And they're off...

[Padfield]

Yesterday, warm sun and a warm wind brought the first small tortoiseshells of the year out of hibernation on my mountain. Today I saw three, at three different places near my house, in late morning. As I lay down photographing one of them, I found I had been stung by baby nettles just coming through - so it is just possible that flying at this time of year can be productive (it happens every year). However, as cold weather is the norm in February I would expect the butterflies to find somewhere to go back to sleep and wake up in March, having had strange dreams of a man and a dog staring down at them.





Don't worry - I won't bore UK lepsters with each and every sighting , but it's interesting to note when the season begins.

Guy

[Paul]

Given our snow at the moment, the new season feels a millon miles away.. good to see there is hope, though probably 10 weeks or more before I see a Tort here. Fresh specimen, must have gone into hibernation promptly on emergence?

[Padfield]

Good observation. That's what I thought too - it looks just as shiny and new as many I see at the beginning of summer emergence.

I think daylength is an important trigger for ST. After the beginning of February, they fly whenever the sun shines warmly enough here. In January they are much more reluctant, though there are exceptions. The UK daylength takes a while to catch up with ours, especially up where you live, Paul!

Guy

[Dave McCormick]

Nice ST find Guy. I can see it being near end of February or start of March before we see any Small Torts, or anything like it flying here. Its not been as cold or snowing as much as other places though, so if it keeps like that here, it won't be too long before something is flying. But I am looking forward to the start of the season here, need a better reason to get out and about.