millerd wrote: ↑Mon Apr 14, 2025 6:49 pm
As I've mentioned before, there is a theory that immigrant butterflies follow river valleys (suggested to me by Neil Freeman) including my local stream, the Colne. I certainly see Painted Ladies every year, and Clouded Yellows too (even in such poor years as 2024 was), so today's sightings were not surprising in this context.
Another new arrival today, the fourth Red Admiral in the last three days - a stunning-looking one who found the ivy wall in my local park this afternoon after the rain. I am not sure the theory applies to the arrival of these Red Admiral,
Dave. I would have thought these ones flew high over the white cliffs of Dover, without stopping in Kent [which is understandable
], to come straight to the abundant, large patches of lush, nettles
Urtica dioica we have here. The habitats in the floodplains of the River Chelmer are sought out by the most discerning Red Admiral - the overnight rain has made the nettles grow from shin-high to knee-high in the past 24-hours:
- Urtica dioica
Baddow Meads 15/04/2025
And in the Meadgate Fields Open Space Cow Parsley
Anthriscus sylvestris, Nettles, & Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata, there were some butterflies hiding:
- Orange-tip
Meadgate Fields Open Space 15/04/2025
Before taking to flight during the intermittent spells of sunshine we had later in the day:
- Orange-tip
Meadgate Fields Open Space 15/04/2025
A Green-veined White and a Speckled Wood also came out to have a look after the rain left - both looking freshly emerged. I didn't get many photographs.
Two days and counting after the date Holly Blue were first seen last year, my search of the holly and ivy hot spots was in vain - its close, I can feel it - somewhere in here:
- The walkway formerly known as Holly Blue Alley 15/04/2025
- Ivy riverbanks Barnes Mill 15/04/2025
I am starting to get a little concerned considering the warm weather and days of full sun. Parasitism from the wasp
Listrodromus nycthemerus which seemed to devastate 2024's second brood locally may well have decimated numbers this spring in Chelmsford. But then I have not seen my first Holly Blue anywhere despite miles of walking and hours of searching for butterflies.
).
