful attempts. I think Wurzel amongst others managed pictures of the last lot.

[Vince Massimo]

A round-up of observations from several sources.
Firstly, my first Small Tortoiseshell larvae of the year were found in a sheltered nettlebed on the Lancing seafront on 20th April.

Small Tortoiseshell larvae - Lancing, Sussex 20-April-2022

They look like second instars.

Also, today I found that the Vapourer moth eggs in my Crawley garden had hatched, some several days ago, judging by the appearance of the larvae.

Vapourer larvae - Crawley, Sussex 23-April-2022

Easter was spent on the coast at Lancing, where there were some fine sunsets over consecutive evenings, but the best was on Easter Sunday.

Lancing sunset 17-April-2022

I have also been contacted again by Dave Harris, who reports that Clouded Yellow eggs laid in his garden in Newhaven, Sussex on 28th March have started to hatch. Also the last overwintering Red Admiral larva there pupated on 21st April.

Vince

[PhilBJohnson]

Sunday April 24th 2022 am
Having also been informed and inspired by Mathew Oates article in The Times Newspaper on April 16th 2022, I would like also to remind someone, that in Lincolnshire, on average, we are about 1 or 2°C cooler, than in the “see first” south of England.
These pictures were all taken this morning, in a garden near Lincoln, Lincolnshire, before 10:00am.

Male Orange-tip pupa

Female Orange-tip (no orange)

Male Orange-tip having roosted here.

Soon, very soon and already with us,
Kind Regards

[Stevieb]

My first Wall Brown of the year. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

24th April

24th April

24th April

24th April

24th April

[Matsukaze]

24 April 2022 - male Brimstone apparently seeking the Holy Grail, fluttering in and out of hedges; male Orange-tip flying with intent, surely too fast to be searching; Peacock, Large White and Speckled Woods in the woods.

[David M]

My first Wall Brown of the year.

Nice sighting, Steve. Should be out round my way soon.

[millerd]

A day out on the Chilterns today, taking in three different Duke sites. A selection from the day, in no particular order. Plenty of other interest too...

A full report from all three sites to follow in my PD.

Cheers,

Dave

[Neil Hulme]

Cor blimey, Dave, that shot of Brimstones in flight is an epic!
BWs, Neil

[Stevieb]

A trip to battlesbury to see the Dukes this morning. Battlesbury Hill, Wiltshire

25th April

25th April

25th April

25th April

25th April

25th April

25th April

25th April

[Allan.W.]

I totally agree with Neil ,that Brimstone shot is quite superb ! Millerd ,that,ll take some beating in the photo comp ................Nice One !! Allan.W.

[David M]

I totally agree with Neil ,that Brimstone shot is quite superb ! Millerd ,that,ll take some beating in the photo comp ................Nice One !

Yup. That's Champions League quality.

[Pauline]

You just beat me to it David! Just seen the Brimstone shot Dave. Absolutely brilliant

[Chris L]

Far too many awesome photos on this page. Tough to single any out, but the Brimstone photo...

[Chris L]

I had a good day at Llanymynech Rocks on Sunday. Not as many butterflies as I expected to see volume wise (47), but my first Grizzled Skipper, Small Copper and Small Heath seen for 2022.

[zigzag_wanderer]

By way of adding some contrast to Dave's Brimstones photo (not to mention all other snaps ever featured in these pages), I offer you a record shot where I was clearly focusing in the wrong place and yes it did fly off before I could get a closer shot.

Was still pleased to see a Grizzled Skipper and a Red Kite in my 45 minute work "lunch hour" though. And to prove good things come in threes, I was also pleasantly chuffed with my decision to add thinly sliced shallot to my marmite, cheese and tomato sandwich. A winner but definitely need to bring in the spearmint gum tomorrow.

[Andy02]

A nice first day in Malaga today. My first spring trip since the start of the pandemic when I was prevented from travelling here. And all a short walk from my villa. Provence orange tip , black eyed blue and Spanish festoons.

[Charles Nicol]

By way of adding some contrast to Dave's Brimstones photo (not to mention all other snaps ever featured in these pages), I offer you a record shot where I was clearly focusing in the wrong place and yes it did fly off before I could get a closer shot.

Was still pleased to see a Grizzled Skipper and a Red Kite in my 45 minute work "lunch hour" though. And to prove good things come in threes, I was also pleasantly chuffed with my decision to add thinly sliced shallot to my marmite, cheese and tomato sandwich. A winner but definitely need to bring in the spearmint gum tomorrow.

thank you for providing several minutes of entertainment of the "Where's Grizzy" type

[Stevieb]

My first Small Heath of the year. Beacon Hill, Wiltshire

26th April

[Allan.W.]

ON THE BEACH (AND CHALK )
Had a couple of recent visits to Dungeness to see how the first brood Small Coppers were faring ,and pleased to say very well !a week ago Sunday we had a very respectable count of 27 pristine Small Coppers and my first of the season was a glorious Blue spotted female ............sadly my pictures of this individual were rubbish .......................couldn,t post them !
We found them all over the shingle ,and was also pleased to find a female Brimstone ...........really quite scarce at Dungeness Also found a single Grizzled Skipper.This Sunday ,a week on
I had a flying one hour visit ,and the numbers had risen significantly ,didn,t count them ,but i would guess at easily a hundred . They were feeding on the Gorse flowers and Blackthorn flowers,especially in the "Moat "

Also last weekend we visited Samphire Ho! near Dover ,mainly to see if the Early Spider Orchids were out ,and to have a look along the beach area to see if there were any butterflies ,there were .Good numbers of Wall Brown (10-15 ) several Small White ,some nice fresh Dingy Skippers ,and singles of Green Hairstreak ,Small Blue and Small Copper ,later in the year its also good for Adonis Blue ,and all just 15 metres from the sea.

Allan.W.

[millerd]

Thank you everyone by the way for the appreciative words about the Brimstone shot - a complete fluke, which I will explain when I get round to posting the day out in my PD in a day or two!

A visit to Sussex today gave me three new species for the year: Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Rewell Wood, and Common Blue and Wall at Mill Hill. The Walls were particularly tricky in the strong sunshine.

This day out will also feature in my PD a bit later on.

Cheers,

Dave