Janet Turnbull

[David M]

..There was also a very heavily marked GVW...

Sure is, Janet; a real beauty. Painted Ladies are going to be pretty common this summer judging by how many there are currently in the SW of France.

[Wurzel]

Love the contrast between the nattily attired Green-veined White and the tatty old Brimstone Spot on with the Moff ID I'd say

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Janet Turnbull]

Working in Birch Moss Covert today, clearing the bracken from the heather patch and disturbed this lovely Brown Silverline

[David M]

That's quite a striking moth, Janet. I'm sure I've never seen one of those before.

[Janet Turnbull]

Working on the edge of Carrington Moss yesterday. Warm and sunny, causing the butterflies to wake up. I only had my phone with me so the photos are poor, but managed to get the Comma and one of the 3 Brimstones.

The Brimstone had unusual dark marks on his wings.

[Wurzel]

Nice to see that you got a butterfly shaped reward for you hard work Janet I reckon those dark marks could be some sort of damage it picked up whilst hibernating? Any shots of Brimstone at this time of year are pretty great - they're much more flighty/harder work in the spring

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

What a pleasant surprise, Janet. Not been too many Commas reported (they continue to elude me this year and may well carry on doing so into April) so especially well done with that one.

[trevor]

Congrats from me too Janet. Four butterflies in one day must be
something of a record for the Spring so far this year.
Like David, no Commas seen around here yet.

All the best,
Trevor.

[Janet Turnbull]

Cant believe i have left it so long to post anything; my butterflying has been well down since last year.
A neighbour saw what I believe to be a box tree moth. She noticed it on a fir tree, but being neither butterflyer nor photographer she drew this sketch, with careful notes.

Is anyone able to give an opinion/hazard a guess, please?
"Actual size" = approx 4cm across.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Janet,I know what you mean, my Butterfly count is well down the weather here as been either too wet or too hot. Goldie

[David M]

Cant believe i have left it so long to post anything; my butterflying has been well down since last year....

Same as the rest of us, Janet. It really has been dire throughout 2024.

The diagram could well be box moth given the shape of the wings.

[Janet Turnbull]

Thanks David! Much appreciated.

[Janet Turnbull]

On 6th May this year I believed I saw a Large Skipper beside the Bridgewater Canal in Sale, during a transect walk, and I sent this record to WBMS. It was initially accepted but recently rejected as too early, therefore incorrect. Out of curiosity, does anyone know when was the earliest sighting of a Large Skipper this year? I have deleted my entry, but is it possible that climate change and unexpectedly warm early spring could produce an exceptionally early emergence?

[millerd]

Hi Janet.

Butterfly Conservation's main website has 17th May as the first date for Large Skipper in 2024. However, these dates are by no means definite as no doubt many sightings are not reported to them.

Cheers,

Dave

[Janet Turnbull]

Thanks Dave! I don't know what it could have been, but it doesn’t look like it was a Large Skipper.